Chapter 2 : Young Nao

“Water is life. Without it, nothing can exist. Long ago, the Aelvorians were chosen by the Goddess of Water. They became the guardians of rivers,

streams, and rain, protecting the balance of nature. For their devotion, the goddess blessed them with her magic. But water is patient.

A single drop cannot cut stone, yet given enough time even mountains fall before it. The magic she granted them followed the same truth. 

It was called the Thread of Aqua, a sacred technique of the Aelvorian clans. A single strike that never lies. But like water shaping stone, it required time. 

Only when the enemy was exhausted, only when the moment was perfect, would the thread reveal itself. And when it did, the battle was already over.”

Years ago, deep within the forest, the afternoon sunlight filtered gently through the tall trees. The ground was damp from the previous night’s rain, and the scent of wet soil and moss filled the quiet air.

A small girl knelt beside a fallen log, carefully plucking mushrooms from the ground. Nao hummed softly as she placed them into a small woven basket. 

Her silver hair swayed slightly in the breeze as she searched the moss for more. Then she stopped. A strange sensation crept over her skin. Someone was watching her.

Nao did not turn around. Instead, she stared quietly at the mushrooms in her hand, remembering the words her master had told her many times before.

If a wild beast is watching you, do not panic. Do not run. Many creatures only attack when their prey flees.

Slowly, she continued collecting mushrooms as if nothing had happened.

Behind her, hidden among the thick bushes, a pair of glowing yellow eyes stared at her without blinking. The creature slowly stepped forward. It was no ordinary animal.

Its body was massive, far larger than any bear. Thick dark fur covered its body, but jagged bone-like plates grew along its shoulders and back like natural armor. Two twisted horns curved from its skull, and its claws dug deep into the soil with every silent step.

A Gravefang Beast.

Nao could feel its presence behind her. The air felt heavier now. Even the forest had fallen silent.

Still, she continued collecting mushrooms. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for another one. Master… please come soon.

The beast slowly emerged from the bushes, towering over the small clearing. Its hot breath rolled across Nao’s back as it lowered its massive head. She could feel the warmth of the creature’s body now.

It was close enough to kill her in a single movement. Nao swallowed hard but forced herself to stay still. The beast growled softly, its muscles tightening as it prepared to strike.

Time seemed to slow. 

Nao closed her eyes. 

And the creature lunged. Suddenly, a flash of steel cut through the air.

A loud clang echoed through the forest as the creature’s claws struck against a blade instead of flesh.

Nao opened her eyes in shock. Standing before her was a tall figure with silver hair flowing behind him.

Thorne Valaris.

The Gravefang Beast roared in anger and attacked again, swinging its massive claw toward him. Thorne stepped forward without hesitation, meeting the attack head on as his sword clashed against the creature’s claws.

The force of the blow pushed him several steps back across the ground. The beast was powerful.

It attacked again and again, each strike capable of tearing apart trees and stone. Thorne moved carefully, 

dodging and blocking while striking whenever he found an opening, but the creature’s thick hide and armored plates made it difficult to wound. The battle grew intense.

Dust and leaves scattered through the air as the forest echoed with the sounds of steel and claws. Nao watched with wide eyes, her small hands gripping the basket tightly.

For the first time since she had known him, her master looked like he was struggling. The beast roared and slammed its claws into the ground, forcing Thorne to step back once again.

Nao’s heart sank. Is he… going to lose? Tears began forming in her eyes.

The Gravefang Beast lunged forward again, its massive jaws opening wide as it prepared to crush him. Then suddenly, Thorne stopped moving.

He lowered his sword slightly and closed his eyes. For a brief moment, everything became quiet. Inside his mind, he heard it. The distant roar of a waterfall.

At first it was faint, like a whisper carried by the wind. But with every passing second the sound grew louder, echoing like rushing water crashing against stone. Then Thorne opened his eyes.

Before him, a thin shimmering line appeared in the air. The Thread of Aqua. A perfect path. A single strike that never lies.

Thorne stepped forward and swung his blade, following the path shown by the thread. The strike was clean and effortless, like flowing water.

For a moment nothing happened. Then the massive body of the Gravefang Beast froze.

Its head slowly slid from its shoulders before crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. The forest fell silent once more.

Thorne calmly wiped the blood from his blade before sheathing the sword. Then he turned toward the small girl standing behind him, still frozen in shock.

He looked at her basket. “Did you finish collecting the mushrooms?” he asked casually.

Nao blinked. Then she ran toward him, realizing that the man she called master was far stronger than she had ever imagined.

Nao woke with a start, the campfire crackling softly beside her. It had been a dream a memory of the day her master saved her life. Tears fell like soft drops of rain down her cheeks. She wiped them away roughly.

"I will not fear anything," she whispered to the flames.

"My father is still watching."

Far from Nao’s campfire, in a village near Mount Jaiga, the Helibian Curse was already spreading.

To be continue