The Ash Orphan Chapter 1 - Whispers of freedom

Another day of torture, another day of cruelty of Spassau’s soldiers. Kaius was sick of it, he was a child born in the middle of Spassau-Etrad war, the orphanage staff called him “Ash child”, he was sick of it too, he had a name. Kaius wasn’t much of a special child, he was just like Etrad’s people, he had pale skin with scars etched on his small body, average rosy brown eyes, thick and layered ash color hair; the layers and messy cut from his clumsiness when he tried to cut his hair himself. Since Etrad’s destruction, Spassau’s people saw Etrad’s people as lowlife slaves for them to sell and use freely. Kaius was tired of that too, he hated it, hated how people thought so lowly of him, he only wanted food, he swears he didn’t mean to steal those apples, he was just hungry, he was born hungry. Today was 13th of June, 1893, he finally got permission to go out from the orphanage staff and ran into the Spassau City, the butcher Mr. Joshua greeted Kaius nicely, Mr. Joshua was one of the war survivors; he was one of Etrad’s people too so he understood Kaius. Mr. Joshua: “Hey Ash Orphan! would u like to have the leftover steak?”, Kaius politely rejected his offer, he didn’t wanted anyone’s pity after all. Kaius had a simple goal, he just wanted to run away from this city with it’s sick-minded people. He was only a kid, he didn’t know how to fight nor even how to hold a dagger properly so he didn’t know how to escape too, but he had a small plan about it, but it would take a long time to do, around 2 weeks maybe, or 3. he didn’t know. His “genius” plan was to sneak in to the staff room and get some weapons, then kill the staff and escape, no one could catch him if he did this! But it would be hard and he was a lazy kid who only liked to cause trouble and annoy people. İt felt like freedom was whispering to him, it felt like he was being hypnotized.

Day 1

He woke up early in the morning to talk with other orphans he didn’t even know of just to get information, he talked with a girl, the girl said that the boys who’s over the age of 11 will take combat training from the staff, and if they’re doing good; they could even get special training sessions from the headmaster. Kaius excitedly went to the staff to tell them that he wants to take combat training courses, the staff asked his name in a monotone voice, he replied with a small “13!” and the staff nodded, then took him to a room that he never saw before. There was other kids that seemed to be around the age of 11-16, the room was tense, no one dared to speak until the staff spoke up, telling them to get the training weapons in the basket in front of the door. Kaius ran to the place where the basket was and examined the weapons there, they weren’t sharp at all -probably from the fact that they’re being used by children- but it made Kaius mad, he wanted to use real weapons! But anyways he picked a good dagger from the basket and went to the area. After learning the basics, Kaius already regretted his choice of sword, his sword was heavy, almost heavy as a claymore. The staff picked him to have a small duel with a boy named…He doesn’t remember the boy’s name at all, he had zero name memory. They started the duel, adrenaline rushing in their veins, Kaius lunged forward with the huge sword dragging behind like a rusted anchor. His stance was sloppy, his grip unsteady. The boy across from him—taller, older, with practiced movements—sidestepped with ease, smacking the back his sword against Kaius’s shoulder.

The pain snapped through Kaius like a whip. He stumbled but didn’t fall. He grit his teeth. He wasn’t gonna get humiliated. Not in front of everyone.

He swung again. The boy blocked it, knocking Kaius’s weapon off to the side. “You fight like a starving rat,” the boy said under his breath, just loud enough for Kaius to hear. It wasn’t meant to be cruel—it was just true. But for Kaius, it was enough to make him go insane.

Kaius stepped in fast and low, blade swinging clumsily toward the boy’s knee. The blow was easily avoided, but Kaius wasn’t aiming to land a hit.

He threw his entire weight forward, slamming into the boy’s stomach. The taller kid gasped as the air was knocked out of him and stumbled back, nearly falling. Kaius didn’t stop. He raised his sword above his head with both hands and brought it down, screaming—not from battle cry, but from pure frustration, from years of swallowing humiliation.

The boy rolled away, the wooden blade hitting the floor with a dull thud where his chest had just been. He was quick. Faster than Kaius. But Kaius was desperate.

Again, Kaius rushed him. Again, the boy countered. This time, he twisted behind Kaius and slammed his elbow into the back of Kaius’s neck, forcing him to drop his sword. The weapon clattered to the stone floor. Kaius gasped, dizzy.

The staff overseeing the training didn’t interfere.

Kaius staggered to his feet, panting, fists clenched. He looked at the boy, who held his wooden sword steady but didn’t advance. There was a flicker of something on the boy’s face—was it pity?

Kaius didn’t care. He didn’t needed pity.

With a snarl, he charged barehanded.

The boy moved to block him with the flat of the sword again, but Kaius ducked, ramming his shoulder into the boy’s stomach again. They fell in a tangle of limbs and fists. No swords. No rules now. Just raw anger.

Kaius got a hit in. Then another. The boy groaned and twisted, punching Kaius in the jaw. They were rolling, wrestling, kicking, scratching. The staff finally barked a command, but Kaius didn’t hear it.

It wasn’t until two other boys pulled him off that Kaius realized he was crying, not out of pain, but something deeper. Something that had built up over years.

The staff member walked up silently, his face unreadable. He stared at Kaius, then looked at the other boy, who was now sitting on the ground, clutching his bruised ribs.

“You fight like trash,” the staff said, “but at least you know how to survive.”

He turned and walked away.

Kaius wiped his face on the sleeve of his shirt, breathing heavily. He didn’t win. Kaius spoke up “Tell me your name. I want to remember who I’ll beat up next time.”, the boy replied with a annoyed “Antonio.”After the duel, Kaius helped Antonio get up and then he went downstairs since the headmaster called the orphans to go to the local church.

                                              ***

“Dear Heavenly Father, please watch our orphan sisters and brothers, our orphanage, and me. Protect us from every danger or threat. Let some angels guide our steps along the path of each day. Please, surround us with your loving care and give us the courage to rely on your constant shield, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

All kids repeated these words. After praying time, the kids went back to their bedrooms and slept.