Chapter 1: Shadows of a Humble Life

The kingdom of Eldoria, once a realm of peace and prosperity, lay nestled beneath the watchful eyes of the towering Azure Peaks. The land, rich in history and culture, thrived under the rule of wise monarchs, and its people reveled in the simple joys of life. Among them was Lysander, a commoner with an unremarkable life, and yet, his heart overflowed with contentment.

Lysander's day began as it always did, with the gentle warmth of the sun's first rays caressing his face. He rose from his modest cot, careful not to disturb his wife, Elara, who slept soundly beside him. The room was small and cozy, with walls adorned by intricate tapestries that whispered stories of the past.

He moved quietly through their humble cottage, filled with the laughter of their two children, Marius and Aria. The young siblings played with wooden toys, their voices blending into a melodious symphony that brought a smile to Lysander's face.

"Father!" Marius exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Look what Aria and I built!"

Lysander knelt beside them, admiring the makeshift castle made of wooden blocks and scraps. It might not have been a grand structure, but to him, it was a fortress of dreams. He ruffled Marius's hair and kissed Aria's forehead.

As the morning sun climbed higher, Elara joined them, her eyes still heavy with sleep. She shared a knowing look with Lysander, a silent acknowledgment of their shared happiness. They had everything they needed right here, in this moment.

But fate has a cruel way of disrupting even the most idyllic lives. It was on a day like any other that the shadow of the Harrow family fell upon them. The Harrows, infamous for their cruelty and arrogance, were nobles who reveled in the suffering of those they deemed beneath them.

It began with a chance encounter on a dusty road. Lysander, Marius, Aria, and Elara were returning from the nearby village, their arms laden with provisions. The Harrows, riding in a grand carriage, saw them and, with chilling amusement, decided to make the commoners their prey.

Lord Harrow, a rotund man with a sneer perpetually etched on his face, ordered his coachman to halt. The carriage doors swung open, and Lady Harrow, dressed in opulent attire adorned with jewels, stepped out with a wicked glint in her eyes.

"Look at these pitiful creatures, dear," she purred to her husband. "What a delightful diversion."

Lord Harrow chuckled, his laughter echoing like a sinister omen. "Indeed, my dear. Let us see how they entertain us."

The nobles' cruelty knew no bounds. They jeered at the commoners, mocking their clothes, their livelihoods, and their very existence. Marius and Aria, innocent and full of wonder, clung to their parents, confused and frightened.

Lysander felt the fiery embers of rage smoldering within him, but he dared not confront the nobles. The oppressive system favored the privileged, and commoners like him were powerless against their cruelty.

As the sun dipped below the horizon that evening, Lysander and his family returned home, their hearts heavy with the weight of humiliation. Elara, who had always been the pillar of strength in their family, wept silently in the corner, her spirit shattered.

That night, as Lysander lay beside his grieving wife, a fire burned within him, a fire that would soon engulf his entire being. The shadow of the Harrow family would not be cast over his family again, for he had vowed to protect them at all costs.

But little did he know that his journey would take him to places he never imagined, and the simple commoner would be transformed into a force to be reckoned with—a fallen hero with vengeance in his heart, and the power to exact it.