Kael woke up to the pale glow of early sunlight filtering through the cracks in the window shutters. He blinked groggily, turning over with a groan as the familiar chime of the system rang in his head.
"Good morning, little flame. Rise and shine!"
Kael groaned louder, dragging a hand down his face. "You don't need to be so cheerful this early."
"I'm cheerful because you need the motivation," the system quipped. "You've got work to do."
Kael sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Alright, hit me. What's today's punishment?"
The system's tone turned mockingly serious. "Not punishment—growth. But I'll admit today's quests are a little more… intense."
Kael sighed, already bracing himself for the worst. A glowing blue window blinked into view in front of him, displaying the day's objectives.
Daily Quest:
Perform 200 push-ups (0/200).
Meditate and train ichor flow for 60 minutes (0/60 minutes).
Learn a new skill (Incomplete).
Reward: 100 points
Kael blinked at the screen, then let out a low whistle. "200 push-ups? An hour of meditation? And a whole new skill? What are you trying to do, kill me?"
"It's called pushing your limits," the system replied, smug as always. "Besides, you're not going to get anywhere if you keep doing the same easy stuff. Time to step up and learn something new."
Kael swung his legs over the edge of the bed, planting his feet on the cool wooden floor. "Easy? Pretty sure I almost passed out the first time you had me do 100 push-ups. And now you're doubling it?"
"You survived, didn't you?" the system said dryly. "And look how far you've come since then. You should be proud of yourself and the progress you made these last few days."
Kael snorted, pushing himself up and stretching his arms over his head. "Yeah, sure. Proud of my impending muscle failure."
The system chuckled. "If it helps, think of it this way: every time you succeed, you're one step closer to not being the weakest person in the room."
Kael rolled his eyes but couldn't help the faint grin tugging at his lips. "Gee, thanks for the pep talk."
"You're welcome," the system chirped.
Kael stepped outside a few minutes later, ready to start his morning training. He rubbed the back of his neck, still half-asleep as he glanced toward the horizon. The air was crisp, and the village was just beginning to stir—faint sounds of chatter and movement drifting on the breeze.
Then he froze.
A massive goat stood near the side of the house, right in front of the door. Its thick fur gleamed faintly in the morning light, its twisted horns curling back like carved marble. The beast calmly chewed on a patch of grass, its gaze fixed on Kael with an almost regal air.
Kael's mouth went dry. "What the…?"
His gaze darted to the side, where he spotted the boar sprawled near the fence, snoring softly. Beyond that, perched on the edge of the roof like a feathered sentinel, was a giant bird. Its sharp eyes gleamed golden as it stared at Kael, unblinking.
"Am I still dreaming?" Kael muttered, rubbing his eyes.
The boar stirred slightly, letting out a low snort as if in answer.
Kael took a cautious step forward, his gaze shifting between the three creatures. "Alright… where did this circus come from?"
As he neared the door, he finally noticed Theo slumped against the wall in a sitting position. The boy's head was tilted down, his arms crossed, and his breathing was slow and steady.
Kael let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head. "Of course."
He crouched down, reaching out to shake Theo awake. "Hey, rise and shine, beastmaster. What the hell is going—"
Kael froze as a sharp screech cut through the air.
The bird on the roof spread its wings, ruffling its feathers threateningly. The goat's chewing slowed as it fixed Kael with a hard stare, its nostrils flaring. Even the boar opened both eyes, watching him with mild interest.
Kael swallowed hard, pulling his hand back. "Alright. Noted. Don't touch the guy while his zoo is watching."
Taking a deep breath, Kael crouched lower and hissed, "Theo, wake up!"
Theo stirred with a groan, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. "What are you yelling about?"
Kael gestured frantically toward the bird and goat, his voice low. "Pretty sure your friends over there were about two seconds away from turning me into breakfast."
Theo blinked blearily at the creatures before letting out a sharp whistle. The bird and goat immediately relaxed, their postures softening as they returned to their usual calm states.
"They're just protective," Theo said with a yawn, stretching his arms over his head. "Don't take it personally."
Kael glared at him. "Protective? They were about to murder me!"
Theo smirked faintly, standing and brushing off his pants. "Maybe you shouldn't sneak up on someone when they're sleeping."
The commotion wakes Calia, who steps outside in her nightgown, looking disheveled but curious. Her eyes widen as she takes in the massive goat, the boar, and the bird perched on the roof.
"Well," she says, blinking at the sight. "This is… new."
Theo grins sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "Good morning."
"Morning," Calia replies, shaking her head in amused disbelief. "Theo, I knew you were bringing supplies, but I wasn't expecting… this."
Theo grinned as he gestured toward the cart parked near the edge of the house. "You think my friends are impressive? Wait until you see what I brought back."
Kael raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. He followed Theo to the cart, with Calia trailing behind. The morning sunlight glinted off the edges of the crates and sacks stacked high on the massive wooden cart.
Theo stopped beside it, leaning casually against one of the wheels. "Behold—the gratitude of the House of Pan."
Kael froze in his tracks, his eyes widening. The cart wasn't just big—it was enormous, towering over Theo. Lumber was stacked neatly along the back, with crates filled to the brim with tools, food, and other supplies. The sheer amount was overwhelming.
