Vetra and Martina followed Aaron into the orphanage, the wooden door creaking shut behind them as he secured it from the inside.The cozy interior bustled with the sounds of children's chatter, sunlight streaming through simple windows onto well-worn play areas and colorful drawings pinned to the walls.
The moment the kids spotted Martina, a wave of excited squeals erupted. Tiny feet pattered across the floor as they rushed her, arms outstretched in joyful greeting. Martina laughed delightedly, kneeling to embrace them. "Vetra, the bags please!" she called over the din.
Vetra handed over the sacks brimming with sweet buns, their warm, sugary aroma filling the air. Martina dove into distributing treats, her flower crown slightly askew amid the hugs and giggles, while Vetra and Aaron lingered at a respectful distance, observing the lively scene.
After a moment, Vetra turned to the boy, pulling two fresh sweet buns from a bag. "Here," she offered simply, extending them.Aaron accepted with a slight bow, his calm demeanor unbroken. An almost inaudible "Thank you" escaped his lips, polite and measured.
Vetra watched Aaron take a bite of the bun, her expression unreadable. "Martina said to give you one, but I added an extra—for catching my attention."
Aaron froze mid-chew, not expecting the words. A bead of sweat traced down his temple, betraying his neutral facade despite his best efforts. "I—... 'caught your attention'... as in...?"
He asked nervously, bracing inwardly for whatever came next, silently praying it stayed within bounds.
Vetra leaned in slightly, her voice low and steady. "You're quite different from most children I've met. And your demeanor makes me sure you're one of them."
Aaron blinked, pulse quickening. "One of... who?"
Vetra's black eyes held his gaze. "We don't usually spread information like that. But I could make an exception for you."
Aaron's mind raced, grappling with the cryptic phrase "one of them," curiosity battling unease. "What are you talking about?"
"Well," Vetra continued calmly, "have you heard the fairy tales about people gifted with supernatural powers?"
Aaron nodded slowly. "Yeah, I'm sure almost everyone has heard those tales."
"Very well," Vetra said, a faint edge to her tone. "And what if I told you those 'tales' are actually true?"
Aaron stared, caught off guard. He hadn't expected a grown woman like Vetra—poised and battle-scarred—to voice something so "childish," stories he'd dismissed as mere fancy.
Aaron crossed his arms, skepticism etching his young face. "And you expect me to believe something like that?"
Vetra smirked faintly, unfazed by the doubt. "I knew you'd say that," she replied. "But it is true. Every person with these powers gets swept up by the royals the moment they're discovered. They want stronger armies to crush enemy kingdoms."
Aaron reeled, the words hitting like a sudden gust. He'd always dismissed such stories as childish inventions, meant to entertain wide-eyed kids. But hearing it from Vetra—a composed warrior with visible scars and a warrior's poise—stirred a whirlwind inside him: confusion, distrust, fear, and sharp curiosity. He fought to maintain his neutral composure, fists clenching subtly at his sides.
"So if it's really true," Aaron pressed, voice steady despite the turmoil, "how do you even know all this?"
Vetra had anticipated the question. "When I lived in Shadowfen," she explained evenly, "people whispered about it endlessly when I was a child. By the time I joined their army as an adult, I knew the old rumors were fact."
Aaron's eyes widened at the name, a chill running through him. "Shadowfen...?" He backed away a step, instincts flaring.
Vetra nodded calmly. "Right—I forgot you'd react like that. But I no longer serve them. I've shifted here."
Tension eased from Aaron's shoulders. It made sense; surely the royals had vetted her thoroughly before assigning Vetra as Martina's bodyguard and assistant. "I see... Okay," he murmured, processing.
Vetra tilted her head, studying Aaron intently. "Have you ever felt a strange energy inside you? Like a supernatural ability?"
Aaron hesitated, his neutral mask cracking just a fraction. "What good would it do me to tell you?"
Vetra smirked, clearly amused by the boy's sharp wit despite his youth. "You're quite the child," she said. "And no need to worry—I won't tell a soul."
Aaron narrowed his eyes. "I'd rather not trust a stranger I just met."
Vetra's expression remained steady. "Well, it wouldn't do you any good either way. Even if you're just a suspect, the royals would take you. And their methods? Far crueler than mine, if I must say."
The words landed like a veiled ultimatum, leaving Aaron visibly taken aback. No matter his choice—silence or confession—it felt like a losing game, the orphanage's cheerful chaos fading into the background.
Aaron swallowed. "And I suppose that was a threat...?"
Vetra's sly smirk deepened. "However you want to take it."
Aaron sighed, shoulders slumping in resignation. The orphanage's playful sounds—Martina's laughter mingling with the children's—felt distant now, overshadowed by the weight of the conversation. "Guess I have no choice but to tell you..."
Vetra's smirk held steady. "Exactly. I'd have known anyway when the royals caught you." Her words drove home the inevitability: whether now or later, if Aaron had a power, it would surface. Better to confide in her—Vetra might keep it quiet, sparing him the crown's harsh grasp.
Aaron paused, gathering his thoughts, light green eyes flickering with uncertainty beneath his brown hair. At just 5'4", the 14-year-old carried a maturity beyond his years. "Well..." he began haltingly, "I do feel like I might have one..."
Vetra nodded—she'd suspected as much from the moment she laid eyes on him, his poised demeanor setting him apart.
"What kind of ability?" she prompted, genuinely curious about what this unique boy might reveal.
Aaron glanced around warily before speaking. "Well... I think it's related to nature. Years ago, I summoned a tree branch out of nowhere. It scared me—I had no idea how I did it. I never told anyone; it felt too... abnormal."
Vetra listened intently, envisioning the scene: a young Aaron, startled by his own untamed gift, keeping it buried in fear.
"Anything else? Something tied to this nature ability?" she pressed, eager for more layers.
Aaron sighed deeply, his calm facade softening. "Well... I'm drawn to nature. I love being surrounded by greenery—it feels like I can talk to the plants, the trees. As if they hear me too..."
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