The next day, the Fisher Family had dinner together. Ana was asleep. In the middle of dinner, Adelia was refilling empty bowls with food that she made throughout the day.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Henry asked the brothers if they invited Pepe.
Matteo replied that he did.
Adelia was concerned, though. If Pepe came in now, they would not have any food for a couple of days.
Henry, aware of that, got up from the table and walked towards the door.
The trio stopped eating and longingly stared at their father.
As he walked towards the door, Henry had an eerie feeling in his gut. It was too late for him to visit, and it was not the kind of knock Pepe would make. When he reached the door, he slowly opened it.
Suddenly, two strangers stumbled into the house and asked for refuge. They uttered that they were chased by bad guys.
The family was surprised. The brothers rushed to the door.
The strangers were dressed in strange clothes and wore weird accessories. They wore a cloak with a unique design of an eye. One of them had short hair whereas the other one had long curly hair. They also had pointy ears. They were massively injured.
Henry, surprised, asked them who they were and what happened to them.
Simultaneously, both of them kneeled and bowed. One of them begged that they needed their help. He urged Henry to let them stay there for a while.
The three brothers stood up. To them, they looked like intruders ready to tackle their father.
Henry glanced at them and assured them to calm down.
The two strangers glanced at the family. One of them reassured that they didn't mean any harm.
The other stranger continued that they just needed a place to stay.
Henry asked where they were from.
They divulged that they were from a city to the west.
Matteo, Stark, and Hafen were curious. They wondered what the city was.
Henry was shocked. He asked if they were really from a city. He asked if the city had electricity, buildings, and vehicles.
They nodded.
Stark was curious about what a vehicle was. Matteo wondered what electricity was.
Henry was astonished. He questioned what they were doing in the forest.
The strangers revealed that bad guys have been terrorizing them for a long time. They were being chased, but that they lost them. One of them asked again if they could stay.
Henry asserted that the forest was sacred. He demanded them to leave at once.
The pair started to cry. Their heads hit the floor. They cried that they couldn't go back, and that they had nowhere else to go.
Adelia, behind the three brothers, watched the scene unfold. The family had heard the situation they were in, and Adelia sympathized with them. She walked up to her husband. Adelia touched his shoulder and whispered into his ear that one day would not hurt them.
Henry turned his head.
Adelia revealed that she could feel their pain.
Henry inquired what she meant.
Adelia asserted that their story sounded familiar. She recalled their experience and how they lost everything. She elaborated that they escaped to the forest, and they had no one but each other. She asserted that it was not a sin to help people.
Henry pondered for a moment. He realized that she was right. He sighed and proclaimed that they could stay with them for a day.
Adelia smiled. Henry and Adelia have accepted to house them.
Hafen was confused. He wondered what the strange language the two intruders spoke was. He felt like they were having a different conversation at the same time. He had a bad feeling.
The two strangers, who were still kneeling on the ground, were relieved. They thanked Henry profusely.
Adelia asked if they were hungry.
The strangers nodded.
Adelia urged them to follow her. She led them to the dining table.
As they approached, the three kids were still on guard. Hafen questioned if they could really be trusted.
Henry explained that the pair would be staying with them for a day or two. He concluded that they could not be so suspicious of them.
The trio was not sure, though. Hafen commented that they have never seen them before. He questioned his father how he could be so trusting.
Henry responded that as long as they don't have bad intentions, he would help them out.
The family sat at the dining table and introduced themselves.
Henry revealed that they were the Fisher Family. He introduced his wife, Adelia. He introduced his sons, Stark, Matteo, and Hafen.
Adelia revealed that they lived in the forest.
The pair stared at the brothers. They were curious about them, and the brothers glared back at them.
Adelia introduced the baby, Ana.
After introducing themselves, Henry questioned what the two strangers' names were.
One of the strangers, who had long hair, introduced himself as The Exalted One.
His friend, Sabre, was introduced as well. They were brothers.
The Fisher Family was astounded by their names. Adelia giggled and commented that they were interesting names.
The Exalted One assumed that Henry's kids have never wandered outside the forest just like when they were young. He looked at his counterpart, Sabre.
The brothers stopped glaring and were intrigued by what he said. Matteo asked if there was an outside of the forest.
