Small Village

Chapter 1

A small village was quietly rumbling about, moving on as it had always been, working everyday. It was a simple life for most and it was what one mostly desired. Well, what most people desired, aside from a young boy, with jet black hair, and blue eyes, not short, but not tall for his age.

"MARK! You put that sword down now!"

Some kids had bigger plans, although unfortunately their bodies didn't seem to have the same thoughts.

"But Mom, I'm going to become the strongest in the world, I need this sword."

"You stop your antics right there, don't even think about wielding a sword, we will live here peacefully, as we have always done, there is no need for a sword wielding maniac."

Mark begrudgingly puts the sword down, "I don't care, I'm going to learn swordsmanship!"

As Mark begins to run away, his mother sighs loudly, "You'll only bring trouble here! Why can't you just learn to enjoy the simple things?"

–

Mark lived simply with his mother, his father absent, trying to learn how to get stronger much to his mothers resistance. His town was a simple one, as simple as could get with little feuds or any action happening at all.  Especially with the town chief keeping guard. 

At one of the yearly festivals that the usually quiet village had, Mark was walking with his mother. Clearly excited, his mother was usually too strict with him and barred him from seeing the main event of the festival before and usually only let him walk around some stalls before leaving early.

As Mark looked upon a pile of copper coins, only rivaled by coins shown at the festival last year he questioned his mother.

"Why does the village elder get so much money, it's unfair!" Mark cried out.

His mother quickly shushed him, "Never question the elder out loud! Listen, he gets so much money because he is the only defense of this village, if he did not exist here our village would get plundered by common bandits!"

Mark, clearly scared by his mothers quick outburst, silently nodded and walked forward towards the main event of the festival. He walked quickly to a stage set up in the middle of the village, clearly starting to creak under the many years of wear and tear.

As the crowd began to settle, a person spoke out loud and clear, "We have gathered here today to witness the great power of the village chief as well as to give our tribute to our village savior."

A quiet clap began to echo out from the crowd. Mark watched the village elder, an old man, bald, and his face laden with wrinkles, donned in a fine cloak, slowly walk out to the middle of the crowd, and was shocked by the pile of copper coins he had seen previously disappearing with a wave of the village elders hand. Mark was clearly confused.

"Mother? What was that!" Mark questioned.

"That was village elders magic, just wait and see" His mother then pointed forward for Mark to continue to watch.

"Well my raggedly old bones might not be able to do this soon but watch upon my might!" The village elder interrupted.

The elder then began to step towards the one end of the stage which laid a giant oak log. While Mark looked on at the event confused, the village elder suddenly exclaimed aloud.

"Bestial Strength, Gorilla Infusion"

At a speed Mark could barely comprehend, the village elder lurched forward and struck the Log. Before Mark could think he suddenly heard a giant snap before he saw the log shatter around the village elders fist.

The villagers began to cheer loudly, drowning out most thought, but Mark realized something important at that moment. He stared at the log with an unyielding will. I will have that strength, unmatched by most!.