Once, a wise man said: "A world where people seek their own benefit without caring about the means or methods is destined for absolute destruction." Novus is a small boy born in Nadir, a world where survival depends on being the most cunning and unpredictable, and where your worth is proportional to the number of people you've exploited.
Novus was the result of a desperate attempt by a woman to manipulate her partner so that he would provide for her and fulfill her every whim. She believed that if she got pregnant, he would be at her mercy, but things didn't turn out that way. One day, he vanished without a word, leaving her alone and full of hatred.
When Novus was born, his mother, in a moment of despair, decided to leave him in an alley to fend for himself, hoping he would die of hunger or cold. What the mother didn't expect was that an old man from a group of vagabonds would witness this heart-wrenching scene and, feeling compassion, decide to care for the small child until he could fend for himself.
This group of vagabonds was made up of five men: Kael, Lysander, Zephyr, Riven, and Gideon, all aged between 40 and 70 years old.
Gideon: "Look at this poor little creature. How can it be that someone would try to take away his life just as it's beginning? Every day, this world grows worse."
Kael: "Where the hell did you find this kid? Did you steal him from someone?"
Gideon: "I didn't steal him from anyone. This little boy was just discarded by his mother in an alley."
Kael: "That doesn't give you the right to bring him here! What do you want to do? Raise him like you're his mother?"
Lysander: "What's going on, guys? What's all this commotion?"
Kael: "Lysander, finally, someone sane. Gideon brought an abandoned child he found in an alley."
Lysander: "Is that true, Gideon?"
Gideon: "Yes, this little one was discarded and abandoned by his mother in an alley. You know I couldn't just leave him there."
Lysander: "Gideon, we're not in a good situation to care for a child."
Kael: "Exactly! How do you plan to raise this kid? What will you feed him? Have you even thought about it?"
Gideon: "Guys, please understand. He's an innocent life, just another victim of this god-awful world. Would you really be like the society that turns a blind eye to us? Would you do the same to this little child?"
Lysander: "That's not the point, Gideon. How do you plan to take care of him? As much as we want to help, our financial situation makes it impossible. Where will you get the milk he needs? The clothes he'll wear? That's the issue, Gideon."
Gideon: "Lysander, my body hasn't failed me yet. I can find the milk and clothes he needs. I refuse to become the very thing that's harmed us. I won't turn a blind eye, and I won't abandon him."
Kael: "Gideon... don't worry. This time, I'll support your decision. When our brothers arrive, we'll explain the situation. I don't want to follow the rules of this god-awful world either."
Lysander: "Gideon, you have to understand this is an incredibly delicate situation. You must prioritize this child's life above your own. Are you willing to do that?"
Gideon: "I'm willing, even if I have to break my back finding food."
Later, in the vagabonds' hideout, the remaining brothers, Zephyr and Riven, returned with long faces. That day, while begging a wealthy young man for food, they were kicked and reminded that the world would be better without vagabonds like them.
Emotionally crushed and bruised from the beating, they were greeted by their brothers, who had a serious decision to discuss.
Zephyr: "Brothers, what's going on? Why do you all look so tense?"
Gideon: "Brother, I have something to tell you. It's a decision I made despite the consequences, supported by Lysander and Kael."
Zephyr : "What did you do, Gideon?"
Gideon: "I decided to take in a small child who was abandoned by his mother in an alley. I take full responsibility for him, his food, and his needs."
Silence filled the room. Zephyr was at a loss for words, processing what his brother had just said, while Riven remained silent in his corner.
Zephyr: "Gideon, this is a joke, right?" breaking the silence.
Gideon: "No, brother, I'm completely serious."
Realizing what his brother meant, Zephyr became exasperated: "Gideon! What are you talking about? You know we can barely take care of ourselves. How the hell do you expect to take care of a child? I just came back from begging like a rat, beaten and humiliated by fools who think their wealth makes them superior. We couldn't even bring back a scrap of bread, and meanwhile, you're playing nanny to a child discarded by his mother?"
Lysander, raising his voice authoritatively, interrupted: "Zephyr! What the hell is wrong with you? Was Gideon the one who beat and humiliated you? Is it his fault we're vagabonds? Answer me."
Zephyr, clearly agitated and affected, remained silent and lowered his head.
Lysander: "I understand how you feel; this situation is hard on all of us. But no one here is to blame for another's misfortune. This little boy, rescued by Gideon, is an innocent victim of this rotten world. Do you have the heart to tell me you'd let him die?"
Ashamed and frustrated, Zephyr muttered: "I'm sorry, Gideon. I shouldn't have shouted at you or said those things. Riven and I just had a rough day, and this news isn't exactly comforting."
Gideon: "Brother, I understand how you feel. But please, understand me too. We can't let this child die. Let me care for him, at least until he can fend for himself."
For the first time, Riven asked: "Zephyr, you haven't answered. Would you let him die?"
Zephyr silently shook his head.
Riven: "Gideon, you've made your decision. I hope you won't forget everything you've promised."
Gideon: "Thank you, brother. I won't go back on my word. I'll care for him until he can stand on his own."
Turning to the baby, Gideon whispered: "Don't worry, little one. I won't abandon you. I'll make you into a strong man. From now on, your name will be Novus because you're the newest among us, and I sense you'll bring many changes."
And so, little Novus officially became part of the vagabond group, and his story had just begun.
The vagabonds exchanged glances—some filled with doubt, others with acceptance. They knew Novus's life wouldn't be easy, but they also knew they couldn't let him die.
Meanwhile, Novus, unaware of the discussion his presence had sparked, looked around curiously, trying to make sense of his new surroundings.
As night fell over the city, the vagabonds prepared to rest. Gideon held Novus in his arms and carried him to a corner where he had set up a small bed.
"Rest, little one," Gideon said, stroking his head. "Tomorrow will be a new day, and together we'll face whatever comes."
Novus quickly fell asleep, surrounded by the vagabonds who were now his family. But in his dreams, one image persisted: his mother abandoning him in the alley—a memory that would haunt him for a long time.