Kaipo and the Keys of Power

THE QUEST BEFORE THE QUEST

If you are looking for the perfect book about the most extreme, coolest adventurer of all time, then you've come to the right place. Everyone likes strong, fearsome warriors; people would do anything to be them. I mean, who wouldn't want to dive head-first into countless raging armies of brutes or fight off savage beasts that would tear any creature's limbs off with no hesitation, as if they were made out of silk, merely to protect life? Or to go get a great deal at the food market? Okay, maybe adventurers wouldn't fight their way to get some half-off deals, but me, on the other hand, is a different tale. 

Speaking of brave warriors, I should introduce myself and where I am from since I am going down as a future legend after all. My name is Kaipo Apollo Fang. I'm twelve years old, and I am going to be the world's greatest explorer ever. Don't underestimate my skills for my age. But I also live in this wonderfully and slightly dangerous world we call arkgore.

Arkgore is the world we live in, with its mythic landscapes and different types of supernatural biomes while its feral creatures ramble throughout the land. But savage creatures aren't the only ones who control the ground, as the eight races of beings related to the biomes rule their separate territory of the land.

I was supposedly born in the nation of Bouer and later raised there in the middle of arkgore, near the mountain region, where the creatures' intelligence are bigger than the mountains themselves as people say and also the homeland of the Harkens. Harkens are a race of short, friendly people who are frequently stubborn from time to time, but are mainly known for their enthusiastic passion for the forging of crafts and machinery. I was told long ago when I was an infant child, I was randomly found outside the village gates by the townsfolk and their chief leader: Udo Fang.

Bouer people only chose their leaders out of leadership, toughness, and brilliance, as Udo represented each status physically and mentally. His hair was longish and blackened like a deadly serpent hiding half his face from the world. His chest and bottom half of his body were covered by his metal armor plates as he was always ready for a challenge to test his might. His slightly tall, robust body and long black hair made him look like an unstoppable bjorn, which only made people respect him more. Luckily for me, Udo wanted to keep and raise me as one of his own, while most of the villagers had thought of me as a "blooper" or what you call an outcast.

By the time I turned twelve years old, I had already gotten used to living with Udo in his home, but I also started to realize the villager's true nature towards me. During a peaceful morning, while I was sleeping, Udo kicked down my door with little force before he violently rattled my bed, as it felt like he was shaking the entire house.

"Rise and shine! Time for your big day, wee Kaipo" Udo yelled with excitement as he completely flipped me out of bed and onto the floor, forcing me to wake up. I slowly picked myself up as I gave Udo an annoyed and sleepy gaze.

"Agh! Can't you let me sleep for a little while? Why are you so happy this early in the morning?" I rubbed my eyes as I tried to get rid of my sleeplessness before heading downstairs behind Udo, as he had a mischievous grin on his face. I sighed and I walked into the beautiful dining room filled with Udo's craftsmanship and artwork. I sat at the dinner table and Udo leaned against the kitchen counter.

"Do you know why I woke you up this early?" Udo said while he rubbed his thickened, long beard, as if he couldn't contain what he was about to say.

"Is it because you're letting me leave the village to finally become an adventurer?" I replied with a tone that almost matched Udo's excitement. Udo simply paused for a moment before crossing his arms, giving off a bleak expression as he looked outside the window. He shakes his head slowly before he grabs a pot off the kitchen counter and stirs up morning soup on his open firewood.