Morning arrived quietly in Vasto, wrapped in a pale silver light that crept between rooftops and slipped through narrow windows. The city had not yet fully awakened—no shouting merchants, no ringing guild bells—only the distant rustle of cloth and the faint cries of birds greeting the new day.
Clack.
Clack.
The sharp sound cut through the stillness.
Kaele stirred in his bed, his eyes snapping open. At first, he thought it was a dream—an echo of battle lingering in his thoughts. Then the sound came again, clearer this time, steady and deliberate.
Clack. Clack.
Wooden swords.
He sat up and rubbed his eyes, the memories of goblins and blood still clinging to his mind like stubborn fog. Slowly, he moved toward the window and pulled aside the curtain.
Outside, in the open yard behind their modest home, his father stood alone.
Dornin Ashford moved with practiced ease, his body flowing through forms that had been etched into muscle and bone over decades. Each swing of the wooden sword cut the air cleanly, controlled and purposeful. His breathing was calm, steady—nothing like the ragged gasps Kaele remembered from his own first battle.
For a moment, Kaele simply watched.
He retired… Kaele thought. Yet he still moves like he's on the battlefield.
Leaning out of the window, Kaele raised his voice."Good morning, Dad!"
Dornin halted mid-swing. He turned, surprise flickering across his face before softening into a familiar warmth.
"Oh?" he said. "Good morning. You woke up early today."
Kaele gave a small, sheepish smile."Hard not to, when wooden swords are clashing before sunrise."
Dornin chuckled quietly and rested the sword against his shoulder. His eyes lingered on Kaele longer than usual, as if searching for something beneath his son's expression.
After a brief pause, he asked,"Do you want to train with me? Like before?"
Kaele's smile faded—not into doubt, but into something firmer. His voice came out steady, filled with resolve he hadn't known he possessed just days ago.
"Yes, Dad. I've already decided."He clenched his hands."I'll grow strong. Strong enough to protect myself… and my comrades."
Dornin's grip tightened slightly on the sword.
So he's faced it, he thought. The fear. The weight.
"…I see," Dornin murmured. Then he nodded."Alright. Come down and start training."
"Hah!" Kaele replied, excitement bursting through his restraint.
The morning air was cool and refreshing as Kaele rushed outside. The sky was painted with soft hues of blue and gold, thin clouds drifting lazily overhead. Dew clung to the grass beneath their feet.
"What a fine day for training," Dornin said."Don't you think so, Kaele?"
"Yes, Father!"
Kaele grabbed his wooden sword and took his stance. The moment their blades met, the calm of dawn shattered into motion.
Clack!
Kaele attacked first, putting strength behind his swing. Dornin deflected effortlessly, stepping aside with a calmness that frustrated Kaele. Again and again they clashed—Kaele lunging, retreating, adjusting—while Dornin guided, corrected, and countered without overwhelming him.
As they trained, sweat began to bead on Kaele's forehead. His arms burned, but he didn't stop.
Between breaths, Kaele asked,"Dad… why do you still train?"
Dornin parried and responded without hesitation."To protect my family."
Kaele hesitated, then pressed on."…From what?"
Dornin stopped. The yard fell silent except for their breathing.
"From evil."
Kaele frowned slightly."But you always said there's no more evil in the world. Only monsters that attack people."
Dornin lowered his sword and looked toward the horizon, where the city walls met the rising sun.
"You're still a child, Kaele," he said quietly."You don't yet understand this world."
He turned back to his son, eyes serious."No one knows what will happen tomorrow. No one knows what rises after peace. That uncertainty—that is what keeps me training. That is what pushes me to stay strong."
Kaele swallowed and nodded."Yes, Father."
Dornin lifted his sword again, but didn't attack."Tell me something, Kaele. Why do you think swords and weapons were created?"
Kaele thought carefully."…To protect yourself and your belongings?"
Dornin nodded slowly."That's your perspective."
"My… perspective?" Kaele asked.
