The scent of freshly tilled earth filled the air as Kael wiped the sweat from his brow, gazing across the vast fields his family-owned.
His family were Skillfarmers who produced Skillfruit for warriors and nobles and helped the commoners with Skillfruits. Warriors and nobles would fight, steal, and buy any Skillfruit to enhance themselves or their people.
Kael was just a farmer-a cultivator of Skillfruits. He nurtured the land with his family to grow Skillseeds.
His patience finally paid off after three years. Three years ago, his grandfather gave him a golden seed. Kael is the youngest of three. His older brother is a warrior, and his sister is a powerful merchant who can seal any deal.
No one in the family knew where Grandfather found this seed, but he gave it to Kael. Kael spent every moment he could nurture this seed.
At the center of the family's fields stood a single Divine Tree, a tree unlike any before it. Its fruit shimmered with latent power, promising a skill beyond his wildest dreams. Kael had spent the years tending to it, carefully guiding its growth. Tonight, under the Harvest Moon, he will claim his reward for all his hard work.
He turned as he heard steps on the gravel, smiling as Lyria approached. Her emerald eyes held the reflection of the orchard's moonlit glow, her auburn hair flowing like autumn leaves in the wind. She had been his partner and confidant for the last three years. They became engaged once they were 18, as their families were close. She shared the same dream as him: to share these fruits with everyone, not just warriors and nobles.
"It's finally ready," Kael said, motioning toward the fruit. "With this, we can change everything."
Lyria smiled, stepping closer. "I know."
Kael didn't notice how her smile had an evil glint to it.
Then, before he could react, a searing pain erupted in his side.
Kael gasped, stumbling backward as he looked down—Lyria's dagger was buried deep in his stomach.
"I would say I am sorry for this," she whispered with evil in her voice. "But this fruit… it belongs to my true fiancé. We just waited until it was ready. Now you and your family will die.
Disbelief gripped Kael as he fell to his knees. "Why…?"
Lyria didn't answer. She waited. Kael heard someone walking towards them. He saw Levi Morfield, and he was smiling. He had a slim, athletic build with platinum-blond hair. He wore exquisite noble attire with golden embroidery.
"My. My. Look at what we have here. Didn't you boast how amazing you were? Now look at you. You lay dying here while your family burns." Levi pointed towards the mansion.
Kael saw the mansion on fire. There was nothing he could do. He could feel his life fading away.
"I will take this. It will serve me well." Levi said as he plucked the Divine Fruit from its branch. It glowed brightly, reflecting the evil in Levi's eye.
"Kael, I am sorry. I could believe in your way, but this world isn't for dreamers."
"No, it is meant for those who take what they want. I would say I would see you around, but I don't think you will make it." Levi laughed as he and Lyria vanished into the night.
Kael clutched his wound, blood soaking into the soil he had so lovingly tended. His family orchard was gone, and his family was gone. The only woman he ever loved betrayed him to his worst enemy.
But as his vision darkened, a strange pulse resonated from beneath the earth. The Divine Tree roots twisted and shifted as something moved towards the surface-something ancient, powerful, something forgotten.
A single, forbidden seed lay before him, black as the void. It pulsed with a whisper of power.
Kael reached out with trembling fingers. Suppose the world wants to take what his family has built. Then, he will build the greatest empire this world has ever seen. He will take what he owns and give no mercy to those who hurt him.
He swallowed the seed.
And the earth trembled in response.