On a night when the stars shimmered across the sky, Orpheus Gau walked through the devastated plain that was once his village. Images flickered in his mind like fragments of horror. The Dark Dragon, which had attacked his village, was retreating toward the horizon — and he couldn't do anything. His father, his mother, his sister, his friends... they were all dead. And he couldn't help them.
Though he had heard the Dragon was a rational entity, he couldn't understand why his village had been targeted. It wasn't a wealthy place, nor did it have anything of value. But that didn't matter anymore. It was all in the past, and all he could do now was face the uncertainty of what he had witnessed. The feeling of helplessness, of despair, of loneliness, consumed his thoughts.
Even knowing he couldn't have done anything, Orpheus blamed himself for everyone's death.
🗨️ "No. It's not my fault. There was nothing I could do. That's right. It's his fault. The Dragon. He is to blame."
His expression shifted from despair to rage, tears welled in his eyes, and the guilt inside him began to transform into hatred and a thirst for revenge.
🗨️ "I didn't die. I can't die."
He picked up the sword of the old village warrior, who had fought to the death protecting everyone.
🗨️ "Gutter, I promise. I promise I will avenge you all."
He dug through the wreckage of the destroyed houses and gathered whatever he could find useful: a grappling hook from the village blacksmith, leftover fruit from old lady Arcudia's stand, wooden jars from Marcondes' tavern, and even some of his own clothes, buried under the ruins.
💭 I'm gonna have to wash this.
He packed everything into a backpack he found in his friend's house and followed the path where the Dragon had gone.
💭 It's time. I'm coming for you, Dragon.
Orpheus was a 16-year-old boy, known throughout the village — especially for his eye-catching appearance, with his spiky red hair and blue-and-yellow clothes. He used to help everyone; he was almost a public figure in that place that no longer existed. That sense of belonging, of being close to everyone, he knew would never return.
Hours passed, and the night faded. The sunrise ahead was both comforting and sorrowful — it marked his first day without hearing his mother's voice, his father's complaints, or even arguments with his sister. Sighing, Orpheus continued on the trail toward the Dragon. Until he reached a fork in the road with a sign:
Southeast Road: Kalmida Village.
East Road: Heisen Hamlet.
💭 Heisen Hamlet?
Orpheus checked his pockets. Nothing. Empty.
💭 Damn it! If only I'd looked for some money... How could I forget something so basic?!
He continued down the eastern trail. As he advanced, the ground grew increasingly brittle. Along the path, he heard rustling from a nearby bush.
🗨️ "Huh?!"
Curious, Orpheus approached. Pulling back the leaves, he found a small, peculiar injured creature. Its body was stout and covered in feathers; it resembled a kitten, but with colorful wings and a dark, curved beak. One of its wings was hurt, and it whimpered in pain.
🗨️ "Easy there, little one... I'll help you."
He tore a piece of his green cape, poured some water from a nearby puddle on the creature's wound, and wrapped the cloth around its wing. Then, he placed half a banana near it.
🗨️ "Wait here, I'll find someone to help."
He returned to the road, searching for anyone, but saw no one. When he decided to go back, he noticed the ground felt softer than before — and suddenly, it gave way. Orpheus fell five meters into a hole that resembled a well.
💭 Damn! What just happened?! Ow!
He reached for his backpack.
💭 What?! My bag!
He looked up to see the bag hanging from a branch at the edge of the pit.
💭 Damn it, damn it, damn it! What do I do?!
Then he noticed a small shadow at the edge. Shielding his eyes from the sun, he saw the little creature.
🗨️ "Hey! Hey, little guy! Time to return the favor — grab that bag for me and toss it down here!"
The creature circled the pit.
🗨️n"Please! Can you hear me?!"
It tilted its head, puzzled and curious.
💭 Ugh, what am I doing? Of course it can't understand me.
The creature looked back, suddenly startled, and ran off.
💭 Damn it, stupid creature! Never heard of gratitude?! What now?!
He started to panic.
🗨️ "Arg!!!"
🗨️ "Hey, kid!!" — a voice called from above. "Are you alright? That little creature ran up to my wagon and led me here!"
Orpheus looked up, relieved and confused at the creature's complex reasoning.
💭 You must be pretty smart...
🗨️ "I fell down here just now! Could you help me?!"
🗨️ "Of course! But how exactly do you want me to do that?"
🗨️ "Just throw my bag down. I can get out myself!"
The person above — a girl, judging by her voice — tossed the bag, and Orpheus quickly pulled out the grappling hook, firing it at a metal beam at the well's entrance, climbing out with ease.
🗨️ "Thank you so much for your help. And you too, little one," he said, petting the creature. "My name's Orpheus. What's yours?" he asked the girl.
