The first rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle light over Gaia Academy. The week had been intense, with the students facing grueling training and rigorous lessons. Today, however, was the one day they were allowed to step away from it all—Gaia Academy's weekly holiday. For many, this was a chance to return home, visit family, or simply explore the nearby city of Rayah.
As the students prepared to leave, a clear divide emerged between those who had the means to travel home and those who didn't. Portal travel was expensive, and for students like Lila, returning home was not an option. She stood at the edge of the academy grounds, watching as some of her wealthier classmates disappeared into the shimmering portals that would take them back to their families.
Leon approached, his usual bright smile in place. "Hey, Lila," he called out. "What are your plans for today? I was thinking of exploring Rayah City. I've heard there are some amazing places to see ."
Lila hesitated. She didn't have anywhere else to go, and the thought of spending the day alone didn't appeal to her. But before she could respond, Leon turned to Alex, who was seemingly lost in thought.
"Alex, you in?" Leon asked, his voice hopeful.
Alex glanced at him, then shook his head. "I've got some things to take care of," he said simply. There was a finality in his tone that Leon knew better than to question.
Leon nodded, though a bit disappointed. "Alright, suit yourself. But you're missing out!"
He turned back to Lila, who had been quietly observing the exchange. "What about you, Lila? Come with me. It'll be fun, I promise."
After a moment's thought, Lila nodded. "Alright, I'll go with you."
With that, the two of them set off towards Rayah City, leaving Alex behind at the academy. The city was a sprawling metropolis, vibrant with life and filled with wonders that Lila had only ever heard about. As they traveled through the city, Leon made sure to show Lila as many of its sights as possible.
They visited the bustling marketplace, where vendors shouted out the prices of their wares, trying to entice customers to their stalls. Leon bought some sweets and insisted Lila try them, grinning when she smiled at the taste.
Next, they wandered through the Artisan's Quarter, where skilled craftsmen displayed their intricate works of art—everything from enchanted jewelry to beautifully carved sculptures. Lila marveled at the delicate creations, her fingers lightly brushing over a necklace imbued with a soft, blue glow.
From there, they made their way to the grand Rayah Library, a towering structure filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. Leon wasn't much of a reader, but Lila's eyes lit up at the sight of so much knowledge in one place. She spent hours exploring the rows of books, losing herself in the quiet atmosphere.
Their final stop was the Rayah Gardens, a serene oasis in the middle of the city. They walked along the winding paths, surrounded by lush greenery and the sound of trickling water from nearby fountains. For a moment, it felt like the weight of their responsibilities at the academy had lifted, if only for a short while.
As the sun began to set, they found themselves on a train, heading back to the academy. The journey had been long, and both of them were tired, but there was a contentment in the air, a sense that today had been well spent.
Leon leaned back in his seat, glancing at Lila as the train rocked gently. "So, Lila," he began, his voice curious but gentle, "why did you come to Gaia Academy? I mean, everyone has their reasons, right?"
Lila's expression darkened slightly at the question. Her gaze drifted to the window, watching the landscape pass by in a blur. She hadn't expected such a direct question, and for a moment, she considered brushing it off with a simple answer. But something about Leon's sincerity made her pause.
As she stared out the window, memories flooded her mind—a flashback that she had tried so hard to bury.
Lila was born in the small city of Ostia, a peaceful and close-knit community nestled in the countryside. Her early years were filled with the warmth of family and the simple joys of childhood. Ostia was not a wealthy city, but it was a place where everyone knew each other, and the bonds between neighbors were strong. Lila's family was no exception—they were loving, hardworking, and cherished the life they had.
However, when Lila was eight years old, everything changed. Without warning, a red-level gate appeared in the center of Ostia. The sky darkened, and the air grew heavy with the ominous energy radiating from the gate. This was no ordinary gate—red-level gates were among the most dangerous, often leading to catastrophic destruction if not quickly contained. But this time, the hunters meant to guard the city failed to respond in time.
High-level monsters poured out of the gate, far beyond anything the city's defenses could handle. They were terrifying creatures, beings of nightmare that rampaged through the streets, destroying everything in their path. Buildings crumbled, fires spread, and the screams of the dying filled the air. Lila's family, like so many others, tried to flee, but the monsters were relentless.
In the chaos, Lila's parents, along with other adults, made a desperate decision. They gathered as many children as they could find and hid them in a reinforced underground shelter—a cold, dark place meant to keep them safe from the horrors above.
The children huddled together in the shelter, terrified and confused, as the sounds of destruction and death echoed above them. They had no idea what was happening or if they would ever see their families again. Hours passed, each minute feeling like an eternity, until finally, the noise began to fade.
When the shelter door was finally opened, it wasn't by their parents. It was by hunters who had arrived too late. The reinforcements found a city in ruins, with few survivors. Lila and the other children emerged into a world that had been shattered. The once-thriving city of Ostia was now little more than a graveyard.
Lila's parents, like so many others, had been killed in the attack. The city was almost entirely destroyed, and those who survived were left to pick up the pieces. Lila was among the few orphaned children who were taken to a nearby town, placed in an orphanage that was already overcrowded and underfunded.
Life in the orphanage was harsh. The caretakers were cold, and the other children, scarred by their own traumas, were often cruel. Lila, still reeling from the loss of her family, became an easy target for bullying. The other orphans resented her for reasons she couldn't understand—perhaps because she was different, quieter, or simply because they needed someone to take out their pain on.
She was bullied relentlessly, taunted for her grief, and ostracized for her quiet nature. The pain of losing her family was compounded by the isolation she felt in the orphanage. Lila learned to keep her head down, to endure the abuse silently, and to rely on no one but herself.
But even in the darkest times, Lila refused to give up. She held on to the memory of her family, using it as a source of strength. She promised herself that she would survive, that she would become stronger, and that she would never allow herself to be helpless again. When she was old enough, she left the orphanage and sought out Gaia Academy, determined to learn how to fight and protect herself and others from the horrors she had endured.
The flashback ended, and Lila blinked, returning to the present. She realized that Leon was still watching her, waiting patiently for her answer.
"I want to become stronger," Lila said quietly, her voice filled with a steely resolve. "I need to be strong, so I can protect the people I care about. So that I never have to lose anyone again."
Leon nodded, sensing the depth of her words. He didn't press her for more details, understanding that some things were too painful to share.
After a moment of silence, Lila turned the question back to him. "What about you, Leon? Why did you come to Gaia Academy?"
Leon looked out the window, watching the sun dip below the horizon, casting the sky in shades of orange and pink. He was quiet for a while, lost in thought.
Finally, he spoke, his voice soft but firm. "I have a family to protect."
Leon didn't answer immediately, his eyes still on the passing scenery as his mind drifted to his past. The Reinheart family had always been there for him, taking him in and treating him like one of their own. And Alex… Alex was like a brother to him.
He paused, clenching his fists as he remembered all the times the Reinhearts had supported and believed in him. "If they ever need me, I want to be strong enough to protect them, no matter what."
Lila looked at Leon, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. They were both driven by the desire to protect those they cared about, even if their pasts were different. It was a bond that, in its own way, connected them.
The train continued its journey, carrying them back to Gaia Academy as the day came to an end.