Prologue

It was a peaceful fall day on the road, the sound of trees rustling and leaves falling prominent. It wasn't too warm but also not too hot, it was the ideal day. Kelric and his family were just coming back from a trip to the big city. Riding in dad's new carriage, which he managed to buy by saving enough money from his job as a blacksmith. Dad rode the horse pulling the carriage while mom and Kelric sat in the carriage. The carriage had a wooden bench on both sides and a roof made of cloth. Kelric was sitting opposite to mom, looking at the leaves falling while they were going past. Then suddenly dad yelled: "I can already see it, the gate to our great city of Waynale."Dad always exaggerated much about Waynale, even though it's just a small town. But he always tells others the great things about it because he has lived there his entire life.Kelric looked forward and saw the gate. The gate was very shabby, which was expected for a small town. It was built using good oak wood many years ago, but all that remained then was a rotting gate that was worn out all over. The gate so was overused that it found itself on the point of collapse. Discarding all the bad things about the gate Kelric still loved it, and so did everyone else from Waynale. Since it was considered as one of the treasures of Waynale. While Kelric was admiring the gate, mom said to him: "We're almost home Kellie. I know you're excited to play with your friends again and tell them about the big city, so hang on just a little longer. Okay?" Kelric let out a little smile while nodding.

The carriage started to slow down as they approached the gate. The gate was guarded by two guards who dad knew very well because they grew up together. They wore decent armor and were both equipped with a spear. They usually performed identity checks to let people into the village to make sure no criminals came in, but that wasn't needed for us because they knew us.

Dad excitedly yelled at the left guard: "Oi Artold long time, no see."

"Ah, you're finally back Ruby!" Artold answered.

"Aww come on, you know I don't like that name. Just call me Rubert"

"Hahaha! I'll always call you Ruby! Protecting the town with just the two of us was difficult, you know. Glad to have you back! Anyways how was the big city?"

Dad swiftly responded with: "It was amazi..."

His sentence was cut off in the middle, as a large monster jumped out of the ground and swallowed dad and the horse he was riding whole. "Wha-what the hell is a Gregor doing here!?" yelled the right guard. "You go get backup," said Artold very composed: "I'll make sure it doesn't get into town." The left guard ran into town to go get backup while Artold charged forward to attack the monster. The monster quickly attacked mom, but mom managed to dodge it partly. Mom was bit in half by the monster. While the monster was turning around to attack mom again, Artold caught up to the monster and managed to stab it in one of its eyes.The monster started moving erratically, which caused Artold to have trouble pulling his spear out of its eye. Artold was being thrown around in all directions because he was holding onto the spear tightly. When Artold finally managed to pull the spear out of his eye, the monster attacked swiftly and managed to bite his left arm off. Luckily Artold is right-handed, but using a spear with one hand would still be difficult for him. Blood gushed out of his arm as Artold fell to the ground, but he wouldn't give up until backup came. So he stood back up and faced the monster, mainly dodging and making sure it didn't attack anyone else.

While Artold was blocking the monster, half-eaten mom was crying while looking at Kelric. Mom decided to give Kelric her amulet which was passed down in her family and said: "Take good care of this Kellie, it's important" Kelric also started crying and accepted the pendent while nodding slightly.

"Why are you here, Harol?"

"Aren't you supposed to be at the main gate?"

While panting Harol, the guard who went to get backup, said: "Th-there's a Gregor at the main gate!"

"A-a Gregor? L-like th-the one f-from the books?"

"Men go get your weapons, prepare for a fight!" Said the commander who was in charge of the military force of Waynale. The military force of Waynale was only an experimental one since there weren't enough soldiers or even people who could decently fight. The military force existed of 22 members, which was considered a lot for a village.

"you four there go get horses, you guys will be part of the frontline with me!" he commanded. "the rest of you are part of the rear guard, make sure no Gregor gets in town!"

"Yes, sir!" they all said at the same time.

Gregors usually travel in groups. The commander knew this, but he still decided to only send him and four others to the frontlines. This was a mistake he was soon to realize.

The four men and the commander rode their horses to the main gate, on the way still securing their armor and equipment. They arrived not a moment too late, Artold was still holding on against the monster."Trying to act like a hero will get you killed, Artold! We'll take over from here" They pulled Kelric out of the carriage to make sure he didn't get hurt by the monster. "MMMOOOOOOMMMM" yelled Kelric while he got carried away by someone from the backup "It's dangerous here I have to get you away from here"

That day more than one monster attacked, it was a tragedy. 5 dead, 11 wounded. Mom and dad both died and three others from the backup. For a small village this was a big loss. Artold survived and was hailed the hero of the village. The commander didn't like that he was hailed as a hero, but he accepted it because he knew he couldn't change the outcome.

Kelric thought back to what happened then, the tragedy where both of his parents died, while he was praying in the church. Holding the amulet in one hand, and praying to the statue of the Goddess of Grace and Protection. "Please grant me thy power to protect my loved ones and my friends, O' Great Goddess of Grace and Protection, Elstra." Kelric stood up looked at his amulet for a second, clenched his fist, and thought to himself while letting out a tear: "I need to get stronger, strong enough to avoid a tragedy like then."