As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the forest and bathing the plains in hues of orange and crimson, Aris finally cleaned himself of the dirt, blood, and sweat that clung to his body. His muscles ached, and his hands stung with every movement, but he felt something different something lighter within.
Emerging from the forest, he stepped onto the grassy plains, now bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. The sight struck him differently than before. It wasn't just beautiful it was peaceful, almost sacred.
For a moment, Aris didn't continue walking. Instead, he stopped, his eyes fixed on the horizon where the sun slowly dipped behind the distant hills. Memories of his mother surfaced, unbidden but welcome. She had always loved sunsets, often telling him as a child that they marked not the end of a day, but the promise of another.
His knees bent, and for the first time in years, Aris prayed. But not to gods he felt had abandoned him, nor to the heavens that seemed to mock him. He prayed to his mother, his voice soft but full of emotion.
"Mother," he whispered, his hands clasped tightly, "if you're watching... if you can hear me... I'm sorry. For everything. I don't know if I can ever make you proud, but I'll try. I swear I'll try."
The wind seemed to pick up for a moment, brushing against his face as if in answer. Aris allowed himself a small, weary smile.
When the sun finally disappeared, leaving the world cloaked in twilight, Aris stood and resumed his journey. The darkness that enveloped the plains didn't deter him. He walked on, his eyes fixed on the faint silhouette of the old cabin in the distance.
Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, and a faint, warm light spilled out from the windows, guiding him back like a beacon. By the time he reached the door, exhaustion tugged at his every step, but a strange sense of anticipation filled him.
Pushing the door open, Aris was immediately greeted by the comforting smell of food. The warmth of the cabin washed over him, and his heart, hardened by years of bitterness, softened just a little.
Kaien looked up from the small table, his face breaking into a welcoming smile. "Just in time. Sit down, you must be starving."
Aris, still unused to this kindness, hesitated for a moment before taking a seat at the dining table. Kaien served him a plate of mashed potatoes and placed a glass of hot water beside it. The simplicity of the meal took Aris by surprise. As a noble, he had grown up on lavish feasts, the finest delicacies prepared by the most skilled chefs.
Yet now, as hunger gnawed at him, this humble meal felt more satisfying than anything he had ever tasted. He took the first bite, his movements hurried and unrefined, and to his shock, the plain mashed potatoes tasted extraordinary. He ate with a fervor that surprised even himself, as if they were golden apples plucked straight from the mythical gardens of paradise.
Kaien chuckled, sitting across from him with his own plate. "Slow down, lad. You'll choke if you're not careful."
Aris paused briefly, looking up with a rare smile, then resumed eating, though at a slightly slower pace. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he wasn't thinking of revenge or disgrace. For now, all that mattered was the food, the warmth of the cabin, and the company of the man who had shown him kindness when no one else would.
When the plates were clean and the hunger sated, Aris leaned back in his chair, feeling a sense of contentment that was entirely foreign to him. And as Kaien began to clear the table, Aris silently vowed that no matter what lay ahead, he wouldn't forget this moment or the man who had given it to him.
That night, Aris slept deeply, the exhaustion from his training and travels outweighing his usual restlessness. For the first time in years, his mind was free of burdens and dark thoughts, allowing him the peace he desperately needed.
The next morning, Aris woke to the smell of breakfast. After a quick, hearty meal, he thanked Kaien for his kindness and prepared to leave. But just as he reached the door, Kaien grabbed him by the collar with surprising strength, halting him mid-step and causing him to stumble backward.
Kaien stood there with a stern expression, arms crossed. "And where do you think you're going, young man?"
Aris blinked, caught off guard. "Uh... leaving? Isn't that what guests do after they've overstayed their welcome?"
Kaien shook his head. "Not today, you're not. I'm heading to the city, and someone needs to keep this place in check while I'm gone. That someone is you."
"What? Me? I'm not some housekeeper!" Aris protested, frowning.
Kaien raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you're not? Well, let me remind you, there's no such thing as a free lunch. You've eaten, slept here, and even used my water. The least you can do is help out while I'm away."
Before Aris could argue further, Kaien added, "Now, stop whining and go chop some firewood. There's a pile in the shed just split them into smaller pieces for the fireplace."
Aris opened his mouth to retort but closed it again when he saw Kaien's unyielding gaze. Grumbling under his breath, he complied and headed to the shed.
The shed was filled with logs stacked neatly, but Aris didn't pay much attention to them. He grabbed the axe, swung it haphazardly, and struck everything except the logs barking trees, scraping the floor, and even missing entirely at times. By the time Kaien returned to check on him, the results were laughable.
Kaien stared at the mess in front of him, then sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "I'm not even angry... just disappointed."
Aris scowled, turning away. "What? It's harder than it looks!"
Kaien walked over and took the axe from him. "It's not about strength it's about precision. Focus on the weak points. Every log has one; you just need to find it."
He set a log upright on the chopping block, raised the axe, and with one clean strike, split it perfectly in two. The two halves fell neatly to the sides, leaving Aris staring in amazement.
Kaien handed the axe back to him. "Now, your turn. Focus this time. Watch the grain of the wood, and aim where it's weakest."
Aris hesitated, then picked up another log. He studied it for a moment, noticing the slight cracks running through its surface. Taking a deep breath, he raised the axe and struck.
The log didn't split cleanly like Kaien's, but it cracked significantly more than before.
Kaien nodded approvingly. "Not bad for a beginner. Now keep at it."
