At precisely 21:00
Kenos made his way to his usual hill, a secluded spot near the stronghold's wall. This place was his sanctuary, a brief escape from the oppressive weight of his servitude. As he climbed the gentle slope, the familiar sight of the inner city came into view, a tapestry of twinkling lights and shadowy structures bathed in starlight.
He settled onto the soft grass, crossing his legs and laying his head back against his hands. The cool night air wrapped around him like a comforting embrace, and for a moment, the burdens of the day faded away. His gaze drifted upward, where the sky was a canvas painted with shimmering stars and ethereal nebulas, each one a beacon of dreams and possibilities.
Suddenly, the familiar sound of footsteps broke through his reverie. Rax, along with a couple of their friends, emerged from the darkness, a steel rod in his hand, glinting under the starlight.
"I knew I'd find you here, Kenos," Rax called out, a playful smirk spreading across his face. "Staring at the stars again, dreaming of a life you'll never have?"
Kenos turned, smiling at the teasing in Rax's voice. "At least I'm aiming high," he shot back, unbothered by the mockery.
"High, huh?" Rax replied, taking a few steps closer. "Maybe you should aim for a little less ambition and a bit more reality!"
With a sudden movement, Rax swung the rod in his grip, and the air cracked with the sound of it slicing through the night. Kenos barely had time to react before the rod connected with his side, the force knocking the wind out of him. He gasped, pain radiating through his body as Rax pressed his advantage, striking again with a vicious swing that caught Kenos across the back.
Stumbling, Kenos felt the ground shift beneath him, the world around him blurring. He fought to remain conscious, to summon the strength that the stars promised him, but Rax's relentless assault was overwhelming. The sharp pain coursed through him, and he fell to his knees, struggling to breathe.
"Look at him," Rax jeered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Just a pathetic wretch, dreaming of the stars." He took a step back, allowing Kenos a of feeble defiance. But before Kenos could gather his thoughts, Rax moved in again, delivering a final brutal blow to his head.
The impact sent a shockwave of darkness crashing over Kenos, and the last thing he remembered was the laughter of Rax and his friends echoing in his ears, growing fainter as the world faded to black.
When Kenos regained consciousness, he lay on the cold, damp ground, disoriented. His head throbbed, and he struggled to lift it from the dirt. Blinking against the glare of the stars above, he tried to piece together what had happened. The laughter had ceased, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the night air.
Panic surged through him as he pushed himself up, at the pain that radiated from his side and head. The hill was empty, Rax and his friends had abandoned him, leaving him alone with his thoughts and injuries.
He pressed a hand to his throbbing temple and took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. "This isn't the end," he whispered, determination mingling with the fear coursing through his veins.
He pushed himself to his feet, wincing at the lingering pain in his head but shaking off the discomfort. He made his way down the familiar path toward the cottage he called home.
Inside, the modest space was dimly lit, the flickering light from a small lantern casting soft shadows against the rough wooden walls. Kenos approached his bed, a simple nest made of dry grass and moss, its uneven surface offering a small measure of comfort against the chill of the night.
As he lay down, exhaustion washed over him, but his mind remained restless. "Soon, I'll be 14 years old," he thought, the weight of the approaching birthday heavy on his heart." At this age, everyone awakens their Astrum System. It's the only thing that might give me even a slight chance to leave this life behind."
Kenos recalled the stories whispered among the other orphans. They spoke of the thrill of awakening, of feeling a surge of energy as the Astrum System unlocked hidden potential. It was a rite of passage that marked the transition from childhood to a life of possibility. Yet for him, it was more than just a milestone; it was a desperate hope for escape from a life of servitude and uncertainty.
"What if I don't awaken?" The thought pierced through his hopeful reverie, chilling his heart. "What if I'm left behind, stuck in this life forever?"
He had seen too many children fail to awaken, their dreams extinguished as they remained trapped in the harsh realities of their existence. The fear of being forgotten, of never having the chance to grasp his own destiny, gripped him tightly.
Kenos took a deep breath, trying to quell the rising tide of doubt. "No, I can't let fear win." He closed his eyes and pictured the moment of awakening—the rush of energy, the connection to the cosmos igniting a fire within him." This is my chance. I won't waste it."
As he lay there, surrounded by the warmth of the cottage and the soft sounds of the other children settling down for the night, he felt a flicker of determination ignite in his heart. He would prepare for the awakening, do everything in his power to ensure he wouldn't be left behind.
With that resolve solidifying in his mind, Kenos drifted into a restless sleep, the stars shining brightly in his dreams, guiding him toward the future he so desperately desired.