The path of the Blessed is a lonely one. Most people believe that being chosen by God is the ultimate reward one can attain. Kai did not share that sentiment at all. When his journey began, he was merely a young, naive boy living in a small village within the Kingdom of Eldoria.
Now, he was an emaciated old man dressed in a plain white robe, with hair as long and white as the beard that reached his chest. Around him lay the Void. There was no sky, no earth, no sun, nor moon; yet, this strange "space," as Kai had dubbed it, was certainly not dark. It was a place beyond time.
But let us begin from the beginning—many years ago, when those priests and soldiers first came to find Kai in his village.
At the time, Kai was an eighteen-year-old youth, lean and sinewy from labor. He had mid-length hair of a blonde so golden it rivaled the sun, though its brilliance was rarely seen; it was usually matted with the dirt of long days spent in the fields helping his father. Kai had a ten-year-old brother named Teo, who followed him everywhere like a shadow. This never bothered Kai; he loved his little brother dearly, and besides, an extra pair of hands was always welcome for the daily chores.
On that fateful day, Kai and Teo were near their home, drinking water from the well after a grueling shift. In the distance, they spotted four mounted figures approaching. As they drew near, two of the riders dismounted and walked the final stretch toward them.
They were priests of the Flaming God, the dominant religion in Eldoria. They wore deep crimson robes and heavy gold necklaces, mimicking the vibrant colors of a roaring fire.
"I assume the taller and elder among you is Kai," one of the priests said in a silk-smooth voice. "You may call me Hector."
"Teo, go inside and call Father," Kai ordered, his voice wary.
"I come from the Temple of the Flaming God in the capital," Hector began to explain, stepping closer. "Your name and your face were revealed to me during my prayers before the Primal Flame."
The other two men dismounted and approached Kai's father, who had just emerged from the house. Kai realized then that they were soldiers. One carried a shield adorned with a crest, but Kai couldn't recognize which noble house it belonged to. In these remote parts, the only crest they knew was that of the local lord, worn by the men who came every year to squeeze taxes from the villagers.
One of the soldiers tossed a leather pouch. Kai's father caught it in mid-air, but the impact caused the cinch to loosen. A few gold coins spilled out, glinting cruelly in the light.
"For the boy," the soldier said bluntly. He turned his head toward the priest lingering in the back. "Time to move. We've done our part. Now we get the kid to the Temple. The High Priest must see him at once."