Though frustrated, Aris continued, striking log after log. With each swing, he improved slightly, his strikes becoming more precise and his movements more confident.
By the time Kaien was ready to leave for the city, Aris had a decent pile of firewood stacked beside the shed. Though his muscles ached and his hands were raw, a small sense of pride flickered within him.
As Kaien mounted his cart, he turned to Aris. "See? A little hard work never killed anyone. I'll be back before nightfall. Keep the cabin in order."
Aris grumbled but gave a small nod, watching as Kaien disappeared down the road. Turning back to the pile of wood, he couldn't help but feel that today, for once, he'd accomplished something worthwhile.
As Aris continued chopping wood, a realization struck him this mundane task could be a form of training. He began experimenting, adjusting his stance, grip, and swing to refine his movements. Each chop became more deliberate, more focused, and as he improved, he found an odd satisfaction in the work.
His once begrudging attitude shifted, and by the time the last log was split, Aris wore a small smile. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he surveyed the pile of firewood with pride. He now had a new goal: to make every chore a form of training.
The Chore Regimen
Aris started with the firewood. He decided to re-stack all the neatly chopped logs back into the storage shed, but this time, he added a twist. He challenged himself to carry as many logs as possible without dropping them and to organize them quickly and efficiently. The once monotonous task now felt like a game of endurance and coordination.
When the firewood was stacked to perfection, he moved on to cleaning the cabin floor. Armed with a mop and a bucket of water, Aris aimed to make the wooden planks shine. However, his inexperience quickly became apparent. He poured far too much water on the floor, soaking the planks and over-saturating the mop. Frustrated but determined, he learned to wring out the mop properly and control the amount of water he used.
Hours later, when the floor finally dried, he stepped back to admire his work. The gleaming surface reflected his effort. His shoulders ached, and his legs felt heavy, but a sense of accomplishment kept him going.
Next, he turned to dusting. He wiped down every piece of furniture and every corner of the cabin, taking care to reach even the most difficult spots. With each sweep of his cloth, he imagined honing his precision, treating it as if he were sharpening a blade.
The Great Brooming Mission
When the inside of the cabin was spotless, Aris stepped outside, broom in hand. He swept the area around the cabin in a wide radius, covering up to 100 meters. Stubborn leaves, dirt, and debris didn't stand a chance against his newfound determination.
He didn't stop there. Spotting the roof of the cabin, Aris climbed up, broom in hand, to clear off the accumulated dust and leaves. The task was treacherous; several times, he nearly slipped and fell, but he kept going. Every sweep of the broom was a test of balance and focus.
By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, Aris had transformed the area around the cabin into a pristine space. He stood back, looking at his work with satisfaction. His muscles were sore, his hands blistered, but his heart felt light.
"Maybe chores aren't that bad after all," Aris muttered to himself, a rare grin spreading across his face.
As he sat down on the steps of the cabin to rest, he realized something profound. These seemingly simple tasks had taught him patience, discipline, and focus things he had neglected in his previous life of privilege and recklessness.
For the first time, Aris felt that he was starting to change, one chore at a time.
As the cabin and its surroundings shone with cleanliness, Aris decided it was time to focus on his physical training. With no hard objects around to test his strength or punches, he opted for stamina training. He started running, pushing himself to go farther than he ever had before.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm orange glow as Aris finally collapsed onto the grassy ground, drenched in sweat. As he lay there, staring at the fading light, his thoughts wandered to his mother. Memories of her gentle smile and the promise he'd made to honor her filled his heart.
But then, unbidden, another face intruded upon his thoughts Lydia. Her cold, dismissive gaze cut through his moment of peace, quickly followed by the face of the commoner boy. Rage replaced his exhaustion. Forgetting his aching legs, Aris pushed himself back up and began running again, his breaths ragged and sharp.
When his legs refused to carry him further, he walked. When the pain became unbearable, he crawled. And when even his arms gave out, he dragged himself forward using his teeth, dirt smearing his face and clothes.
At last, he collapsed in front of Kaien, who had just returned from his trip to the city. Kaien stood there, utterly baffled.
"What in the world are you doing?" Kaien asked, his tone a mix of concern and amusement.
Realizing how ridiculous he looked, Aris immediately scrambled to his feet, dusting himself off and straightening his posture. "I-I was just training," he stammered, trying to sound composed.
Kaien couldn't help but burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. "Training? Like that? You looked like a dying fish trying to crawl its way back to water!"
Aris's face turned crimson with embarrassment. "It's a technique! You wouldn't understand!"
Still chuckling, Kaien shook his head and motioned for him to come inside. "Alright, mighty warrior. Let's get you some food before you 'train' yourself into an early grave."
Inside the cabin, Kaien served another simple but hearty dinner. Impressed by Aris's earlier efforts with the chores, he piled an extra helping onto his plate. Aris devoured it gratefully, savoring every bite.
As they finished, Kaien suddenly reached over and smacked Aris on the head.
"OW! What was that for?!" Aris yelped, rubbing the sore spot.
"You forgot the laundry, kid," Kaien said, pointing to the pile of dirty clothes in the corner of the room.
Aris's eyes widened in realization. "Ohhhhhh! Yeah! That's why I felt like something was off all day!"
Kaien shook his head, laughing. "Get to it tomorrow. For now, get some rest. You've earned it."
Aris nodded, already feeling the weight of his exhaustion pulling him toward the bed. As he lay down, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of fulfillment. For once, he wasn't running from his past he was moving toward something better.