Amid scattered ruins, Kaelin fought alongside strangers whose faces he recognized but did not know personally. They were surrounded by a strange forest, its twisted trees intertwining in complex patterns, emitting a dense red mist, while white steam rose from the damp ground. The night was pitch dark, and the moon hung large and bright, casting a faint glow that reflected off the trees and the earth, intensifying the scene's eeriness.
Kaelin, a sixteen-year-old boy, fought with evident skill, though fatigue began to show in his movements. He whispered to himself:
— They never stop…
Looking down at himself, he wore an unusual suit covered with light armor on his elbows, shoulders, chest, knees, and feet. Around him, the warriors wore similar black outfits, adorned with a horse-head emblem, and carried long spears on their shoulders.
The sound of heavy breathing grew louder, mixing with the smell of blood and the earth, piercing the senses in a way that could overwhelm an ordinary person. Kaelin shuddered and whispered:
— What is this smell… I feel dizzy.
Fatigue marked the faces of the warriors. Limbs flew, and deafening screams filled the area. As his comrades fell one by one, a sense of shock and disgust gripped him. Internally, he muttered:
— Everyone dies… but if I don't act now, I'll die too.
Kaelin hesitated, his legs trembling. His breaths grew rapid, his heartbeats multiplied. He tried to step back, but his body refused to abandon his companions. Thoughts clashed in his mind: one voice said, "Mind your own safety, save yourself," while another shouted as if punishing him: "Death is easier than betraying your comrades."
Suddenly, someone shouted:
— Fall back! Catch up with the elite quickly!
The person seemed like a leader; his blond hair brushed slightly over his ear. His shout ignited something in Kaelin, waking him from his hesitation. He thought:
— If I am guilty, I am not alone.
Step by step, he retreated, sword in hand, not turning his back to the enemies, until he collided with something and fell. A faint female scream rose, yet Kaelin seemed deaf to the commotion, as if he were in another world. Suddenly, he stopped when something caught him. He looked around and saw a girl holding onto his foot, barely able to move. Slowly, she raised her face, one eye barely open, and whispered softly:
— Kaelin…!
Her voice echoed repeatedly, each echo strengthening Kaelin's heart and determination:
— Kaaaeelin!
Then he woke abruptly, drenched in sweat, his shirt soaked from his neck to his chest. It was as if he had plunged into a deep sea, barely able to breathe. In front of him were three figures, initially blurred, then clearly revealed: his grandfather and parents, expressions filled with fear and worry.
His mother's voice, gentle:
— Kaelin, are you alright?
Kaelin didn't answer, disappointment evident on his face. He placed his hands over his eyes, rubbing them hard to hold back tears, muttering:
— Not this time.
His mother sat beside him and handed him water gently. He noticed a slight tremor in her hand and held it to calm her while slowly regaining his composure.
He sat on his bed in a slightly dark, untidy room. Soft light filtered through a cloth-covered window, giving a relatively clear view.
Kaelin:
— Thank you, Mom. I'm fine now.
His father, with a reserved smile:
— You were sweating and screaming, as if fighting something… Was it a nightmare?
Kaelin remained silent, then said:
— These dreams haunt me repeatedly… I feel as if I'm cursed.
Grandfather:
— A curse? These are just nightmares caused by exhaustion.
His mother looked at him with longing and warmth, saying:
— Turn around, Kaelin.
Kaelin was surprised but replied:
— Why?
Mother:
— I will remove this curse from you if it exists. Take off your shirt and turn around.
At first, Kaelin didn't believe it, thinking it a joke. Yet he complied quickly, removing his shirt and turning. She placed her hand on his back, closed her eyes, and murmured softly:
— O You who granted me this blessing and enabled me to dispel curses, magic, and sorcery, protect my son with Your vast grace.
Seconds of silence followed. Kaelin felt heat transferring from her fingers to his back. Then she placed both hands fully on him and said:
— "Tawkean"
A bright yellow light erupted from her hands, illuminating the entire room. It swirled around Kaelin's body, shining upon his hair and clothes. His pulses raced, shock evident on his face. He looked at his hands; the light passed through them, then engulfed his entire body. He wanted to turn, but stopped when his mother opened her eyes and said:
— Now, turn, Kaelin.
Watching the light fade, he felt a beautiful sensation, like witnessing a magical sunset. He smiled:
— My God… is this real?
His mother laughed, kissed his head, and said:
— We're leaving now, Kaelin.
Kaelin, with a sad tone:
— Alright…
His father, placing his hat on his head:
— We're late, Eva.
They embraced warmly, a strange, cozy feeling he had never known. Then they stood and opened the door to leave. His father's voice outside:
— Sorry, we kept you waiting too long.
A man replied:
— It's fine, you both have the right to do as you wish.
The sounds faded as the door closed. Kaelin stood by the window; the sunset cast beautiful rays over the water-sprinkled grass, the sky seemingly pausing the rain, and the breeze moved his hair. He raised his hand toward the sun, sunlight filtering through his fingers, and smiled to himself:
— One day, I will become a hero whom everyone around can look up to.