Before it all

Sixteen years ago, nestled at the edge of the Zefron Empire, stood River's Crossing—a small town known for its impoverished inhabitants. Life in this town revolved around meager farmlands, which provided sustenance and a means to earn a meager income. Yet, each year, a somber cycle of hunger claimed the lives of many unfortunate souls.

On a fateful morning, the sun's rays bathed the town in radiant light as its residents bustled about their daily affairs. Meanwhile, a group of orphaned children gathered by the banks of Mayir River, hoping to catch some fish—a rare delicacy in their parched surroundings.

As they cast their lines into the water, an intriguing sight caught their attention. Drifting toward them was an object, accompanied by distant cries of an infant. Drawing nearer, they realized it was a basket—afloat on the river's gentle current. Inside lay a helpless baby, accompanied by a weighty, engraved gold brick bearing the name Azrael.

Puzzled and uncertain, the children brought the infant and the golden brick to the small orphanage they called home. Lauren Ventyl, the owner of the orphanage, was overwhelmed with joy at this unexpected discovery. With the acquisition of these newfound resources, she now had the means to provide for the orphans who had long suffered from a dearth of basic necessities. The arrival of this child, named after the golden brick, brought an immense happiness that permeated the once desolate walls of the orphanage. However, this newfound joy was short-lived.

A few days later, tragedy struck as Lauren fell victim to a violent robbery within the orphanage's premises. Her untimely demise marked the beginning of a string of misfortunes for the orphans. Soon, the orphanage itself was seized, leaving the children no choice but to be cast out onto the unforgiving streets, forced to fend for themselves in a world fraught with hardship.

Seven years had elapsed since those fateful days when the majority of the orphaned children succumbed to the harsh realities of street life. However, amidst the tragedy, a few resilient souls, including Azrael, managed to endure. Raised by the older orphans who selflessly sacrificed their own well-being to feed and care for the younger ones, Azrael had witnessed the untimely demise of many who gave everything they had to survive—whether it meant selling their bodies or toiling away in the fields.

At the age of seven, Azrael roamed the town, desperate to find any odd job that would earn him a morsel of sustenance. However, being a mere child, he often found himself empty-handed after hours of labor, his pleas for fair treatment met with cruel beatings. This was the stark reality that consumed Azrael's existence—a cycle of hunger, deprivation, and brutality from which there seemed to be no escape.

On this particular day, hunger gnawed at Azrael's young stomach, its intensity more pronounced than ever. He scoured the town in search of even the slightest opportunity to fill his empty belly, but every shop and household turned him away, claiming there was no food or work to offer him. Rejected and dejected, Azrael found himself sprawled on the cold pavement, with no recourse but to wait for the icy embrace of death, resigning himself to the cruel fate that awaited him.

In the distance, the resonant chimes of the church bells echoed through the air, reaching Azrael's ears. Familiar as they were, this time they carried a peculiar allure, beckoning him with an inexplicable force.

With each faltering step, Azrael struggled to make his way towards the source of the enchanting melody. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon him, his vision growing blurry as he pressed on.

After what felt like an eternity, Azrael finally arrived at the entrance of the church. Upon entering, his bleary eyes fell upon a humble priest, head bowed in prayer.

"Come, my child," the priest beckoned gently.

Azrael, disoriented and bewildered, cautiously approached the priest, scanning his surroundings for answers.

"Are you hungry, my child?" the priest asked in a soft, compassionate tone.

"Yes, sir," Azrael managed to murmur weakly, his voice barely audible.

"Very well, follow me," the priest replied, leading Azrael into another room adorned with a large dining table and numerous seats.

With utmost care and kindness, the priest laid before Azrael a feast of meats, fruits, and an array of nourishing sustenance.

Overwhelmed by the abundance before him, Azrael began to consume the food with an insatiable hunger. His mouth filled with each savory bite, tears streaming down his cheeks, a poignant mixture of gratitude and emotional release.

Upon finishing his meal, Azrael rose from his seat and knelt before the priest, who stood beside him. With a resolute determination, Azrael pressed his forehead against the ground.

"Thank you, sir. Your kindness will forever be etched in my heart. I am at your service, ready to fulfill any task you ask of me," Azrael declared, his voice trembling with sincerity.

The priest, taken aback by Azrael's gesture, quickly interjected. "Please, there's no need for such formalities. Rise, my child," he said, gently lifting Azrael from the floor.

With a tender embrace, the priest held Azrael tightly in his arms. "You are welcome to return here every day for sustenance. While it may not be as abundant as today, I promise you will never go hungry. I am sorry for the hardships you have endured, my savior," the priest conveyed.

Azrael, his voice filled with curiosity, asked, "Why can't people be as kind as you?"

The priest sighed softly, his eyes filled with wisdom. "My child, humans are often driven by self-interest and fail to recognize the importance of kindness. They respect and show kindness to those they perceive as strong."

"Strength?" Azrael echoed, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"Yes, my child. It is the strength within you that commands respect and compassion from others," the priest explained.

In that moment, a revelation dawned upon Azrael. He made a solemn vow to himself to become the strongest person in the world.

Expressing his gratitude once more, Azrael bid farewell to the priest and departed from the church. Filled with newfound determination, he returned each day at the same hour, where he received sustenance and renewed hope.

In those moments, despite the hardships he faced, Azrael discovered a profound desire to live.

He needed to live.