New Beginning

The room was awash with blood. Everywhere she looked, crimson met her gaze, stark against her blue eyes. Her small hands trembled as she wiped away tears, her gaze darting around as she attempted to squeeze her body into the cabinet where she had taken refuge.

A short while ago, when her mother heard a deafening explosion, she had swiftly pulled Agatha close and concealed her there. Fear coursed through Agatha. At just eight years old, she already understood the danger they faced. Someone sought to end their lives. The reason, however, remained a mystery to her.

Despite the darkness enveloping the room, she could discern every corner. Sweat dampened her skin, minutes ticking by in the stifling, confined space. Her mother had drilled her on concealing herself numerous times, which was why she acted swiftly, drawing on her last reserves of strength to remain hidden.

Agatha felt dizzy from the strain of concealment. Her young, fragile body wasn't built for such prolonged and difficult hiding, but she knew it was her only chance for survival.

Her eyes widened as she peered through the small gap in her hiding spot and recognized her Uncle Ksaver. He was her father's close friend, often visiting when her father couldn't make it home from work. Uncle Ksaver never missed her birthdays or special occasions, always there to provide for them when they needed food.

Just as Agatha was about to leave her hiding place to greet Uncle Ksaver and seek his help, her heart sank as she witnessed menacing figures surround him. A dozen men loomed around her uncle, and Agatha's breath caught in her throat as she saw her father held captive by them. He struggled against their grasp, his efforts futile against their sheer size and strength, leaving him feeling utterly hopeless.

Agatha was overwhelmed with the desire to help her father, to confront the assailants harming him, but her body refused to obey. Her father's face and body were covered in wounds, blood seeping from a gash on his side and even from his left eye.

The room seemed to still as Agatha's body tensed, frozen in place. Then, in a swift and horrifying motion, Uncle Ksaver drew a long blade. Before Agatha could process what was happening, her uncle attacked, plunging the blade into her beloved father's heart. Her father's cries of agony pierced the air, mingling with the sound of his falling tears. His lifeless body thudded heavily onto the cold floor.

Agatha Rossinger awoke drenched in sweat, her body trembling not from the chill that permeated their ruined house. As she sat up, drawing a heavy breath, she noticed the darkness outside the nearby window. Nightmares had become a familiar companion, yet the sorrow they brought never dulled with repetition.

She rubbed her chest, trying to calm her racing heart fueled by fear. Even now, the fear lingered, intertwined with the lingering sadness as if the tragic events had unfolded just yesterday. Knowing sleep wouldn't return after such a nightmare, she decided to rise.

Beside her, the child stirred. Agatha's lips softened into a smile as she noticed the missing blanket. Aiden often tossed and turned in his sleep, causing his blanket to slip away. With the cold breeze seeping through the damaged walls, she gently covered Aiden with the blanket.

Just like Agatha's own hair, the child's locks were a deep, inky black. Aiden's long eyelashes and gracefully thick eyebrows mirrored hers, creating an uncanny resemblance between them. As she gazed at the child, she couldn't help but feel a sense of recognition in their similarities. The main difference lay in their skin tones. While Agatha's skin was fair, the child's was slightly tanned. Their eyes also diverged in color. Agatha's were a cold blue, while Aiden's shimmered in warm gold tones.

Agatha let out a sigh as she noticed a gaping hole in Aiden's shirt. The garment was oversized on the young boy, almost resembling a blanket draped over his slender frame. Mud-stained footprints marred the shirt, obscuring its once pristine whiteness beyond recognition.

Agatha turned her head at the sound of the walls scraping against the fierce wind. With an impending storm, she knew she had to make a trip to town for food before it hit. Once the storm arrived, her ability to gather supplies would be severely hindered, jeopardizing their chances of survival until the next day.

Adding another dry log to the crackling flames that warmed their humble abode, Agatha felt the heat wash over her. Their shelter was riddled with holes in the ceiling, allowing rain to seep in during storms. The walls, mostly exposed, were patched up with plastic and blankets to conceal their presence from outside eyes. They possessed little beyond a few plates, blankets, and firewood.

Gathering her holed scarf and coat, along with a basket filled with her handcrafted items, Agatha glanced at the peacefully sleeping Aiden. It was not uncommon for the boy to wake up to find her absent. The town lay quite a distance from their home, necessitating an early departure to ensure a timely return.

Agatha tenderly kissed Aiden on the forehead before setting off through the expansive forest. Despite being just six years old, Aiden possessed a sharp and perceptive mind. At times, Agatha felt a pang of guilt for her shortcomings towards him.

She knew Aiden desired many things, yet he never voiced his wishes. He remained grateful for whatever was given to him, even the oversized shirt that Agatha had salvaged from discarded clothes at Albus Hotspot. Aiden never uttered a complaint.

Tears welled in Agatha's eyes as she recalled the previous day when she encountered Aiden walking barefoot. Returning from town, she stumbled upon him foraging for fruits in the forest. His feet bore numerous bruises, blood seeping from them. Despite the pain, Aiden never made a request. He understood all too well that they couldn't afford even a pair of shoes.

