Seven months had passed, and Arcos's training had become increasingly gruelling. Yet, his determination burned brighter with each challenge John set before him. The tasks were relentless, but Arcos pushed through, his resolve unshaken. Over time, he had forged bonds with the other kids. What had started as wary companionship blossomed into genuine friendship. Here, among them, he found a strange kind of happiness, a balm that, for fleeting moments, allowed him to forget the haunting memories of his village and the loved ones he had lost.
He had grown stronger, his body leaner and his mind sharper. His mastery of magic had progressed in leaps and bounds, each spell a testament to his resilience and potential.
From the porch of his house, John stood with arms crossed, surveying the open field. The children's laughter carried on the breeze, a sound that always brought a small smile to his face. Today was their rest day, and the usual drills and sparring were replaced with games and chatter. His gaze lingered on Arcos, who was grinning in a way John had never seen when the boy had first arrived.
The kid had come far, further than John had hoped.
With a slow, deliberate stride, John approached the group, clapping his hands to draw their attention. The children quieted, their laughter tapering off as they turned to face him.
"Alright, kids, I've got some good news," John announced, his voice carrying an unmistakable note of mischief.
A chorus of curious murmurs rippled through the group. "What is it, Master?"
John grinned. "It's that time of year again. School's starting."
For a moment, the kids froze as his words sank in. Then, a collective groan rose up like a wave.
"Do we have to go?" one of them whined.
"Come on, Master, can't we skip just one year?" another chimed in.
Arcos blinked, baffled by their reaction. He glanced around, watching as the others grumbled and protested. For him, the concept of school was foreign. He had never had the chance to attend one, and the idea of it filled him with a mixture of curiosity and excitement.
Not everyone seemed opposed, though. Phoenix, studious one, remained unfazed, standing with arms folded. Beside her, Zethar shrugged indifferently.
Finally, one boy stepped forward, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Master, how about we make a deal—"
"Aelric." John's sharp voice cut him off, a sly grin spreading across his face. "You already made a deal with me last time, remember?"
Aelric faltered, his bravado faltering. "Uh… well—"
"And do you remember the terms of that deal?" John pressed, raising an eyebrow.
Aelric's mouth opened, then closed, his confidence slipping away as the other kids watched, some stifling giggles.
"Didn't think so," John said, the grin on his face widening. "For not remembering, here's your punishment: you'll start school a day before everyone else."
The field erupted in laughter, and Aelric groaned, throwing his head back dramatically.
"Not fair!" he whined, but John just chuckled, crossing his arms again.
"Life's not fair, kid. Now get ready, school starts tomorrow. And Aelric? Enjoy your head start."
Arcos approached John hesitantly, his small hands clasped in front of him. "Um… Master, will I be going to this school too?" he asked, his voice tinged with both excitement and apprehension. The thought of attending school, a place he'd only ever heard about in passing, had always fascinated him.
John looked down at Arcos, a soft smile forming on his face. He nodded. "Yes, Arcos, you will," he said gently. Lowering himself to one knee, so their eyes were level, John's tone grew serious but kind. "But you have to promise me something. Don't show anyone your true power, alright?"
Arcos blinked, his golden eyes wide. "Why not, Master?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, his curiosity evident.
John placed a hand on Arcos's shoulder, his expression firm but reassuring. "Because there are people out there, dangerous people, who would try to use you for your abilities. They'd want to harness your connection to Aetherium for their own purposes. I can't let that happen. So, promise me, okay?"
Arcos straightened, nodding earnestly. "I promise, Master. I won't let anyone know."
John's smile returned, and he gave Arcos a small pat on the shoulder. "Good."
After a moment of thought, Arcos asked, "But… will I be in the same class as them?" His gaze darted toward a pair of kids standing nearby, Phoenix and Zethar. The idea of being alone in an unfamiliar place clearly unsettled him.
John followed Arcos's gaze, glancing at the two children. "Yeah, I think they'll put you in the same class as Phoenix and Zethar," he said. At the mention of their names, the two looked up from their quiet conversation, their expressions curious.
John motioned toward Phoenix. "Phoenix, come here," he said.
She approached without hesitation, her crimson hair catching the light as she moved. "Yes, Master?" she asked, her voice steady and calm, though a hint of curiosity flickered in her amber eyes.
"I want you to stick with Arcos for the first few days," John said. His tone was soft, but the underlying command was clear. "Help him get used to everything. Can you do that?"
Phoenix nodded, glancing at Arcos. "Of course," she said simply, offering the boy a small smile. "Don't worry—I'll look out for you."
Arcos's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you," he said shyly, his voice barely above a whisper. For the first time, the nervous knot in his stomach began to ease.
John rose to his feet, watching the three of them for a moment. "You'll do fine," he said, more to Arcos than anyone else. "Just remember what we talked about."
"I will," Arcos replied, his determination clear.
"Alright, everyone," John called out, his voice cutting through the chatter. Slowly, the group quieted, their attention shifting to him.
"In two days, you're all heading back to school," he announced, pausing to let the words sink in. His eyes flicked toward Aelric, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well, except for you, Aelric."
Aelric scowled, sticking out his tongue in defiance, his annoyance almost comically exaggerated.
John chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "The rest of you have two days to get ready. Make sure you're set, alright?"
His tone grew a little more serious as he added, "It's going to be a long year ahead, and I want all of you ready for it."
