Chapter 3: Survival Instincts
I woke up feeling... better. Not great, but better. My stomach still growled like a caged animal, but the sleep had dulled the edge of the hunger. Stretching, I leaned back against the rough wall, wincing as my stiff muscles protested. My eyes drifted to the small pond nearby, the surface shimmering in the morning light.
Curiosity got the better of me. Crawling over, I peered into the water. A face stared back at me—familiar but somehow... different. My black hair was disheveled as usual, but my green eyes seemed brighter, sharper, almost glowing in the dim light. I tilted my head, studying my reflection.
"Huh," I muttered to myself, smirking a little. "Not as bad as I thought. Could probably do better if I cleaned up, though."
I splashed some water on my face, the cold shocking me into full alertness. As the droplets ran down my skin, I took another glance at the pond. Despite the dirt and grime of the slums still clinging to me, there was something about my reflection that made me pause. Maybe it was the eyes. Or maybe it was just the fact that, for the first time, I didn't feel like the helpless kid I had always been.
But self-reflection wasn't going to fill my stomach. I needed food. Desperately. My gaze drifted toward the marketplace, not far from where I was. The thought of stealing made my gut twist. Not because I had a problem with it—survival was survival—but because I'd gotten caught more times than I cared to admit. Still, hunger doesn't exactly leave room for morality.
I made my way toward the market, keeping to the shadows. The hustle and bustle of the morning crowd worked in my favor; people were too busy bartering and shouting to notice someone like me slipping between them. My eyes darted around, scanning for an opportunity. A fruit stall caught my attention—a basket of apples sitting just within reach.
Perfect.
I waited until the vendor turned away, distracted by a loud argument with a customer. With a quick glance over my shoulder, I made my move. My fingers closed around the apples, and I shoved them into my bag in one fluid motion. Years of living in the slums had taught me how to be quick, how to blend into the crowd.
But just as I was about to slip away, I heard it.
"Hey! You there!"
Cursing under my breath, I bolted. The vendor had spotted me, and now he was shouting for the guards. I weaved through the crowd, my heart pounding in my chest. My instincts took over, every muscle in my body screaming at me to move faster.
"Stop him!" someone yelled.
Not likely.
I darted down an alley, the shouts fading behind me. My breath came in ragged gasps, but I didn't dare stop. The narrow alley opened into another street, and I ducked behind a cart, pressing myself against the wall. My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath, my fingers clutching the stolen apples like they were the most precious treasure in the world.
Peeking around the corner, I saw the vendor arguing with a guard, pointing in every direction except the one I'd gone. A slow grin spread across my face.
"Better luck next time," I muttered under my breath.
I sank down to the ground, pulling one of the apples from my bag. The first bite was heavenly—sweet, crisp, and exactly what I needed. For a moment, nothing else mattered. The danger, the hunger, the strange powers I didn't yet understand—it all faded into the background as I savored the taste of my hard-won prize.
As I chewed, I couldn't help but laugh quietly to myself. "Looks like today's my lucky day," I said, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
But deep down, I knew this was just the beginning. The powers, the system, the Black Phoenix—they were all pieces of a puzzle I didn't have the answers to yet. For now, though, survival was enough. And if the world thought it could keep me down, it had another thing coming.