Days turned into weeks.
Alden remained mute around everyone else, but he found solace in speaking freely with Kael.
Kael often remained distant, focusing on the outside world, his expression unchanging as he stared out the window.
They were not friends in the traditional sense, but they were each other's anchors amidst the chaos.
Timaeus seemed to have taken special pleasure in tormenting Alden. He would barge into their shared room, mockery dripping from every word, enjoying the powerlessness etched on Alden's face.
Though Kael said that he and Alden shouldn't associate with one another. It was him who always intervened, stepping in to confront Timaeus when Alden felt too weak to do so.
Despite his own struggles, Kael protected Alden, never asking for anything in return.
Alden felt a simmering frustration deep inside, a constant reminder of how weak he was. He loathed the feeling, especially when he saw Kael step in to protect him time and time again.
Every moment of humiliation stoked a fire within him, a silent vow that one day, he would do the protecting instead.
The day came when Timaeus decided he wanted Alden's necklace.
"Hey, new guy," Timaeus sneered, entering their room uninvited.
"That necklace of yours looks like it could fetch a pretty penny. Hand it over."
Alden's heart raced as Timaeus reached for it, and yanked it away.
"Whoa! Why you look so angry!" Timaeus laughed, stepping closer.
"What are you going to do about it? Cry?"
"Leave him alone, Timaeus," Kael said, his voice steady as he moved between Alden and Timaeus, trying to yank the necklace back.
But this time, Timaeus had enough.
With a growl of frustration, Timaeus shoved Kael violently to the floor.
"This is none of your business! Why are you always meddling? You can't even walk!"
He spat as he kicked Kael over and over again, his blows growing harsher with each strike.
Alden froze, watching in horror as Kael was beaten senseless and was soon knocked unconscious.
The room fell silent for a heartbeat. Then something snapped within Alden.
A spark of light surged from deep within him, the room illuminated by a radiant aura that pulsed around his body. The air crackled as the temperature spiked, and the oppressive weight of Timaeus' presence crumbled beneath the sheer force of Alden's sudden transformation.
"What the—?"
Timaeus stumbled back, eyes wide with disbelief.
Alden's breath came out in ragged gasps, but he could feel the power coursing through him, surging in his veins like molten fire. He had awakened.
"Give it back,"
Alden demanded, his voice stronger, more commanding than ever before.
"You… you're not mute?"
Timaeus froze, his face twisted in confusion.
Alden stepped forward, and the light surrounding him exploded, filling the room with a blinding radiance that made Timaeus stumble backward in fear.
Timaeus, for the first time, was speechless, too terrified to retaliate. He turned and fled, leaving the necklace on the ground.
Alden stood over Kael as the last traces of light faded from the room. The thrill of his newfound strength exhilarated him, but the sight of Kael's unconscious form quickly washed away his excitement.
Word of Alden's Awakening spread through the orphanage like wildfire.
Alden was one of the rare few to have an early awakening. It marked him as someone with immense potential, and the caretakers treated him differently overnight.
He was moved to a better room, given extra food, access to training, and exclusive lessons. It was a dream come true, yet a part of him felt hollow as he adjusted to his new life.
Kael remained in their shared room, still facing the wrath of Timaeus and the other orphans. Alden often glanced back, guilt gnawing at him. Kael had been the one to protect him, yet here he was basking in his newfound strength.
Kael, however, seemed indifferent to Alden's success but if it would be a lie to say he wasn't envious of Alden's newfound strength.
Kael was genuinely happy for his roommate though. He was glad Alden had gotten the power he always wanted. He only hoped that maybe his turn would come next.
However...
Timaeus has grown ever so spiteful, envious, and revengeful towards Alden. But he could no longer touch Alden so he poured all his frustrations on kael.
One day, Alden returned from a grueling training session, only to be met with hushed whispers and worried glances from the caretakers.
Panic gripped him as he approached one of them.
"What's going on? What happened?"
The caretaker's face paled.
"You don't know? Kael... he's in critical condition.
Timaeus and the others… they went too far this time."
Alden's blood ran cold. A wave of guilt washed over him. All those times Kael had stepped in for him, all those times Kael had protected him, and now, when Kael needed him most, he wasn't there.
Panic surged in his chest as he rushed towards the infirmary, only to be stopped by another caretaker.
"Let me see him!" Alden pleaded.
"You can't," the caretaker replied, her voice steady but firm.
"There's a family waiting for you."
"A family?"
"The Lionheart family—they've come to take you with them. It's a huge opportunity."
The words hit him like a slap. The Lionheart family. The name sent a chill down Alden's spine. They were powerful, influential, a chance for Alden to escape the orphanage and make a name for himself.
But at what cost?
Kael was fighting for his life, and Alden had to make a choice. He could stay and help his friend—or he could leave and seize the opportunity of a lifetime. The weight of his decision crushed him.
Alden felt torn. But then he remembered the accident that had taken his family away, the anger bubbling up inside him as he thought of the one responsible for it. He couldn't let history repeat itself. He couldn't let himself be powerless again.
"I'll go with them," Alden finally said, the words bitter on his tongue.
As he stepped out of the orphanage, he glanced back one last time, his heart heavy with guilt. Kael had been the one person who had shown him kindness. Now, he was leaving him behind.