Many years ago, the Fritz family lived peacefully on the outskirts of Hoff Village. However, their tranquil life was abruptly disrupted by a frantic knock at their door. Rushing to answer it, they were met with an unexpected sight: a boy no older than twelve stood before them, his clothes stained with blood and his body covered in healing cuts and scrapes.
The boy burst through the door, his small frame collapsing onto the aged wooden floor. His chest heaved with each labored breath, sweat glistening on his forehead. Eric's voice was laced with uncertainty as he surveyed the scene before him, taking in the boy's dirty and torn clothes.
"I mean, what the hell are we gonna do with him?" he asked.
Rose's voice cut in, filled with compassion and concern. "Eric, we need to help the boy. At least until we can contact his parents."
"Rose, do you hear yourself?! Look at him. He sticks out like a sore thumb. If anything, he's probably some runaway slave," Eric countered, his apprehension palpable.
"That's all the more reason to help him!" Rose's response was firm, her determination unwavering in the face of adversity. She knelt down beside the boy and gently brushed off the dirt from his bruised and scraped knees. Despite his tough exterior, she could see the fear and vulnerability in his eyes. She knew they had to do something to protect him from whatever trouble he may have stumbled into.
The constant bickering of the couple served as a harsh backdrop to the boy's fading consciousness. As he slipped into darkness, he was carried away to a plush feather bed, where he slept for nearly three days.
When he finally opened his eyes, the unfamiliar brightness seeping through the windows disoriented him and added to his grogginess. He rubbed his swollen eyes and sat up slowly, taking in his surroundings with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"Where am I?" The question lingered in the boy's mind, and his tentative voice reflected it. His gaze flitted around the room, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar environment.
Before he could explore further, a woman named Rose appeared with a warm smile that immediately put him at ease. "Hello, dear," she greeted him softly, her kind brown eyes radiating compassion. "You stumbled into our home." Her laughter was gentle and soothing amidst the uncertainty the boy felt.
Her spouse soon joined her, stepping out from the shadows with a quizzical expression. "Is the young one awake?" he commented, his eyes locking onto the child's as he approached.
Viktor's gaze darted between the two unfamiliar individuals in front of him, his mind clouded with uncertainty. How did he end up in this strange home? Where were the others? A surge of panic overtook him as scattered memories flashed through his mind—the blood, the chaos, the darkness creeping closer.
"Ken'Bu! Are you working with them? This is a trap!" Viktor's voice rose to a frenzied pitch, his hand
instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn't there. Sensing the escalating tension, he began to harness the mana swirling around him, preparing himself for a potential confrontation.
Eric, always composed and collected, raised a calming hand and maintained a steady gaze as he addressed the agitated boy. "Calm down," he urged gently, his tone soothing despite the urgency of the situation. As Viktor hesitated, Eric's expression softened, silently inviting the boy to trust them.
Eric spoke calmly, his reassuring tone providing comfort despite the seriousness of the situation. "A few days ago, we found you at our doorstep, covered in cuts and bruises. We don't know where you came from or who hurt you, but we won't harm you here."
Viktor listened intently to Eric's words, sensing the honesty in his voice. However, a flicker of doubt remained in Viktor's heart, still scarred by past betrayals and pain. "I'm Eric," the man continued, gesturing towards his wife Rose. "And this is my wife. What is your name?"
"My name is Viktor Kirchner," he replied with a heavy sigh, burdened by his family name. "Son of Elden and Werner Kirchner. Please... don't make me go back."
***
Moved by Viktor's heartfelt plea, Eric and Rose felt a deep sense of compassion towards the boy and took him under their wing, regardless of his true identity. They saw him simply as a child in need of love and protection, and they were more than willing to provide both.
Living in the remote countryside and uninterested in politics, Eric and Rose were largely unaware of Viktor's royal lineage. Instead, they focused on keeping him safe from potential dangers, knowing that his family would easily find and take him back if they ever discovered his whereabouts.
Eric vaguely remembered hearing about his birth years ago, but there was little information available about Viktor Kirchner beyond that.
They devised a cunning plan to conceal Viktor's true identity, using their skillful hands and the help of magic. They dyed his hair and changed the color of his eyes, making him unrecognizable to anyone who might be searching for him. In no time at all, Viktor became a beloved member of the village, known for his generosity, kindness, and incredible abilities with magic.
He blended seamlessly into the community, using his skills to assist in any way he could - whether it was clearing paths, carrying heavy loads, or teaching others the secrets of magic. His presence brought joy and prosperity to the village, solidifying his place as a treasured member of their tight-knit community.
***
Two years passed quickly like sand slipping through an hourglass, and now Viktor found himself now at the age of sixteen seated before his caretakers. The room was filled with emotion and tension hung heavy in the air. Rose stood up, walking towards Viktor with open arms.
She wrapped him in a tender embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks as she struggled to convey her feelings. Viktor understood the gravity of the moment and waited in silence, his heart beating rapidly with anticipation.
Eric reached out a comforting hand from across the table and spoke in a gentle tone. "Viktor... Rose and I, we—"
Before Eric could finish his sentence, Viktor suddenly stood up, his emotions bursting forth in a mix of anger and fear. "You! You're going to abandon me! You want to send me away?!" His voice echoed through the room as he balled his fists in defiance.
The once-calm atmosphere turned tense, the temperature dropping as if reflecting the coldness that had taken hold of Viktor's heart. Rose and Eric exchanged worried glances, their breathing quickening as they struggled to find the right words in the face of Viktor's overwhelming anger.
"N-no," Rose spoke softly, her voice barely audible over the chaos of emotions in the room. Her words halted Viktor's outburst, bringing a brief moment of stillness. "We... We would never."
Viktor slowly unclenched his fists as he processed Rose's words, disbelief flooding over him like a crashing wave. He looked at Eric, searching for any sign of deception or hidden agenda. "Then why do I sense so many people outside? How can I trust this isn't some kind of trap?"
Eric shook his head, fatigue evident in the creases of his face, and let out a deep sigh. "It was going to be a surprise, Viktor," he explained in a gentle yet firm tone. "Everyone in town knows you and loves you. They came to support you… We want to adopt you, officially."
As soon as Eric finished speaking, the door burst open, filling the room with warmth and the familiar faces of the townspeople. Viktor's breath caught in his throat at the sight of them, their encouraging words and smiles like a healing balm for his tired soul. Overwhelmed by the love and acceptance from his community, he dropped to his knees, tears streaming down.
As emotions swelled within him and the sweet serenade of birds filled the air, Viktor couldn't help but feel a deep sense of belonging. It was a bittersweet reminder that, despite his tumultuous past, he had finally found a true home among those who accepted him for exactly who he was.
And there sat a child, hunched over and alone, with eyes that betrayed a history of abandonment. The soft curls on their head were wild and unkempt, reflecting the lack of care and love in their life. They sat with a heaviness in their heart, never having felt the warmth of a mother's embrace or the reassurance in a father's voice.
Their ears still rang with the deafening silence of an empty home, devoid of laughter and human connection. With each new encounter, their walls grew taller and thicker, built from past betrayals and broken promises. Love was met with suspicion and fear, for they had learned to trust no one but themselves.
In that moment of vulnerability, as tears streamed down his face and his emotions threatened to overpower him, Viktor cried. He cried for the loss of his innocence, for the scars that still haunted him, for the unknown future that lay ahead. But amidst the tears and the anguish, there was a spark of hope—a small beacon of light in the midst of darkness, rooted in the unconditional love and acceptance he now felt from those around him.
And so... Viktor Wept