The sun hovered just above the distant hills, casting a golden hue over the small village of Levernagar. Safal Basel stood at the edge of the village, his young heart heavy with anticipation. His fair brown skin glistened in the fading light, and his deep eyes were fixed on the winding path that led to the city. It had been ten long years since his elder brother left to seek his fortune. Every day since, Safal had waited, hopeful that today would be the day his brother would return.
Note: Safal is only 12 years old boy. His brother left him at the age of two.
Safal was no longer the boy his brother had left behind. He had grown stronger, tougher—worthy of the title Drago Son that their family proudly bore. Levernagar knew the Basels as courageous hunters and protectors, and Safal had worked hard to live up to that legacy. But none of it mattered to him as much as showing his brother just how strong he had become. He had dreamt of this reunion for years, picturing the proud look on his brother's face when he returned.
"Today," Safal muttered to himself as he clutched his hunting spear. "I'll show him today."
Determined to celebrate his brother's homecoming, Safal decided to hunt in the surrounding woods. Earlier that morning, he had caught a deer with ease. Its clean kill had filled him with pride, but he wanted more. He needed a great hunt to prove himself—not just to the villagers but to the brother he admired so much. With renewed energy, Safal ventured deeper into the woods, determined to catch something that would make the whole village talk.
Along the way, he encountered his uncle, Drago Son Ashish Basel, leaning against an old oak tree, his weathered face breaking into a warm smile. Ashish had raised Safal like his own after his brother left, teaching him the ways of hunting and survival.
"You've done well today," Ashish said, glancing at the deer tied to Safal's side. "You've grown strong. Your brother would be proud."
"I want him to see it for himself," Safal replied, his voice filled with eagerness. "I want to show him I'm not a child anymore. I want to make him proud."
Ashish's gaze softened, sensing the weight of Safal's hopes. "He will return, Safal. But remember, hunting is not just about strength. Sometimes, knowing when to stop is the true mark of a great hunter."
Safal nodded, though his mind was already racing ahead. Today wasn't just about catching any animal. He had a greater target in mind: the legendary Drago, a creature no one had ever seen but whose name sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest villagers. If Safal could catch Drago, his brother would have no choice but to recognize how much he had grown.
As the afternoon passed, Safal found himself tracking bigger prey. His next feat was an elephant—a challenge far beyond his years, but his relentless determination won out. By dusk, he had brought the mighty beast down, an achievement that should have filled him with pride.
But the weight of his brother's absence lingered. As the sky turned crimson and the shadows grew longer, Safal's excitement began to wane. He stared down the path once more. His brother had not returned.
"Has he forgotten me?" Safal wondered aloud, his voice a soft echo in the stillness. The night had begun to creep in, and with it, doubt. The silence around him felt heavier than before. Perhaps my brother has forgotten me, just as the night forgets the day, Safal thought.
But deep within his chest, the ember of hope still burned. He wasn't finished yet.