".....Thanks for coming everyone."
The General Hall was packed, filled with children and staff alike. Cassie had requested an audience, and despite the heavy atmosphere in the orphanage, they had agreed to show up and listen. Though not every single person in the orphanage was present, the sheer size of the gathering was still undeniable.
"My name is Cassie Thorne, for those of you who don't know me," she began, her voice steady. "I am a daughter, a sister, a hunter, and someone who came from one of the many forest villages scattered throughout this kingdom."
She then turned her gaze on Damian, as if wanting his approval for her speech. Damian didn't even know what she was about to say, he had contemplated many scenarios in his head, maybe she was going to announce she was leaving the orphanage to strike out on her own, determined to pursue her ambitions as a hunter? Or she was finally going to publicly challenge the leadership, blaming them for the recent wave of misfortune that had swept through the surrounding villages?
[Damian,] Omni called out to him. [From the tone of her voice and the way she is looking at the faces of the people gathered, as if committing their image to memory, she is almost certainly about to announce her departure from the orphanage.]
'That definitely makes sense,' Damian agreed. 'But why so sudden? She didn't even tell me. I'm supposed to be her brother.'
[Perhaps she wasn't completely sure yet, the orphanage has been her only refuge, allowing her to process her grief in a safe way.]
[But, Damian, this couldn't be any better. I have finished your training and formally assigned your next step.]
'....'
[What I mean is, I always planned for you to secretly leave the orphanage. Casually walking out isn't an option, you're not of age, and it would draw unwanted attention. But now, we have the perfect opportunity, you can simply follow Cassie and leave the orphanage as her brother.]
Damian didn't respond to Omni's explanations, as he just realized that leaving the orphanage meant leaving Agnes. Even without a single word, Omni was not oblivious to the sudden shift in his focus and concern.
[If you're worried about Agnes, then just ask her to follow you,] Omni suggested. [I see no reason why she will object. If she truly wishes to be with you, she would gladly follow.]
With a sigh Damian responded, 'The thing is, I'm not even sure she actually likes me like that. Yeah, we held hands, but how serious is holding hands, really? It's not like she's carrying my kids or anything. I'll sound absolutely stupid if I ask her to follow me—we haven't even known each other for a year.'
[I see your concern, but that has to be secondary. Agnes cannot override the necessity of you leaving this orphanage.]
'I was never planning on doing such, so don't even bother about it.'
Damian decided to turn his attention back to what Cassie was saying, as she continued with, "... and so, after much thought and after consulting with a few people who have guided me, I have decided to officially leave the orphanage and venture out on my own. I have been accepted as an apprentice to a traveling hunter group, and I will be leaving with them early tomorrow morning."
The hall was now filled with murmurs. What Cassie said was to be expected, yet the reaction was that of a profound shock. Cassie gave a deliberate cough to quell the rising noise, then continued.
"This is an opportunity I have to take to truly become the hunter I know I can be. I know this place, the orphanage, has been my home, and all of you are my family," she said, her voice wavering slightly as she scanned the familiar faces. Her eyes finally locked onto Damian again, her gratitude turning to a plea for understanding. "But my journey starts now. I wanted to tell all of you, my family, before I go."
Later that evening, the noise and celebration of the Harvest Festival had long faded from Damian's ears. He found Cassie in the storage room— where belongings were kept. The light from a single oil lamp lit the room, as she meticulously folded her worn clothes and placed them into a heavy, patched canvas bag.
"I know you're there, Damian," Cassie said without turning around, her movements slowing slightly. "Please don't try to stop me. I know what you're thinking, but... I need this. I can't stay here anymore, just waiting for life to happen."
Damian walked up quietly, stopping just behind her. He placed a steady hand on her shoulder. "I'm not going to stop you, Cassie. I think it's exactly what you need to do."
Cassie finally turned, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. "You do?"
"Yes," he confirmed, giving her shoulder a light squeeze. "In fact, I'm coming with you."
"What? Damian, you can't. That's insane. This isn't a game, it's serious work, the life of a hunter. And what about the Agnes? And the others?"
"We're leaving the orphanage tomorrow morning," Damian stated simply. He saw the doubt in her face and added, "And I'm bringing Agnes along."
At the mention of Agnes, the look of confusion on Cassie's face dissolved instantly into a mixture of understanding and overwhelming relief. She took a quick step forward and threw her arms tightly around Damian, hugging him with a fierce strength that surprised him.
"Thank you, Damian," she whispered into his shoulder. "Thank you for not letting me go alone."