Five-year-old Elias Voss sat on the porch steps beside Daniel, his small frame dwarfed by his father's broad one, his dark eyes fixed on the block of wood in Daniel's hands.
He wore a too-big flannel shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his wooden toy knife lay beside him, replaced for now by a real knife—a small, sharp blade Daniel had handed him with a serious look.
The air smelled of woodsmoke and damp earth, and the fields stretched out quiet and still in the fading light.
Daniel held the block of wood steady, his calloused hands guiding Elias's smaller ones, the knife cutting a shallow line into the soft pine.
"Slow and steady, kid," he said, his voice gruff but patient, his hazel eyes focused on the task.
"Don't rush it. A good stake can save your life—gotta make it strong, sharp, ready for anything."Elias nodded, his small brow furrowed in concentration, his tongue poking out as he pressed the knife down, the blade wobbling slightly in his grip.
"Like this, Pa?" he asked, his voice soft but eager, glancing up at Daniel with wide, hopeful eyes.
Daniel tilted his head, inspecting the cut, and nodded, a small grin tugging at his lips.
"Not bad," he said, his tone warm with pride. "A little deeper here—see? You want it to taper, so it goes in clean. Try again." Elias bit his lip, his small hands trembling with the effort, but he pressed the knife down again, the cut a little steadier this time, wood shavings curling onto the step.
"Will I get to hunt with you soon, Pa?" he asked, his voice bright with excitement, his dark eyes shining in the sunset glow.
Daniel chuckled, the sound rough but warm, and set the block down, ruffling Elias's hair with a broad hand. "Not yet, kid," he said, his tone light but firm. "You're still little—gotta grow a bit more before you're out there with me. But you're learning fast. Faster than I did."
Mara's voice called from the doorway, sharp but tinged with worry, as she stepped onto the porch, a mug of coffee in her hands. "Don't let him cut himself, Dan," she said, her tone half-accusing, her sharp eyes narrowing as she watched them.
"He's too little for scars—don't need him looking like you already."
Daniel grinned, unperturbed, and glanced over his shoulder at her, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "He's fine, Mara," he said, his voice steady. "I'm right here—kid's not gonna lose a finger on my watch. Right, Elias?"
Elias nodded eagerly, his small chest puffing out with pride, though his hands shook as he made another cut, the knife slipping slightly. "I'm careful, Mama," he said, his voice determined, glancing at her with a toothy grin.
"I'm making a stake—like Pa's!" Mara sighed, her sharp eyes softening as she leaned against the doorframe, sipping her coffee, the steam rising in the cool air. "I see that," she said, her tone gentler now, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"You're doing good, little man. But you be careful with that knife, you hear me? I'm not patching up any cuts tonight." "I will," Elias promised, his voice firm, turning back to the wood with renewed focus, the knife cutting a little deeper, the stake taking shape under his small hands.
Daniel watched him, his grin fading into a quieter expression, a mix of pride and worry in his hazel eyes. "He's got a steady hand," he said, his voice low, almost to himself, glancing at Mara. "Gonna be better than me someday, you watch."
Mara's smile faded, her grip tightening on the mug, her sharp eyes flicking to Elias, then back to Daniel. "Maybe," she said, her voice quiet, heavy with unspoken fears. "But I'd rather he didn't have to be. Not yet."
Elias finished the stake, rough but functional, and held it up, his small face glowing with pride. "Look, Pa!" he said, his voice bright, showing off the pointed end. "It's done!"
Daniel clapped him on the back, his broad hand steady against Elias's small frame, his voice warm with pride. "That's my boy," he said, his tone gruff but fond, taking the stake and inspecting it with a nod.
"Good work, kid. That'll take down a vamp, no problem." Elias beamed, his small chest swelling with pride, but a flicker of unease stirred—three days ago, he'd squashed a cricket on the porch, feeling a faint rush of agility that let him climb the railing easier than usual.
It had faded, but he hadn't told anyone, scared Daniel would think he was "weird." He glanced at the knife in his hand, his smile faltering, and set it down, his small hand reaching for his toy knife instead, a safer comfort.
Mara stepped closer, setting her mug on the railing, and knelt beside him, pulling him into a quick hug, her arms strong around his small frame. "You did good, Elias," she said, her voice soft, kissing the top of his head. "Real good."
Elias hugged her back, his small hands gripping her shirt, the secret locked tight in his chest, the stake a symbol of the life he was slowly stepping into.
{I hope his power is already clear, along with how it can be triggered.
Also, I've already finished Volume 1 and am halfway through Volume 2 (5-6 chapters max). His power won't be a major focus until he turns 13, at which point the real action begins. Everything up until now is just a buildup for the character of Elias Voss and world-building in general.
So if you are having fun dont forget to leave a review and give me those precious power stones. Thank you, that's all}