Martis was five years old when his parents first noticed something was wrong. His chest would tighten and his breaths coming in short. Uneven gasps as his small hands clutched at his heart. After months of tests and doctor visits, the diagnosis was clear: Martis had a congenital heart condition, one that made physical exertion dangerous. His parents were devastated, especially his mother, who took it upon herself to protect Martis from every risk imaginable.
"You're staying inside," Said his mother, standing in the doorway of their modest home. "You are not allowed to leave the house without me and your father, you hear? You are nlt like the other children."
Martis hated those words. He hated the pity in his family's member's eyes, the way his parents fretted over him like he was made of glass. So, when they moved to a new neighborhood a year later, he saw it as a chance to change things.
That's when he met Ren.
Ren was the boy next door, the kind of kid who seemed to glow with boundless energy and mischief. He was a whirlwind of scraped knees, mud-streaked clothes, and an ever-present grin. To Martis, Ren was everything he wasn't: fearless, free, and full of life.
"Hey," Ren had said one afternoon, peeking over the fence that separated their yards, signaling his bedrooms window. "Wanna come play?"
Martis hesitated, hearing his parents arguing on his behalf. But something in Ren's grin was magnetic, irresistible. His guilt wasn't able strong enough to resist Ren's words — gulping down on 5he thoughts of his parents warnings—Martis nodded.
From that day on, Ren became his escape. They'd play in Ren's backyard, their laughter ringing through the air like bells. Ren taught him how to climb trees, how to skip rocks across the creek, how to ignore the nagging voice in his head that said he shouldn't do what he wants.
For a while, Martis felt normal, finally playing like other children. For a few weeks, he actually felt better. But his fatigue would not be long gone.
Then came the day Ren convinced him to leave the yard.
"Come on, Martis," Ren said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "There's a park just down the street. It's got this huge hill—we can roll down it!"
Martis hesitated. He knew the risks, knew how his parents would react. But Ren's enthusiasm was infectious, and Martis couldn't bring himself to say no.
That was how it started: sneaking out for short trips, always careful to return before anyone noticed. It was exhilarating, a taste of the freedom he'd always craved.
"I am happy that you understand that you are not like the others." Said his mother with a painful smile on her face. "One day you will also have a family and understand why we are so harsh."
"Yes! Mom." Said Martis turning his head away. "I know you eant the best for me."
His mother smile, patted him on his head and left his room.
As her leaving the room, Martis expression turned into a mischievous smile. He couldn't just let the newly freedom escape his grasps.
But freedom came with a price.
One day, his parents caught them.
"Martis! Come back right now!" His mother's voice had been shrill with panic as she chased after them.
Ren, ever the daredevil, darted across the street, laughing as he called back, "Hurry up, slowpoke!"
Martis followed without thinking.
From the left side, a car came with a distracted driver. The driver, saw Martis too late, pushing as hard as he could on his breaks, honking away.
Martis heard the honk, then the tire screeching, then nothing...
His body fell to the ground, panting heavily. The smell of burning tire, combined with the metalic taste of blood that he felt in his mouth, left him on the ground unmoving.
"Martis!!!" His mother darted to him, her hands shaking as they made they're way on Marti's body. Her eyes where shaking, as tears flooded them and a painful frown, broke trough in her expression. "Ar- Are you alright?"
"What's happening to me?" Thought Max, seeing his mother looming over him. "Mom? Why are you screaming at me?"
Martis tried to speak, but his jaw was trembling unable to move...
"Mom why are you crying? Why don't you respond to me?" Words rushed in Martis head, however unable to say anything, only mumbles came out. A mineute later, as his father cought up, his vision became poorly, until he saw nothing. Only sound was reaching him. "Why can't I see anything?"
"Martis! Martis! Marti...! M..."
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"M... Martis! Martis.. get up!!"
Rias's voice echoed in the cave
"Rias?" Said Martis."Oh, I died again. I dissapointed Rias and my mom. The both of them."
"Get up, Martis," Rias's voice crackled as she jumped around the bear to distract it from Martis.
"I am not dead!" Max mumbled under his breath, as he put a knee on the ground. He was hurt, as a claw wound was gaped on his right arm, his dominat one. "If I am not dead.... Then I can go one right?"
A smile came to his face. As Rias's face became confused.
"If I have the chance to get back to my mom and dad at home, I will go!" Said Martis as he was fully on his feet. "I want to tell them I am alive, and I am sorry."
With a hand gesture, his sword came and planted in his hand. The sword glowed a faint grey aura and Marti's wounds begin to heal.
"Martis! You are alright!" Rias managed a faint smile as she darted around the cave.
"I will not die here," he thought, his jaw clenching as he gripped his sword. "I will go back home to my parents."
His eyes began glowing the same siver aura that his sword glowed.
The fire bear roared, sensing the shift in its opponent. It lunged, its molten claws aiming to finish the fight.
Martis moved faster than he thought possible, sidestepping the attack with precision. He swung the glowing blade, the silver light cutting through the darkness like a beacon. The sword connected with the bear's side, slicing through its fiery hide with ease.
The creature howled, its form flickering and faltering. Martis didn't hesitate. He raised the sword again, the light intensifying as he brought it down in a powerful arc.
With a final, deafening roar, the fire bear collapsed. Its flames extinguished, its molten eyes dimmed, and its massive body disintegrated into ash.
Martis stood there, panting, the glowing sword still humming in his hand.
Rias stepped forward and patted him on his shoulder. Her tone becoming softer, even managing her ususal smirk. "I did not expect that! I am happy you are alright."
Martis turned to her, his eyes blazing with determination. "I'm not giving up," he said, his voice steady. "Not here. Not now."
Rias studied him, her ember eyes glinting in the fading light of the cave. A slow smile spread across her face. "Good," she said. "You might actually survive this after all."
As the ashes of the fire bear settled, Martis tightened his grip on the sword.