The next morning, Gohim woke up early before the sun had fully risen. The village was quiet. Birds chirped in the distance while the soft crackling of burning firewood echoed from nearby homes.
Gohim stepped outside and began preparing breakfast. He went to the storage room and brought out some beans before sitting on a wooden stool beneath a palm tree. Carefully, he removed dirt and stones from the beans.
After finishing, he placed a pot on three stones over burning firewood and poured water into it. A few minutes later, he checked if the water was boiling. Once it was ready, he poured the beans into the pot and allowed them to cook.
By around 6:30 in the morning, the food was ready.
Not long after, Mr. Kiske and the old man woke up. Gohim informed them that breakfast was ready, and both men went to wash up before returning to eat.
As they sat together eating, the atmosphere seemed peaceful, but Gohim's mind was filled with questions.
He looked at the old man.
"I forgot to ask yesterday… what is your name?"
Before the old man could respond, Mr. Kiske spoke.
"That is true. I also do not know your name, your story, or why those men were chasing you."
The old man looked at both of them before nodding slowly.
"Since both of you saved my life, I believe I can trust you."
He took a deep breath.
"My name is Kael Saryon."
Gohim listened carefully.
"I was once the Head Captain of the Thirteen Knight Squad… and this is my story."
Kael's expression darkened as he began speaking.
"After the great battle against Demon King Abel Long, my lieutenant discovered strange movements among royal officials. At first, we believed it was nothing serious, but after years of investigation, we uncovered a terrifying truth."
Gohim leaned forward.
"What truth?"
Kael's face became grim.
"Some of the king's officials were secretly working with the Demon Realm. They were planning a coup against King Tarius."
Gohim's eyes widened.
"That's impossible."
Kael shook his head.
"I wish it was. But that was not all. We discovered they had hired assassins to kill the wife of one of the Five Guardians."
Mr. Kiske remained silent.
"They believed that if they broke one Guardian emotionally, they could weaken all five. The powers of the Guardians are connected through balance. If one falls into darkness, the others can be affected."
He paused.
"But their plan failed."
Gohim frowned.
"What happened?"
"The Guardian did not become weak. Instead, he turned his anger into overwhelming power and used it to destroy Demon King Abel Long."
Silence filled the room.
"After Abel Long died, his son, Raymond Long, inherited the throne."
Kael's expression became even darker.
"He was young… but far more dangerous than his father."
"What made him so dangerous?" Gohim asked.
"The corrupt officials manipulated him. They filled his mind with lies and convinced him that King Tarius murdered his father."
Gohim shook his head.
"That's not true."
"No," Kael said. "But Raymond believed them. His hatred made him stronger than anyone expected."
Kael continued.
"My lieutenant kept investigating, but eventually, they discovered him."
Gohim's heart tightened.
"What happened to him?"
"He managed to send me a final message before he was captured. He used Lili insects—special creatures that carry messages through spiritual energy."
Kael looked down briefly.
"I immediately recognized that the spiritual energy belonged to my lieutenant, and I knew it could be tracked back to me."
"So I acted quickly."
"I ran from my quarters and hid the insect inside a prison where a condemned prisoner was about to be executed. Then I returned and erased all traces of spiritual energy from my room."
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"Then I waited."
The room became completely silent.
"A few minutes later… someone knocked on my door."
Gohim felt a chill run down his spine.
"What happened?"
"One of my servants announced that a royal official wanted to see me."
"I allowed him in."
Kael's voice became cold.
"He claimed my lieutenant had attempted to steal something from him."
Gohim clenched his fists.
"That was a lie."
"Yes," Kael replied. "And I knew it."
"He then claimed that when guards attempted to arrest my lieutenant, he fought back and was accidentally killed."
"That wasn't an accident," Gohim said angrily.
Kael nodded.
"No. It wasn't."
"I asked him one question."
"What question?" Gohim asked.
"Where is the body?"
Kael continued.
"He hesitated before telling me the body had been taken to the morgue."
"I thanked him and allowed him to leave."
Gohim looked confused.
"You thanked him?"
Kael nodded.
"Yes. If I reacted emotionally, I would have exposed myself."
"After he left, I went to the morgue."
His voice grew heavy.
"When I saw my lieutenant's body… I made a promise."
"What promise?" Gohim asked quietly.
Kael looked directly at him.
"That his death would not be in vain."
He continued.
"Before his death, my lieutenant discovered that the corrupt officials were searching for the next generation of the Five Guardians."
Gohim froze.
"They want to find them before their powers fully awaken."
Mr. Kiske finally spoke.
"So that is why those men were chasing you."
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
Gohim slowly looked at both men.
"If they are searching for the Guardians…"
He paused.
"They might come here."
Kael looked directly at him.
"Yes."
Mr. Kiske lowered his head.
"There is something I should have told you long ago."
Gohim looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Mr. Kiske stared directly into his son's eyes.
"You are one of the Five Guardians."
Gohim froze in complete shock.
"What?"
Mr. Kiske walked toward an old shelf and pulled out an ancient book wrapped in cloth.
"This book has been passed down through our family for generations."
He handed it to Gohim.
"It contains ancient techniques and secrets meant only for a Guardian."
Gohim's hands trembled as he held it.
Before he could respond, Mr. Kiske entered his workshop and returned with a sword wrapped in black cloth.
He handed it to Gohim.
When Gohim unwrapped it, his eyes widened.
The blade was beautiful.
Silver.
Sharp.
Covered with mysterious engravings.
"I made this sword myself," Mr. Kiske said.
"It is the finest weapon I have ever created."
He placed his hand on Gohim's shoulder.
"Fight with courage."
"Fight with faith."
"But never fight with hatred."
Kael stepped forward.
"We leave tomorrow morning."
That night, Gohim packed everything he needed.
Food.
Clothes.
Medicine.
The ancient book.
His sword.
He barely slept.
The next morning arrived quickly.
After breakfast, Gohim hugged his father tightly.
Tears filled his eyes.
"I promise I'll return stronger."
Mr. Kiske hugged him back.
"Then fulfill that promise."
"Goodbye, father."
"Goodbye, my son."
Kael bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
Mr. Kiske smiled.
"You are always welcome."
Gohim and Kael began walking away from the village.
Gohim turned back one final time.
His father stood silently in front of their home.
Watching.
Waiting.
Praying.
Far away on a mountain cliff, a hooded figure watched them leave.
And smiled.