The room froze. Emily's loud shriek hung in the air like a misfired spell. Ribbons dangled half-strung, and three guilty faces stared at the birthday girl, who was now tearing into a poorly hidden present.
The carefully orchestrated surprise deflated like a punctured balloon. A heavy silence settled over the room. Three pairs of eyes blinked, processing the scene—what was supposed to be a grand surprise now felt oddly underwhelming.
Kael, ever the pragmatist, was the first to recover. "Happy birthday, Emily!" he blurted, as if shouting it louder might salvage the ruined surprise.
Helena swiftly joined in, her voice unnaturally bright. "Yes! Happy birthday, sweetheart! You're growing up so fast."
Lucas, shaking off his initial surprise, stepped forward, his voice warm, He said "...Happy birthday, my little star."
But Emily, however, had zero interest in pleasantries. Her eyes were glued to the honey cake in Kael's hands, a predatory gleam in their depths. She reached out, her fingers twitching in anticipation.
Emily paused mid-unwrap, a stuffed dragon clutched in one hand. "Thanks, Big Brother. Thanks, Mom, thanks, Dad." Then, she immediately squinted at the honey cake Kael was holding. "Is that cake for me?" she exclaimed, her voice high with excitement. Before anyone could stop her, she lunged forward, hands outstretched. "I want cake!" she squealed.
"Not so fast, dear!" Helena intercepted, gently pulling the cake out of Emily's reach. "You can't have this just yet. First, brush your teeth and then take a bath. You're still in your pajamas, and you've got bedhead that could rival a bird's nest."
Emily pouted in protest. "But cake—"
Helena smiled, her tone warm. "You can have as much cake as you want after you freshen up. And I've put your new dress in your cupboard. Get changed, come downstairs for breakfast, and then we'll have cake, presents, and all sorts of birthday fun."
Emily's eyes sparkled at the mention of a new dress. With a surprisingly swift change of mood, she hopped out of bed and scampered toward her dressing cupboard, leaving a trail of discarded blankets in her wake.
The rest of the morning unfolded in a flurry of birthday excitement, a hearty breakfast, and a mountain of presents.
By mid-morning, the family rattled down the road in a rented carriage toward Oakmere, a lakeside town famed for its artisan markets and crystalline springs. Emily pressed her face to the window, bubbling with questions. "Do they have chocolate-dipped fire berries there? Can I ride a water-horse? Will there be more cake?"
"Yes, no, and absolutely not," Lucas said firmly. But when Emily's eyes welled up with disappointment, he sighed. "...Maybe a small cake."
The journey to Oakmere was a leisurely two-hour affair. As the carriage rolled into Oakmere, an imposing building caught Kael's attention. It was a grand structure, adorned with intricate carvings of runes and symbols. A large sign above the entrance, written in elegant script, which read "The Runecrafters' Conclave.".
"what's that building?"Kael asked.
Lucas followed his gaze. "Ah, that's the Runecrafters' Conclave. It's where runecrafters get their licenses."
"Runecrafters' licenses?" Kael said, his interest piqued. He knew his mother was a runecrafter, but he hadn't known about any licenses.
Lucas nodded. "Yes. Even your mother has one. It's important for runecrafters to be licensed."
Kael turned his head towards Helena, with an expression saying "Why didn't you tell me?" etched on his face.
He turned back to his father and asked, "But why do they need a license?"
Lucas leaned forward and explained, "Well, the license serves as proof that a runecrafter is skilled and knowledgeable, not just some con artist trying to scam people. The licenses have the information of the runecrafter and their mastery in it. You don't know this yet, but runecrafters has the lot of demand in the world. The runes they create are incredibly useful."
"They enhance weapons, accessories, and equipment, and they can even strengthen the defenses of buildings and walls. Adventurer parties are always eager to recruit runecrafters to enhance their accessories and equipment directly by them, because the market prices for rune-enhanced items are quite high. And it's not just combat-related stuff. Some rune seals make daily life much easier. Storage seals, for example, can hold large objects, and heat seals can warm rooms during winter. You, of all people, should know how useful rune seals are, considering you're already at an intermediate level."
Lucas paused, making sure Kael was following. "So, because runecrafting is so valuable, the empire established the Runecrafters' Conclave to recognize skilled runecrafters and give them licenses. This allows them to legally sell their products. The Conclave also provides licensed runecrafters with access to higher-level books and resources, hoping they'll continue to improve their skills. The individuals who have reached master level and grand master level in runecrafting are valued highly by the empire and will be given a lot of benefits. The empire considers anyone selling unlicensed runecrafted items to be operating illegally and will arrest them if caught.
Kael listened intently, absorbing the information. He turned to Helena, he asked "Mom, why didn't you ever tell me about this?"
He then directed his question to his father. "But would we in trouble? We have already sold the items that I made?"
Helena chuckled, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "How would they know you made them? Even if you tell them, they don't believe a 12-year-old is an intermediate level runecrafter. They naturally assume I made them, since I'm the one with the license."
