Episode 1: The Forgotten Son

In a world where power determines one's worth, Kael was nothing more than a shadow—an afterthought in the eyes of those around him. In a land ruled by the deceptive government of Ordo Maledictum, where justice was merely an illusion, strength dictated fate. While warriors and champions carved their names into history, Kael was left in the dust, mocked, ridiculed, and abandoned. But fate had other plans. When he makes the choice to walk his own path, he embarks on a journey that will test his very existence. This is the tale of a man who was deemed worthless, rising from the depths to become a force that none could ignore.

The village of Eldoria lay nestled within the valley of Mistveil, surrounded by towering mountains and lush forests that seemed to hum with ancient secrets. It was a small settlement, often overlooked by the grand cities of the empire, and its people were simple, bound by tradition and duty. But even in a village so insignificant, there were those who stood at the very bottom.

Kael was one such person.

Born into the prestigious Aldric family, known for generations of powerful warriors, Kael was expected to follow in their footsteps to wield a blade with pride, to fight with honor. But unlike his father and his brothers, he lacked natural talent. His strikes were weak, his reflexes slow, and his endurance pitiful. Where his family saw warriors in the making, the village saw nothing more than a failure.

"You’ll never amount to anything, Kael," they would often say. "Why even bother?"

Mocked by his peers, disregarded by his elders, and burdened by the expectations he could never meet, Kael lived in the shadow of his lineage. His father, Aldric, was a war hero, a legend among the kingdom’s finest knights. His older brothers, Valen and Darius, were already making names for themselves in the Ordo Maledictum’s Phantom division an elite force that operated under the guise of order but thrived in chaos.

Unlike them, Kael had never been recruited. He had never been chosen.

He had never even been considered.

His family, despite their grand reputation, only cared about maintaining their legacy. Strength meant everything to them, and Kael was nothing but a stain on their name. They smiled in public, treating him like one of their own, but behind closed doors, they treated him as if he didn’t exist.

Instead, he was given menial tasks tending to the stables, fetching water, cleaning armor that he would never wear. The village elders pitied him, and his family had long since given up on his potential. Even the children whispered about how he was the "shame of Eldoria."

But Kael endured.

Though his hands were calloused from work that held no glory, he never stopped training. He woke before dawn, practicing with a wooden sword in the hidden groves beyond the village. His movements were clumsy, his stance unrefined, but his spirit remained unbroken. Even when his body screamed for rest, even when his heart ached with doubt, he continued.

One night, as he returned from training, he overheard a conversation between his father and Valen.

"Father, let him go," Valen scoffed. "Kael is weak. He has no place among warriors. You’re wasting your breath."

A heavy silence followed. Then came Aldric’s response, his voice devoid of warmth. "I know."

The words struck deeper than any blade could. Kael felt something within him shatter, but he refused to break. He clenched his fists, turned away, and walked into the night, his mind made up.

But fate had different plans that night.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the village.

Flames erupted from the eastern gates, and the sound of steel clashing filled the air. The village was under attack. Shadows moved like wraiths, their eyes glowing with malice. Bandits? No—something more sinister. Kael watched in horror as warriors of Eldoria, men far stronger than him, were cut down in mere moments. His heart pounded in his chest, but amidst the chaos, he heard another cry—high-pitched, filled with terror.

A girl, no older than ten, was cornered in the burning streets. A hooded figure loomed over her, blade raised. Kael didn't think. He just moved.

Grabbing a broken sword from the ground, he charged. His body screamed in protest, his instincts faltered, but he refused to stop. He swung with everything he had. The assailant sneered, easily blocking his attack. Pain shot up Kael’s arm as he was knocked back, but he refused to let go of the blade. The girl clung to him, sobbing, as the attacker raised their weapon once more.

This is it, he thought.

But then, a spark ignited within him. His vision sharpened, and for the first time, he saw the strike before it landed. He moved—clumsily, but just enough. The blade missed his throat by mere inches. He reacted, thrusting his broken sword into the attacker’s chest. A sickening crunch followed, and the figure staggered before collapsing.

Kael gasped for breath. The girl was safe.

But the village was lost.

He carried the girl through the burning streets, weaving between corpses and wreckage. By the time he reached the outskirts, he saw them—his father, his brothers, and the remaining warriors. But they weren’t fighting. They were watching.

"Leave him," Valen said, barely sparing Kael a glance. "He made his choice."

Aldric said nothing.

Kael’s grip tightened around the girl. They weren’t going to help. They never had. He turned away from them, from the village that had forsaken him.

The next morning, he stood at the edge of the forest, the girl asleep in his arms. He had no home, no allies, no future.

But he had something else.

Determination.

For the first time in his life, he was free.

To be continued in Episode 2…