The afternoon sun bathed the forest in golden light as Wis walked home carrying a small bucket filled with fish. The air was calm, and the scent of pine drifted gently in the wind. As he followed the narrow path toward the village, he noticed something unusual among the trees.
A man lay unconscious on the ground, his body covered in dirt and wounds. Wis knelt beside him and placed a hand on his chest. The man was still breathing, weak but alive.
"He is still alive," Wis murmured. "I should help him."
Wis lifted the man with surprising ease and carried him to his secret hideout near the river — a quiet place surrounded by stones and vines where he often meditated. After laying the man on a dry patch of ground, Wis covered him with a cloth and whispered, "Rest for now."
He then returned home before sunset.
When he arrived, the smell of cooked rice filled the house. His mother was already waiting.
"Mother, I caught some fish," Wis said as he handed her the bucket.
His mother smiled. "Perfect timing. I'll cook them right away."
A few minutes later, she called out from the kitchen, "Dinner is ready!"
They gathered around the table. His father, Michael, smiled as he looked at his son.
"So, my little fisherman, how many did you catch today?"
"Enough for a good meal," Wis said proudly.
Anna laughed. "Every time you go fishing, you bring home more than last time. At this rate, we'll have to open a market."
Michael nodded. "Our son will be the richest fisherman in the village."
Wis chuckled softly. "I just enjoy being by the river. It feels peaceful there."
His mother touched his hair gently. "You're growing up so fast, Wis. I wish you would stay little forever."
Michael smiled warmly. "Let him grow, Anna. One day he'll make us proud in ways we can't imagine."
They laughed together, sharing stories and joy under the glow of candlelight.
After dinner, when his parents were busy cleaning up, Wis quietly packed some food and slipped out into the night. The moonlight guided him back to his secret place.
When he arrived, the man was gone.
Wis stopped and looked around. "Where did he go?"
A rustle came from behind him. In an instant, a shadow moved. The man attacked without warning, swinging a short blade toward Wis. Wis easily stepped aside, his reflexes sharp as lightning.
"Wait," Wis said calmly. "I am not your enemy."
The man froze for a moment, unsure if he should attack again.
Wis reached into his bag and showed the food he had brought. "I came here to give you this. You need to eat."
The man's grip loosened. His breathing slowed. He looked at the food, then at Wis.
"I… I am sorry," the man said quietly. "I thought you were one of them."
"It is fine," Wis replied. "Anyone would react that way if they were hunted or afraid."
The man nodded. "You saved me. I owe you my life. If you have a request, tell me. I will do whatever I can."
Wis smiled faintly. "You do not owe me anything. You can rest here for as long as you need."
The man's expression softened. "Thank you. My name is Arthur."
"I am Wis," the boy said.
Arthur looked at him curiously. "That is a fine name. It suits you."
Wis nodded politely. "Thank you, Arthur."
Days passed. Then weeks.
Arthur stayed in the forest to recover from his wounds. During his rest, he trained with wooden swords, performing exercises that stirred the air like waves. Wis often watched him from a distance, observing each motion carefully.
Through Arthur, Wis learned much about the world. He discovered that people now used magic and energy to fight. The world had changed since the time of his Father's stories.
Two months later, Wis began to train his own body. His divine gifts awakened little by little, and his talent allowed him to grow stronger at an impossible rate. Soon, his power matched Arthur's.
One morning, Wis approached him and said, "Arthur, I want to spar with you."
Arthur looked surprised. "You want to fight me? Are you sure? You are still a child."
"I want to test my strength," Wis said with calm eyes.
Arthur remembered the night he attacked Wis and how easily the boy had avoided him. He still thought it was luck, so he smiled and agreed. "Very well. I will go easy on you."
Wis stood still, waiting.
Arthur raised his sword. "You can have the first attack."
Wis did not move for a moment. Then, in a blink, he vanished.
Arthur's eyes widened. "What—"
Before he could react, Wis appeared behind him. Arthur barely managed to twist aside, feeling the wind slice past his neck. He leapt backward and stared at the boy in disbelief.
He could not even see him move.
They clashed again. Arthur swung his blade with precision, but Wis dodged with grace and countered lightly with his hands. Each strike from Wis carried perfect timing and control. The air trembled with their movements.
Minutes passed. Arthur's breath grew heavy. His arms ached. He was shocked to see Wis standing calmly, not even sweating.
"How… how is this possible?" Arthur thought. "He's just a boy."
Wis stopped and stepped back. "I surrender. I am tired," he said softly.
Arthur knew he was lying, but he smiled. "Then we will have another round tomorrow."
Wis nodded. "Maybe tomorrow. For now, I need rest."
Arthur sat down to meditate as Wis walked home, carrying a few fish he had caught earlier.
When he entered the house, his mother smiled. "You really love fish, don't you?"
Wis laughed gently. "Maybe because they remind me of calm waters."
After dinner, the family sat together.
Michael leaned back and said, "When I was a soldier, I used to eat dried meat every day. Fish like this was a treasure."
Anna smiled. "Then it is good our son knows how to catch them."
Wis looked at his parents and said softly, "I am lucky to have both of you."
His mother touched his hand. "And we are lucky to have you."
Michael nodded. "Family is the greatest blessing a man can have."
The three of them shared laughter and warmth that night, unaware that destiny was slowly preparing to awaken once again within the boy named Wis.