In a vast territory where gigantic trees rose like sentinels, the cool breeze danced, bringing with it a sweet relief from the intense heat. The golden rays of the sun filtered through the leaves, creating an enchanting dance between light and shadow, as if the very world were alive, pulsing with magical energy. In every corner, nature seemed to breathe in perfect harmony, and the air vibrated with a rejuvenating energy, almost as if the forest whispered ancestral secrets.
In the distance, a rustic cabin stood, nearly swallowed by the surrounding vegetation. Sunbeams penetrated through the open windows, illuminating the simple interior. Made of aged wood, with dried branches and leaves carefully arranged to shade the sun, its structure looked old but stubbornly sturdy. Some holes in the roof allowed beams of light to pass through, dotting the wooden floor with golden rays.
Inside the cabin, simplicity reigned: a straw mattress rested in the center, some hunting tools hung on the walls and a humble fireplace served as a backdrop, next to an old wooden bookcase full of old books, whose cracked spines told stories. of forgotten times. .The heat inside was stifling, as if even the walls were weary of their own existence. Occasionally, a lazy breeze would attempt to relieve the atmosphere but with little success.
From a small room next door, warm, rhythmic sounds echoed.
Renk!! Renk-enk
— ~Uhmm... ~Ahhh!! Faster, you... lazybones! — a melodious and soft voice echoed with a hint of impatience.
— By the gods, woman! — replied a rough and exasperated voice. — I'm a hunter, not a pack horse! [...] ~oooh!
The euphoric moans continued to fill the cabin, almost mocking the tranquility around. Meanwhile, on the other side, a calm voice broke through the noise.
Flip… Flip…
— Ah... interesting...
Lying face down on the worn wooden floor, a boy slowly leafed through an old book, his little fingers flipping through the yellowed pages with almost devout attention. His eyes, shining with curiosity, followed each word as if the stories contained within them were the very fabric of reality. Until...
— What the hell!!! — his childish voice echoed through the cabin, filled with frustration.
The boy, dressed in a tattered linen shirt and worn-out pants, had fair skin and dark hair that fell messily around his neck. His scrunched-up face betrayed his dissatisfaction with the book he still held tightly. It seemed that the story hadn't ended the way he expected.
Buff!!
He slowly stood up, walking with measured steps toward the shelf, completely ignoring the muffled sounds now diminishing from the room. Upon hearing the silence finally settle in, he sighed and murmured, with the nonchalance of someone already accustomed to that routine.
— Well... looks like the fun is over.
Reaching the shelf, he placed the book back in its spot and, from the corner of his eye, saw the bedroom door open. From it emerged a woman of stunning beauty, wearing a long dark blue dress that hugged her curves. Her amber skin shimmered in the sunlight, and her dark, wavy hair glistened, cascading softly over her shoulders. She avoided the boy's gaze, causing him to raise an eyebrow with a nearly imperceptible smile.
"Oh, yes... as if I hadn't heard everything..." The boy thought, feigning interest in the books once more.
She hurried out of the cabin, as if her haste could erase the sounds that had filled the space moments before. When the door creaked loudly shut, the boy cast a thoughtful glance at the shelf of books and, with a dramatic sigh, murmured to himself:
— Am I the real oddball here? Yes, of course... it's definitely me.
He returned to his small world, immersed in the books, until a gentle voice pulled him from his immersion.
— Small? How do you manage to spend so much time on this every day?!
The raspy voice jolted him from his thoughts like a sudden thunderclap. He blinked, returning to the present, where the books and complicated words felt less pressing.
— Unbelievable an old man like you does the same? — the young man replied, turning slowly to face the intruder with a casual shrug.
The man emerging from the next room seemed carved from the forest itself—bronzed skin, in his forties, with the ruggedness of someone who had seen his share of battles, or perhaps just too many hangovers. His graying hair hung to his ears, and his dark eyes bore the weight of untold stories.
For a moment, they stared at each other like duelists ready to draw swords. But then the man let out a booming laugh, shattering the tension.
— I've still got energy, boy! — he chuckled, catching his breath. — But sooner or later, you'll drop those books and find something more... interesting! — he grinned mischievously, deepening his wrinkles.
The young man raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
— Maybe, but for now, I'm focused on more important things.
— WHAT? — the older man stared, wide-eyed, as though the boy had blasphemed.
Stroking his beard, he leaned in with a glint in his eyes.
— Ah, kid... you haven't tasted life yet, that's why you talk like that... But maybe I can introduce you to something more... exciting? — he teased with a wink, laughing again.
The young man flushed bright red.
— Not interested! — he retorted, trying to regain his composure.
Changing the subject, he glanced at the bookshelf.
