From the moment I took my first breath, I was surrounded by love.
My mother's gentle voice whispered my name.
"Ren."
Filling me with warmth.
Just one look in her eyes told me everything—I was cherished.
My father's strong hands held me close.
His embrace wrapping me in safety and
strength.
In that moment, I truly believed my future would be bright.
Or so I thought...
One day, when I was celebrating my 6th birthday my father prepared to leave on a trip.
We were running low on food supplies.
As he stood by the door, ready to leave, he knelt down and placed a hand on my shoulder.
„My son"
He said, his voice was calm yet heavy.
„I'll be gone for a while, so take a good care of
your mother."
„But remember this – don't trust everyone.
Some people may look kind on the outside, but inside, they may not be."
„Remember my words and promise
me to keep your mother safe."
He smiled at me – warm, cheerful, as if he knew I wouldn't break my promise.
After he left, my mother kept
wondering where he had gone. But he had made me promise not to tell her.
„She would be mad and sad if she knew" he had said.
I didn't understand why, but i acted like I did.
A few days passed since my father left.
Ever since he left, Mother's mood had only gotten worse.
The light in her eyes faded a little more each day, and no matter how much she tried to hide it, I could see it—the sadness,
the worry, the loneliness.
It almost felt like she had already figured out where he went.
I tried to make her smile, to lift her spirits—but I failed.
No matter what I did, the worry never left her eyes.
But one day, she made a decision—a risky one.
For the first time, she took me outside.
Father had never allowed it, so I had to keep it a secret between us.
She brought me to the capital city, Nokthar, just a hundred meters away.
A breathtaking place where stone houses stood tall, the air crisp and
filled with the hum of magic.