The morning sun spilled warmly through the small cottage window, casting golden light across the wooden table where Lloyd sat between his parents.
The aroma of hot soup mingled with the fragrance of freshly baked bread his mother had just pulled from the oven.
His father's booming laughter filled the room as he recounted the tale of a customer's anger when a hammer shattered on the anvil—yet from that break, a brighter spark had been born.
His mother shook her head with a gentle smile as she set the meat before them.
— "Don't rush, my little one. The food won't vanish."
Lloyd, grinning innocently, tried to mimic his father's laugh before hurriedly stuffing his mouth with food.
It was a perfect moment—an unbroken canvas of warmth and love, overflowing with life.
But then…
A violent pounding struck the door, shattering the fragile peace.
Distant screams echoed in the air, followed by the acrid stench of smoke seeping through the shutters.
The windows burst into flames, and the sky itself seemed to erupt into molten fire.
The walls quaked, and a guttural roar—like the howl of hell itself—ripped through the air.
His father seized his sword and rushed for the door. His mother cried out, shoving Lloyd back with trembling hands:
— "Run, Lloyd! Don't look back!"
He tried to scream, tried to cling to her, but the heat flared wildly, suffocating him as though the air itself had turned to fire.
The table, once laden with bread and meat, collapsed into drifting ash.
From the smoke, crimson eyes glimmered—the eyes of demons.
And his mother's voice, the last sound he would ever hear from her, was swallowed by the roar of the flames.
A scream tore through the night.
Lloyd bolted upright in his bed, gasping as if he had risen from drowning.
His body shook uncontrollably, drenched in cold sweat, his hands trembling.
The echo of his mother's cries still rang in his ears; the taste of smoke still clung to his throat.
The door creaked open. Cain stepped in, holding a small lantern, his dark eyes calm and heavy like stone.
He regarded the boy in silence before asking quietly:
— "Another nightmare…?"
Lloyd said nothing. He buried his face in his hands, hiding the tears that refused to stop.
Cain moved closer and sat beside him on the edge of the bed. His voice rumbled through the silence, steady and resolute:
— "The past is merciless, boy. But remember—no one escapes it through forgetfulness. Only through strength."
Slowly, Lloyd raised his head. His eyes glistened with tears that burned with pain.
In that moment, Cain was no longer just the man who had saved him—he was the wall standing between him and the madness that threatened to consume him.
When dawn broke, Cain led Lloyd to the clearing behind the cabin.
The earth was rough and bare, ringed with towering trees. Logs had been set up as makeshift targets.
At the center lay a simple metal sword—plain in design, yet to Lloyd it felt as though it weighed more than iron itself.
Cain's gaze was sharp as he spoke:
— "Today, you take your first step. A sword is not mere steel. It is the reflection of the hand that wields it, and the mind that commands it."
With hesitant steps, Lloyd reached out for the blade.
The moment he lifted it, its weight crushed down upon him like a mountain. He nearly dropped it, though it was only an ordinary sword.
Cain chuckled.
— "You are weak now. That is natural. But strength is not something one is born with… it is forged."
Then his tone deepened.
— "Tell me, boy. Do you still remember what Ki is?"
Lloyd hesitated.
— "Uh… isn't Ki about enhancing your senses, using all of them together instead of focusing on one?… Is that right?"
Cain nodded, stepping closer.
— "Correct. Ki is neither magic nor a special power. It is mastery—absolute control over your body and your senses. With it, you will see what others cannot, hear what they will never hear. That is what separates a warrior from a mere swordsman."
To demonstrate, Cain closed his eyes.
The clearing fell silent.
Then, in a flash, he raised his hand and caught a falling leaf before it touched the ground.
He opened his eyes, calm and certain.
— "That is Ki."
Lloyd's eyes widened in astonishment. Within him bloomed a strange blend of fear and hope.
— "Now, Lloyd," Cain commanded, "close your eyes and try."
Obediently, Lloyd shut his eyes, straining to sense the world around him.
The wind stirred the trees, birds sang in the distance… yet inside, everything was chaos.
His mind screamed, his heart thundered, his body could not find stillness.
After a long silence, he whispered in defeat:
— "No… I can't feel anything."
Cain threw back his head and laughed, his voice booming with mockery.
— "Boy… you're a fool! An idiot through and through!"
Lloyd's eyes snapped open in fury, his fists clenching around the hilt.
— "What did you say?!"
Cain strode forward, his voice dropping to steel as he raised a finger.
— "Listen well. I will give you a hint.
Have you seen the sea? When it lies calm, ships pass with ease.
But when it rages, it swallows everything whole."
A cold smirk tugged at his lips.
— "So use that walnut rattling inside your skull."
Lloyd glared at him, spitting back:
— "And how am I supposed to understand that, old man?!"
Closing his eyes again, he thought harder this time.
— "If that was only a hint… then the sea must be my body, and the ship is Ki. The calmer my mind, the greater my control… So that's what the old man meant."
A faint smile touched his lips. But before his focus could deepen, the air whistled.
A small pebble shot straight at him.
He sensed its approach, but his body was too slow.
The stone smacked against his forehead, knocking him to the ground.
— "Aaaagh!!" he cried, clutching his head.
Cain burst out laughing, doubling over.
— "Hahaha! The way you fell—absolutely priceless!"
Lloyd's glare burned with hatred, but Cain's laughter only faded slightly as he added:
— "At least you understood the point. Which means you're ready to begin forging your Ki. Remember, boy… this is only the beginning. The road to true strength is long."
Lloyd's gaze shifted to the sword beside him, then back to Cain.
Despite the pain, despite the mockery, there was something burning in his eyes:
Determination.
✧ End of Chapter Three ✧