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A life changed

Kairios.

"Wake up or you'll be late!" Mom yells from the kitchen.

"Your breakfast is already cold!"

Sh*t, I slept in again. I really over did it last night at the river. I jump out of bed and look for my training gear. I was so tired last night that I just threw it all into a big messy pile.

"Kairi, big brother Kairi! Please walk me to school today!" Begs my little sister Karmina.

I'm going to be late for sure now. Btu I can't refuse my little sister.

"I'm leaving now so if you can keep up, I'll walk you to school." I shout as I run down the stairs. Theres no time for me to grab anything to eat, I would have to worry about that later.

I live in a small town, a few days ride outside of the capital. My mother and father live in the biggest house in town. Father is Mayor and Mother cooks the meals and looks after the town's left-behind children. So many Elvish parents died in the battle for the throne, the town was filled with orphans now. Thankfully my brothers and I were too young and my dad too important to the town to be sent to battle. I am the oldest of my three siblings.

My brother Raymus was a year younger than I and a bookworm. Father always said he would be the one to take his place as Mayor when it was time to step down. Normally, as the oldest that would have been my duty but it was always clear to Father that I was meant for more than that.

My younger brother was a troublemaker, Fairor, was always grounded or in some form of community service for his misdeeds. He always would say after Mother and Father went to sleep that he would run away and live a life of a professional criminal. Stupid Fairor would be able to do it to. He was the least favorite member of the family and most shunned in town.

Lastly my little sister Karmina was the closest I was with in the house. She was so pure and innocent. I took a very protective stance over her. Karmina was so friendly and she was loved by the whole town. Everywhere she went ladies would comment on her hair and dress or give her flowers and random trinkets the play with. She was spoiled for sure but was always kind to others.

I am the oldest son. I am 24 years old; I was born with strong Elvish powers, powers that were becoming more and more uncommon. I was so far passed all the students in my age group that I had to be taught individually by the town's eldest mistress. Her powers with nature were unparalleled and she taught me everything she knew. Soon I would be a fully trained Elf. I am also in training to become a knight; my sword skills are top of the class and I am unrivalled with a bow.

One day I'll bring order back to this Kingdom. I'll be the strongest Knight and bring the true ruler back to the throne, if only we knew where the lost Princess was. She has to be alive. I had a feeling from a very early age that my destiny was to be with the princess. If I ever found her, I would give her my life so the kingdom had the ruler it was meant to have. Queen Adara was an evil ruler after she had taken over the throne from the true King and Queen. The lands entered an age never seen before to these troubled peoples.

It was announced that the princess was taken from her room at night and everyone was to look for her. Unfortunately, they had no clues to work off of and searched blindly for her. A few days into the search Queen Acantha went missing and King Edmund was slain during his search for the princess. Now Queen Adara has taken the throne and named her son, Lycus as heir and married Marcus solidifying her hold over the kingdom. The few who rose against her were put down in a matter of days, it was known as the shortest and least successful battle of our history.

" Have a good day my loves" Moms usual farewell when we leave the house.

I walk my sister to school and notice the day is so beautiful. There's a strange feeling in the air though, what could it be?

" Have a good day Karmina, I'll see you at dinner."

" Bye big brother don't be late!" Karmina reminds me.

...

"How do you expect to fulfill your destiny if you are always running late? It will just walk on by you and you will wake up one day lost in destiny's plan. You're spoiling a gift that the Elvish people dream of having because you're too lazy to get up in the morning." Why did she always have to scold me?

"If you know I'm going to be late, doesn't that make me on time?" I ask before I think what I'm saying. Sure enough I get a slap on the leg with the old woman's wooden staff.

"Mind your tongue." She scolded. “Well, you better eat before you show me what you were practicing so late by the river. You always miss breakfast when you over do it." She turned to walk away from me, this woman always knew what I was up to somehow.

I scowl behind her back, because she's the only one who knows about my secret training spot. As we sit down, I quickly get over it. Mistress Elnora is like a Grandmother to me, I treasure my time with her as I know she does with me. I don't need to have lessons with her as my powers have matched hers a long time ago but we meet regardless to spend time together.

"I was practicing for my skills test. I damaged too many trees; it took almost all my energy to fix them." I admit with a bit of shame.

"Did you draw on the power of the Moon and water to help?"

"No, I wanted to see if I could do it using my natural power."

"And were you able to heal the trees you damaged?"

"Yes Mistress, you know I would have stayed till they were healed fully." I stated almost annoyed.

"Yes, yes I know you have a deep love and respect for the forest of the lost."

"Mistress, I hesitate do you feel anything in the air today?"

"Kairios, today is the day you've been dreaming of." She says in a wispy voice.

There's no point to say anymore, I've learned that if you don't get a straight answer first there won't be one. The morning passes by quickly and we eat lunch before I'm off to my skill test. I should be nervous like all the other students but I have faith in my powers.

....

That was basically a waste of time! They call that a test? I should train them on how to be better sword fighters. I should be glad I passed without breaking a sweat but I'm not. It leaves me frustrated that this is what is acceptable as training, no wonder the kingdom is so messed up. At this rate there will be no hope for the kingdom. We will be lost in a sea of weakness.

I walked to my spot by the river without realizing it. I'm still so mad that I rip off my shirt and throw it into a messy pile along with my gloves and sword belt. When I approached the river, I got a sense of calm as I close my eyes and focus on making the water bend to my will. When I stretch out my hand, I can feel the thin ribbons of water loop around my arm. A sound in the near distance draws my focus.

What was that sound, rocks falling? Is someone climbing over the ridge? I make sure my water whip is ready for attack. A girl with fire red hair stumbles around the corner, I can't take my eyes off her for some reason. I feel my whip drop to the ground in a splash. Her golden eyes look at me a bit confused but excited.

"Please...... help me...." Shes says so quietly that I barely hear it.

She's falling! I run to try and catch her but I'm too late. She falls on the rocks leaving a large cut across her face. As I pick her up, I see there are many scars all over her visible skin and there is a lot of visible skin. Why is she only wearing this little dress it doesn't even cover her legs?

I carry her over to the river side. Her body is so warm, does she have a fever" I pulled some water to help heal the wounds and to cool her down. I look at her small face and realize this is the woman I've been waiting for. Her golden eyes open slightly,

"I've been dreaming of you." Is the last thing the forest hears that night.

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