Chapter 1: CH: 1 STORY OF AN OLD MAN

An older man, who was probably in his 70s, was seated in a wheelchair with a lonely smile on his face. His tired eyes were fixed on a small timer ticking before his eyes, showing him how much time he had to live. Seeing the timer decrease by a minute, he flinched a bit. But he quickly regained his posture.

[Life Force: 6 months: 2 days: 1 hour: 20 minutes]

With his trembling hand, he removed his glass and rubbed it against his shirt before putting it back on. The timer disappeared with a small flicker. His eyes fell on the thirty children sitting before him with gleaming eyes. And, from their expressions, it looked like they were expecting something good from their old grandpa.

"Grandpa, you promised to tell us a new story today. When will you start? I can't wait..." said a little girl, raising her hand. Next, the other children joined her, asking their grandpa for another story. Everyone was happy and jolly.

...

Several tourists have been staying in the mountain town of Windywillo for three days. There is a great deal of isolation from modern society in the area. Entering and exiting the region is only possible via one road. Pristine green forests surrounded the town's outskirts, a clear blue sky topped the mountains, and the air was as fresh as it could be.

This town is always crowded with tourists during winter when tourists hope to catch a glimpse of the mythical phoenix guardian beast. Despite the presence of superpowers and monsters, nobody's ever seen a phoenix.

However, things changed ten years ago when a lucky journalist, who was taking photos of the wilderness, caught a glimpse of two birds around the outskirts of Windywillo town during the winter season, and he managed to take a picture of them. A pale green fire covered one of them and a crimson red flame covered the other.

News of this incident spread like wildfire. People from all over the world, including superhumans, journalists, researchers, and many more, poured into the small town, usurping its peaceful days. But after scouring the entire region, they found nothing.

The rush to get a glimpse of the Phoenix calmed down eventually. The researchers returned to their land empty-handed as there was no other evidence other than a single photo and a journalist. One week later, the journalist who took the photo of the Phoenix duo won a jackpot in a casino. He wrote in his blog that his luck had improved ever since he saw those legendary birds.

Every winter, tourists visit the place in anticipation of seeing the legendary Phoenix duo. However, just like all mortals, they just want to gain luck or perhaps become popular. As a result, Windywillo town became a famous tourist attraction. And the lives of the people there also improved since their earnings increased.

The tourists soon learned about the oldest man alive in that town. They heard a rumor that the old man might have some information about the Phoenix duo, but he doesn't like to talk to outsiders or elders. His only weakness was kids. He usually spends his time telling stories to children, be they natives or outsiders. So, tourists often send their children to the old man, thinking that maybe he might tell them the stories of the legendary birds.

...

The old man noticed the excitement among the children. They were bickering among themselves on the topic of what story should their grandpa tell them today? War, ghosts, adventure, or maybe a story about a legendary beast.

"Ok, ok, calm down, everyone," said the old man with a small smile at the corner of his lips. He continued, "The story I am about to tell you today... It's very close to my heart. You are all the first and maybe the last to hear this story of mine... Listen carefully because at the end of the story I will ask a question, and the one to give the right answer will receive a great reward..."

Everyone became silent. The kids know that the story is about to begin. And this time, there is a reward. Their restless eyes gleamed in anticipation. Although they don't know what it's about, they know that their grandpa's stories are the most fascinating they have ever heard.

The old man began...

...

[The year 1996] [Location: St. Louis Orphanage]

Dark clouds covered the sky, with occasional thunderclaps looming over the small town of Windsville. The road was deserted, and the shops were closed. The doors and windows of all the houses were closed tightly. It was pin-drop silence, and the atmosphere of the town was gloomy.

A man with a newborn child in his arms knocked on the orphanage's front door. He was approximately 27 years old. His black hair was ruffled by the blows of the wind. His clothes were old and shabby. It was evident from his exhausted face that he had suffered an immeasurable loss and was completely broken.

