I had been running for what felt like hours. No more footsteps. No more echoes. Just the wheezing of my lungs, the scrape of insects hidden in the brush, and the wind threading through trees like it was weaving a lullaby for the broken. Each step hurt. My right ankle had twisted somewhere back in the woods—now swollen, barely holding my weight. Mud clung to my skin, dried in patches and wet in others, mixed with blood from cuts I'd stopped noticing. My stitched-sack shirt, soaked through, dragged against my frame like it was mourning with me. Every breath rattled in my chest like cracked glass.
I collapsed to the ground beside the riverbank. Cold soil soaked through my clothes, but I didn't care. I didn't flinch. Didn't move. For a moment, I thought it was peace. My arms trembled as I lowered myself to sit. My back hit the back of a tree, rough against the open wound on my shoulder, but softer than the walls in the basement. I didn't flinch. Above, the sky opened wide, silver and silent. And there she was. The moon. Lune.Tears welled without warning… Not because I had escaped. Not because I was alive. But because none of it meant anything. Not without her. My fingers clutched the small blanket still wrapped around my neck—the one she had worn. I pulled it close, buried my nose in it. It was cold now, like her absence.
Why her? Why not me?
My thoughts spun in circles, spiralling into a pit I couldn't climb out of. I should've stayed. Should've fought harder. I should've carried her. Done something. Anything… The guilt pressed into my ribs, strangled my lungs, gnawed at my skull. "I can't go back," I whispered to no one.I stood once again—stumbling, limping; dragged forward only by the pale glow above. I didn't know where I was going. I just followed the moon. She told me once to always remember it. My voice cracked as I whispered her name again. "Lune…" I kept going, numb and aimless, until—
Bark.
The sound pierced the night like a gunshot. Too close. Too sharp. My heart stopped. No. It exploded. My body jerked before I could think. Stumbling. Flinching. Running. The panic came first. Then a blow of memory. No, no, not again—not again please! My mind shattered into instinct. My legs screamed with pain, but terror drowned it out. The barking grew closer. I whimpered, curling behind a tree. My breath hitched. My throat closed. They're here. They're here.Silence. A voice lulled in the air. Soft. Musical. Unfamiliar.
"Are you hurt?"
It wasn't a captor's voice. It wasn't loud, growling, or cruel. It was… young. Clear. Like wind chimes brushing against glass. With what little strength I had, I lifted my head and saw her. A girl—no, not a girl. Something else. She stood just meters away, a glowing silhouette — a butterfly under the moonlight. She looked like a teen—leather shoes, dressed in light woven fabric that flowed like it was underwater. Long silvery-blue hair framed a pale face, her ears delicately pointed. An elf? She crouched a little, arms lowered in a gesture of peace. Her eyes shimmered like liquid starlight, unreadable but calm. "I'm not here to hurt you," she said again. "I heard you crying."
I couldn't respond.
My body wouldn't move. My mouth was dry. The pain, the fear, the guilt—they all clawed at me, keeping me locked in place like stone. She stepped closer. "I'm Inaya," she said gently, voice almost a whisper. "You're safe now." I blinked. Once. Twice. I wasn't sure if I was hallucinating. Then, one side of my body felt… warmth. She knelt beside me and placed a hand on my forehead. Her touch sent a strange sensation down my spine—not magic, not quite… but something gentle.
Bark. The savage cry ripped through the night.
"Don't worry. I'm here." A heartbeat later came the guttural wheeze, wet and hungry, that I knew too well. My vision tunnelled. "SO, THIS IS WHERE YOU'VE BEEN." A shadow lurched from the treeline. The crooked man. His grin was a tear of razors, red mist hissing from between his teeth. His beast slavered at his side, fur matted, eyes glowing like coals. My body wanted to shrink into the roots, disappear.
But she didn't. The girl—Inaya—took a stance forward. Her hand reached into her satchel and drew out a small clay pot filled with green liquid. Her voice was steady, though her frame was slight. "…Leave or you'll regret it." The man howled with laughter. "WHAT CAN A PUNY LITTLE GIRL LIKE YOU DO? MAYBE I'LL MAKE YOU MY NEW TOY!" Inaya only tilted her head. A faint smile. "Second option, then."
