The next morning, Arian woke up early, just as the faintest hint of dawn began to creep over the hills. The air was cold and crisp, the kind of cold that clung to the skin, but invigorated him rather than dulled him. He sat up from his straw-filled cot, rolled his shoulders, and stepped out into the courtyard. The soil was still damp from last night's rain, and puddles glimmered faintly under the fading moonlight.
He jogged down the narrow path that circled the orphanage grounds, boots thudding softly against the earth. Breath fogged in front of him with each exhale. He counted his steps in rhythm, letting the world around him fall into silence. He dropped to the grass, now laced with dew, and began his pushups, sit-ups, stretches, and squats. His body was firm and lean, a result of years of habit, work, and discipline. Sweat mixed with the morning mist, chilling against his skin, but he welcomed it.
After his routine, he drew water from the pump outside and doused himself, gasping at the cold shock. The water hit like ice. Steam rolled from his skin in the cold air as he dried quickly and returned inside, where most of the boys were still deep in sleep.
The boys' sleeping quarters were still dim, filled with the low hum of snores and rustling blankets. But one boy was already awake.
Kai sat upright on his bunk, the early light catching the edge of his crimson eyes. He watched Arian without a word.
Arian slowed, offering a soft smile. "Morning," he said gently, voice kept low so as not to wake the others. "You're up early."
Kai didn't speak, but gave a small, stiff nod. Arian didn't push it—just reached out, gently ruffling the boy's messy black hair before moving on.
"Alright, time to wake the beasts," he murmured, cracking his knuckles dramatically.
He stepped up beside the nearest bunk and gave it a tap with his knuckles. "Rise and shine, Lucius. The empire won't run itself."
Lucius groaned and rolled over. "Empires run better when I sleep longer..."
"Noted," Arian replied, already stepping to the next bed. "But not accepted."
Next, he nudged Phineas's shoulder. The dark-skinned boy blinked awake slowly, violet eyes foggy with sleep.
"Mm... is it raining again?"
"Clear skies," Arian said. "Ideal conditions for chores and fractions."
Phineas made a sound like a dying bird.
Kigiri was already halfway upright, combing fingers through his red hair. "You could've started with me. I'm not like these amateurs."
"You snored louder than the fireplace last night," Arian said, grinning.
"I was dreaming of victory."
"Victory smells like drool," Lucius muttered from his pillow.
Tyler, somehow upside-down in his blanket, popped up with a sudden burst of energy. "Is it breakfast time?!"
"First we wash. Then we eat. In that order."
"Noooo!" Tyler collapsed dramatically onto the mattress.
Arian chuckled, then made his way to Nocturne, whose blanket was perfectly folded over his shoulders like a shroud. The boy's black eyes opened at once.
"I was already awake," he said flatly.
"I figured," Arian replied. "Still counts if you're pretending to sleep, though."
Kai was still sitting quietly, watching them all with unreadable eyes. Arian glanced at him again, then gestured softly. "Come with me when you're ready. Water's still cold."
He gave one last look around the boys' room—still missing Thallen and Hollow—and then padded down the hallway toward the girls' room.
He knocked gently on the door.
"Five more minutes!" came Lyra's voice instantly.
Arian raised a brow. "I haven't even said anything yet."
"You were going to."
He chuckled, pushing the door open slightly. "Good morning, ladies. Time to rise before the sun gets smug about it."
Grumbling followed. Dahlia yawned like a kitten. Calypso squeaked as she stretched her arms above her head. Tanya buried her face in her pillow, mumbling a quiet "no thank you."
"Come on, Tanya. Tyler's already up and thinking about pancakes."
"...traitor," she whispered.
Marri whimpered quietly and clung to her blanket. Arian stepped in and crouched beside her bed.
"It's okay, Marri. I'm here. I'll carry you if you want."
She peeked out from beneath the covers and gave a slow nod.
Calista sat up, blinking sleepily. "Was the moon pink last night?"
"No, just your dreams again," Lyra said, already braiding her hair with swift hands.
"Lyra," Arian said, "you're in charge of making sure everyone brushes their teeth this time."
"I already do that," she muttered.
"I know. That's why I'm trusting you with the job again."
"And what do you do, big brother?" Aracha asked from her bed.
"I keep the boys from eating soap and the twins from painting the walls with porridge."
"You're not very good at it," Demi giggled.
"Harsh but true," Arian said with a theatrical sigh, then clapped his hands once. "Alright! Let's move!"
The room buzzed to life.
And just like that, another morning at the orphanage began.
--
Downstairs, the kitchen was alive with warmth.
The smell of fresh bread filled the orphanage as Arian stirred the vegetable soup. Rosemary, leeks, and the earthy scent of carrots blended with the damp morning air wafting through the open windows. Rain had stopped, but clouds hung low, turning the sky a soft, sleepy gray.
