Prologue

Running through the narrow, filthy streets of Grimgate, Aiden's breath came in ragged gasps. His thin frame darted between makeshift stalls and dodged around indifferent bystanders, their faces hardened by years of seeing such scenes play out daily. Black hair plastered to his sweaty forehead, black eyes wide with fear, Aiden looked every bit the desperate child of Grimgate—unhealthy, unkempt, and barely clothed in tattered garments.

His escape was a chaotic ballet of fear and desperation. Every step sent pain shooting through his bare feet, reminding him of the price of his theft. Behind him, he could still feel the presence of his pursuer, the baker Laurence, relentless despite his age, fueled by a mix of anger and disappointment.

Aiden's thoughts raced as fast as his feet. Why did he steal from someone who had shown him kindness? Guilt gnawed at his insides, but hunger had driven him to it. The stale bread clutched tightly in his hand felt like a lead weight, a symbol of his folly.

Around him, the slum market of Grimgate carried on with its usual indifference. Vendors haggled over meager goods, children played in dirty alleyways, and adults shuffled through their daily routines with resignation. In Grimgate, someone being chased was just another part of the harsh reality, a fleeting drama amidst the backdrop of survival.

Corner after corner, Aiden navigated the labyrinthine streets he knew so well. The dilapidated buildings leaned over him like guardians of misery, their crumbling facades a testament to years of neglect and hardship. Alleys twisted and turned, offering brief moments of respite from his pursuer's sight.

Finally, doubling back through a narrow passage strewn with refuse, Aiden found a temporary refuge. Leaning against a graffiti-covered wall, he pressed his heaving chest, trying to quiet his frantic heartbeat. He could hear footsteps echoing nearby, but they faded into the cacophony of Grimgate's bustling despair.

In this moment of reprieve, Aiden's mind raced with conflicting emotions. He was angry at himself for jeopardizing the shelter he had managed to cling to, the only place that had shielded him from the worst of Grimgate's brutality. Next week, the promised sanctuary of school awaited, provided by the kingdom—a chance for a future he had only dared to dream about.

But the path to that future seemed treacherous and uncertain. Illiterate and uneducated, Aiden felt like a fish out of water in a world where knowledge was power. The prospect of learning both excited and terrified him, knowing that it meant leaving behind the only life he had ever known.

Lost in these thoughts, Aiden was jolted back to reality by a sudden collision. Startled, he looked up into the face of Laurence, the baker whose trust he had betrayed. Towering over him like a stern guardian, Laurence's expression softened slightly at the sight of Aiden's worn appearance.

"So, had a good run, my boy?" Laurence's voice was surprisingly gentle, a stark contrast to the chase that had just ensued. Aiden met his gaze with a mixture of shame and gratitude, unsure of how to respond.

Without waiting for an answer, Laurence reached into a worn bag slung over his shoulder. Aiden tensed, expecting reproach, but instead, Laurence handed him a small parcel. "I wanted to give you this," he said quietly. "There's cheese, some water, and more bread. It should be enough until next week when you start school."

Tears welled in Aiden's eyes as he accepted the offering, overwhelmed by the baker's unexpected kindness. He managed a choked "Thank you," but Laurence was already turning away, leaving Aiden to grapple with his emotions alone.

Back at his decrepit shelter, Aiden unwrapped the parcel with trembling fingers. The aroma of fresh bread and cheese filled the air, a stark contrast to the stale odors of Grimgate that clung to him. Each bite was a testament to Laurence's compassion, a lifeline in a world where such gestures were rare and precious.

As he lay down on his makeshift cot, exhaustion finally caught up with him. His body ached from the chase, but his heart felt lighter than it had in a long time. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and uncertainties, but for now, Aiden allowed himself to savor the fleeting sense of security.

Outside, the sounds of Grimgate continued—the distant shouts, the clatter of carts, the cries of children. But amidst the harsh cacophony, Aiden held on to the memory of Laurence's kindness, a beacon of hope in the relentless darkness of Grimgate.

The next morning, with a heavy heart and a mind swirling with apologies, Aiden made his way through the labyrinthine alleys of Grimgate back to Laurence's bakery. The early sunlight struggled to penetrate the grimy haze that hung over the slums, casting long shadows that seemed to mock his fear and uncertainty.

As he approached the familiar storefront, Aiden rehearsed in his mind all the words he wanted to say—apologies for his betrayal, gratitude for Laurence's kindness, promises to never steal again. But as he turned the final corner, his words froze in his throat.

Two menacing figures loomed over Laurence's lifeless body, their faces twisted with cruelty and triumph. Aiden's heart pounded in his chest as he ducked behind a pile of discarded crates, breath caught in his throat. He watched in horror as the men rifled through Laurence's belongings, callously tossing aside the same parcel of bread and cheese that had meant so much to him just hours before.

Terror gripped Aiden as he realized the gravity of the situation. These were not just petty thieves or bullies—he had stumbled upon murderers. His mind raced, scrambling for a plan to escape, to somehow evade the wrath of these heartless men.

With agonizing slowness, the men finished their grisly task and began to move away from the scene, laughing amongst themselves. Aiden waited until they were out of sight before cautiously emerging from his hiding place, heart still hammering in his chest.

He retrieved the parcel of food from where it had been discarded, tears streaming down his dirt-streaked face. Clutching it tightly to his chest, he fled back through the maze of alleys, every shadow and sound amplifying his terror.

Back at his shelter, Aiden collapsed onto the rough cot, trembling with a mixture of fear, grief, and rage. The horrors of Grimgate had once again shown their cruel face, reminding him of the harsh reality he could never escape.

As he lay there, waiting for the pounding in his chest to subside, Aiden prayed for the arrival of next week and the start of school. The promise of education, of a chance to leave behind the brutal streets of Grimgate, felt like a distant beacon of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf him.

In that moment of despair, Aiden clung to the fragile hope that school would offer him a way out—a way to build a future far from the violence and despair that plagued Grimgate. With each breath, he whispered a silent prayer, hoping against hope that the days would pass swiftly, bringing him closer to the sanctuary of learning and away from the horrors that lurked in the shadows of Grimgate.

The neighborhood where Aiden resided was a part of Eldoria City, one of the many cities in the Kingdom of Adom. From what little Aiden managed to glean from overheard conversations between adults while moving around Grimgate, the kingdom was vast, with each city boasting its own academy.

In the Kingdom of Adom, every city had an academy that accepted children when they reached the age of twelve. Aiden wasn't sure why the royals implemented this system. Was it noblesse oblige, a sense of duty from the higher classes? He didn't know, and he didn't care much. What mattered to Aiden was the promise of food and lodging provided by the academy. As long as his grades were passable, he could stay. After three years, he would graduate, and many roles would open to him. This was the hope that kept Aiden going.