Chapter Text
In the sprawling outskirts of the Kingdom of Valor, where the grandiose towers of the capital gave way to the ramshackle homes and dusty streets of the slums, a boy named Sunless wandered aimlessly.
His short, malnourished frame moved with a cautious agility, eyes dark and hollow like bottomless pits. His raven black hair, tangled and unkempt, fell over a thin, pale face that seemed to blend into the dreary surroundings.
Here, amidst the dilapidated buildings and narrow alleyways, the air carried a blend of desperation and defiance, where poverty reigned supreme and hope flickered like a dying ember.
In this forsaken corner of the kingdom, only humans dared to tread. The tales of fae and other humanoid races were whispered in hushed tones, their presence relegated to the realm of myth and distant memory.
Yet even amidst this harsh reality, the whispers of awakening magic persisted. Every now and then, a young soul, aged from fourteen to eighteen, would manifest their powers—perhaps a burst of elemental manipulation or a faint glow of healing energy. While these awakenings could occur earlier or later, the average age range remained fourteen to eighteen.
Such individuals, known as Awakened, held a precarious position in this unforgiving landscape. Their potential for greatness was overshadowed by the grim realities of survival and societal prejudice.
There were currently four known Ranks of Awakened: Awakened, Masters, Saints, and Sovereigns.
Sunless, though an Awakened, possessed abilities that were not particularly potent. He had honed his skills to survive the harsh streets, deftly navigating through narrow alleys and evading slave caravans with his affinity for shadows. Yet, one fateful day, his luck took a cruel turn.
Captured by slave traders whose eyes gleamed with cold calculation, Sunless found himself stripped of his freedom. They had discovered his abilities and now viewed him as a valuable commodity, intent on auctioning him to the highest bidder.
Bound by chains and thrown into a crowded, dirty cage, Sunless was dragged into the very heart of the kingdom, eventually finding himself in the bustling chaos of an auction. A slave auction for the nobility.
Sunless was forced to bite back a laugh. The irony was almost too amusing.
‘So noble, aren’t you all? Buying starving children off the streets to force them into labor without so much of a second thought for their well-being,’ he thought bitterly.
In this world, it truly took money to make money.
———
The air at the auction house was thick with the scent of sweat and desperation, unnaturally mingling and contrasting with the pungent aroma of exotic spices and sweet perfume.
Sunless swallowed, stepping up onto the auction block as he felt countless gazes land on him.
The masked announcer’s voice pierced the tense air, and the bidding began, voices rising and falling in a rhythm that echoed through the dimly lit underground auction house. Sunless barely registered the numbers; his mind was a whirlwind of anger and fear.
Abruptly, a commanding voice cut through the clamor, silencing the crowd. A tall figure stepped forward, cloaked in the colors of the Immortal Flame Duchy.
Her silver hair cascaded down to her waist in long, luscious waves, catching the light with an ethereal glow.
Her eyes, a piercing shade of gray, held an intensity that seemed to ignite like a furious burning flame, consuming everything in its wake.
Her eyes, sharp and penetrating, assessed him with a cold detachment.
There were no other words to describe it.
She was beautiful.
“I’ll take him,” she declared. Her voice was clear and strong, allowing no further argument.
The transaction unfolded swiftly, and before long, Sunless found himself in a well-lit chamber. Freshly bathed and clad in clean, albeit unfamiliar clothes, he stood before the silver haired girl.
In her hand, held a branding iron, its tip glowing with a faint, eerie light. Without a word, she pressed it to his skin, and Sunless bit back a scream as the magic-infused brand seared into his flesh.
The pain was unlike anything he had ever experienced, a burning sensation that seemed to penetrate his very soul.
When it was over, he looked down to see the mark—a symbol of his new status as a slave, bound by the magic of the brand to obey his new mistress.
She stepped back, her eyes narrowing as she examined her… handiwork . “I am Nephis of the Immortal Flame Duchy. From this moment on, you are mine,” Nephis said, her voice as cold as the iron that had marked him.
“You will follow my every command without question. And above all, from this day on, you will never lie.” Her lips pursed slightly, her eyes flickering with a hint of guilt before she continued. “Do you understand?”
“...Yes.” Sunless grimaced, biting back a few choice words.
He felt a strange compulsion to obey, the magic of the brand working its insidious influence. For the first time in his life, he was truly powerless.
“What is your name? If you do not have one, is there anything you would prefer to go by?”
