**"Since the beginning, my role has been to create and govern—to breathe life into imaginations and shape new worlds. I have done this endlessly, sculpting and overseeing my art. But one day, I grew weary of mere creation. I longed to witness it—to see how my masterpiece performed beyond my distant gaze.

  And so, I stepped closer.

  What I found was beyond even my own imagination. An epic unfolded before me—one that shook the very foundation of my art. Let me share this tale with you, the moment when I realized the true power of my creation. Have you been trying to uncover my identity?

  I am someone… or perhaps something. But that is for you to decide.

  It’s not that I refuse to reveal myself—I will, in time. But my arrival in this epic is not so simple. I have a role to play, a moment to claim. Until then, you must wait.

  For now, let me show you how it all began."**

  The dense trees of Draemoth's forest loomed like silent sentinels, their twisted branches forming a canopy that blocked out the fading light. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, the kind of humid, musty smell only found in places untouched by time. A low growl echoed through the underbrush as a lone dog scavenged at the remains of a carcass—a once-thriving creature now reduced to flesh and bone.

  The dog tore into the meat with ferocity, its teeth sinking into the warm, raw flesh. But then, as if the heavens themselves had taken notice, the sky above seemed to crack open with a sudden, violent flash. Red lightning streaked down from the sky, splitting the heavens with an electric scream.

  The dog’s body stiffened, its fur crackling with static energy as it collapsed onto the ground. For a moment, everything went still—the forest holding its breath as the storm raged overhead. Then, in the oppressive silence, the dog’s body began to twitch, and its eyes—once dull and ordinary—now burned a deep crimson.With a low growl, the dog rose to its feet, its red eyes flickering with unnatural intensity. The fur along its spine bristled, as though it were charging with energy. Without a second thought, it darted off into the heart of the forest, its paws barely touching the ground.

  At noon !!! In the quiet outskirts of Draemoth, nestled between towering trees and rolling hills, a small house stood, tucked away from the busy roads. Inside, a faint smell of spices and herbs wafted from the kitchen where a woman hummed softly as she prepared a meal. Her hands moved expertly, chopping vegetables, while her attention was split between her work and the sound of her child’s voice from the other room.

  “Once upon a time, in a faraway forestland, a grand race competition was announced. Among the many eager participants, a rabbit decided to test his speed and skill by joining the race. After registering himself, the rabbit, decided to gather information about the other contestants and study the race course .He hopped from one end of the forest to the other, quietly observing and listening to conversations. Soon, he discovered that a horse, renowned for its unmatched speed and endurance, had also entered the competition. The rabbit’s heart sank momentarily, knowing that surpassing the mighty horse would be no easy feat. “How can I possibly outrun a creature whose very strength lies in speed?” he thought to himself. But instead of giving in to doubt, the rabbit resolved to come up with a plan, realizing that strategy could make all the difference in a race where strength alone might not guarantee victory.,” the boy read aloud, his voice steady but filled with curiosity. He was sitting on the wooden floor, surrounded by pages of a storybook.

  The mother smiled faintly as she worked, the rhythm of her tasks synchronizing with the sound of her son’s voice.

  The boy looked up, his eyes wide with excitement. “They’re racing to see who’s the fastest! But... wait... it’s not just a normal race.” He turned the page, and his voice grew animated. “As the rabbit studied the racecourse, he noticed a critical obstacle: a wide river flowing through the track. While the rabbit was no expert swimmer, he realized something important—the horse didn’t know how to swim. This would be his opportunity to turn the tide in his favor. Determined to use this advantage, the rabbit approached his friend, the turtle, a skilled swimmer known for his patience and wisdom.

  “Teach me how to swim,” the rabbit asked earnestly. “This knowledge might be the key to winning the race.” The turtle agreed, spending days teaching the rabbit how to navigate the water with ease. Though it was difficult at first, the rabbit practiced relentlessly, learning to move smoothly through the currents.

  Finally, the day of the race arrived. The contestants gathered at the starting line, their spirits high and the crowd cheering. The whistle blew, and the race began. As expected, the horse took an early lead, galloping swiftly across the track. The rabbit followed behind, keeping a steady pace, just as he had planned.

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  When the horse reached the riverbank, however, it came to an abrupt halt. The flowing river posed an insurmountable challenge—without knowing how to swim, the horse couldn’t cross. The horse paced back and forth in frustration, unsure of what to do.

