Morning light filtered softly into the half-constructed territory. The warmth of the fire from the previous night still lingered, and the faint aroma of roasted meat lingered in the air. At the centerof the terratory, inside the tier 1 house, the boy stirred again, eyelids fluttering. His breathing was uneven as he slowly regained consciousness.
Kairo and Shiri were already kneeling beside him, inspecting carefully. The newly evolved ghoul, stood silently next to them, lance at the ready, its skeletal gaze fixed on the boy, as though assessing the threat with unwavering loyalty.
Kairo leaned slightly forward, studying the boy's features. "He's around thirteen years old," he murmured to Shiri. "Those horns… natural. But the scales… they're strange, unnatural. Like they sprouted overnight."
Shiri nodded, eyes narrowing. "His arms… scars. The scales must have burst through the skin as they grew. Poor kid."
The boy's eyes began to open, revealing a mixture of confusion and fear. As he caught sight of Shiri's massive form and ghoul's skeletal frame, his body tensed, and he tried to leap from the makeshift bed.
"Wait!" Kairo's voice rang out sharply. He extended a hand, stopping the boy mid-jump. "It's okay. Don't be afraid."
The boy froze, recognizing a human face—less intimidating than the naga or the dominating skeleton beside him. Slowly, his body relaxed a little. His voice trembled as he asked, "Where… where am I? And… where's my brother?"
Kairo exchanged a brief glance with Shiri. "You're safe. This is my territory," Kairo explained gently. "Unfortunately… we didn't find anyone else alive from the burnt village. Only you survived."
The boy's shoulders slumped. A faint sigh escaped him, tinged with disappointment. "I… I see." His gaze flicked nervously toward Shiri and then the ghoul. "And… who are… you two? And the… skeleton?"
Shiri smiled reassuringly. "I'm Shiri. I'm Kairo's second-in-command and an experienced blacksmith. I'm here to help and protect." He flexed his muscular arms slightly, showing some scars and work-hardened scales.
Kairo nodded. "And this," he gestured to ghoul, "is my first hero. My strongest comrade." He paused, then tilted his head thoughtfully. "I should really give him a name… Onyx."
Shiri's eyes widened. "Onyx… that's fitting."
Onyx's empty sockets seemed to brighten slightly, a subtle flicker of violet energy running through its bones. The ghoul shifted, almost as if acknowledging its name. Kairo's chest swelled with pride.
Turning back to the boy, Kairo introduced himself. "I'm Kairo, the lord of this territory. And you… what's your name?"
The boy hesitated for a long moment, cautious but feeling safe. Finally, he whispered, "I… I'm Theo."
Kairo smiled. "Good to meet you, Theo. You'll be safe here."
Shiri, still kneeling, held out a plate of the roasted meat from last night. "Here, Theo. Eat something. You must be hungry."
Theo's eyes lit up. He eagerly accepted the meat and took a bite. His expression changed almost immediately. Tears formed at the corners of his eyes, spilling as he chewed. "I… it's been so long since I've had food this… good," he said, voice trembling. "It's… amazing…"
Shiri puffed out his chest proudly. "Glad you like it. Thank you for the compliment."
As Theo ate, Kairo activated the Command Nexus. A translucent interface appeared in the air above him, forming the familiar status plate.
[ Status Plate – Theo ]
Name: Theo
Race: Human (Dragon Blood)
Tier: None
Class: None
Potential: Hero King Rank (Tier 20 Equivalent)
Skills: Unknown
Notes: Survival instinct strong. Potential for extraordinary growth.
Kairo's eyes widened. (Dragon blood… and potential for Hero King rank. He had seen few like this in his lifetime. Another Dragon-blooded individual… he muttered. And… potential to reach Hero King? Incredible)
Theo continued to devour the meat, unaware of the analysis being made above him. The warmth in his expression and the tears rolling down his cheeks softened the camp.
Once Theo finished the plate, Kairo finally asked, "Tell me, Theo… what happened? How did the village burn?"
Theo paused, cheeks still sticky with gravy, then blinked at Kairo with wide eyes. "I… I'm hungry."
Kairo exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course. You've been starving."
Shiri chuckled. "We expected that answer. Here." He handed Theo another plate of roasted meat.
"Thanks…" Theo said softly, picking up the new plate eagerly.
Kairo and Shiri watched silently as Theo took each bite, savoring every morsel like it was a treasure. Despite the boy's inability to answer the questions, Kairo felt a small comfort. At least for now, Theo was safe, fed, and beginning to feel a small sense of normalcy.
The warmth of the fire reflected off Onyx's blackened bones, casting flickering shadows across the camp. Kairo glanced at the ghoul and smiled faintly. "Looks like Onyx is doing a good job at guarding him too."
Shiri nodded. "Silent, deadly, loyal. Couldn't ask for a better bodyguard."
Theo looked up mid-bite. "Are… are you two really going to protect me?" His voice was tentative, but there was a spark of hope.
Kairo rested a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Yes. You're safe here. I won't let anyone harm you."
Theo smiled faintly and returned to his meal. The tension in his shoulders relaxed. For the first time since the village burned, he could breathe.
Kairo looked at Shiri, half amused. "I should've never worried about asking questions right away. Let him eat."
Shiri laughed softly. "Exactly. Sometimes, survival means letting the simple things happen first. Hunger comes before answers."
Kairo nodded, finally letting himself relax. He watched Theo finish the plate and chew slowly, savoring every bite. In the background, Onyx remained vigilant, a silent sentinel, as if the ghoul understood the importance of letting the boy regain strength first.
The sunlight streaming into the territory warmed the camp, highlighting the scales on Theo's arms and the faint glimmer of the dragon blood coursing within him. Kairo couldn't help but think of the potential this boy held—and the trials he would have to face to unlock it.
But for now, the focus was simple: food, rest, and safety. Theo deserved that much, and Kairo and Shiri would ensure it.
The new day starts with the boy eating peacefully, tears drying on his cheeks, Onyx standing guard silently, and Kairo and Shiri kneeling nearby, quietly waiting for the boy to be ready to speak. The bond of trust was forming, and the first steps toward Theo's recovery and future growth were underway.