Ren opened his eyes in panic, his breathing ragged.Above him stretched a ceiling adorned with golden patterns. Where am I?
He tried to sit up, pushing himself with trembling hands. The softness beneath his palms made him gasp, tears stinging his eyes. Too soft… just like back home.
Turning his head toward the window, he saw birds chirping and felt the gentle breeze drifting in. For the first time in days, warmth and peace filled his heart.
He stretched his arms and yawned, his joints cracking faintly. Leaning against the headboard, he continued to stare out the window. This place feels so nice. I hope Finn would've loved this too… Wait.
His expression faltered, sadness taking over as tears rolled down his cheeks. He clutched his head. Wait… Finn died. That can't be true.
Throwing the blanket aside, he swung his legs over the bed and tried to stand. But his weak body barely held him—his legs trembled under his weight."He should be alive," he muttered, voice shaking. "That piece of shit… can't die on me like that."
The door creaked open. Ren turned his head.
A maid stepped in holding a tray. She had blue eyes, long blue hair, and catlike ears. Seeing him sitting on the floor, she gasped and turned back toward the hallway. Peeking out, she shouted, "He's awake!"
Then she quickly set the tray on the nearby desk and hurried over. "What happened, dear? Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Ren looked at her through tearful eyes. His voice trembled. "Miss… do you know where my friends are? Or the other people? What is this place?"
Before she could answer, a man burst through the doorway, followed closely by a knight. Both were slightly out of breath."What happened, Rin?" the man asked.
"Oh, thank the stars, Acen—you're here. Help me with this," she said.
He turned to the knight. "Help me, brother."The knight nodded, and together they lifted Ren carefully from the floor. Rin steadied the bed as they laid him down again.
Ren didn't resist—his eyes were empty, his mind blank.
Rin turned to the knight. "Please call Lady Thalira, Eldric, and Liora."He nodded and left quickly.
Acen lingered a moment at the door, lowering his voice. "Rin, did something happen to this kid?"She sighed. "I don't know. They didn't tell me much about him. He had too many wounds when he arrived… I suspect his village was burned by demons."
He nodded grimly. "I'll see you at home. Take care of him.""Okay…" she murmured, closing the door behind him.
Sitting on a stool beside the bed, Rin studied the boy. What should I do? He doesn't look stable at all.
Leaning forward, she asked gently, "What's your name, dear?"No response. He just stared blankly at the window.
I hope the others arrive soon, she thought.
Moments later, hurried footsteps approached. The door swung open, and Thalira, Eldric, and Liora entered, followed by the butler. A few maids stood outside, peeking in anxiously.
Liora stepped forward, placing a hand on Ren's forehead. "No fever. Body temperature stable," she said calmly.
Thalira turned to Rin. "Did he say or do anything?"Rin shook her head. "No, ma'am. He was just crying on the floor when I came in."
Eldric stepped closer. "Are you okay? What's your name?"
Ren didn't react. Eldric placed a hand on his shoulder and gave a gentle shake.
Ren's eyes snapped open in panic. People surrounded him—faces he didn't know. Where am I? Who are these people?
"Hey, are you okay?" Eldric asked again.
Thalira quickly pulled him back by the collar. "You're scaring the kid," she scolded.
He nodded sheepishly, and a maid offered Ren a glass of water. He took it and drained it in one go, gasping for air afterward.
"My name… is Ren," he said at last, his voice trembling. "I was enslaved inside some cave. I don't remember how long I was there. We tried to escape… but my friend died saving me. After that, I don't remember anything."
His grip tightened around the glass until it cracked in his hand. His eyes filled again with tears. That fool… thought he could die a hero. Always trying to act above me… while I just wanted to run.
Eldric stepped forward again. "I'm Thorne Eldric, swordsman and frontliner of this party."He gestured to the woman beside him. "This is Thalira Flameborn, our leader."Thalira gave a firm but kind nod."And the one who healed you is our mage, Liora," he added.Liora smiled softly."And this is Rin, the maid who's been taking care of you," Thalira said. Rin stepped forward and bowed slightly.
Thalira looked at Ren. "Since you have nowhere else to go, you'll stay here in this mansion for now."Then she turned to the others. "Let the boy rest. Everyone, back to work. Rin, take care of him."
Everyone bowed and left the room, leaving only Rin behind. She walked over, took a small glass of medicine from the tray, and offered it to Ren. "Drink this—it'll help."
He drank it in one breath and gasped. "So bitter.""So," she asked with a faint smile, "what do you want to do now?"Ren shook his head. "Nothing. I don't want anything."
Just then, his stomach growled.Rin raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.
"No, really, I don't want anything," he said quickly.
She sighed, flicking him lightly on the forehead."Ow! Why'd you do that?" he winced.
"I'll go grab you something to eat," she said, standing up.
As she left the room, Ren leaned back and looked out the window once more. I wonder what happened to Eldric and the others…
Far away, a convoy of large carts rolled down a dusty road. Inside one of them, Eldric and his companions slept soundly—on their way toward new lives filled with peace and warmth.