🗨️ "I'm Aurora," she replied. She glanced at the creature. "So you're traveling with it?"
🗨️ "No... I just found her on the road. Her wing was injured, so I helped. I guess she just wanted to repay me."
🗨️ "That's sweet! So, does that mean I can keep her then?"
Orpheus hesitated more than he expected, looking at the creature.
🗨️ "I... I guess so."
🗨️ "Yay!" She tried to pick up the creature, but it bit her hand and jumped onto Orpheus' shoulder. Laughing, she said, "Looks like she likes you."
Orpheus was confused but happy. As much as he didn't want to admit it... he liked the creature's company.
🗨️ "Maybe she didn't like me because of my white hair," said Aurora.
🗨️ "Huh?! What do you mean?"
🗨️ "You might not know, but that creature beside you is a Griffin. A very rare creature. They used to be common monsters, but after being nearly wiped out by the Light Dragon, their kind almost went extinct. Nowadays, they're extremely rare."
🗨️ "Whoa! I didn't know that... Don't worry, buddy, she's not evil. At least... I think. You're not evil, right?"
🗨️ "No, of course not! Haha! Actually, since she seems to want to stay with you... why don't you give her a Title?"
🗨️ "A Title?"
🗨️ "Yeah! It's like giving her a name that creates a spiritual and emotional bond between you. Plus, the creature can sort of lend you its strength. It's pretty cool!"
🗨️ "Wow! I'm glad I met you. I had no idea."
Aurora smiled casually.
🗨️ "So... how do I do that?"
🗨️"All you have to do is place your hand on your companion's head and think of a name."
🗨️ "And how will I know it worked?"
🗨️ "Trust me: you'll know."
Orpheus shrugged.
🗨️ "Alright then."
He touched the griffin's head. Her feathers were soft and warm, like a cushion.
💭 Soft. Warm. Comfort. A... Ayu?
Suddenly, a rune began to glow on the creature's forehead.
🗨️ "Ayu? Why that name?"
🗨️ "I... I didn't mean to! It was a mistake! Can I change it?!"
Aurora laughed.
🗨️ "Silly! Once a title is set, you can't change it."
💭 What?! Why not?!
Aurora laughed again while Orpheus sighed, disappointed. But looking at Ayu, he saw her eyes shimmer with happiness for receiving a title.
🗨️ "Ayu, huh? Well... that's nice. Now we can be together forever. But Aurora, why did Ayu seem so happy to be bound to me?"
🗨️ "Easy! First, creatures become stronger after receiving a title — some even unlock new abilities! And second, nature is a harsh place. Being protected by a warrior is every creature's dream."
Orpheus looked at the little one again.
🗨️ "I'm not the strongest warrior you could find, but I promise I'll take good care of you. Ok?"
He patted her head. She jumped onto his shoulder right after.
Aurora walked toward her wagon.
🗨️ "Well, I have to go now. See you, Orpheus! Take good care of him, Ayu. It was nice meeting you both."
🗨️ "Aurora! Thank you so much! You helped a complete stranger, for no reason or gain."
Aurora looked at him, surprised by his honesty.
🗨️ "No need to thank me. That's how fate works — bringing people together when they need it most. Take care. Goodbye!"
Aurora gave a bright smile as she climbed into her wagon.
🗨️ "Bye..." Orpheus whispered.
Her wagon faded into the opposite horizon as he watched.
🗨️ "Ayu..."
Ayu looked at Orpheus.
🗨️ "I think I'm in love."
Ayu gave a confused look — yet somehow, it felt like she understood exactly what he meant — and turned back toward the distant wagon.
Orpheus reached into his pockets.
💭 Wait... I STILL DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY! WHAT AM I GONNA DO?!!!
Hours later, the sun scorched the sky. Orpheus and Ayu had just arrived at Heisen Hamlet. The village was nestled among a chain of hills and had two watchtowers at its entrance. Yet something unsettled Orpheus. First, the streets were almost deserted, as if no one lived there. Second, the houses didn't look man-made but rather like natural extensions of the land, as though they had risen from the ground.
🗨️ "This place is weird, Ayu. Stay close to me."
Orpheus walked for a few minutes. The place was indeed empty. He saw a sign: Heisen Inn. He knocked. No answer. Tried again. Silence. He decided to move on. Until a bluish light tore through the shadows between buildings, and a voice echoed from afar:
🗨️ "Shadow Manipulation!!"
Orpheus was dragged by an unknown force pulling him through the village streets. He drew his sword and drove it between the cobblestones, halting the pull. The energy released him, and as he looked back, he saw a massive hooded silhouette wrapped in a dark cloak, ready to attack. The stranger pulled out his weapon — a massive double-bladed axe — and charged at Orpheus, who leapt back, dodging the strike. Quickly, he used his grappling hook, firing it at the roof of a nearby house to escape.
