Kael'tar sat upright on his rickety bed, staring out the window at the crescent moon hanging low in the sky.
His bruised body protested every movement, but the fire of humiliation burned brighter than the pain.
"Cowardly lizard," Kael'tar growled under his breath, staring at the ceiling. "A true opponent doesn't turn his back. I'll skin you alive the next time we meet."
"That damn lizard," he muttered under his breath, his fingers curling into fists. "Clever enough to toy with me, strong enough to knock me out with a flick. And now it makes me look like a fool in front of these mortals."
The scolding from his "family" earlier still rankled. His mother's sharp tongue and Ryn's teary admonishments had pricked at his pride in a way that no enemy ever could.
He had forced himself to smile through their concern, playing the obedient son, all while grinding his teeth.
"I'm the Demon Emperor," he growled to himself. "Not some child to be coddled or scolded."
"Me, scolded by mortals. Hah! They dare wag their tongues at me?" he muttered under his breath, glaring at the cracked ceiling.
But because of this body he was forced to to smile in front of these mortals and play obedient!
"Bah! Sentimentality," Kael'tar scoffed, forcing himself upright. His body screamed in protest, but he ignored it. His mind was already racing.
That lizard. That infernal, smug, overgrown gecko! The memory of the creature's nonchalant demeanor made his blood boil. It wasn't just the defeat that stung—it was the sheer lack of effort it had taken to crush him.
"Next time, I'll carve you into boots, you arrogant pest," he growled, clutching his side as he staggered to his feet.
The creak of the door interrupted his tirade. Ryn peeked inside, his tear-streaked face lighting up the moment he saw Kael'tar standing.
"Big brother! You're standing!" Ryn cried, rushing to his side. His small arms wrapped around Kael'tar's waist, squeezing tightly despite the bruises.
Kael'tar groaned as Ryn practically launched himself onto the bed. "Careful, you little menace! I'm already half-dead."
Ryn immediately pulled back, his expression sheepish. "Sorry, I was just… I was worried."
Kael'tar froze, awkwardly patting the boy's head. "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Stop clinging, or you'll reopen my wounds."
Ryn pulled back, grinning through his tears. "Ma was so worried! She said if you ever wander into the forest again, she'll tie you to the fence!"
Kael'tar snorted. "She's welcome to try."
Ryn's smile faded slightly. "Why do you go there, big brother? The forest is scary. Ma says it's cursed."
Kael'tar hesitated.
How could he explain his real motives to a child?
Instead, he ruffled Ryn's hair and said, "I'm not afraid of curses. And neither should you be."
Ryn frowned, clearly not understanding, but Kael'tar waved him off. "Go on. I need to rest. And tell Ma not to send the entire village to check on me again."
The boy nodded and scampered off, leaving Kael'tar alone once more.
The warm glow of the hearth illuminated the small dining table, where Kael'tar sat with his family. The aroma of roasted meat wafted through the air, a rare treat in their modest household.
His mother placed a steaming platter of boar meat on the table, her expression pleased.
"Boar meat?" Kael'tar asked, raising an eyebrow. "We're feasting like kings tonight, I see."
Ryn clapped his hands eagerly, already reaching for a piece. "It smells amazing!"
Their mother shot him a stern look, and the boy quickly withdrew his hand, grinning sheepishly. "Not until everyone's seated."
As Kael'tar watched the scene unfold, he couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity. Boar meat wasn't exactly common fare in this village.
"Where did we get boar meat?" he asked casually, leaning back in his chair.
His mother, ladling stew into a bowl, looked up with a pleased smile. "Haron brought it. He came by this morning to thank you for taking down that boar three days ago. Said he's been dealing with that menace for weeks."
Kael'tar blinked, his spoon halfway to his mouth. "Haron gave it to us?"
His mother nodded, setting the stew pot aside. "That's right. He also gave us thirty silver coins as a token of appreciation."
Kael'tar froze, his hand hovering over a piece of bread.
"Thirty silvers?" he repeated, his voice faint.
Ryn, noticing Kael'tar's expression, laughed. "Isn't that great, big brother? Haron says you've got the makings of a real hunter!"
Kael'tar coughed, hiding his sudden embarrassment behind a hand. He could feel heat rising to his face.
Thirty silvers.
For a moment, Kael'tar was silent. He stared at the stew, his mind racing.
Thirty silver coins. Thirty…
He coughed abruptly, setting down his spoon and clearing his throat to mask the wave of disbelief and, worse, embarrassment that had swept over him.
"Thirty silvers," he said, forcing his voice to remain even. "Quite generous."
There was a time when thirty silvers would have been an insult to him, a sum so trivial it wasn't even worth bending down to pick up. He, who had once commanded armies and ruled over endless treasure vaults, was now sitting here… pleased by a mere thirty silvers.
How laughable.
'How far I've fallen,' Kael'tar thought bitterly, though he managed to force a small smile. "Well, it's… nice to be appreciated, I suppose."
Ryn, oblivious to Kael'tar's inner turmoil, began piling his plate high with boar meat and vegetables. "You should do it more often, big brother! Then we'd eat like this every day!"
Kael'tar gave him a flat look. "I think one boar hunt is enough excitement for a lifetime."
Their mother chuckled softly. "Regardless, you did well, Carseain. We're proud of you."
Kael'tar's hand paused mid-reach for the bread. That word again. Proud.
He looked down at his plate, unsure how to respond.
"I'll… do what I can," he said finally, his tone quieter than usual.
His younger brother Ryn, already gnawing enthusiastically on a piece of meat, grinned. "You're like a hero, big brother!"
Kael'tar managed a tight smile, his mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. Hero? For taking down a wild boar? It was absurd.
'How laughable...I'm supposed to feel accomplished over a handful of coins and a piece of meat?'
He chuckled inwardly, though it was laced with self-mockery. Pathetic.
"Big brother, aren't you going to eat?" Ryn asked, his mouth full.
Kael'tar snapped out of his thoughts, grabbing a piece of meat and taking a deliberate bite. It was surprisingly tender, the flavors rich and earthy. He nodded slightly.
"It's good," he said, his tone gruff but honest.
His mother's face lit up. "I'm glad you like it. You've been working so hard lately, Kael. You deserve a good meal."
The meal continued in lively conversation, mostly led by Ryn, who was full of energy as he recounted village gossip and his plans to become a great hunter like Aron.
Kael'tar only half-listened, his thoughts elsewhere.