Kael frowned, confused. "Then why didn't you tell me to get a license? So that we wouldn't have to worry about whether they will know or not." Since she mentioned his age He asked "Is there an age limit for getting a license "
Helena shook her head. "No, there's no age limit. I just didn't think there was any urgency. The Conclave holds an exam once a year, and the difficulty depends on your level of mastery. And the exam is notoriously difficult—most people need to take it two or three times to pass. Some even lose confidence after failing multiple times. Since you've only recently reached the intermediate level, there's no point in attempting it yet. You should practice for a couple more years before trying. It's best to pass before joining any academy."
Kael understood why Helena hadn't told him. He simply nodded. Then, he asked about the Adventurers' Guild and the Alchemists' Assembly, and Lucas happily provided explanations for those as well.
The rest of the day was a whirlwind of fun and excitement. They explored Oakmere, a charming town filled with quaint shops and friendly people. They sampled local delicacies, watched street performers, and visited a bustling marketplace.
At one point, Helena and Lucas watched their children, a soft smile gracing their lips.
Emily dragged Kael to every glittering stall, demanding, "That sword!" (a licorice stick), "That dragon!" (a wind-up toy), and "That cake!" (denied). By afternoon, she had already devoured six ice creams.
"Give me a bite of yours," Emily asked, her face filled with curiosity as she tried to guess how it tasted.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You've already eaten six ice creams, and now you want mine?" He shook his head. "Eating too many sweets in a day is bad for your health. Your teeth will rot."
Emily pouted. "You're starting to sound like Mom! And haven't you heard this saying? 'When doing good deeds and eating sweet things, one shouldn't count how many they've had.'"
She crossed her arms and continued, "I'm only asking a small bite of your Icecream because I haven't tasted that flavor yet."
Kael gave her a skeptical look. "Where did you hear that quote? I don't remember ever hearing it. And how exactly are good deeds and sweet things related?"
Emily replied with a grin, "I just came up with that quote. And they are related—eating sweets is a good thing. Since making them takes effort, we should support the people who make them by eating more." She leaned forward expectantly. "So... are you giving me a bite, or are you buying me a new one?"
Kael sighed at his sister's antics. "Alright, just take a bite, oka—"
The moment Kael brought the ice cream cone near Emily, she immediately devoured the whole thing—leaving only the small tip of the cone in his hand—then bolted away, laughing.
Kael stared at the remains of his ice cream in disbelief. "You little sweet glutton!" he shouted, taking off after her.
Within seconds, he caught up and started pinching her cheeks as a punishment.
Helena and Lucas burst into laughter, amused by their children's antics. 'I wish every day could be like this,' Helena thought, catching the wistful smile on Lucas's face. 'Filled with fun, silliness, and love.'
Eventually, their playful squabble drew to a close when they discovered a curious, antique artifact booth in a small plaza—a peculiar contraption used by the locals to take family photos. Intrigued, they stepped in and posed for a picture, laughing as the artifact whirred and clicked.
When the owner handed them the framed photo, he casually offered, "Would you like to buy enchanted lockets? They hold a photo inside, and the image will appear when the wearer injects their mana."
Everyone was instantly intrigued, and Lucas immediately purchased two lockets—one designed with a sun and the other with a moon, each containing their newly taken photo. The moon-designed locket was for Kael, while the sun-designed one was for Emily.
As twilight crept over Oakmere,
The family boarded the carriage for their journey home. As it trundled along, Emily dozed off against Kael's shoulder, ice cream still smeared on her dress. Helena hummed a soft lullaby, Lucas's hand resting gently on hers.
Kael gazed out of the window, replaying the day's events—from their failed surprise to buying the pair of lockets. A small smile formed on his lips as his eyes grew heavy, and he slowly drifted into sleep.
-------------------
The Elarion Empire,
In the western Grand Duchy bordering the Varkath Nation, was a land of stark contrasts. Rolling hills often gave way to dark forests, and the whispers of ancient magic clung to the very air. But on this day, in the village of Blackwood, a different kind of darkness had taken root.
The village was completely destroyed, Houses were burned to the ground, their timbers still smoldering, walls crumbled into dust. The land itself seemed to writhe in agony, soaked in blood and littered with the gruesome remains of its former inhabitants.
A woman, her face etched with terror, was fleeing from the village center, clutching her six-year-old son.
Her breath came in ragged gasps as she ran, her torn dress soaked in sweat and dirt. She halted to a stop, eyes widening in horror.
In front of her, a monstrous beast hunched over a corpse, its claws buried deep in the man's abdomen. Wet, grotesque squelches filled the air as it tore out organs, strings of intestines dangling from its jaws. Blood dripped from its fangs, pooling beneath the body.
Her stomach churned.
She didn't have time to retch.
She turned and ran in the opposite direction.
"Mom! Mmf... mmf... I'm scared," the boy whimpered, his small fingers digging into her ashen skin.
"Don't worry, Kane! I'm here with you! We'll be safe! We just need to escape from this villa—"
Schlik!