— She's coming back tomorrow, right? — he asked with a sly grin. — Are you in love, old man?
The older man paused, his playful grin softening. He sighed and moved toward the door.
— She's... an incredible person, — he murmured.
Opening the door, he looked outside, the woman waiting calmly. Without returning, he added with his usual playful tone:
— I'll be back soon, kid... but don't count on me to light the fire!
The door closed, leaving the young man alone.
— Incredible... — he whispered, then sighed, turning back to the book in his hands.
— I need to figure out this world, — he muttered, flipping open the pages with fresh resolve.
— After all, I'm not in my world anymore.
AFTER DAYS
~Zim!!
The sharp sound of the projectile sliced through the air, followed by the shrill cry of a bird plummeting from the sky like a stone. The impact on the ground sent other birds scattering in a frenzy from the nearby branches.
— Damn! That was unbelievable! — the old man exclaimed, his eyes wide with pure admiration. —How the hell did you hit it from that far away? [...] If I had known you were a prodigy, I would have had you hunting long before, kid!
The young boy, already marching toward the fallen bird, wore a restrained smile. With his bow in one hand and his satchel in the other, he strode across the grass with the confidence of someone who already knew the outcome before releasing the arrow. Without turning around, he replied with a hint of sarcasm:
— I told you, old man.
The old man huffed, crossing his arms.
— Yeah, you've muttered that plenty of times. But who would have thought a little squirt of... seven... or eight days named?? — he looked at the boy, now taller — would be better with a bow than many bearded hunters out there?
— Now, older, I think it's time for you to go to the city and show what you can do. — he added with a wink, presenting what seemed like a golden opportunity.
With precision, the boy pulled the arrow from the bird and threw the body into the bag, feeling the weight increase as he wondered why his friend was so determined to hunt so many that day. He looked around, the smell of the dense forest mixing with the metallic scent of fresh blood. The reason didn't take long to occur to him. "Rella", he thought, his old friend's little girlfriend. It was clear that the friend wanted to impress her, perhaps plan a romantic dinner. A faint smile curved his lips as he imagined the scene. It wasn't every day that you saw a man his age so intent on pleasing someone... At the mention of the city, he stopped abruptly and turned to face the old man, his eyes shining with challenge.
— Not a chance!
The old man let out a laugh so loud it seemed like someone had just told the best joke in the world.
— Oh, come on, boy, that's a great idea! Besides, you're all grown up now! It's time to leave the forest and discover the city of Qohor. — he said, as if he were talking about a great adventure and not a city full of strange people.
The boy narrowed his eyes.
— You're trying to get rid of me, aren't you? — he asked, putting on a theatrically offended expression, as if performing in a play.
The old man grinned mischievously.
— Absolutely! — he replied, not even attempting to hide it. — But only because I know you're ready.
The young boy laughed, shaking his head, fully aware of the old man's quirks. He always mixed a few truths into his jokes, but that didn't mean the boy would make things easy for him.
— Ahhh, I'm tired of hearing your moans, you know? — joked the boy, laughing as he adjusted the bag on his shoulder.
The old man nearly choked on his laughter, pounding his chest as if recovering from an exaggerated fit of giggles.
— Oh, kid, one day you're going to make a king die laughing. But seriously, I talked to a friend in the city. He can find you a place. With your aim, you might even gain some fame.
The boy rolled his eyes so dramatically it seemed like they might pop out of their sockets.
— Fame? City? — he murmured, gazing up at the sky as if the gods were on his side. — Do you really think I want to waste time in a boring little town? I'd rather explore the real world!
The old man raised an eyebrow, incredulous, as if the boy had just declared he wanted to be the next king.
— Explore the world? So early?
The boy nodded seriously, as if revealing a genius plan.
— Exactly! It was always my goal, after all!! I'm going to know every corner of this world!
The old man shook his head, clearly believing the boy had bumped his head on a tree.
— You're crazy, kid. You're going to get yourself into trouble.
— No way. I know exactly what I'm doing. That's why I spend so much time reading! — he replied confidently, as if books were indestructible armor.
The old man chuckled softly.
— Oh, gods... you think books prepare you for the real world? Little do you know, it's the road that teaches you the greatest lessons... that and surviving the dangers that come with it.
The boy stared at him seriously for a moment before breaking into a smile.
— That was the most elaborate sermon I've ever heard from you. Too bad it didn't make a difference! — he laughed again, while the old man could only sigh, already accustomed to the boy's stubbornness.
Before their conversation could continue, a woman appeared, walking along the trail. Her soft footsteps caught the old man's attention, and he straightened up, eyes gleaming as if he were seeing a feast after days of hunger.