With a flick of her wrist, she hurled the pot sideways—not at him, but out into the air. The liquid sprayed in a shimmering sheet, hanging weightless like paint across invisible glass. The bulky crooked man let out his cry, ready to dash and tackle her. However, her fingers darted through the liquid, sketching a sigil into the suspended fluid. Lines bent, curled, closed into a circle. "Ice wall," the air crystalized. Crack—! A jagged barricade of ice erupted upward. He slammed into it, the impact shattering shards outward. For a heartbeat, it held. His laughter broke into a guttural snarl.
Then the air thickened.
His skin split like parchment, veins glowing a violent red. Dark miasma poured from his body, swallowing the moonlight. His muscles swelled, teeth lengthened, claws dragging against the ground. His eyes burned.
He was Unbinding.
The ice shattered like brittle glass. Inaya staggered back, arms cut by shards. The dog lunged. She spun. "Ice Orb!" Frost spheres whilrled into orbit, then snapped out one by one—thoom, thoom, thoom—rime bursting against its hide. It yelped, staggering… but the wounds sealed with smoke, black veins knitting over flesh. The crooked man stomped. The ground cracked like thunder: tremors spidering out, trees shuddering, dirt flying. Just like before, the tunnel collapse. Inaya lost her footing. He lunged. Claws slashed. She raised a frost shield; thin and desperate. It shattered, the blow hurling her across the dirt.
She gasped, blood at her lip; her hands shook, not fear but strain. "Tch… stubborn bastard." The beast charged again. She slammed her palm to the ground. "Earth Bind!" Roots tore upward, coiling their limbs. But the miasma burned through, the dog chewing, thrashing. Splinters snapped. The crooked man wrenched free and rushed her. His claws grazed her arm, drawing blood. She hissed, stumbling, runes faltering in the air—lines jagged, frost crawling wild across the trees. For a heartbeat, her spell almost collapsed on itself. She clenched her jaw and forcing it back under control.
Her eyes flared. She gathered frost thicker, sharper. "Ice Lance!" A spear of crystal screamed through the air, piercing the beast's shoulder. It shrieked, thrashing, blood and mist spraying. But he was already upon her. He loomed close, shadow blotting out the moon, claws raised to carve her open. For one sickening second, I thought he had her. She slammed her palm down.
Roots erupted—not just wood, but glowing tendrils pulsing with ancient light. They coiled the crooked man mid-swing, locking his limbs. The beast too, dragged into the earth's grip. They writhed, snarling. The roots drank. Not just mana, but the miasma itself. The man roared, body convulsing as the corruption was leeched away. The beast whimpered, choking. Inaya's body trembled, sweat dripping, her knees nearly giving. Still—her voice cut the night like a blade.
"Stay. DOWN!"
The roots constricted, draining the miasma itself, though the effort nearly dropped her to her knees. They thrashed, snarling, but the tendrils only tightened, drinking something unseen—their mana, their strength. The torturer roared, voice cracking. The beast whimpered, choking. I stared, trembling, unable to understand what I was seeing. On the last bit of energy, I cried for help. "Help… other kids… mansion…" And slowly, my body gave in. The shaking subsided. My limbs, though still aching, relaxed. My vision blurred again—but not from fear. Just… exhaustion. The last thing I saw before slipping into unconsciousness was her, Inaya, holding out her hand, the moonlight framing her like wings.
The world dimmed. First the trees. Then her voice. Then the moon. My body tipped backward—slow, weightless—until everything sank. Muffled. Like I was buried under a thick layer of water—or time. I didn't know where I was. My body didn't respond either. I felt weightless, yet heavy, like my limbs were wrapped in chains that drift instead of dragging. There's no warmth. No cold either. Just… absence.
The world dimmed. First the trees. Then her voice. Then the moon. My body tipped backward—slow, weightless—until everything sank. Muffled. Like I was buried under a thick layer of water—or time. I didn't know where I was. My body didn't respond either. I felt weightless, yet heavy, like my limbs were wrapped in chains that drift instead of drag. There's no warmth. No cold either. Just… absence.
Sound was distance. Warped, like hearing the world through a broken radio. A soft hum. Like wind swirling through an empty tunnel. Then, faint murmurs. Voices, too far away to understand. They stretched and twist, rise and fall. Are they real? Or just ghosts? I tried to open my eyes, but only flickers came through. Blurred monochrome shapes. Silhouettes shifting in a haze. One, two… more? Face without features. They stood above me, looking down. Or maybe they were not there at all.