The Exalted One was surprised. He questioned if they had not heard about it.
Stark confirmed that they had not. He elaborated that their parents always warned them about straying too far. He mentioned the dangerous monsters in the forest. He recalled the giant snake that almost killed them.
Matteo shivered and added the giant spider that they encountered a while ago.
Hafen concluded that the outside was dangerous.
The Exalted One and Sabre chuckled. They were amused by the children's naivety.
Sabre commented that they had a lot to learn. He questioned if Henry and Adelia were protecting them.
Henry and Adelia nodded. They revealed that they did not want the children to wander the world and get into trouble.
The Exalted One, with a nostalgic look, remembered and talked about the first time that they saw the beautiful outside world. It was magical. He would do anything to see that sight again, whatever he must.
Sabre agreed with his brother.
Stark was amazed. He questioned what was outside the forest.
The Exalted One revealed that they had traveled the world. They explored new cultures and saw sights that they never imagined. It's a world of boundless adventure. The Exalted One urged them to go. He concluded that it was dangerous, but worth it.
Stark was inspired. He looked at his parents and asked if they could go.
Adelia and Henry were not amused. They shook their heads.
Hafen remarked that he never thought about it that way.
Sabre asserted that he and his brother could sense that there was latent potential in them. He continued that he was actually looking forward to seeing how the brothers grow.
Matteo, surprised, wondered what that meant.
The Exalted One clarified that he knew that the brothers could achieve greater heights than they could imagine.
Adelia placed their bowl of food on the table. She inquired on the strangers being secluded from the outside.
The Exalted One confirmed her assumption. He revealed that they ran away from their secluded village when they were young. He mentioned that the village was hidden in the mountains, and the world was not aware of it.
Sabre, next to his brother, remembered their journey and the things they had to do to survive. He grinned at the memories.
The Exalted One elaborated that they were now in charge of an organization they recently took over. Their goal was to make the world as beautiful as the first time they set their eyes upon it.
Sabre added that they have had many successes so far. However, there was a group opposing their efforts.
The Exalted One explained that the opposing group had an insatiable hunger for power. They were the bad guys after them, and they were responsible for many catastrophic events.
Matteo gasped. He wondered why people would be so evil.
Stark asked again if they could embark on a journey outside the forest.
Henry explained that the forest was their home, and their home was safe.
Stark begged his dad to take them out there. He wondered why not.
Henry, frustrated, explained that they were not ready for what was out there, yet. He looked at the strangers and asked them to refrain from the topic.
The pair nodded.
Stark sighed. Matteo wondered if their mom and dad had ever seen the outside. Hafen and Stark glanced at their father.
Henry and Adelia was silent. They looked down.
Stark wondered what was wrong.
Adelia smiled and assured the boys that everything was okay.
After dinner, Adelia and Henry started to feed Ana.
The trio went outside to show the strangers their abilities.
The two strangers looked at them in awe.
Hafen used his telekinesis to levitate rocks and pebbles.
Matteo rushed around the clearing and ran up the tree trunks.
Stark demonstrated his super strength by punching a huge rock.
After a while, the two strangers were impressed. The Exalted One commended their abilities. He continued that they had a strange signature. Sabre commented that they were strong for little kids.
Stark wondered what their abilities were.
Sabre smirked. He asked if he wanted to spar.
Stark accepted the challenge. Matteo was excited. Hafen was skeptical, though. He was not sure that the pair were good people.
Sabre, after walking a couple of meters away from Stark, prepared himself.
Stark got into his fighting stance. Dust blew away from his feet.
The strangers were in disbelief. The Exalted One commented that his power was growing, exponentially. It was unbelievable.
Stark stayed silent. His brothers watched in wonder and excitement for the outcome. Stark ran towards Sabre at full power.
Oddly, Sabre, unfazed, stood still.
Stark jumped into the air and threw a punch towards his face. He screamed and his fist connected with Sabre's arm.
Sabre had managed to block it with his arm. In an instant, the ground broke, and a small crater was formed. The sheer force pushed Sabre back as Stark landed on the ground. There was an explosion of dust. Matteo and Hafen were in awe.
Stark stared at the cloud of smoke. His hand was bloody. He was also breathing heavily. He was exhausted from one attack.