After a few minutes, the door finally opened, and a middle-aged woman peeked out. She was in her early 30s. She was startled after seeing the man. It looks like she is familiar with him. She hurriedly opened the door and invited the man in.

"You look tired. What are you thinking about bringing a child in this weather?" she asked with a sigh. She looked up at the sky and shook her head. A gust of wind passed by, fluttering her long, blonde curly hair. "God, save us." She muttered and closed the door after they entered the building.

Earlier that day, the town's mayor announced that he had received information from the higher-ups about a typhoon that was supposed to pass through the heart of the town. So everyone locked themselves in their homes.

People in that town were afraid because last year, when a storm passed through Windsville, although it didn't cause much destruction, an epidemic spread soon after, killing around thirty people and rendering more than fifty with deformities and disabilities. So, superstitious beliefs played a significant part in their cautiousness.

Candles were burning near the walls and tables, dimly illuminating the room. The power supply has been shut down to prevent accidents during the storm.

The man sat on a sofa near the wall. His eyes were fixed on the tiny boy's sleeping face he was holding in his arms. He lightly touched the child's face and gave a sad smile.

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"I will bring you some tea and milk for the child," The woman was about to go to the kitchen.

"Triss," But the man grabbed her hand, stopping her. She stopped but didn't look back.

"15 years... I waited for 15 years for you to come back. And now, just when I..." Triss stuttered, holding back his tears. It's been too long since someone called her by her real name. In the orphanage, everyone calls her mother. She has almost forgotten her real name.

"Luna died last week," said the broken man in an emotionless voice.

"What?" Triss looked back with a shocked expression. Her eyes shifted toward the infant life in that man's arms. "Is that...?" She quickly kneeled on her knees and looked at the child's face.

"She left me alone with him. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Where did it all go wrong? Cops say I murdered her. Even those who I called my friends abandoned me. My brothers took everything I had. And now, they are pinning her murder on me," said the man.

His shoulders were trembling in sorrow and anger. The brothers he had always looked after all his life showed their true colors and stabbed him in the back. They took over all his properties and spun Luna's death as murder, or maybe they might be the ones who killed her.

"I should have listened to her. I should have... This is all my fault. Isn't it? I killed her," the man said as tears dripped from the corner of his eyes. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. I did everything for them, and yet..." His voice drifted off.

"Can I?" Triss gently took the child in her arms. "Oh! Look at you. You got your mother's hair. Red as scarlet blooms..." She lightly kissed the child's forehead.

The man stood up. He took a letter out of his pocket. "Luna was holding this letter when I found her. She wanted to give it to our child. I don't know what it is, but I want you to give it to him on his 18th birthday..." He placed the letter on the table.

Triss took a glance at the letter and saw a name written on it.

Alex

"What do you mean?" Triss was confused.

When she heard about Luna's death, her mind blanked out for a moment. The death of her best friend struck her hard.

"I don't want my child to grow up with the scar of a murderer's boy on his back." The man took out a folded document and placed it beside the letter. "This has everything we saved for him. Please take care of him. I am begging you. You don't have to do much... Just look after him like all the other orphans." He said, clenching his fist.

He knows that the road he is about to walk down is filled with blood and death. He doesn't want his child to face those dangers and wishes him to live a happy life. He knows that he can trust Triss with his child.

He was friends with Triss and Luna as a child. They grew up together in Windsville and fell in love together. He always loved Luna more than anyone. Luna was in love with him but never dared to confess.

However, Triss was also in love with him. And Luna found out about that, so they confessed their love for him, and he chose Luna. Triss accepted the rejection with a smile. Although her heart and dreams were shattered, she smiled at her friend's happiness. Soon after the wedding, he and Luna left town and never came back.

"What will you do?" Triss asked with teary eyes. The memories and emotions she thought she had buried deep in her heart were welling up in her heart.

"I will do what I have to do. Promise me, don't tell him about me..." That's the last words he said before leaving his child with his closest friend.

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