Jordan's voice had barely faded, but its weight lingered heavily in the air.
The villagers stood frozen, their minds struggling to comprehend the full meaning of his words. The revelation that protecting their village could attract even greater dangers filled the atmosphere with an overwhelming sense of dread.
Sam, the village chief, stepped forward, his voice trembling yet resolute. "Lord Jordan," he asked, his brow furrowed in worry, "what exactly do you mean by this?"
Jordan glanced up at Sam, his gaze calm but unyielding. "What I mean," he began, his voice steady,
"the moment I start protecting this village, and this information reaches the Magus Tower or the Sword Clan elders, they will send their powerhouses to hunt me down. They will want to know why I'm protecting this place and what connection I have with it."
The villagers exchanged anxious glances, the weight of Jordan's words pressing down on them. Fear flickered in their eyes as they whispered among themselves, trying to process the looming threat.
Breaking the heavy silence, Riki stepped forward, his expression a mix of desperation and determination. Placing a steady hand on Sam's shoulder, he looked directly at Jordan.
"Lord Jordan," he said, his voice firm despite the anxiety lacing it, "what do you suggest we do? How can we protect ourselves and this village from such overwhelming forces?"
Jordan turned to face Riki and Sam, his gaze briefly scanning the worried faces of the other villagers. "As I said before," he replied, his tone resolute,
"I will train this boy—Adam. I will make him strong, strong enough to protect this village himself. That way, you won't have to depend on me for your survival."
Jordan's declaration sent ripples of mixed emotions through the crowd. Some villagers looked at Adam, who lay unconscious in Rachel's arms, with eyes filled with newfound hope.
Others, however, were visibly uneasy, their doubts clear in their furrowed brows and hesitant whispers.
"How can we place the responsibility of the entire village on a mere child's shoulders?" one man murmured, voicing the unspoken concern of many.
But before anyone could vocalize further objections, Jordan raised his hand, silencing the crowd. His piercing gaze swept over them as he continued,
"I will give you two years. During this time, I will protect this village whenever an attack comes. It may be two years, or it could extend to three if we're fortunate. However," his voice darkened,
"if an elder from the Sword Clan or the Magus Tower arrives to confront me directly, I can give you no guarantees. When that time comes, you will need to rely on this boy to defend you."
The villagers fell silent, the weight of Jordan's words sinking in. The reality of their precarious situation was undeniable, and the uncertainty of the future loomed large over them.
As the villagers absorbed the gravity of the situation, Jordan's thoughts wandered. His expression turned grim as he considered the challenges ahead.
"I've told them I'll train the boy," he thought, "but they have no idea how powerful a branch family elder can be. If my fears are correct and an elder comes to capture me, it won't just be me who falls—this entire village will be wiped out. All they can do now is pray."
His sharp gaze shifted back to Adam, who lay motionless in Rachel's lap. As he stared at the boy, Rachel's anxious voice broke through his thoughts.
"Are you planning to take him now?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and defiance.
Jordan didn't look at her directly, his expression unreadable as he nodded. "The sooner, the better," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Rachel's face tightened with resistance. She held Adam closer, her maternal instincts flaring as she shook her head. "No," she said firmly. "You can take him in a week. But not now."
Her words sparked murmurs among the villagers. Riki, accompanied by Sam and a few others, approached Rachel. Their voices were gentle yet urgent as they tried to reason with her.
"Rachel," someone said softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "didn't you hear what Lord Jordan said? We don't have time. Our entire village is at risk."
Sam nodded in agreement. "If we delay, Rachel, it could cost us everything. Not just the village, but Adam's life as well."
Rachel's grip on Adam tightened, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I don't care about the village or anyone else," she snapped, her voice cracking with emotion. "How can you expect me to just hand over my son like this?"
Ricky took a deep breath, his voice calm yet filled with sorrow. "Rachel," he said gently, "Adam's life is in danger too. Don't you see? This is for his own good. If he stays here, he might not survive."
Rachel's defiance wavered, her gaze darting between Adam's peaceful face and the pleading expressions of the villagers around her. Slowly, she lowered her head, her tears falling silently onto Adam's forehead.
With a trembling voice, she whispered, "Fine... Take him."
The villagers let out a collective sigh of relief, their tense shoulders relaxing as they exchanged hopeful glances. "She's finally agreed," one man muttered to another, the faintest hint of optimism returning to their voices.
