"You're saying you're taking the kid?" Leo's cellmate eyed the figure.
"It's suspicious to hand the kid to a stranger... Who are you, anyway?" The cellmate squinted at the figure's shape
armor covering every inch, even his face.
The figure leaned toward Leo's cellmate's ear and whispered.
His eyes widened. A slight laugh escaped his lips.
"Got no choice then. I count on you!" He raised his hands, palms up.
He punched the wall, shattering it to pieces. Then he turned to Leo and the horseman:
"See you later, friend! When we meet someday, let's have a drink or something!"
Before jumping, he called back:
"Anyways my name's Stark. What's yours? kid"
"L...Leo..." His voice was a tired whisper.
Leo clung to the horseman's shoulder, shock numbing him. He couldn't believe he was free
"Leo, huh? Nice name! You're brave, stayin' alive this long, y'know."
"See ya!" Stark hit the ground with a _thud_ dropping like a boulder
"Time to go, Leo." The horseman leapt from the shattered wall.
But Leo was already asleep
While rebellion against King Richard still raged, the horseman carried Leo far away. On a white horse, they rode through silent night into early morning.
_What was happening? What came next? Where am I?_ Uncertainty weighed on Leo's heart.. yet something warm, something kept him trusting the horseman.
Finally, they arrived at a forest far beyond the Eastern Kingdom.
The horseman laid Leo down in the grass.
The horse rested on the ground.
"Who are you?.. Can I know you?" Leo asked. Exhausted and shocked, his lips trembled; his throat tightened. He tried to speak—only faint breaths escaped.
But the horseman wasn't there.
Leo repeated the question. Again. And again.
Minutes later, the horseman returned with water for the tired horse. Moonlight flooded the forest, its reflection glinting on the water as he walked.
When he reached Leo, he leaned toward him.
"Do you want an answer to your question?"
_"Let me answer with a question:_
Do you want revenge?"
"I... I..."
Leo lost consciousness. As he slept, a flutter of butterflies settled on him.
The next day, Leo found ample food and water before him. He didn't hesitate.. tearing into the food with shaking hands, devouring each bite. Hunger clawed at his stomach, but with every swallow, a storm raged inside: gratitude for the meal, yet simmering anger that clenched his jaw between bites. The only thing he could do was eat.
The horseman sat watching Leo eat. His expression wasn't visible, but he was clearly happy.
"It's a good day, huh? Aren't you cheerful? Just the sounds of birds make my heart warm."
The horseman rose from the ground and walked to his horse.
"I guess it's time to go."
"You're going?! No way!" Leo turned to the horseman.
"Seems like you finally recovered. Thank God." The horseman laughed.
"Let me give you something." He went to the horse's saddlebags and grabbed something
a huge sword. He threw it to Leo.
"I heard there are scary monsters in this place. So be careful."
He turned to Leo, this time with a serious tone:
"Train. Train. Train. And seek revenge."
But Leo was confused.
How does he know so much? That doesn't make sense He was caught between confusion and shock.
Leo reached out and grazed the sword.
"You're just a stranger... Why would I even deserve to be saved?" he murmured, uncertainty lacing his words.
"Don't bother, boy." The horseman walked to Leo and placed a hand firmly on his shoulder.
"I want you to become stronger. This place will show you how harsh life is. Don't trust the peaceful forest."
The horseman looked at the birds in the trees.
A bird left its chicks and flew away.
"We'll meet someday and have a great duel. But I won't come until you become strong.. even if it takes years... or even a lifetime."
"I'm watching you, Leo. I'm always with you, even when you don't notice."
"W...watching me...?" Leo whispered, eyes fixed on the ground. The horseman's words were too heavy to bear.
"...Just promise me to become strong. And fate may bring us together."
The man left without another word.
Leo didn't respond, processing every phrase. After the horseman vanished, he finally shouted
"I PROMISE!!!"