The scent of woodsmoke and roasted meat hung heavy in the air, blending with the familiar hum of activity within the bustling marketplace of Felis. It was a far cry from the quiet bustle of our own home, but the air thrummed with life - a life I had come to cherish, a life I was determined to protect.

My name is Ethan Richwald. I am a lord, a hunter, and a benevolent tyrant, they say. My wife, Elara, would call me a protector. To myself, I am simply a man trying to carve a better future for his people, for his family.

My days were a whirlwind of strategizing, inspecting, and planning. I was a man of action, of meticulous detail, always seeking to improve the lives of my people. Elara, with her kindness and uncanny medical prowess, was the heart of our home, nurturing our adopted son, Joshua, with unwavering love. Their shared laughter, echoing through the halls, was the sweetest music to my ears.

Alex, stoic and loyal, was my right hand, a warrior of unmatched skill and wisdom. He had chosen to serve me, a choice born from a shared history of hardship and a deep understanding of my values. He and his sister, Sarah, our financial advisor, were a formidable force, their quiet competency a cornerstone of our security. Even I was surprised seeing Sarah good with finance. I guess everyone has their own strengths.

The Valora tribe, a collection of warriors bound by loyalty and kinship, remained a constant presence. They were Alex's people, and their unwavering commitment to the safety of Felis was a source of strength. My strength, on the other hand, was a secret, a well of power I guarded fiercely, using it only when necessary.

I was reviewing plans for the expansion of the city, my mind spinning with the intricacies of resource management and infrastructure development, when Elara entered the study, her smile as bright as the morning sun.

'Ethan,' she said, her voice like the gentle chirp of a bird, 'Joshua has been asking about you. He wanted to know if we are going to visit the stables today.'

'We can, after lunch,' I replied, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. Joshua, my adopted son, was a whirlwind of energy and curiosity, a bright light in the shadows of my past. He was the reason I fought so hard, the reason I kept the darkness at bay.

But there was a restlessness in his eyes, a glint of something sharp and chilling. A reflection, perhaps, of the shadows I carried within. His innocence was a fragile thing, a treasure I would protect at all costs. 

As I would like to say, but he is just like me...

'He's been practicing with the bow,' Elara continued, her eyes filled with concern. 'He's getting quite good. But he's also…' she faltered, her tone hesitant.

I knew what she meant. Joshua's skills were not merely the result of practice. There was a natural affinity in him, a dark talent that he seemed to be embracing with a disturbing eagerness. The shadows were creeping into his young heart, and I could only hope that I could keep them at bay, shield him from the darkness that devoured my own soul.

'He'll be fine,' I reassured her, my voice calm but betraying a tremor of unease. 'He has you, Elara. You are his anchor, his light. He'll find his way.'

I kissed her forehead, trying to convey the strength and love that I felt for both of them. I knew that the darkness was always lurking, waiting for an opportunity to seep in, but I was determined to fight it, to protect the light that had become my life. As I do not want him to become a emotional time bomb, as he is  always with Elara, i do not want her safety to be compromised.

Later that afternoon, as I watched Joshua fire arrow after arrow, each one finding its mark with uncanny precision, I felt a shiver run down my spine. I saw the fire in his eyes, the cold glint of steel in his gaze. I knew that this boy, this child I had taken into my heart, was a force to be reckoned with.

'Ethan?' Elara's voice was soft, a tentative question.

'Yes, my love?' I replied, turning to her, my gaze meeting hers.

'He's different,' she said, her voice barely a whisper. 'Something about him, it's…unnatural.'

You just realised it? my sweet dumb wife. Ofcourse I couldn't say that, she'll punch me.

I took a deep breath, knowing that I could not keep the truth from her forever.

'He is,' I finally admitted. 'But he is also our son, our responsibility. We must guide him, teach him to control what he is.'

The line between the light and the dark was a thin one. I had learned this lesson the hard way, through years of pain and sacrifice. Now, I was determined to teach Joshua, to guide him down the path of light, to keep him from succumbing to the darkness that had consumed so many before him.

The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the courtyard. We stood, a family united in our love and purpose, facing the challenges that lay ahead. The darkness was always present, but so was the light, the hope that we would find a way, together, to navigate the treacherous path ahead. We were guardians, protectors, warriors, and above all, we were a family. And in that, I found my strength, my purpose, and my hope.