I awoke in an unfamiliar room, the sterile scent and the quiet of the environment around me indicating I was in some kind of medical facility. My body ached all over, wrapped in bandages, and my muscles screamed with pain at even the slightest movement. But none of that mattered—I had to know what had happened to Grandpa, to our home, to the assassin that attacked us. I tried to jump out of bed but the pain was too intense, forcing me back down. Grandpa's sword had been laid to rest on the table next to me, my hand instinctively tightened around the hilt, the last gift he had given me. I tried to piece together what had happened, but my mind was still foggy, and my thoughts were jumbled. The last thing I remembered was the explosion, the flames, and then... darkness.
As I tried to focus, the door to the room creaked open, and Lisa and Kath entered, followed closely by who I can only assume was the town mayor. Kath's eyes were red, and as soon as she saw me awake, she rushed over and wrapped her arms around me, her grip tight with a mix of relief and fear.
"You absolute idiot!" she cried, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her face. "Do you have any idea how scared we were? You've been out for three days, Ash! Three days!"
Three days? The shock of it hit me hard. I looked over at the mayor and Lisa, who were sitting on the bed across from mine, gently pulling Kath back to give me some space. I struggled to sit up, my heart pounding with dread.
"What about Grandpa?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Where is he? He was there when it happened. He has to be okay, right?"
Lisa's eyes welled up with tears, but before she could speak, the mayor, a man who looked almost as old as Grandpa, took a deep breath and spoke in a sombre tone. "Ashtyn, what I'm about to tell you is not easy, and I wish I didn't have to say it. But your grandfather, River, didn't make it. We found you both together... but it was already too late for him by the time we arrived. The flames—it was more than anyone could survive."
Though I had feared the worst, hearing it confirmed felt like a dagger to my heart. My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes, and I could feel the light inside me dimming, the world around me losing its colour and meaning. Grandpa was the one who gave my life purpose, who trained me, raised me, and now he was gone. I didn't know what to do, what to think. I could only ask the one thing that mattered to me at that moment.
"Where is his body? I want to be the one to bury him. He's my only family."
The room fell silent, the weight of my request hanging in the air. The mayor nodded slowly, understanding the depth of my grief. Lisa finally spoke up, her voice gentle but firm.
"Ashtyn, I know you're going through hell right now, and you're going to need time to grieve. But you're only 14, and I need to know what you plan to do next. What do you want for your future?"
The three of them looked at me, waiting for an answer. I took a deep breath, the pain in my chest almost unbearable, but I knew I had to say it. "Grandpa spent years raising me, training me. He made one final request before he died—to live life the way I wanted. I intend to honour that... but only after I accomplish one goal. I'm going to find the person who did this and make them pay."
They all looked at me with shock, their concern evident. Almost in unison, they tried to dissuade me.
"Ashtyn, you can't—" they began, but I cut them off, my voice firm.
"I was there when it happened. I saw the man who killed Grandpa. This wasn't an accident; they came to kill him, and they would have killed me too if it weren't for Grandpa seemingly making some sort of last request."
The mayor, curious, asked, "What was his request?"
I looked at him, the memory of that night still fresh in my mind. "The assassin told me that 'he made a promise not to kill me.' That's the only reason I'm alive right now."
The mayor remained silent, contemplating my words. I continued, the resolve in my voice growing stronger. "I'm staying in the village for a year. When I turn 15, I'm going to join the magic academy all the way in central. I need to get stronger if I'm going to have any chance of avenging Grandpa."
They were all surprised, but after a moment, the mayor and Lisa exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement. "If that's what you truly want, Ashtyn, we'll support you," they said in unison.
Kath, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, suddenly spoke up, her voice determined. "If Ash is going to the academy, then I'm going too. I wanted to learn magic anyway, and I'd rather do it with him. Someone has to keep an eye on this idiot."
Her words brought a small, fleeting smile to my face, a warmth that quickly faded as I remembered what I had lost. Lisa then offered, "Ashtyn, you're welcome to stay with us for as long as you need. We have a spare room, and I'll make sure you get back on your feet."