As Rachel's reluctant agreement marked a turning point for the village, Jordan stood silently, his expression unreadable as he prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.
Jordan stepped forward, his steady presence filling the space between him and Rachel, who still held Adam's unconscious form protectively.
Her hands rested over his chest as if her touch alone could shield him from the dangers awaiting him.
When Jordan reached her, Rachel hesitated, her grip tightening momentarily. But faced with Jordan's calm yet resolute gaze, she knew there was no other choice.
With great reluctance, Rachel slowly removed her hands from Adam, her fingers lingering on his shirt as though unwilling to let go.
Jordan bent down, his movements precise and deliberate, and lifted Adam effortlessly, placing the boy gently over his shoulder.
The villagers watched in silence, their expressions a mix of sadness, fear, and hope.
Turning to face the crowd, Jordan addressed them, his voice commanding yet measured. "Listen carefully," he began.
"Do not attempt to follow me. Beyond these mountains lies a place teeming with creatures far more dangerous than you can imagine. They will show no mercy to anyone who intrudes."
Rachel's eyes widened at his words, her heart sinking further. Jordan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, grey stone. Its surface shimmered faintly under the sunlight, and black symbols etched into it seemed to pulse with a quiet energy.
"This," Jordan said, holding the stone out to Rachel, "is a teleportation stone. Use it only if absolutely necessary."
Rachel took the stone hesitantly, her fingers trembling as they closed around its smooth surface. She stared at it, confusion and apprehension etched on her face. "What is this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It will allow you or your family to teleport directly to me," Jordan explained. "But remember, it's for family members only. And it can be used only once. So think carefully before you decide to use it."
Sam, who had been listening intently, stepped forward, his eyes wide with shock. He reached out, gently taking the stone from Rachel's hand to examine it more closely. "A teleportation stone," he murmured, almost to himself. "These are incredibly rare and expensive."
Jordan nodded, his expression unwavering. He took the stone back from Sam and returned it to Rachel, meeting her gaze. "This is your lifeline," he said firmly. "Do not waste it. And make no mistake—if you misuse it, there won't be a second chance."
Rachel gripped the stone tightly, clutching it as though her very life depended on it.
Her eyes drifted to Adam's still form on Jordan's shoulder, her emotions a whirlwind of fear, sadness, and reluctant acceptance.
"Please," she said, her voice breaking slightly, "take care of my son. I know you're going to train him, but... please, don't push him too hard."
Jordan offered a faint smile, his demeanor softening slightly. "Don't worry," he said. "I know exactly what this boy is capable of. I'll make sure he's ready."
Without another word, Jordan's form shimmered briefly before vanishing entirely, taking Adam with him.
Rachel's heart sank as the realization of Adam's departure hit her fully. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as she clutched the teleportation stone against her chest.
Her knees wobbled slightly, but before she could collapse under the weight of her emotions, Ricky stepped forward, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"It's okay," he murmured gently, his voice steady despite his own worry. "We have to trust Adam. He'll come back stronger than ever."
Yami and Eric, standing nearby, moved closer to their mother, enveloping her in a family embrace. Yami, her voice soft but filled with determination, whispered, "Mom, don't be sad. Adam will be fine. He's strong. We just have to believe in him."
Rachel nodded weakly, her tears still flowing, but her children's words offered a small glimmer of comfort.
The villagers, who had been silently observing the scene, began murmuring among themselves. Their initial fear was now mixed with cautious optimism. "We have to trust Adam," one villager said, his tone resolute. "He's the key to our survival."
"Yes," another agreed. "He'll become the warrior this village needs."
Amid the hopeful whispers, Sophia stood apart from the crowd, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Her head was bowed, and tears streamed down her face, unnoticed by those around her. She bit her lip, frustration and sorrow welling up inside her.
"I should have told him," she thought bitterly. "I should have told Adam how I feel. But I... I couldn't. And now he's gone."
Sophia's chest tightened as she wrestled with her regret, unsure if or when she would ever get the chance to see Adam again.
Not far from her, Sam stood silently, his arms crossed over his chest as he gazed toward the horizon. His face was stern, but his eyes betrayed the deep worry he felt.
"Adam," he thought, "you have to succeed. Not just for yourself, but for all of us. This entire village is depending on you now."
As the weight of their collective hopes and fears settled over the village, the chapter concluded with a heavy sense of anticipation for what lay ahead.