"Every person sees the world differently," Dornin said."Some see swords as tools meant to kill—not just monsters, but humans they believe are threats. Others see them as shields, meant to defend themselves and those they cherish."
He stepped closer."Everyone believes their own view is correct. But from another angle, that same belief becomes wrong."
Dornin lightly tapped Kaele's sword aside."If you attack me, you become the oppressor from my point of view. Yet in your mind, you act only for your own good."
He exhaled slowly."That belief—that only one truth exists—is what binds people to hatred and leads nations to war."
Kaele listened in silence, the weight of his father's words settling deep in his chest.
"So remember this," Dornin concluded."Always listen to those who mean you no harm. Those who want you to grow."
"Yes, Dad," Kaele replied earnestly.
After a long and exhausting training session, they went inside. The warmth of the kitchen wrapped around them, accompanied by the comforting smell of freshly prepared food.
Elara looked up from the table, concern lingering in her eyes."Do you feel better now?"
"Yes, Mom," Kaele replied.
He ate quietly, his thoughts drifting back to the goblins, to the moment his blade had ended a life. But this time, the fog felt thinner.
After breakfast, Kaele returned to his room, fastened his armor, secured his sword, and stepped outside.
"TARIIIIN!" he shouted, running across the street.
"Oh—Kaele!" Tarin laughed."How are you feeling after yesterday's battle?"
"I'm fine," Tarin replied."My parents cheered me up when I told them about completing my first quest. What about you?"
"The same," Kaele said."Let's head to the Adventurer Guild for a new quest."
"Yes, leader!" Tarin joked.
Inside the guild hall, the atmosphere felt different. Conversations hushed as they entered. Eyes followed them—curious, judgmental, suspicious.
Kaele approached the counter."Why is everyone staring?"
The clerk smirked."They're curious how two Iron Ranks killed a hobgoblin on their first mission."
"It was just luck," Kaele replied."We found an opening and took it."
"Luck or not," the clerk said,"pick something easy. Don't get yourselves killed."
As they turned to the quest board, a towering figure stepped into their path.
Muscles bulged beneath worn armor, scars crisscrossed his face, and a massive sword rested against his back like an extension of his body.
"Which one of you killed the hobgoblin?" the man asked.
Kaele shook his head."Neither of us alone."
The man turned to Tarin."You?"
"N-no—"
"We both did," Kaele said firmly.
The man laughed."So teamwork saved your asses."
Whispers erupted.
"That crest—Falcon's Party!""That's Roman Baldur!""Diamond Rank… inviting Fallows?"
"Join my party," Roman said.
Kaele bowed slightly."We lack experience. We'd only slow you down."
Roman's lips curved into a faint smile."You've got guts."He turned away."This isn't the end. I'll pursue you again."
They selected an escort quest.
The merchant's shop was grand—polished windows, carved wooden doors, shelves lined with wines of every color and price.
"What business do peasants have here?" the owner sneered.
"We accepted your escort quest," Kaele replied.
"Rank?"
"Iron."
The man scoffed."So the guild forgot who I am."He smirked."My name is Varric Goldwyn, one of the richest men in Valoria."
The wagon departed soon after.
Beyond the city walls, open plains stretched endlessly. Golden fields swayed in the breeze, trees lining the road like silent sentinels.
"This is our first time leaving the city like this," Tarin said, smiling.
Ahead, a dense forest loomed.
"Stay alert," Kaele said.
Inside the forest, smoke rose from a clearing. Black-robed figures whispered among themselves.
"You look promising," one said.
"Who?" Tarin asked.
"The one with the sword."
Kaele felt a chill."What's promising about me?"
"You'll know one day," the figure replied.
Another voice echoed,"Oh great Aetherion… grant him sight to see the truth."
That night, unease lingered.
Far away, Elara stared into the darkness.
"He hasn't returned…"
"He'll be fine," Dornin said."But tomorrow, I'll ask the guild."
At the inn, Tarin whispered,"Those people in the forest…"
"They were drunk," Kaele replied."Forget them. Sleep."
Yet even as Kaele closed his eyes—
Something unseen watched.