World History (1)

Since the battle with the wolves nothing important happened, aunt Layla, grandpa Artie and grandpa Bern have been coming to visit our place. Our aunt usually play around with us and keeps our mother some company. Apparently, she's worried about our father and the war, so grandpa Artie comes here to calm her down, he says there is no need to worry, that members of our clan are born to fight in wars.

I've been enjoying my time playing with my siblings while trying to learn how to talk, it has taken me some time to be able to properly communicate, but at last it's time for me to get some answers.

One night I approach our mother while my siblings are busy playing around, "Mom, can you tell me about the war?" I ask.

For a moment she looks lost in thought, I think she doesn't like much the war situation, even though our clan is supposed to be the home of great warriors.

Finally, she sighs and speaks, "Child, you are too young to be asking about war", then she brings me into her embrace and continues "but I guess it's inevitable, looks like you are really your father's son, that war maniac" she says while smiling.

After that, mom tells my siblings to come closer, the three of us should all know about the war. With the three of us sitting next to each other, my mother begins to talk.

"There are four great powers in the world" she says while caressing her children "In first place, you can find the smart and greedy humans, a race of weaklings who somehow have become the greatest power in the world", there is some disdain in the way she refers to them.

The good news for me is that there are humans in this world, and apparently, they aren't doing too badly for themselves. I hope I get to meet them at some point.

"Momma, why are they the greatest power if you say they are weaklings?" asks my brother, who seems to be influenced by grandpa Artie, as I hear him saying often that he is going to be the strongest warrior.

"It's complicated" answers our mother "humans were once on the brink of extinction, yet a hero rose from their people, hero Klyne" she explains, "he was not a powerful hero, he was one of few wizards remaining, wizards are those capable of wielding the power of the elements, known as magic".

There is magic in this world! I want to see! Can bearfolk learn magic?

"You have to understand that only a chosen few are able learn how to control the magic of the world, only those who were born with the talent to sense the elements" says my mother "yet hero Klyne developed tools that enabled all humans to wield the power of the elements, their whole race became capable of fighting against enemies with magic".

"Can we use magic?" asks my sister in her barely audible voice, she is really timid, I believe her to be the cutest thing.

"Some of us bearfolk have the talent to sense the elements, we can also use human tools, but most important of all, we have magic unique to our people" answers our mother "when you are three years old you will participate in the awakening ritual, you will know your affinity towards the element and receive your name from our goddess".

Before we can ask any other questions, my mother continues, "you will know more soon enough, all cubs are to learn about our goddess one year before the ritual, no need to hurry".

"After hero Klyne, humans became more powerful and went to war against the other races, expanding their territories and building cities. But they also made alliances with their neighbors, we beastmen are allied to humanity" mom stops for a second looking lonely "we need to be allies if we are to win the fight against the other two great powers".

"The war has been going from time immemorial, some races have disappeared from the world, such as the elves who are now almost completely extinct" she says with sadness in her voice "even our people lost our ancestral home and only a few hundred bearfolk remain alive".

"The second most powerful force in the world are demons, creatures who revel in chaos and madness" I notice some anger in her tone "Demons are divided into different races, all lead by the Demon King, the most powerful amongst them all".

"Demons are our greatest enemy, there is belief that beastmen and demons are one and the same, two sides of the same coin" her voice falters for a second "to the point that some beastmen clans and tribes have joined the demon army" she stops and her mind wanders for a minute.

"You must never forget, we bearfolk were betrayed by the fallen clans and tribes, that is the only reason so few of us remain" the hate in her eyes is obvious, clearly there is some history there, but it doesn't look like mom is going to explain the details.

"Your father is leading five hundred of our warriors into battle against the demon army, they have joined the current Beast King to protect the beastmen lands from the demon's invasion".