Calia gasped softly, covering her mouth with her hand. "Theo, this is… incredible."
Kael took a step closer, his voice low. "Where did you even get all of this? There's no way your family just handed this over without a fight."
Theo chuckled lightly. "Believe it or not, they did. My father was surprisingly supportive this time. And my… siblings," he hesitated slightly, "they didn't cause too much trouble, either."
Kael ran a hand along one of the crates, his fingers trailing over the smooth wood. His inner thoughts swirled as he stared at the supplies.
In my past life… Kael paused, his heart tightening. I never thought I'd see something like this sent to our family. My people were barely scraping by. Supplies like this? They would've been a dream—something I couldn't even imagine asking for, let alone receiving.
He glanced at Theo, who was leaning casually against the cart, as if all of this were no big deal. But Kael knew better. He could feel the weight of it—the debt Theo must feel to the village, the lengths he must have gone to make this happen.
Kael inhaled slowly, clenching his fists at his sides. This can't be a one-time thing. If our family—our people—are going to survive what's coming, this needs to be the norm, not a miracle. And for that to happen, I'll have to get stronger. Much stronger.
"Still don't believe me?" Theo's voice cut through Kael's thoughts, his smirk widening.
Kael blinked, shaking himself from his reverie. "I believe you. I just didn't think your family had it in them."
"They had it in them," Theo said, glancing at the cart. "It just took a little pushing."
Calia stepped closer, her expression shifting from amazement to deep thought. Her eyes moved from the supplies to the animals resting nearby. "Theo," she said softly, "you didn't just bring back supplies. These creatures…"
Theo followed her gaze, glancing at the boar, the goat, and the bird. He smiled faintly. "Made a few new friends along the way, so I'd say the trip was worth it."
Calia shook her head, her tone growing more serious. "These aren't just 'friends.' Do you even realize what you've brought here?"
Theo frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
Calia gestured to the Nemean Boar, which was now stretching its massive legs near the fence. "That boar is a legend in its own right. In ancient times, it terrorized the region of Lerna—nothing could stop it except the strength of Heracles himself. That you've tamed it, Theo… That's no small feat."
She turned her gaze to the goat, which was calmly chewing grass a few paces away. "And that goat? Its horns are said to be among the strongest in the wild. There are old stories that say creatures like it were once steads of the great god Pan himself. When Pan vanished from the wilds, beasts like this one were left behind as his legacy—symbols of strength and resilience. And now… it's here, with you."
Finally, she looked up at the Stymphalian Bird, perched regally on the roof. Its golden eyes gleamed as it watched them silently. "And this bird… Another legend tied to Heracles. These birds were said to terrorize entire regions, their feathers as sharp as blades, their screeches capable of piercing the heavens. They are fierce, dangerous creatures—yet it sits here now, calm and… peaceful."
Calia stepped back, her voice filled with awe. "Theo, these are creatures of myth. Beasts like these don't just appear. They're drawn to strength… or to something extraordinary."
Theo shifted slightly, scratching the back of his neck. "It did attack me at first, but we got over that hurdle pretty fast."
Kael let out a short laugh. "Sure, just say a legendary bird attacked you like it's no big deal."
Calia shook her head, smiling faintly. "It is a big deal. And their presence here means more than you realize. Wild animals are unlikely to come near the village with them around. You may have done more for this place than just bring supplies."
Theo rubbed his chin, glancing at his companions. "Well, I guess I'll take that as a compliment."
Kael folded his arms, still staring at the cart and the beasts. His mother's words only deepened his thoughts. Creatures like these… Supplies like this… Theo's already starting to make a difference. And me? I'm still fumbling through training quests and trying to figure out what the hell I'm doing. If I'm going to protect this place—these people—I need to catch up.
Calia's voice broke through Kael's thoughts again. "Theo, this is incredible. You've done more than we ever could have asked for. Thank you."
Theo nodded, his expression softer now. "It's the least I could do. I owed you all for helping me."
Kael glanced at him, his smirk returning. "Alright, hero. Let's unload this cart before the boar decides to nap on top of it."
Theo grinned. "You're just mad you have to do the heavy lifting."
Calia stepped back from the cart, brushing her hands together. "This is incredible, Theo. But don't unload it all here."
Theo blinked, confused. "Why not? It's not like I was expecting Kael to carry everything by himself."
Kael rolled his eyes. "As if I'd let you sit around while I did all the work!."
Calia chuckled softly, waving off their bickering. "It's not about that. If you start unloading it here, it'll take all day. Bring the cart to the village center instead. The others will help—there's no sense in doing this alone."
Theo hesitated, glancing at the towering cart and the animals beside it. "Are you sure? They might, uh, freak out a little when they see these guys."
Calia smiled gently. "They'll be fine. And I'll make something tasty for you both once the work is done."
Kael groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine. But if they freak out, I'm blaming you, Theo."
The boar snorted as if in response, and Theo smirked. "Blame me all you want. Let's get moving."
