Revy Gray Warped World Reflections

The rain pattered against the leaves of the ancient forest surrounding the Southern Kingdom of Etri, the gloomy sky mirroring the somber mood that had settled over the land. The trees stood tall and proud, their branches weaving together to form a canopy that shielded the ground from the heaviest drops. It was a tranquil scene, one that belied the strange disturbance that echoed from within the sacred cave, a disturbance that had drawn the attention of the village elders.

Thirteen cloaked figures made their way through the saturated underbrush, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps blending with the whispers of the rain. Their curiosity grew with each step, their eyes narrowing as the cries grew clearer. As they approached the cave's entrance, the elders heard something that seemed out of place in the quiet sanctity of nature: the muffled sobs of a child. The sound grew more distinct, tugging at their hearts and compelling them to investigate further.

Entering the cave, they found a boy of no more than ten years old, sprawled on a damp stone, his eyes tightly shut as if trying to ward off a nightmare. His grip on a crimson katana was so fierce that the veins in his tiny hands bulged. The weapon's glow was the only source of light, casting eerie shadows on the cavern walls and illuminating the path of tears on his cheeks. The sight was so incongruous with the peaceful setting that the men could not help but feel a tremor of unease.

The elders approached cautiously, their robes whispering against the stone floor. The boy's cries grew louder as if in response to their intrusion, yet he remained asleep, lost in his distress. The largest of them, a man named Mayr, stepped forward, his burly arms reaching out to comfort the child. With surprising tenderness, he lifted the sobbing figure into his embrace. The moment the sword was released, a sudden jolt of energy surged through the air, causing the other elders to stumble back in shock.

The crimson katana lay there, pulsating with an unnatural aura, its blade seeming to hum with a mournful tune that resonated with the heartbeat of the mountain itself. The elders stared at it in horror, knowing they had stumbled upon something far beyond their understanding. The boy, now cradled in Mayr's arms, stirred. His eyes snapped open, revealing irises the color of a stormy sky—a stark contrast to the serene environment of the cave.