A day has passed since the appearance of the cursed castle and the spirits. The city of Eldaria was located on the borders of the nation of Caldris, a considerable distance from Velkarn. Unlike the devastation that had consumed the capital, Eldaria thrived in its tranquility. Its wide green areas and lush forests spread like a blanket of life that embraced its borders, protecting it from the horrors that ravaged the heart of the nation.
In this place, where nature flourished without restraint, there was a town called Theris. This place, on the outskirts of the city, was a haven of peace, where the air was pure and the sound of leaves moving in the wind was the only thing that could be heard.
Theris was a place blessed with serenity, a refuge where the worries of everyday life in the city seemed far away. However, after the appearance of the cursed castle and the tragedy that followed, the calm of the place was protected by the presence of soldiers and guards who constantly patrolled, ensuring the safety of the area.
In the midst of this vigilance, a large orphanage was being built. Hundreds of children who had been orphaned by the chaos unleashed in Velkarn found a new home here. Under the protection of the soldiers, the children tried to rebuild their lives in a corner of peace, surrounded by nature and the rustling of leaves, trying to overcome the losses they had suffered. Morning came with the singing of birds, and the workers of the place, led by Maria, dedicated themselves to caring for and comforting the children. Maria, along with other caregivers, was a motherly figure for the children who, having lost so much, needed a sense of belonging more than ever.
Among the girls living in the orphanage was Lily. With curly blonde hair and blue eyes like the clear sky, she stood out for her maturity and kindness, despite her young age. Since her arrival the day before, she had decided to help Maria in any way she could, trying to make the newcomers feel comfortable, who often arrived crying or in a state of shock. Lily believed that if they managed to form some kind of new family among themselves, they would be able to overcome the loss of their previous families.
That morning, a new group of children arrived at the orphanage. Maria and the other workers were quick to welcome them, and Lily joined them enthusiastically, trying to cheer up the newcomers. As she looked around the group, her eyes stopped on one girl in particular, who seemed more distant than the others. Her hair was black, dark as night, and her purple eyes shone with an almost supernatural intensity, but there was something in her gaze: an emptiness, a deep sadness.
The little girl had separated from the group, and while the other children explored and played under the supervision of the workers, she headed out into the garden. The sun was beginning to set, and the shadows of the trees were lengthening, projecting ghostly figures across the grass. Lily took the opportunity to approach her, taking care not to frighten her.
"Hello," Lily said softly as she sat down beside her, looking up at the sky that was already beginning to turn orange and pink. "The sky is beautiful today, don't you think?"
The black-haired girl did not take her eyes off the horizon. She simply sighed.
"Yes"
Lily, undaunted by the short answer, stood silently beside her. After a few moments, she added:
"It reminds me of when I used to watch it with my parents. We used to sit in our backyard and just stare at the stars. It was... special."
For the first time, the black-haired girl turned her head slightly towards Lily, although her expression remained melancholic.
"So... where are they now?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Lily pressed her lips together, but a sad smile appeared on her face.
"They died in the war against the spirits. They were soldiers, like many of the people you see here." She paused, taking a deep breath, but with a small smile on her lips. "I know they gave their lives doing what they did best: protecting others. It was hard, and I miss them very much. But it always comforts me to think that their sacrifice saved many people, and that gives me strength to keep going."
The black-haired girl looked at her with a slight sadness, but also with admiration in her violet eyes, absorbing every word Lily said.
"Your parents did a very noble thing," she whispered, with unexpected sweetness. "Giving their lives to protect others… that is something very few can do."
Lily nodded, looking up at the sky for a moment, as if her parents were there, listening to her.
"Yes, and that's why I admire them so much. I want to be like them, to help others and protect those around me." Her voice filled with hope as she looked back at the girl. "And even though they're no longer here, I know that, in some way, they're still with me. They inspire me to be better and not to give up."
Lily remained silent, waiting for some reaction. The girl looked up at the sky again, her eyes reflecting the first stars that were appearing.
"I… don't remember anything about my parents," the girl confessed, her voice filled with sadness. "Or how I got here. It's like everything that was before this place has been erased. Sometimes I look at the sky, hoping it will help me remember something, anything. But… everything is still empty."
Lily looked at her with empathy, understanding the pain of that girl who seemed lost in her own world.
"It must be hard…" Lily murmured. "But you're not alone, you know. We've all lost something here, but together we can start over. We may not be able to get back the past, but… we can build something new."
The girl gave her a small smile, fragile but sincere.
"Thanks"
Just then, the first drops of rain began to fall. The sky, which had once been a canvas of warm colors, was now covered in grey clouds. Lily looked up and then smiled.
"We'd better get inside before we get soaked. Come on."
The girl nodded, but before getting up, she looked at the drops falling on her hands.
"The rain..." she said thoughtfully. "Sometimes it reminds me of someone crying, but I don't know who it is."
Lily looked at her with concern, but before she could say anything else, she took her by the hand and led her back to the orphanage. Maria met them at the door, making sure all the children got inside before the storm intensified.
Lily picked up a soft wool coat and walked over to the black-haired girl, offering it to her with a warm smile.
"Look, this coat is really warm," he said as he placed it over her shoulders. "So you won't be cold tonight."
The girl caressed the fabric with her fingers, a little shy. Lily, noticing her silence, bent down to be at her level and spoke to her softly.
"If you want, you can sleep with me tonight too. My bed is quite comfortable. I already asked Maria for permission" she added, trying to make the girl feel at ease.
The little girl's eyes lit up with a hint of surprise, and although she didn't say anything, she nodded with a slight smile of gratitude.
Lily extended her hand, inviting her to climb the stairs together.
"Come on, I'll show you my favorite spot in the room. It's by the window, so we can see the stars if the sky clears up."
The little girl gently took her hand, and together they walked to the bedroom. When they arrived, Lily helped her into bed and carefully tucked her in.
"Are you comfortable?" she asked, sitting down next to her.
The girl, wrapped in the coat and blanket, nodded, snuggling even closer.
"If you need anything, just wake me up, okay?" Lily said, gently stroking her hair. "You don't have to feel alone."
The girl slowly closed her eyes, feeling a nostalgic peace. Lily stared at her for a moment, thinking about how much she might have suffered.
"I promise you won't be alone," she whispered, before settling down next to her and closing her eyes, determined to protect her, like a friend and sister.
The serenity of the night enveloped the orphanage, while the storm continued to roar outside, whispering like a distant echo of the sorrows and memories that both girls shared in silence.
Despite the rain pelting the windows, the interior of the orphanage offered a warm refuge. In the quiet of that moment, under the cloak of darkness and the stars veiled by clouds, the girls clung to a faint hope. Together, unwittingly, they had taken the first step toward a new beginning.