(Avon’s POV)

“Avon, you have to find him. You need to find him.”

I remember the voices echoing as my village was being destroyed. My mother in a worried tone asked me,

“You will do it, right? Avi?”

I had always loved my mother. Not only my mother, but also the whole village. It was my only hope, my only home and my only love. But it was destroyed; for reasons I don’t know.

Everyone was killed except me. Not because I was saved or something, but because I was a coward. I was a born coward. I couldn’t do things which children of my age would do easily. No one ever blamed me but it was always me who got into trouble and always was seen different from others.

‘Why am I like this?’

I always questioned myself but I never got the answer.

When the soldiers came marching inside with their swords, riding on their horses. I was the first one to notice them. I ran across the village and hastily knocked the door of Azur’s house. He was the village’s head. Although he was young to handle things but he was still given the post in the honor of his father, Giza. I had heard that his father had died on the way home from an operation.

“What’s the matter? Are you that hungry? What is the hurry?” He asked as he opened the door. We had nice plans of having lunch together and then go inside the forest for the log-wood.

Seeing my vexed face he immediately changed his tone from being playful to serious, “What’s the matter?” he asked me.

“The Knights are approaching. They are….”

“From where?”

“The front gate,”

“Frontal assault? Avon, You reach out to the bell and alarm everyone and send Miki to me.”

I nodded and ran through the village road towards the bell tower.

“The Knights are coming,” I screamed as ran through the village. Everyone who heard it quickly picked every weapon they could. The soldiers ran towards Uzur’s house and the normal village residents ran towards the forest for their security.

I reached the bell tower and rang the bell with as much force I can. The voice resonated all over the village alarming every person of the danger.

I took a look around the village. The once peaceful village was now going to turn into a battlefield. I couldn’t see my own people dying.

‘Why now?’

As I looked around I saw Miki running towards me.

I jumped of the bell tower and reached out to him, “Azur called you,”

“Yeah,” he answered, “I am going towards him. What about you? Where is your mom?”

“I don’t know,”

“You go, right now. Take your mother and leave….Help as many you can. Got it?”

I nodded and we both headed opposite paths. Miki picked a sword which was handed out to him by one of the soldier.

I was running and I saw my mother in far distance. She waved at me.

“Mother, we need to get out of—“

As I said a cannonball struck the ground. I looked up in the sky. There were blazing balls of flame fired at us. As I predicted the trajectory I noticed something..

“Mother, leave! Get out of here!” I screamed but it was too late.

As I said, one of the cannonballs struck beside her. Many of them fell over her. I ran towards her.

“Mother?” I said as I sobbed.

I was utterly sure that she was dead. There was blood flowing through gaps of the boulders.

“Avi?” A soft voice came through them. I started removing the boulders and saw her hand. It wasn’t moving, but it still had life in it. After removing two or three rocks I found her face.

She smiled and said, “Live…..Will you do it, Avi?”

Those were the last words she spoke. I started crying and screaming. I watched the whole town and walked across the bloodied path.

Everything was destroyed. Nothing was alive. Not even a house was intact.

As I proceeded, I found Miki lying on the ground, His face was all covered in blood and his arms nothing but lifeless. He was dead. As I scrutinized him, I saw Azur beside him.

Azur was on his knees with his hands over his face. He was crying.

“Azur?”

He looked up in surprise and ran towards me. He hugged me, “Thank god, you’re okay!” he said as he sobbed.

It was like finding him alive was the only thing he ever wanted.

As he hugged me, we heard some footsteps approaching. Azur started looking around and fixed his gaze on a wooden can.

He carried me and put me inside that can and said, “Find him and avenge our deaths.”

Before I could say anything he closed the lid and ran towards the soldiers approaching.

It was a diversion to save me, but it couldn’t save him. I had to see his death. Witness the sword plunged through his heart.

After a while, when every Knight was gone I came outside.

I cursed myself for my cowardice as I couldn’t bring myself to say anything or do anything. I watched the corpses lying around.

This was the day, I realized what losing someone is. I understood the pain Azur would went through when his father died.

This was the day, I promised myself that I would never be a coward again and I will find him. The one who will bring salvation to this world, who will avenge the death of my friends, family—the one who will set this world on the right path.

“I will find him,”

[2 Years Later]

(Avon’s POV)

‘Well, here we are.’

I looked at the sign above and saw some letters inscribed on it, ‘Kayo’.

It is a village on the outskirts near the Pearl Forest. It was once part of the Ventus Kingdom, but then was given away to the War Council for their benefit and as a token of appreciation

“I am not sure that I’ll find anything here, but it’s better to be confirmed.” I said as I stood and the village’s alley which lead straight towards a ‘Market Place’.

“Are you here to find something?” asked man who took a halt in order to have a conversation with me.

“Yes,”

“Oh! Great! So, how many day are you planning to stay here?”

I figured that he probably owns a lodge or can rent me a room. I had to live at some place, a shade is always better than open sky(at least at night).

“Um--Maybe a day or two..”

“Great! I have a room for you. Its quite affordable and neat.”

“Okay,”

“Only one thing…..you will have to share it with someone. If it’s okay with you then….”

I had no objections with staying with someone. On the other hand I had to cut down my expenses and if this guy can give me a room at a cheap price then why not.

“I guess, I will.”

“Oh! Great! I am Silvester.” the man introduced himself with a handshake. He was an old dude with brown and white drapes over him, roughly in his fifties.

“Avon Izakil. Nice to meet you,”

I said as we shook hands, “Likewise,” said Silvester as he proceeded with helping me with my luggage which wasn’t much, but I could use some help with it.

We both walked inside--down the alley where the Market place was set up. It wasn’t much crowded, but there were a handful of people trying to buy something and some trying to sell something. It was a normal Market you would see anywhere.

“So, you are here to find something or someone?” asked Silvester.

I kept my head straight and said, “I would not like to answer that,”

“Oh! Okay! I am sorry if it felt like I was prying.”

I didn’t answer and kept walking.

“I was just curious,” He continued, “No one comes to this village. It’s been long gone when people used to visit it. But after getting handed over to War Council. The visitors certainly dropped.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

“No one knows what happened, but there were rumors that War Council was preventing people to enter the village.”

‘Hmm, that is interesting. Why would they do that? And furthermore, I had no problems getting in. Maybe these are just baseless rumors.’

I nodded and kept walking till we reached the destination. It was an old shack but was well maintained.

“It will be two gold per day,” Silvester quoted as he dropped my luggage.

I had no problem with the rent as it was actually cheap than any other lodging. I reached out my purse and picked up two gold coins.

“Thanks!” I said as I handed him the coins.

“No problem. If you want anything, I live the down the lane. You can find me anytime,”

I nodded and picked up luggage and walked straight inside the shack. I was tired as i had walked all day and also had a lot of work and searching to do. So, I decided that maybe taking a nap won’t hurt.

‘Lets take a nap and then I’ll get back to my work.’

And so, I removed my jacket and headed to bed only to wake up in a hassle.