Morning was upon the people of the Berkyl Region. Another beautiful day for fruitful labors. Farmers had gotten an early start, already tilling the soil to prepare it for the growth of vegetation and crops.
At the home of the Pendragons, it was the usual abnormal day.
Archibald woke up early to the sound of his parents engaging in sexual intercourse. His father sounded more like a beast and his mother moaned so loudly it was hard to sleep.
He was subjected to hearing words like, "Oh Michael! You're a monster!" to which Michael responded whilst panting "A monster for your love!" then there was also the constant creaking sound of their bed that frustrated the young lad.
("Okay this has got to stop dammit! They're going at it extra today! I know they're young and all about recreational activities but I'm trying to sleep here... Geez, is that so much to ask? Then again, it reminds me my por-- ahem, Haruto's years of research that may have already been discovered.")
...
Later that morning, Milim helped Amara in the kitchen. Amara wasn't the type of woman to depend on the aid of a maid, even when she was pregnant and in the process of grooming Archibald.
Still, Archibald was an easy child to raise. He rarely cried or whined about anything and started walking when he was but a few months old. Born with abnormally strong bones as a child. The first sign they picked up which led them to believe their son might indeed be great someday.
"Milim, help me get the hipokute herbs." Amara requested while she stirred something of an absolutely tempting aroma in the pot.
"Sure!" she had to detach the leaves from the herb's stalk before she could hand it to Amara. Milim planned to learn cooking now so it would be easier as she aged.
While Milim focused on plucking the leaves, Michael snuck up from behind Amara where he touched her bottom.
She enjoyed it but immediately noticed Archibald coming down the stairs. Instantly the two built some space between themselves to clear any suspicions. They wouldn't want their "innocent" son picking up any such thing at a young age.
"Father, Mother.." Archibald uttered as he walked into the kitchen.
A minor stutter, "Y-Yes Archie?" said the mother, "Archie my boy, how's the morning treating ya?" both parents sounded equally awkward. Most especially the latter; Michael.
("Yeah, no. You guys aren't fooling anyone. If I was Haruto, I don't think my sexless nights would endure sharing a house with them..")
"May I go outside?" he requested.
"Morning Archie!" Milim mentioned without looking at him, she was focused on the herbs, "Hey Milim!" he replied.
They were both glad he was actually requesting to go outside. It gave them a sense of relief, they used to worry he'd never want to leave the house but time does fly in the end. "O-Of course!" Amara was elated, "Feel free son.." and so was Michael.
"Thank you!" he said.
...
He planned to meet up with the boy he'd met yesterday. Milim didn't feel like joining him in this endeavor, most likely because she promised to help his mother cook today.
In the grassy fields just in front of their house was where Gadi swung his wooden sword back and forth. He was training shirtless and this attracted a number of women to the surrounding area.
Bullets of sweat rolled down chest and abdominal muscles, "Arc--" he didn't utter Archibald's name completely. It seemed the boy had somewhere he needed to be.
"Nevertheless, he may not have answered me... But the gods would never deny such a face." he used his fingers to comb his long hair back.
...
Archibald had been waiting for about half an hour, religiously practicing his sword swings. And as usual with a wooden sword, he wasn't allowed to use any other armament as he was still a child after all.
("I can't help but feel a little frustrated that I have to wait until I'm five years old to get a real sword. I mean, come on, I'm a certified badass already. It's not fair that I have to wait while all those muscular heroes in RPGs get to wield their swords and pull any chick their way. I know I'm skilled enough to use one now, but rules are rules, I guess. It's just a bummer that I have to wait.")
Archibald collapsed on the ground, completely drained of energy. He had returned to the tree where he had met the boy the day before, but he was nowhere to be found. This was the agreed meeting spot, yet the boy was a no-show.
The disappointment and boredom was so overwhelming that Archibald lost all motivation to practice his swordsmanship. He couldn't help but complain about the unbearable heat.
Out of nowhere, the boy popped up again, "S-Sorry I'm late." he said before misplacing his foot and falling on the ground.
"It's alright. I only just got here.." but he didn't, he'd waited for a while now but didn't need him trivially feeling bad.
Archibald brought a small brown sack with him and secretly stashed some bread loaves inside without his parents' knowledge. He didn't want Milim to follow him, not because she would complain, but because he wanted to be cautious.
Archibald didn't think his parents would approve of him associating with a Dark Child of Azazoth, so he wanted to be careful not to reveal his actions to them.
He acknowledged that he might be undermining his parents' humanity, but he still chose to be cautious.
"What's that?" the boy asked, "Some bread, I got it for you.." he noticed how frail the lad was, and this was Archibald's way of being kind.
His eyes glistened, he was elated that he'd be getting the chance to eat something he could call a decent meal by his standards. No matter how hard and dry the bread loaf was. "T-Thank you so much.."
Some minutes went by with the two eating bread. Not the best tasting one as it was a bit stale, but in the sticks of the outer region it was one of the best.
"S-So.." it was hard for the boy to utter his next words.
It earned the elevation of an eyebrow from Archibald, "Hm? What's wrong?" he inquired. The bread was a hard chew, but he managed himself withal.
"Yesterday, you said you'd... Give me a name." said the boy.
Archibald spent the night brainstorming names that would suit the blond hair of his new friend. He eventually settled on the name Velrossa, which he chose due to its uniqueness and the fact that it suited the boy's effeminate features.
Despite the name not being an easy choice, Archibald felt that it was the perfect fit for him.
"How about Velrossa?"
The boy was quiet for quite a long time.
("Does he not like it? I mean, it was the names of one of those genderless demon lords I fought in Elden Annulus..")
"I love it!" Velrossa said, happily accepting the name bestowed upon him.
("Phew. OK, safe.")
Visibly relieved that the boy took a special liking to the new name.
...
In the vicinity of the Azapita Mountains, a group of mages with questionable intentions were seen approaching the Berkyl Region. Unfortunately, this did not bode well for the inhabitants of the area.
Although their motives remained unclear, but it was certain that their arrival wouldn't bring any good to the region.
"Excellent. Now we can slaughter these pigs. "
A man with black hair said in a cold, bleak, and stoic voice. Despite his subordinates' presence, the cold air surrounding him made him less visible.