In a distant land, surrounded by lush forests, clear rivers, and towering green mountains, there lay a small village named WaterLake.
---
Early Morning
The sun had barely risen, but the heart of the village was already alive.
Children laughed and ran barefoot across the soft mud ground at the village center, playing soccer with a worn-out ball. The air was fresh and cool, and birds chirped in the distance.
Among the kids, a boy stood out—not because of his skills, but because of his appearance. He was Kai.
He was younger than most of the boys, but his presence was impossible to ignore. With striking blue eyes that shimmered like lake water and long, silky hair that danced in the breeze, he looked like he had stepped out of a dream. His soft, angelic face made him look almost unreal.
He smiled as he kicked the ball toward another player. That boy caught it skillfully and passed it on. The ball moved fast between them, closer and closer to the goal. Then, from the edge of the field, Kai ran forward with surprising speed.
> Thump!
He kicked the ball clean into the net.
"Goal! Goal!" the kids shouted, jumping in celebration.
But then—drum beats echoed through the village.
Boom… boom… boom…
The laughter stopped. All eyes turned to the center tree—an old, sacred one that stood like a guardian in the middle of WaterLake.
A tall man stood there, beating a large drum with a thick stick. He shouted:
> "In one week, an Immortal will visit WaterLake! They will choose one child from among us. That child will be taken away... and trained to become an Immortal!"
A hush fell over the crowd.
He nailed a wooden notice to the tree trunk with large letters written clearly. The children gathered around, whispering. Many had only heard of Immortals in bedtime stories—people who could fly through the sky, move mountains, or split rivers with a single sword.
Today, those tales felt real.
The parents began to murmur, faces stiff with anxiety—but also shining with hope. For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for their child to rise above the simple life of farming and fishing.
They called their children back home to prepare.
But Kai remained behind, quietly staring at the ball at his feet. The cheers were gone. The game was over.
> "No one wants to play anymore…" he muttered sadly. "What should I do now?"
He kicked the ball gently toward his house, then wandered away alone. Climbing the path to a nearby hill, he sat beneath a shady tree. The breeze was cool and carried the smell of leaves and water.
Leaning back against the trunk, Kai closed his eyes.
He remembered his parents' stories—tales of people flying through the clouds, of fierce battles between Immortals and demons.
> "I used to think they were just making it up. A fantasy to entertain me before bed. But… if everyone is taking it seriously now… were they telling the truth all along?"
His thoughts tangled with the wind, and soon sleep took over. He dozed off under the tree, a soft breeze lifting his hair, while sunlight glinted off the sweat on his chin.
---
From Across the Village
Women glanced up at the hill where Kai slept, their eyes drawn to him like bees to a flower. They couldn't help it. His beauty, especially when paired with such innocence, made their hearts race.
Some bit their lips, others whispered to each other, unable to take their eyes off him.
But the village had always protected him.
There were times when certain women tried to get too close—too soon—but were stopped by others who knew it was wrong. Kai's parents, especially, were fiercely protective.
> "That boy carries something rare," the villagers would say. "Looking at him, even just once, can make you forget your sorrows."
---
Evening
Kai woke up, rubbing his eyes. His stomach growled.
The village had changed—men and women trained, meditated, or gathered in circles, preparing for something they didn't fully understand.
He noticed his parents walking home from the fields, their faces tired but warm.
Kai ran down the hill toward them, smiling.
He threw his arms around his mother.
"Mom! There's a notice on the village tree! It says an Immortal is coming to choose a disciple!"
His mother blinked in surprise, then looked at her husband. Together, they walked to the notice and read it.
It was true.
Kai's eyes sparkled. "Mom… can I become an Immortal too?"
She smiled gently and cupped his chin.
"And what will you do if you become one, my son?"
Kai paused, thinking deeply.
> "I'll eat all the food I want! And… I'll build you a big house. You won't have to work anymore!"
Her smile widened, but behind it was a flicker of fear.
She pulled him into a hug. Her voice was soft. "You'll become an Immortal, Kai. One day, we'll watch you fly through the sky. Just… promise me you won't forget home."
---
A man's voice called from behind them.
"I think dinner's going to be late!" Kai's father said with a grin, holding vegetables in his hands.
They all laughed.
That evening, while eating their simple meal, Kai noticed his mother staring into the fire, lost in thought.
His father placed a comforting hand on Kai's head.
> "Don't worry about tomorrow, son. I'll train you myself."
---
Later That Night
Kai slept outside on a wooden bed under the stars. The cool night air kissed his cheeks. His mother and father sat nearby, a dim lamp flickering beside them—its light made from cloth dipped in animal fat.
"I think we still have a few silver coins in the box," Kai's father said quietly.
His wife looked worried. "But that's all we've saved… for our future."
He gave her a soft smile, brushing her hair behind her ear.
> "We'll sell the harvest soon and start again. As long as Kai has a chance at a better life, I don't need anything else. His happiness… is enough for me."
She held his hand tightly. They looked over at their son—sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling in rhythm with the breeze.
---
Next Morning
Kai woke up to the sound of something tearing. He yawned and opened one eye.
His father was mixing something outside—mud, water, and sand.
"Get ready and come here," he called.
Kai rushed inside, freshened up, and ate quickly.
When he came back, he saw his father shaping the mixture into sacks.
"What's that?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'll carry it!" he said boldly and held out his hands.
His father chuckled. "Alright then. Let's see."
He placed one on Kai's hands. Kai dropped instantly, face-first into the dirt.
"Haha! That's not for your hands—it's for your legs, silly!"
Kai stood up, brushing the mud from his face, embarrassed.
His father secured the weighted sacks around Kai's legs.
At first, he walked stiffly—like a puppet with tangled strings. The villagers watched, especially the women and girls. Some giggled. Others simply smiled, enjoying the sight.
Kai gave an awkward smile, blushing.
> "Why are they always staring at me? It's so weird… makes me nervous," he muttered.
---
Days passed.
By the fourth day, his legs grew stronger. He could move freely, even with extra weight.
He didn't complain. His motivation was clear:
> "I want to make my parents proud… and maybe stop the staring if I grow up strong."
---
Final Night Before the Selection
The house was quiet. The lamp glowed faintly.
Kai lay asleep, his chest rising gently with each breath.
His parents sat nearby, whispering in the warm silence.
"We still have the silver coins, right?" his father asked.
His wife nodded slowly. "But it's all we have left… for our future."
Her voice trembled slightly.
He looked at her with steady eyes. "We'll make more. When the crops are sold, we'll start again."
He glanced at Kai and smiled.
> "As long as he gets a good life... that's more than enough for me."
She leaned against his shoulder, eyes soft with love.
In the dim light, they watched over their sleeping son, unaware of the journey waiting just beyond the morning sun.