" I'll kill you!."
Toki jolted awake, shouting into the quiet room. His chest rose and fell rapidly as the memory of the nightmare lingered.
He blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling - high, spotless, and bright. The room around him was large and clean, nothing like the rough ground he remembered from the forest.
The door opened.
A tall man stepped in, blond hair brushing his shoulders and a short beard framing his jaw.
His presence was calm and reassuring.
" Oh you're awake?" the man said. " How are you feeling?"
Toki stayed silent, still disoriented.
" Right," the man said with a soft smile," I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Michael Roch. I found you on my way back to the capital after a business trip. I'm a merchant."
" T-thank you... for helping me, sir, my name is Toki Margrave " he said, trying to stand - only to falter.
" Easy, kid," Michael said, steadying him." You're not fully healed yet. I thought you'd be out for atleast a month."
" ...How long was I unconscious?" Toki asked quietly.
" About two and half weeks."
Michael waited patiently, then added," By the way... how did you get hurt out there? And what were you doing ?"
Toki looked away, silent.
...No rush, " Michael said kindly." We'll talk later. For now, just rest."
He left, the door clicking softly behind him.
Toki waited until the footsteps faded, then slowly made his way to the window.
Sunlight splitted over the horizon, warm and welcoming.
" I have to go back... he whispered.
" To my village."
Toki sat beside the window, quietly watching the outside world, The capital looked nothing like his village. As he thought about everything that had happened, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," Toki said.
The door opened. A girl around his age, with blonde hair, stepped inside.
"Are you Mr. Michael's daughter?" Toki asked.
"Yes," she replied with a small smile."My name is Lucy."
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
Lucy looked at him for a moment, then asked shyly,"Are you strong?"
"I'm still not strong enough," Toki replied calmly.
"But Dad said he found you near the dangerous forest, and you were still alive," she said."So I think you're strong."
Toki turned his eyes toward her. "And what are you going to do after finding out about me?"
"Nothing important," She quickly, brushed the thought away even though she looked like she wanted to ask him something.
Trying to change the topic, she asked, "Have you ever been to the capital before?"
"No, this is my first time,"
"Do you want to walk around for a while? she asked.
"What about your dad?"
"He went out for business. He won't be back until noon. He won't find out," she said.
Toki nodded slowly.
"But my clothes..." he said.
"Oh ! Your old clothes were torn, so my dad bought you new ones."
After bathing, Toki put on the clothes.
" They look great on you." Lucy said.
"Thank you," Toki replied, strapping his sword to his side.
They went out and Toki saw many new things - shops, crowds, food, and the castle. For the first time in a long while, he felt a bit of excitement.
By noon they were walking back home through a quiet path.
Suddenly, three men stepped out and blocked their way.
"Hey, isn't that the rich merchant's daughter?" one whispered.
"Yeah, must be her."
"Let's kidnap her and ask for money," another said.
Lucy trembled and hid behind Toki.
"Move, kid," one of the men growled. "Or we'll kill you."
Toki looked at them coldly.
"Kill me? Try it. If you fail... you die."
They laughed.
One rushed forward with a dagger.
But before touching Toki, his sword flashed.
In an instant, the attacker's arm fell to the ground.
The man screamed in pain as the other two stumbled back.
Toki stared at them with frozen eyes.
"Leave. If I see you trying this again, I'll kill you."
They ran away immediately.
Lucy was terrified at first but calmed down once she saw Toki sheathe his sword as if nothing happened.
They returned home. Soon after, Michael came back.
"Mr. Michael," Toki said, "can we talk?"
Toki explained everything. Michael listened carefully, frowning slightly but grateful his daughter was safe.
After that, Toki asked if Michael could go with him to the village.
Michael agreed.
The Next Morning
They reached Toki's village. Michael stopped in shock.
Everything was burned. Houses, fields, memories - nothing was left.
Toki walked to where his home once stood. A week ago, his parent's bodies had been there. Now they were gone.
He searched the ruins and found his father's sword and his mother's ring.
With no bodies to bury, he made a small grave under a quiet tree and placed the sword and ring there.
It was the only thing he could do.
Michael stood behind him, silent.
"What will you do now?" Michael asked.
Toki lowered his head. "I don't know... but I have to get stronger."
Michael put a hand on his shoulder.
"Then live with us. Lucy wants you to stay. She she also wants you to be the one to train her. You can train yourself at the same time."
He paused.
"My wife passed away when Lucy was five. She's always lonely when I travel. You'd be a great help."
Toki nodded.
"Then I'll be in your care, Mr. Michael."
Michael smiled slightly. "Call me uncle."
"... Okay then, " Toki said quietly. "Uncle Michael."
The left.