Hero of war : The divine beast

The battlefield was a tapestry of chaos, drenched in blood and painted with the despair of fallen men. Smoke curled into the sky, blotting out the sun, and the acrid scent of death clung to the air. Amid the carnage, a lone child sat trembling. His small frame was barely covered by rags, his skin marred with bruises and dirt. Tears streaked his face as he stared vacantly at the fires devouring the horizon.

He didn't cry for help. He didn't move. What was the point? The world had proven its cruelty—again and again.

Heavy footsteps echoed across the blood-soaked ground, breaking through the eerie stillness. A figure approached, her armor dented and smeared with ash. The knight stopped a few feet away, her emerald eyes locking onto the boy. Her hair, damp and clinging to her face, framed an expression that teetered between resolve and heartbreak.

She crouched to meet his gaze. "What's your name?" she asked, her voice surprisingly soft.

The boy's lips parted, but no sound came. His throat was raw, his voice stolen by terror.

The knight frowned, glancing at his trembling hands and the vacant look in his eyes. With a sigh, she rose to her feet and pulled off her gauntlet, revealing a hand calloused from years of wielding a sword. She reached out, placing her palm gently over his eyes.

"Close your eyes," she whispered. "You've seen enough."

Without waiting for permission, she scooped him into her arms. He flinched at the contact but was too weak to resist. His frail body sagged against her, his breathing shallow.

As she cradled him, her jaw tightened. "What have they done to you?" she muttered, her voice shaking. "How could anyone do this to a child?"

The boy didn't respond, but his tears began anew, soaking into her shoulder. She held him tighter, as if trying to shield him from the horrors surrounding them.

"Don't worry," she murmured, her voice firm with conviction. "You're safe now. I'll keep you safe."

And so, the knight carried him away from the wreckage of war, her silhouette fading into the smoke.

---

-Present day-

Golden sunlight filtered through the wooden window, casting warm hues across the room. Kael stirred beneath the blankets, his small frame shifting as the soft sounds of birds reached his ears.

His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he lay there, letting the warmth of the morning seep into his bones. *Another dream,* he thought, the ghost of the battlefield still lingering in his mind.

The bed creaked softly as he sat up, his gaze wandering to the sleeping figure beside him. Ellia's face was serene, her breathing steady as she lay wrapped in a tangle of blankets.

Kael slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her. He tiptoed across the wooden floor, pushing open the cabin door to step outside.

The garden greeted him with a splash of colors—flowers of every hue blooming in neat rows. He grabbed the small watering can by the door and began his morning ritual, humming quietly to himself as he worked.

"Up early again, I see."

Kael jumped, nearly spilling the water. He turned to find Ellia leaning against the doorframe, a lazy smile on her face. Her hair was tousled from sleep, but her green eyes sparkled with warmth.

"Sis! I… I didn't mean to wake you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ellia walked over, her armor absent, replaced by a simple tunic and pants. "You didn't," she said, ruffling his hair. "I wake up when I want to, and you're not loud enough to stop me from sleeping anyway."

Kael pouted, but she only chuckled. "Come here," she said, lifting him effortlessly into her arms.

"Why do you always do that?" Kael asked, crossing his arms.

"Because you're light as a feather," she teased. "And it's the only way to remind you that you're still a kid."

Kael huffed but didn't protest as she carried him back inside.

---

The day passed quickly, and soon they were walking down the hill toward the soldiers' camp.

Kael's eyes widened as they approached. The sprawling site was alive with activity—soldiers sharpening swords, tending to fires, and sharing stories over mugs of ale.

"Whoa…" Kael whispered, his gaze darting from tent to tent.

Ellia smiled at his awe. "Stay close, alright? This isn't just any camp; it's home to the best fighters in the land."

As they entered, the soldiers straightened, saluting as Ellia passed. "Welcome back, Captain!"

Ellia nodded in acknowledgment. "Any news?"

Kael barely noticed her exchange with the soldiers. His attention was stolen by a man standing near a large tent. He had shaggy brown hair and sharp black eyes that seemed to pierce through him.

"Hey, kid!" the man called, waving him over.

Kael hesitated, glancing back at Ellia, but curiosity won out.

"I'm Asmodius," the man introduced himself, crouching to meet Kael's height. "You must be Kael, right?"

Kael nodded slowly.

"Well, Kael, I've got a question for you. Wanna hear a secret?"

Kael's eyes lit up with curiosity.

Leaning closer, Asmodius whispered, "Your 'sis' has a real name, you know."

Kael blinked. "She does?"

"Yup. But don't tell her I told you—it's Ellia Scarn."

"Scarn?" Kael repeated, tilting his head.

Asmodius smirked. "Sounds scary, right? Like a big, hairy monster."

Kael giggled. "Sis isn't scary!"

"You're right about that," Asmodius said with a chuckle.

Their laughter was cut short as Ellia appeared behind them, her arms crossed.

"And what's so funny?" she asked, her voice dangerously sweet.

Asmodius straightened, trying—and failing—to look innocent. "Nothing, Captain. Just bonding with the kid."

Ellia narrowed her eyes. "Right… Kael, time to go."

Kael waved at Asmodius as Ellia lifted him into her arms again.

"Goodbye, Big Bro!" he called, earning a startled sneeze from Asmodius.

"Huh…" Asmodius muttered, rubbing his nose. "Why do I feel like someone's talking about me?"

Ellia smirked. "Maybe because you're always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."

As they walked back to the cabin, Kael leaned his head against Ellia's shoulder, a soft smile on his face. For the first time in a long time, he felt at home.