The afternoon burning sky sears the skin of those working in the fields. A nine-year-old boy runs on such a hot day, toiling away in farms, not of their own.

The boy looks to the farms as the men and women around are worked to death. Causing a hot, boiling rage to course through his veins from the unfairness he was born in.

He shakes his head and thought to himself, 'It's fine. Once I gain my super strength, there'll be opportunities to escape.' He clenches his fist to measure his strength, knowing that day isn't today.

A voice calls to him as he ends his shift, back aching, knowing hard labor shouldn't be part of a child's workload. He looks to the men holding them here, soldiers armed with swords and spears. Unfortunately, there are already some hot weapons in there.

He continues to walk back to his home, at least as to what those bastards call a house. The opened door greets the child with a loving sight, his mother in this world a heaven on earth preparing a lunch to at least fill his empty void.

"Here's lunch. Little Ekon" She smiles as a pot of soup with little to no ingredients was presented in front of the boy. Despite its inadequacies, he smiles in delight as the taste alone serves as a great reminder of life's happiness.

They enjoyed their silent meal like this until a man knocks upon the door. He enters, showing the gruff man that could terrify anyone with his size and demeanor.

He smiles wide he waves to the family as he spoke. "I'm home." His wife hugging him in a welcoming manner.

Ekon's Pov

The sight was a great relief from the dreary hardworking labor. I smile to myself as I examine my new family.

The Ifirian descent was evident, Ifir the continent where my parents hailed from. Probably the equivalent of Africa, seeing the dark complexion present in the three of us.

I shake my head at their sweetness, then again with the life, we're given. It's probably best to look at the plus side.

The knocking was repeated, a man, our neighbor. Let down his hat and smiled, "Adan can we talk?" He gestures outside, with his father following him, waving his goodbyes.

A few moments pass like this as mother suddenly realized something. She hugged me in her surprisingly muscled arms, "Tomorrow's gonna be your tenth birthday, isn't it?"

I look at her in surprise as I nod. She hugs me harder, "Then we'll have to celebrate, no matter what, OK?" She wistfully smiles at me as she lets me down.

As she turns, she spoke an almost imperceptible whisper, "If only that bastard never betrayed us." I look at her in wonder, thinking about what she could mean, only for it to be interrupted.

The door opens as father enters with a grim determination. Mother smiles at him as father gestures for her to talk. He shoos me away with a smile as I take an afternoon nap.

There are a few expectations for my birthday, seeing as I'm a slave and all. But one of them was not being woken up by my father, dressed in armor and weapons.

I look behind to see mother wearing the same, and father shook me awake as he whispered. "Ekon, Ekon," He puts his finger up to his lips, "Be quiet." I nod in affirmation as we leave the house.

I remain in working clothes as I look around to see our neighbor and his family, along with two dozens slaves walking silently.

We continued like this to what seemed like hours, along with the other families. We remain vigilant for any pursuers, only to see the sight of what seems to be a ship.

The relief was present on everyone's face, and even I was happy knowing we could start a new life, away from this one. The full moon sky a great background to what seems to be our new future.

The tension leaves our bodies as we step closer to freedom, that is, until a gunshot resounds. We look back to see dozens of armed men riding horses straight in our direction.

Father hurriedly pushes mother and me away as he and a few men stand at the back. We run as fast as we can, my feet burning from exhaustion.

The ramp to the deck, a magnificent gate to freedom. But as I reach its steps, a gunshot resounds along with a familiar shout.

I look back to see father, shot in his leg, as he limps to safety. Mother tries to run to him only for father to shout, "No, stay there, get to safety."

I cry as I stood there powerless, as father and a few other men are beaten to the ground. I grit my teeth and clench my fist as mother hugs me in tears.

The sight happening in front of me is like a horrible nightmare, and my father is stuck in a fetal position as the unending hits cover his body.

He looks at me with a weak smile as he waved goodbye. The tears blurring as to what could be our last goodbye.

The scene was then interrupted with a fierce shout. "Stop being a COWARD and get in there." I look to the voice,

A brown bare-chested man, with rings on his hips, dressed as a monk looking at me with crossed arms. He points his head to my father as the realization washes over me.

I smile a feral grin as the man grins back. I whisper, "Thanks, KACH." I jump from the boat as I ignore my mother's worried shout, I land with tremble capturing the men's attention.

I do a little warmup as the feeling of power flow through me. I jump with the strength of a thousand men. As I stop, I land feet first in front of my father, with him being in complete shock.

The men following us stop and hesitantly move away. I creak my neck to the side. And did a jab,

A jab that did enough power to land them a few meters away. They fall off their horses, trying to run away, but before they did. I threw a rock, making sure they have a limp till they get back or less of a leg.

Kach barks out a laugh from my side, "You did fucking good, Kid. But could be better, we better get a start on that training of yours" He looks back for a bit, "Then again, you still have other priorities." he spoke as he disappeared.

The shouts got closer as mother and father hug me for dear life. I lean into their touch and close my eyes in relief and happiness.

We get back to the boat, as my parents looked both proud and angry. I smile, knowing this is only the start of a great beginning.