Chapter One: Task

'Are they still chasing me?'

*Huff Huff*

I don't know for how long I have been running, probably two or three days, maybe even more, but to me it feels like forever.

"I can't do it anymore…."

*Thud*

I fell to the ground face forward, with no more stamina left in me.

'Is this it? Is this how I die…., quite funny to think that I would die of starvation; And here i thought I will perish in a thrilling battle to death'

"Well looks like this is it for me, after doing everything I have done there is no doubt i would have died regardless of how?"

My consciousness started going in and out, and my vision turned blurry, I had a last thought in my mind before I completely passed out.

'Strength is everything in this world, and to attain it I will do anything ….'

***

Running in the backyard of a house was a little child, trying to catch a firefly.

"Mama, look-look what I caught" said the child in his childish voice as he ran towards a pretty woman with brown hair and black eyes.

Even in her thirties, she was a beautiful woman; at least in the eyes of a child.

"What is it Eric? Show your mama what you caught now" said the woman in a gentle and soothing tone.

"Look a glowworm" replied the child as he showed the woman a sparkling firefly which was caught in his hands.

"Oh that's pretty"

"Hehehe" the child giggled as he heard his mother's praise.

"What's so cool about catching a firefly, I am telling you what's cool is hunting a bear, yea that's what cool is" came a manly voice from inside the house.

"No, Glowworms are more awesome" said Eric, turning to face the man with a look in his eyes that said that he would not back down from an argument, if need be.

"Catching insects isn't cool, hunting is"

"No, it's amazing"

"It's girlish, what it is"

"Not it isn't"

"Yes it is and you're even more girlish" said the man.

Although the child refused to back down it was clear from his eyes which has shown signs of tearing up that he was trying his best from crying.

"Stop it dear, he is only nine years old, don't bully him too much" coming to the rescue of the child was his mother.

"Fine" said the man.

"Go and play outside, ok Eric" said the woman as she placed a gentle kiss on the child's forehead.

"Hnn….Bully father" said Eric before quickly running outside the house before anyone could say to him for what he said.

"Hahaha" came a boisterous laugh from inside the house after Eric had left.

"Yea I will catch the most beautiful glowworm and show him that they are way cooler than his hunted beasts" I mumbled to myself as I headed outside the village.

'I will show you the most dazzling and beautiful glowworm ever, father, you just wait' I vowed to myself.

But when I returned in the evening what was dazzling wasn't the glowworm in my hand rather it was the fire which was in front of me, the fire which was dancing atop the village I live in.

"Wha-what i-is hap-pe-ning? Why is the village on fire" I stared wide eyed as I stood there stunned for a whole minute.

"OH NO! MAMA AND PAPA!" I shouted.

My eyes were starting to get wet and my body started to tremble a little, I felt frightened as ran towards my house.

Coming to a stop in front of our house I was horror-struck as I saw my house burn down to ashes.

"MAMA! PAPA! MAMA!" I screamed until my voice became hoarse, but no matter what no reply came.

Feeling overwhelmed by what everything was happening, I finally fainted amidst the burning houses.

Before fainting I saw a beast come towards me with fire on its tongue.

Opening my eyes I jolted awake.

"Damn that nightmare again"

I was in broken down wooden house in which I have been living for the past year and a half, my body was completely drenched in sweat.

After calming down a little I started to get ready.

Moving out of my run-down house I directly made my way towards the center of the village where people had already started to gather and a line had already started to form.

Standing in line I waited for my turn to arrive.

*Bash*

Hearing something hitting, I turned my face to my right where a village guard was beating an old beggar.

Seeing the guard beat the old beggar no one showed any reaction, it was already a common occurrence nowadays.

In the village if you can't do the tasks you're assigned you won't get any meal or clothing or a roof to live under, unless you're born into an influential family you can only keep your eyes and ears shut and do what you're told.

The old beggar is already past his prime, he doesn't have any strength to do the work, so he can only serve as a punching bag for the big people to relieve their stress and then quietly pass to the afterlife, that is; if there is any.

'Will I end the same as that old beggar?'

Staring at the old beggar at the feet of the guard I had this sudden thought pop into my head.

'No, no, no I won't end up like hi--'

"What are you looking at?" breaking me out of my thoughts was the rough voice of the village guard.

"N-nothing…" I stuttered as the people around me took two steps back.

"You got a problem, boy?" the guard spoke in his rough voice as he approached me.

"N-no" I stuttered again feeling intimidated by the look the guard was giving me.

Seeing that I was scared of him the guard smirked and grabbed my arm, clutching it tightly.

*Ahh*

I winced in pain due to how hard he had grabbed me.

"You better not, understand?" the guard spoke while giving me a threatening look.

"Y-yes" I replied quietly.

Releasing my arm the guard walked back to his work, kicking the old beggar on the way.