Adrian sat with August for a while, their conversation flowing naturally. Eventually, August insisted that Adrian sit next to Tusk. Though hesitant at first, Adrian reluctantly gave in after August gently nudged him forward. He settled beside the beast, hesitantly resting against its thick fur.
"It's really soft," Adrian murmured, surprised by its warmth.
August chuckled. "I've been meaning to ask—what brought you out here, anyway?"
Adrian hesitated. "I actually came to… kill the bea—" He stopped mid-sentence, a wave of guilt crashing over him. "I mean… Tusk."
August's expression darkened, his voice laced with anger. "But why?"
"It was devouring all the animals. I feared it would deplete the island's resources," Adrian admitted, his words laced with regret.
August's gaze softened slightly. "Oh… I see. He was hunting—for me. When I first arrived, he was aggressive, but only because he was injured. I helped him heal, and now…" He reached out, wrapping his arms around Tusk's thick neck. "Now, he's my closest friend."
Adrian exhaled, nodding. "I guess I understand."
August's tone lightened. "Hey, kid, you hungry? I've got plenty of food."
"You should really share some of it with my people," Adrian suggested.
August tilted his head. "Are you actually a resident of Hvitt?"
"I am. But my father… wasn't," Adrian replied, his expression shifting to one of sorrow.
"I don't mean to pry, but—who was your father?"
"I don't know. My mother refuses to talk about him, no matter how much I ask. But the villagers tell me he was a great adventurer." A small smile tugged at Adrian's lips. "They say he was fearless, always seeking out the unknown."
August smirked. "Just a moment ago, you looked sad. Now, you're practically glowing."
Adrian sighed. "I am sad. I never got to meet him. But he's my greatest inspiration—the reason I want to explore the world."
Though Adrian knew nothing of his father, he idolized him nonetheless.
His gaze drifted downward, catching the glint of something gold hanging from a chain at August's waist—a small pendant, intricately designed with the symbol of a Pegasus. It captivated him instantly.
"What's that?" he asked, pointing.
August's fingers brushed against the pendant. "This? Just a trinket," he said dismissively. "Nothing important."
Adrian wasn't convinced. "If you still carry it, it must mean something to you."
August exhaled. "I used to wear it when I was part of my old squad," he admitted.
The conversation lingered in the air as the sun began its slow descent. Taking it as his cue, Adrian stood. "I should get home," he said.
But his greatest challenge lay ahead—the conversation with his mother.
As he walked through the village, familiar faces greeted him warmly: the mayor who cared for the youth, the kindly baker who gifted him bread each day, the coal miner who always sold to him and his mother at a generous discount.
He reached the cottage, pausing at the door before stepping inside. The moment he entered, he felt it—the weight of his mother's presence.
She sat in the dimly lit room, her silhouette carved out by the shadows, exuding an almost ominous aura—like a villain from a storybook.
"I hope you're prepared for your punishment, Adrian," she said, her voice calm yet firm, her face hidden in the darkness.
Adrian swallowed hard. "I—I'm sorry, Mother. I didn't realize how late it had gotten." His voice wavered, betraying his fear.
With deliberate slowness, she reached for the lamp beside her, flicking it on. The warm glow illuminated her striking features—long white hair cascading over her shoulders, porcelain skin, deep brown eyes that held both warmth and steel. She was a woman of breathtaking beauty, a presence that could captivate any man she met. Yet her heart had belonged to only one: Adrian's father.
Without warning, she flicked him on the forehead, a reprimand for his recklessness. But the sting of it barely settled before she ruffled his hair, a silent reassurance that she was simply relieved he was home.
"Don't ever pull that stunt again!" she scolded.
Adrian winced. "I won't, I promise."
"Good. Now, go rinse off—it's time to eat." A soft smile tugged at her lips as she turned toward the dining table, where a feast awaited him.
But before he could sit, Adrian took a deep breath. "Mom… before anything, I need to talk to you." He straightened his back, determination burning in his eyes. "I want to leave the country. I want to go on an adventure."
She didn't respond. She simply continued setting the table, her hands steady, her expression unreadable.
"Mother. I want to see the world," he repeated, more firmly this time.
Still, she remained silent. But beneath her breath, she whispered, "I knew this day would come… You are his son, after all."
"Mom?" Adrian's voice wavered. "Did you hear me?"
Finally, she set the last plate down and met his gaze. "You're just like him—your father. He had that same look in his eyes whenever he spoke of adventure. The only other times I ever saw that spark were when he proposed to me… and when he found out you were going to be born."
"You never talk about Dad," Adrian said softly. "I thought you hated him."
She let out a quiet breath. "I never hated your father. But when he left…" She paused, her voice laced with something fragile. "It left me with a wound I could never quite heal. A part of me still fears losing you, too."
Adrian stepped closer. "I know this isn't easy for you, Mom. But I need this—not just to grow as a person, but as your son. I need to see what's beyond this place."
A long silence stretched between them. Finally, she exhaled, shaking her head. "You have a way of persuading people, don't you?" A small, bittersweet smile formed on her lips. "Fine. You can go—but under one condition."
Adrian's heart pounded. "What is it?"
She looked him straight in the eye, her voice filled with quiet strength. "No matter where you go or what you do, always choose what's right. Promise me that."
Without hesitation, he nodded. "I promise."
A proud yet wistful expression crossed her face. "Then go, Adrian. See the world."
And with that, everything was set.
For fourteen years, Adrian had lived within the confines of his village, a life sheltered and familiar. But now—now, his real journey was about to begin.