The small house filled with the smell of warm food as steam rose from the pot over the fire.
Kael carefully poured thin herbal soup into a wooden bowl and placed it on the table.
Kael: careful… it's hot.
Liora: it smells good today…
Kael: fresh recovery herbs. it'll help.
He lifted another bowl — lighter, mixed with crushed medicinal herbs — and walked toward Arion.
Kael: this is yours. herbal soup… easier to drink.
Arion slowly pushed himself up against the wall and accepted it.
Arion: …thank you.
He took a slow sip.
Arion (thinking): simple ingredients… but balanced well. the child knows alchemy basics.
They ate quietly for a few moments.
Arion's gaze shifted toward Kael.
Arion: you two live alone?
Kael: yes.
Arion: where are your parents?
Kael's hand paused mid-air.
Liora lowered her eyes.
Kael: …they died three years ago.
Silence filled the room.
Arion didn't interrupt.
Arion: how?
Kael exhaled slowly.
Kael: immortals… cultivators who control this land. they come every month for payment.
Arion: payment?
Kael: herbs… pills… money… whatever we can give. they call it "interest" for living on their land.
Liora gripped her bowl tightly.
Liora: bad people…
Kael nodded faintly.
Kael: my mother was an herbal alchemist. not high level… but skilled enough to make pills. she taught me everything she knew.
Arion listened carefully.
Arion: so you learned pill making from her.
Kael: yes. from childhood she made me grind herbs, measure heat, mix powders… she said if i learned, we would never starve.
A faint smile appeared on his face… then faded.
Kael: father hunted animals in the forest. sold meat in market. that's how we lived.
He looked down at the table.
Kael: then mother got sick.
Liora's voice became small.
Liora: she couldn't stand anymore…
Kael: she couldn't make pills… couldn't even sit long. i tried helping but i was still learning. our income stopped.
Arion's expression darkened slightly.
Arion: and the immortals came.
Kael nodded.
Kael: we couldn't pay that month.
His fingers tightened slightly.
Kael: father went to talk… ask for time. mother tried to stand… but she was too weak.
Silence.
Kael: they didn't listen.
Liora's eyes grew watery but she didn't cry.
Liora: they broke everything…
Kael: they killed father first… then mother.
Kael: and left like it was nothing.
The fire crackled softly.
Arion held his bowl tightly but didn't drink.
Arion (thinking): cultivators killing mortals for missed payment… insects pretending to be gods.
Kael took a slow breath and steadied himself.
Kael: after that… i continued what mother taught me. making low-level pills. selling them. paying those immortals every month.
Arion: so they leave you alone.
Kael: as long as payment is ready… yes.
Liora looked toward Arion nervously.
Liora: brother works every day… even when sick…
Arion looked between the two children sitting in the dim house.
Arion (thinking): surviving alone… yet still standing.
He finished the herbal soup slowly.
Arion: when do these immortals come again?
Kael: end of this month.
Arion leaned back against the wall.
Arion (thinking): enough time to recover strength.
Liora hesitated before speaking.
Liora: arion… will you leave soon…?
Arion glanced at her small face.
Arion: …i said i will stay until i recover.
He looked toward Kael.
Arion: and while i stay… i will help.
Kael: heal first. then we'll talk about help.
Arion gave a faint nod.
Arion: as you say.
The three of them continued eating in quiet.