Hiro lay on the bed, gazing at the angelic figure before him. Her smile was sweet and calming, filling the small cabin with an unexpected sense of peace.
"I assume you're the one who saved me?"
he asked, his voice still weak.
"Yeah, good thing I was nearby."
She turned and closed the cabin door, carefully sealing out the biting cold of the northern air.
"Thank you,"
"It's no problem. I'm sure anyone would step in to help a defenseless child,"
she replied, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Hiro frowned slightly but didn't argue. He tried to sit up, only to find his body unwilling to cooperate.
"Hey, don't push yourself, rest until you're better. You'll heal faster that way."
Hiro obeyed, sinking back into the bed. Instead of moving, he let his eyes wander around the cabin.
It was small but cozy, a place clearly built for survival and comfort in the harsh wilderness. Hunting gear lined the walls—bows, quivers of arrows, and a few traps—and a brick fireplace doubled as a makeshift kitchen.
The cabin's walls were made of sturdy oak logs, their natural grain adding warmth to the space.
The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the room, and the air was filled with the scent of burning wood. Despite the circumstances, Hiro felt a small measure of peace here.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Hiro."
The angel looked at him, her expression startled.
"Wow, you must not be from around here. I felt the weight of fate in your words. Did you just say your real name?"
Hiro tilted his head in confusion.
"Well, yes. Why wouldn't I? And you're right—I'm not from here. I traveled from my family's domain, the demon clan's territory. We were forced out by the Dread Knight."
Her eyes widened even more, her surprise deepening.
"That explains it. I'm guessing that knight was hunting you… or your people's settlement?"
Hiro's face darkened, the weight of his loss etched into his features.
"He was hunting only me, everyone else are already dead."
"I see, I'm sorry."
"It's alright,"
Hiro replied, though his tone suggested otherwise.
"Well,"
The angel continued, her voice steadier
"you being from the demon clan explains why you'd say your true name so casually."
"Is it wrong to say my name?"
She had regained her composure and nodded.
"Yes, it is. A name holds immense power—it's a gateway to your soul. If someone learns your true name, they can use it to control you or worse."
Hiro's eyes widened in shock. Back in his homeland, it was commonplace to share one's true name without hesitation
"I… I didn't know."
"Then make sure you never share your real name again under any circumstance. Got it?"
"Oh, uh, yes. Okay,"
"Good,"
she said with a small smile.
"Let's give you a nickname for now. How about… Roro?"
Hiro considered it for a moment. Now that he understood the danger, having a nickname seemed both practical and safe.
"Sure, that works."
"Great! Then it's settled. Roro, let me introduce myself properly. People call me Zenith, a war maiden from the Frozen Plateau."
At last, Hiro learned the name of his savior—the angel name or at the very least her nickname was Zenith, the War Maiden.
"Oh, by the way, what is fate?"
Zenith blinked, startled once again.
"Wait, what? Have you been living under a rock? How can you not know what 'fate' is?"
"Sorry, I genuinely don't know,"
Hiro admitted, scratching the back of his head.
Zenith paused, then realization dawned on her face.
"Oh, right. You're from the demon clans. Never mind—I get it now. Those damned age rituals…"
Hiro tilted his head in confusion.
"Age rituals? What are those?"