Chapter 4: The Covenant of Strength
Page 1
Time passes.
The night at the cottage fades away. The sound of the river becomes a distant memory.
The Grandfather looks at the infant in his hands. He sighs deeply. He clutches the necklace between his fingers.
"From this day on… you are my grandson."
Page 2
The infant calms down.
The Grandfather wraps him in an old piece of cloth. His eyes are harsh, but in them lies a warmth that refuses to show itself.
The small house is filled with crying that slowly turns into quiet breathing.
Page 3
Years pass.
Quick flashes: Mabo running and tripping. Mabo laughing. Mabo sleeping on the Grandfather's shoulder.
The name "Mabo" becomes a part of the house, the walls, and the sound of the Grandfather's voice when he calls.
Page 4
Eleven years later.
The village market is buzzing with noise, smells, and colors.
Merchants shouting. People pushing past each other. The scent of fruit fills the warm air.
Page 5
Behind an apple cart, four children watch with sharp eyes.
A bulky child smiles with easy confidence — Karki.
A short child pushes his glasses up with his finger nervously — Totoki.
A young girl watches the corners with a silence that doesn't fit her age — Yuzuha.
And a boy with strong features slowly tightens his fist… Mabo.
Page 6
The merchant gets busy with a customer.
Mabo crouches low. His eyes are fixed on the target.
Karki nods: Now.
Page 7
Mabo grabs the bag of fruit and bolts toward the alleyway.
The merchant screams: "Hey!" The merchant takes off after Mabo.
The ground shakes under his steps as he pursues him in anger.
Page 8
While the merchant is running after Mabo,
The rest of the children attack like sparrows.
Three bags of fruit vanish within seconds.
Page 9
The merchant stops. He pants. He grabs his knee.
"I'll catch you... you damn kids..."
His voice gets lost amidst the laughter of the market.
Page 10
The children turn into narrow alleys they know by heart.
Muffled laughter. Rapid breathing. Feet flying over the ground.
Then one jump… into their hideout.
Page 11
They sit on the ground. They share the fruit and eat it with genuine delight.
Mabo smiles: "Your plan was a success, Totoki. Excellent."
Totoki places his finger on his glasses with a pride he doesn't try to hide.
Yuzuha laughs. Karki chews with happy greed.
Page 12
Mabo throws an apple in the air and catches it easily.
"And me… didn't you see how I stole the bag and escaped like lightning?"
Collective laughter fills the hideout.
A warm moment. A moment none of them wants to end.
Page 13
Suddenly… a shadow stands at the entrance of the hideout.
A boy about fourteen years old. His stature is calm, but his presence fills the place.
Mabo looks at him. His smile slowly disappears.
"Mabo."
Page 14
"Our grandfather is calling you."
Mabo crosses his arms: "Leave me alone, Thian. I'm enjoying the loot."
Thian looks at him with unwavering seriousness. He takes a step forward. He grabs Mabo by his ears with merciless fingers.
"Are you still stealing from the market?"
Page 15
Mabo laughs in pain: "No… I didn't steal anything."
Thian looks at him with a squint: "You're lying."
He lets go of him. "Fine. Let's go."
Mabo crosses his arms stubbornly: "I'm not coming."
Thian turns to him with a terrifying calmness. Then he leans down and grabs Mabo by his leg.
"No one asked for your opinion."
Page 16
And he drags Mabo toward the house.
"Let me gooooo, Thian! Heeeeey!"
A cloud of dust. Mabo flails on the ground and screams as he is being dragged.
His friends burst out laughing.
"Karki! Help me!"
Karki looks at Mabo. Then he looks at Thian. For a second, Karki imagines seeing Thian with red eyes looking back at him.
Karki swallows hard and gives Mabo a throat-cutting gesture: I can't. You're on your own.
Page 17
Mabo clings to the ground with all his fingers.
"Useless," Thian says as he drags him with absolute steadiness.
Dust rises behind them.
Page 18
They enter the house.
The Grandfather looks at them.
The Grandfather slowly raises an eyebrow: "Why is Mabo covered in dust?"
Thian: "As usual. He didn't want to come."
Mabo shoots a deadly glare at Thian from behind the Grandfather.
Thian smiles a completely innocent smile.
Page 19
The Grandfather sighs: "Alright… after training, I have something to say to you."
Mabo starts to slip slowly toward the door in total secrecy.
He looks left and right, and suddenly he sees Thian looking at him.
Mabo smiles: Haha... I was just checking the door.
Page 20
The training grounds.
The Grandfather stands them in a single line. Total silence.
"Seven years of training here… is over."
No one speaks.
Page 21
Thian takes a step forward: "What is the new training?"
The Grandfather smiles a small smile.
"Today is the day of the final test. I will test your true strength."
The Grandfather goes to the corner of the yard. He picks up a massive rock with one hand. He places it in front of them.
Page 22
"The test: Hold this rock and perform one hundred squats."
Mabo looks at the rock. He looks at the Grandfather. He opens his mouth.
"What…?!"
Thian looks at the rock. He looks at Mabo. He smiles a rare, evil smile. He picks up the rock and begins with absolute calmness.
Down. Up. Down. Up.
Page 23
Mabo watches him with widening eyes.
Thian finishes the hundred. He sets the rock down quietly.
"Grandfather. I'm finished."
"Very good, Thian." The Grandfather turns. "Now it's Mabo's turn."
Mabo stands before the rock seriously. He places his hands on it. He pushes. He nudges. He jumps over it.
No movement.
Page 24
"Grandfather… it's absolutely impossible for me to do this. Don't you see this? Make it just five… Grandfather… Grandfather…"
The Grandfather sighs: "Ugh. Fine. Just five. This is the last time."
The Grandfather picks up the rock to place it on Mabo's shoulders.
But Mabo looks straight ahead.
He remembers Thian carrying the rock as if it had no weight.
Why is Thian better than me?
Something changes in his eyes.
Night falls…
And inside him is a promise of strength.
To be continued in Chapter 5