Chapter 3: A Child of Destiny

The year 1298, Deep within a dense forest, a man in his early forties was hard at work. His large, muscular frame swung an axe with ease, splitting firewood in rhythmic strokes. Sweat dripped down his weathered face, his black hair clinging to his neck as he worked. This man was Eldric, once a sword saint of great renown. Now, he lived a quiet life in exile, far from the kingdom that had once revered him. His past, filled with honor and betrayal, was something he chose not to dwell on.

As he worked, the forest around him grew eerily silent. The usual sounds of wildlife vanished, replaced by an overwhelming stillness that sent a shiver down his spine. Then came a loud crash, shaking the ground beneath him. In the distance, Eldric could hear the creatures of the forest, monsters, and animals alike, fleeing in panic.

"What in the world…" Eldric muttered, gripping his axe tighter. His instincts, honed by years of battle, screamed at him to investigate.

He followed the disturbance, moving swiftly through the thick forest. As he approached the source of the crash, his sharp eyes caught sight of something strange. In the middle of a small clearing, surrounded by trees and bathed in a soft glow, was a cradle.

Eldric's breath caught in his throat. The cradle was nestled within an Ancient magic circle, in unknow language he had never seen before, its symbols glowing faintly with a soft, otherworldly light. The air around it hummed with mana, thick and powerful. He had seen his share of magic in his time, but this was different, far more potent than anything he had encountered.

Inside the cradle, lying peacefully, was a baby.

The child, swaddled in soft cloth, held a small pendant in his tiny hand. He had silver hair, but what truly stunned him were the baby's eyes, crystal blue, shining with a mysterious light. The boy giggled, completely unaware of the magical aura surrounding him as if everything was just a game.

Eldric knelt beside the cradle, his heart pounding. He didn't know where this child had come from or who had left him there, but the immense mana radiating from the baby was undeniable. The magic circle, ancient and powerful, flickered as Eldric reached out.

"What… are you?" he whispered, feeling an odd pull toward the child. His rough hands shook slightly as he lifted the baby into his arms. The boy cooed softly, his sparkling blue eyes gazing up at Eldric with an innocent trust that pierced his hardened heart.

Eldric's mind raced. This child, whoever he was, was not ordinary. The magic that surrounded him was far beyond anything Eldric could understand, yet the boy seemed content as if waiting for him.

He glanced at the pendant the baby held. It was simple, yet engraved with an unfamiliar name: "Ray". Eldric traced the letters with his finger, his brow furrowing. Whoever had placed the boy here had left him with a name, but nothing else.

The thought of leaving the baby crossed his mind for only a second. Eldric had seen enough loss and abandonment in his life, he would not be the one to add to it. No matter how strange the circumstances, he couldn't turn his back on a defenseless child.

With a deep breath, Eldric stood, holding Ray securely in his arms. He took one last look at the fading magic circle, the symbols disappearing into the earth, before turning and making his way back through the forest.

---

Eldric's small hut was a modest dwelling, tucked away from the world. It had served him well during his years of exile, but now it would serve another purpose—raising a child. As he laid Ray down on a makeshift bed, Eldric couldn't help but feel a strange warmth settle in his chest. The boy had been abandoned, yes, but there was something about him that felt familiar, almost fated.

The pendant in Ray's tiny hand shimmered faintly, catching the dim light of the fire. Eldric stared at it, lost in thought. He had no answers—no explanation for why this child had appeared in his life, but something told him that Ray was meant for a greater destiny.

Eldric had lived in solitude for years, cast out from the kingdom for reasons he kept buried deep. His sword, once a symbol of his strength, now lay untouched in the corner of his hut. He had sworn never to raise it again. But as he watched over Ray, a flicker of purpose reignited within him.

For the next few days, Eldric cared for Ray, growing more attached to the boy with each passing moment. Ray was a quiet baby, rarely crying, and when he did, it was only to seek Eldric's attention. Those crystal blue eyes watched him closely, as if understanding more than any child his age should.

One evening, as Eldric sat by the fire, Ray nestled in his arms, he couldn't help but smile at the boy. "You've got something special about you, kid," Eldric said softly, brushing a hand over Ray's silver hair. "I don't know why you ended up here, but I'm not going to let you face the world alone."

The baby cooed in response, gripping Eldric's finger with surprising strength.

Eldric's heart swelled. His life of exile had been filled with isolation and bitterness, but now, with Ray in his arms, he felt a glimmer of hope. He didn't know what the future held for the boy, or for himself, but he was certain of one thing.

For Ray, whatever destiny awaited him, Eldric would be there to protect him.

---

Days turned into weeks, and Eldric's bond with Ray deepened. The boy's presence breathed new life into the old swordsman, giving him purpose where there had once been none. 

But for now, Eldric will keep his past a secret, until the boy grows enough to understand the ways of the world, choosing to focus on the joy Ray brought into his life. The sword saint of old was gone, replaced by a father figure who would do anything to protect this child.

Though the forest around them remained their sanctuary, Eldric knew the peace wouldn't last forever.