Ruth sat by the window, staring at the letter in his hands. The paper felt rough between his fingers, old comrades reaching out from the past.
He unfolded it, eyes scanning the familiar handwriting.
"Ruth, we've seen the signs again. Movement near the border. After years of peace, the demons are stirring once more."
His heart tightened.
For years, the demon threat had been nothing more than a dark memory. Now, it seemed that memory was coming back to life.
He let the letter rest on his lap, closing his eyes. The sound of his son's soft breathing filled the room.
Palim had been such a quiet baby at first. Ruth remembered the day of his birth—how calm the boy was, his eyes wide open, staring straight at him and Elena.
No crying. No fuss. Just... observing.
"Like he's judging us already," Ruth had joked to Elena. But deep down, he had been proud. Proud of how strong his son seemed, even as a newborn.
The first weeks had been peaceful. Palim wasn't fussy like Becca had been. He had his moments, but overall, there was something about him—something composed. As if even then, the boy understood more than any infant should.
Ruth's lips curled into a soft smile.
But the weight of the letter dragged him back into the present. He couldn't ignore the growing tension. The demons hadn't been a real threat for years, but the sudden resurgence made him uneasy.
He glanced at his status screen.
[Ruth Evander]
Race: Human
Age: 39
[Attributes]
Strength: 820
Agility: 740
Mana: 760
Stamina: 794
Intelligence: 460
Charm: 250
Luck: 60
Corruption: 13
[Skills]
Swordsmanship - A Rank: (MAX)
Thunder Sword Style - S Rank: Lv. 92
…
Battle Tactics - C Rank: Lv. 65
Negotiation - C Rank: Lv. 34
…
Knitting - F Rank: Lv. 2
It had been years since he'd really needed most of these. His skills, once sharp, felt distant, almost dull.
"Am I really prepared if it happens again?" he muttered, eyes narrowing at the screen.
A light breeze whispered through the garden as Ruth stood with his sword in hand. The familiar weight of it felt comforting, but he could sense the rust in his movements.
He swung the blade, channeling mana through it. Electricity crackled along the blade's edge, bright sparks trailing behind each stroke.
But he was slower than he remembered. Rusty.
"Not good enough," he muttered under his breath, adjusting his stance.
Thunder Sword Style wasn't just about strength. It required fluidity, precision, and mana control. He tried again, focusing on the flow of energy through his body.
This time, the crackle of lightning was louder. A spark leapt from the blade, splitting the air before dissipating. It wasn't perfect, but it was better.
He heard a small sound behind him.
Turning, Ruth saw Palim, crawling closer across the grass, his wide eyes fixed on his father.
A smile tugged at Ruth's lips. The boy seemed fascinated, watching every movement of the sword.
Ruth grinned and adjusted his grip on the sword. He couldn't resist showing off a little for his son.
With a deep breath, Ruth focused, channeling more mana into his blade. He swung, sending a ripple of thunderous energy slicing through the air. The ground beneath his feet seemed to hum with the force of it.
Palim's eyes widened, his small body frozen in awe.
Ruth laughed. "I thought you'd like that." He sheathed his sword and walked over to his son, scooping him up into his arms.
"One day, you'll be stronger than me, huh?" He ruffled the boy's hair gently. "But not yet. Let me have my glory a little longer."
Palim cooed, his tiny fingers gripping Ruth's shirt.
"Let's go back inside, champ. Mama will be wondering what we're up to."
Later that evening, after putting Palim and Becca to bed, Ruth sat down with Elena in the small living room. The warmth from the fireplace flickered against the stone walls, casting long shadows.
Elena glanced at him, concern in her eyes. "You've been quiet since the letter."
Ruth sighed, leaning back in his chair. "The demons. They're moving again."
Elena's expression darkened. She was no stranger to the horrors of war. "Do you think it's serious?"
"I don't know." Ruth rubbed his temples. "It's been quiet for so long. But if they're coming back, I... I don't know if I can sit by and do nothing."
"You promised me." Elena's voice was soft but firm. "We promised each other. No more fighting. We've done our part."
Ruth closed his eyes. He remembered their vows, made after the last war. The bloodshed, the pain—they had sworn to live for their family now, not the battlefield.
"I know." His voice was strained. "But what if they come here? What if our family is in danger?"
Elena moved closer, placing her hand on his. "Then we protect them. But we don't go looking for war, Ruth. Not anymore."
He nodded, though his heart still weighed heavy. The soldier in him couldn't ignore the looming threat, but the father in him knew she was right.
"This time, we stay out of it," he said, though the words felt more like a promise to himself than to her. "Our war is over. Our family comes first."
Elena squeezed his hand gently. "That's all I need to hear."
But deep inside, Ruth wasn't so sure.
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My first Original Work !
Hope you will like it :) Tell me if you do !