A cloudless day began with the sun burning brightly into the eye of children daring to stare at it, hoping to uncover its secrets, unknowingly causing undesired damaged to their eyes. The children were sitting on the outskirts of their town by the lake that gifted the people with food.
"Things are gonna be different, today," proclaimed a boy with blonde hair and green eyes. He had been staring at the sun for just under 12 seconds, hoping to outlast his competitor.
"Yeah, right, dork," bantered another boy, looking of similar age. His dark hair shone wonderfully while his blue eyes unwaveringly gazed into the ball of flame that gave the world it's light.
A girl sat underneath the tree a little distance away, listening to them converse in the heat while they blinded themselves with the sky. The ancient tree provided substantial protection from the adverse effects of summer as she rested her eyes from studying the book she was gifted the day before.
Her birthday had been fairly uneventful due to her parents being away from the village as long as they have been. Taking care of herself and her younger sister had always been the short-haired tomboy's main priority.
The only reason she's been allowed to spend any time outside of her home was when she put her sister to sleep. Always being sickly and in pain allowed the sisters to get medicine from the local doctor for the younger of the two to sleep through the pain and help get over the sicknesses.
"Hey, Alice, we're about to leave!" shouted the blonde-haired boy, causing the girl to open her deep purple eyes to watch the boys walk up the hill, rescuing their friend from solitude.
"Alrighty!" she shouted as she got up and closed her book, intending to continue it another time. Alice looked through the branches of the tree behind her and saw the the sun had already climbed to it's peak, indicating that it was already afternoon.
"C'mon, Jack! We don't wanna make her wait," called the blonde to the black-haired boy. The former started to run ahead of his companion and raced toward their mutual female friend.
"Why the hurry, Norn? It's not like it'll take all day to get there...", trailed off Jack as time seemed to slow. 'Why does this feel familiar? And why does it feel like something bad is about to happen?' thought Jack.
Time resumed normally as Jack caught up to the pair that had been patiently waiting on their companion. The feeling faded as he saw the smiles on their faces as they taunted him for his sluggishness.
The pair of boys held out their hands as Alice grabbed them and started leading the way for them.
"I know neither of you can see, but that's just an even better reason to stop staring at the sun every day," ridiculed Alice as the boys sheepishly smiled.
The trio decided to pay one last visit in the town before returning home for their evening meals. The few hours they had remaining was spent in the library, researching the history of glorious heroes and renowned adventurers.
The three of them planned to spend each day until they become adults at the age of 15 learning as much as they can about being the most respected roles in the world. As the three parted ways, they each said their goodbyes and promised to see each other the following day.
Norn went home to his mother and father waiting at the door with dinner ready on the table, greeting him with warm affection as they asked about his day with his friends.
Jack's house was lit from the dining room with his mother waiting on the porch as dinner was finishing up in the oven, causing him to smell his meal just before the door.
When Alice returned to her home, she immediately went to preparing small meals for both her and her sister. Only making enough for the both of them to have one serving. Each week, the sisters received an allowance for them to purchase the food and medicine they needed to survive, seeing as their parents only returned a few times out of the year, usually after each of the sibling's birthdays.
"Norn, you look like you have something on your mind. You care to tell us about it?" asked Norn's mother, Bella. She seemed genuinely concerned about her son and hoped he hadn't caused any trouble.
"Yeah, Norn, you can tell us," reinforced Drake, his father. "Anything you need to vent about, we're here," the parents continued.
"It's just," Norn paused to sigh, expressing the amount of weight his mind has had for the recent time he's been thinking about what's troubling him, "I've been wondering what I want to do in five years. I don't know what path I want to take."
Bella and Drake exhaled heavily as they pushed their plates aside and shifted their chairs closer to their son.
"We're proud of you for seriously considering your future, but we don't want you to leave us when you become fifteen. Your father and I could never handle the lack of a bright smile warming our hearts every morning," solemnly spoke Bella. "Your mother's right, Norn, but..." Drake trailed off to gather his constitution, "You need to grow and be the person you strive to be. If you want to be a hero or an adventurer, I won't stop you. I'll train you myself in swordsmanship."
Bella looked upset that her husband spoke the words that a parent should share with their child if they want to pursue a life that makes them happy.
That night, Drake and Bella Jaycrest resolved to push their child to be the best he could be. Drake vowed to make his son the best hero he could ever be. Bella, however, promised to make Norn the greatest adventurer she could hope the world would know.
The difference in their views may lead their son astray, but neither of them are sure if they can help him at all. Regardless, effort will not be spared if it meant their boy could be happy.