In times of scarcity, Aiden's smile was a constant source of comfort for Agatha. He was naturally reserved, not particularly outgoing, a trait born from both choice and circumstance. No one sought his friendship, and they lived in relative isolation near the borders of Primotheus Capital, devoid of neighbors. Aiden had grown accustomed to solitude, finding solace in playing alone. Agatha had attempted to take him to town before, but his discomfort was palpable, leading her to refrain from pushing him into social situations he wasn't ready for.

As Agatha entered the bustling heart of the town, the sun hung high overhead, casting a vibrant atmosphere filled with joyous shouts and activities. The mingling scents of fish, meat, and various goods being sold filled her nostrils.

She lowered her gaze and pulled up the hood of her coat, feeling a sense of safety within Primotheus. Despite their years of residence here, they had never been discovered by the knights. Still, Agatha remained vigilant, knowing they must remain cautious even in this seemingly secure environment.

As she reached the bustling heart of town, Agatha veered into a corner and entered a sophisticated and expansive Hotspot. Owned and managed by Albus Outlaw himself, it was the most renowned entertainment center in Primotheus Capital, always bustling, especially at night when Albus introduced new young ladies to the scene.

Initially drawing some curious gazes from the guards, Agatha was soon recognized and warmly greeted before being ushered inside. The interior was relatively quiet at this moment, with young kids diligently cleaning up the remnants of past nights. They appeared to be around Aiden's age, their bodies bearing signs of the hardships they endured.

Making her way towards the last door on the left, Agatha knocked three times. The door swung open, revealing Camilla, Albus' sister, who managed the establishment during the morning hours. Camilla was strikingly beautiful, with long hair and flawless skin. Like her brother, she was a Metamorph, though her abilities were limited to transforming into an owl, unlike Albus who could take on the forms of a lion, tiger, and bear.

As Camilla, a seasoned worker at the establishment, had built a reputation among the loyal clientele, several dozen ladies were already seated and waiting when Agatha entered the chamber. Many of them had their eyes closed, visibly exhausted from the demanding work they had endured the previous night.

"You take care of it," Camilla instructed swiftly before departing.

Agatha quickly removed the scarf and hood she had worn, revealing the basket of medicines she had brought with her.

The ladies before Agatha bore numerous bruises, primarily on their necks and legs, a result of the rough treatment they often received from their customers during intimate encounters.

Unlike Werebeasts and Faes who could naturally heal themselves, other creatures relied on Healers to tend to their wounds. Water Faes were particularly renowned for their healing abilities, while skilled Witches could conjure powerful Healing Spells. Elvens, meanwhile, excelled in the use of herbal medicines for remedying injuries.

Agatha diligently applied the medicine to the ladies, though the pungent odor it emitted indicated its ineffectiveness. Once she ensured that they were deeply asleep and unobserved, Agatha tapped into her own powers to truly heal the ladies.

Exhausted from her efforts, Agatha sank to the floor once her work was complete. The door creaked open, and Camilla entered carrying a box of supplies. Her expression twisted in disgust as she caught a whiff of the lingering bad smell.

Camilla remarked, "If I hadn't seen for myself that you were using real medicine on my brother's pets, I would have mistaken the smell for Ravager's droppings..."

Agatha barely registered the rest of Camilla's words, overcome by fatigue. Using her healing powers drained her energy significantly, requiring her to be well-rested and nourished. Having only eaten a small breakfast the day before, she lacked the strength to do much else.

Camilla handed Agatha the large box, which Agatha immediately inspected. Inside were used blankets and some of Albus' discarded clothing.

Given the establishment's popularity, the sheets were changed almost weekly to maintain cleanliness and prevent complaints from customers. This routine was a boon for Agatha, as these used textiles served as their payment, alongside other items Albus and Camilla no longer needed. While they didn't provide money directly, these goods were valuable, ensuring that Agatha and Aiden wouldn't suffer in the cold each night.

Exiting the room, Agatha encountered Clarisse conversing with the young cleaners.

"Aggie!" Clarisse greeted cheerfully, offering her a banana.

Agatha observed that even the children were snacking on bananas while they worked.

In her four years of discreet work at the establishment, Clarisse was the only one Agatha trusted to accompany her. While Clarisse, like the other women working there, was beautiful, she stood out for her kindness towards the children, often sharing food with them. Despite being one of Albus' "pets," Clarisse's lack of visible bruises from customers raised suspicion, especially since Agatha never treated her.

"Thank you for this," Agatha said with a forced smile, acknowledging the banana Clarisse had given her. Clarisse simply nodded, engrossed in the children's storytelling.

"It's true, I swear," one of the kids exclaimed, caught up in his tale. "Even Yohan saw this scary man from the sea. He was huge, with big horns..."

