Chapter 1 – The Race*
The sun had just risen when a cloud of dust was already rising in the heart of Morval Forest.
But the commotion wasn't caused by a wild beast or a legendary monster. No. It was the work of two figures racing at full speed between the trees: a man and a boy, father and son, locked in a fierce race.
"How do you expect to beat me if you can't even catch up, slowpoke?" Aelric teased, his deep voice echoing between the trunks.
"You'll see… I'm going to catch you!" Elric replied, panting, his breath short but his eyes shining with determination.
Aelric didn't slow down. On the contrary, he sped up, kicking up the earth beneath his feet as if dancing with the wind.
"Even if I gave you a one-hour head start, you'd never beat me in a race!" he sneered over his shoulder.
Elric gritted his teeth, his heart pounding wildly. He didn't just want to run. He wanted to win. To prove he was capable. But to him, it was all just a game.
What he didn't know was that none of these races, none of these morning challenges, were innocent.