The door creaked open, and the smell of warm food filled the air. Mike, still half-asleep, rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed, blinking against the light from the hallway. In walked Mira, balancing a tray of food with a mischievous grin plastered on her face.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Mira teased, placing the tray on a small table near the bed. She wore a simple yet flattering dress, light blue that hugged her waist and flowed down to her knees. Her long hair was tied back, a few strands loose around her face, giving her a casual, relaxed look. "Brought you some breakfast, figured you might need it after last night."
Mike yawned, running a hand through his messy hair. "Last night?" he asked, still groggy.
Mira chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, come on, don't play dumb. Lyria told me everything." She leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "How you two finally gave in and took each other's first time."
Mike's face turned beet red. "Lyria really said that?" He shifted uncomfortably, suddenly very aware of how close Mira was.
"Yep," she said, smirking. "Don't worry, she said it was... sweet." She winked, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "But hey, no need to get all shy now. I'm happy for you two. Just don't forget about me," she added, sticking her tongue out playfully.
Mike groaned, trying to change the subject. "What's for breakfast?"
"Nice try." Mira laughed, standing up straight again. "But I'll let it slide." She gestured to the tray. "Eggs, bread, and something called 'honeyed fruit,' which is apparently a thing here. Thought I'd show you around the kingdom later. You've barely seen it since you arrived."
Mike nodded, relieved that the teasing had ended. "Yeah, I'd like that," he said, taking a piece of bread and chewing thoughtfully. The memory of last night still played in his mind, but now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
After breakfast, Mira led him through the bustling streets of Solis. The kingdom was alive with activity, people going about their daily lives, vendors selling their wares, and children running around laughing. The architecture was a mix of old stone buildings and newer structures, a blend of tradition and magic.
As they strolled, an old man approached them, his face wrinkled and weathered. His clothes were tattered, and his eyes held a strange intensity.
"Young man," the old man rasped, pointing a gnarled finger at Mike. "You are weak. Weakness invites tragedy. Get prepared for consequences. The tragedy will bring your wimpy ass to me, so that you can save what remains."
Mike frowned, stepping back. "What the hell's your problem, old man?"
Mira rolled her eyes, pulling Mike along. "Ignore him. He's just a crazy street prophet. There's a few of them around here. Always spouting doom and gloom." She gave the old man a sideways glance as they walked past, but Mike couldn't help but feel unsettled by his words.
They continued their walk, and soon came across a small boy playing near a fountain. He looked up as Mira approached, his eyes wide with admiration.
"Miss Mira!" the boy exclaimed, running over. He couldn't have been older than eight, his clothes simple and worn, but his face lit up with excitement.
"Hey there, Theo," Mira greeted him warmly, ruffling his hair. "I brought someone with me today. This is Mike. He's new here."
Theo looked up at Mike with big, curious eyes. "Hi, Mister Mike," he said shyly.
"Hey, Theo." Mike smiled, feeling a strange sense of calm around the kid. "Mira tells me you're pretty important around here."
Theo grinned, but it faltered slightly. "Not really...."
Mira glanced at Mike. "I'll go grab us something to eat. Be right back, boys." She winked and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Mike and Theo alone.
Mike sat down on the edge of the fountain, motioning for Theo to join him. "So, what's on your mind, kid?"
Theo hesitated for a moment, then sat next to him. "I..... I was abandoned," he said quietly. "My parents left me here when I was five. I've been living in the orphanage ever since. I don't think they wanted me."
Mike felt a pang in his chest. "That's rough, man. I get it." He leaned back, staring at the sky. "My mom died when I was your age. After that, my dad just up and left with another woman. I was fourteen when I decided I was gonna make him regret it. I worked my ass off, day and night, just so I could become someone he'd be jealous of. I thought if I made it big, if I became a billionaire, I could shove it in his face, prove him wrong."
Theo looked up at him, listening intently.
"But you know what?" Mike continued, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "It didn't work. He died before I could show him anything. And in the end, I was just left with all that anger. But hey, at least I'm free now, right? No one else's expectations weighing me down."
Theo's eyes softened. "So.... you didn't do it for yourself?"
Mike shook his head. "Nah, I did it for all the wrong reasons. But you.... you've still got time, Theo. Don't make the same mistake I did. You're not useless, kid. You're young, and you've got your whole life ahead of you to figure it out. Just make sure you're doing it for you, not anyone else."
The boy's expression brightened. "Thanks, Mike. That.... that actually helps a lot."
Mike smiled. "Anytime, kid."
Their moment was interrupted when Mira returned, carrying a basket of food. "Look what I found," she said cheerfully, setting it down. "Let's dig in."
Just as they were about to eat, a sudden gust of wind chilled the air. Mike's instincts kicked in, and he stood up, eyes scanning the surroundings.
From the shadows, a figure emerged, a snake demon, its scales glistening in the sunlight. Its eyes locked onto Mira.
"Mira!" Mike shouted, stepping in front of her.
The demon hissed, a sinister smile curling on its lips. "You think you can protect her, boy? You're nothing."
Before Mike could react, the demon moved with blinding speed, striking at him. Pain shot through his side as he was flung to the ground, the wind knocked out of him.
"Mira!" he gasped, struggling to get up.
The demon ignored him, focusing on Mira instead. "Finally, a strong magic source. Thanks to her, I got this opportunity. Black rose." His voice dripped with malice as he wrapped his coils around her, constricting her movement.
Mira fought back, her magic flaring, but the demon used Mike as a distraction, keeping her off balance. With a swift movement, it subdued her, capturing her in its hold.
"Mira!" Mike shouted again, but his body wouldn't listen. He was frozen, his legs trembling as fear rooted him to the ground. He watched helplessly as the demon tightened its grip around her.
And then, from the corner of his eye, he saw Theo. The boy had picked up a small rock, standing between Mike and the demon.
"Run, Mister Mike," Theo said, his voice shaking. "I'll.... I'll protect you."
Mike's heart sank. "No, Theo, don't.....!"
But it was too late. The boy hurled the rock at the demon, catching its attention. The snake demon turned, its eyes narrowing at the small figure standing defiantly in its path.
Without mercy, the demon struck, its tail lashing out and sending Theo crashing to the ground. The boy didn't get back up.
Mike screamed, but his body still wouldn't move. He could only watch as Theo, bloodied and broken, gave him a weak thumbs-up before collapsing completely. The smile on the boy's face lingered, even in death.
The world spun around Mike. His chest tightened, his mind a chaotic mess. He wanted to move, to fight, but his legs buckled beneath him. He fell backward, crawling away from the horror before him.
The last thing he saw before everything went dark was Mira, her eyes filled with pain and regret as the demon dragged her away.
When Mike woke up, he was in the infirmary. His body felt heavy, his mind clouded by guilt. He lay there, staring at the ceiling, the memory of Theo's smile haunting him.
He had run. He had left them both behind.
And now..... they were gone.