Kael woke up to his mother's voice drifting up to his room through the floorboards.
"Kael, come downstairs."
He blinked, staring at the wooden ceiling beams, still caught between sleeping and waking. The morning light poured in through the small circular window above his bed, warm and golden. It was his tenth birthday, and he had almost forgotten.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes. The nightmares had stopped a few days ago, just like they always did right before his birthday. It was all too normal for Kael.
His mother said it was part of growing up—something about the body changing as you got older. He didn't really understand what she meant by that, and he didn't ask either, because he always trusted her words.
She called again, but with a softer tone this time. "Kael."
"Coming," he muttered, swinging off the bed.
He stood up and stretched, his worn out brown shirt with widened neckline hanged loose on his small frame. It was time for the ritual. She always did this on his birthdays. Every single year for as long as he could remember.
Kael padded barefoot down the narrow staircase, with one hand trailing along the wooden rail his father had carved before he was born. At the bottom, his mother stood waiting near the fireplace.
The circle was already drawn on the floor with the standard white chalk.
It glowed faintly in the morning light, with intricate patterns and symbols that looked almost like they were alive. He had seen it so many times that he didn't even think about how it worked anymore. It was now just part of the routine.
His mother looked up as he stepped off the last stair. Her dark hair was pulled back in a braid, and her warm brown eyes softened when they met his.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Mom."
"Come. Sit." She smiled and gestured toward the circle.
Kael crossed the room without hesitation and pulled his shirt off, tossing it onto the back of a nearby chair. The air was cool against his skin, but the fire crackled softly beside him, warming the space.
He sat down cross-legged in the center of the chalk circle with his back facing his mother.
There was a small mark—dark lines forming a strange symbol right in the center of his back. He used to ask about it then, and his mother would always tell him that it was a unique birthmark. Something he was born with. It's not like it hurt or anything, so he never thought much about it.
His mother knelt behind him, placing her hands just above his back.
"Ready?"
"Yeah."
She took in a slow breath, and Kael felt the shift in the air. It pressing down on him, making it feel like the room held its breath.
Golden light began to form beneath her palms. The chalk circle on the floor lit up, glowing brighter and brighter until the entire design shined like the sun. The lines pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, and Kael watched the light spread across the floorboards, creeping up the walls in delicate patterns.
Then his mother placed her hand on his back, flaring the mark to life.
Purple light burst from the symbol, spreading across his skin like vines digging through soil. It crawled up his spine, over his shoulders, down his arms—black thick lines tracing paths he could see and feel.
And then came the sharp sting. Like a needle pressing into his skin.
Kael winced as he curled his fingers into fists, resting them against his knees, but remained still. It was always like this, and all he had to do was wait it out.
His mother's hand remained steady on his back, her magic weaving through the mark in controlled waves. The golden circle around them pulsed—and then the purple glow around the mark slowly began to fade.
The lines retreated, pulling back into the small symbol at the center of his back. The light dimmed and the weight was lifted.
Kael exhaled slowly, relaxing his shoulders. The sting he felt earlier was now gone. The mark went dark and dormant once more.
His mother pulled her hand away and rested it on his shoulder, her touch felt so warm and gentle.
"Happy birthday, Kael."
He turned his head and grinned up at her. "Thanks, Mom."
She smiled back, then leaned in close and kissed him on the forehead, hiding the exhaustion in her eyes.
Kael grabbed his shirt from the chair he tossed it on and put it back on, stood up and brushed off the chalk mark stuck on his knees.
"So… do I get my gift now?"
His mother let out a small smile and reached into the small pouch on her waist. Then she pulled out something wrapped in a small pieces of fabric and held it out to him.
"Here."
Kael took it carefully, unwrapping the fabric to reveal a pendant.
His eyes widened.
The pendant was incredible—dark metal, dragon shaped with its wings spread wide. At the center sat a black gemstone that gleamed faintly in the firelight. The craftsmanship was detailed, almost too detailed.
He'd never seen anything like it.
"Whoa…"
"It's for extra protection," his mother said, her voice steady but warm. "Always put it on."
Kael didn't even hesitate. He slipped the pendant's chain over his head and let the pendant rest against his chest. It felt heavier than he expected, solid and real.
