A Terrible Start

It's been a week since he was found by the Smith Family, Xion or Kiryuu found out his mana channels were damaged which raised some red flags. He was later taken to the adoption center to join their family, it felt strange, he was always bullied as a child back when he was in the orphanage and was left for death.

As of now, Xion is learning how to greet customers while learning the currency of the Astra Continent. It had similarities to the US currency. They called the paper money Vens, it came in 1s, 10s, 20s, 50s, and 100s. They even had the Head of the First Governor of the Astra Continent before being split.

"And remember to give the exact change back," Marcus told Xion who only nodded.

Xion stared at the register, his way of thinking was staring or daydreaming. He wonders what kind of lifestyle will he gain just from making delicious treats.

Suddenly, the door swings open, and a tall man wearing a black tailcoat is. "Hello, young one. I'm here to buy your freshly baked cookies." He pointed to the glass on the second row there were baked chocolate chip cookies.

"That'll be 3 Vens," Xion said with a small smile. This seemed easier than he thought. Back when he was Kiryuu Amuka, a young 25-year-old writer. He worked at a convenience store and at a restaurant to gain more experience while continuing his inspiration.

The man handed him the money but he suddenly noticed Xion's pure red eyes and the red color of his bangs.

"What's your name, child?" The man asked cautiously.

"I'm Xion Trinity. Why?"

The man stared at the boy who put the money in the register, something about this man was off. He seemed to think that Xion must be an actual Trinity or a half-blood from the black color mixed with his pure red.

"Nothing, it's just I've never seen you before."

"Oh, I was in the Orphanage down on Main Street, I couldn't leave that place for some reason… Anyway, here's your freshly baked cookies." Xion immediately changed the subject. The man only sighed, taking the bag and leaving the store.

Xion raised a brow questioning himself about what a Trinity is. Before leaving the counter he noticed a crimson-red crystal lying there on the counter. Xion looked around to make sure it didn't belong to anyone. The closer he got the brighter the crystal illuminated. He picked up the crystal and hid it in his pocket.

"Xion, how did it go?" Dolan asked walking into the lobby.

"Oh, Dolan. I didn't hear you come in. It was easier than it looked. How was school?" Xion asked hiding the crystal.

Dolan sighed and answered, "It's been a lot… My teacher truly despises my mother for marrying my father."

Xion looked at Dolan dumbfounded, what kind of teacher would be worrying about someone else's marriage? I guess women are the type to get jealous.

"So then, shall we get going then?"

Oh right, I forgot that me and Dolan are supposed to head out. Xion nodded, he looked at the 14-year-old feminine boy and patted his head. "Shall we head out?"

Dolan nodded flipping the sign to closed. The sun was still out which meant it was three o'clock, they headed down the street to the market area. Each person who passed the two adopted brothers thought those two were on a date, who wouldn't ask that since Dolan had such a slender body?

"So Xion, how did you get those wounds?"

"… I got it from the Orphanage… I was more hated for reasons I don't know about…"

It was extremely awkward for the two. Not once have they ever really got to know each other besides seeing his wounds. Dolan frowned, there were rumors months ago about a kid with a curse who belonged to a Family known as Trinity. In the 2nd Era, also known as The God's Apocalypse over 32,000 years a noble family Known as the Trinity was born from a remnant of a human that devoured a god for the murder of a woman of golden blonde hair.

"So Dolan, I see you attend the White Valley School of Swords. What's it like?" Xion asked trying to avoid the depression vibe.

"Well, it's nothing new than what you see during our training. We just learn history, math, science, and geography. Trust me you don't want to go there."

They approached a strange building that almost seemed abandoned. "Why are we here?" Xion asked making sure it wasn't a trap.

"You'll see…" He replied walking into an alleyway. Xion began to follow him.

Before he could enter the alleyway, his body shivered in fear. He remembered how he died and felt the trauma experienced in the forehead. He clenched his head trying to remain calm.

"Xion, are you okay?" Dolan asked before seeing the scared child going through what almost seemed to be a cardiac arrest. The boy couldn't handle it, the death repeating over and over this time with different people.

"Hey…" Xion quickly reacted slapping Dolan's hand away from him. In a panic, Xion quickly ran back home, those memories of him being betrayed, killed, and even left with darkness. When he got home he ran straight into his room shutting the door behind him. His heart raced as sweat dripped down from his forehead.

… Why am I remembering my death? Did the alleyway become a trigger to my PTSD? Is this some kind of a sick joke to you, Transcenders? Thoughts ran through his head while trying to calm his nerves, he almost met his breaking point.

…

With Dolan who watch Xion run off, he thought it was his fault.

I didn't know he was afraid of Alleyways… Maybe I should have been cautious with where I took him…

The white-haired boy who looked down, made his way home. It kind of hurts that he forgot to understand Xion's fear. He wanted to be there for his new brother and understand his past and feelings.

"Oh, I know, I'll make him some fresh sugar cookies to cheer him-" He was caught off by enormous hands covering his mouth with a white cloth. Dolan struggles to stay awake while fighting off whoever is behind him. No one could be seen to help him, not even Xion who was home.

Please… Save me… Those were the last thoughts Dolan had before blacking out.

"Are you sure this is the Trinity Kid?" A heavy gruff-voiced asked a hooded man who nodded.

…

Just hours later, Xion was examining the red crystal that was left behind, he couldn't understand what it was nor where it came from. What makes this thing work? It glows when I'm in the vicinity.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Come in." He granted access while putting the crystal in his pocket.

Marcus quickly barges into the room with a worried expression. "Xion, where is Dolan?"

"I left him behind when I had bad memories… why?"

Marcus then spoke up "He didn't make it back home, and some eyewitnesses saw two people putting him into a truck." Without a moment to lose, Xion grabbed his sleeveless hoodie and hurried out the door.

"Which way did they go?" He asked pissed.

Marcus could see the anger in his eyes even if there wasn't much of his expression. He could only assist his new son to find Dolan. "They saw the truck heading out of the city borders.

Well then, time to hunt some pests. Xion thought with a small grin.