I blinked again. Still dark. Still floating.
Am I dreaming? Or dying?The silence thickened, pressing into my ears. Then—"Riven… wake up… wake up…" My name. Her voice. Lune? My chest tightened. I spun around in this weightless space, suddenly gasping, searching. A blanket floated beside me, it was hers. Tattered, stained, familiar. I reached out, terrified it'll drift away. My fingers gripped it like a lifeline. Soft. Still warm. Then light. Like a crack opening in the darkness. Lune. She was there—beneath the rubble again, crushed under stone and ash. Her hand barely raised, her mouth moving, her voice trembling.
"Run, Riven!"
I tried. I screamed her name, but it was swallowed by the dark. My legs dragged like I was knee-deep in tar. The world rippled, walls curving, shadows melting like wax. The dream collapsed into a nightmare. A roar tore through the void. A monstrous voice, too loud, too close—"BAHAHA, THERE YOU ARE!" I twisted, breath vanishing. A hulking shadow loomed. No face. Just teeth. Smoke poured from its limbs as it charged, shaking the world with each step. I froze. Lune screamed again. The rubble crushed in tighter. "RUN, RIVEN! PLEASE!" My lungs burned. I forced my body to move. I ran, ran even as my vision splintered. As the darkness tried to pull me back in. I screamed again—"LUNE!"
My body jolted—too fast.
Breath snapped back into my lungs like I'd been drowning. I shot upright. But pain roared through my chest, knocking me back down. I couldn't breathe. No— I was breathing too much. Too fast. Too shallow. A sharp scream tore through my ribs as I collapsed back onto the bed, gasping. My heart raced. Sweat drenched my skin. Blanket. Still in my hand. Lune's. I wasn't in the basement anymore. I blinked, real light. Golden rays, filtered through soft curtains. The hum of insects. Wood creaking. And—I heard small, quick breathing. Then a faint voice, trembling but curious. "H-hey… are you okay?" I turned my head. A small girl peered at me from the bedside, standing on her tiptoes to peek over the edge. Blonde hair tied in uneven pigtails. Blue blouse, spotless. Her wide, sea-colored eyes blinked rapidly, like she was scared I might shatter. "You were screaming," she said quietly. "Must've been a really bad dream… I don't like those either."
I tried to speak, but my throat was dry. Only a cough came out. I looked down, my arms and chest were covered in bandages—layers upon layers, hiding bruises, burns, gashes. My ankle was wrapped tight. Even the slightest movement sent a jolt up my spine. "Where… is this?" I croaked. The girl tilted her head. "They call it the Happy House. The grownups said it's a place where children don't have to be scared anymore." She smiled. It was a kind smile. But too clean, too rehearsed. A place for children…An orphanage. I observed around, wooden walls, worn floors, and a row of neatly folded beds in the background. Toys stacked in one corner, untouched. Faint smell of soup. Something warm, but not inviting. A place that tried to feel like almost home, almost safe.
I tightened my grip on Lune's blanket, holding it close to my chest like a shield. Safe? No. Not yet.My mind was still stuck in the underground. Still hearing the screams. Still smelling the blood. Still feeling her hand pushing me away.
Stop.
I clenched my jaw. She was gone. But I was still here. Breathe.
I lowered my voice. "What's your name?" "Me? I'm Lily." Her lips stretched wide, brighter this time. "You were talking in your sleep, you know. Someone name… Lune?" I nodded slowly, but said nothing. My voice cracked if I tried. "She's someone important?" "…Yeah." "They told me that when I grow up, I'll meet someone important too!"
The door creaked open.
Heavy footsteps echoed on the wooden floor. Not loud, but firm. Deliberate, which caused me to flinch. My whole body tensed, heart lurching in my chest, becoming a reminder of the basement. Torture. I hate this. The sound of boots. Shoes. Anyone walking toward me. Please… don't be them. I'm tired of this. But then—softness. A voice. "Lily, dear, let him rest," a woman said in a calm tone, reassuring. "He's been through more than we know." I slowly looked up, the heavy noise in my vision slowly dissipated. A woman stood in the doorway. Not too old—maybe early thirties, warm brown eyes. Brown hair tied in a braid. She wore a faded apron and carried a cloth in one hand, stained with flour. A kitchen scent followed her in. Bread?
