The old headmaster stumbled as he climbed the stairs, his legs weak and his breathing heavy. Light poured down from above, but he didn't stop. His eyes dropped to the girl in his arms, Luna. Her small face was pale, smeared with blood, cheekbone exposed and around it frostbitten flesh, her body limp against his chest. A flash of pain crossed his face, but he held her tighter and kept moving.
He pushed through the open door and staggered into a forest clearing outside the ruins. Waiting ahead was a squad of Black Knights, their black armor glinting in the light. At their head stood Theo Vol.
The headmaster's knees gave out. He fell forward onto the ground, still clutching Luna.
Theo raised a hand, stopping his men before they could react. He stepped forward, his voice carrying across the clearing.
"Headmaster… what happened?"
The old man struggled to catch his breath. His shaking arms lifted Luna slightly toward Theo.
Theo's eyes fell on her. He removed his helmet and stepped closer. His face hardened as he saw the cuts and bruises on her skin. Kneeling, he reached out and brushed her cheek with his fingers. Her skin was cold, her breathing faint.
Theo's jaw tightened. The muscles in his face tensed as he drew back and stood up. He replaced his helmet, his movements stiff and controlled.
"Where is he?" he asked, his voice low but steady.
"Up the stairs… a young man… he…" The headmaster's words faded into exhausted gasps.
Theo nodded sharply. He turned to his men and motioned them forward.
"Take them. I'll handle the rest."
"Yes, Captain!" the knights replied in unison.
"Rest, Headmaster," Theo said firmly. He stepped aside as two knights carefully took Luna from the old man's arms.
"Get her to a healer. Now. She can't afford to lose another second," he ordered.
The knights moved quickly, carrying Luna and helping the headmaster to his feet.
Theo turned back to the ruined tower. He stared at the dark entrance, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. His anger churned, sharp and cold. To harm her—to even think of touching her, was unforgivable.
He gripped his sword harder, his knuckles whitening inside the gauntlet.
"Young master Nyx… he might be hurt too…"" Headmaster panting for air
"I understand"
Without another word, he stepped into the tower's shadow, his rage simmering beneath the surface, ready to erupt.
Stepping onto the stairs, he glanced down into the darkness, a memory surfacing—one he held dearly to himself.
…
20 years ago, underground in the capital of Luvr—Aurelith
A four-year-old Theo darted through the narrow alleys, chased by two furious stall vendors. The disheveled passageways were cluttered with boxes and trash, but he didn't slow down.
"Stop right there, you little brat!" shouted a fat man with long, greasy yellow hair, round eyes, wheezing for air as he lumbered after him.
The younger, slimmer one—short yellow hair and wiry, with eyes like a hunter, barked out, "Thief! Give it back!"
Glancing over his shoulder, Theo grinned and tugged down his lower eyelid, sticking out his tongue in mockery.
The sight made both men fume. The younger one snarled, "You brat! Trip and you're dead!"
"Haha!" Theo's childish laughter echoed through the alley. "Take this!"
He veered sharply around a corner.
The athletic man pushed harder, sliding across the ground as he took the turn. "Come back here!" he roared.
But the fat man wasn't as nimble—he crashed into his brother, sending both of them tumbling into a stack of wooden boxes. The crates collapsed, raining down debris.
Theo saw it and broke into a wheezing fit of laughter, tears streaming down his cheeks as he clutched the hard loaf of bread he'd stolen. "Serves you right, old men!"
A little later, he found a quiet bench under a tree near the border of the slums. Settling onto it, he munched on the crusty bread.
"Finally… some food," he thought with a small sigh.
Leaning back, he savored his first real meal in almost a week. Yet his stomach growled again, still empty.
Glancing around, he muttered to himself, "Guess it's time to steal more…"