He looked up at her, his grin splitting his face. "This is amazing, Mom. Thank you!"
Before she could respond, he threw his arms around her and planted a quick peck on her cheek.
She laughed softly and hugged him back, her arms wrapping around his small frame. "You're welcome, sweetheart."
Kael pulled back, already bouncing on his heels. "Can I go now? Eren and Torin are probably already at the tree."
His mother hesitated, her smile fading just a little.
"Stay close to the village today, alright? Don't wander too far."
"I know, I know. I won't cross the boundary."
"Promise?"
He rolled his eyes. "I promise."
She studied him for a moment longer, then nodded.
"Alright. Go on."
Kael bolted for the door, his bare feet slapping against the wooden floor as he grabbed his worn-out shoes by the entrance.
"Love you, Mom!" he called over his shoulder.
"I love you too," she replied quietly.
But by the time the words left her lips, he was already gone. She could only smile and shake her head afterwards.
Kael burst through the cottage door and took off running. His feet hit the dirt path, kicking up small clouds of dust as he sprinted toward the village center. The pendant bounced against his chest with every step, solid and reassuring. He couldn't stop grinning.
Ten years old. Finally.
The village was already awake and busy at this time. Smoke curled from chimneys. Voices drifted through open windows. Carts creaked past, loaded with freshly cut timber.
"Morning, Kael!" called a woman hanging laundry outside her cottage.
"Morning!" he shouted back without slowing down.
An older man sitting on his porch raised a hand. "Happy birthday, boy!"
Kael waved but didn't stop either. He had places to be.
He cut past the woodworking workshop, where the rhythmic sound of hammers echoed through the open doors. The smell of oak shavings filled the air—sharp and earthy. A few of the craftsmen glanced up as he flew past, smiling at his speed.
The great oak tree rose ahead, its massive branches spreading wide over the village square. The trunk was thick enough that it would take five grown men holding hands to circle it. Its roots broke through the ground in twisted knots, and its leaves rustled softly from the morning breeze.
Eren and Torin were already there.
Eren sat perched on one of the lower branches, his legs dangling as he leaned back against the trunk. His black hair stuck up in every direction, and his grin was wide and reckless. He wore a patched shirt that looked like it had seen better days, but he didn't seem to care.
Torin stood at the base of the tree, adjusting his glasses nervously. His black hair was neatly bobbed, falling just above his shoulders, and his clothes were cleaner than Eren's but just as simple. He held a small wooden stick in one hand, scratching patterns into the dirt.
"Took you long enough!" Eren called down.
Kael slowed to a jog, breathing hard. "Mom made me do the ritual first."
"The birthday thing?" Eren wrinkled his nose. "That's so weird."
"It's not weird," Kael shot back, climbing onto the lowest root. "It's just… tradition or something."
Torin glanced up, pushing his glasses higher on his nose. "Did it hurt?"
"A little. But it's over now." Kael grabbed another branch and pulled himself up beside Eren. "So what are we doing today?"
Eren's grin widened. "I have an idea."
Torin groaned. "Of course you do."
"What?" Eren spread his arms wide. "Of course it's a good idea."
"Your ideas always get us in trouble," Torin muttered.
"That's what makes them good." Eren leaned forward, with gleaming eyes. "Listen. You know those two women who always tell on us?"
Kael raised an eyebrow. "The ones from last week?"
"Exactly." Eren pointed toward the dirt path leading past the tree. "They walk by here every morning around this time. We hide up here, wait for them to pass, then jump out and scare them."
Torin frowned. "That's your plan? Just… yell at them?"
"Not just yell. We scream like fiends." Eren demonstrated, throwing his arms wide and letting out a mock roar.
Kael laughed. "That's actually pretty good."
"See? Kael gets it." Eren clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, Torin. It'll be funny."
Torin sighed, pushing his glasses up again. "If we get caught—"
"We won't get caught," Eren said confidently. "We're demon hunters, remember? Stealth is what we do."
"We're not demon hunters," Torin said flatly. "We're ten."
"Details." Eren was already climbing higher into the tree, finding a branch with a better view of the path. "Come on. They'll be here any minute."