That night, the small village on the edge of the Zafran Forest was cloaked in an eerie silence. The wind carried whispers from an unseen realm, and strange shadows danced under the pale moonlight. Adam, a 12-year-old boy, sat by a small stream behind his house, staring at his blurred reflection in the water. But this was no ordinary night.
A flash of crimson light swept across the village, followed by bloodcurdling screams. Adam jolted from his thoughts and ran toward his home, only to be met with a scene that would haunt him for the rest of his life. Two demons with large, black wings stood in front of his house, their fangs dripping with blood.
"Mother! Father!" Adam screamed, his voice piercing through the oppressive night.
But his cries meant nothing to the monsters. In an instant, the demons vanished, leaving behind the lifeless bodies of Adam's parents. His sobs mingled with the sudden downpour of rain, as though the heavens themselves wept for the small tragedy in this forgotten corner of the world.
Two years had passed since that night, but the pain in Adam's heart never faded. At just 12 years old, he had become an orphan, living alone in the tiny shack his family once called home. Yet, one thing kept him going: vengeance.
On a hidden hill, Adam trained relentlessly every day. He possessed a rare power among humans—the ability to control the element of water. However, mastering this power was no easy feat. Though his body was small and frail, his determination was immense.
Adam focused his mind, raising his hands toward the small stream before him. "Focus," he whispered to himself. The water began to move, forming a small vortex. But before he could fully control it, his power spiraled out of control. The vortex exploded, drenching him from head to toe.
"Why do I always fail?!" Adam shouted in frustration, pounding the ground with his small fists. His hands bled from the effort, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in his heart.
A deep voice broke the silence. "Your power is great, but your heart is too consumed by hatred. That is your barrier."
Adam looked up. Before him stood an old man in a gray robe. His face was lined with wrinkles, and a large wooden staff supported his frame. His eyes glimmered with an otherworldly wisdom.
"Who are you?" Adam asked cautiously.
"I am Lurik, the Keeper of Water. I am here to guide you," the man replied.
Adam stared at Lurik with a mix of hope and suspicion. "Can you teach me how to defeat demons?"
Lurik nodded slowly. "But your path will not be easy. You must leave this village and face a world far greater and more dangerous than you can imagine. Are you ready?"
Without hesitation, Adam nodded. "I will do whatever it takes to avenge my family."
With those words, Lurik opened a glowing blue portal in the air. Beyond it, Adam saw the silhouette of a towering mountain, a dark forest, and strange, otherworldly creatures. "The first step is to purify your heart, Adam. Only then will your power become unstoppable."
Adam stepped into the portal, leaving behind his village and his old life. On the other side, great challenges awaited him—monsters, demons, and perhaps even himself. But one thing was certain: his journey had only just begun.