The first Adventure
The land of Valdore, known far and wide as the home of the Vikings, stretched across jagged mountain peaks and vast, dense forest. It was a place where survival was earned through hard work and strength, where the scent of pine and the sound of axes biting into wood filled the air. It was here, in this rugged but beautiful land, that Enryu Kurozawa—a young boy of just seven years—began his journey.
Though his frame was small and his hands soft, Enryu had the spirit of a warrior. He worked tirelessly, trying his best to keep pace with the seasoned lumbermen of the village. The lumberjacks were giants in comparison—men whose muscles bulged beneath weathered skin, their thick hands like hammers as they easily hefted massive logs and carried them with little more effort than a child picking up a twig. Their hardened bodies were a testament to years spent felling wood and surviving the harsh elements of Valdore.
Meanwhile, Enryu struggled with a branch nearly as tall as he was, his small frame dwarfed by the weight. Despite the odds stacked against him, he refused to be discouraged. His feet slipped slightly in the dirt, and his arms trembled with the strain as he hoisted the branch—twice the size of his body—higher. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he gritted his teeth and kept at it, determined to prove himself. His tiny muscles burned, but the resolve in his eyes never wavered.
From behind him, a familiar gruff voice rang out.
Borin Stumpmaw, the lumberjack chief, stood with his thick arms crossed over his barrel chest. His skin was weathered and darkened from countless days under the sun, and his beard, wild and full, framed his face like a wolf's mane. His eyes, a piercing shade of gray, twinkled with amusement as he watched the young boy struggle.
"Young buck, you don't have to push yourself so hard," Borin said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "You're going to end up eating dirt."
Laughter erupted from the rest of the lumbermen nearby, their rough chuckles filling the air like a familiar song. They were all experienced hands, their movements sharp and practiced as they continued with their work, but they never missed an opportunity to tease the younger generation.
Enryu, face flushed with determination and a bit of frustration, gritted his teeth and attempted once more to lift the branch. "Shut up," he muttered, trying to sound tougher than he felt. "I'm fine. I'm strong, you see?"
Despite his words, the branch slipped from his tiny hands, and he fell backward into the dirt with a soft thud. A fresh round of laughter rang out, this time a little louder
and Enryu's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. But as the laughter echoed around him, something sparked inside. His fists clenched into determined little balls, and though his pride stung, it only served to light a fire under him.
Before he could get back to his feet to try again, a familiar voice pierced the air.
Niko Serakin, a boy just a year older than Enryu, dashed toward him with the same energy and enthusiasm that always seemed to follow him. Niko's Obsidian-black hair, messy from the wind, swirled around his face as he ran. His clothes, worn from many adventures with his friend Enryu, hugged his lean frame while his eyes, dark and intense, locked onto Enryu with a mix of exasperation and desperation.
"Enryu!" Niko shouted, breathless. "I should've known you were here!" He skidded to a stop beside him, one hand reaching out to help Enryu up. I've been looking for you everywhere! Come on, we're going to be late for studies, and you know how Mother Selene gets if we're late."
Enryu's face instantly shifted, his usual defiance melting away as the thought of Mother Selene's discipline crossed his mind. His heart raced at the terror of facing her discipline. He could already hear her voice in his head, firm and unyielding.
"Bye, guys! Gotta go!" Enryu quickly scrambled to his feet, brushing off the dirt from his clothes as he glanced back at the lumbermen. "Niko, wait for me!"
The sound of his small feet pounding the dirt faded into the distance.
Borin Stumpmaw watched him go, a half-smile tugging at his weathered lips. "That kid's got fire in him."
Geyser, a heavyset man with a barrel chest and arms like felled trunks, leaned on his axe. "Yeah. You almost feel bad for the boy's future—thinkin' he can tackle the whole world head-on."
Bren, a wiry man with a crooked nose and a crooked grin to match, snorted. "He's gonna learn quick the world don't bend to will alone."
Borin didn't take his eyes off the path Enryu vanished down. "Let him believe that for now," he said simply. "Determination's the most powerful trait a man—or boy—can carry."
Scene Transition: Koko Village PathsSunlight streaked through the tall pine trees as Enryu and Niko tore through the winding streets of Koko Village, their laughter echoing off cobblestone walls and market stalls. The scent of pine and smoked fish danced in the air as they weaved between vendors, ducked through tight alleys, and leapt over wooden crates like practiced racers.
They veered sharply off the main path, tearing through a neatly fenced yard.
"You little sh*ts! STAY OUTTA MY YARD!" bellowed Grumpy Narl, an elderly man whose long gray beard seemed to vibrate with rage. A chicken flapped away as he shook his cane in the air.
"Sorry, Grumpy Narl!" Niko called over his shoulder, not slowing for a second.
Moments later, the boys reached their destination—a modest cottage nestled near the heart of the village.
Enryu skidded to a stop just before the front step. "Ha! I won."
"No way!" Niko argued, breathing hard but grinning. "I was a whole head in front of you!"
Enryu crossed his arms, smug. "I was literally looking back at you."
Niko waved him off. "Okay, okay. Doesn't matter. We've got bigger problems."
He glanced at the front door cautiously. "Mother Selene should still be prepping for today's lesson. If we're quiet, we can sneak—"
Creeeeeeak.
The slow, haunting sound of a wooden door opening cut through the moment like a blade.
Both boys froze.
Then, slowly, as if compelled by some ancient force, they turned around.
And saw her.
