The alley remained silent.
The kind of silence that felt… heavy.
As if the world itself was holding its breath.
The two children sat facing each other.
One—still trembling, wiping away tears with dirty sleeves.
The other—quiet, watching, thinking far too much for someone his age.
"…What's your name?"
The smaller child asked hesitantly.
His voice was soft.
Careful.
As if afraid the answer might hurt him.
The boy paused.
For a moment—
He didn't answer.
A name…
In his past life, he had one.
In this life—
He had been given another.
But now—
Knowing what he truly was…
"…Does it matter?"
The child blinked.
"…Y-yes…"
Silence.
Then—
"…Call me… Auren."
The name felt strange.
But not wrong.
"…Au…ren…"
The child repeated it slowly, as if testing it.
Then gave a small nod.
"…I'm… I'm—"
He hesitated.
As if unsure.
As if even his own identity wasn't solid yet.
"…I don't know…"
Auren watched him.
Not surprised.
"Of course you don't."
The child lowered his head again.
But this time—
He didn't cry.
"…Then I'll give you one."
The words came out suddenly.
Even Auren himself seemed slightly surprised.
The child looked up.
Eyes wide.
"…A name?"
"…Yeah."
Auren leaned back slightly against the wall.
Thinking.
The First Emperor…
A name that would one day shake the world…
But not yet.
"…For now…"
He spoke slowly.
"…you'll be called Noel."
The child blinked.
"…No…el…"
He whispered it again.
This time—
A little firmer.
"…Noel…"
Something changed.
Just slightly.
But noticeably.
"…Okay."
Auren gave a small nod.
"…Good."
Silence returned.
But this time—
It wasn't as heavy.
"…Auren…"
Noel spoke again.
"…Are you… alone too?"
The question was simple.
But it struck deeper than expected.
Auren's gaze shifted slightly.
To the darkness beyond the alley.
"…Yeah."
No hesitation.
No lie.
Noel looked at him for a moment.
Then—
Slowly—
He moved.
Just a little closer.
"…Then…"
He hesitated.
Gripping his torn clothes tightly.
"…Can I stay… here?"
Auren's eyes narrowed slightly.
Stay?
This wasn't a game.
This wasn't some warm, comforting story.
This place—
This world—
Would devour the weak.
"…If you stay with me…"
Auren's voice was calm.
Flat.
Serious.
"…you might die."
Noel flinched.
But—
He didn't back away.
"…I… I'll still stay."
Auren stared at him.
Long.
Silent.
Then—
A small, almost invisible exhale.
"…Fine."
Noel's eyes widened slightly.
"…But don't expect me to protect you."
"…O-okay…"
"…And don't cry every five minutes."
Noel hesitated.
Then nodded.
"…I'll try…"
Auren looked away.
"…Pathetic."
But—
There was no real bite in his words.
Above them—
Clouds slowly drifted across the night sky.
Time passed.
Quietly.
Then—
Auren spoke again.
"…Listen carefully, Noel."
"…Hm?"
"…From now on…"
His voice lowered.
Sharpened.
"…You don't trust anyone."
Noel blinked.
"…Not even me."
Silence.
"…Why?"
Auren's eyes darkened slightly.
"…Because this world…"
He paused.
"…isn't kind enough to let us stay naive."
Noel didn't fully understand.
But—
He nodded anyway.
"…Okay…"
Auren watched him for a moment.
Then—
Slowly—
He closed his eyes.
Not to sleep.
But to think.
The First Emperor… is here.
The starting point of the Hero Family… is me.
And this place…
His eyes opened again.
Sharp.
Focused.
…is where everything begins.
"…Noel."
"…Yes?"
"…From tomorrow…"
A pause.
"…we train."
Noel froze.
"…T-train?"
"…If you want to survive."
Silence.
Then—
A small, determined nod.
"…I will."
Auren studied him.
Then—
Turned his gaze toward the darkness beyond the alley.
Somewhere out there—
Parasites moved.
The hidden organization watched.
And unknown dangers lurked in every shadow.
"…Good."
His voice was quiet.
But firm.
"…Because I don't plan to die here."
The wind passed through the alley once more.
And in that forgotten corner of the world—
Two children made a silent decision.
Not to survive.
But to rise.
From nothing.