The cart groaned to a halt as Kael, Theo, and Calia reached the village square. Early morning sunlight painted the worn buildings in soft gold, and the quiet hum of village life began to stir. Farmers returning from their fields stopped in their tracks, baskets of tools and produce dangling, forgotten in their hands.
Kael jumped down from the cart, his boots kicking up a small puff of dust as he glanced around. Villagers started to gather, drawn by the sheer size of the cart and the imposing presence of the boar, bird, and goat that flanked it.
"What in the world…?" a middle-aged man murmured, his gaze darting between the animals and the towering load of supplies.
Others began whispering to each other, unease flickering in their eyes as they stared at the boar's bronze hide, the bird's razor-sharp beak, and the goat's twisting horns.
Calia stepped forward, her voice calm and measured. "There's nothing to fear. These animals are with us—they're part of the village now."
The murmurs grew quieter, but the tension didn't fully ease. Kael let out a slow breath, stepping toward the cart and raising his hands. "Alright, listen up!"
The chatter stilled, and all eyes turned to him.
"These supplies," Kael said, his voice firm, "are here to help us rebuild. There's wood for repairs, tools to replace what we've lost, and enough food to make sure no one has to go hungry while we work." He gestured to the crates and sacks stacked high on the cart. "They're not just for one person or one family—they're for all of us. To rebuild this place together."
The villagers exchanged glances, their expressions softening slightly as the weight of Kael's words sank in.
"This came from a friend," Kael continued, his tone steady. "Someone who wanted to help. But it doesn't stop here. If we keep working hard—if we keep moving forward—this is just the beginning. We can rebuild. We can make this place stronger than it's ever been."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, slowly, a few of the villagers stepped forward.
One of the older women, her gray hair tied back in a loose braid, peered up at the cart with wide eyes. "All of this… it's really for us?"
Kael nodded. "Every last piece. And with it, we're going to rebuild the village and make it a place we can all be proud of."
The villagers began to murmur, their initial awe at the supplies shifting into soft conversations. A few glanced at Theo, their expressions hesitant, as if unsure what to say.
Kael stepped forward, raising his voice slightly to refocus their attention. "Look, this isn't about me or anyone else. This is about all of us—about rebuilding the village together. This," he gestured to the cart, "is the start of something better."
Calia nodded, stepping up beside him. "Kael's right. These supplies are a gift to help us move forward. What matters now is how we use them—and that we do it together."
Theo, leaning casually against the cart, smiled faintly. "I just brought the cart here. You all are the ones who'll put it to use."
Kael shot him a glance, smirking. "Don't sell yourself short, Beastmaster. You didn't just bring the cart—you brought the boar, the goat, and the bird, too. Pretty sure they're more valuable than anything in this pile."
Theo rolled his eyes but couldn't help the slight grin tugging at his lips. "Fine. I guess I did alright."
Calia smiled warmly, her gaze flicking between the cart and the animals. "You did more than alright, Theo. You've given us hope and that's what this village needs right now—a reminder that we can do more than just survive. We can thrive."
The villagers exchanged glances, their expressions softening further. A few of them nodded, stepping closer to begin unloading the cart.
Theo stopped a few paces away, his hand resting on the boar's flank. He glanced at Kael, then the villagers, before taking a deep breath.
"Kael Ashen," Theo said, his voice steady. "I want to pledge myself to the House of Hestia."
Kael blinked, caught completely off guard. "Wait, what?"
Theo stepped forward, kneeling briefly. "I owe you my life. You've shown me that this house—this village—is something worth fighting for. I want to stand with you. To protect this place. To help you build it into something greater."
Kael stared at him for a moment, then let out an exasperated sigh. "Alright, stop with the kneeling. You're making this way too dramatic."
Theo frowned, confused. "What? I'm serious."
"Yeah, and I'm serious about not needing all this formality," Kael said, shaking his head. "If you want to stick around, fine. But you don't need to swear yourself to me like we're in some ancient epic."
Before Theo could argue, the system chimed in.
"New section unlocked: Companions."
A glowing blue window appeared before Kael, displaying the details of the new feature.
This section tracks individuals who have pledged themselves to you or your house.
This will allow you to:
Monitoring their progress and growth.
Assigning tasks or responsibilities to assist the house.
Enhance abilities.
Kael raised an eyebrow at the screen, then smirked faintly. "Looks like the system thinks you're serious."
Theo blinked. "What are you talking about?"
Kael didn't answer, instead pressing the glowing "Accept" button that had appeared at the bottom of the screen.
The moment he did, a faint warmth spread through his hand. He glanced at Theo, who winced slightly as a stylized flame briefly appeared on the back of his hand before fading into his skin.
"What was that?" Theo asked, rubbing his hand.
Kael shrugged. "Guess it's official. Welcome to the family."
Kael clapped Theo on the shoulder. "Alright, Beastmaster, you've got this. Handle the repairs, make sure everything gets to where it needs to go."
Theo raised an eyebrow. "And where are you going?"
Kael smirked, already turning toward the forest. "Training. Someone's gotta be strong enough to protect this place.'"
Theo snorted. "Sure. Go off and play while I do the real work."
Kael waved lazily over his shoulder. "You'll thank me later."