Chapter Text
The aftermath of the war was devastating.
By the time Caelus arrived, the village was nothing more than ruins and ashes. The fire crackled hauntingly as it swallowed the remaining wheat. Not even the cries of help could be heard.
He surveyed the area on his Friesian — as the Chief Commander leading a troop sent by Sovereign Cerydra, in search of possible survivors on this small land.
"No signs of life, commander."
"I've searched the granary. No survivors, commander."
"What about the houses?"
"None either... sir."
"..." Caelus gripped the reins tighter.
"...They're long gone."
Similar phrases and answers, repeated again and again. That much was clear. To him, and to everyone in the troop — that not a single soul remained in this titan-forsaken place.
Aedes Elysiae — a small, peaceful town, known for its breathtaking sight of golden wheatfield beneath the gentle sunlight. The amiable villagers welcomed any visitors with open arms. A family once offered Caelus a place to stay while he was having his rookie training. Then, he came across this place several times during his expeditions. He would bring goods from Okhema and gift them to the villagers.
What a tragedy... Caelus thought as he stared at the town — now nothing more than debris and choking dust. His nose stung.
The soldiers looked at their commander thoughtfully as he pondered their next actions.
"Should we... continue the search, commander?"
Caelus gritted his teeth.
"No need. Gather the others. We're heading back to Okhema," he ordered solemnly as he steered his horse to the other direction, following the trail back to the holy city.
Hooves clacked against the rocky road, but Caelus heard a rustle among the bush. He halted.
The troop was already armed, weapons raised and ready to strike at a wave of the commander's hand.
Caelus hopped off his horse and approached the bushes with caution. The troop began circling the plants to look for traps and ambush. Amidst the sun-dappled green, a faint fluff of white stood out. Then Caelus locked eyes with a pair of blues, staring right back at him quietly. The commander raised his hand and the soldiers lowered their weapons.
"You can come out now."
Hearing the voice, the small figure stepped out carefully, eyes on the commander the entire time. Caelus gave the frail individual a once-over.
A boy, no older than 10 it seemed. Clothes torn at the edges, small burns on his skin, some ashes on his face and... he wasn't trembling. Caelus raised his eyebrows.
The commander knelt down, his eyes level with the boy's.
"What's your name, kid?"
The child stared back at him. Caelus could tell it wasn't hesitation, but contemplation.
"...Phainon," the boy answered, his voice raspy.
Caelus extended his hand. "Come, Phainon. We'll get you somewhere safe."
The child did not take his hand. "May I... know your name... sir?"
The soldiers watched the exchange in silence.
The commander softened his gaze and said, "Caelus."
Phainon's eyes brightened faintly as he registered the name into his mind. He finally placed his hand on the commander's. Caelus's lips curved into a subtle smile, but the keen-eyed soldiers caught it.
"Let's go," the commander turned to his soldiers and said sternly.
"Yes, sir!"
The troop made their steady return to Okhema. In the streets, bards strummed lyres and recited verses, their voices weaving through the calls of vendors hawking their wares. Citizens glanced at the passing soldiers, offering brief nods of respect. They might not have known every face in the ranks, but they knew the Chief Commander. The holy city was steeped in tales of his valor — stories told and retold until they became part of its very breath.
Caelus had the boy sitting in front of him, arms braced on either side to catch him should he slip from the rocky ride. Phainon was quiet as a mouse throughout the entire journey. Unlike the children Caelus had rescued before, he neither made a fuss nor asked a single question. Some soldiers were worried the kid might have been too shocked to communicate, but the commander knew that was not the case.
This kid is something else, Caelus looked thoughtfully at the boy playing with the sashes of his uniform.
The towering gates opened with a loud rumble and the troop marched into the castle on their steeds. The little boy tilted his head upward as he gazed at the architecture, and tightened his hold on the commander's sash. Caelus let go of the rein, holding his tiny hand to reassure him.
The group settled their horses in the stable, ensuring each had food and water. Some stayed behind to brush down their mounts or polish tack after the long, tiring journey, while the rest were tended to by the stable master and his assistants.
Caelus lifted Phainon down from the Friesian and gathered the child into his arms. The boy instinctively clung to the commander like a lifeline.
"I'm meeting with the Knight Commander. Great work today, everyone. You're all dismissed," Caelus said promptly before heading off.
"Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!" The soldiers' enthusiastic responses overlapped in the distance.
Caelus treaded the path to the inner garden, where the gentle strains of a violin curled through the air. The violin's song grew clearer with each step — it was a lullaby from the Knight Commander's homeland.
