My eyes twitch as the first rays of light of morning touched my skin, I open my eyes as the sounds of a waking city wrapped around my ears. My sister, still fast asleep at my side. I should go fetch something to eat to compensate for last night's hunger.
Quietly, I rose, careful not to wake her. Avelyn needed all the rest she could get, and I couldn't bear to see the hope fade from her eyes if she were to wake up and find no food present.
The streets were already alive with movement—vendors setting up their stalls, the distant rumble of engines, and the chatter of people going about their daily routine. But all I saw were potential opportunities, scraps I could scavenge or pockets I might pick if it came to that.
My stomach growled in protest, urging me to move faster. I slipped into the narrow alleyways, sticking to the shadows where the early risers wouldn't notice me. It was a routine I knew too well—find something, anything edible, and get back before Avelyn woke up.
As I reached the edge of the market district, the smell of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat hit me like a punch to the gut. It was tempting, almost maddening, to see so much food within reach yet know it wasn't meant for people like us. But I wasn't here to envy the fortunate; I was here to survive.
I spotted a baker pulling loaves from the oven, their golden crusts steaming in the cool morning air. I could almost taste it—the warmth, the softness of real bread—but I shook the thought away. There was no chance I could get close enough without getting caught. My eyes darted to the back of the stall, where discarded scraps and rejected goods often piled up.
It wasn't much, but it was something. And it had to be enough.
Keeping low, I crept closer, heart pounding in my chest. The people around were too busy preparing for the day to notice me slipping behind the stalls. I rifled through the pile quickly, hands grabbing onto a slightly burnt loaf and a few bruised fruits. It was small in amount, but it was more than we had last night.
I slipped back into the shadows, hugging the walls as I moved swiftly through the alleyways. The scent of the warm loaf clung to my hands, teasing me with the promise of a decent meal for once. "A successful haul… this time, nicely done me," I muttered under my breath, a smirk creeping onto my lips. There was a small sense of pride in pulling off something so simple yet vital—one more win in a life where wins were rare.
As I put more distance between myself and the market, the tight knot of tension in my chest loosened. It was a good morning, considering the usual risks. I rounded a corner and slipped through a gap between crumbling buildings that led to the back streets, heading towards where Avelyn and I called home—or at least the closest thing to it.
She'd be waking up soon, probably with that hopeful smile she always had, expecting me to return with something better than scraps. Today, I had something more. It was barely enough in the eyes of many, but in our world, it was a feast.
As I approached the alley, the familiar sights came into view—makeshift tents, rusted barrels, and broken crates lining the walls. There, in the dim light, I spotted Avelyn already sitting up, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Her face lit up the moment she saw me, her orange eyes brightening with a mix of relief and joy.
"You're back!" she called out, scrambling to her feet. "Did you find anything, brother?"
I grinned and held up the bread and fruit like they were treasures from the void itself. "You betcha! Feast your eyes on this, Avelyn! We're eating like kings today!"
She gasped in delight, her thin hands reaching out eagerly. "It looks so good! How did you manage to get all this?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, and I could see her imagination running wild, probably picturing some grand adventure where I outsmarted guards or snatched the food from under a rich man's nose.
"Had to wrestle a Valkaryann for it," I joked, handing her the loaf first. "But don't worry, I made sure it was no match for your big brother."
"Bleh!~ What a liar! Valkaryanns would eat you alive!" she replied back
Avelyn giggled, taking a bite of the bread. Her face softened as she chewed, savoring every crumb as if it were the finest delicacy. "This is amazing!" she mumbled between bites, her joy infectious.
I took a seat beside her, tearing into the bruised fruit with less ceremony but equal hunger. The taste wasn't great, but seeing her happy made the blandness bearable. For now, this little moment of peace was enough to push aside the reality of our situation.
For now, though, I let myself enjoy this small victory with Avelyn. We laughed, we ate, and for just a little while, we allowed ourselves to pretend that life was as simple as this stolen meal. But deep down, I knew that the road ahead was far from easy, and that I'd have to keep fighting for every small moment of happiness we could get.
As we finished, Avelyn leaned against me, her voice soft as she said, "Thank you, brother. I know you're doing everything you can for us… and I believe in you."
I didn't respond right away. Her faith in me was like a heavy weight, one that drove me forward but also made the fear of failure sharper. I rested my hand on her head, ruffling her hair gently. "We'll get out of here someday, Avelyn. I promise."
I leaned back, staring up at the sky once more, feeling the hunger within me shift into something else—a burning resolve to climb higher, to see more, to take whatever steps were needed to ensure we'd never have to scavenge like this again.
The world could be cruel, but I'd learned that I had to be crueler if I wanted to carve out a place for us. Whatever it took, I'd make sure that this wasn't the best we could hope for… and for that to happen, I must act.
I gently ruffled Avelyn's raven black hair, her strands soft and tangled from sleep. "You stay here, Avelyn. I'll go find more food for later," I said, adding a lighthearted tone to keep her spirits up. "Who knows? I might even score us an extra bonus if luck's on our side."
Her eyes brightened, but a hint of worry lingered in them. "Be careful, brother," she murmured, holding the tattered blanket close. "I'll wait right here, just like always."
I gave her a reassuring nod before standing up and stretching, trying to shake off the stiffness from another rough night. The artificial lights above had brightened to mimic the morning, their warmth radiating through the narrow alleyways. Though it wasn't the real sun, it was all we had. The world of Corvus was a world on the move, a drifting empire where engineered technology replaced natural light and heat.