She met my eyes gently. "You're safe now. You're in the orphanage. A girl named Inaya brought you here three days ago. Said you were found by the river." Inaya… That name. I remembered the moonlight, her hand on my forehead. Then the pain receded for a moment. She saved me. "She's gone now," the woman continued, noticing my silence. "She had things to take care of. However, she left this…" She stepped forward and placed something on the small table beside my bed—a silver pendant. Crescent-shaped. Worn, with a faint engraving on the back I can't read yet. "She said it came with your blanket."
I stared at it, the pendant caught the morning light, and for a brief second… I felt like I could breathe again. The pain, the weight pressing on my ribs, it eased. Then—something flickered. A faint pulse of warmth, like magic trying to reach out. It only lasted a moment, a breath. Like a heartbeat that wasn't mine. Not imagined. Real. Magic? My chest tightened. No. I must've imagined it. I'm voidspawn. Magicless. Useless. Even if that pendant had something in it… it wouldn't favor… me.Still, the warmth didn't feel judgmental. Just… there. Patient. I brushed it off and let it hang around my neck.
The woman seemed to notice the hope drained from my face. "Hey, we've prepared you some new clothes. Get yourself clean up and head downstairs. You must be hungry, right?" She cleared her throat, "Lily, would you be a good girl and help your new brother getting to know our home?" She grinned as wide as possible, like she was expecting to be praised after completing this mission. "You can count on me, mama!" She hopped down from the side of the bed, straightened her blouse and smoothing out the wrinkles. "Come on, big brother. I'll show you where you can scrub-scrub your body!"
A gentle curve appeared on the woman's face, "Thank you, Lily dear." Before she left, she turned to me once more, her gaze lingering. Studying me—not out of suspicion, but something gentler. She was learning my face. My face…? I don't even know how… I look. "What's your name, honey?" A girl voice brushed my ears, my name: Riven. "Riven… Ma'am," I didn't know what to expect because Lune named me. The woman's face shifted the moment she heard it—like the name told her everything without needing a story. I flinched when her arms wrapped around me. Strong. Warm. Human. Alive.
The women couldn't help but her sentiment of empathy kept pouring out. "Welcome home, Riven." She brushed my back head. My eyes blurred. I could barely saw Lily's face, but she looked a little teary too. "I wanna hug too!" she cried, flinging herself into the moment. Miss Althea chuckled, "starting today, I'll take care of you. You can just call me Miss Althea or Mama, if you're comfortable. Okay, off you go, stinky-head. I'm expecting you to eat a mountain after this."
As Miss Althea pulled slightly away, her gaze fell to the blanket I still clutched tightly—like armor. Her voice softened, touched with gentle concern. "Riven, dear… that blanket looks like it's been through a war," she said kindly. My thoughts jammed like a circuit shorting out. I pulled it closer. "It's mine." She nodded, not pushing. "Of course it is, honey. But… would you let me clean it? Just gently. I'll be careful." It was my heart. My only proof of Lune. If I lost it, I wasn't sure I could keep living. The only proof she'd ever been real.
But… The thought of fear and filth soaked deep into the fabric—it clung to it like a second skin. I hesitated. "It won't lose what it means to you," Miss Althea whispered. "Trust me." I nodded, slow and reluctant. Like peeling off old skin. When the blanket finally left my hands, my body screamed. No. NO! My mind howled in silence. Suddenly, the pendant warmed against my chest. Not burning. Just there. Steady. Quiet. Like a hand pressing gently on my heart.
You're safe. It's okay.
I swallowed. My throat tight. "Thank you, Miss Althea." She gave me a soft smile and disappeared down the hallway, veil cradled like something sacred. I stayed still. My arms were empty. Hollow. Then— A faint hum. The pendant hovered just slightly off my chest, glowing with a silver pulse. Not bright. Just… alive.
I'm here. You'll be fine.
My breath, which had been caught in the back of my throat, finally let go. My fingers unclenched. The quiet panic loosened its grip. "Hey," came a voice beside me. I turned. It was Lily, holding a towel far too big for her. "Stinky-head brother, you have to go scrub-scrub!" Her grin couldn't quite escape from her forced annoyed face. I gave a small nod. My voice hadn't really came back yet. But she didn't mind. She tilted her head, motioning for me to follow. "Come on~" And just like that, I moved. Not because I had to. Because it was easier than standing still.