The sun hung low over Nexus, casting golden streaks of light across the sprawl of the inner city. The streets were alive with merchants, apprentices, and wandering shoppers, yet at the very edge, where the inner city softened into the outer districts, a quieter neighborhood stretched outward. It was here, two alleys away from Gorvoth's weapons shop, that Niamh and Jade found their new home.
The house was modest—a two-story structure of reinforced scavenged metal panels and worn brick, its roof patched but sturdy. The front garden, more a cluster of wild weeds than a true lawn, had the faint traces of care from previous occupants, and the small courtyard was large enough for pots of herbs or a simple seating area. For Niamh, it was perfect. And for Jade, it was freedom.
Gorvoth had helped negotiate the purchase, grinning when the small pouch of gold exchanged hands. "Not much, but it's yours," he said, clapping Jade lightly on the shoulder. The boy flinched slightly but returned the polite bow.
Inside, the house smelled faintly of dust and old wood, a clean slate waiting for life to bloom within it. Niamh opened the windows first, letting the inner city air carry the faint tang of smoke, spices, and metal through the rooms. She then led Jade through the small hallway, pointing out the rooms: one for sleeping, one for storage, and the largest for cooking and daily living.
"This will be our kitchen, Jade," she said softly, smiling as she imagined teaching him the basics. "And over here… the back room can be our storage—or anything else we need it to be."
Jade, eyes hidden behind his blindfold, ran his fingers along the walls and edges of furniture still left from the previous occupants. He touched the corners of the fireplace, tracing the faint cracks, and nodded once. "It's… good," he said, his small voice calm, almost reverent. "It feels safe."
Niamh's heart swelled. "It is safe," she assured him. "No one can bother us here. We'll make it our own."
Their first day was spent furnishing the home. Niamh had brought a few basic items from their previous life in the junkyard: a thin mattress, a small wooden chest, and some old blankets. Gorvoth had promised to bring more later, but for now, they made do. Together, they unpacked the chest, arranging Jade's meager possessions— a few small tools, and the carefully stored remnants of his early years.
When it came to food, Niamh insisted on going shopping first. The marketplace near the inner city was bustling, crowded with vendors calling out the day's wares. Jade, holding her hand, guided her past stacks of dried herbs, cured meats, and fresh vegetables. His fingers brushed against the stall edges as he studied the textures, cataloging the qualities of each item with precision.
Niamh watched him with amusement. "You're already treating this like an alchemist's inspection," she said, smiling. Jade only nodded quietly, serene as ever.
They bought staples first: fresh bread, milk, a small wheel of cheese, and vegetables they could cook in a simple stew. Niamh also purchased new clothes for Jade—soft shirts in muted colors, pants sturdy enough for him to move freely, high-necked t-shirts and some winter coats that would cover the omega mark on his neck, which she had been cautious about since the junkyard days. She even found pairs of boots small enough for him to wear comfortably, flexible but warm against the chill of Nexarion's nights.
Back at the house, the unpacking continued. Niamh arranged the kitchen first, placing pots, pans, and utensils in neat rows. Jade hovered nearby, observing the process with quiet fascination. When Niamh handed him a small wooden spoon, he took it gently, turning it over in his hands as if it were a delicate instrument rather than a kitchen tool.
"Do you want to help me cook?" she asked.
Jade's lips curved slightly in what could almost be called a smile. "I… can try," he said.
Niamh's laughter was soft, melodic, and rare. "Good. Then we'll start with something simple: a vegetable stew. Nothing too fancy."
The two of them worked side by side, chopping vegetables, stirring the pot, and adjusting the heat of the small hearth. Jade watched the steam rise, inhaling the aroma with an intensity that belied his age. When Niamh added a pinch of salt, he instinctively suggested the addition of a small dried herb he remembered from a D-ranked dungeon encounter. Niamh paused, then nodded, letting him add it. The stew's aroma changed subtly, a deeper, richer warmth curling through the kitchen.
