chapter 3:

Chapter 3: Right There

As the tough-looking men scurried away, terrified by the boy's unexpected display of power, he turned back and settled down near the pond again. The tranquil surface shimmered under the bright sun, reflecting the vibrant hues of the surrounding nature. The air was sweet with the scent of blooming flowers and damp earth, a stark contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded.

However, his moment of peace was short-lived. A low growl suddenly interrupted the stillness, causing him to jerk his head up. Before him, four vicious-looking dogs approached slowly, their muscles taut and their eyes gleaming with hunger. They moved with a predatory grace, closing in like shadows. This time, however, the boy didn't flinch. Instead, he staggered to his feet, attempting to step back, his anxiety palpable as he tried to distance himself from the menacing animals.

Each step he took crumbled a dried stick beneath his foot, snapping loudly in the quiet air. At the sound, one of the dogs lunged forward, its teeth bared.

"Great, just what I needed," he muttered to himself, an edge of sarcasm creeping into his voice.

Instinctively, the boy jumped back in shock, but in doing so, he lost his footing and tumbled into the cool, dark water of the pond. The shock of the cold water overwhelmed his senses, the initial struggle for air soon giving way to a wave of panic. As the depths closed around him, fear consumed him. Does it really matter if I live? Would she even care? Or would Father? Will anyone be even a tad bit upset by my death? Probably not. Should I just give up?

In that moment of despair, he decided to stop struggling, closing his eyes and surrendering to the depths around him.

Just then, a strong hand gripped his tiny waist and the back of his head, jolting him back to reality. Startled, he opened his eyes to see a man with flowing silver-white hair and focused grayish-blue eyes staring down at him. The man's expression was calm and devoid of emotion, yet there was an undeniable strength in his presence. He was breathtakingly handsome, wrapped in light robes that fluttered around him like ethereal wisps.

With a swift motion, the man pulled him out of the pond and into his lap. As the boy sat there, water dripping from his hair, he stared at the man, mesmerized and confused. The sunlight refracted off the droplets, making them shimmer like diamonds on his skin. "W-Who are you?" the boy stammered, his voice trembling from the shock of nearly drowning.

The man regarded him with a neutral expression, briefly examining the child for any injuries. His gaze was intense, searching, and the boy felt an involuntary shiver run down his spine. "I-I said, who are you?" the boy demanded, his frustration bubbling over due to the man's apparent ignorance of his question.

"Calm down, little one. I'm not going to hurt you," the man said, his voice soothing yet authoritative.

Finally, the man stopped his examination and met the boy's gaze directly. The boy felt the weight of those eyes, and it made him uncomfortable, as if they could see right through him. Suddenly realizing he was sitting in the lap of a stranger, he jolted back, but the man's grip tightened on the back of his collar, lifting him to eye level. The boy dangled there for a moment, his anger flaring. "Hey! What do you think you're doing? Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you can do whatever you want!" he shouted, indignant.

"Who said I wanted to do whatever I wanted? I saved you, didn't I?" the man replied, his tone shifting slightly to one of amusement.

"Yeah, well, I didn't ask for your help!" the boy shot back, crossing his arms defiantly, his wet hair clinging to his forehead.

The man adjusted his hold, setting the boy down more gently as if he were merely a child in need of care. "Little kid, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice calm, husky, and deep.

"I-I was here for peace," the boy replied, trying to regain some of his earlier bravado, though it faltered under the man's steady gaze.

"Peace? By the pond? With dogs and thieves?" the man raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

"It's better than being stuck in that crowded festival," the boy muttered, shifting uncomfortably, the tension easing slightly as the man studied him.

"Do you really think staying here is safer?" the man asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

The boy shrugged, his defiance waning. "Maybe. It's just… everyone expects me to be someone I'm not."

"Expectations can be a heavy burden, but you don't have to carry them alone," the man replied, his voice softening.

The boy looked up, surprised by the man's unexpected kindness. "You really think so?"

"Of course," the man said, his eyes meeting the boy's with an intensity that made him feel seen. "Just remember, even the strongest need help sometimes."

The boy, still dripping wet, felt a mix of confusion and gratitude as he grappled with this sudden shift from danger to unexpected safety in the presence of this enigmatic figure.

The boy suddenly remembered the dogs from a while ago and began to scan the area for any sign of them, but there was none. His heart began to settle, but he still felt a strange tension in the air. Turning his gaze back to the man, he studied him for a moment longer, curiosity etched on his face.

"Mister," he began, his voice softening with a hint of innocence, "do you have a lot of responsibilities? I mean, you must, since you're an adult."

The man paused, his expression thoughtful. He glanced out over the serene pond, where the sunlight glinted off the water's surface. "Responsibilities? Yes, I have my share," he replied, a shadow of something deeper crossing his face. "But you should know, not all responsibilities are burdens. Some are privileges."

The boy tilted his head, considering this. "Privileges?" he echoed, confused. "Like what?"

"Like protecting others, helping those in need, or simply being there for someone when they feel lost," the man explained, his voice steady and warm. He turned his gaze back to the boy, who was still dripping wet but looked less anxious than before.

"Doesn't that get tiring?" the boy asked, his brow furrowing. "All that helping and protecting?"

"It can be," the man admitted, a faint smile breaking through his stoic demeanor. "But it's also rewarding. It gives life purpose. Sometimes, the hardest part is knowing when to step in and when to let others find their own way."

The boy nodded, a spark of understanding flickering in his eyes. "So, do you help everyone, then?"

"Not everyone," the man said, shaking his head. "Some must learn to face their own challenges. But when I see someone truly in need, I can't just stand by and do nothing." He paused, his expression growing serious. "Much like how I couldn't let you drown today."

The boy felt a warmth spread through him at the man's words, a feeling he hadn't expected after the earlier chaos. "I… I guess that makes sense," he said slowly, a hint of awe creeping into his voice. "But I'm just a kid. What could I possibly do that matters?"

"Every action matters, no matter how small," the man replied, his gaze unwavering. "Sometimes it's the smallest gestures that create the biggest ripples."

The boy pondered this for a moment, his youthful innocence giving way to a flicker of determination. "So, if I wanted to help others too, where would I start?"

The man smiled, a genuine warmth radiating from him. "Start with kindness. Help someone when they least expect it. Be a friend to those who feel alone. Even if you're young, your heart can be strong."

The boy's face brightened slightly at the man's encouragement. "I'll try! I can be strong. I can help!" he declared, his voice bubbling with newfound excitement.

The man chuckled softly, pleased with the boy's enthusiasm. "That's the spirit. Just remember, it's a journey, and you won't always know the way. But if you stay true to yourself, you'll find your path."

The boy felt a surge of determination, as if a flame had been lit within him. "Thank you, mister… for everything," he said, his sincerity shining through.

The man nodded, his expression softening. "You're welcome. Just be careful out there. The world can be unpredictable."

The boy glanced around at the peaceful surroundings, then back to the man. "And you? What will you do now?"

"I'll be around, watching over those who need help," he replied, a mysterious smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Just like you will."

The boy felt a strange sense of connection with the man, a bond forged in that brief moment of danger and rescue. For the first time in a long while, he didn't feel so alone. "I'll remember that," he said, his voice steady.

"Good. Now let's get you dried off before you catch a chill," the man suggested, standing up and brushing off his robes. He extended a hand to the boy, who took it with a mix of trust and excitement, ready to step back into the world with a new perspective.