Chapter 3 – A New Dawn
Khisa stepped hesitantly out of the small hut, his heart pounding. The events of last night were still fresh in his mind. Would he find a world just as terrifying as the one he had woken up to?
But what he saw was... ordinary.
Women sat under the shade of a large tree, weaving mats and chatting in hushed tones. Young men gathered their spears, preparing to take the cattle for grazing. Children ran barefoot through the dust, their laughter ringing through the morning air.
The sight caught him off guard. He had expected more hostility, suspicion—something. Instead, life moved on, as if his arrival had been nothing more than a ripple in a vast river. A sense of calm settled over him, the village's rhythm lulling his nerves. Hadn't this been the kind of peace he longed for in the city? A world where people weren't just surviving but living?
He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. A small smile tugged at his lips.
"Khisa! Are you feeling better?" a young girl chirped, no older than nine. Her clothes were thin, just like his, but her eyes shone with unbothered joy.
He nodded, mirroring her smile. "Yeah, I think I am."
Thanks to the system, he spoke the language fluently, though the words still felt foreign on his tongue. He'd learn their names in time. But for now, playing like a child again didn't seem like such a terrible idea.
As he joined the other kids, a thought lingered in the back of his mind. Could he really protect this world? Their innocence, their joy—it all felt so fragile. A silent vow formed within him.
I won't let anything take this away.