Mother Selene stood in the doorway, her piercing eyes locked onto them like a hawk eyeing its prey. Her presence radiated command, and her silent glare could silence the gods themselves.
Enryu reacted fast.
He put on the biggest, most innocent eyes he could muster and stepped forward. "I was looking for Niko all day," he blurted. "Just to make sure he got here on time! I didn't want him to miss anything important."
Niko's jaw dropped. "Wait, what—?" he began, but—
"Niko." Mother Selene's voice cut through the space like thunder wrapped in silk. "Inside. Now. Go finish preparing for the lesson."
She glanced back at Enryu, and for the briefest second, her hard gaze softened. "Thank you, Enryu. You're a good friend."
Enryu beamed.
Enryu gave Niko a smug, taunting grin as they walked inside, the warmth of their laughter still clinging to their clothes like dust from the road. Niko rolled his eyes, brushing a hand through his thick black hair—shaggy and unkempt, always falling just past his brow—and muttered something under his breath.
The sun filtered through the wooden slats of the room walls, casting faint golden lines across the wooden floor. The scent of old parchment and herbs hung in the air. Enryu sat cross-legged at his low desk, pencil in hand, scribbling through his daily assignment with a frustrated pout on his face.
Enryu's thoughts:
I've been learning from Mother Selene for about a year now. It's usually just me, Niko, and Sayo—she's this really quiet girl who moved here from somewhere else. She doesn't talk much, but she listens to everything. Her hair's a soft brown, cut short just above her neck, and she's got these deep black eyes that look like they're always watching, even when her head's down.
Class is pretty much the same every day. First, we read a couple of pages from the Valmere history book, and then we write about what we learned. Today was about Reinhard the Savior… the greatest hero the continent's ever seen. Ten years ago, he stopped the Veilburn Incident by himself. It's crazy to think someone could be that strong.
After that, it was the worst part… my greatest enemy… math.
But then came geography—my favorite. We learned about the layout of Valmere. It's split into four countries: Solvet, Linthnara, Elaria, and Caelvaris. Each one has three regions. We live in Valdore, the land of the vikings, where warriors are born under the weight of iron and snow. The other two regions are Mongol, home of the monks, and Tenzu, the land of the blade.
Enryu rested his cheek on his hand, staring out the window as a breeze fluttered the edge of his parchment.
I can't wait to see all these places… to go on real adventures. I want to feel it—the unknown.
"Alright, you three," came a voice from the front of the room. "That ends today's lesson."
Mother Selene's words were soft but final. Enryu and Niko exhaled in unison, barely containing the "Yessss" they both let slip under their breath.
"Hey, Niko," Enryu whispered, leaning in. "Wanna go on an adventure?"
Niko perked up immediately. "Yeah, let's go—"
But before he could finish, Mother Selene's voice interrupted like a sudden gust through an open window.
"Actually, you two," she said, giving them both a look over her shoulder, "I was told you're to head straight to Mr. Hagan after studies."
Their faces paled in sync.
Both Boys' Thoughts:
Uh oh… are we in trouble?
Mother Selene chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I think it's a surprise." She winked. "Sayo, you can go with them. I think it might benefit you as well."
Scene Transition – Path to Hagan's HomeThe trio walked down a worn path lined with tall pines and whispers of wind rustling through the leaves. Birds chirped in the distance, and the sun dappled the earth with gold.
"A surprise?" Enryu asked, tilting his head. "What's that?"
Niko shrugged. "It's like when something happens to you outta nowhere… but it makes you happy. I think."
"Sayo, what do you think?" Enryu turned to her.
Sayo looked up from the small stone she'd been nudging with her foot. "I agree with Niko," she said softly. "I've never had a surprise before… but I've heard they're enjoyable."
"Well," Niko said with a grin, "we'll see in a minute."
They reached Hagan's house—a sturdy wooden lodge tucked behind a tall cedar. It was quiet. A little too quiet.
"Hagan?" Enryu called as he knocked on the door. "You wanted to see us?"
No answer.
Niko peered through the crack in the wooden frame. "Where is he?"
Sayo silently pointed toward the back.
Through the window, they saw Hagan standing alone in the backyard, facing away from them. The wind caught the edge of his long gray cloak, and his arms were crossed behind his back like he was waiting.
The three kids stepped out and approached slowly.
"Hagan?" Enryu asked again.
He turned, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. "Yes. You three—sit down here. In the grass."
They obeyed without question, sitting in a half-circle facing the old man. Niko leaned over to Enryu and whispered, "Whoa… I've never heard him say more than three words before. What do you think this is?"
"I dunno," Enryu murmured back. "He usually only talks this much when he tells me stories before bed."
Hagan turned his gaze toward Enryu. "You've always begged to go on adventures. Do you remember what I've always told you?"
Enryu frowned. "That I'm not big or strong enough," he replied, his voice full of reluctant memory.
"Correct," Hagan said with a faint nod. He turned to the table behind him and picked up a long, cloth-wrapped object. "And yet, as of tomorrow… you will be eight."
He unwrapped the cloth.
The weapon inside shimmered faintly under the daylight—a pair of black sickle blades, wicked and curved, connected by a chain as dark as night. Cracks of glowing crimson laced through the blade like veins.
"Do you remember this?" Hagan asked, lifting it slightly.
Enryu's eyes widened. "That was my dad's weapon… right?"
Hagan nodded.
"Yes, and this is the age I promised your mother… I would begin training you. Starting tomorrow—this weapon, this legacy… will be yours to wield."