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Chapter 6: The Bandit's Legacy
The morning sun spilled across the fields like melted gold, painting the village with warmth. Elric's eyes fluttered open to the sound of birdsong—and the unmistakable shouting of his Grandpa.
"Elric! If you sleep anymore, you'll turn into a lazy goat!" Thorne bellowed from outside, his voice as rough as gravel and twice as stubborn.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Elric dragged himself out of bed and rushed outside, where Thorne was already stretching with the enthusiasm of a man half his age. His grandfather stood shirtless, scars crisscrossing his old muscles like a map of battles long past. Around his neck hung a thick iron ring—a bandit's token he never removed.
"Come here, brat," Thorne said with a grin. "Time to learn how to dodge rocks."
"What?!" Elric yelped just as a stone whizzed past his head.
Thorne cackled. "Lesson one of surviving in a world full of monsters—never trust someone who smiles before throwing something at you."
Thus began Elric's unusual training for the day: dodging rocks, running barefoot through thorny fields, and getting pushed into the creek twice.
Despite the hardship, Elric loved every second of it.
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Later that day…
Back at home, the air smelled of herbs and baked bread. Mira was humming to herself in the kitchen, while Lysa sat at the table pretending to "interrogate" a captured frog.
"I demand you tell me where the enemy is hiding!" she said, holding the poor amphibian over her toy cauldron.
Nia, in her cradle, giggled and clapped at every croak, her cheeks glowing with the slightest golden hue—an effect no one else noticed, except perhaps Mira, whose eyes narrowed just for a second.
Mira turned to Elric. "You've got mud on your face again."
"Grandpa said mud builds character."
She sighed, grabbed a cloth, and gently wiped his cheeks. "And does he also say breaking bones builds wisdom?"
"Only sometimes," Elric muttered.
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Nightfall.
The family gathered for dinner, laughter echoing through the small cottage. Uncle Brom had stopped by, dropping his usual wordless nod before setting a huge boar down for the meal.
"Aunt Rina's visiting tomorrow," Mira announced. "She's bringing syrup cakes."
Thorne's eyes gleamed. "I'll sharpen my fork."
After dinner, Elric sat beside his grandfather outside, staring up at the stars. The sky felt closer tonight. Something about it made his chest tighten.
"Grandpa?" Elric asked softly. "Have you ever... felt like the world is watching you?"
Thorne fell silent.
Then, he chuckled. "Boy, this world has eyes in more places than you can count. But don't let it scare you. Let it fear you instead."
The wind blew colder. In the shadows beyond the village, faint silhouettes moved. Something had begun to stir. But tonight, under his family's roof and Grandpa's arm slung protectively around his shoulders, Elric was s