The Voices of the Young

First Person POV: Ae-rin

I am sitting by the window in our shared sleeping quarters, I am observing the shadow of the new guards that was moving in the manor's courtyard. Their armor was shimmering even in the dim lighting, and I felt a weird feeling of both fear and comfort. Master Heuk's words always echoes in my mind, "True strength is measured by your capability to guard those that cannot fend for themselves." I wonder if I could ever be as brave as him to do that sort of stuff.

End of Ae-rin's POV

First Person POV: Su-yeon

I am clinging on to my doll tightly, I was feeling the softness of the fabric of my blanket as I was listening to Han-ju explaining the training session in his hushed by sort of authoritative tone. I did not understand everything that he had said, but I knew that it is a goal of mine to become strong like him. When Master Heuk beat the lights out of that masked attacker, it made me feel that our 'family' was being guarded by someone more powerful than any myth or legendary hero. I really wish I could maintain that type of feeling, even when the moonlight seems too dark.

End of Su-yeon's POV

First Person POV: Woo-jin

I was one of the quiet kids, but as I was listening closely as the older kids were talking about strength and unity. I started to dream of learning the art of defense so that I, also, could guard my friends against any bad guy. Today, when I saw the new guards and getting to hear Master Heuk's piercing voice, I felt a burning sensation within me, it was like a vow that even the smallest of us like me can make a difference. 

End of Woo-jin's POV

The voices of the children were combining with their hopes and fears, it was matching with the stable hum of the Redwood Estate. Their innocent reflections was a reminder as to why the orphanage Redwood Estate exists. It was not merely used as a refuge, it was a bastion of hope in an unfair world.

As the night was deepening and a soft calmness finished settling over the Redwood Estate, Heuk Cheon found himself once more on the eastern parapet. The cold night air was carrying far sounds of the new reinforcement guards' patrols. It was a reminder of the unity between the Murim Alliance and the Redwood Estate. However, his mind was still far from being at peace. The threat of past grudges and mistakes was still looming large, and he knew himself that every single day would be a battle to guard what he had built.

As the first sign of dawn falling was creeping over the Redwood Estate, Heuk Cheon was still standing on top of the eastern parapet, he was observing the outside world with the ferocity of a warrior that fought a countless amount of times. His eyes that had once caused fear all throughout the martial world, was now holding a determined promise. To guard these brats and the hope they were symbolizing. The memory of the past confrontation and the messenger's warning from the Sable Tiger Clan was still deep in Heuk Cheon's mind.

"Master..." came a gentle and stable voice behind him. It was none other than Seo Ryung. He stepped forward from the dark corridor with his customary vigilance. "Our night reports mention of unusual movements near the northern border, it was small detachments of unknown origin. They are not a part of our usual patrols, so I think they might be scouts from one of the rival groups."

Heuk Cheon's jaw started to tighten. "Then we should prepare. Let us not let them ruin what we have any longer." He was clenching his fists, and in that single second, his eyes was blazing with a predator's resolve that took back his Demon Lord days, but now, it was a power that was sharpened and focused on protection. "Inform General Kang and his group of guards to stay on high alert. We absolutely do not have any room for error."

Seo Ryung gently lowered his head. "I shall get it done, Master."

Inside the manor, it was already buzzing alive with activity. In the grand dining hall, the kids, Han-ju, Chul-woo, Ae-rin, Su-yeon, Jin-mu, Dae-hyun, Woo-jin, and Min-ah, were coming together to eat their breakfast. Their chatter had a tone of nervous excitement and silent determination, it filled the space they were in. Lee Jin-Ho was moving with them, he gave them warm corrections and words of encouragement.

"Always remember," he stated as he was arranging the wooden bowls neatly on the long table. "discipline is not just about following orders or instructions, it is also about having enough composure to properly protect your friends and your home as well. Do not worry, today we will continue our training, and each of you will be able to learn how to stand strong."

Han-ju, the unspoken leader among the kids, answered him in a low but determined voice, "We will be ready, Master Jin-Ho."

Chul-woo with his undying energy, replied also. "I want to learn stuff like that so I can guard everyone! JUST LIKE MASTER HEUK!"

Ae-rin, although she was a bit quiet, answered him with a gentle nod. Her eyes was displaying both cautiousness and hope.

Su-yeon while clinging on to her doll, whispered to herself, "I will try my best to be brace, even if the darkness comes for me."

While the adults were busying themselves with the new patrol routes and security plans were gathering in a circle on the long table in the dining hall. The older kids were serving food to the younger kids with a surprising hint of maturity, their movements was coordinated as though they, also, were a part of the Redwood Estate's defenses.

Han-ju was tall for his age and he was brimming with silent confidence, as he was pouring soup into a collection of wooden bowls. Chul-woo was jumping around from seat to seat, to make sure that every kid got a fair fix of the pickled vegetables, while the more reserved Ae-rin was asking around if anyone needed a glass of water. Su-yeon was still hugging her doll as she was taking care of the newer arrivals, Woo-jin and Min-ah, so that they wouldn't feel that out of place in the chaos. 

Not that long after the children's breakfast, Heuk Cheon had called them out to the manor's courtyard for a new kind of lesson this time. Today's martial arts training session was going to be much more complex than mere stance work. He had organized a row of wooden dummies and straw targets all throughout the courtyard, each of them was placed at weird angles and distances. Do-won and Jung-soo was sneaking a peek due to their curiosity, as this was not regular martial arts stuff.

Heuk Cheon while letting off a fierce aura in front of the children, "We have practiced discipline and basic stances of attack. Now, it is time for all of you to learn how to adapt in any situation. Enemies do not appear politely in front of you, they will strike from the shadows, maybe even rooftops, or worse, from behind. Therefore, we must treat every step as if danger is lurking in every corner."

His words did not have any hint of looking down on the children. Despite their young age, the kids were nodding with a focused determination. Han-ju started inhaling sharply, while calling forth on the composure that Heuk Cheon had been drilling into them. Chul-woo was grinning with excitement glowing in his eyes, while Ae-rin was taking calculated breaths to calm down her nerves.

A dense silence enveloped the manor's courtyard as each of the kids were moving to their designation stations. In a swift and disciplined manner, Han-ju gave a swift diagonal slash to a straw dummy, quickly dodging when a second enemy (a swinging sandbag) came to hit him from behind. Chul-woo bounced, ducked, and spun around a zone that was full of booby traps, letting his innate agility and natural instincts to guide him. Ae-rin was practicing a precise stab, then she softly stepped aside to prevent from falling into a trap.

Their movements was not near perfect at all. More than once, a child was stumbling about or that they misjudged a swing. However, Heuk Cheon did not scold any of them, he instead, corrected them with a soft, warm, and firm instructions, he made sure to guide them to view mistakes as lessons. A sense of camaraderie was booming inside as they were cheering for each other's small victories.

First Person POV: Ae-rin

When my sword initially hit the sandbag just in time for me to avoid a sneak attack, relief and pride started to manifest inside me. For a single moment, I felt like the burden of my past had lightened. Maybe, just maybe, I could become as fierce and brave as Master Heuk.

End of Ae-rin's POV