David broke free from his mother's arms, his gaze fixed on the lifeless body of his dog lying on the ground. Overcome with grief, he collapsed to his knees, burying his face in his hands as tears streamed down, falling onto the dog's still body. Suddenly, a powerful aura began to radiate from him, growing stronger with each passing second.
Sarah, standing nearby, was stunned when she saw his eyes glowing a vivid, ominous red. The intensity of his presence sent a wave of fear through the soldiers who had gathered, leaving them trembling and unable to stand.
"He's just a kid... get him!" one soldier stammered, his voice betraying his fear.
David's glowing red eyes locked onto the soldier, and in an instant, the man's vision blurred—he could no longer see. Moving with inhuman speed, David dashed toward the group. Grabbing one soldier by the leg, he twisted it with brutal force, the sickening crack echoing in the air. As the soldier collapsed in agony, David ended his suffering by snapping his neck.
What followed was a scene of unrelenting fury. David tore through the soldiers with terrifying strength, leaving no mercy in his wake. Amid the chaos, one soldier managed to escape, sprinting toward the kingdom in a desperate bid to warn others.
Before he could get far, Tom appeared, his expression tense and vigilant. Taking in the soldier's panicked state, Tom quickly deduced what had transpired. Without hesitation, he struck the soldier, knocking him unconscious, and then killed him. He knew the danger of letting the soldier report what he had witnessed.
Back at the scene, David remained consumed by rage, his glowing red eyes burning like fire. Sarah, desperate to calm him, rushed to his side. Wrapping her arms around him, she whispered softly, "Don't worry. I'll give you a brother to play with. Please, calm down."
Her soothing words reached him, and within moments, the red glow in his eyes faded, replaced by exhaustion. His aura dissipated, leaving him weak and drained. Sarah held him tightly, refusing to let go, comforting him as he leaned into her embrace. She stayed by his side, offering him the solace he needed until his breathing steadied and his strength began to return.
When Sarah looked up, she saw Tom approaching, dragging the lifeless body of a soldier beside him. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to find the words to explain what had happened. But Tom's demeanor was calm, almost as if he had anticipated this moment.
"Take him inside," he said firmly.
Without question, Sarah obeyed. Once the body was dealt with, Tom silently buried it and retrieved a stash of gold from its hiding place. Afterward, he returned to the ranch, washing his hands meticulously before positioning himself by the corner of the window. He stood there, gazing intently at the entrance, his posture tense, as though he were waiting for someone to arrive.
In a matter of time, two soldiers on horseback came galloping toward the ranch. As they approached, Tom quickly signaled for her to take David into the inner room, and she obeyed without hesitation.
Moments later, the soldiers knocked on the door. Tom composed himself and opened it, feigning surprise at their arrival. "How may I help you?" he asked, his tone calm and polite.
One of the soldiers spoke up. "Have you seen any of our colleagues passing through this way?"
Tom shook his head. "No, I haven't seen anyone come by today."
The soldier gave him a scrutinizing look before continuing. "Alright then. Have you paid the tax?"
Tom kept his composure. "No, I haven't. How much is it?"
"Fifty gold pieces," the soldier replied curtly.
Without hesitation, Tom handed over the exact amount they demanded. Satisfied, the soldiers mounted their horses and rode away.
Tom closed the door and moved to the window, watching them disappear into the distance. Once he was sure they were gone, he returned to the chair outside, resuming his quiet vigil.
After some time, Sarah, noticing that the soldiers were gone, joined Tom outside. After putting David to bed, she brought a stool and sat close to her husband. The silence between them lingered for a while until Sarah finally broke it.
"Did you know he could do that?" she asked, her voice tinged with both fear and curiosity.
Tom hesitated but decided to be honest. "I knew he could," he admitted, "but I never thought it would happen this early."
Sarah's eyes widened. "Our five-year-old son just killed four soldiers, and you kept this from me?"
Tom sighed deeply, guilt evident in his expression. "I should have told you sooner. I'm sorry."
The weight of the conversation hung heavily between them. After a moment, Sarah spoke again, her voice softer but still troubled. "I forgive you, but… what do we do now? Will he be like that every time he's upset or angry? Please, Tom, talk to me."
Tom reached out and took her hand. "I'll figure something out. Please, just stay calm, okay?"
Sarah nodded slowly. "Okay. I trust you."
After a pause, she looked at him with a small, nervous smile. "I have something else to tell you…I'm pregnant."
Tom's face lit up with joy. He stood, lifting her into his arms and spinning her around. "That's what I told him to calm him down," she confessed with a grin.
Sarah laughed softly, her worries momentarily eased, and Tom kissed her gently, sealing the moment with hope.
Tom gently set Sarah down and looked deeply into her eyes. "Today, you've made me a very happy man," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "Do not worry. I will do everything in my power to protect you and our children. Even if it costs me my life, I won't hesitate for a second. I'll always put you and the kids first."
With those words, he lifted her into his arms again and carried her inside the house. Quietly, he used his foot to close the door behind him, careful not to wake David, who was peacefully sleeping.