— Finally! — he grumbled, approaching her with a mischievous smile. Without ceremony, he pulled her into a tight hug and exchanged a few kisses.
The boy, stepping back, rolled his eyes as if to say "here we go again," murmuring to himself:
"Only way he stops being a grump…"
At a safe distance, he chuckled to himself.
— I think I'll give it another shot today.
***
— Why did you decide to go into the forest now? — the old hunter questioned, his expression a mix of disbelief and concern, as if he were dealing with a stubborn brat who was too much for his liking.
— It's necessary! — the young boy replied, with an air of importance, as if he were about to save the world. — I didn't find time in the morning or the afternoon.
The hunter let out a deep sigh, his thoughts swirling: "This kid is getting weirder by the day!" With a look full of reproach, he approached the door, blocking the way like a living wall, arms crossed and stance firm.
— Are you crazy? You're going to be dinner for some big beast out there! — the old man warned, his eyebrows arched as if he were about to tell one of his favorite horror stories.
The boy shook his head, his face lighting up with a defiant smile.
— No!!
— Humph!! — the old man snorted, furrowing his brow even more. — You're going to learn the hard way, Little One. The forest at night isn't a place for a kid like you. — he almost spat the words out, with the tone of someone who had seen more than the young boy could imagine.
— How concerning, Kaled! Do you really care about me? That's almost touching! — the young boy laughed, mocking the man's genuine concern, the mischievous glint in his eyes making it clear that he knew more than he let on.
— Don't make fun, brat! — the old hunter exploded, veins popping in his neck. — Do you think you can take on a beast just because you know how to use a bow and arrow? Even the hungriest wolf would laugh at that! — his deep laughter echoed through the cabin, but there was a hint of frustration in his words.
— Ohhh, so now you're a wolf expert? — the boy teased, pretending to bow exaggeratedly. — Don't underestimate me! I've seen more things than you can imagine!
The hunter stared at him, incredulous. "What the hell does this brat think he is?" he grumbled to himself.
— Seriously, what's the reason for going now? — the man asked, his tone more tired than angry. — Don't you think it would be better to act like a kid every once in a while?
— Hahaha! Are you really worried about me? — the young boy continued to provoke him, laughing. — How adorable! But relax, I know what I'm doing. In fact, I'm even looking forward to a challenge!
The hunter narrowed his eyes, assessing the boy like a lion studying its prey. He knew there was something strange about this 'little one,' something that didn't fit the role of a child.
— All right, half-baked hero. — he sighed. — Go on, but don't say I didn't warn you when some beast decides to make a snack out of you.
The boy, still laughing, opened the cabin door as if he were opening the gates to a new adventure. His steps were firm, as if he were about to face his destiny. The old man shook his head, scratching his beard.
— Gods, how do I let this brat do these things? — he muttered to himself, watching the young one disappear into the forest. "Can you imagine being a normal kid for a day, just for fun?"
His words were lost in the wind as he watched the "boy" vanish among the shadows of the night.
***
— So you're suggesting I move here? I don't know, Kaled…— her voice sounded hesitant as her delicate fingers played with the hunter's graying hair, lying beneath the heavy fur blankets.
— Of course! It would be wonderful, just you and me, without the noise of the forest folk or the complaints of the animals! — Kaled exclaimed, his usual enthusiasm shining in his eyes. But soon, his expression softened as he noticed her uncertainty. — But I understand, Rella... your family is your root, like the old oaks outside.
— And the boy? — Rella asked, diverting the subject with a look of disgust. — There's something... unusual about him. Those eyes, so strange! Sometimes I feel like I'm facing something beyond my understanding.
Kaled let out a laugh that echoed throughout the wooden cabin. — Ah, the Little One! It's true, the boy is a little strange, but he never gave me any problems. ...On second thought. If he had been my son, oh, Rella, he would have gotten a good spanking for being so stubborn! — he shook his head, laughing at the memory of countless arguments with the boy.
Gently caressing her hands, Kaled let his affection shine in his eyes. — But the boy has something special. So many days have passed, and every time I think he can't surprise me anymore, he shows up with something new! You should see him with the bow. He shoots so fast it seems like the birds dive into the arrows just to get away!
— I can see how much you like him... — Rella smiled, intertwining her fingers with his. — When did you decide to be his 'guardian'?
— Ah, that was fate's doing, or luck, if you prefer. — Kaled laughed, his tone turning more serious. — I found him in the forest, looking like a dry twig tossed on the ground. I almost buried him with the other animals I hunt!
Rella furrowed her brow, surprised. — And his family? They must be looking for him!