I thought about it for a moment, knowing that I had nowhere else to go. "I'd like that," I said quietly.
Lisa turned to the mayor and said, "He'll be staying with us, then. I'll make sure he attends the town's school in the meantime, along with Kathrine."
The mayor nodded, standing up to leave. "Ashtyn, I'll make sure River's funeral is arranged properly. I owe him that much, and I'll continue to support you however I can. Don't hesitate to come to me if you need anything."
I gave him a firm handshake, and with that, he left the room, leaving Lisa to prepare a place for me. As the door closed, Kath and I were left alone in the infirmary. The silence stretched on, heavy with everything that had been said.
I broke it first. "So, Kath, you really want to go to the academy with me?"
She hesitated for a moment before answering, "Yeah, because you're a fool who can't take care of himself. And after what happened... I'm not letting you out of my sight."
Her words, though lighthearted, were laced with genuine concern, and I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of sadness and gratitude. I managed a small smile, knowing that despite everything, I wasn't entirely alone.
As night fell and the infirmary grew quiet, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The weight of everything that had happened pressed down on me like a boulder. My mind was a whirlwind of memories and thoughts. The pain of losing Grandpa, the fire that destroyed our home, the assassin's cold voice echoing in my ears. It was overwhelming, but I knew that wallowing in despair wouldn't bring Grandpa back.
I had to be stronger—physically, mentally, and emotionally. If I was going to avenge Grandpa, I couldn't afford to be weak. But the truth was, I was terrified. I had never felt so alone in my life. Even with Kath and Lisa's support, the void that Grandpa left behind was enormous, and I wasn't sure if I could fill it on my own.
I slowly sat up, wincing at the pain that shot through my body. I needed to do something, anything to distract myself from the overwhelming grief. The sword Grandpa had left me was leaning against the wall by my bed. I reached out and took it in my hands, feeling the familiar weight of the blade. It was more than just a weapon—it was a symbol of everything Grandpa had taught me, everything he stood for.
I could almost hear his voice in my mind, guiding me, encouraging me. The memories of our training sessions flooded back—his stern but caring gaze, the way he pushed me to be better, to never give up no matter how tough things got.
"Focus, Ash," he would say. "The mind is just as important as the body. Keep your emotions in check. Don't let anger or fear control you."
I closed my eyes and tried to centre myself, to calm the storm raging inside. I had to be strong—not just for myself, but for Grandpa's memory, for Kath, for everyone who was counting on me. There was no room for doubt, no time for hesitation. My path was clear, and I needed to walk it with unwavering resolve.
As I held the sword, I made a silent vow to myself. I would honour Grandpa's memory, not just by seeking revenge, but by living the kind of life he would have wanted for me. I would become stronger, wiser, and more capable. I would protect those I cared about and never allow myself to be caught off guard again.
But I couldn't do it alone. I needed allies, friends, people I could trust. And I had to learn, to grow, to master the magic and martial skills Grandpa had only just begun to teach me. The journey ahead was daunting, but I was determined to see it through. For Grandpa. For myself. For the future I still believed in.
The door to the room creaked open slightly, and Kath peered in. "Can't sleep?" she asked softly.
I shook my head. "Too much on my mind."
She stepped inside and sat down beside me, her presence a comforting reminder that I wasn't as alone as I felt. "We'll get through this, Ash," she said quietly. "You don't have to carry all of this on your own."
I looked at her, seeing the determination in her eyes. She had lost so much too, yet here she was, offering me her support, her strength. It was humbling.
"Thanks, Kath," I murmured, "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You won't have to find out," she replied with a small smile. "We're in this together. Always."
For the first time since the attack, I felt a flicker of hope. The road ahead was long and filled with uncertainty, but with Kath by my side, I knew I could face whatever came next. We sat there in silence, the sword resting between us, a symbol of the bond we shared and the challenges we were ready to face.
The night stretched on, but I felt a little more at peace, knowing that I wasn't alone in this fight. Together, we would forge a new path, and no matter how dark the journey became, we would keep moving forward, one step at a time.