C2 Chapter 2 – The Boy Beneath the Ashen Peaks (Part 2)

The strange sensation vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Kael lowered his hand from his chest and frowned.

"...Strange."

"What is?" Finn asked while balancing two buckets of fresh fish over his shoulders.

Kael looked toward the towering Ashen Peaks.

"...Nothing."

He smiled.

"Probably skipped breakfast."

Finn burst into laughter.

"I knew it! The strongest fellow in Riverstone Village is defeated by an empty stomach."

Kael chuckled.

"Let's go before Aunt Mira scolds us again."

The two hurried back toward the village.

Neither of them noticed...

Far above the clouds...

A tiny silver star briefly appeared directly above the Ashen Peaks before disappearing into the daylight.

_____________________________________

Riverstone Village.

Although poor, it was filled with warmth.

As Kael entered the village square, children immediately surrounded him.

"Brother Kael!"

"Brother Kael!"

"You promised to teach us after lunch!"

A little girl no older than seven tugged on his sleeve.

"Brother Kael, can you fix my wooden rabbit?"

Its wheel had broken. Kael crouched beside her with a gentle smile.

"Of course."

He pulled a small carving knife from his waist. Within moments, he had shaped a new wheel from a scrap of wood. The little rabbit rolled smoothly once more. The girl's bright laughter echoed through the square.

"Thank you!"

She ran away proudly showing it to the other children. Finn shook his head.

"You spoil them too much."

Kael smiled.

"They're children."

"They deserve happy memories."

Finn sighed dramatically.

"No wonder every grandmother in this village wants you as her grandson."

Before Kael could reply—

A deep voice called from behind.

"Kael."

Both boys immediately turned. Walking toward them was an elderly man with weathered skin and broad shoulders despite his age. His beard had turned completely white, but his eyes remained sharp.

This was Village Chief Rowan.

To outsiders, he appeared to be an ordinary old man. To the villagers... He was the pillar who had guided Riverstone Village through famine, floods, and harsh winters. Kael bowed respectfully.

"Grandfather Rowan."

The old chief smiled.

"I heard you repaired Old Bren's roof before sunrise."

Kael scratched his head.

"It only took a little while."

"A little while?"

Finn rolled his eyes.

"He climbed onto the roof in the middle of a storm yesterday."

"He refuses to admit he nearly fell."

Kael coughed awkwardly.

"I didn't fall."

"You slipped."

"I caught myself."

"You were hanging upside down."

"I still caught myself."

Chief Rowan laughed heartily.

"You two never change."

His laughter slowly faded.

Then his expression became serious.

"Kael."

"There is something I need you to do."

Kael immediately nodded.

"What is it?"

"The medicinal herbs growing near the lower cliffs of the Ashen Peaks are almost ready."

"Our healer has run out."

"I need someone trustworthy to collect them."

Finn's smile disappeared.

"The Ashen Peaks?"

"Isn't it dangerous this time of year?"

Rowan nodded.

"There have been strange sounds coming from the mountains."

"Several hunters claim they saw shadows moving where no beasts should exist."

Finn looked at Kael.

"We can ask the adults instead."

Before Rowan could answer—

Kael smiled calmly.

"I'll go."

"You don't have to," Finn said quickly.

Kael shook his head.

"If someone is needed, I should help."

That was simply who he was. Not because he wished to prove himself. Not because he sought recognition. Helping others had become as natural as breathing. Chief Rowan studied him for several moments. Something unreadable flickered within the old man's eyes.

"...Very well."

"But return before sunset."

"And no matter what happens..."

"...do not climb beyond the Third Ridge."

Kael nodded.

"I understand."

Yet the moment those words left Rowan's mouth... A cold breeze swept through the village. The old chief instinctively looked toward the Ashen Peaks.

For just a heartbeat...

He thought he saw a faint crimson light pulsing deep within the mountains. His weathered hands tightened around his walking staff.

Not yet...

Please... not yet...

No one noticed the whisper except the wind.

_____________________________________

That afternoon...

Kael prepared for the journey. A small water flask, hunting knife, coil of rope, a woven basket for herbs. Nothing more.

He had made this trip dozens of times. It was supposed to be another ordinary day. Destiny rarely announced its arrival with thunder.

Sometimes...

It arrived disguised as a simple errand. As Kael stepped beyond the final house of Riverstone Village, he turned back one last time. Smoke rose peacefully from the chimneys.

Children laughed in the fields. Farmers worked beneath the afternoon sun. It was the only home he had ever known.

He smiled softly.

"I'll be back before dinner."

With those simple words... Kael disappeared into the ancient forest at the foot of the Ashen Peaks. None of the villagers realized... The boy who had just walked into the mountains would never again be the same.

And high above the forest canopy... Hidden among drifting clouds... A pair of crimson eyes silently watched him.

Without sound.

Without emotion.

Without mercy.