DAWN OF MYSTERIES: INCEPTION

A young boy, Kai, at the tender age of 13, sat attentively on the lap of an enchanting elf woman. Her age remained a mystery, appearing as though she could be in the beginning of 40s. Known by everyone as Lilly, the ethereal lady had resided in their village for over a millennium. Despite her age, there was no one in the village who could rival with her extraordinary beauty. Her lustrous black hair was tinged with hints of violet, and her irises displayed a mesmerizing blend of colors that appeared differently from afar. Rumors circulated that Lilly's name changed every 150 years, adding to her enigmatic persona.

In the warm embrace of Lilly's presence, Kai, the son of a revered village hero, listened with rapt attention to the tales she narrated. The stories recounted the exploits of true heroes, their legendary battles, and the immense hardships they faced to survive and conquer the catastrophic calamity that had plagued their village for over 10,000 years. People in the village attributed these recurring disasters to the machinations of the devil. Every 28 years, a catastrophe struck, ranging from floods and earthquakes to meteor showers, leaving behind individuals who were awakened by extraordinary powers. Magicians, superhumans, soldiers, and many others emerged from the aftermath.

"Kaiiii!"

A sudden voice interrupted the boy's contemplativeness, pulling him back to reality. "Oh, it's Mom," he realized that it has been long since the sun disappeared beyond the horizon. Kai glanced at Lilly, longing to hear the rest of the captivating story. Lilly had regaled him with various tales, including those of butterflies, the majestic Phoenix, and the origins of mermaids. While those stories were meant for children, this one felt different, holding the promise of unraveling the truth about his father and the world's past.

"Well then, Kai dear, let's continue this story another time! Go to your mom, have some food, and let your dreams flourish, okay?" Lilly said as she gracefully rose from her chair. Annoyance flushed over Kai's face, yearning to discover the story's conclusion. He sulked and reluctantly replied, "Okay." He bounded towards the door, darting onto the ground outside.

The village houses were elevated on stubs, about 2.5 meters above the ground. Kai spotted his mother, Kayal, patiently waiting for him outside the house. A radiant smile lit up her face upon catching sight of her beloved son. Kayal, despite being in mind 30's,possessed a youthful appearance reminiscent of a woman in her 20s. She wore minimalist clothing fashioned from jute—a crop top paired with a skirt—accentuating her strong physique. The village inhabitants, retained close connection with nature, donned similar attire. They were a community of robust and disciplined warriors, molded from their early years, perpetually prepared for the unforeseen moment they might be chosen for the recurring game.

Kai raced towards his mother, who enveloped him in a warm embrace. "I missed you," Kai whispered.

A tender response fell out of her lips,

"I missed you too," accompanied by a gentle kiss planted atop his head. Kayal looked around and inquired, "Where are the other kids?" Kai replied hesitantly, "They went to the forest to hunt." The words sent a shiver down her spine. She held Kai's hand and hurried to walk away. Suddenly she sensed an uncanny feeling and seized walking. Kayal turned her head and caught Lilly who had a smirk on her face. Kayal's eyes blazed with suspiciousness, while Lilly stood there serenely smiling with all her mysteriousness inside her.