Sister Mary entered with a soft hum, brushing damp leaves from her cloak before hanging it near the door. Her brown hair was pulled back in a loose braid, and her black eyes flicked around the kitchen with habitual care.
"Good morning, Arian," she said, wiping her hands on her apron. "Already cooking, I see."
"Morning, Sister," Arian replied, ladling soup into a wooden bowl to test the flavor. "Soup and bread, nothing fancy. I've got the day off today, so I'll keep the little army in line."
She smiled, tired but warm. "That's kind of you. You're always helping so much."
"Hollow and Thallen are out earning money," he said, slicing into a loaf. "Someone's got to play the adult."
"You're not even seventeen," she said with a small laugh.
"Tell that to my back," Arian muttered, stretching with a wince. "It creaks like the roof when it rains."
Soon, the smell of food brought life into the room. Children poured in, each with different levels of energy and coordination. Wooden bowls clacked onto the long table, spoons clattered, and the air buzzed with chatter.
Lyra was already helping line up the younger kids, directing Tyler and Tanya to wash their hands before sitting. "No sitting with muddy fingers this time!"
"But I'm only a little muddy!" Tyler whined, holding up his clearly filthy hands.
"Exactly," she replied, arms crossed.
Lucius, already seated, watched the chaos with a mild look of disapproval. "There are more efficient ways to organize this."
"Lucius, you said that yesterday," Phineas muttered, sitting beside him. "You're not the royal steward."
"Not yet," Lucius said with a confident smirk.
Kai sat near the end of the table, spoon in hand, eyes on his bowl. He ate slowly, thoughtfully.
"You're eating that slow," Lyra said, scooting closer. "You don't like soup?"
Kai glanced at her, then shook his head. "No… it's good."
"Then eat fast! Or Tanya'll steal it!"
"I heard that!" Tanya shouted from across the table, cheeks stuffed full of bread.
"Tanya, chew properly," Arian said, arching an eyebrow as he passed her a napkin.
"Yes, Arian," she mumbled, trying to look innocent while crumbs rained from her mouth.
Aracha snorted. "She's a goblin."
"Am not!"
"No food wars today," Sister Mary called out from the counter, already sorting herbs into her satchel. "Or I'll turn you all into frogs."
Calista gasped. "Can you do that?"
"No," Nocturne answered flatly, "but you'd believe it anyway."
Sister Mary laughed quietly and tied her satchel shut. "Alright, little ones. I'm heading to the apothecary. The shop owner asked me to help mix stock today. Arian, I leave them in your hands."
"They're safe with me," Arian said, mock-saluting. "Probably."
"You said that last time and Tyler nearly dyed Demi's hair green," she said dryly.
"It was an experiment!" Tyler said proudly.
"You put cabbage in the well," Demi added, giggling. "I smelled like soup for a week."
Mary shook her head with fond exasperation and crouched to ruffle Kai's hair. He stiffened slightly, unused to the gesture, but didn't pull away.
"Eat well, Kai," she said gently. "You need your strength. We'll talk more when I get back."
He nodded.
She straightened and pulled on her cloak. "Be good, all of you."
"We will!" a chorus of voices lied enthusiastically.
"Watch the back room, Arian. Some of the herbs are drying near the stove."
"Got it," he replied.
With a final glance around the room, Sister Mary stepped out into the gray morning, her figure quickly swallowed by mist and the promise of another busy day.
---
After breakfast, Arian gathered the younger children for their daily bath. It was always chaos—inevitable, loud, and wet. The nearby lake was a short walk from the orphanage, and the trail squelched underfoot from last night's rain. Puddles sparkled in the soft light, and trees dripped overhead like they were still crying.
"Race you to the lake!" Tyler shouted, already taking off.
"Tyler, no run—!"
Too late. Tanya dashed after her twin with a loud squeal, their bare feet splashing mud in all directions.
Arian groaned, jogging after them. "I just said no running!"
Behind him, Dahlia flopped dramatically into a puddle with an exaggerated yelp. "I slipped again! I'm wounded!"
"You're muddy, not wounded," Aracha muttered, stepping daintily over the puddle with a roll of her eyes.
"Help your sister, Tyler!" Arian called as he caught up.
"She's fine!" Tyler shouted from ahead. "She likes it!"
"She does not like it!" Dahlia wailed. "I'm gonna melt like a sugar doll!"
Arian just sighed, wiping his hands on his already-wet trousers.
When they reached the lake, shoes were kicked off, clothes were peeled down to underthings, and within moments, the air rang with shrieks and splashes.
"Cold cold cold!" Tanya screamed as she waded in. "My toes are turning to ice! I'm gonna lose them!"
"You act like it's lava every time," Lyra said dryly, already up to her knees.
"It is lava to me!" Tanya retaliated and slapped a splash of icy water directly at Lyra's stomach.
"Hey!" Lyra shrieked. "You menace! I'll drown you!"
"You'll have to catch me first!" Tanya darted away, shrieking.