Once the meal was ready, they set the table—a small wooden surface with two simple chairs. Jade placed the dishes carefully, then looked up at Niamh. "looks nice". He said
Niamh chuckled softly, gesturing to the chairs. "Sit."
They ate slowly, savoring the warmth of the first proper meal in their new home. Niamh watched Jade, marveling at his quiet focus, the way he appreciated the flavors, and the small gestures that made him seem older than his seven years. For Jade, the meal was a study in textures, tastes, and subtle combinations—a reminder that even in a world so harsh, there were moments of simple, pure comfort.
Afterward, Jade surprised Niamh by glancing toward the door. "Gorvoth," he said quietly, "we should invite him for dinner tomorrow."
Niamh blinked, pretending to scowl. "I don't know if I want a third person in the house so soon. It's… private," she said, though her tone betrayed a faint smile.
"You invited him first, remember? When he helped us sell the carcasses?" Jade's calm reasoning made Niamh pause. She shook her head lightly, smiling despite herself. "Fine. Tomorrow."
The next morning, Gorvoth arrived promptly, carrying a small bag of provisions as a gift. Jade greeted him politely, offering him a seat. Niamh busied herself in the kitchen, pretending to fuss over the stew, though she kept glancing at Jade, amused by his calm hospitality.
The conversation flowed easily. Gorvoth recounted tales from his shop, stories of minor disputes in Nexus, and funny encounters with apprentices. Jade listened attentively, asking questions at measured intervals, the air of curiosity and intelligence that Gorvoth had first noticed when they met shining through.
Finally, as they cleared the dishes, Jade turned to Niamh. "I need to register for the Alchemist examination," he said simply.
Niamh paused, hands on the edge of the table. "I… I thought you'd take some time. You've only just settled in," she said, her voice gentle but cautious.
Jade's head tilted, the blindfold hiding his expression. "This is the first step. If I wait too long, I'll lose momentum. The Guild's alchemist examination is soon too. I must participate."
Niamh's shoulders relaxed slightly, and she nodded. "Then we'll do it together. I'll help you prepare. We'll make sure everything is ready for registration."
Gorvoth, seated across from them, leaned back with a slight frown.
"What" . Niamh asked with a glare.
"Isn't he like seven?, did he just say he was registering for the alchemist examination?". " You need to be at least a teenager for that don't you think?, besides the years it would take to accumulate enough knowledge to take the exam, didn't you both just came to the city from the uh.... Junkyard?"
Gorvoth asked in confusion while palming his bushy beards.
"Hmph , Jade is simple a genius , don't lump him together with your average child ". Niamh snapped at him . " And mind your own business" , she added.
Jade looked towards Niamh in amusement at her overreaction. Although he was curious, he didn't ask he simply inclined his head politely at Gorvoth. "Thank you , I know whay I'm doing and I am prepared." He said politely.
Gorvoth nodded at him while throwing a wide smile at Niamh, earning him another glare.
Even as the conversation moved on to ingredients, potions, and minor alchemical theories, the warmth in the house remained. It was the first home they could truly call their own—a place where Jade could grow, learn, and prepare for the challenges ahead. Where Niamh could watch over him, guiding him quietly, giving him the freedom he needed while ensuring his safety.
That night, after Gorvoth left, the small house was quiet. Niamh checked the locks on the doors, ensured the windows were secure, and finally turned toward Jade, who was sitting at the small table, tracing the patterns of light across the floor.
"You're really sure about this," she said softly.
"Yes I am," Jade replied. "Trust me Niamh."
Niamh knelt beside him, resting a hand lightly on his shoulder. "Then I'll be with you. Always. We'll take it one step at a time."
Jade smiled warmly in return. If there was anything he was ever thankful for , it was having met Niamh. He didn't know how his life might have turned out if it wasn't her who found him that day. And for that he was always grateful for her existence.
As night fell, the faint glow of the city outside filtered through the windows, and Jade, untying his blindfolded, allowed himself a small smile. This was the first step, and everything else would follow.