The tavern was warm, filled with the smell of ale and smoke. Mugs clinked, and voices shared wild stories. At a rough table by the fire, an old sailor leaned in, his voice low. "You've heard of the portal, haven't you? Out past the cliffs, it's full of treasure—gold, gems, secrets older than the hills. Some say it makes you live forever." His hands waved, catching the fire's glow. "Others talk of weird powers. A crew went in long ago. Most never came back. But some say a few did, With strange magic. They drank from a hidden spring, the story goes, and death couldn't touch them. The rest? Dead… or worse."
The tavern door creaked open, stopping the sailor's story. A boy walked in—maybe sixteen, with worn-out clothes. He sat down, ignoring the stares, and called to the barkeep. "Food. Whatever's hot."
A man at the next table, laughed. "You look like you crawled out of the woods, lad. First time in a village?"
The boy glanced at him, eyes sharp but open. "Where's the food around here?"
The man pointed to the counter, where bread and stew steamed. "Right there. Name's Kai, by the way. Village protector." His voice held quiet pride, but he lefts after knowing his name.
he didn't just walk into the meat shop—he burst in. He banged the door hard, then pushed it open, startling the butcher. Ignoring the man's shouts, He grabbed roasted pork and ate like he was starving. When he was full, he slumped against a crate, meat juice on his face and shirt, and fell asleep, snoring loudly.
"What in the gods' name is this?!" The butcher's yell shook the shop. He stood over the boy, face red with anger. "This kid ate half our meat and turned my shop into a mess!"
Another worker, wiping greasy hands, joined in. "Oi, you little thief! Wake up!"
He woke, confused, blinking at the angry faces. A crowd was growing outside, curious. Kai, walking by on his evening rounds, pushed through the people. His presence made them step back. "What's going on here?" Kai asked, his voice calm but firm.
"He broke in, ate our meat, and passed out!" the butcher snapped, pointing at the boy, now tied with rope. "He's a thief!"
Kai looked at kid, who stared back, half-defiant, half-sleepy. "Is that true, boy?"
Boy shrugged, the ropes digging into his wrists. "Was hungry. Didn't think it'd cause this much fuss."
Kai's face hardened. "Stealing's no small crime. You're coming with me to the square. We'll sort this out properly." He grabbed the rope, pulling up boy firmly but not harshly.
They hadn't gone far when the air felt wrong—a chill of danger. Shadows moved on the hill above the village, and Kai stopped. Bandits. Their weapons shone in the dim light, their laughs sharp and wild. "Stay here," Kai whispered, pushing boy behind a twisted tree. "Don't move."
Kai ran toward the village, where screams were starting. The bandits came fast, like wolves, but Kai fought like a storm. His sword glowed with magic, he'd practiced since he was a kid. One bandit fell, then another, dropping under his quick hits. The villagers cheered from their hiding spots, but then a huge figure stepped forward.
They called him Rook—the Elephant. His arms were thick as logs, his eyes cold as stone. Stories said he broke out of a prison in the Land of Gods. He moved like a falling mountain, unstoppable. Kai dodged one punch, but the next hit his chest hard. He crashed to the ground, pain burning, vision blurry.
Lying there, half-awake, memories hit him. His father, burning in flames, his voice steady even then: "Kai, you're not weak. One day, you'll find your strength." The words hurt now, mocking him as the village burned. Smoke rose into the evening sky, and screams filled the air.
Rook stood over him, grinning. "Some protector," he taunted, pressing a boot into Kai's chest. "You're nothing. This village dies with you."
Kai's breath caught, pain and shame mixing. "Go ahead," he rasped, voice barely there. "Kill me. A weakling who can't save his people… doesn't deserve to live."
Rook's arms closed in around Kai's head like a vice, muscles tense, breath heavy. The air hissed—
whoosh—
and then—
BAM!
Boy's foot slams into Rook's back. Rook crashes through the house, splintering wood and debris flying everywhere. Kai, dazed, stares at boy steps out of the flames,
steady, composed, like he belonged to the fire.
For a heartbeat, Kai thought… Father?
Rook staggers to his feet, brushing off dust, his voice sharp as a blade.
"Who the hell are you?
"Me?" the figure said coldly, stepping fully into view.
"I am Taro Frossfin Lee."
"I am on way to "fourfold heaven".