chapter 13: Five colours of fate

It had been days since Kateku began living in the wild. His days consisted of routine hunts, foraging, and trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. He found solace in the quiet isolation, far from the expectations of his royal lineage. Today was no different, or so he thought.

Kateku returned from his hunt in the late afternoon, carrying the spoils of the day—a few small animals—when he noticed something unusual in the distance. Torches flickered in the fading light, and voices carried on the wind. Instinctively, he went on high alert, hiding behind a large tree, waiting and watching.

Suddenly, out of the trees, a figure emerged—a girl with long golden hair, her features sharp and delicate, yet her face was twisted with fear. Kateku's eyes widened as he noticed her long, pointed ears. An elf. She was running towards him, tears streaming down her face, pleading desperately for help.

"Please! Help me!" she cried, her voice shaky and full of desperation.

Without hesitation, Kateku stepped out from his hiding place, instantly assessing the situation. Two men, rough-looking and heavily armed, were chasing her down. Kateku didn't need to know more. In an instant, he drew his weapon and, with practiced precision, took them both down before they could react.

The elf girl collapsed in relief, trembling as Kateku approached her. He crouched down, examining her for any injuries. "You're safe now," he said, his voice low but calm.

She nodded weakly, catching her breath, her golden hair tangled and dirtied from the chase. "Thank you…"

Kateku helped her to her feet and led her back to the small hideout he had made for himself. As they approached, however, something was off. There were unknown boxes scattered outside, filled with coins, jewels, and various goods. He hadn't left them there.

Suspicious, Kateku motioned for the elf girl to stay back. Quietly, they crept inside. The moment they entered, he heard voices—five men, sitting in a corner, laughing and talking amongst themselves. In the dim light, Kateku noticed cages lined up against the far wall. Five cages. Four of them held figures—girls, all elves, each with a distinct look, their faces dirtied and scared. The fifth cage was open—the one the golden-haired elf had likely escaped from.

Anger simmered beneath Kateku's calm exterior. These men were slavers.

Without hesitation, he moved quickly, taking down the five men with swift, calculated strikes. They barely had time to realize what was happening before they lay motionless on the ground. The fight was over in an instant.

The elf girls, now free, stepped out of the cages, each one with a unique appearance, vibrant and colorful.

Aurelion, the golden-haired elf he had just saved, had long, flowing hair like sunlight, with deep emerald eyes that shimmered with gratitude.

Sylfae, with hair the color of a sapphire sky, her eyes a piercing blue, and her demeanor calm despite her recent captivity.

Crimsonia, whose fiery red hair matched her strong-willed personality, her amber eyes burning with determination.

Viridia, with hair a deep forest green, her presence calm and earthy, almost like the embodiment of nature itself.

Liliana, the smallest of the group, with soft lilac-colored hair and violet eyes that sparkled with innocence and curiosity.

Kateku sheathed his weapon and turned to face the group of elves. They huddled together, each one gazing at him with a mix of awe and relief. Aurelion, the one he had saved first, stepped forward.

"You saved us… we owe you our lives," she said softly. "But… we have nowhere to go. Will you… will you be our master?"

The other girls nodded in agreement, looking up at Kateku with hopeful eyes. It was clear they had been through a lot—likely enslaved for some time—and now, after their rescue, they sought protection and guidance.

Kateku paused, his gaze shifting from one girl to the next. He had never asked for this. In fact, he had been trying to avoid responsibility, escaping from the very idea of being controlled or controlling others. But now, standing before these five colorful elves, he realized that perhaps he couldn't continue to run from everything.

"I'm not someone who likes being called 'master,'" Kateku said, his voice steady. "But I won't leave you to fend for yourselves either."

Aurelion smiled, the relief evident in her eyes. "Thank you… we will follow you, wherever you go."

And with that, Kateku had unintentionally gained new companions, five elves, each with their own distinct personality and strengths. They had all chosen to follow him, seeing in him something he couldn't yet see in himself—a leader.

But Kateku, as always, couldn't help but wonder, "Is this truly the beginning of my story, or am I just a passing chapter in theirs?"

each had their strengths, but all were inexperienced in the ways of survival.

Kateku had lived in the wilderness long enough to know that nature would not be kind, and neither would the world. The girls watched as he set up a simple campfire, showing them the basics of gathering wood, finding clean water, and preparing food from the land. He explained each step with a calm, methodical approach.

