As the years passed, Kael settled into his new life. He was no longer the angry, frustrated baby who had cursed his fate. Instead, he had embraced the simplicity of childhood, enjoying the small pleasures that came with it. He played with the other kids in the village, explored the woods, and listened to his parents' stories by the fire. It was a life free of ambition, free of pressure, and for the first time, Kael felt... content.
Life in the Village
The village was small, with only a few dozen families living in wooden cottages scattered around a central square. It was a tight-knit community, where everyone knew everyone else, and children ran freely through the streets without a care in the world. Kael quickly became a part of this world, making friends with the other kids and joining in their games.
One of his favorite pastimes was playing near the edge of the forest. The woods were dense and mysterious, with tall trees that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. The other kids were wary of the forest, whispering stories about the creatures that lived there, but Kael was drawn to it. There was something about the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves, the way the wind rustled the branches, that made him feel alive.
"Kael, don't go too far!" one of the kids called out as he ventured closer to the tree line. "You know what they say about the forest."
Kael rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Stone goblins, right? I've heard the stories."
"They're not just stories," another kid said, her voice trembling. "My cousin saw one once. He said it was small, but its eyes... they glowed like fire."
Kael shrugged. "If they're so dangerous, why hasn't anyone done anything about them?"
The kids exchanged nervous glances. "Because they're too fast," one of them said. "And there are too many of them. Even the hunters avoid the deep woods."
Kael didn't respond, but inside, he was intrigued. Stone goblins, he thought. What are they like?
A Father's Warning
That evening, as Kael sat by the fire with his parents, he decided to ask about the forest. His father, Garrick, was sharpening a knife, the blade glinting in the firelight. His mother, Elena, was knitting, her hands moving deftly as she worked.
"Dad," Kael began, "what's the deal with the forest? Everyone says it's dangerous, but no one ever talks about why."
Garrick looked up from his knife, his expression serious. "The forest is dangerous, Kael. There are creatures there that you don't want to mess with. Stone goblins, for one. They're small, but they're cunning. And they don't take kindly to intruders."
Kael frowned. "But why haven't we done anything about them? If they're such a threat, shouldn't we be trying to get rid of them?"
Garrick sighed, setting down his knife. "It's not that simple, son. The forest is vast, and the goblins know it better than we do. They're fast, they're sneaky, and they fight dirty. Even the best hunters avoid them if they can."
Elena looked up from her knitting, her eyes filled with concern. "Kael, promise me you won't go into the forest. It's not safe."
Kael nodded, but inside, he was already planning. If the forest is so dangerous, why hasn't anyone tried to understand it? Maybe there's more to it than just goblins.
A Mercenary's Past
As the night wore on, Garrick began to tell stories of his past. He had been a mercenary once, traveling the world and fighting in wars. His tales were filled with adventure and danger, and Kael listened intently, his eyes wide with fascination.
"I've seen things you wouldn't believe, Kael," Garrick said, his voice low and steady. "I've fought men twice my size, faced creatures that would make your blood run cold. But in the end, I realized something. The world is a dangerous place, but it's also beautiful. And sometimes, the best thing you can do is protect what matters most."
Kael tilted his head. "What matters most?"
Garrick smiled, reaching out to ruffle Kael's hair. "Family, son. That's what matters most. That's why I left the mercenary life behind. To protect you and your mother."
Kael didn't respond, but inside, he felt a pang of guilt. His father had given up so much to keep them safe, and here he was, secretly training and dreaming of adventure. Maybe I should be more grateful, he thought. But I can't help it. There's something out there, calling to me.
The Secret Training Continues
Despite his parents' warnings, Kael couldn't resist the pull of the forest. He began sneaking out at night, using the cover of darkness to explore the woods. He didn't go far—just enough to feel the thrill of danger, to test his skills against the unknown.
He also continued his secret training, pushing his body to its limits. He practiced his strikes on trees, his footwork on uneven ground, and his endurance by running through the woods. It wasn't the same as his training in his past life, but it was enough to keep him sharp.
One night, as he was practicing near the edge of the forest, he heard a rustling in the bushes. He froze, his heart pounding in his chest. Is it a stone goblin? he thought, his mind racing. Or something worse?
But when he turned to look, there was nothing there. Just the wind, whispering through the trees.
End of Chapter 3