"Crrack, crrack"
The sound followed after a lightning with a beautiful pattern displayed itself on the sky.
After that, a sudden cloud burst of rain followed suit. A man stood in the middle of the road in a small town called Regako. He wore a long black cloak.
"I guess I'll spend the night here" he muttered to himself before moving forward to find shelter.
**********
"Happy Birthday Alen!!" The voices of teenagers in a tower like building filled the air.
It was an orphanage to be accurate, "Weston Home of the Homeless" as it was called.
" Thanks guys" a young white skinned teenager who had just turned 17 said as he took a bow to show appreciation.
"Alright, let's delve the cake" the sister of the house, Sister Hibana urged them.
They all begin setting their cutlery in order to begin the eating.
"Um, Seren isn't here"
"I'm sure he's locked himself up, he so antisocial "
"Yeah you're right. Someone that won't even attend his own birthday ceremony is damn weird"
All these comments were directed towards one of the orphans there. He was the same age and date as Alen.
"I'll go get him" Alen said as he stood up.
" Alen you're the only one who understands that creep. I wonder what's going on between you two" Another sister named Grace commented.
"Don't tell me----???"
"Oh Ketil, stop your useless assumptions. We're not gay. I just care for him" Alen defended as he climbed the stairs.
ROOM 126
"Um I know you're in there Seren. It's Alen"
"If you're trying to convince me to join the party then you're wrong"
"Just open the door first" Alen said as he was already getting impatient
The door swung open and a dark-skinned boy stood there.
"Thanks" Alen said as he slid into the room.
"So whaddya want?"
" Seren, it's our birthday for crying out loud, why can't you loosen up?"
"Point of correction, it's not my birthday. I don't know when I was born. This is just a designated date for the two of us" Seren answered bluntly, not taking his eyes off the book he was reading.
"At least be grateful you have a day laid out for you"
"Look Alen, to be honest with you, the only thing binding me and you is the fact we were abandoned on the same day. I have no connection to Weston since h-he left" seren said as he closed the book.
"Ohh, now I see. It's about Dante"
"Don't mention his name please!!" Seren rose his voice a little higher. His stare was becoming cold.
"Look Seren, Dante was adopted, and you know that. It's nothing he or we could change but I'm here for you, why can't you see that??"
"Okayy, you're beginning to creep me out. If you have a crush on me, say it. I won't chastise you" Seren said, adjusting his glasses.
"What??, I did not expect this from you!! You'll receive retribution " Alen said.
"Whatever, I'll receive any punishment whatsoever"
"You're sure?"
"Yeah, after all I've been used to any punishment Dylan meted out and I haven't seen any one worse than his"
"Your punishment is to come downstairs and dine with us"
"Okay that's worse"
"You said you'd take any kind of punishment remember?"
"That's why I hate you"
"A real man always keeps to his words" Alen said with a mischievous smile on his face.
"Fine"
"Let's go down"
The duo walked downstairs.
"I knew my hunch will always be right. Two of you are homosexuals!!" Ketil let out a loud scream.
"OH shut up Ketil, we're on the table" Sister Hibana cautioned.
" So sorry sister"
"Alright since the whole house is here, let's dig in" Alen urged everyone.
"Everyone isn't here. Big bro is gone" Mirana, Dante's younger sister said as she clutched the bracelet Dante gave her.
"Don't worry Mirana, wherever he is, I'm sure your big brother is okay and he misses you deeply" Seren comforted her.
"Wait a minute, did antisocial Seren just speak up??"
"Shut up!!"
"Let's leave that aside, let's start eating before the mood gets ruined"
"Yeah you're right"
"Knock, knock knock"
"It seems someone is at the door, let me check it out" Alen urged himself as he stood up to open the door.
As he flung the door open, he saw a man standing in front of him, wearing a black cloak, all drenched by the heavy downpour.
"Um, sorry to bother you guys but can I get shelter for the night?" The man asked.
Alen moved backwards.
"Alen, who's that?" Sister Hibana asked.
"U-um, someone who wants to take shelter"
"Alright, let him in"
Always paved way for the man for enter fully.
"Our doors are always open to those who need them" Sister Grace said as she walked towards him, handing him a towel.
"Thanks a lot sister, it seems I was right to stop by the church "
"Um sir, this isn't a church, it's an orphanage " Alen corrected.
"Ohh, sorry"
"Alright children, greet our guest"
" A pleasant evening to you sir, our water and shade are all yours in the Lord""" The children greeted uniformly.
"May Valda grant you your blessings" the man answered.
"I'm sorry to ask but what's your name" Ketil asked
"Hey Ketil, that's kinda rude!!" Sister Grace scolded.
"I know that's why I apologized" Ketil defended.
"It's Kirigan"
"Kirigan, nice and fancy name" Alen added.
