Five years passed like a drifting breeze. The village learnt nothing of the secret sleeping under their roofs.
At first, Elaine sometimes hesitated to feed Nova and couldn't stop thinking about his origins. Joren, on the other hand, was first wary of him even though he was the one who proposed to raise him. But as the years passed, and as Nova started calling them Mom and Dad, they let go of their worries. They raised Nova with all their love and care, forgetting for a while that he was anything other than their son.
At present, Elaine was pregnant, expecting her delivery soon. Joren continued to work as a hunter, bringing back enough to sustain their small family through every season.
Knock knock.
Tap tap tap.
The tapping sounds of small footsteps rushed across the wooden floor as a five-year-old child ran to the door. He pulled it open with both hands to see his father standing there, carrying a bag stuffed with meat and vegetables and a small pouch of coins dangling from his belt.
"Dad! It's been two months since I turned five, and you still haven't started training me!" Nova puffed his cheeks with a little frown. "You said you would train me once I turned five. I want to be strong like you too, Dad."
Joren chuckled warmly and patted his son's head with his free hand. "Haha, I'm sorry, son. I've been busy hunting to store enough before winter arrives. You know in winters, the weaker monsters go deeper into the forest, and those deep parts are dangerous beyond imagination. I could take up small jobs, but they don't earn much and aren't stable. But now that I've finally saved enough, I can take it slow and start training you. How about I train you the whole winter?"
Nova's eyes glistened with excitement. "The whole winter?! Yay! Yay! I'm gonna become strong like my dad!" He raised his little fists into the air, his deep-orange eyes glowing under the soft morning light.
Joren smiled warmly at his son's pure happiness.
"Dear, you're home," Elaine's voice came from the kitchen doorway. She was drying her damp hair with a cloth. "I just took a bath. You get fresh too, I'll prepare your lunch while you're at it."
Joren leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly. "Alright, honey. I'll go take a bath. Oh, by the way, I've collected 1000 copper coins now. We can pass the winter with this much, as long as I do a few small jobs."
Elaine smiled, her eyes crinkling gently. "Thanks for working so hard for us, dear. I'll make your favourite dish today. After all, that's the least I can do to repay you for your hard work."
They both chuckled softly before Joren walked towards the bath area.
Nova watched them, a warm smile blooming on his lips. He always felt happiest when he saw his parents like this, smiling and laughing together. He didn't know why, but ever since he could remember, he found his happiness in seeing others happy.
Knock knock.
Nova turned quickly and opened the door to see three children, all around his age, waiting for him with wide grins.
"Oh, it's you guys. Wait a minute, I'll tell Mom and come." Nova ran to the kitchen. "Mom, I'm going out to play with my friends!"
Elaine kissed his forehead softly. "Okay, son. Take care and try not to get hurt again."
Nova nodded eagerly and dashed out, barefoot, as the cool earth pressed softly against his feet.
---
Outside, the village was already alive with the sounds of morning. Women were washing clothes by the well, the rhythmic splashing mixing with quiet gossip. Men carried logs on their shoulders or repaired wooden fences. Thin trails of smoke rose from stone chimneys into the pale blue sky.
The Oak village was the north eastern village in the Mistgrove Kingdom, directly connected to the Mistveil creek.
"Hey, Nova!" an old man sitting cross-legged by his herbal stall called out with a smile. His long white hair was tied in a small bun, and his thin face was lined with deep peaceful wrinkles. "Running again so early? You'll scare all the chickens away!"
Nova grinned brightly and waved. "Morning, Grandpa Mako!"
His friends giggled behind him as they passed the chicken coop where hens clucked lazily, unbothered by the children's noise. A thin brown dog barked once from under a cart before curling back to sleep.
Soon, they reached the giant oak tree standing tall in the centre of the village square in a wide empty area. There were no houses near it even though it's in the middle of the villiage.
Its branches stretched wide, casting cool shadows across the ground. One of Nova's friends, Riku, jumped onto a thick root and declared grandly, "I am the ruler of the tree kingdom! Kneel before me!"
"Haha, no way!" shouted Tama, another boy, as he tackled Riku gently. They rolled in the fallen leaves, laughing, while Nova watched with a soft smile.
Beside the oak, vendors were setting up carts. But it became quiet and lonely during evening. One carried baskets filled with wild berries and mushrooms, another held rows of herbal paste jars. A young girl carrying a bundle of firewood on her back paused to wave at Nova shyly before scurrying off.
The children ran ahead again, leaving the bustling square behind. As they passed the small wooden shrine with prayer bells swaying lightly in the breeze, Nova clasped his hands together and bowed quickly.
"Why do you always do that, Nova?" Tama asked, tilting his head curiously.
Nova looked up at the sky where faint golden rays streamed through drifting white clouds. "Dad says we should thank the spirits for keeping us safe."
"Hmm… my dad says the spirits don't care about kids like us," Riku mumbled, kicking a small rock aside.
Nova stayed silent for a moment, feeling the wind brush against his face. Deep inside, he always felt that someone was watching over him… someone silent, warm, and kind.
Finally, they reached the village outskirts, where the land dipped down slightly towards a thin silver line of water glittering ahead. The Mistveil Creek flowed calmly, its clear water weaving through mossy stones and tall reeds. This was the same creek where Nova had been found as a baby five years ago, a tributary of the great Astral River.
"Race you to the creek!" Tama shouted suddenly, dashing ahead. Riku followed, and Nova sprinted behind them, his light footsteps barely making a sound on the damp grass.
When they reached, Tama and Riku were already splashing each other, their laughs blending with the gentle murmurs of the stream. Nova sat down on a smooth rock by the bank, dipping his toes into the cool water. Small silvery fish darted around his feet, and a pale yellow butterfly landed silently on his knee.
He watched his friends for a while before leaning over the water to see his reflection – messy black hair falling softly over his forehead, deep-orange eyes glowing faintly under the sun.
Sometimes, when he looked into his own eyes like this, his chest felt heavy but he could never really get a hold of this feeling.
"Nova!" Riku called out, waving him over. "Come splash with us!"
Nova smiled brightly, pushing away his thoughts. "Coming!"
He jumped in with a small splash, sending water droplets flying everywhere. The creek filled with childish laughter once more, echoing softly under the quiet morning sky.