As night approached, Anos and I were seated on the lush green grass under the fading sunlight.
"Leo, I had a good time today, you know," Anos said.
"I don't know when we'll meet again after I go back."
"Yeah, we had a good time," I replied. "Don't worry. I know we'll meet again someday—probably."
He stood up. "Okay, it's time to go."
"Let's meet some other day, then," he said as he walked away, heading toward the town.
I got up as well and made my way home. By the time I arrived, darkness had already settled, and the stars shone brightly alongside the moon as usual. I found my mother seated outside our house.
"Has Anos already left for the castle?" she asked as I walked over to join her, sitting down beside her.
"Yes, he's gone back," I replied.
"It's rare to find a demon with such a kind personality toward a human, and you're lucky it was the prince."
"I just wish all of them were like that," I said quietly.
"Do you think the stories you've been telling me about the hero who will save humanity are true?" I asked.
"I don't know," she replied softly. "I was told the same stories when I was young, by your grandparents."
"So, it's just stories to give humans hope—to help us keep going in this cruel world," I said bitterly.
"Don't say such things," she said, her tone firm yet gentle. "Even if no hero is born to save humanity, I'm sure the gods are watching. They might do something."
"What are they going to do? It's been more than a hundred years, and they've done nothing but watch us struggle!" I snapped, anger rising in my voice.
She sighed, her eyes fixed on the stars above. "I don't know why, but for some reason, I believe. Even if it's not the heroes we're waiting for, I'm sure someone will rise to save humanity."
Her words struck a chord within me. Though I didn't fully believe in the stories, there was something about the way she spoke—something unwavering. She always said things like this whenever I tried to explain to her that the stories were just that: stories. Yet, for some reason, she continued to believe.
"For me, I just wish for what you believe to come true," I said, my voice softening.
But deep down, a fire was starting to burn. If no one else will rise, then I'll do it.
"I'll train to be stronger," I vowed,knowing that it's impossible for me to able to get stronger, i clenching my fists. "Even if I don't have any magic, I'll just work harder . I want the person you believe in to be me."
For a moment, I thought I saw her smile.
And in that moment, I made a silent promise to myself—I would do whatever it took to make sure she could keep smiling for the rest of her life.
The next day in the evening after i was through with my work of looking after the animals whom i had to look after them, i went at the forest near our house was a serene yet untamed expanse, a place where nature thrived unbothered by the outside world. Towering trees stretched toward the sky, their thick canopies interwoven to create a mosaic of light and shadow on the forest floor. The air was cool and damp, filled with the earthy scent of moss and the faint sweetness of wildflowers.
Beneath the trees, the ground was a mix of soft, springy moss, fallen leaves, and tangled roots that twisted like the veins of the earth. The occasional burst of sunlight pierced through the canopy, creating golden patches that danced as the leaves swayed in the gentle breeze.
The forest was alive with sounds—birds chirping in melodic harmony, the rustling of leaves as small animals darted through the underbrush, and the distant murmur of a stream weaving through the trees. It was peaceful but carried an air of mystery, as though the forest held secrets in its depths, waiting to be discovered.
This was the place I had chosen to train, its beauty and quietness both a source of inspiration and a reminder of the strength I sought to find.
I started running—pushing myself to cover 10 kilometers each day. Afterward, I worked on squats, counting each rep with determination, before moving to push-ups, my arms trembling with effort.
It wasn't much, but I knew I had to start somewhere. If I wanted to grow stronger, I couldn't let doubt hold me back. This was just the beginning.
Every day, I repeated the same routine, pushing my limits bit by bit. The forest became my training ground, its peacefulness grounding me, while the challenge of each session fueled my resolve.
One evening, after finishing my chores and tending to the animals, I made my way back to the forest to continue my training. The fading sunlight cast long shadows through the trees, and the cool evening air carried a faint chill.
As I began my routine, focusing on each movement, the forest seemed quieter than usual. Then, out of nowhere, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the dim light.
The figure before me stood with an eerie stillness, his presence unnerving yet captivating. He appeared to be around 20 years old, but there was something timeless in his gaze. His hair, as white as snow, cascaded down in unruly strands, contrasting sharply with his pale, almost ethereal skin. His eyes, a striking white, seemed to glow with an unsettling intensity, void of warmth or emotion, like two unblinking stars in a sea of darkness.
His clothing was unlike anything I had ever seen—complex and intricate, adorned with strange, almost alien motifs that seemed to shift with the light, as if woven from the fabric of another world. The patterns shimmered faintly, moving with a rhythm of their own, giving off an aura of mysticism and power.
In his hand, he wielded a staff, tall and imposing, crowned by a blue orb that pulsed with an otherworldly light. The orb shimmered faintly, casting an eerie glow across the surrounding forest, illuminating the air with an unnatural hue. It was as if the very essence of the night itself bent toward him, drawn to his presence.
My breath caught in my throat, and a sense of danger prickled at my skin. This was no ordinary man—this was something far more than human, something ancient and powerful. I was frozen, unable to decide whether to flee from the ominous figure or face him and whatever fate awaited me.
His presence was commanding yet enigmatic, and I couldn't tear my eyes away as he studied me with a piercing gaze that seemed to pierce through my very soul.
"I want you to fight me," the strange man said, his voice calm yet menacing.
I was stunned. Fight him? Was he serious? "No, I can't fight," I replied, my voice unsteady.
"If you don't fight me, I will kill you right here and now," he said coldly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
A chill ran down my spine. What does this man want with me? Is he really going to kill me if I don't fight him? I thought, panic rising in my chest. This is insane!
But the look in his eyes told me there was no room for negotiation. There was no way he'd let me leave unscathed. I clenched my fists and took a hesitant stance. If fighting him was the only way to survive, then I would fight—for my life.
"Aaaaarghhh!" I charged at him, determined to land a blow, but the man stood firm, unmoving. Just as my fist was about to connect, my hand was severed in an instant.
"Arghh!" I screamed, stumbling backward as blood sprayed from my arm. What the hell? This man didn't have a sword—what kind of magic was that?
"Is that it?" the strange man said, his voice cold and taunting.
"You bastard! Why did you have to cut off my arm?" I yelled, tears streaming down my face as the searing pain consumed me.
The man stepped closer. Panic surged through me, and I turned to run. "I need to get away before he kills me," I muttered, desperate for escape.
But I didn't make it far. Before I could even reach a meter away, my legs were severed, and I collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony.
"Why are you doing this to me?" I cried, my voice trembling. "Have I done something to deserve this?"
The man didn't respond. He looked down at me with cold detachment, as if my suffering was insignificant.
I felt a sharp pain as my remaining arm was severed. I couldn't comprehend how he was doing this—he didn't have a sword or a knife. It was as though his will alone was enough to mutilate me.
As I lay on the ground, my vision blurred, and despair set in. So this is it. This is how it ends. I won't be able to become the person you believed in, Mom
End of Chapter.