The forest howled in the gale, rain hammering down to mud. Thunder shook the ground as the swollen river churned mercilessly.
Two figures dashed through, breaths ragged. The man clutched his wife's hand, pulling her on. Their rags were soaked, grimy. In her arms, their infant son blinked against the storm.
"We can't stop, Lira! They're right behind us—keep moving, no matter what!"
he shouted over the wind, his voice raw with desperation, urging her forward even as exhaustion clawed at them both.
Lira stumbled, tears mixing with rain.
"Kael, I can't… my legs are giving out, I feel like I'm going to collapse any second! What if they catch us before we reach the river?"
She nearly dropped the child, her grip faltering under the weight of fear and fatigue.
Kael halted at the riverbank, boots sinking in muck. Fists clenched, nails drawing blood. Tears blurred as he looked at her, then the child.
"Lira… the basket's our only hope. The river takes him away—from this nightmare, from the soldiers closing in on us. It's the only way he survives"
he said, voice cracking with the pain of the impossible choice they faced.
"No, Kael! Our Egrassel! Abandon him to the waters? What if he drowns, what if the current pulls him under forever? There has to be another way!"
she cried, clutching tighter, her body shaking as if the words alone might shatter her.
"You think I want this? Soldiers coming—they'll kill us all if they catch us. This gives him a chance, a slim one, but better than none in this hell. We have no other options left,"
he replied bitterly, his eyes pleading for her to understand the agony tearing him apart.
"He's innocent. I love him so much it hurts. Promise we'll pray—the High Gods will protect him, they have to hear us,"
she whispered, her voice breaking as she pressed her face to the baby's.
Kael embraced them.
"Then pray—for his strength, for a future we can't give him ourselves. Let's make our words count before it's too late,"
he said, holding them close against the storm's fury.
They knelt in mud, wind dying, rain pounding. Hooves echoed near.
Kael prayed.
"High Gods… grant our son knowledge, vast and unyielding, so he may never be deceived by the illusions of this cruel world."
⸻
A spark ignited in the infant's mind.
Serene voice whispered.
"Skill Acquired: ENLIGHTENER"
⸻
Soldiers burst out, armor wet.
"Traitors—cut them down, no survivors, in the name of the prince!"
Lira pleaded.
"Gods… give him power to shield what he cherishes most, to endure in a world that crushes the weak without mercy! Please, answer us now!"
"Hurry—they're here, we have no time left—get him in the basket!"
Kael urged, his voice tight with rising panic.
⸻
Voice coldness.
"Skill Acquired: Fate Anchor"
Error. Insufficient.
Analyzing… Successful.
Transforming.
"Fate Anchor → Oath of Protection"
Sealed until Enough Strength.
⸻
Blades drawn.
"Last wish—might against enemies, strength to stand unbroken no matter the odds! High Gods, if you exist, grant this one mercy!"
Kael cried, tears streaming as he poured his soul into the plea.
⸻
Voice ethereal.
"Skill Acquired: CONSUMER"
Error. Failed.
Sealing. Reactivation:On Enough Capacity Level.
⸻
Soldier lunged. Kael rose.
"Stay back—you won't touch them while I breathe! Fight me if you must, but leave them alone!"
Steel tore; blood sprayed. He held, buying time.
"The basket—do it now, Lira, before they overrun us!"
She placed him in.
"Sorry, Egrassel… forgive us, live free and find happiness we couldn't provide. We'll always love you,"
she whispered, her heart breaking with every word.
"We love you more than anything—remember that somehow,"
Kael gasped, his strength fading as enemies closed.
Eyes opened—deep blue oceans speckled with brown landmasses, shadows profound.
Gust exploded; basket tipped.
"EGRASSEL!"
Thunder swallowed her.
Swords fell.
World moved on.