"I'll handle this" Ketil grabbed the suitcase he (Kirigan) was holding.
"Please join us" Sister Hibana said as she set a plate for Kirigan.
"Wait, he'll have to change his drenched clothes. Seren, help him with that" Sister Grace ordered.
"Okay"
Seren dropped the fork he was holding as he directed Kirigan to where he would change his wears.
"You can have this" Seren handed him an oversized top and a Jean trouser.
"Thank you"
Kirigan remover his wet clothes revealing his dragon tattoo at his back
"Nice imprint"
"Thanks, this is proof that I'm a Tarveren"
"Tarvenen??"
"Yeah, they're the children of light"
"We are all children of light so I don't get what you're saying" Seren defended.
"You'll never understand, you haven't touched the slade yet"
"Slade??, ok I don't understand a bit of what you're saying"
"Curiosity is the downfall of humanity. That's what brought about the dark" Kirigan explained.
"I'll just leave you to your fables" Seren said before leaving the room.
"Interesting guy"
"I have to admit, the food was delicious, especially the cakes"
"Our water and shades are always available whenever you need them" Sister Hibana said after they've had their meal.
"Alright children, time to retire to bed"
"But it's still early, it's just 8:15" Ketil complained.
"And lights out is 10pm, we have an hour plus to catch some fun"
"Or we can watch some movie" a child named Harlan added.
"No means no, we have a long day ahead" Sister Grace said
"Aww, you guys are just boring" Ketil said as he retired to bed.
"Remember to say your prayers to Valda before going to bed"
"Aye sister"
The children retired to their various rooms.
"The kids are lovely and adorable" Kirigan complimented
"Aren't they? They're like jewels to me" Sister Hibana said
"Hibana, if you keep pampering these children, they might turn into something else"
"What makes you say that Grace?" Sister Hibana asked.
"Take a look at Ketil, little by little he's losing regard for elders and Braun is becoming lazy as the days passes by" Sister Grace said.
"But in all, they're adorable" Kirigan said.
"You see, even our guest agrees with me"
"Whatever, I'm just saying you shouldn't indulge them too much so that they don't get rotten"
With this Sister Grace bade them goodbye.
"Hibana right?"
"Yeah, and yours?"
"Kirigan, I thought you already knew"
"No, I meant your full name"
"Kirigan Maldagoran"
"That sounds strange " Sister Hibana commented.
"Yeah I know. My family are strong devotees of Valda, The God of Light"
"You're better than I am, My family serves Malkia"
"What kind of deity is that?" Kirigan asked.
"You wouldn't understand if I told you. My duty is to see these children are matured enough to fulfill their purpose"
"What purpose if I may ask?" Kirigan asked.
"To become a worthy asset to humanity of course"
"Ohh, I see"
"I'll show you where you'll spend the night"
Sister Hibana directed Kirigan to a vacant room. Twas Dante's room.
"Goodnight, Sister"
"Goodnight"
Sister Hibana switched off the light as she left the room.
"Wow, I must report to the Saints about my recent discovery before it gets out of hand"
Kirigan picked up his phone and dialed a number. He saved the number 'Bram'
"Hello?" The caller at the receiving end spoke
"Hey Bram, how's everything?"
"Cool, just that I miss ur company"
"Tell the saints that my search has been futile, I'll return to the sanctuary in 3 days time"
"I think you're rushing things. In order to find "it" you need to search carefully" Bram advised.
"I've been searching since I was 15, now I'm 35, 20 years gone Bram and you know it. I'm losing time here"
"I know, but we need to find the deity before the shadowsouled finds them"
"What if the shadowsouled already had it in their possession?"
"That's not possible, 3 days ago we were attacked simply because of they haven't found it" Bram gave his reason.
"The thing that annoys me the most is that this person is out there enjoying life and we're looking for it"
"Yeah, you're right. I hope you still have the artifact?"
"Yeah, I still have it with me but I'm returning in the next 3 days"
"Alright, take care, if you ever need anything you always have my number"
Bram hung up.
"I'm just tired!!" Kirigan raised his voice
"Who's there??" A voice was heard in the room.
Kirigan stood up and turned on the light. Lo and behold, Seren lay on the floor.
"Who let you in?" Seren asked.
"I should be asking you that question"
"No one is allowed to this room. I own this room"
"Sister Hibana allowed me to use the room so I don't understand what you meant by this being your room" Kirigan explained.
"It's not my room but it's the room I hold when I have trouble sleeping. This room holds memories"
"Ohh, sorry about that"
"I'll let you use the room for the night since you're leaving tomorrow"
"I feel like I might spend another day here" Kirigan said with a smile.
"I dare you" Seren said before slamming the door after leaving the room.
"Interesting" Kirigan said before retiring to bed.