Step by step, I entered the path. The air felt very different than usual. "As I inhaled it, the air felt fresh and sweet. Without realizing it, the sensation spread throughout my body." My red-and-white shirt fluttered in the wind.
Along the way, I kept glancing at the trees. Leaves were falling, and I hoped to find some fruit to eat. One tree passed, then two, three, until I lost count.
I stopped somewhere. Before me stretched a large, powerful waterfall. I looked around and saw two giant statues, one on each side.
I was mesmerized by the beauty and grandeur of the waterfall. But thirst and hunger began to take over. I was slightly annoyed that the statues couldn't fill my stomach, but the clear flowing water made me feel grateful. I quickly cupped my hands to take a sip.
One gulp felt incredibly refreshing.
I felt the urge to look for fish, and quickly glanced around to see if any were there. And yes—there were a few. Instinctively, I threw a stone with my left hand.
[Bloop]
I hit one. Smiling, I ran over to grab it. But as I lifted it, I noticed a smaller fish next to it. My eyes widened.
"She... has a baby."
My voice barely a whisper, I gently released the fish back into the water.
I continued my journey, now determined to find a place where people lived. But so far, all I had seen were forests, animals, and strange stone statues.
Imagine my surprise when I saw a vast savanna stretching into the distance. I ran toward it, laughing freely as I dashed through the tall grass until a strange tremor made me stop.
"Woah…" I was amazed.
Hero stood frozen, breath caught in his throat. In the distance, enormous figures towered, their chests seeming to hold up the sky. The sound of heavy metal echoed faintly, like chains being slowly but surely pulled. Behind thick clouds, something hidden was being drawn, though its form remained a mystery.
The wind carried dust and dry leaves, but no birdsong or signs of life. It was as if the world itself held its breath, watching these giants fulfill a duty they had carried for who knows how long.
"What... is that?" he whispered without thinking.
The wind brought faint echoes, as if the world still held untold stories. Hero rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn't seeing an illusion. The four giants stood firm, untouched by time. There was something magnificent about them, yet they stirred an odd fear in his heart not because of their form, but because they continued to pull something he couldn't see. The origin of the chains was invisible, as they pierced through the sky. But it wasn't fear he felt it was burning curiosity. Where were they pulling it to? And… had they ever stopped?
He shivered slightly. Not from cold, but from an unsettling feeling creeping into his heart.
They stood in formation two in front, two behind like giant horses pulling an invisible load, resembling a war chariot shrouded in mist. Every curve of the statues was carved with detail, as if they were still alive, laboring endlessly in eternity. Yet no one knew what they were pulling... or when it had begun.
Instead of fear, Hero smiled widely. Something within urged him to keep walking, to approach the wondrous sight before him.
As he turned his gaze away from the giants, his eyes caught something in the distance. Amid the rolling hills, small rooftops appeared, wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys. A village!
"Finally…" Hero exhaled in relief, and without another thought, he began descending the hill. "Hmm… just two hills, a river, and a forest to go," I smiled, picking up a stick and continuing my walk.
After crossing the savanna, I began entering a hilly area. Among the trees, I searched again for fruit to eat. But after scanning around, I found nothing. "Hahh, unlucky today."
A cool breeze slipped through the trees, carrying the scent of wet earth. Birds chirped, butterflies danced, and deer wandered in the distance. The peaceful scene reassured me there was no danger nearby. Not long after, I finally found some fruit.
I was so happy… seeing them.
I grabbed them and ate quickly. The sweet taste of the apple filled my mouth. Without realizing it, a few monkeys had appeared beside me. They stared at me, then at the fruit I was holding.
The monkeys eyed my apples with cunning gazes. In a flash, they snatched them one by one even the one I was eating. Surprised, I chased after them in frustration. I threw a rock, missing the monkeys but hitting something else.
It struck the head of a buffalo herd. And unfortunately, they chased me until I barely escaped by crossing the river.
I walked far from the river, stopping near some trees. Suddenly, rain began to fall. In a hurry, I searched for a thick tree to shelter under.
Raindrops fell slowly, soaking my hair and shoulders. A gentle wind blew, bringing the scent of wet leaves and earth.
Hero sat leaning against a tree trunk, gazing at the darkening sky. His eyelids grew heavy, body relaxing as the wind caressed his face.
"Maybe... just a moment..." he thought. Bit by bit, I started to fall asleep. As his eyes fully closed, the world around him shifted.
The night sky vanished, replaced by an endless expanse. The air felt lighter, and his body floated in a void.
"Where... am I?"
Tiny lights sparkled around him, like falling stars. Hero reached out, letting one of them touch his skin. It felt warm. Comforting.
But also... strange.
"I thought I was asleep."
As I tried to look forward...
As I tried to open my eyes...
A child stood far away, staring at me.
"A kid?"
I walked toward them, and their face grew clearer.
The child looked very thin and messy. Curly hair, extremely pale skin, and eyes locked onto mine.
"Please… I'm so hungry… please, big brother."
"Okay... What's your name?" As I bent down to comfort him, I accidentally noticed his knees were bleeding—both of them. The skin was torn open in perfect circles, exposing white bone.
I gasped. "What happened to your legs?" And as I raised my head...
Hero stared at the child, who stood amid a field of flowers. A faint smile curled on his lips, but his eyes did not smile. His gaze was empty, as if seeing through Hero to something behind him.
"Because of my 'friend'," the child whispered, barely audible. Yet in the silence of this empty space, the words echoed—resounding from every direction.
Hero swallowed hard. The air grew heavier, like something unseen was watching them.
Then I suddenly woke up… the weather had cleared, the rain had stopped. It was now afternoon I should be close to the village, I thought.
I walked through the forest. In the distance, I heard voices. That meant the village I had searched for was near. As I passed through the last trees, I saw it clearly.
A humble village by the river. The evening view made it feel just right. Then, without realizing, an old man called out, "Hey, kid... are you alright? Are you lost?" His voice was warm, his hand gently tapping my shoulder.
I looked up and gave a slight smile. "I'm alright, Sir. My name is..." I paused, the words feeling strange on my tongue.
"My name is Hero."
...
...
Meanwhile, in that same village, in a certain house.
Inside a simple wooden house, Valeria sat near the fireplace, cleaning her bow. Her father, a man with a silver beard, poured hot tea into two clay cups.
"You seem uneasy," he said, handing her one of the cups.
Valeria sighed. "Father, are you sure about that boy? His clothes are different... he's not from this village."
Her father blew gently on his tea, then looked at her with wise eyes. "Valeria, we helped him not because of where he's from, but because he needed help."
"But... he managed to approach the sacred tree, Father." Valeria's tone grew tense. "If he really is the one, the entire kingdom will come looking for him."
Her father remained silent. His eyes turned to the window, watching the sun sink behind the trees.
Unbeknownst to them, in that dim room, something began to glow softly. The necklace hanging from Kelfin's chest emitted a faint light responding to something far beyond their reach.
[Without their knowledge, Kelfin's necklace looked unusual, and it was glowing.]
At the same moment, far away from the dark forest, a young man stepped into a village. The morning light touched his face, revealing a look of hope and confusion.
On his chest, a blue-white necklace sparkled in the sunlight. Hero had arrived at Vallerie Village.
Exactly like the one hanging on Kelfin's neck.
Two different fates.
Two paths yet to cross.
But their destinies... had already begun to move.
Unaware of how vast this world truly was, or the secrets hidden within, he kept walking. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Kelfin opened his eyes and everything slowly began to change. At that same moment, somewhere else, a pair of eyes slowly opened.
The first breath. The first awareness.
Kelfin awoke and the wheel of fate began to turn.