The guards dragged Gabriel to the palace, their grip firm as they pulled him forward. Inside, they turned to face him, their eyes hard.
"Are you related to the people killed at the orphanage?" one guard asked.
Gabriel swallowed and nodded. "Yes, they were all my family," he said quietly.
The guard frowned. "And you're saying… demons did it?"
"Yes!" Gabriel's voice shook as he remembered that terrible night. "They weren't human… monsters tore everything apart."
The guards looked at each other, then one laughed. "Demons? Have you been eating illusion mushrooms?" he asked mockingly.
Gabriel realized they'd never believe him. *I'm the only one left,* he thought, *so of course they think I'm crazy.*
One of the guards squinted at him. "Wait—are you Gabriel? Sister Margaret talked about you."
"Yes," Gabriel replied, surprised that Sister Margaret had mentioned him.
The guards huddled, then one turned back. "Well, she spoke highly of you. How about a job here at the palace? You'd have protection, good money, and respect."
Gabriel shook his head. "Thanks, but no. I promised myself I'd live an honest life now. I want to make a farm, to live in peace."
The guards sighed. "Alright. Stay safe then, Gabriel."
As he left, Gabriel suddenly remembered something important. *Father Astried's son… he's still out there alone.* He hurried through the village, stopping when he saw a woman sweeping outside her home.
"Excuse me," he asked, catching his breath. "Do you know Father Astried?"
The woman smiled. "Of course. I help him with chores sometimes, and when he's away, I look after his son."
"Could you show me where his house is?" Gabriel asked.
The woman nodded and led him through a forest path, finally bringing him to a small, unfinished house in a quiet clearing. "There it is," she said, pointing. "Tell Father Astried I said thank you if you see him."
Gabriel nodded. "I will. Thank you."
Inside, Gabriel found a young boy eating bread and soup at a small table. The boy looked up and smiled.
"Do you know Father Astried?" Gabriel asked gently.
The boy nodded. "He's my dad."
Gabriel smiled back, though he felt sad. "Your dad went to another country to work, so he can bring home food and supplies for you."
The boy brightened. "I'll wait for him! Maybe he'll bring me a gift."
"What's your name?" Gabriel asked.
"Raniel," the boy replied with a grin.
Gabriel placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'll take care of you until he's back."
The months went by, and Gabriel and Raniel worked side by side to finish the house and plant crops. They shared simple joys—working, laughing, and building a new life together. For the first time in a long while, Gabriel felt at peace. He was no longer alone, and he'd found a new purpose in taking care of Raniel.
Six months had passed since Gabriel left the palace and chose a simple life. He stood outside his small house, taking in the sight of the farm he had built from scratch. *I finally made it, everyone,* he thought. *I have a farm, a good home, and Raniel is safe. I'll raise him the way you all raised me at the orphanage. Father Astried, don't worry—I'll take care of your son.*
As he strolled through the forest nearby, Gabriel spotted the woman who had helped him find Father Astried's house months ago. They waved, and she approached with a smile.
"How's Raniel doing?" she asked.
"He's great," Gabriel replied proudly. "He's learning to read, and we sometimes go to the village to get his favorite treats."
The woman nodded approvingly. "I'm so glad you're still together, even though you aren't related. Well, I'd love to talk more, but I have a lot to do today. Take care, both of you."
"Thank you, and take care," Gabriel said, waving as she walked away.
When Gabriel returned home, he told Raniel, "I'm heading to the marketplace to sell our crops. Keep an eye on the farm, okay? Watch out for animals trying to eat our vegetables. I'll be back in an hour."
Raniel nodded, giving him a thumbs-up. Gabriel smiled, picked up the baskets of fresh produce, and set off for the village.
At the bustling marketplace, Gabriel found a corner to set up his small stall. "Fresh carrots! Cabbages! Crops straight from the farm!" he called out, drawing attention. One by one, his produce sold, and by the time the sun was setting, his baskets were empty.
As he walked back, Gabriel spotted a toy store with a small, painted knight in the window. *Raniel would love this,* he thought, imagining the boy's smile. He bought the toy and headed home, feeling light-hearted.
But as he neared the village gate, he noticed a crowd of people rushing out, faces pale with terror. Gabriel frowned, trying to understand what was happening. He pushed through the crowd and froze as he saw five dark, monstrous figures in the distance, tearing through the village, attacking anyone in their path.
Demons.
One of them spotted Gabriel and lunged, but a guard stepped in, blocking the demon's path. "Run, Gabriel!" the guard yelled, fighting to hold the demon back.
Gabriel's heart sank. He turned and sprinted, his only thought on Raniel. *I have to get to him.*
He reached their house, feeling a chill as he noticed the door slightly ajar and blood smeared on the ground outside. He stumbled, nausea hitting him hard as memories of the orphanage flooded back.
Shaking, he forced himself inside, calling out, "Raniel!" But the silence felt like a heavy weight pressing on him.
In the main room, he saw the worst—Raniel's small body, broken and lifeless, a demon's brutal work etched in every gruesome detail. Gabriel's vision blurred as he staggered, choking back another wave of nausea. The room spun, and he barely held himself together.
The demon that had done it was gone, having escaped through the window, but Gabriel's gaze landed on a small necklace lying beside Raniel, one he had given the boy as a token of their bond.
Raniel, the boy he had promised to protect, was gone. And Gabriel was left standing there, shattered, as the reality of his loss sank deep into his heart.