CHAPTER 3

THE INSCRIPTIONS

Four years later, Alex was eleven years old. One morning, as Melina was about to step out, she turned to Alex and said, "I'm going to sell the materials I made."

Alex looked up at her and asked, "Mum, can I go with you?"

"No, you can't," she replied.

"Why not?"

Melina sighed and said, "Haven't I told you how dangerous it is out there?"

"Yes, you have, but I've been inside for so long. I don't even know what it means to be free."

Melina exhaled softly and said, "Son, I'm sorry you feel that way, but I don't want to have any reason to worry."

With a concerned look, Alex asked, "Worried about what, Mum?"

She hesitated, remembering a dream she had, then sighed and said, "Okay, fine. Go get dressed. Let's spend some time together outside the house."

Excited, Alex ran off to his room. Melina watched him go, a soft smile on her face, then whispered to herself, "I might not have much time with him, so I'll take every chance I get."

Alex took his mother's hand as they approached the city gate on a rented carriage. Two guards stood at both ends of the entrance. Seeing them for the first time, Alex asked, "Mum, who are they?"

"They are the kingdom's guards, stationed to protect the outskirts of the land," she explained.

Alex was fascinated. He had never seen real swords and spears before, and he stared at them in awe.

One of the guards approached and searched their goods before collecting a fee in silver coins. As the gate was opened for them, Alex asked, "Mum, what was that all about?"

"It's protocol, Alex. Anyone coming from outside the kingdom has to follow these rules." She smiled and added, "This is why the Kingdom of Nathan is one of the greatest of all. It has the most capable security and a rich culture. That's why I come here to sell my clothes without regrets."

With a determined look, Alex said, "Mum, one day my name will reign among the legends of this kingdom."

Melina smiled. "I know, son. And I will live to witness your greatness." She pulled him into a hug before they continued their journey on foot.

As they walked through the bustling marketplace, Alex's attention was drawn to a group of kids playing nearby. Sensing his curiosity, Melina smiled and said, "You can join them after we set up my stall."

Alex hesitated. "Don't worry, Mum. I'm here to help you anyway."

"Thanks, son, but I insist. You've never played with kids your age before, and I can see the excitement in your eyes."

Grinning, Alex replied, "Thanks, Mum! I'll help you arrange everything first, then I'll go."

"Sure, sweetie."

After helping her for a while, he stepped forward and said, "Mum, I'll be leaving now."

"Okay, sweetie. Be back by six."

"Okay, Mum. Thanks!"

As Alex wandered through the market, he saw a group of boys his age playing. Nervously, he stepped forward and said, "Hi, I'm Alex. Can I join in?"

One of the boys smiled. "Sure, why not? My name is—"

Before he could finish, a taller boy interrupted, looking at Alex with a suspicious smile. "Of course, you can, Alex, right?"

Something about his tone felt off, but Alex nodded.

"Why don't we play a game? I'm sure you'll love it... Alex."

Alex hesitated. "Um… sure… why not?"

As he was about to follow, one of the boys grabbed his arm and whispered, "Please, don't."

Confused, Alex whispered back, "What? Why?"

The taller boy smirked. "Come with us, Alex. Let's go play."

Alex glanced at the frightened boy who had warned him but decided to follow anyway.

They led him into a dark alley where sunlight barely reached. Suddenly, Alex realized he was surrounded.

The tall boy stepped closer. "You're new here, aren't you?"

Alex felt uneasy but replied, "Y-yeah… I am."

"Good. What does your mum sell in the market?"

"Clothes, blankets, and other things," Alex answered cautiously.

The boy smirked. "Now, count how many of us are here."

Alex hesitated before replying, "Five."

The boy's smirk widened. "Good. Now go to your mum's stall and bring us one piece of clothing each."

Alex frowned. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that. If you want some, you can buy them. I'll even tell my mum you're my friends so she can lower the prices."

The boys laughed mockingly.

"You don't get it, do you? I said, bring us the clothes… unless you want something bad to happen."

Alex clenched his fists. "And why would anything bad happen?"

The tall boy's face twisted in anger. He shoved Alex and growled, "You made the wrong choice, Alex."

Before Alex could react, the boys lunged at him, throwing punches and kicking him. He cried out in pain as they laughed and continued their assault.

Suddenly, Alex stopped moving. His body trembled, covered in blood and dust. Then, he lifted his head—his eyes glowing red.

The boys hesitated, fear creeping onto their faces.

But instead of running, the tall boy grabbed a stick and charged at Alex. However, as he swung, his body froze mid-motion. His entire frame shook as Alex barely pushed him—sending him flying backward with unnatural force.

The other boys screamed and ran.

Alex's fingernails turned black as glowing inscriptions appeared on his left arm, and a fiery symbol burned onto his forehead like molten metal.

The tall boy, now crawling backward in terror, stammered, "P-please… I didn't mean to… please don't hurt me!"

Alex—or whatever he had become—spoke in a deep, layered voice, "Why don't we play a game? What's your name? You never told me."

"M-my name… is Dave."

"Dave… what a nice name."

Suddenly, Alex screamed in pain, clutching his head before collapsing.

Moments later, Melina arrived with a group of people, including the boy who had warned Alex earlier. She rushed to her son, cradling him. "Alex! Alex! Alex!"

Dave sat in shock, unable to speak.

When Alex regained consciousness, he groaned, "Mum… what happened?"

Relieved, Melina sighed. "Alex, why are you covered in bruises?"

Nicol, the boy who had warned Alex, stepped forward. "Alex, are you okay? I'm sorry I couldn't stop this. That's why I ran to get your mum as soon as you left with them."

Melina nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Nicol. I'll take him home now."

As she held Alex's hand, her eyes widened when she saw strange inscriptions on his wrist.

"Alex, what is this?"

He looked at his wrist, confused. "I… I don't know, Mum. I don't remember what happened."

Melina swallowed her fear. "Okay, son. Let's go home."

As they rode back, Alex slept peacefully, but Melina stared at the inscription, her mind racing.

"Isn't it too soon? Or… is this something else?"

She kissed Alex's forehead and whispered, "Oh, my son… I hope you don't lose your way in this world."