Scourge: A Shadow Beckons

My ax came swinging down again and again. My muscles cramped, sweat soaked my clothes and hair, and the sun wasn't even out yet. I couldn't believe I almost died just a few weeks ago. I was so weak. I had to grow stronger. I've become more consistent and disciplined, and I had a plan to start becoming the warrior my father is. Today, I will join the militia. For now, I continued to cut wood until the break of dawn.

After that, I began carrying the logs to the houses where I knew people bought them regularly. I made sure to carry as many as I could to build some strength and endurance. I felt power coursing through my body, an indescribable feeling of excitement. The pain felt good because every step I took, every log I picked up, was one step closer to reaching my goals.

I got back after a few hours. It wasn't bad at all. There were still a few hours before noon, so I stopped by the house to get a change of clothes. My grandparents, Paul and Millie, were enjoying a nice breakfast together at the table with my dad.

"Morning," I greeted breathless.

"Morning lad. Did you give any cute girls your morning wood today?" Grandpa Paul asked with a chuckle.

"No, they were probably asleep. I gave it to their dads, and they gave me a tip." For some reason, all of them laughed.

"Will, how could you not show your son how to be a man?" Paul asked.

"I did, it's just that you're an immature teen, pops."

I had no idea what they were talking about, and honestly, I was too winded to care. I started to head upstairs to freshen up.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Millie asked.

"If I sit at the table right now, you guys wouldn't want to eat. I'm going to make myself clean, then eat." I said.

I got a fresh set of clothes and activated the weird greenish-blue marked stone to take a shower. I have no idea how it works, but it's magical and can make heated water appear out of seemingly nothing. It was convenient, though much like the communication orbs, most families in Old Oak didn't have one. My dad was the wealthiest man in the village. He only worked from time to time to help out as volunteer work. I only got paid because I was taught to not depend on my father's wealth, and the other villagers respected that.

I stayed there for a good amount of time, massaging my muscles with the soaps and other cleansing stuff. I was in no rush because it felt so good, but at the same time, I was hungry. When I finished washing and drying myself, I made my way to make myself a meal, though Grandma Millie just told me to sit down and relax while she whipped something up for me.

"So what do you have planned for today?" She asked.

"When do I ever have anything planned?" I responded while chewing my food.

"I figured it might be one of those rare moments," she said with a chuckle. You did finish up your work awfully fast and freshened up, too. Are you seeing someone?"

"I washed up to avoid ruining everyone's appetite, including my own."

"So you're just going to stay here or talk with your friends?" Grandpa asked.

"Well…not exactly."

"So you are seeing a girl? Grandma asked again.

"Come now, let's not embarrass the young man. He's old enough to not be interrogated by his grandparents." Dad said.

"I know, but I get excited over these things. Let an old woman experience being young again through her grandson."

"If you want to feel young again, I can help you right away. All we would have to do is head home and spend some alone time." Grandpa said.

"I meant feel young for more than 90 seconds, Paul!" Grandma retaliated.

"Okay enough of that. Not only am I sure that Thamolin doesn't want to hear this, but I sure as hell know I don't." Dad replied, shaking his head and scrunching his face.

"No guys, it's none of that anyway. I'm going to join the militia."

My father got up from the chair almost instantly. I thought he might fly towards me with how aggressive the movement was.

"You're going to what!?" He gasped.

I didn't really know how to respond. I was trying to ask what the problem was, but the words wouldn't come out. I looked around to see my grandparents' expressions. My grandpa looked like he didn't want to involve himself, and my grandma had a frightful look on her face.

"Don't look at them for comfort, you'll find no help here! Did you not think to consult me first?" My dad shouted.

"And did you ask your father for permission to join the Traveler's Guild?" I retaliated. It was an impulsive reaction, and I regretted it almost as soon as the words came out, but I knew I could not back down now. "I'm a man now, dad, and you have to respect that. I need to earn my keep, earn respect, build the foundation required to start a family. You taught me that. I need to be ready for the torch that's soon to be passed down to me, just as you were when grandpa entrusted you with his legacy."

I tried to sound as respectful as I could, but my voice broke a few times. I was nervous and sweating, but I never broke eye contact. I knew my dad wouldn't respect that, and he raised me better than that.

"I was wrong when I did that, Thamolin," my father finally said. His tone was calmer now, but he was still standing. "Did you not stop to think why I no longer went on adventures?"

"Because you already had enough. You're the richest and most famous man in all of Old Oak. Even more than the mayor." I responded.

My father had a grim expression, bowed his head down, and turned to face the wall.

"That ain't it, son. I was a single dad, raisin' a little boy. Sure, my folks were happy to look after you when I was out questing, but when all's said and done, I was the one bringin' in the coins. My folks, bless them, they'll get old, won't be able to feed and clothe you. So, against the wisdom of my mentor, I took a quest that promised enough loot to retire if I managed it right. A chaos waygate opened up, recommending a gold rank party, tier five Travelers. Led a crew of silvers and bronze ranks to that waygate. Took twelve in total to balance the scales with the Golds. But, boy, I miscalculated somethin' fierce. Saw one mate after the other torn to shreds by a hydra. Only three of us lived, and not 'cause of our own strength, but thanks to some other creature that came in and took down that multi-headed serpent. Almost met my end that day, left you behind. Didn't fancy livin' on the edge every day, so I retired."

"But, Dad, I nearly died the other day 'cause I was too weak. The militia, it's just for defending Old Oak. If we're attacked, wouldn't it be safer if I was in the militia?" I argued.

"Militia's too soft to fend off a real attack, lad. You'd be wastin' your time," he declared.

"I'd be armed with an ax and shield. And if you truly believed that, why haven't we moved?" I pressed.

Dad let out a sigh. "Because we won't be attacked in this region."

"How can you be so sure?" I questioned.

"'Cause I know the defender of these parts. Same creature that saved me and my crew on my last adventure. A green giant, a jakka named Kor'tish. Roams the woods, hills, and plains in these parts, crushin' demons and chaos forces that come near. He isn't just protectin' Old Oak, but West Shire, Weeping Hills, Anchor Port, Willow Wood, and many more."

I stared at him, wondering what sort of magical creature this could be. Those places took my father days to travel to, yet according to my dad, he defends all these places from evil.

"And what of the Baron?" I inquired. "Does he not defend his fiefs?"

"Sometimes." My father admitted. "But the Baron is clueless and has only a few soldiers patrolling or stationed in these areas. Do you see any of his men in Old Oak?"

He had a point. I've only rarely seen the Baron's soldiers. "I would like to meet this Kor'tish."

"Absolutely not. I will not have you waste his time with your games." My father spoke firmly on the situation, his tone showing it was seemingly his final decision.

"No games. I will become strong like him."

"You can't. We're only men and he's a different beast entirely. How could he show you to fight like him, even if he had the time?" My father reasoned.

"Then you can teach me." I said.

"No," he said bluntly. You should stay here with your grandparents. You do well for yourself, cutting wood and contributing to the village's needs. There's no need to be a hero."

"What I should do and am going to do are not always the same. I'm going to become strong like you, and I'm doing it with or without you." I started heading to the door and turned to face him again. "I would prefer if you were with me." Then I made my way out.