His mother's reassurance was cut short as she suddenly collapsed. Her son, whom she was holding, slipped from her grasp and tumbled forward.
A sudden snap—She didn't know what happened. One moment, she was running; the next, the world tilted. A searing pain exploded in her legs. As She looked down, her eyes widened in horror.
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!"
She screamed, a guttural sound of pure agony. Her legs had been severed just below the knees, the bloody stumps twitching as the severed limbs lay a meter away.
"Heheehee..."
A chilling laugh echoed through the destruction.
"What is this, a rat trying to escape with another rat?" a voice dripped with amusement. A figure emerged from the shadows, lean and tall, like someone who would be barely eighteen or nineteen.
He was covered in a black robe; the hood obscuring his face. The only visible features were his bright red eyes, glowing with an eerie intensity and slitted like a cat's.
The figure casually bent down and picked up the boy by his neck, the child writhing and trying to crawl back to his mother.
A loud shriek tore from the kid's mouth.
Hearing her son's cry, the woman's maternal instincts overrode her agony. Ignoring her horrific injuries, she looked at him.
She saw her son dangling in the air, held aloft by that figure's grip on his neck. She immediately pleaded, "Please! Don't do any....anything to my son. I beg of you. Do.. whatever you want with me, ple.…please show mercy... on my son?"
The figure tilted his head, his red eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Mercy! Hahaha... haaa..." He laughed, the sound hollow and mocking. "Hey, you vermin, mercy isn't given free; you need to earn it."
The woman's voice was ragged, choked with pain. "Wh... What do... I have to do? I will do... anything. Please... Please... spare my son."
The figure chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down the spine. "How admirable! What a love you have for your son. You're starting to squeeze my heart with your words."
"Alright then, Since You've moved my heart. I'll give you a chance, let's play a game." He stomped his foot on the ground. Immediately, numerous small metal spikes erupted from the earth between her and him, their tips glistening cruelly. "If you can cross the distance between us in one minute, I will spare both of you."
"How is it? Aren't I magnanimous for giving you this opportunity? Aren't I generous? "He punctuated his words with maniacal laughter.
Then he abruptly paused, his gaze hardening as he looked down at her. "Come on. Your son's life is in your hands. You can thank me later for giving you this opportunity. Your time starts now."
Driven by desperation, the woman began dragging herself toward the figure. The spikes tore into her flesh with every inch she moved, slicing her body, but she pressed on, her eyes fixed on her son.
The kid's eyes were bloodshot, tears streaming down his face as he was forced to watch his mother's agonizing struggle. He wanted to scream, to beg her to stop, but the figure's grip on his neck was too tight for him to even whimper.
Just as the mother was about to reach the figure, he sneered, "Tch, how tenacious. If she continues like this, I might lose this game." Looking at the boy in his hand, he smiled menacingly. "Since I don't want to lose, how about I increase the difficulty a bit?" As he spoke, a metal blade shot out of the ground and severed one of the woman's arm. Blood sprayed in an arc, painting the ground a deeper crimson. Yet, she continued to drag herself with just one arm while swallowing all the pain. Every movement a testament to her unwavering resolve.
When she finally reached the figure's feet, he looked down at her, his expression devoid of any emotion.
He sighed. "Though I appreciate your effort, you were late by two seconds. And since I am someone who stands on his words, I can't go back on them." With that, he tightened his grip on the kid's neck until a sickening snap echoed through the air.
SNAP
The woman, drenched in her own blood and the blood of her child, let out a guttural roar that seemed to tear from the depths of her soul.
"You bastard! How dare you kill my son! How dare you kill my husband! How dare you!" She writhed in the pool of her own blood, her body convulsing in agony and rage. "I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL Y—"
He silenced her with a brutal kick to the face. "Tch, how loud. You humans don't even know how to show gratitude."
The woman, her face a bloody ruin, stared up at the figure, her eyes burning with hate.
"What's with that look in your eyes? Your look is irritating me, you bitch."
He raised his hand. Another metal blade erupted from the ground. He took it and slashed it down across her face. The blade cleaved through her eyes and continued, effectively bisecting her head.
Shriek
"Tch, I should have created a shorter one. Things are just getting fun," the figure said, clicking his tongue, his voice laced with sadistic glee.
As he was about to survey the destruction to see if anyone else had survived, another figure in robes arrived.
He asked, "Did you complete your job?"
The figure replied, "Yes, I am. I also got to experience something funny."
The new figure retorted, "Don't go overboard. You only need to do what was ordered. Our mission here is complete. Let's leave." With a wave of his hand, a portal shimmered into existence.
"Already, I want to have some fun with more villages here.." the young figure said.
"Already? I wanted to have some fun with more villages here..." the younger figure complained.
The new figure said, "You can have your fun on our next mission. That is in the Eastern Grand Duchy, near the border of the Sylvaris Kingdom (Elven territory)."
"Whoa! I'm excited to see what kind of fun I'll be having there." With that, the two figures stepped through the portal and vanished, leaving behind only the carnage and the chilling silence of Blackwood.