Leo was sleeping soundly, curled up under a tattered blanket as the morning sunlight peeked through the cracked shutters. The quiet hum of the forest outside blended with the faint rustle of activity from the kitchen. His mother, Anya, was preparing breakfast, her hands trembling as she laid out the ingredients on the small counter.
The sight before her left her stunned. Fresh green vegetables glistened with dew, a large cut of fresh meat sat neatly on a wooden slab, and warm, soft bread filled the room with a delightful aroma. Even the cooking utensils seemed new—shiny pots and pans she couldn't remember owning.
Tears welled up in her eyes. It had been years since such abundance had graced their humble home. For as long as she could remember, Leo, barely eight years old, had carried the weight of their survival. When her health failed, forcing her to quit her daily wage work, Leo had stepped in. He would wander the forest to gather firewood, fruits, and herbs, selling them in the market to scrape together enough for their next meal.
But this—this was beyond anything they'd ever had.
Anya wiped her tears and set about preparing the richest breakfast she could manage. The thought nagged at her: Where did Leo get all this? How could he afford it? A pang of worry struck her heart. Surely he hasn't... stolen anything?
Once breakfast was ready, she placed it carefully on the small, worn table. The aroma filled the room, and for a moment, she allowed herself a smile. She stepped toward Leo's room and knocked on the door.
"Leo, wake up! Breakfast is ready. It's already going to be afternoon. Why are you sleeping so late today?"
Inside, Leo stirred briefly but remained deep in slumber. The bracelet on his wrist, a peculiar item he had discovered only yesterday, began to emit a faint glow.
To Anya's astonishment, a voice that sounded exactly like Leo's responded from within the room: "Mother, I'll eat later. I was awake until dawn. You go ahead and eat."
Anya blinked, startled but relieved. "Oh, is that so? Are you feeling alright?" she asked.
"Yes, Mother," the voice replied calmly. "I'm just sleepy. Please eat and take your medicines."
Reassured, Anya returned to the kitchen, though a faint unease lingered. She decided not to press further and began eating, savoring the long-forgotten taste of a hearty meal.
---
It was well past noon when Leo finally woke up. Stretching and rubbing his eyes, he stumbled out of his room, the bracelet glinting faintly on his wrist.
"Mother, why didn't you wake me up?" he asked, yawning as he walked into the room.
Anya looked up from her sewing, her expression puzzled. "But Leo, I did wake you. You told me you wanted to sleep more. Don't you remember?"
Leo froze, his mind racing. "I said that?"
"Yes," she replied. "You even told me to eat and take my medicines. Are you alright, Leo?"
Leo glanced down at the bracelet, his heart thudding in his chest. He clenched his fist to steady his nerves. "Mother," he said carefully, "I don't remember saying that. But... there's something I need to tell you."
Anya set her sewing aside, her face growing serious. "What is it, Leo?"
Taking a deep breath, Leo explained, "Yesterday, I went into the forest, and I found this." He held up his wrist, showing her the bracelet. Its strange, intricate patterns shimmered faintly in the light. "I don't know what it is, but ever since I put it on, strange things have been happening."
Anya's eyes widened. "Strange things? Like what?"
"Like... the food," Leo admitted. "But it's not magic, Mother. I swear, I didn't steal anything. I sold some extra wood and fruits I gathered yesterday and bought everything from the market."
Anya's shoulders relaxed slightly, though concern still clouded her face. "You did all this yourself?"
Leo nodded earnestly. "Yes. I wanted to surprise you. The bracelet... it helped me somehow. It gave me energy, and I was able to do twice as much work as usual."
Anya studied his face, searching for any sign of deceit, but all she found was the earnest determination of a boy far wiser than his years. Finally, she smiled and pulled him into a hug.
"Oh, Leo," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "You're such a brave boy. But promise me one thing—if anything feels wrong, or if you feel unsafe, you'll tell me immediately."
Leo nodded against her shoulder. "I promise, Mother."
---
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Leo sat by the fire, turning the bracelet over in his hands. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than he understood. It hadn't just helped him work faster—it had somehow spoken to his mother in his voice.
"Who are you?" he whispered, his fingers tracing the strange symbols etched into the bracelet.
To his astonishment, the bracelet warmed against his skin, and a soft voice echoed in his mind. I am your companion, chosen to aid and protect you. Together, we will face whatever challenges come your way.
Leo's eyes widened. "You can talk?"
Only to you, the voice replied. I meant no harm in speaking to your mother earlier. I saw that you needed rest and acted in your best interest.
Leo frowned, his instincts telling him to be cautious. "Why are you helping me?"
The voice was quiet for a moment before answering, Because I see your heart. You are kind, brave, and selfless. I exist to serve someone like you—someone who uses power for good.
Leo didn't know whether to feel reassured or wary. "Alright," he said finally. "But no more talking to my mother without my permission, okay?"
The bracelet pulsed gently, as if in agreement.
---
As the days passed, life began to improve for Leo and his mother. With the bracelet's subtle help, Leo was able to gather more wood, hunt more efficiently, and trade better in the market. But he couldn't shake the feeling that the bracelet was hiding something—something bigger than either of them could imagine.
And deep in the forest, in a cave carved with ancient symbols, something stirred, sensing the awakening of a power long forgotten. Leo's journey had only just begun.