Parallel World: Fated Oracle

Chapter 4.1

Chapter 4.1 Innocence
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Six years ago. Old houses surround the country long walls of the capital. Dim light of oil lamps filled the homes of the residents of the Outer wall. Inside one of the homes.  A group of children sat on the wooden floor, a robed man sat in front of them, his cloak being bright snow. A symbol of crossed blades were stitched on his shoulders. His eyes were calm navy.

"A place beyond the walls and curses. Endless horizon of salty waters with who knows what's on the other side. It's known as The Sea from historical books in the capital."

"That's the world outside of our country and it's real!" He shared towards the children as he slowly pulled out a grey sea shell from his pouch. The children's eyes gleamed with the dim light of the fire place's warmth.

Among the children is young Nathaniel. His gaze focused on the sea shell.

"So what do you think kids? I, Kenneth, the knight. A great mage to reach so far right?" The man named Kenneth expressed with a proud smile onto his face.

The children nodded in response as they question more and more about the sea.

"Salty? Salt is crazy expensive! Merchants will take them all!" Nathaniel said as the other nod in agreement.

"Yeah! You're such a liar Mr. Kenneth!"

"Is that really true, Mr. Kenneth?" Two children blurted as the others anticipated for Kenneth's response.

Kenneth smiled softly as he shook his head.

"Yes. The sea is really big! Merchants will never have enough time to take it all!" He proudly claimed.

"Woah..." Nathaniel muttered to himself as he imagined the endless horizon of salty waters. He stood beside Kenneth, poking the sea shell with his finger.

"...Are there people? Across the sea?" Nathaniel asked, before Kenneth could open his mouth. The wooden door clicked. A tall and muscular man walked inside the dim room, carrying a heavy sack of potatoes on his shoulders.

"...The neighboring children are still awake?" He asked to Kenneth, placing down the sack as he made his way to the fireplace, adding more firewood. "I was just sharing stories to them, Ethan." Kenneth explain as he stood up.

"...I knew you were the best, Mr. Kenneth." Nathaniel expressed as he continuously poke the sea shell.

Kenneth ruffed his hair softly. "You understand? You're such a good boy, Nathaniel."

"Would you like to be a knight when you grow up?" Kenneth asked as he hid away the sea shell back to his pouch.

"...No! I don't wanna be trapped in the Outer wall or the Inter! I'll become an exorcist and fight curses and see what's really out there!"

"You sound just like papa. Why can't I become one now!?" Nathaniel asked as he crossed his arms. Ethan stole a glance from young Nathaniel, a sight that made him carve a small smile.

"...Well, if that's what your father says too you should ask him why yourself." Kenneth replied as he lifted his hand off Nathaniel's hair.

A kid among the group raised her hand.

"...Something isn't right, Mr. Kenneth. My grandma told me stories too! She said beyond the walls are just endless lands and curses. There's nothing ahead at all." She expressed as she fidgeted her fingers.

Kenneth brushed his beard with his fingers. "But that just makes my stories all greater?"

"A proof of a strong mage." He stated, immediately getting cut off by the same girl.