Nearby, Demi giggled as she made bubbles with her mouth. "Blub blub. I'm a lake mermaid!"
"No, you're a lake shrimp," Aracha said, dunking her with little ceremony.
"Ahh! Arachaaa!" Demi howled through a laugh.
Marri clung tightly to Calypso's hand at the shallow edge, her teeth chattering. "It's s-so c-c-cold…"
"It's like kissing the clouds!" Calypso said with a big grin, eyes sparkling. "Except wetter."
Kai, standing just at the water's edge, hesitated. His arms were crossed tight, eyes flicking from the chaotic splashes to the rippling surface. He didn't move.
Arian noticed. He walked over, squatting beside him.
"Cold, huh?" he said softly.
Kai nodded.
"I get it. It's like nature slapped you in the ribs. But hey..." Arian rose and walked in without hesitation, biting back his own shiver as the icy water climbed up his legs. "...If I can survive this, you can too."
Kai blinked. Then, inch by inch, he stepped in—slowly, carefully.
"See? Not lava," Arian said.
Kai muttered, "It's ice."
Arian grinned. "Fair point."
The rest of the bath was filled with chaos, shrieks, soap, and water fights. Lucius, ever efficient, washed and rinsed with clinical precision and immediately got out. "Done. I'll dry first."
"Lucius, you robot," Kigiri muttered, scrubbing his arms. "Aren't you gonna play?"
Lucius shook his head. "Fun is inefficient."
"You're inefficient!" Kigiri shouted, throwing water at him.
Lucius dodged like he'd trained for it. "Not today."
By the time the group returned to the orphanage, they were clean, dripping, and half-dressed in fresh dry clothes Arian had prepared earlier. The scent of lake water and soap mixed with the wooden warmth of home.
In the living room, towels still around shoulders and hair damp, the children gathered around as Arian set up the chalkboard.
"Alright," he said, picking up a piece of chalk. "Lesson time."
A collective groan rumbled.
"Do we have to?" Tyler asked, already halfway to laying on the floor.
"Yes. Or else no sweets later."
Tyler scowled. "We never get sweets!"
"Exactly," Arian said with a grin.
He wrote out a simple equation on the board. "Okay. If you have four apples and give Tanya two, how many do you have left?"
"None," Dahlia said immediately. "Because Tanya will steal the rest."
"I will not!" Tanya said, offended. "I don't steal. I borrow."
"You don't return them!" Dahlia snapped.
"You never ask!"
"Focus," Arian said calmly, tapping the board.
Phineas raised his hand. "Sir, do knights use math?"
"They do. Strategy, formations, supply counting. You can't win a battle if you don't know how many swords you have."
Phineas nodded with renewed purpose. "Then I'll learn. I need to be ready for war."
"Me too," Kigiri said with a proud tilt of his chin. "I want to be like Thallen."
Lucius coughed. "Then stop throwing mud at people."
Kigiri glared. "That was training."
Arian chuckled and moved on. "History now. Who founded the Kingdom of Eloria?"
There was a pause. Then a soft voice: "Lady Elora?" Marri peeked from behind her slate.
"Correct! Good job, Marri."
The kids clapped. She blushed furiously and smiled into her lap.
"Nocturne," Arian said, "what year was that?"
"Year 112 of the Flame Calendar," Nocturne answered immediately.
"Impressive. Did you memorize the whole timeline?"
"Yes. Lucius quizzed me this morning."
Lucius nodded solemnly. "Daily review. Efficiency is key."
Arian blinked. "Okay then."
Meanwhile, Calista had drawn a crown and a flying castle on her slate. "What if Eloria floated in the sky on a bird's back?"
"It didn't," Nocturne said without hesitation.
"But it could have," Calista replied, humming.
Lucius sighed. "That would make logistics... impossible."
"But the mail would be magic," she whispered, eyes dreamy.
Arian, laughing, looked over to Kai. The boy was quiet again, tucked in his corner with his slate resting on his knees. But he wasn't withdrawn—just... focused.
Arian walked over. "You got something?"
Kai hesitated. Then, slowly, he turned his slate around. Tiny words were written in neat, straight lines:
> Lady Elora, founder.
Year 112.
Unified five clans.
White armor, silver crest.
Wielded the sword Dawnfire.
Arian raised an eyebrow. "You remembered all that?"
Kai gave a small nod.
"That's more than I taught."
Kai blinked down. "I read it… in the red book."
Lyra peeked over. "Whoa. You're a brain. Sit next to me next time."
Kai stiffened.
"I won't bite," she added, grinning.
"Unless it's food," Tyler muttered.
"I heard that!" Lyra shot back.
Arian smiled as the laughter bubbled around the room. The children were learning, arguing, joking. Living.
Kai, for the first time, didn't flinch when someone touched his shoulder.
Slowly, he was opening up.
And Arian—watching them all—felt the warmth of it settle deep in his chest.