As they walked through the village, Clem's curiosity finally got the better of her. She glanced at Alaric, who seemed lost in thought, and asked, "Alaric, back in the forest... why did you say that you have no place to call home when you have the Arch Duke as your grandfather?"
Alaric sighed, the weight of his past pressing down on him. "It's a long story, Clem. But I suppose you deserve to know the truth."
Clem nodded, her eyes filled with concern and curiosity. "I'm listening."
Alaric took a deep breath and began. "I was five years old when it happened. My parents were returning to the village from the capital. They were caught in an ambush by a large horde of beasts. My mother and father... they didn't make it."
Clem gasped, her hand covering her mouth. "Oh, Alaric, I'm so sorry."
Alaric nodded, his eyes distant as he recalled the painful memories. "My grandfather, the Arch Duke, was devastated. He loved my parents dearly, and their loss plunged him into deep grief. He tried to take care of me, but every time he looked at me, he was reminded of them. I think he started to see me as a constant reminder of his loss."
Clem's eyes filled with sympathy. "That must have been so hard for both of you."
"It was," Alaric continued. "To make matters worse, I was born with a weak body. I couldn't keep up with the other kids. I had no special abilities, no strength. My grandfather decided to train me himself, hoping that I would toughen up and become stronger. But no matter how hard I trained, my body didn't improve like normal kids. He began to lose hope."
Clem frowned, her suspicion from earlier replaced with understanding. "He must have been desperate to help you."
"He was," Alaric agreed. "A few months ago, he gave up hope that I would ever improve. He became harsher, more demanding. He sent me outside the village walls to hunt, thinking that maybe the danger would force me to awaken some hidden power or at least learn to survive."
"But instead, your party members abandoned you," Clem said softly, piecing the story together.
Alaric nodded, a bitter smile on his lips. "Yes. They saw me as a burden. They left me to die in the forest, thinking I wouldn't survive the night. But somehow, I did. I found the amber stone, and everything changed."
Clem's eyes were wide with shock and sadness. "Alaric, I had no idea. I'm so sorry you went through all that."
"It's in the past," Alaric said, though his voice was heavy with emotion. "But that's why I said I have no place to call home. My grandfather and I... we have a complicated relationship. He wanted to help me, but in the end, he gave up on me."
Clem placed a hand on his arm, her touch gentle and reassuring. "You're not alone anymore, Alaric. You have me, and you have this village. We'll figure this out together."
Alaric looked at her, grateful for her kindness. "Thank you, Clem. That means a lot to me."
As they walked in silence for a few moments, Alaric couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Sharing his past had lifted a weight off his shoulders. But just as he was beginning to feel hopeful, a messenger approached them, his expression urgent.
"Alaric, Clem, the Arch Duke has requested your presence immediately," the messenger said, bowing slightly.
Clem nodded, her face serious. "We'll go at once."
They made their way back to the Arch Duke's mansion, the grand hall now feeling more imposing than ever. Alaric's heart pounded as they entered, wondering what new challenge awaited them.
The Arch Duke was waiting for them, his expression unreadable. "Alaric, Clem, thank you for coming. We have a situation."
Alaric and Clem exchanged a worried glance. "What's happening, Grandfather?" Alaric asked.
The Arch Duke sighed, his eyes reflecting the weight of his burden. "There have been reports of increased beast activity near the village. More aggressive and organized than before. We need to prepare for a potential attack."
Clem frowned, her hand instinctively moving to her dagger. "What do you need us to do, sir?"
"I need you both to scout the area," the Arch Duke said. "Identify the source of this aggression and report back. This mission is crucial for the safety of our village."
Alaric nodded, determination hardening his resolve. "We'll do it. We won't let you down."
The Arch Duke's eyes softened slightly. "I know you won't, Alaric. Be careful out there."
As they prepared to leave, Clem glanced at the sky. The sun was already dipping towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the village. "We need to hurry, Alaric. We don't have much daylight left."
Alaric nodded, feeling a sense of urgency. "I know." Alaric thought, "The amber stone's power won't work after sunset. We need to complete this as quickly as possible."
Clem turned to Alaric, her expression serious. "Do you think this increased beast activity has something to do with what happened in the forest?"
Alaric frowned, deep in thought. "It's possible. We need to stay vigilant and find out what's causing this."
They prepared for their mission, gathering supplies and weapons. As they stepped out into the village, the sakura trees seemed to whisper a warning, their pink blossoms falling like gentle tears.
They moved through the forest with practiced ease, their eyes scanning for any signs of the increased beast activity. The air was thick with tension, and Alaric's heart pounded in his chest. He could feel the minutes slipping away, the sun sinking lower and lower.
Suddenly, they heard a low growl. Alaric signaled Clem to stop, his eyes narrowing as he peered through the foliage. Ahead, a group of beasts was gathered—wolf-like creatures with fiery manes, boar-lizard hybrids with stone-like scales, and cat-like beasts with crystalline fur. Their leader, a massive bear-bat hybrid, stood watch, its eerie green eyes glowing in the dim light.
"They're here," Alaric whispered, his voice tense. "We need to find out what's driving them."
Clem nodded, her eyes focused. "I'll handle the guards. You go for the leader."
Alaric channeled his powers, his eyes glowing with a golden light. He felt the amber stone's energy surging through him, empowering his every move. As Clem engaged the guards, Alaric moved swiftly towards the leader, his steps silent and precise.
The leader beast roared, its wings spreading wide as it charged towards Alaric. He dodged its initial attack, unleashing a wave of light that slowed the beast's movements. With a swift motion, he formed a disk of pure light in his hand and hurled it at the beast, the attack slicing through its tough hide.
The beast roared in pain, stumbling back. Alaric pressed the advantage, landing a series of powerful blows. The fight was intense, but with Clem's support and his new abilities, they managed to defeat the beast and its guards.
As the last of the beasts fell, Clem looked at Alaric, her eyes wide with awe and confusion. "That was incredible, Alaric. How did you learn to do that?"
Alaric, catching his breath, shrugged. "I guess I just discovered something new. We need to move quickly before the sun sets."
They continued their scouting, moving deeper into the forest. The light was fading fast, and Alaric could feel the amber stone's power waning. They needed to complete their mission before darkness fell.
As they neared the edge of a clearing, Alaric's senses heightened. He was sensing a dense, concentrated power just ahead of them. Alaric had a suspicion that this might be the cause of the beasts' aggression and unusual occurrences. As they approached, they found something shining with two advanced-tier beasts sitting nearby it.