The twilight light painted the sky in shades of orange, while Kael, his parents, and the little Thalos, the spiritual wolf, gathered around an improvised campfire. The tension that had lingered in the air during the day seemed to dissipate momentarily, giving way to a rare moment of tranquility.
Kael watched his parents, noticing small details he often overlooked. His father's protective gaze, mixed with a certain melancholy; his mother's precise movements as she prepared a simple meal; even the way Thalos rested beside them, as if he felt the gravity of the moment. Everything seemed... too precious.
— Kael — his father called, with a smile that hid more than it revealed —. Come on, I want to teach you something.
The young man stood up, intrigued, as his father picked up two wooden swords. Kael's mother watched from a distance, her eyes shining with a mixture of pride and sadness.
— A battle is not won by brute strength alone, my son. It requires strategy, courage, and... — He raised the improvised sword — ...a bit of cunning.
Kael smiled, taking a combat stance. The training was light, almost comical at times, with his father exaggerating the movements to provoke laughter. Despite this, there was something solemn in the interaction, as if each exchanged blow carried a deeper meaning.
After the training, the trio returned to the campfire. His mother decided to share a story, something she rarely did.
— Did you know that when I met your father, he tried to impress me with a sword trick? — she said, drawing an indignant look from her husband.
— Hey, it worked, didn't it? — he replied, shrugging, causing Kael to laugh.
The story continued, revealing small details of how they fell in love, how they faced the world to be together, and how they decided to fight for a better future for Kael. Despite the light tone, Kael noticed the weight behind his mother's words, as if she were preparing him for something inevitable.
At the end of the night, Kael's father asked him to accompany him once again. This time, they took Thalos with them.
— Son, sometimes the world will demand things from you that seem impossible. When that happens, remember who you are and where you come from. You are strong... stronger than you think.
Kael nodded, trying to hide the emotion that threatened to spill over. His father placed a hand on his shoulder, holding firmly, as if he wanted to convey all his strength in that gesture.
Back at the campfire, his mother embraced him, whispering gentle words while stroking his hair. It was a simple moment, but one Kael would carry with him forever.
That night, he couldn't sleep. Something inside him knew that this would be the last moment they would all be together. The silence of the forest felt heavier than ever, as if the world itself was waiting for what was to come.