Well was a talented boy, but nobody ever praised him. Instead, people mocked him and looked down on him because he was an orphan. His father, Jack, had once been a legendary magician and swordsman who died bravely in battle. Jack was known across the lands for his powerful magic, and strangely, Well had inherited that same rare ability. But instead of admiration, it only made people fear and resent him.
After losing his parents, Well survived alone by becoming an adventurer. He explored a deadly maze on the edge of the kingdom — a dark, twisting labyrinth where terrifying monsters lived. Most people were too afraid to enter, but Well went in alone, hunting creatures and selling their parts just to earn enough money to survive.
The maze was cruel and dangerous, but it was the only place where Well felt he belonged.
?? The Day They Met
One day, while walking through the market on his way to the maze, Well noticed a girl heading toward the entrance. She didn't look afraid. In fact, she looked calm… confident.
Her name, he would soon learn, was Alfaria.
Something about her caught his heart instantly. Curious, he followed her into the maze from a distance, planning to step in and help if she got into trouble — maybe that would give him a reason to talk to her.
But what he saw shocked him.
A group of monsters surrounded Alfaria, yet she moved like flowing water — fast, graceful, and powerful. One by one, the monsters fell before they could even touch her. Well stood frozen behind a stone pillar, watching in disbelief.
When the fight ended, he gathered his courage and approached her.
"That was… incredible," he said, slightly out of breath. "I saw everything from behind. You were amazing. Can I know your name?"
She turned, a little surprised, then smiled gently.
"My name is Alfaria."
That was the first day Well and Alfaria met.
?? A New Feeling
After finishing their hunt, they walked out of the maze together.
"So… where do you live?" Alfaria asked. "Can we meet again?"
Well felt his heart race. "Yes. I live in the next village. We can meet anytime you want."
She smiled. "Then let's meet tomorrow."
They parted ways, but neither of them could stop thinking about the other.
That night, Well lay in his small, quiet home, staring at the ceiling. For the first time in years, he felt… happy. He was excited to see Alfaria again.
In her home, Alfaria sat by her window, lost in thought.
Why did I feel so comfortable with him? she wondered. It felt like I've known him for a long time… even though we just met.
Both of them fell asleep with each other in their thoughts.
?? The Dream
That night, Well had a strange dream.
He stood in a broken world beneath a dark sky where the stars were fading one by one. In front of him was a being made of pure, overwhelming energy. He knew he couldn't win… but he also knew he could never run.
Tears filled his eyes as he whispered,
"Even if the universe ends… I will never forget you."
He didn't know who he was saying it to — but deep in his heart, he felt it was meant for Alfaria.