Everything looked starker under the synthetic glow—the cracks in the buildings more pronounced, the grime clinging to every surface more visible. But I couldn't let it get to me. Avelyn was counting on me, and I had a job to do.
As I turned to leave, I caught one last look at her. She was already humming to herself, drawing little shapes in the dirt to pass the time. The sight filled me with a renewed resolve. This wasn't just about finding food for today—it was about holding onto some shred of hope that things could change.
As I approached the mouth of the alley, my eyes scanned the bustling streets, searching for potential marks. I felt a surge of confidence, spurred on by the success of my earlier haul. Today, I was willing to take a bigger risk—something bolder than just scavenging leftovers. This time, I aimed to pickpocket. After all, gold is every man's best friend… or so I've heard.
"Hm…" I mumbled quietly to myself, my gaze shifting across the crowded scene as I hunted for the right opportunity. It wasn't long before I spotted her—a noblewoman, likely in her later years, elegantly dressed as she stood near a bakery, examining the loaves on display. Her attire screamed wealth, and the way she casually handled her purse suggested she had more than enough to spare. A prime target if ever there was one.
I took a deep breath, my heart drumming steadily as I prepared myself. It wasn't just about skill—it was about timing and staying unnoticed. The crowd around the bakery provided just the cover I needed. If I played it smart, I could be in and out without her even realizing she'd been relieved of some of her wealth.
I blended into the flow of people, keeping my movements casual but precise, gradually inching closer to the woman. Her attention was entirely on the fresh bread in front of her, the vendor chatting her up in an attempt to upsell. I could see the glint of gold peeking from her purse as she adjusted it absentmindedly. The scent of freshly baked goods wafted through the air, masking any hint of tension I might be giving off.
"Keep it smooth… Keep it smooth and steady Veran" I thought in my mind to help me stay focused
With a practiced hand, I edged closer, my fingers itching for that small pouch. The trick was to appear as though I was just another passerby, harmless and unnoticeable. I waited for a moment when she was fully engaged in conversation, then I made my move—swift and precise.
My fingers brushed against the leather of the purse, and with one smooth motion, I lifted it free. For a split second, my heart stopped, but the woman remained blissfully unaware, still engrossed in her exchange with the vendor. I slipped the pouch into my pocket and continued walking without breaking stride, my expression neutral, just another face in the crowd.
Once I was a safe distance away, I ducked into a nearby alley, my pulse racing with adrenaline. I leaned against the wall, finally allowing myself a smirk as I opened the pouch. The glint of coins greeted me, more than enough to feed Avelyn and me for several days if I played my cards right.
""Woohoo… what a haul! This'll keep Avelyn and me fed for days!" I whispered excitedly to myself, the weight of the stolen coins reassuring in my pocket.
Just as I was about to slip away unnoticed, a deep, gruff voice cut through the alley, freezing me in place. "Nice score today, huh, kid?"
A cold shiver ran down my spine. I'd been caught. Slowly, I turned toward the source of the voice and found myself staring at a tall man standing in the shadows. His dark hair cascaded down to his shoulders, and his attire had a rough, roguish edge to it—worn leather, a few hidden blades, and an aura of danger that made my stomach twist.
He smirked, clearly amused by my reaction. "Didn't think you were the only one with eyes on the street, did you?" he said, his tone more teasing than threatening, though it did little to calm my nerves.
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "What do you want?" I asked, tightening my grip on the pouch hidden in my pocket. Running might have been an option, but something about the way he stood there, so casually confident, told me it wouldn't be wise.
The man took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Relax, kid. If I wanted to rat you out, I'd have done it already. But I couldn't help but notice you've got potential. That little trick you pulled back there? Not bad for a young pup like you."
I didn't respond, still wary, but his words sparked a flicker of curiosity. Who was this guy, and why was he bothering with me? Most people would've either turned me in or ignored me altogether… well, minus the fact that I just stole from a noble just seconds ago
He seemed to pick up on my hesitation and chuckled. "Name's Roran. I keep an eye on promising talents in this sector. And you, kid… you've got the makings of someone who could do more than just scrape by."
I raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. "And why would you care? What's in it for you?"
Roran's smirk grew wider, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "What's in it for me? Let's just say I like to invest in potential when I see it. You keep this up, and you might find yourself with better opportunities than digging through trash or pickpocketing nobles."
His words hung in the air, tempting but also laced with hidden danger. I didn't know whether to trust him, but the idea of a way out—something more than barely surviving day by day—was hard to ignore.
"What do you say, kid?" Roran continued, crossing his arms as he leaned back against the wall. "You stick with me, and I can show you how to really make a name for yourself in this city. You could give that little sister of yours a life you both deserve."
I stiffened at the mention of Avelyn. He knew about her too. It made me uneasy, but at the same time, it meant he'd done his homework. He wasn't just making empty promises; he knew what motivated me.
I took a deep breath, weighing my options. Trusting him could lead to something bigger—or it could be a trap. But if I walked away now, I'd be stuck in the same endless cycle, just scraping by and I wouldn't be able to fulfill my sister's dreams. I would do anything, even if were to beg, and to steal just for my sister… yes… and no, Not only for my sister but for myself… as I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT I AM DESTINED FOR DIRT!
And so I answered the man, "Alright… I'm listening."
Roran grinned, satisfied. "Smart choice, kid. We'll start small, but stick with me, and you'll see just how far you can go."
Something told me this was the beginning of a path I couldn't turn back from. But for Avelyn, I'd take that chance. If I was going to climb out of the dirt, I'd need every advantage I could get. And if Roran was offering a way up, I'd grasp it—no matter where it led.