The Legend of Kajo

Chapter 1

I call the Wanderers' Camp my home, a secluded community nestled deep within a dense forest. Surrounded by towering trees and rustic walls, The camp was a thriving settlement, a refuge for outcasts, fugitives and orphans like me.

Wooden cabins and halls blended seamlessly into the surroundings, creating a sense of harmony with nature. Smoke drifted lazily from chimneys, carrying the scent of cooking fires and baking bread. The sounds of laughter, hammering, and chatter filled the air, creating a warm sense of community.

As I walked around the camp, I nodded to familiar people; the blacksmith, the farmer, the elderly wise woman. The camp was our own little world, separate from the hustle and bustle of civilization. We lived by our own rules, governed by my dad and a council of powerful people and guided by a deep connection to the natural world.

I'm a Cleric, the only one in the camp, and my skills are crucial to the survival of our little community.

I was just 10 years old when Thorne; my dad and our leader, took me under his wing. He's an AA-ranked pyromaniac, feared and respected in equal measure. Thorne's past is marked by a falling out with the Overlord of his kingdom, forcing him to flee for his life. Along the way, he gathered a motley crew of stragglers, including me.

Thorne raised me as his own son, recognizing my innate talent for healing. He nurtured my abilities, and I became the camp's sole healer. I've grown to respect and admire Thorne, despite his troubled past. He's a complex man, driven by a desire to protect our community.

Dad stood outside our cabin, his eyes twinkling with warmth as he worked on his latest woodworking project.

We've formed a tight-knit family, united in our quest for acceptance and a place to belong. I'm proud to be a part of this community, and I'll do everything in my power to keep them safe and healthy.

....

I sat down at the dinner table, feeling a mix of emotions. Tomorrow was the day I would start my monster hunting and dungeon raiding journey. I was excited, but also nervous. Dad noticed my expression and asked, "Hey, kiddo, what's on your mind?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to express my feelings. "I don't know, Dad. I just feel a bit anxious, I guess. I've never done this before."

Dad chuckled and put a hand on my shoulder. "You'll be fine, Kajo. You've trained hard, and I've assembled a great team to support you. Besides, you don't need to hold back fighting monsters in the dungeons. You can use your skills without worrying about hurting normal citizens."

I nodded, feeling a bit better. We finished dinner, and Dad asked, "So, now that you're an adult, are there any girls or boys in the town who've caught your eye?"

I shook my head, trying to play it cool. "Nah, not really."

Dad raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Kajo! You're 18 now! You must have some crushes!"

I forced a laugh, trying to deflect the question. "Nope, not me!"

He let it drop, but I could tell he was curious. The truth was, I had known for a while that I swing both ways, and he knows but it was just between us both.

And about crushes, I do have a huge crush on someone, that someone being my archenemy.

After dinner, I washed the dishes while He sat back and relaxed. "Hey, kiddo? We'll head to the market in the morning to get you some gear, okay?"

I grinned, excitement taking over. "Really? Thanks, Dad! I can't wait!"

He smiled back. "Get some rest, Kajo. Tomorrow's going to be a big day."

I ran to my room, barely containing my enthusiasm. Tomorrow was the start of my adventure, and I was ready!
.....

The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed and excited for the day ahead. I showered and headed downstairs to make breakfast, since dad was still asleep. As I cracked eggs into a bowl, the door burst open and a towering figure walked in. It was Gorm, a Warrior and dad's best friend, as well as the second-strongest person in the camp.

"Morning, Kajo!" Gorm boomed, his deep voice echoing through the room. "Heard today's the big day, eh?"

I nodded, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, I'm heading out to start my monster hunting and dungeon raiding journey."

Gorm grinned. "Well, you're in luck! My son Saji turned 18 yesterday too, and he's joining you on the raid."

My heart sank. Saji and I never got along. He always acted like he was above everyone else, just because he was a rare Lightning Elemental.

Gorm noticed my expression and chuckled. "Ah, come on, Kajo! You two will get along fine. You're both adults now, after all."

I forced a smile, trying to hide my doubts. Dad walked into the room, already refreshed and ready for the day. "Morning, everyone! Let's eat up and get moving. We've got a lot to do today."

We sat down to a hearty breakfast, with Gorm and dad chatting about their plans for the day. Saji walked in, his lightning-infused hair gleaming in the morning light. He gave me a condescending smirk, and I felt my annoyance spike.

After breakfast, we left the house, heading to the market to gear up for our adventure. I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation about spending the day with Saji.

_

At the market....

We used mana as currency, a common practice in our society since we were trying to leave differently. As we walked through the streets, people bowed to us, acknowledging our royal status.

After an hour of bickering, Saji and I finally found a store that caught our attention. We entered, greeted by the excited Merchant, an Alchemist Technician.

"Welcome, young masters! I'm honored you chose my humble shop!" the Merchant exclaimed.

"Ah, thank you," Thorne replied. "We're just looking for some basic gear for the boys."

"Of course, of course! Let me show you what I have," the Merchant said, leading us to a display of weapons and armor.

Saji and I began arguing over the best choices, but eventually, we made our selections:

"For me, I'll take the Long-sword, blue rune robe, boot of haste, and that red ruby ring." He turned to Saji

"I'll take the Magic Great-sword, gold armor, boot of haste, and blue orc ring." He replied to the merchant

"Ah, excellent choices!" the Merchant said. "Let me get those for you."

As the Merchant fetched our gear, Thorne and Gorm chuckled, amused by our rare agreement.

"This is a first! You two agreeing on something!" Thorne exclaimed.

"Yeah, don't get too used to it," Saji said, rolling his eyes.

"Hey, hey! Let's just enjoy the moment," Gorm said, laughing.

We bargained the price with the Merchant, who looked frazzled but happy.

"Alright, alright! I think we have a deal," the Merchant said, relieved.

After paying, we headed home to equip our gear and activate our status for the first time.

"Let's see how you two look in your new gear!" Thorne said, grinning.

.....

Hello guys....

This is my first book so far and I hope you do love it.

Please drop your votes and comments

Suggestions are accepted but not rude ones.

I love you all.

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