“Sunless,” he replied, his voice hoarse from both the pain and the weight of his new reality. “I... I don’t have another name, but you can call me Sunny.”
“Sunny…” Nephis repeated his name as if it were a foreign word. “Sunny, I will have another servant of mine show you to your quarters.”
Nephis turned and left, shutting the door silently behind her as her heels echoed in the halls.
Not too long later, another servant – a blind maid – entered to guide Sunny through the Immortal Flame mansion.
She led Sunny through winding corridors to a modest room tucked away in a quiet part of Nephis’s estate. The room was small but clean, a stark contrast to the squalor he had endured in the slums.
Days turned into weeks as Sunny adjusted to his new life under Nephis’s roof. Despite the initial branding and the cold demeanor he first encountered, he began to see a different side of Nephis. She was firm and commanding, yes, but also surprisingly considerate towards her servants. She ensured they were well-fed, clothed, and educated, albeit under her strict guidance.
Still, Sunny refrained from interacting with the other servants; when he did, it was only perfunctory.
The blind maid named Cassia proved invaluable. She insisted on being called ‘Cassie’ and constantly followed him around, so he had her help him navigate through the unfamiliar rules and etiquette of Nephis’s household.
Yet, Sunny remained puzzled by her ability to ‘see’. When he questioned her about it, she simply smiled and offered no explanation.
He sensed that pressing further would yield the same response, so he refrained from asking again.
One evening, Nephis summoned both Sunny and Cassie to her quarters. Sunless felt a mix of apprehension and curiosity as they entered the opulent room adorned with tapestries depicting ancient battles and heroic deeds.
One in particular caught Sunny’s attention. ‘Odysseus?’ he wondered silently, then glanced at Nephis.
She was seated behind a grand wooden desk, regarding them with a steady gaze that softened slightly upon seeing Cassie.
“I have an opportunity for both of you,” Nephis began, her voice tinged with a hint of warmth. “I am to attend the Northern Quadrant School for Civility, or NQSC, in a fortnight. It is a prestigious institution where nobles and royals alike refine their skills in diplomacy and governance.”
Sunny exchanged a glance with Cassie, both unsure where this was leading.
“I would… like to extend an invitation to the two of you. You are both my age, or at least close to it,” she continued. “Of course, you needn’t attend NQSC with me; you may choose to remain here if you wish. However, rest assured that both of you will receive an education suitable for your new status and learn the intricacies of courtly life. It is a rare opportunity, and one I do not extend lightly. What do you say?”
Sunny couldn’t help but feel a surge of disbelief. He had never dreamed of such an opportunity, even in his wildest fantasies of escaping the slums. Sunny suspected the invitation wasn't offered out of genuine kindness. However, it would be rude to voice these thoughts.
He pondered for a moment before asking, “Lady Nephis, will there be lodging and food provided for us, like there is here?”
“Yes,” Nephis replied with a slight nod, her eyes assessing Sunny and Cassie in turn. “There will be lodging and food provided for both of you, similar to what you receive here. The education at NQSC will be rigorous, but it will prepare you for a life beyond these walls. If there is something you must buy, then don’t be afraid to ask. I will pay.”
Sunny couldn’t believe his ears. Free food and lodging, you say?
His lips parted involuntarily, responding to her earlier inquiry. “...Yeah. Yeah, I’ll go with you to the academy.”
He shot a quick glance at Cassie, who nodded shyly in agreement, her expression a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
Nephis arched an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering across her face. “Very well then, it’s settled. You will both accompany me.”
As the days passed and preparations were made, Sunny found himself almost eagerly anticipating the journey ahead.
On the day of their departure, a carriage awaited them at the gates of the Immortal Flame estate. It was a luxurious vehicle, adorned with intricate carvings and plush cushions—a stark contrast to the rough streets where Sunny had once roamed.
Nephis emerged from the estate, resplendent in her noble attire, her silver hair catching the sunlight in a cascade of shimmering strands. She was accompanied by a few trusted guards and servants, including Cassie, who nervously fidgeted with her cloak.
Sunny climbed into the carriage after Nephis and Cassie had boarded.
As the carriage rolled through the gates and out onto the open road, leaving behind the familiar grounds of the Immortal Flame estate, Sunny gazed out at the sprawling landscape. He had never taken the chance to appreciate the world around him before, nor had he ever wanted to. Yet now, he found himself smiling faintly as he marveled at the vastness stretching out before him.