— Ha! Families like his sell their children for a good coin, Rella. Strong boys become valuable merchandise in the city markets. — Kaled said disdainfully.
She fell silent, horrified by the idea. — How can someone have the courage to do that?
Kaled smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. — Ah, my sweet innocent... you still believe the best in people.
— But does he know that? — she asked, noticing the tension in Kaled's gaze.
— He knows... — his voice became rough. —And yet, he decided to explore the world in a short time. Too young for that, don't you think? I thought I could keep him close to my eyes. The city of Qohor, but...
Rella felt a tightness in her heart. — He's young, but maybe you could guide him, Kaled? Perhaps he just needs your support.
Kaled let out a low laugh, reflecting. "She always manages to calm me!" — You're right, woman! — he smiled. — His departure doesn't have to be a final goodbye.
— Exactly. — she gently caressed his cheek. — Now, how about we enjoy the time we have together?
— Ah, I knew I liked you for a special reason! — Kaled laughed, leaning in closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. — How about another round, then?
Rella playfully shoved him, feigning indignation. — How bold, Kaled!
— But tell me, how can I resist? — he pulled her closer, his tone seductive. — I'm only like this with you, woman of the forest!
— Oh, you are bold indeed! — she laughed, admiringly, before yielding to the warmth of the moment.
As she lost herself in the joy of the instant, Kaled, for a brief moment, thought of the stubborn boy. "What must he be up to now?"
.
.
.
~Achoo!!!
"Someone must be talking about me..." he muttered mentally, a fleeting thought that echoed like a soft whisper through the darkened woods. As he settled himself among the fallen leaves, they cradled him like an unwilling host, the sharp edges digging into his skin as if protesting his presence. The cold of the night wrapped around him like a shroud, but it was the insidious idea of being the target of distant whispers that truly unsettled him, sending shivers down his spine.
— It was a good idea to wait this long... I think I can handle the exhaustion! — he declared, his voice carrying an air of forced bravado, crossing his legs on the ground with the grace of a sage about to embark on a deep meditative journey. The stars twinkled overhead, like tiny eyes observing his every move, as if the cosmos itself was holding its breath.
Determined, he closed his eyes, his heart pounding like a drum echoing in the silence of the night. Drawing upon every ounce of inner strength, he shouted into the emptiness of the forest:
— LET'S GO!!!
In response, the leaves around him began to dance, swirling and twirling as though they had been summoned to a secret party of nature, their rustling harmonizing with the gentle breeze that swept through the trees. It was as if the very essence of the forest had come alive, a vivid tapestry of greens and browns illuminated by a soft, translucent light that enveloped him, transforming his form into that of a rising star... or perhaps just a clumsy apprentice caught in the throes of magic.
But the energy he was invoking came with a price; it thrummed within him like an untamed beast, demanding to be unleashed. His muscles began to tremble, each fiber protesting against the strain, and his breathing grew heavy and labored, as though he were preparing to run a marathon — or, perhaps, faint from exhaustion before even reaching the starting line.
The forest animals, once curious spectators, now moved restlessly, their instincts driving them to flee as if someone had sounded the emergency bell of nature. Branches swayed violently, leaves shot through the air, and the very atmosphere thickened around him, as if the forest itself was saying, "This show, no."
Then, small orbs of light flickered into existence around him, bursting forth in a kaleidoscope of colors, painting the darkness in hues of gold, azure, and crimson, like poorly choreographed fireworks. For a fleeting moment, he floated, suspended between realms, his aura taking on a dark purple hue — the perfect color for someone teetering on the edge of brilliance and calamity, a delicate balance that only a fool would dare pursue.
With Herculean effort, he opened his eyes, now glowing with a vibrant red intensity, fierce and wild, while blood trickled gently from the corners of his eyes and mouth, as if he had become the most dramatic version of a hero who never asked for this fate. Each drop of crimson was a testament to his struggle, a silent scream against the overwhelming forces at play.
— Just... just a little more... — he murmured, his voice trembling but laced with a stubbornness that bordered on madness. He was so close to reaching his goal, so tantalizingly near that, even amidst the pain, a smile began to form on his chapped lips, as if he were thinking, "Look at me, I'm almost there!"
The purple particles merged with his body, intertwining with his essence, creating an ethereal glow that made him appear as a kind of prince of shadows, cloaked in mystery yet brimming with an unusual touch of charm. And so, amidst the sweat, blood, and a cheeky smile that spoke of victory, his eyes closed and he finally did it: his hair shined like freshly fallen snow under the moonlight, and despite the signs of exhaustion etched into his face, a triumphant smile appeared, as if declaring, "Yes, I'm amazing... but no one needs to know how close I came to fainting."