"Hysilens," he called out to the lady. The music stopped and she turned around. Surprised to see a child in her comrade's arms.
"A child?" She set down her violin and approached carefully.
"The only survivor in Aedes Elysiae," said Caelus.
"..." Her brows furrowed. "What's his name?"
"Phainon." Caelus turned his head slightly, the boy's white, fluffy hair brushed against his chin.
Hysilens noticed the faint remnants of ash on the child's face and slowly reached out...
But Phainon flinched, fear flashing in his eyes as he clung even tighter to the Chief Commander.
Hysilens blinked, then chuckled in amusement. "Looks like he's gotten quite attached to you already."
"Hm," Caelus responded as he gently wiped the ashes from Phainon's face. The boy briefly closed his eyes — an expression so serene it was almost adorable.
"Could you help me inform Cerydra about this? I think he needs a bath," Caelus asked, brushing the dust from his fingers.
"Of course," the Knight Commander replied with a smile. "You owe me one after this."
"Yeah, whatever you say." Caelus gave a casual shrug and turned to walk off. "Also, ask Permansor Terrae to check this kid's background."
Hysilens watched the boy in quiet wonder until the pair disappeared from view.
How adorable, she thought. No wonder Caelus wanted to take care of him himself.
The castle was enormous — its ceilings and pillars adorned with intricate patterns rich in noble symbolism. Portraits and paintings lined the pristine white walls, framed at the top by elegant red curtains.
"Good day to you, Sir Caelus!"
"Salutations, Sir Caelus!"
"Good evening, Sir Caelus."
Knights and maids throughout the castle greeted the commander with enthusiasm as they passed — though without bowing or saluting, thanks to a certain decree from the eccentric Imperator.
Once Caelus reached his quarters, he gently set the boy down and led him to the bathroom.
"Wash up. I'll wait outside," he said, placing the clean clothes he'd asked the maids for earlier on the rack.
Just as he turned to leave, he felt a gentle tug on his sash. So he glanced back.
"...Can you... stay?" asked the boy timidly, but the grip on his sash told a different story. Caelus paused.
Then, he sat on the marble bench inside the bathroom. It was spacious enough — it even had a sauna.
"Take your bath. I'll wait here," he said, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.
Only then did Phainon release his hold.
"No record?" Hysilens furrowed her brows, stunned by the reply.
"We've gone through all the registry documents for Aedes Elysiae," said Permansor Terrae, shaking his head. "There's nothing on a child named Phainon."
"That's... odd," Hysilens murmured, brushing her fingers across the papers.
"Is it possible he's a child from a foreign land… left here by scheming individuals?"
"It could be, but... Caelus told me there were no ambushes or traps when he found the child," said Hysilens.
The archivist sighed. "I'll let him know tonight. You've still got that late-night drill with the rookies, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Dan Heng," Hysilens said with a smile.
Dan Heng gave a small nod. "Not a problem."
At night, when the moon had risen, Dan Heng paid a visit to the Chief Commander's chamber.
"Enter," Caelus called after the knock, surprised to see the unexpected visitor. "Dan Heng?"
"Caelus," Dan Heng greeted quietly, stepping inside. His gaze lingered on the sleeping child, eyes conflicted.
"You don't look like someone bringing good news," Caelus said with a faint, tired smile.
Dan Heng gave a soft chuckle. "We couldn't find anything about him. No records. No trail."
Caelus' hand, which had been gently stroking the child's hair, paused. He turned toward Dan Heng, brows furrowed.
"You're saying... this kid made up his name?"
"...Could be. But we don't know why."
There was a moment of silence between the two. They were deep in contemplation, but neither had an answer.
The commander's fingers twitched in the child's hair. His eyes darkened, shadowed by a deeper thought.
"It seems you've found a lead," Dan Heng said quietly.
"I'm not sure," Caelus murmured, shaking his head. His hand moved gently through the child's hair, a soothing motion at odds with the storm behind his eyes. "But I'll get to the bottom of this."
Dan Heng caught the faint smile that tugged at his friend's lips and returned it with a nod.
"I trust you'll find the answer," he said as he turned toward the door. His hand found the handle. "Your instincts never fail, after all."
They exchanged one last glance before Dan Heng stepped out, leaving the room cloaked in silence once more.
Caelus remained still, his hand resting atop the child's head. Speculations circled in his mind.
Tomorrow, he would begin uncovering the truth.