The Climax ( of the first nightmare. )

//// I really struggled with writing emotions in here so try to add a dramatic tone when you read. thanks ////

Raian was not born into a world of hardship and uncertainty, so he never struggled to do something before he joined the slums. 

His parents, both scholars of humble means, passed away when he was just a toddler, or at least that is what others told him, truth or not the death of his parents left him orphaned and alone so he was sent to the orphanage since his relatives refused to take him in. 

Despite his young age and inexperience, Raian found his way around the orphanage pretty quickly, he just needed to listen and follow their words and get praised. 

These simple acts of observing people and mimicking made him feel like he was superior to the other children. 

Noticing the difference between himself and the other children, Raian knew he was smarter than them.

Despite not having any deep knowledge of the world around him, the simple superiority thoughts infected his head. 

Soon the climax of the orphanage arc had arrived, and Raian heard a shocking piece of news. 

He was getting adopted, and he did not like that. 

Young Raian didn't understand what that meant exactly but from the looks of things he was getting sold to unknown adults, for the worse the nannies didn't explain the process to Raian clearly since he was barely 4 years old and didn't talk much. 

Raian could have just asked them, and all the problems would be resolved but he decided not to. 

After all, he was smart, that's what everyone told him. 

He knew better, at least he thought he knew better. 

So, he chose to ditch the orphanage before it ditched him. 

These simple thoughts changed the course of Raian's life. 

For the better? For the worse? He did not know, but it gave him a purpose. 

Living in the slums was much more difficult than he had imagined. 

With no source of clean water or stable amounts of food, the slums were not a place for a 4-year-old kid to live his life. 

Sooner than later Raian found himself at death's door out there in the streets between two buildings as he lay there motionless. His already thin arms were even thinner trying to mimic a stick bug, mouth dry with no energy to move or even think. 

From seeing such things happen almost daily Raian knew he was dying, despite the bright life he lived Raian made no effort to live, he had accepted his end. 

Now he was just wondering whether he would live a better life if he was sold off or not before his eventual death. 

Remembering his past, the current Raian felt no sadness, after all, it felt like a buildup for what happened next. 

He was saved. 

A girl calling herself Ro, a little older than Raian had saved him offering her kindness in return of nothing. 

Being saved was a weird process for Raian to understand, this girl had all right to save him but she shouldn't have. 

Saving a little kid who couldn't work or help her in any way wasn't ideal. She should have helped an adult, that was a much better choice in Raian's mind. 

At first little Raian was full of doubt but being fed and protected by her, his opinion gradually changed, her kindness and her dreams were both genuine. The doubt gave way to gratitude, and skepticism turned to admiration.

This girl Ro's emotions reflected her face, brimming with kindness she sought to help everyone she saw and dared to stand against any resistance she faced, Raian commended her strong will as he watched her endeavor. 

In no time Raian felt something, seeing her helping despite her struggle made Raian feel something he didn't understand. 

He wanted to support Ro, but he felt himself lacking. nonetheless, he followed her sincerely. 

Months pass as Raian starts following Ro, wanting to support Ro, so he does what he is best at, observing others, things such as gathering information and selling them, even a light assassination was done by him to protect the girl who saved him. 

There were a few failures and messes ups, but Raian didn't falter, in efforts to support Ro he was willing to bear any injuries. 

After all, she was his savior. 

This life was owed to her kindness so the least he could do was this. 

She became a beacon of hope in a world consumed by darkness, and as she helped more and more began to help back recognizing her in their own ways.

She was their sun, a sun that set too early to never rise again. 

Now all Raian carried on was her memories and legacy, a small fragment of a broken sun that would never rise again.

Only after losing her did Raian realize his true feelings, he loved her. 

Seeing a look-alike in his first nightmare his body acted on instinct, loss of his first love became a trauma, a trauma that his body didn't want to repeat thus acting in the moment he betrayed the warriors that aided him in conquering his nightmare. 

