Shadows in Sunlight
Rael moved quietly along the furrowed lines of the village field, each step slow and careful. He worked from dawn, sweat beading upon his brow, hands stained with rich earth. In the background, children's laughter carried faintly across the fields, mingling with the calls of birdsong.
He paused at noon, dusting off his hands as he sat down under the shade of an old willow. He gazed out across the ripening crops, each plant a testament to patience, and let out a rare, peaceful sigh.
Just as he reached for his water jug, a shoe scuffed the dirt nearby.
"Rael! Rael, can I tell you something?" A boy ran up to him, panting and grinning, clasping tattered schoolbooks.
Rael's eyes warmed, and he nodded, welcoming the interruption. "Sit with me," he said, voice gentle. "I would like nothing more."
The boy plopped himself down onto the grass, bubbling over with excitement. "Today, we learned about the Hero! Not just any hero, mind you, but the legendary one. Everyone says that he was once just a poor kid like me, before the gods chose him."
Rael smiled and listened intently, never once drifting in his gaze, giving the boy all his attention, genuinely fascinated by every word.
"They said the mighty god watched the world and picked this boy-all alone, bullied, no friends. One day, a pillar of light shot from the sky, and BOOM! God's voice filled the air. He gave him the Demon Crusher-a sword forged from all the divine power of angels and the god himself!"
The boy waved his arms excitedly with shining eyes. "The hero was the only one who could lift it. He just picked up the blade, and golden wings burst from his back! Our teacher said the sword could split mountains and purify evil with just a single swing. Demon Crusher was the legend!
Rael leaned in closer, interested. "And what happened when he fought the demon army?"
"Oh!" The boy grinned, animated. "He made an army all by himself, drawing them from the power of light. Warriors in shining armor with blades! The hero then led them into battle, right against the demon king Azrael. Everyone said it was the largest fight in history."
Rael's face softened—no judgment, no correction. He allowed the story to flow, holding any truth he might have known.
"The hero was super brave. He didn't just fight; he saved people. They say he formed cities from light itself, and when Azrael threatened the world, the hero faced him on the last battlefield. He split the sky with Demon Crusher! All the angels cheered!"
The boy embraced his knees, lost in reverence. "Everyone thinks the hero died right after defeating the demon king, but he-he didn't run away, right Rael? He became the greatest legend ever."
Rael reached over, ruffling the boy's hair. His voice was kind, almost sad. "Heroes inspire hope. Their stories deserve to be told, just like your teacher said."
The boy looked up, thoughtful. "If I could be a hero, I'd want a sword like Demon Crusher. I'd protect everyone and make sure the world was peaceful forever."
Rael chuckled softly, his heart touched by the boy's dreams. "You would be a noble hero."
Abruptly, clouds slid over the sun, casting the field in deep gray. Rael looked toward the horizon. Somewhere, behind myths and fate, old powers stirred-but for now, there was just the warmth of a shared story.
The bell rang in the distance and the boy leaped up, waving. "Thanks, Rael! I'll tell you more tomorrow!
Rael watched the boy run, a soft smile lingering on his face. He knew legends were built on dreams and heroes often wore the face of innocence.
He sat under the willow, his gaze straying to a far-off glint, shining faintly at his side: Breseark, forged from sacrifice, resting in quiet promise.
As dusk fell, Rael returned to work in a world at peace, truth obscured by layers of legend and sunlight. Chapter Three End