In the midst of a harsh winter, a lone crow streaks across the sky, its unnatural speed betraying a sense of urgency. Far below, a dense forest stretches endlessly, hiding a desperate chase within its icy expanse. A young child, scarcely older than ten, dashes through the snow-covered terrain, fleeing from three men clad in armour. Their swords gleam in the dim light, and their intentions are unmistakably lethal.
"You can't run forever!" one of them shouts, his voice cutting through the eerie quietness of the forest.
The child gasps for breath, his heart pounding in terror, tears streaming down his cheeks. He knows he cannot outrun them for long, but fear drives him forward. Unbeknownst to him, beneath the thick layer of snow, a jagged rock lies directly in his path. Glancing over his shoulder to see how close his pursuers are, he fails to notice the obstacle ahead. Panic overtakes him as he tries to push himself harder, but it's too late.
He stumbles over the hidden rock, tumbling down into the snow, landing face-first. The freezing powder clings to his hair and clothes, and for a moment, all seems lost. The men draw closer, their footsteps crunching ominously on the snow. The child's breath is ragged, his mind racing with the dreadful certainty of what awaits him.
The men grinned as the child collapsed into the snow, their steps slow and deliberate as they closed in, swords gleaming coldly in the dim light.
"Looks like this is the end of the road for you," one of them sneered, raising his blade high, ready to deliver the final blow.
Perched on a nearby branch, a lone crow watched the scene unfold. After a moment's pause, it sprang into action, diving toward the group. As it descended, its form shifted, twisting unnaturally until it took the shape of a man. He landed with a soft thud, standing upright at the base of a tree before leaning against it casually.
"Killing a defenceless child... Do you have no shame?" he said, his voice calm but carrying an unyielding edge. His gaze, sharp and focused, seemed to pierce through the men.
The soldiers halted, startled by the stranger's sudden appearance. They turned toward him, eyes narrowing in suspicion. Clad entirely in black, with a hood concealing most of his face, he fit the description of the very figure they had been warned about by the kingdom. Fear flickered in their eyes, the tension thickening the air like a smothering fog.
"W-where did you-" one of them stammered, his voice faltering as unease crept into his heart. The weight of the man's presence was palpable, as if the very air had grown heavier.
The stranger began to move, each step measured, his posture relaxed yet ready for any sudden attack. He made his way to the child, his back to the soldiers, never lowering his guard. Kneeling, he wiped the snow from the boy's hair with a gentleness that seemed out of place in such a grim setting.
"There's no need to be afraid," he said softly, his voice warm and reassuring. A faint smile Played on his lips as he looked into the child's wide, frightened eyes. "I will protect you."
The fear in the child's eyes melted away completely. Though this man was a stranger, there was something about him, something unspoken, that made the boy feel utterly safe, as if no harm could reach him while he stood near. Sniffling softly, the child wiped away his tears with the back of his hand, nodding in silent trust.
Suddenly, his eyes widened in alarm as he spotted the men in armor charging, swords gleaming in the cold light, aimed straight at the stranger's unguarded back. Panic tightened his throat; he tried to speak, to cry out a warning, but no sound came.
"Close your eyes," the stranger said gently, his voice steady and calm, a faint smile playing on his lips, as if none of this chaos concerned him.
The child's gaze flickered between the stranger and the advancing swords. To his astonishment, everything seemed to slow-the men, their weapons, even the air itself. Time felt warped, unreal. His small chest rose and fell quickly, breath hitching as he tried to understand what he was seeing. Still, he nodded and slowly closed his eyes, trusting the stranger's words.
The world faded into sound: the harsh clang of metal on metal, the dull thuds of bodies hitting the frozen ground, grunts of pain. Each noise made the boy tremble, fear creeping back in. Did they kill him? The thought tightened like a knot in his chest.
Then, he heard the stranger's voice again, calm and unwavering. "You can open your eyes now."
The boy hesitated before peeking through his lashes, then opened them fully. Snow crunched softly as the stranger walked back toward him, each step measured and gentle. He knelt down to meet the child's gaze.
Wide-eyed, the boy looked past the stranger, searching for the men who had been chasing him. He saw them sprawled across the snow, unmoving. Swallowing hard, he turned back to the stranger, his small voice quivering as he asked, "Did… did you kill them?"
The innocence in the boy's voice, mingled with the sorrow in his eyes, struck the stranger deeply. He didn't want to burden the child with guilt or fear. "No," he said softly, his tone warm and reassuring. "They're alive... just unconscious."
Relief washed over the boy's face, and he let out a shaky breath as the stranger gently lifted him to his feet, brushing snow from his little shoulders. "Do you have a name?" the stranger asked, his voice kind.
The boy hesitated, glancing once more at the fallen men before meeting the stranger's eyes. "Y-Yes," he stammered, his voice a little steadier now. "It's… Arcos" The child said.
Arcos studied the stranger, curiosity flickering in his wide eyes. He hesitated before speaking, his voice soft but insistent. "What's your name?" he asked, his gaze unwavering. This man had saved him, and he needed to know who he was.
The stranger seemed to weigh the question, his silence stretching long enough for doubt to creep into Arcos's chest. But then, with a resigned sigh, the man finally spoke. "John," he said, his voice low and measured.