"Is that how you show appreciation to someone who teach you? Young one?" The old man said. "Pretending you don't know me?"
"Teach what? And I indeed don't know you old man" Arthur replied.
As Elias delivered his sermon about gratitude, the words hung heavily in the air.The old man, who was a teacher in this unforgiving world or so based on his claim, was growing frustrated with Arthur's ungratefulness. Old man had shared valuable lessons, but his patience was now at its end.
The tension between the young boy and the old man had been brewing for some time, and as Elias concluded his sermon, Arthur's defiance erupted. The quiet corner was pierced by Arthur's defiant shout: "What do you want from me?"
The old man paused, his eyes filled with sincerity, his voice gentle yet firm as he replied, "I genuinely wanted to help you."
He extended a hand in friendship, a gesture that carried more weight than any lecture. "I am Elias," he introduced himself, "an old butler from a fallen noble family. I've been through a lot, seen many things, and I can teach you to read and earn money."
The young girl, the silent spectator to this exchange, remained cautious. Elias, however, was undeterred. He continued, his voice tinged with the weight of his past, "I stay in the slum because the world out there is too cruel. I've learned to survive, and I want to share that knowledge with you."
But as Elias was about to unveil more about his past, the beggar boy, cut him off abruptly, his suspicion winning out over his curiosity. "We don't need your help," he declared.
Elias turned to leave, his patience finally exhausted, but before he could take a step, Arthur's voice called out to him, "Wait."
His two companions looked at him, puzzled by the sudden change of heart.
"What are you doing? Don't tell me you're trusting that suspicious old man." Said by the girl.
Arthur's expression remained inscrutable, but he conveyed his decision firmly, "We're all suspicious here. But if he really can help us, we should at least give it a try."
A chuckle escaped Elias as he heard the unexpected response from the young boy. He beckoned them to follow him, and together, they ventured into the depths of the slum.
From that day onward, the three young companions fell into a new rhythm. They would embark on their usual routine of stealing from the market to put food in their stomachs. Then, under the dim light of the lantern in Elias's humble hut, they would immerse themselves in the world of books. The stolen tomes opened doors to new worlds, knowledge, and ideas that were previously unimaginable.
One particular book seized their attention—a fantasy tale that told of a noble king named Arthur, his loyal soldier Diell, and his compassionate sister Ayla. The narrative woven around their unity, unwavering strength, and shared dreams resonated deeply with the three young friends.
Amid the soft glow of the lantern in Elias's humble hut, they ventured into the pages of this enchanting story. As they read the book, its tales of bravery and camaraderie began to amaze them. It kindled their young hearts with wonder and sparked conversations and discussions about their own dreams and aspirations.
Elias, observing the children's reactions, couldn't help but join their discussions. He shared insights and wisdom from his own experiences, inspiring them further with his stories.
Arthur, his eyes shining with newfound determination, looked at his companions. "You know, we might not have noble blood, but we can still be heroes in our own way."
Elias replied, a touch of amusement in his voice, "Heroes, you say? Thieves, perhaps."
The three friends chuckled at the comment.
The young boy, couldn't help but chime in, "No offense, but I think Diell is the coolest character. I'd like to be just like him."
Ayla, her gaze filled with kindness, suggested, "I have an idea, Why don't we name ourselves after them?"
Arthur and the boy's eyes sparkled with excitement, and they immediately agreed to the idea.
Elias, a faint smile on his lips, watched these young souls embrace the aspirations they'd found in the pages of a book. The slum's harsh reality seemed a distant concern in that fleeting moment of shared dreams and hope.
Years had passed, seven to be exact, since the day Arthur, Ayla, and Diell had decided to become a family, their bond growing stronger amidst the harshness of the slum. Arthur, once known as the scrappy "Goblin" was a symbol of being sly, rougue, and resourcefulness.
Despite their notorious names, as life gradually improved within the confines of their humble hut, it seemed the slum demanded a steep price. Diell's health had been deteriorating slowly but surely, casting a shadow of concern over their small family. It was a worry that refused to be ignored.
One night, with the dim lantern light casting somber shadows on their faces, Arthur could no longer bear the weight of their dire situation. He whispered, his voice trembling with the heavy burden of responsibility, "We can't continue like this. Diell's health is getting worse, and we have to find a way to get him the medicine he needs, no matter the cost."
Ayla's eyes shimmered with the reflection of the lantern as she nodded in agreement. Her voice held the warmth of concern, but also a resolute determination. "I can't stand to see him suffer, Arthur. We have to find a way to help him."
Diell, though weakened by his ailment, managed a feeble smile, his spirit undiminished. "I don't want to be a burden. You don't have to go, I understand."
Arthur's resolve only strengthened in the face of adversity. "We're a family, and families don't leave each other behind. I won't abandon you. But we must find a way to get the medicine, and we must do it quickly."
Their words hung in the air, a silent understanding of the perilous path they were about to tread. The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of worry and uncertainty pressing down upon them. The slum had been their teacher, but now it was asking a price that felt impossibly high.