Now everything was over, he failed the nightmare he failed to become a sleeper. The new life he foresaw ahead had ended before it even started. 

Dropping a single tear to look up Raian saw a little girl named DEVIL by the warriors of the church. They hid in a small space inside the wall after escaping from Geralt. Escaping a berserked master was something levels above his capability but the master was too angry he forgot his exhaustion thus being quelled by Raian with the weapon he gave himself.

Remembering the faces of his comrades in the real world, Raian apologized to them all as he wouldn't meet them again. 

He should have apologized to them if he knew things were going to turn out like this. 'Unless' 

Looking at the small girl a little longer, Raian dismissed the idea of killing her. He had the resources and the reason to kill her, but he just could not do it. 'She reminded me of Ro too much.' 

"You're conflicted." said the girl waking Raian from his depression. 

" At least treat them " pointing at Raian's arm. 

Looking towards his absent left arm and the hole in his left thigh bleeding, Raian just scoffed at the little girl's concern. "It's fine I don't plan on living." 

Seeing Raian did not mind the injuries the little girl asked. 

"So why did you save me? I can't imagine the reason." asked the girl with genuine curiosity, while she did believe there was some last-moment defensive memory on her clothes she wasn't sure about surviving that huge slash, recalling the memory her body shivered all over again. In the end she was thankful.

R "Adult stuff you wouldn't get it." He wanted to say more but eventually decided not to.

" So then, why did you hide with me when I could have escaped? " 

R "because I wanted to speak with you." 

The girl sat back down in front of Raian calmly waiting for him to speak further. 

R "Coming here I wanted to exterminate the devil as others called it, I promised my family and friends I would do so and save them all, but I failed, I couldn't let Gemma kill you. " 

" Why so? " 

R " Because.... because you are a child, I have a soft spot and I believe that children are innocent." Feeling the blood loss take effect, Raian hastened his dialogue. 

R " The fight here, the ongoing war is all above me but it's not above you, two saints died for your sake, you are different, while I am just a soldier a disposable pawn for their ambition you are someone who will lead many in the future am i right?" 

" Yes," the girl answered. knowing Raian was nearing his end she decided to respect his last moments and kept her answer short.

R "When I was young, I received kindness from a girl like you, she stood for the young and the weak and I would like for you to do the same." 

The girl tried to answer but Raian interrupted her. 

R " I know emotions are unnecessary in war but when you win I hope you will spare the innocent." 

The girl smirked when Raian declared his future victory. 

" Is that your last will? your legacy?" she asked in a calm voice.

With his last words, Raian muttered. "No, it's a wish from me towards you." 

" Very well I heard your last wish, human." she stood up leaving hidden space between the walls. 

Seeing the girl leave, Raian thought 'did I do enough' asking hallucinated Ro. The imaginary Ro smiled and nodded. 

Closing his eyes, Raian passed out with a smile.

Exiting the passage that led us to the halls she walked back towards the throne room. 

Dry tear marks on either side of her face entered the throne room where it all happened. Observing the conclusion, she stopped before the white saint's corpse pursuing her lips, moments later she continued her walk. 

Standing beside Gemma's body the girl looked at her with an indifferent expression. 

Shifting her gaze toward the slash that cleaved the clouds, the girl recalled her previous actions, trying to fight church's two elite captains it was basically suicide for her, but she was standing here alive while the two others were betrayed and killed by their underling.

Thinking for a few seconds about Raian's last wish she exhaled a deep sigh. " Fine. " 

—------------------------------------------------------------------ 

In the hidden space between the walls of the Ancient Monastery the motionless body of Raian illuminated golden, many illusory spiritual hands of different sizes materialized opposite to the golden light and softly placed themselves on Raian's body leaving an imprint of their will alongside their collective blessing. 

[Be awake Raian, your nightmare is over.] 

[Prepare for appraisal...]