The years passed quickly, and Lifu grew up amidst the rolling fields and clear skies of the countryside, blissfully unaware of his true heritage. Mara and Kofi doted on him, raising him as their own with all the love and care they could give. They had long decided to keep the harsh tragedy of Lifu’s true mother a secret, at least until he turned eighteen. They promised each other that they would only tell him the truth and present him with the necklace once he was old enough.
Lifu was a curious child, always asking questions about the world around him. He was particularly fascinated by the stories Kofi would tell him about the lands beyond their farm—tales of great warriors, powerful sorcerers, and fearsome beasts. Kofi had once been a soldier himself, before settling down to a quieter life with Mara, and his stories were filled with vivid details that fired Lifu’s imagination.
One day, as they worked in the fields together, Lifu looked up at his father with wide, earnest eyes. “Papa, do you think I could become a warrior too, one day?”
Kofi chuckled, ruffling Lifu’s dark hair. “Of course you can, Lifu. You can be anything you set your mind to. But remember, being a warrior isn’t just about strength. It’s about courage, and protecting those who can’t protect themselves.”
Lifu nodded solemnly, taking his father’s words to heart. From that day on, he began to train in secret, using a wooden sword Kofi had carved for him. He practiced diligently, swinging the sword through the air with all the determination his small body could muster.
Mara often watched him from a distance, a fond smile on her face. She worried sometimes about Lifu’s fascination with fighting, but she also knew that he had a strength and spirit that couldn’t be contained. He was destined for something greater, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was.
***
The fields were awash in the golden light of late summer when Lifu’s thirteenth birthday arrived. The sky was clear, with only a few fluffy clouds drifting lazily overhead, and the air was filled with the scent of wildflowers in bloom. It was the perfect day for a celebration, and Mara had made sure it would be a day Lifu would never forget.
When Lifu woke that morning, he was greeted by the delicious aroma of Mara’s special honey cakes, a treat she only made for special occasions. The kitchen table was already set with a feast of freshly baked bread, fruit preserves, and a jug of cold milk. As he sat down, his eyes wide with delight, Mara placed a small wooden box in front of him.
“Happy birthday, my Lifu,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “Go on, open it.”
Lifu eagerly lifted the lid, revealing a new pair of boots inside. They were made of soft, sturdy leather, perfect for running through fields or exploring the nearby woods. He beamed up at Mara and Kofi, his heart swelling with gratitude.
“Thank you, Mama! Thank you, Papa! These are amazing!” He quickly put them on, jumping to his feet to show how perfectly they fit.
The rest of the day was spent in joyful celebration. Mara had invited a few of the neighbouring children to join them, and soon the field was alive with the sounds of laughter and playful shouts. There was a game of tag, where Lifu’s new boots proved to be an advantage, and a small treasure hunt that Mara had arranged, with little trinkets hidden among the flowers and trees.
Lifu’s closest friend in the village was a boy named Tumo, a lively and mischievous Catfolk with ears that twitched at the slightest sound. The two were inseparable, always getting into some sort of adventure together, whether it was exploring the woods or pretending to be warriors defending the village from imaginary monsters.
“Bet you can’t catch me!” Tumo taunted, darting away with a quick, feline grace as they played tag.
Lifu laughed and chased after him, his new boots giving him extra speed. “I’ll catch you, just you wait!”
Despite his best efforts, Tumo’s natural agility often left Lifu in the dust, but it never bothered him. The joy was in the chase, in the thrill of running freely under the open sky. And though Tumo could be a bit of a troublemaker, he always made sure Lifu was included in whatever scheme he concocted.
Another close friend was Dineo, a girl with an affinity for earth magic, who despite lacking the training, had a natural way with plants. The hope of the village was that she would one day become an Earth Sage, if her talents continued to blossom. She was quiet and thoughtful, often content to sit by the sidelines and weave flower crowns while the boys roughhoused. But when she spoke, her words carried wisdom beyond her years.
“Here, Lifu,” Dineo said gently, placing a crown of daisies on his head as they rested under the oak tree later that afternoon. “You’re the birthday king today.”
Lifu smiled, feeling the softness of the petals against his hair. “Thanks, Dineo. It’s really beautiful.”
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the fields, the children gathered around a small bonfire that Kofi had built. The flames crackled and danced, their warm glow warding off the chill of the evening air. The group huddled close, roasting ears of corn and sharing stories.
It was during moments like these that Lifu felt most content. He didn’t know much about the wider world beyond their village, but here, surrounded by his friends and family, he knew he was loved and cherished.
***
As the weeks went by, the strange incidents began to happen more frequently. It started small—like when he was helping Mara carry water from the well, and the bucket suddenly overflowed without explanation. Or when he was playing outside, and a bolt of lightning struck nearby, startling him but leaving him completely unharmed.
One day, while playing with Tumo near the edge of the woods, Lifu had another strange experience. The two boys were sparring with sticks, pretending to be warriors in a great battle. Lifu was about to land a triumphant blow when Tumo suddenly leapt out of the way, causing Lifu to stumble and fall into the stream nearby.
“Hey!” Lifu shouted, splashing in the water as Tumo laughed. “That’s not fair!”
“Come on, Lifu! You have to be faster than that!” Tumo teased, his tail flicking with amusement.
But then, something unexpected happened. As Lifu scrambled to his feet, the water around him began to rise, forming a swirling vortex that lifted him off the ground. Tumo’s laughter abruptly ceased, his eyes widening in shock.
“L-Lifu, what are you doing?” Tumo stammered, backing away.
“I’m not doing anything!” Lifu cried, panic creeping into his voice as he tried to control the swirling water. But it was as if the water had a mind of its own, responding to his emotions and thoughts.
With a sudden burst of effort, Lifu pushed the water away, and it splashed back into the stream with a loud roar. He collapsed on the bank, breathing heavily, his heart racing from the unexpected display of power.
Tumo approached cautiously, his ears flattened. “That was... amazing, Lifu. But kind of scary, too.”
Lifu stared at the stream, the water now calm and serene, as if nothing had happened. “I didn’t mean to do it,” he said quietly. “It just... happened.”
Tumo was silent for a moment before nodding slowly. “Well, whatever it was, you’re definitely not normal, Lifu. But that’s okay. I think it makes you special.”
Despite Tumo’s reassurances, Lifu couldn’t shake the unease that had settled over him. He didn’t understand what was happening to him, and that scared him. But he kept it to himself, not wanting to worry Mara or Kofi.
Comments (2)
See all