  Moments later, the rabbit arrived at the riverbank. Without hesitation, he dived into the water, swimming skillfully across the river, thanks to the turtle’s training. As the crowd watched in awe, the rabbit emerged on the other side, dripping wet but determined. He didn’t stop to look back—he raced forward with all his might, leaving the horse stranded on the riverbank.

  With the finish line in sight, the rabbit gave one final burst of speed and crossed triumphantly, becoming the winner of the race. The crowd was shocked as the horse was expected to be the winner. THE END !!!”

  The boy closed the storybook, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Mom,” he began, tilting his head curiously, “don’t you think the rabbit cheated in the race? I mean, he knew about the river beforehand, and he asked the turtle to help him learn how to swim. That’s the only reason he won. Isn’t that unfair to the horse?”

  His mother turned from the kitchen, a warm smile spreading across her face. She walked over and sat beside him, gently brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “Well,” she said thoughtfully, “Gwed, don’t you think the horse had the same amount of time to prepare? While the rabbit was learning to swim, the horse could have done the same. Instead, the horse relied only on his strength and speed, assuming they would be enough to win.”

  The boy frowned, considering her words. “So, you’re saying it’s not cheating? It’s just... being smart?”

  His mother chuckled softly. “Exactly. The rabbit wasn’t cheating; he was preparing. He noticed the challenges ahead and used his time wisely to overcome them. The horse didn’t do anything wrong, but he didn’t take the time to understand the race or plan for the obstacles. Success isn’t just about being strong or fast—it’s about being aware, using your resources, and putting in the effort to prepare for what’s to come.”

  The boy’s eyes lit up as understanding dawned on him. “So... the rabbit didn’t win because he cheated. He won because he worked hard and thought ahead?”

  “Exactly,” his mother said, smiling. “And that’s an important lesson, isn’t it? Challenges will always come your way, and the ones who succeed are the ones who prepare for them, even if it means asking for help or learning something new. It’s not unfair—it’s just using your time wisely."

  His mother laughed, pulling him into a warm hug. “Now, how about you prepare for dinner while I finish cooking?

  The warm glow of the lantern lit the small dining room as the boy and his mother sat at the wooden table, eating their simple but delicious dinner. The sound of crickets outside filled the quiet air. The boy, lost in thought as he played with his food, suddenly looked up.

  “Maa,” he said, tilting his head, “what do you think success means?”

  His mother paused, placing her spoon down gently. She looked at him with a soft smile and replied, “Success, my dear, is about achieving the outcomes you desire or reaching the goals you set for yourself. It’s different for everyone—what success means to me might not be the same for you.”

  The boy frowned slightly, mulling over her words. “So... it’s like the rabbit winning the race, right? He succeeded because he crossed the finish line first?”

  His mother nodded. “Yes, but remember—success isn’t always about being the fastest or the best. It’s about working towards what matters to you and giving your best effort to get there. For the rabbit, it was about using his skills and preparation to finish the race. For the turtle, success was helping someone else and achieving his own goal of teaching the rabbit to swim.”

  The boy nodded, his curiosity momentarily satisfied as they continued eating.

  Later that night, as they lay side by side on a mattress under a warm blanket, the boy broke the silence again. The room was dim, illuminated only by the moonlight streaming in through the window.

  “Maa,” he whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness.

  “Yes, my child?” she replied softly, brushing her hand gently over his hair.

  “Why should we choose goals?”

  She smiled, though her expression turned thoughtful. “Goals give you a purpose to work for, a direction to move in. Without a goal, you’re like an archer shooting arrows into the sky—no matter how strong or skilled you are, it’s pointless if you don’t know where to aim. But if you have a clear target, you know where to focus your efforts.”

  The boy paused, thinking deeply. “So... goals help us know what to do and where to go?”

  “Exactly,” she replied. “When you set a goal, it gives your actions meaning and keeps you from wandering aimlessly. It’s like having a map for your journey.”

  After a long pause, the boy spoke again, his voice hesitant but curious. “Maa... what should my goal in life be?”

  Her smile softened, and she leaned closer, kissing his forehead. “Ah, my dear, if I answer all your questions, then what will you do?” she teased gently. “Your goal is something you must find for yourself. Think about what makes you happy, what excites you, and what feels important to you. Then set your goal and start working in that direction.”

  The boy nodded slowly, her words sinking in. “So... I need to think and decide for myself?”

  “Yes,” she said, stroking his hair. “And remember, it’s not just about choosing the goal—it’s about taking the steps to reach it. Work hard, stay focused, and you’ll find your way.”

  With that, the boy closed his eyes, a small smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep, his mother’s words echoing in his mind.