Journey starts
40th Day of the Spring Month, Year 759
The forest stretched on endlessly, its tall, old trees swaying in the spring wind. But the peaceful scene was shattered by the pounding of a monster pack running through the woods.
Those were Phantom Wolves, B-ranked monsters. They seemed to be wolves but twice their size and built for the fastest runs. Their fur glittered as though made of metal, and the red glinting lights from their eyes frightened with its light and horn on thier head.
However, it wasn't wolves running after someone.
Aurelia was running after them.
She was 18 now. She is using flash step, making it almost impossible to follow her as she thundered through the forest. Her pace was quicker than each preceding step.
The wolves were fast. But she was faster.
Aurelia's sword glowed, swung over head to strike at the closest creature and chop off a leg. It let out an ear-piercing shriek and fell.
She vaulted over its body, doing flips in mid-air and casting another lightning spear at yet another wolf. The bolt smacked it right between the eyes and killed it outright.
The rest of the pack scattered, trying to surround her. But she did not slow down. A twist of her wrist and she sent a gust of wind that slammed two wolves into the trees. Their bones snapped as they fell.
Fire flared from her sword, burning one wolf to ash. Spikes of earth leapt from the ground, stabbing another. Water churned around her legs, making her move even faster as she closed in on the last few.
She was so intent that she didn't notice the shadow creeping behind her.
The largest wolf, the alpha, moved silently. It lunged from her blind spot, its jaws aimed for her neck.
Aurelia spun around, sword held up high, but she wasn't quick enough.
Before the alpha could make contact, a black blur blazed past her.
Sching!
The monster's head flew off, and its body fell to the ground.
Ronan landed effortlessly, his black katana dripping with blood. He stood upright and grinned at Aurelia as she stared at him in shock.
"Your reaction time's still too slow," he said sarcastically. "Could've cost you an arm."
Before she could answer, he flicked her forehead.
"Hey!" She yelped, stumbling back and holding her head. "I had it under control!"
"Sure you did," he replied with a grin, cleaning his blade with a flick.
Aurelia glared at him, rubbing her forehead. "Maybe if someone didn't interrupt, I'd have proven you wrong."
He sheathed his katana, his smirk softening. "You did well, but you're holding back. I saw it—you're using one element at a time instead of mixing them."
"I didn't want to waste my energy on these small fries," Aurelia muttered, looking down.
Ronan's tone turned serious. "Don't underestimate the small ones. They can cause just as much trouble."
Aurelia sighed but nodded. They gathered the alpha's head and headed toward the regional lord's manor.
The regional lord, Baron Kael Durnholde, was a stout man with a booming laugh and a kind heart. He often supported their orphanage, especially after the bandit attack, and regularly hired Ronan and Aurelia for jobs like this.
"Impressive work as always!" he said, clapping his hands when they presented the alpha's head. "The villagers will finally have some peace."
He handed them a pouch heavy with gold coins.
"Fifty gold elios," Ronan said, weighing the pouch. "Next time, though, hire us through the adventurer guild. We'll be registering soon."
The lord laughed. "Finally old enough, are you? Fine, fine. But don't forget about us when you're famous adventurers!"
Aurelia smiled. "We'll never forget where we came from. The orphanage taught us loyalty, and that never changes—no matter how far we go."
The next day.
It was dawn, and the orphanage grounds were quiet except for the soft rustling of the morning breeze. Outside the wooden gates, Ronan and Aurelia stood with their bags packed.
Eliana stood with them, her arms crossed, pride and worry etched on her face.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" she asked gently. "The world out there isn't as safe as this place.
Ronan rolled his shoulders and smirked. "Come on, mama. No one out there can harm us."
She let out a sigh and smoothed a stray strand of Aurelia's golden hair. "I know, my dear. But a mother worries, even when the children aren't her own."
Aurelia grinned. "Fine, fine. But don't worry too much. The next time I come back, I'll bring you a husband!"
She pinched Aurelia's cheeks mock-horrified. "You cheeky brat! Who asked for that, huh?"
"Oh, ouch! All right, all right, I was joking!" Aurelia laughed, rubbing her cheeks. Ronan chuckled.
With a moment of silence, Eliana's voice became softer. "Promise me you'll both stay safe. No matter how far you go, this place will always be your home.
Ronan's smirk faded. His tone was serious. "We'll come back," he said firmly. "You won't get rid of us that easily."
With a nod, Eliana watched them walk down the dirt path to the nearby town. Aurelia waved, and Ronan raised a hand without turning back.
As their figures faded into the distance, Eliana's vision blurred with tears. She held onto the gate, memories flooding her mind.
She recalled when they first came.
Aurelia, a baby at the time, had been abandoned in a basket at the edge of the forest. Her golden hair and big, innocent eyes had made Eliana's heart melt right then and there.
Days later, they found Ronan, barely alive and wrapped in a bloody blanket in the same forest.
They had grown up together, inseparable. Ronan had always been fearless, even as a boy. She could still picture him coming back to the orphanage unconscious after killing a dangerous monster alone.
And the day they defeated the bandits, they came back changed. Ronan had cried in her arms, the only time she had seen him so vulnerable.
Wiping her eyes, she smiled through her tears.
"You two may not be mine by blood," she mummered, "but I'm so glad I raised you both."
Taking a deep breath, she turned back toward the orphanage, with the children's cheerful voices waiting. Life would continue, but her heart will always wait for their return.