Kael leaned against the fence, watching Theo kneel in front of the Nemean Boar. The boy murmured quietly to the massive beast, his hand resting against its bronze hide. The boar huffed softly, leaning into Theo's touch like an oversized pet.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You're really out here whispering sweet nothings to a boar?"
Theo shot him a glare over his shoulder, and Calia gave Kael a sharp look from where she stood nearby.
Kael held up his hands. "Alright, I'll shut up. My bad."
He stepped back from the fence, tucking his hands into his pockets as he wandered a few paces away. He glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention before muttering, "Alright, system. What's the deal with my quest rewards?"
"Finally. Took you long enough," the system chimed in, its tone dry.
Kael rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just show me."
Quest 2 Completed: Defeat the Threat
Rewards Unlocked:
Artifact Acquired: Ember Ring (Replica)
Achievement Unlocked: Protector of the Hearth
A faint glow appeared in front of Kael, and he squinted as the light coalesced into a small bronze ring. It hovered for a moment before dropping into his outstretched hand.
Kael turned the ring over, inspecting the faint, flame-like patterns etched into the metal. "What is this?"
"That's the Ember Ring," the system explained. "It's a replica artifact tied to your lineage. While wearing it, your ichor reserves will increase, and your ichor will flow more efficiently. Think of it as a tool to help refine your abilities."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You're calling it a tool, but it sounds like it's doing a lot of heavy lifting for me."
"It's not a crutch," the system said sharply. "Artifacts like this are designed to help you grow, not carry you. The strength it gives you is borrowed. Your goal should be to surpass what it offers and reach this level on your own."
Kael sighed, slipping the ring onto his finger. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get too comfortable, I get it."
The moment the ring settled, a warm sensation spread through his hand, traveling up his arm and into his chest. His breath hitched as he felt his ichor reserves expand, the once-faint hum of energy in his veins growing stronger and more fluid.
Stat Updated:
Ichor: E → C
Kael flexed his fingers, marveling at the newfound ease with which his ichor flowed. It wasn't just stronger—it was smoother, like a stream that had been cleared of debris.
"This is… actually pretty nice," Kael muttered, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Glad you approve," the system quipped.
Kael ignored the comment, his gaze shifting back to the reward screen. "Alright, what's this 'achievement' thing?"
"Achievements are milestones," the system explained, its tone taking on a more instructional edge. "When you accomplish something noteworthy, you unlock an achievement. They come with unique rewards depending on the nature of the milestone."
Kael arched an eyebrow. "So what did I get for this one?"
"Your achievement—Protector of the Hearth—was earned for defending the village and preventing further destruction. The reward is the ability to upgrade one of your skills. Choose wisely."
Another window appeared, listing his current skills:
Spark Flicker
Fragment of the Founding Flame
Kael stared at the two options, tapping his fingers against his side. The fighting style fragment had been a lifesaver during the fight with Theo, helping him stay grounded against the boar's overwhelming power. It was solid, reliable… safe.
His gaze shifted to Spark Flicker. Memories of the fight flashed through his mind—those crude bursts of flame, the way they'd burned hotter when he pushed them just right. They were rough and unfinished, but they had potential.
"Let's see what you can do," Kael muttered, selecting Spark Flicker.
The window flickered, displaying the upgrade details.
Spark Flicker → Ember Spark
Upgraded Effects:
Shape Control: Sparks can now be shaped into larger or more concentrated forms, allowing for versatile applications in combat.
Enhanced Power: Sparks burn hotter and brighter, increasing their overall impact.
Kael felt a faint surge of energy as the upgrade completed, warmth flooding into his arms as his ichor surged more freely through his body. The sparks flared to life in his palm, glowing brighter than before.
"Let's see if you're as good as you sound," Kael muttered, stepping farther away from the fence. He raised his hand, focusing on the flickering embers at his fingertips.
This time, when he released the energy, the spark grew larger, a bright burst of flame that fizzled out after a few seconds. Kael grinned, but the effort left him slightly winded.
"You dumped too much ichor into it," the system said. "The skill is more powerful now, but it's also more demanding. You'll need to practice to find the balance."
Kael sighed, flexing his fingers as he tested the sparks again. This time, he tried a smaller burst, focusing on controlling the energy instead of dumping it all at once. The flame sputtered briefly before stabilizing, though it wasn't as bright as before.
"Fine," Kael muttered. "Guess I'll have to work on it. But this is definitely better."
"Better doesn't mean perfect," the system quipped. "You're making progress, but don't get too comfortable. You're still a long way from mastering it."
Kael rolled his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching into a grin. "Yeah, yeah. Just watch—I'll have this figured out before you know it."