Kateku sat by the fire, sharpening his hunting knife as the golden flames flickered against the cave walls. Aurelion, the golden-haired elf, was sitting across from him, carefully tending to the fire. Her long, flowing hair caught the firelight, casting a golden hue around her, and her deep emerald eyes occasionally glanced at Kateku, filled with both admiration and curiosity.

"Kateku," Aurelion said softly, "why do you live alone out here?"

Kateku didn't answer immediately. Instead, he focused on his knife, the sound of metal against stone filling the air. After a moment, he finally spoke. "Sometimes, it's better to be alone. Keeps things... simple."

Sylfae, sitting nearby, looked up from the map she was studying. Her sapphire sky-colored hair draped over her shoulders as she spoke, her calm demeanor always present, even after everything they had been through. "But it doesn't have to be that way. We could help you, make things easier."

Kateku gave a small smile, but he didn't respond. He had grown used to the solitary life, but now these five elves were slowly becoming part of his world. Crimsonia, her fiery red hair glowing like embers, was nearby, practicing with her sword. Her strong-willed personality matched her fierce amber eyes, and she often took charge when they hunted together. Viridia, with her deep forest-green hair, was out gathering herbs, her presence always calm and earthy, like the embodiment of nature itself.

Liliana, the smallest of the group, with soft lilac-colored hair and wide violet eyes, sat next to him, listening intently. She was the most curious of the group, always asking questions, her innocence and curiosity shining through despite their harsh reality.

Kateku leaned back against the cave wall and looked at each of them. "You've all come a long way," he said, his voice steady. "You're surviving out here, which is more than most people can say. But remember, surviving isn't enough. You need to learn how to live, how to fight, how to adapt."

Crimsonia paused from her sword practice and looked over at Kateku, her eyes burning with determination. "Then teach us. Make us stronger."

Kateku nodded. "I've been showing you the basics. But now it's time to push further. Tomorrow, we'll start something different."

The next day, the training intensified. Kateku led them deeper into the forest, where they faced more dangerous creatures and harsher environments. Each of the elves showed their unique strengths. Aurelion's sharp instincts and quick thinking made her a natural leader among the group. Sylfae's calm, analytical mind allowed her to map the terrain and navigate through the wild with ease. Crimsonia's fierce spirit pushed her to excel in combat, while Viridia's connection with nature made her invaluable in gathering resources and healing the group. Liliana, though small and innocent, showed surprising agility and an ability to evade danger that caught even Kateku off guard.

"Each of you has a talent," Kateku said as they sat around the fire that night, their bodies tired but their spirits high. "Use those talents to survive. But remember, this world is unforgiving. You'll face things that are stronger, faster, and more dangerous than you can imagine."

Liliana, sitting closest to Kateku, looked up at him with her wide violet eyes. "Will we ever be as strong as you, Kateku?"

He smiled, a rare moment of softness. "That's up to you. But with enough time and effort, you might surprise yourselves."

As the days turned into weeks, the group became more of a family. They hunted together, shared meals, and relied on one another. Kateku told them stories from his past, about the heroes he admired—warriors like Goku, Naruto, and Luffy—who fought not just for power, but for something greater. The girls listened intently, inspired by the tales of adventure, strength, and perseverance.

One night, as they sat by the fire, Crimsonia looked at Kateku and asked, "Do you ever wonder what your story is, Kateku? You've helped us so much, but what do you want?"

Kateku paused, staring into the fire. "I've thought about it. A lot. But my story… it's not like those heroes. I'm just trying to figure things out, same as anyone else. But maybe one day, I'll find something worth fighting for."

The girls didn't press him further, but they understood. Kateku was still searching, just like they were. But for now, they had each other, and together they would survive.

As the group prepared for bed, Kateku looked up at the stars, his mind wandering back to the question Crimsonia had asked. What was his story? He didn't know the answer yet, but for the first time in a long time, he wasn't alone in figuring it out.

The days in the wild began to blur together, each one filled with training, survival, and growing bonds between Kateku and the girls. They had fallen into a routine, a rhythm in which everyone had their role to play. Aurelion, with her sharp instincts, became their scout, always alert to any danger lurking nearby. Sylfae was the strategist, plotting routes and ensuring they stayed one step ahead of any threats. Crimsonia thrived in combat, always sparring with Kateku or training the others, her fiery determination never fading. Viridia, with her natural knowledge of the forest, found food and herbs, keeping everyone nourished and healed. Liliana, though the youngest and smallest, was quick and nimble, a perfect messenger or lookout.

