The night the heavens bled was the night Sir Kael Draven was born.
The skies above the Empire of Valdoria were painted crimson, as though the gods themselves had spilled a goblet of wine across the firmament. The full moon hung swollen and red, casting its eerie glow over the Draven Keep and the river valleys beyond. Even the nightingales fell silent, as though they feared to breathe in the presence of such an omen.
Within a modest chamber of the keep, cries of pain mixed with the low chant of monks. Lady Eveline, wife of Duke Lucien Draven, labored fiercely, clutching her husband's armored hand as sweat drenched her brow. Outside, knights paced restlessly, whispering of the blood-red moon.
"They say children born tonight will be cursed," one murmured.
"Or blessed," another countered, though unease trembled in his voice.
At last, a sharp cry cut through the tension. The midwife lifted a blood-slicked infant to the moonlight spilling through the tall arched window. The child's eyes opened at once—black as midnight, yet glinting with a faint, unsettling red.
Lady Eveline reached out, trembling. "Our son…"
Duke Lucien Draven, a towering man with scars earned from countless battles across the Empire, narrowed his eyes at the child. He loved him instantly, yet the sight of those strange eyes made even his war-hardened heart falter.
As if in answer, a distant rumble shook the keep. Torches guttered, and a whisper—thin as silk, sharp as steel—drifted through the chamber.
"Blood and steel… destiny follows this one."
The midwife shrieked, dropping her bowl of herbs. The monks began chanting louder, their wooden beads clicking like rattling bones.
But Duke Lucien only drew his son close and declared, voice firm and defiant, "His name shall be **Kael Draven—Blood Knight. Let the heavens tremble. He will not."
The whisper faded. Outside, the crimson moon sank lower, and the world resumed its uneasy breath. Yet in that instant, destiny had stirred.
Kael, barely moments old, clenched his tiny fist… and the candle flame nearest him flickered as if bowing.
Years passed, and the boy grew strong. By the age of five, Kael was already taller than most boys his age, with arms sturdy from swinging wooden swords in the courtyard. His laughter echoed through the keep like the roar of a lion, yet whenever anger flared, his eyes shimmered faintly red, frightening the servants.
Whispers followed him wherever he went. "The cursed child." "The blood knight's son." But none dared speak such words in front of Duke Lucien, who silenced doubters with a single glare.
One evening, Kael sat with his mother beneath a flowering cherry tree in the courtyard. Lady Eveline brushed his hair with gentle hands, her face pale from years of illness.
"Kael," she whispered, "promise me something."
"What, Mother?" His childish voice carried both curiosity and stubborn pride.
"Never let anger rule your heart. There is power in you… but also danger. You must master it, or it will master you."
He frowned. "But Father says anger makes me strong."
Lady Eveline's eyes clouded with sorrow. "Strength is nothing if it devours the soul."
Before Kael could argue, a rustling came from the cherry branches above. A striped cat leapt down, landing squarely in his lap. Its fur was ragged, one ear notched, and its golden eyes studied him with unsettling intelligence.
"Hey!" Kael laughed, hugging the animal. "A cat!"
But then the cat opened its mouth and spoke. "Not just a cat, brat. Name's Merrick. And you—hm, you stink of destiny."
Kael yelped, nearly falling backward. "M-mother! The cat talks!"
Lady Eveline gasped, dropping her comb. "Heavens above—!"
Maverickrick swished his tail smugly. "Relax, I'm not here to eat you. Well… unless you try to kick me. Then maybe."
Kael's eyes sparkled. "Mother! Can we keep him?"
Lady Eveline was still staring in shock, but the cat had already curled up in Kael's lap, purring as though he owned the boy.
That night, as Kael drifted into sleep, he dreamed of a dark figure wrapped in smoke. A gleaming sword hung from its hand, and a voice slithered through his thoughts.
"Blood Knight… I am waiting."
He woke with a start, heart pounding. Maverick snored beside him, twitching his tail. His mother's warning echoed in his ears.
Outside, the cherry blossoms shivered, though no wind stirred them.