Haunted Memories

A new part of Terrick was born the moment he was ripped from his friends and thrown out of the crumbling portal. It was an unceasing burning anger that could only be satiated by the blood and death of his enemies. Their faces ran through his mind as he fell hundreds of feet from the air. He swore silently never to forget them as he swore an oath of vengeance in his heart. It lasted but a few moments as he was slammed against the rocks and crashed his head hard.

He found himself in the lands of the fox people, where they promptly took him in for having "red fur" just like them. An older couple, perhaps in their forties, has served as his adoptive parents. Micah and Zerna married after they have had their fill of being adventurers. In the Beast Nation where there is a plenty of untamed forces and unexplored zones; dungeons and dangerous quests are many and few are bold enough to take them. The couple made their fortune capturing dungeons and recovering treasures. They settled in a small gathering of fox huts by the main trade road to the Ogore, the capital of the Beast Nation.

By the time they retired, they were both older. This made it harder for them to conceive. After four years, Zerna bore a son they called Rickar. He was a strong and kind boy bearing the best of his parents. The heart of the old couple was filled with much love. Rickar had a warm heart and cheerful smile that never let up.

One day while Micah was away to trade with a nearby town, a wild triceratops wandered into the village. The children playing in the streets ran for cover, but not Rickar who saw that the stampeding giant has eyed a crying little fox girl. Without any concern for his safety, he screamed at the triceratops and took its attention away from the little girl. This gave the girl's parents enough time to grab her. However, the brave little boy was not fast enough to outrun a rushing dinosaur. He was trampled to death. In his face was smile knowing that he has traded his own for the life of an innocent girl.

The sight of his mangled body drove Zerna mad and by the time Micah returned, his wife has been reduced to a shell of her former self. Micah showing fortitude of unknown depths, took care of her and nursed her for years until she slowly regained her sanity.

The fledgling fox town was named Rickarton in honor of the brave boy.

When the couple found Terrick wounded and bruised, you could only imagine how the sight of him drew parallels in their mind. Zerna did not leave him for two days until he has recovered and been healed. Micah mobilized the whole town to be on high alert. It was as if they were replaying the death of their son ten years ago. But this time, they felt like they could do something about it. It was no wonder why the couple practically imprinted unto Terrick.

When Terrick regained consciousness, he was surprised to be doted on by a warm and caring couple who are all too fond of him. He resisted at first but he was weak against such things as love. As an orphan, all that Terrick ever wanted was to know what it was like to have parents who would care for him. It feed a side of him that he never knew hungered for so much. It didn't take long for him to fall into the routines of the village. As a cheerful young man, many in the village grew to like him and quickly considered him as one of their own. He excelled in the physical endeavors like carrying bricks, hunting, and farming. He was even the fastest runner in a village full of fox folk.

The young ladies would vie for his attention yet none of them seem to stir his heart. He avoided them as best as he could and politely turned their advances down, much to the young women's chagrin. Every day, he went home to the big brick house in front of the plaza where he lived along with his parents, Micah and Zerna. He was happy and content like he has never been before. It was a shame that he could not remember who he was or where he came from. But this, this felt like home and he could see himself stay here forever.