One day, as they sat around the campfire, Liliana leaned closer to Kateku, her violet eyes wide with curiosity. "Kateku, can you tell us another story?"

Kateku looked at her, a faint smile on his lips. "You sure you want to hear another one? I think you've heard all my stories by now."

Crimsonia, sitting across from him with her fiery red hair glinting in the firelight, smirked. "We'll never get tired of them, Kateku. Plus, we still don't believe half of them."

Kateku chuckled softly and looked up at the stars. The night sky was clear, and the two moons glowed brightly overhead. He thought for a moment before speaking. "Alright then. Tonight, I'll tell you about a warrior named Goku. He came from a race of people called the Saiyans, and he loved fighting, but not for power or glory. He fought because it pushed him to his limits, made him stronger."

The elves listened intently as Kateku began weaving the tale of Goku, describing his battles, his strength, and his undying spirit. Kateku's voice was calm but filled with passion as he recounted Goku's many adventures, from battling fierce enemies like Frieza and Cell to protecting the Earth and his loved ones.

"Goku never gave up," Kateku continued, his eyes reflecting the flames. "Even when the odds were stacked against him, even when his enemies were stronger. He always found a way to push through. And you know why? Because he had something worth fighting for—his friends, his family, his home."

Aurelion, her golden hair shimmering in the firelight, glanced at the others. "He sounds like a true hero," she said quietly. "I wonder what it would be like to be that strong, to have that kind of purpose."

Kateku nodded. "Strength isn't just about power. It's about what you're willing to do with it. Goku wasn't the strongest at first, but he kept fighting, kept getting stronger, because he knew what he wanted to protect."

The girls were silent for a moment, letting the story sink in. Sylfae, always the calm and collected one, was the first to speak. "Do you think we can be like that, Kateku? Strong enough to protect what's important to us?"

Kateku looked at her, then at the rest of them. "You already are," he said simply. "Each of you has strength inside. You've survived out here in the wild, learned to fight, to protect each other. And that's the hardest part—figuring out who or what you want to protect."

Crimsonia grinned, her amber eyes shining. "I'll be as strong as Goku one day, you'll see. Maybe even stronger."

Kateku smirked, shaking his head. "We'll see about that."

As the night wore on, the fire crackled softly, and one by one, the girls drifted off to sleep. But Kateku stayed awake, staring up at the sky, lost in thought. He had been telling them stories from his old life, stories that inspired him, that shaped his view of the world. But what about his own story? What was he supposed to fight for? What was his purpose in this strange, magical world?

His thoughts wandered back to the conversation they had a few nights ago. The girls had asked him what his story was, and he still didn't have an answer. But maybe it didn't matter right now. Maybe all that mattered was surviving, getting stronger, and finding something—anything—worth protecting.

He sighed and closed his eyes, leaning back against the cave wall. The wild had been good to him, had given him the space to think and the chance to grow stronger. But deep down, he knew it couldn't last forever. Sooner or later, something would pull him back into the world—into whatever his story was supposed to be.

For now, though, he would rest. Tomorrow would bring another day of survival, another day of training. And maybe, just maybe, another story to tell.

---

As the weeks passed, Kateku began teaching the girls more advanced survival techniques. He showed them how to hunt with precision, how to trap animals without damaging the meat, and how to forage for food that could sustain them through harsh conditions. He also taught them the art of combat—how to defend themselves not just with weapons, but with their minds, outthinking their opponents.

Aurelion, the golden-haired elf, quickly mastered the bow, her sharp instincts making her a deadly archer. Sylfae, with her calm demeanor, became adept at planning ambushes and reading their surroundings, while Crimsonia, with her fiery determination, excelled in hand-to-hand combat, becoming a force to be reckoned with. Viridia, always one with nature, learned how to use the environment to their advantage, whether it was for shelter or as a weapon. Liliana, despite her small stature, showed incredible agility and became skilled in evasion and scouting.

But Kateku didn't just teach them about survival. He also shared the stories from his old world, tales of legendary warriors like Naruto, who never gave up on their dreams, and Luffy, who set sail on an endless adventure to become the Pirate King. Each story had a lesson, a moral that helped shape the girls' understanding of their own lives.

"We all have dreams," Kateku told them one evening as they sat by the fire. "But those dreams don't come easy. You have to fight for them, no matter how hard it gets."

Crimsonia grinned, her fiery hair glowing in the light of the fire. "So, what's your dream, Kateku?"

Kateku looked at the flames for a moment before answering. "I don't know yet. But when I find it, I'll fight for it with everything I've got."