She was in shock after seeing his eye, and everyone turned to watch Lukas. Some murmured among them, and one man bent down to pick up a stone, aiming to throw it at him.
From afar, the grandfather noticed. Panicking, he ran quickly to shield Lukas.
Thwack!—
The stone hit the back of the grandfather's head, blood beginning to trickle down. His hands trembled as he held Lukas tightly. Seeing this, tears welled up in Lukas's eyes, and he hugged his grandfather back.
The grandfather stroked Lukas's head, trying to calm him.
When the villagers saw the grandfather protecting Lukas, one of them shouted.
"He's trying to protect that devil! Kill him! We can't let this lunatic live, just as the church said!"
His shout encouraged the others. Stones rained down on them. Some of the children tried to stop their parents, but no one listened.
Panicking, the grandfather carried Lukas away before the situation worsened. Some villagers tried to chase them, but they lost track.
Lukas cried into his grandfather's chest, apologizing over and over. The grandfather's heart trembled hearing him. He hugged Lukas tighter than ever before.
After that day, the grandfather began teaching Lukas self-defense. And because of that accident Lukas become quiet and even cold toward others.
—
By the time Lukas turned nineteen, his body had grown stronger, and his personality had hardened as well.
One day, he went to fetch water from the river not far from their hideout.
What he didn't know was that the church had already discovered their hiding place. They reported it to the kingdom, which immediately sent assassins to kill them both.
When Lukas returned to the hideout, he noticed blood stains nearby. His body trembled. He dropped the bucket and ran inside.
He searched the hideout, calling for his grandfather, but there was no response.
In the darkness, he walked cautiously, until he stepped on something. Looking down, he saw his grandfather—covered in blood, with sword marks all over his body.
Lukas grabbed him, shaking him, desperate.
"Grandfather! What happened to you? Please… wake up!" Tears streamed down his face.
The grandfather breathed faintly, slowly opening his eyes.
"Cough… Lukas… I'm sorry for everything… cough… it's all my fault you… ended up like this… cough" His eyes were filled with sorrow as he trembled.
"No, grandfather! Don't leave me! If you go… I'll be alone!" Lukas cried, leaning against his grandfather's chest.
The grandfather slowly raised a hand and wiped Lukas's tears, leaving a bloodstain under Lukas's left eye. He smiled faintly and whispered an apology. Slowly, his eyes closed, and his breathing stopped.
"Nooo!"—
Lukas screamed desperately, heartbroken, tears falling onto his grandfather's body.
From the shadows, two figures emerged, cloaked in black. One held a sword with a royal symbol on its hilt.
Sobbing, Lukas glared at them. His red eye glowed in the dark, making them shiver.
"Did you do this to my grandfather?" he shouted, his chest burning with anger.
They didn't respond. Lukas's despair and rage swirled inside him. His left eye began to burn.
A voice echoed in his head.
"LOOK HOW PITIFUL YOU ARE, MY CHILD!" The deep, growling voice seemed to come in his head.
He smiled faintly, teeth sharp and menacing.
Tap!—
He tapped his finger.
"Arghhh!"—
Lukas screamed in pain, clutching his left eye as he slowly lost consciousness. The assassin saw that, swung his sword—but—
The next morning, Lukas slowly woke up beside his grandfather's body. His left eye still ached slightly. Around him, the assassins were gone—only their cloaks and swords remained.
Confused, Lukas quickly rose, carried his grandfather's body, and set it on fire. He watched silently as the flames consumed it. Then he gathered what remained, placed it in a clay jar, and buried it near the hideout, praying over it.
Knowing the hideout was no longer safe, Lukas packed his belongings, taking the cloak and sword. He tied a piece of cloth over his left eye.
With nowhere else to go, he headed south east, opposite the direction of the village, following the plan his grandfather had once told him.
Three days later, he reached a forest near the border between HaulGray and VanGaul kingdoms.
He decided to stay there as long as he could and built a small shelter. Then he went hunting for dinner.
Using his handmade bow, he caught two rabbits. By the river, he washed himself. Before washing, he caught a fish with his sword.
He submerged himself in the cool, clear water, removing his eye patch. Lukas lay silently, watching the sky.
Rustle… rustle…!
Something moved in the bushes across the river. Lukas tensed, watching closely.
A woman emerged, stretching and washing her face, unaware of him.
Their eyes accidentally met.
"Kyaaa!"—
She screamed in surprise. Awkwardly, she realized Lukas was watching her with a cold expression.
"I… I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone was here," she stammered. Lukas didn't respond.
Noticing his red eye, she tried to excuse herself and leave, but she didn't. She lingered behind a tree, observing him. Lukas saw her but ignored her.
He eventually got out of the water and carried his hunt back to the shelter. The girl followed at a distance.
The fire crackled in the night as Lukas ate.
The girl watched from behind the tree.
Growl…
Her stomach rumbled.
"Hey, you, here!" Lukas called, offering some food.
Relieved, she came forward and sat across from him, shyly eating. Lukas watched silently.
Feeling uneasy under his gaze, she said, "E-excuse me… is there something wrong with my face?"
Lukas didn't respond.
Confused, she asked, "May I ask why you're here alone? Are you a hunter or an adventurer?"
No response.
She sighed, frustrated. "Aaa… I don't care anymore," and frowned.
After finished eating, Lukas stood and walked toward the river.
"Hey, where are you going?" she asked curiously. Lukas ignored her. She quickly finished and followed him.
By the river, Lukas sat under a tree, gazing at the sky. The girl sat beside him, noticing the sadness in his eyes.
"Ummm.. I don't know what you've been through," she said, "but I think you're a good person. Keep living the way you are."
Lukas was stunned.
"I… I… don't know," he whispered, shaking his head.
She smiled softly. "You know… maybe you could be a traveler, meet new people, make friends… and find happiness like I do."
She stood up.
"If you change your mind, I'll meet you here again tomorrow. Bye!" She waved and walked away.
Lukas stayed, staring at the sky, thinking.
The next day, he made up his mind and waited for her by the river. Not long after, two figures emerged from the bushes, one wearing a black cloak like the assassins who had killed his grandfather.
His hands shook as he immediately drew his sword toward them.
-CONTINUE-