Agatha's heart skipped a beat at the mention of horns. Only a few creatures from Quailsham possessed horns, making the notion seem impossible to her after all these years.

"But Aaron," Clarisse interjected firmly, addressing the children, "haven't I told you not to play near the border? Even with knights guarding it, it's not a safe place to roam, especially for kids your age."

Aaron grinned, enjoying his fruit. "Of course, we know," he reassured Clarisse. "I promise it won't happen again. It was just that Yohan and I were arguing about whether it was really a Ravager, that man coming out of the sea."

Despite the tremor in her legs from what she had heard, Agatha kept her composure.

"But Aaron," Clarisse pressed, "there are so many Ravagers here in Primotheus Capital. Their presence isn't new to us anymore, so why did you still dare to approach him?"

Agatha silently agreed with Clarisse, acknowledging that she had encountered numerous Ravagers during her six years in Primotheus. Initially fearful, she had learned that most Ravagers posed no threat to her and merely coexisted in the area. She made a point to avoid them whenever possible.

Agatha and Aiden resided in the North, aware that most Ravagers preferred the South due to its water resources and proximity to their continent.

"But this was different," Aaron insisted, trying to convince Clarisse.

The discussion continued between Clarisse and the kids, prompting Agatha to decide it was time to bid farewell and head to Theodore's.

"Aggie," Clarisse called out just as Agatha was leaving. "Pippa won't be here tomorrow. Do you want to come?"

Every night brought its share of mysteries at the establishment, but during late afternoons before dusk, it was simply a place for drinking sessions. Agatha nodded abruptly in agreement.

Initially hesitant to work there, even as a waitress, due to the presence of numerous strangers, Agatha had taken on the role a few times as a backup when Albus' employees were absent. So far, nothing untoward had happened to her, and the lure of money as payment was hard to resist. It meant she could buy new clothes for Aiden if she worked the following day.

Agatha hurried through a bustling passageway teeming with townsfolk, keeping her head low and concealing her presence. Carrying the heavy box and basket, she felt the weight of exhaustion settling in by the time she reached Theodore's residence.

Theodore, an elderly Elven, was Agatha's regular visit at the end of each week to check on the state of his aging mother. Once there, she applied medicine to the woman's wrinkled feet before discreetly using her powers to aid in her healing. It was vital that no one discovered Agatha's abilities were responsible for treating Theodore's mother.

After completing her task, Theodore graciously rewarded her with a bundle of bread and some sweet potatoes. Agatha's next stop was Lady Winslet's residence. As an elder Metamorph with a dozen grandchildren, Lady Winslet's home was always lively. Agatha visited weekly to ensure the well-being of the joyful yet often energetic grandchildren, who occasionally sustained minor injuries in their play. Fortunately, their affluent parents ensured they had access to proper care, making Agatha's visits a routine part of their well-being.

After tending to the children's bruises, Lady Winslet generously provided Agatha with lunch and five silvers as a token of gratitude. Thanking her, Agatha made her way back to town where she purchased threads and slippers for Aiden, along with an Ether Stone to ensure they had a long-lasting and waterproof flame for the impending storm.

As the sky grew darker, Agatha hastened her walk. Primotheus was divided into five distinct areas, with Eldoria being the only one she had explored. Their small home was situated at the farthest edge of Eldoria, close to the border but not within the immediate scrutiny of the patrolling knights.

Hidden amidst tall trees, their home was obscured from view unless one was familiar with the path. Agatha gathered branches and wood on her return journey, knowing they needed additional sources of heat and fuel for cooking, especially with the looming approach of a large, dark cloud signaling an impending storm.

Balancing the box, purchased items, and the gathered woods proved challenging for Agatha, yet she managed to navigate through the middle of the forest without major issues. Years of traversing the same path had ingrained every corner in her memory, allowing her to avoid hidden roots lurking beneath the tall grass.

Upon reaching home, an eerie silence enveloped Agatha. She understood Aiden's timid nature, which often calmed her worries. However, upon entering and finding the boy missing, fear seized her entire being. It was a different kind of fear, one she had never experienced before. While there were times when Aiden wasn't at home, this instance felt distinctly unsettling.

Aaron's earlier words echoed in her mind, and Agatha cried out, "No! This can't be happening!"

Agatha's grip on her belongings slipped as she ran through the forest, calling out desperately for Aiden. She searched every familiar spot they frequented but couldn't find him, not even a trace. "Aiden!" Her voice echoed with heightened worry and fear.

The thought of losing Aiden was unbearable. Agatha couldn't fathom the idea. It would drive her to madness. She combed through the entire forest, but there was no sign of the boy, not even as night fell. Aiden had never stayed out late before. He always returned promptly knowing she'd be worried.

Agatha had always hidden her presence out of fear, but now, with the most important person in her life missing, she let out a shaky breath. Closing her eyes, she focused on sensing everything around her—the flowers, the land, the birds.

Clutching the necklace given by her mother, Agatha tapped into her powers with closed eyes, desperately searching for Aiden.