Years had passed since Saria first arrived in Kiawi with baby Avoi. Time flowed gently in their little home on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by forests and rivers. The once-tiny baby had grown into a lively five-year-old boy, full of energy, curiosity, and mischief.
To Avoi, Saria was his mom—the only mother he had ever known. Though she wasn't his birth mother, the bond between them was unbreakable. And with his grandpa always around, their house was filled with love, warmth, and laughter. The three of them were a family, and they couldn't have been happier.
Avoi loved to fight. From the moment he could walk, he was always shadowboxing or wrestling with anything in sight—trees, pillows, even their old goat. His grandpa noticed his love for combat early on and decided to nurture it.
"If he wants to fight, he should at least learn to fight well," Grandpa would say with a chuckle. So he began training Avoi, teaching him how to move, defend himself, and strike with precision.
When they weren't training, Saria would teach Avoi small spells and magical tricks. She told him, "A warrior who knows both strength and magic is one who can change the world." Although Avoi still struggled with some spells, he loved spending time with her. Saria's patience and warmth made every lesson special, and Avoi adored his mom.
Now, at five years old, Avoi was full of excitement and confidence. He loved every moment with his grandpa and mom, but he knew something big was coming—he was finally going to start school! Tomorrow would be his first day, and Saria had been preparing him to make sure he was ready.
It was a bright, shiny day when Grandpa decided to take Avoi to the forest for some fishing. The sun beamed down from a cloudless sky, and the air smelled of pine and fresh water.
"Come on, little warrior!" Grandpa called as they made their way to a calm riverbank. Avoi ran ahead, carrying a small fishing rod over his shoulder, grinning from ear to ear.
They found a perfect spot where the water was clear and cool. The river sparkled like glass in the sunlight, and fish darted beneath the surface. Grandpa sat on a rock, adjusting his fishing line, while Avoi crouched beside him, tossing pebbles into the water.
"You know," Grandpa said with a sly grin, "catching fish takes patience. You can't just punch the river."
Avoi laughed. "But it would be faster if I could, right?"
Grandpa chuckled. "That's true! But fishing is about more than catching fish—it's about enjoying the moment."
The two of them fished quietly for a while, chatting about all sorts of things—Avoi's excitement about school, the spells he was learning from his mom, and Grandpa's stories about his younger days.
Suddenly, the water began to ripple. At first, it was subtle—just a few gentle waves. But then the river shook violently, as if something huge was moving beneath it.
Before Avoi or Grandpa could react, a gigantic fish leapt from the river! Its scales glinted in the sunlight, and it soared through the air like a silver arrow, mouth wide open and tail thrashing wildly.
Grandpa froze in shock. The fish was massive—easily three times the size of a normal river fish.
But Avoi didn't hesitate. Without thinking, he sprang into action, his little body moving with speed and instinct.
"I got this!" Avoi shouted, leaping toward the fish. He twisted in midair and delivered a powerful kick straight to the fish's side.
The impact sent the fish flying back into the river with a massive splash. Water erupted everywhere, drenching them both.
Grandpa stood there, stunned, water dripping from his beard.
"How… how did you do that?" he stammered, blinking in disbelief.
Avoi grinned, puffing out his chest proudly. "Training, Grandpa! You always said to act fast, right?"
Grandpa burst into laughter, shaking his head. "Well, you've got the heart of a warrior, that's for sure."
They stood there for a moment, watching the ripples settle on the river. Grandpa clapped Avoi on the shoulder, a proud smile on his face.
"Come on, little warrior," he said, "let's head back home before your mom starts worrying."
When they arrived back at the house, Saria was waiting by the door. Her arms were crossed, and her brow furrowed with concern. "Where have you two been?" she called, her voice sharp but full of love.
"We were fishing," Grandpa said with a sheepish grin. "And Avoi just fought a fish!"
"What?!" Saria gasped, her eyes wide. She hurried over to Avoi, checking him for any scrapes or bruises. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, Mom!" Avoi said, squirming as she fussed over him. "It was just a fish."
"Just a fish?" Saria said, shaking her head in disbelief. "You have to be careful, Avoi! You can't go around fighting everything!"
Avoi giggled, enjoying the attention, but he could tell his mom was serious.
Saria sighed, running her fingers through his messy hair. "Well, at least you're safe." She kissed his forehead, and Avoi smiled.
That evening, after dinner, Saria sat with Avoi, explaining the importance of his first day at school.
"Tomorrow is a big day for you, Avoi," she said gently. "You'll meet new people, learn new things, and have so many new experiences. But you have to remember a few important things."
Avoi sat cross-legged on the floor, listening carefully.
"Be kind," Saria said. "Always treat others with respect, even if they're different from you. And don't get into fights, okay?"
Avoi frowned. "What if someone tries to fight me?"
Saria smiled softly. "Then you walk away. Strength isn't just about fighting—it's about knowing when not to fight."
Avoi nodded slowly, absorbing her words.
"And most importantly," Saria added, "have fun. School is a place to grow, make friends, and discover who you are."
As bedtime approached, Avoi couldn't contain his excitement. He lay on his bed, kicking his feet under the blanket and grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm finally going to school!" he whispered to himself. "I wonder what it will be like. I'll make so many friends!"
Downstairs, Saria and Grandpa sat by the fire, watching the flames dance.
"He's so excited," Saria whispered, smiling softly.
Grandpa nodded. "He's growing up fast."
They both sat in comfortable silence for a moment, knowing that tomorrow would mark the beginning of a new chapter in Avoi's life—a journey full of discoveries, challenges, and friendships.
And though they knew the world wasn't always kind, they also knew that Avoi was ready to face it, one step at a time.