Kael walked back to the fence where Theo was still sitting beside the boar, idly stroking its thick fur. The beast huffed contentedly, its eyes half-closed as if it hadn't nearly torn through the village just hours ago.
"You're sticking around for a while, right?" Kael asked, leaning against the wooden railing.
Theo glanced up, frowning. "What?"
"You're staying here," Kael said, nodding toward the house. "You know, since my mom basically adopted you five minutes ago."
Theo stiffened, his eyes narrowing. "I didn't agree to anything."
"You didn't say no, either," Kael shot back, grinning.
Before Theo could retort, Calia appeared from the house, carrying a small tray with cups of tea. She set it down on a nearby table and looked at Theo with a gentle smile.
"You don't have to decide right away," she said softly. "But the offer still stands. Stay here, rest, and figure out your next steps."
Theo hesitated, his gaze dropping to the ground. His fingers tightened around the boar's coarse fur. "I… appreciate the offer. But I can't just take and not give back."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You trashed the village, remember? Pretty sure you owe us anyway."
"Kael," Calia said, her tone light but firm.
Kael shrugged. "What? It's true."
Theo let out a frustrated sigh, standing and brushing off his pants. "Fine. I'll stay. But only for a little while."
Calia's expression softened, and she nodded. "You're welcome here as long as you need."
Theo hesitated, then added, "But I need to leave first."
Kael straightened, his brow furrowing. "What are you talking about?"
"I'll head back to my family," Theo said after a pause, his voice steady but uncertain. "I'll gather some funds and supplies to bring back here. You need materials to rebuild, right? I figure they won't miss a few crates of lumber or tools."
Kael folded his arms, giving Theo a skeptical look. "You really think they'll just hand it over? No offense, but… you don't exactly strike me as the favorite kid in the family."
Theo's jaw tightened, his fingers brushing over the coarse fur of the boar at his side. "I don't know if they'll help," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "But I've got to try. If I don't, I'll just be sitting here doing nothing while the village struggles. I can't be that kind of guest."
Calia stepped forward, her voice gentle. "Are you sure you want to leave so soon? You've barely had time to rest."
Theo hesitated, glancing at her, then at the damaged homes in the distance where faint wisps of smoke still curled into the sky. The weight of the destruction pressed heavily on him.
"I'll leave first thing tomorrow," he said finally, his shoulders relaxing just slightly. "The sooner I get there, the better my chances."
Kael snorted, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Yeah, assuming they don't just toss you out the second you show up."
Theo shot him a glare. "Thanks for the encouragement."
Kael shrugged, his smirk widening. "Hey, I'm just saying—if it doesn't work out, feel free to come back. We're used to picking up strays around here."
The boar let out a loud grunt, stomping the ground in protest. Theo glanced down at it, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're not a stray," he murmured, scratching behind its ear.
Calia stepped closer, placing a hand on Theo's shoulder. Her warm smile softened the tension in his posture. "You'll always have a place here, Theo. Don't forget that."
Theo stiffened slightly, unused to the kindness in her tone. After a moment, he gave a small nod. "Thanks… for everything. I mean it."
Calia nodded. "You'll leave tomorrow, then. Tonight, rest—and eat. You'll need your strength for the journey."
(The Next Day)
The crisp morning air carried the faint scent of dew and ash as Theo stood at the edge of the village, his boar at his side. The early sunlight cast long shadows over the dirt road, and the quiet hum of the waking village filled the air.
Kael leaned against a nearby tree, arms crossed as he watched Theo adjust the small pack slung over his shoulder. "So, what's the plan? Just waltz in there and hope for the best?"
Theo smirked faintly, shaking his head. "Something like that."
Kael pushed off the tree, stepping closer with a raised eyebrow. "Well, try not to die on the way, yeah? It'd be a pain to explain why your boar came back without you."
Theo chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "I'll be fine."
"Sure you will," Kael said, his grin fading slightly as his tone turned more sincere. "But seriously… if it doesn't work out, come back. We've got your back, alright?"
Theo blinked, caught off guard by the honesty in Kael's voice. He nodded slowly. "Yeah. Thanks, Kael."
Kael clapped him on the shoulder, his usual smirk returning. "Good. Now get moving before my mom decides to adopt you for real."
Theo laughed, adjusting his pack as he started walking. The boar grunted and trotted along beside him, its heavy steps echoing softly in the morning quiet.
Calia stood at the doorway of the house, her soft smile lingering as she raised a hand in farewell.
Kael stayed where he was, leaning back against the tree and watching until Theo and the boar disappeared over the hill.
"Well," Kael muttered to himself, shoving his hands into his pockets, "guess it's back to training."