The shadowy figure propelled himself off the wall of a neighboring building and leapt to where Orpheus had climbed, slashing with a lateral swing. Orpheus flipped backward, supporting himself with his right arm. The enemy formed arcane signs with one hand, pointing with his middle and index fingers:
🗨️ "Shadow Manipulation!"
Suddenly, the figure's shadow twisted and tore itself from the ground, forming a black, ethereal substance that lunged at Orpheus, piercing his forearm. He cried out in pain but managed to throw his grappling hook at the enemy, who pulled him close — a fatal mistake. The shadow had hit his right arm, not the left. Orpheus had pretended to drop his sword, but had actually sheathed it quickly while drawing the hook, tricking his opponent.
Now in close quarters, Orpheus held the advantage with his sword, while the enemy struggled with the bulky axe. Holding the rope with his wounded hand, enduring the pain, he jumped behind the figure and slashed his back. The blow didn't pierce, but caused momentary pain. The figure backed off, and the wind blew away his cloak, revealing a tall, dark-skinned man in black armor adorned with red plumes on his helmet. He wielded his weapon again.
🗨️ "Did you recognize my face? Don't you remember me? Kirikōjīn!"
The black armor began to emit a dense mist that engulfed the man's body. When the smoke cleared, he looked completely different — shorter, leaner, wearing light white garments resembling eastern attire. His hair was gray and translucent like fog.
💭 Huh? His eyes... they're closed?
He also noticed the enormous axe had transformed into a katana with a red and black guard. The man introduced himself:
🗨️ "My name is Kiri Akuma. What are your last words?"
🗨️ "W-wait! Why are you attacking me?!"
🗨️ "You will die for what you've done, Dragon King!"
Kiri vanished and reappeared before Orpheus, slashing quickly with the katana. Orpheus tried to retreat but was still grazed on his left arm. Moreover, he was at the edge of the roof — and fell to the street below. Kiri leapt after him, ready for another attack.
🗨️ "Ayu!" Orpheus shouted, closing his eyes and trusting what Aurora had said about Companions lending their strength.
Suddenly, a burst of intense blue light exploded, engulfing the area. Kiri thought he had won, until he felt a force stopping his blade. When the smoke cleared, Orpheus stood tall, holding the katana with his fingers. Kiri stepped back, shocked, finally seeing his opponent's new form. Orpheus' skin was as white as clouds, his eyes glowed blue, and two large white-and-blue wings had sprouted from his back. He looked at his hands.
🗨️ "So this is what Aurora meant about lending me her strength..."
His wounds began to heal.
🗨️ "So you also have a Companion? I thought you were a dragon. But this? Very well. Let's fight for real!"
Kiri charged like raindrops slicing the sky. But this time, Orpheus could follow his movements, dodging to the side and returning to the rooftop.
💭 My body feels lighter!
He drew his sword and noticed it had changed — the blade was white, and the sheath golden. He then descended from the roof, slashing at Kiri, who deflected the blade with his katana instead of evading.
🗨️ "You're strong and fast, but you lack any real combat technique."
Kiri attempted a side slash. Orpheus, however, anticipated the move and gripped his sword with both hands, blocking the strike and breaking Kiri's katana.
🗨️ "I might not be experienced in combat, but I do know a katana is much more fragile than a sword!"
Orpheus slashed diagonally, hitting Kiri's chest — not enough to pierce, but enough to hurt. The opponent staggered.
🗨️ "Arg... damn you! I should've known not to underestimate the Dragon King."
🗨️ "Sorry, but you've got the wrong guy. Still, I won't hold back if you keep attacking me."
🗨️ "Lies! I remember your face! The face of the executioner who wiped out my family!"
Images from Kiri's distant past echoed through his mind — fire, blood, death, and that cursed face. The face of the man who murdered his family.
🗨️ "What?! What are you tal..."
Before he could finish, Orpheus collapsed. His body felt like lead. His muscles ached as if being crushed.
🗨️ "Arg! Arg!!"
Orpheus screamed as his heart raced and his veins bulged.
💭 This energy... — 🗨️ "Y-you can't control your own Companion's power? That's impossible... someone with such strength... Are you truly the Dragon God I've been searching for?"
🗨️ "Arg! I told you I don't know who this Dragon King is!"
Footsteps echoed, and from the end of the street, a female voice rang out:
🗨️ "Hey, you two! We got reports of combat here! Stay wher..."
Before she could finish, Kiri vanished like mist.
💭 What?! Where did he go?!
Suddenly, the pain in Orpheus flared one last time... and then ceased. Everything went dark.
🗨️"Hey! Are you okay?!"
And finally, darkness took over.
The End.