Matteo questioned if Stark just won against someone from outside world.
Stark looked at his bloody hand.
As the smoke cleared, Hafen was surprised and alerted that it was not over, yet.
Suddenly, a foot emerged from within the smoke. It stepped on the ground and kicked the dust away. Sabre stood, tall and without a scratch. He had an eerie smirk on his face. He walked towards Stark. He commented that it was not bad of a punch. He was impressed.
Stark looked shook. He muttered that he gave it his all on that attack.
Sabre explained that he had seen many fighters, but no one like the brothers. He questioned if Stark could feel it, if he could sense the thrill of battle.
Stark replied that he could not. He questioned what Sabre meant.
The Exalted One watched from the porch. He chuckled and commented that the brothers could not understand. They may be too young. It was a shame, yet it would be more exciting to see their growth.
Stark looked at his bloody hand. He clenched it.
Sabre smiled and commented that he could feel the passion for battle in his blood. He praised Stark.
Matteo and Hafen were astonished by Sabre's power. They questioned how he could block a full-powered punch from Stark.
Sabre elaborated that the brothers were special. He stated that only people who have achieved a certain level of strength could be able to use the energy that the body produces. He concluded that he could not believe that mere human kids were able to use it so easily.
As he gazed at the energy radiating in the forest, The Exalted One revealed that their bodies had a unique quality. It stored more energy than others. They were special, indeed.
Sabre menacingly walked towards Stark. He asked if he was ready.
Stark, determined, rushed towards Sabre. Hafen and Matteo were nervous for Stark.
Sabre smirked, and he, all of a sudden, rushed at Stark with a crazed look. He crouched and punched him in the gut.
Stark grunted and fell on his knees. He harshly coughed. The brothers were shocked.
Sabre, not satisfied, continued his assault. He kicked Stark's face.
Blood came from his nose and mouth. Stark fell onto his back. He laid on the ground, motionless.
As slobber fell from his cheek, Sabre stared at Stark with the eyes of a predator. He chuckled and asked Stark how he planned on surviving in the outside world if he was defeated so easily.
Suddenly, Stark's hand started to move. Hafen and Matteo were in shock.
Sabre watched, entertained.
Stark slowly and painfully sat up. He muttered that it was not over yet. He scowled at Sabre. With a fierce look in his eyes, he limped towards him.
Sabre questioned Stark's resolve and asked him why he was so desperate to be strong.
Stark, without responding, attacked.
Sabre dodged Stark's punches.
The brothers watched, in awe, as Stark kept on trying. After a while, Stark fell onto his knees. He was panting. His head was down. Hafen and Matteo exclaimed in concern. They ran to his aid. Matteo, as he reached Stark, knelt down. He was shocked to see Stark's wounds.
The Exalted One demanded Sabre to snap out of it.
Hafen questioned if his parents taught him to hold back. Hafen and Matteo glared at Sabre.
The Exalted One nervously remarked that Sabre went too far. He apologized for him.
Suddenly, Sabre laughed.
The brothers were confused. Stark looked up.
Sabre revealed that he was not even trying, yet. He still had the crazed look. Still, he commended Stark's stubbornness. He declared that Stark could not beat him with his current strength. Sabre elaborated that he had the drive, the will, and the ambition to reach his goal, but he lacked the strength.
Stark looked up at him and asked how he was so strong.
Sabre smiled. He asked if Stark could see it and if he could feel it.
Stark's eyes widened. Hafen and Matteo were also surprised.
A menacing aura emanated from Sabre. Sabre proclaimed that it was his will to live and his desire to become the strongest that made him strong. It was the energy from his body, from his soul, that defeated Stark.
Stark was astounded. He looked at his bloody hand.
The two strangers walked back to the porch.
Stark looked at them and questioned if there were more people like them.
The Exalted One revealed that the brothers were not the only special people out there.
Stark's eyes widened. Hafen and Matteo were amazed.
The Exalted One continued that there were others with similar qualities. He finished his statement by asking the brothers if they wanted to get stronger.
The trio nodded.
The Exalted One chuckled and stated that the outside world was the place to train and grow. He elaborated that there were endless mysteries and challenges.