Night had fallen, and the quiet of the house felt oppressive. Arcos laid in his bed, restless, turning over again and again as sleep avoided him. Finally, with a frustrated sigh, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. Padding softly across the wooden floor, he slipped outside, drawn by the cool embrace of the night.
The twin moons hung high in the sky, their silvery light spilling over the land, casting everything in an otherworldly beauty. Arcos stopped a few steps from the house and gazed upward, captivated. The stars seemed infinite, a vast expanse that reminded him just how small he was.
He spotted a smooth, weathered rock nearby and sat down, his gaze still fixed on the starry night. Unbidden, memories of his parents surfaced, his mother's warm smile, his father's hearty laugh. Their faces were so vivid in his mind that it almost felt as though they were still there. A lump formed in his throat, and his eyes misted over.
"Mom... Dad..." he whispered, his voice barely audible, trembling with emotion. A single tear slid down his cheek, catching the moonlight as it fell. The ache in his chest deepened, a void that no amount of time seemed able to fill. Even though he had found new people, kind people, they could never truly replace his parents. The world didn't feel the same without them in it.
Inside the house, John stood by the window, watching Arcos in the moonlight. His hands rested on the sill, his expression conflicted. He'd seen men endure unimaginable horrors, but he couldn't begin to fathom what it was like for a child to lose everything, his family, his village, his sense of safety. What could he say? How could he possibly help? All John could do was hope that Arcos wouldn't let the pain fester into vengeance.
Minutes passed, and John's sharp eyes caught movement in the shadows. A figure approached Arcos, stepping into the soft glow of the moonlight. It was Phoenix.
"What are you doing out here by yourself, Arcos?" she asked, her tone light but curious.
Startled, Arcos jumped slightly, whipping his head toward her. "Ah—Phoenix," he stammered, trying to collect himself. "I... I couldn't sleep, so I came out here."
Phoenix chuckled softly, a sound as gentle as the night breeze. "You always get so jumpy," she teased, her lips curling into a warm smile. She moved closer with an effortless grace, her footsteps barely audible on the grass. Without asking, she settled onto the rock beside him, her presence calm and steady.
"Your reactions never fail to make me laugh," she said, glancing at him with a playful glint in her eyes.
Arcos managed a small smile, his heart lifting just a little. The night no longer felt so heavy.
"So, uh... why are you out here instead of sleeping?" Arcos asked, his voice soft as he glanced at her.
Phoenix turned to him with a faint smile, her eyes warm despite the cool night air. "I couldn't sleep either," she admitted. "I went for a walk to clear my head, and then I saw you sitting here all alone." Her gaze drifted upward, catching the light of the twin moons. Their glow bathed her face in a soft, ethereal radiance, making her look almost otherworldly.
Phoenix turned her head to look at Arcos. The glistening streaks of tears still marked his face, catching the faint light of the twin moons. "You've been crying," she said softly, concern etched in her voice. "Are you okay, Arcos?"
Arcos hesitated, his gaze drifting back to the sky as he searched for the words. "I… Yeah. I'm fine," he said, though his voice betrayed him. He let out a shaky breath and added, "I was just thinking about my parents." His eyes remained fixed on the twin moons above, their pale light reflected in his eyes. "It's been seven months, and I still can't stop thinking about them."
Phoenix followed his gaze to the moons, her expression pensive. She wanted to say something to comfort him, to ease the weight he carried, but words felt inadequate. After a long pause, she turned to him, her voice quiet and deliberate. "Arcos… what you went through… no child should ever have to endure that."
Her words hung in the air, heavy and raw. She glanced down at her hands, fidgeting for a moment, before speaking again. "Two years ago, before I came here, I lived in a small village with my mother and father. It was peaceful… until the orcs came." Her voice wavered, and she paused to steady herself. "They invaded. I saw friends—people I loved—killed right in front of me. Something inside me… broke. This power… it came out of nowhere. I lost control."
She swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on the ground as if the memory was etched there. "When I came to my senses… the entire village was gone. Everything. Everyone. I…" Her voice faltered, and she shook her head, her hands trembling. "I destroyed it. My own home. John found me after that and took me in. Otherwise, I don't know what would've happened to me."
Arcos turned to her, his expression almost unreadable, but his eyes gleamed with understanding. He didn't blink, didn't move, as he absorbed her words. Finally, he said, his voice low and sincere, "I'm… I'm so sorry, Phoenix. For everything you've been through."
Phoenix took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking. "You're not alone here, Arcos," she said gently, her voice warm and reassuring. "Everyone John brought here has lost their parents, just like you. None of them had anywhere else to go, either. But now, they have a home, and you do too. You've got John, the other kids, and me. We're here for you."
She turned to face him fully, her eyes shining with sincerity. A radiant smile lit up her face, brushing away the sadness that had lingered in her expression moments before.
Arcos's cheeks flushed as he quickly averted his gaze, his heart thudding in his chest. Why is my heart racing like this? he wondered, the unfamiliar sensation making him feel off-balance.
He drew in a shaky breath, willing himself to calm down. Summoning his courage, he looked up at her again, meeting her bright, unwavering smile.
From the house window, John watched Arcos and Phoenix together in the field, a soft smile tugging at his lips. Seeing them laugh and get along filled him with a quiet warmth. He thought of Arcos, this boy who had lost everyone he cared about, whose world had been shattered in front of his eyes, and now, here he was, finding a connection, forging bonds he could finally call family. It was a small moment, but to John, it meant everything.