Shortly after the drink, Tsugi’s body relaxed, and his mind emptied. He felt nothing, like his feelings and thoughts had been numbed. Even though he felt nothing, he managed to chuckle in amusement. He had no idea what Yamo gave him, but he loved how it made him feel. Even though there was no joy either, he was relieved that he felt no fear, and no pain.

He looked around the room, but his mind seemed to be a bit foggy and he couldn’t really process much, almost like he was in a dream, things were moving both slow, yet fast at the same time. He used the wall to guide him to his room, before collapsing on his bed.

Lightning scattered across the sky, followed by house shaking thunder, but Tsugi neither flinched nor felt any fear. He couldn’t even understand why he was laughing when he felt no joy. He looked at the lightning as if to dare it to try and scare him again. He watched the roaring wind and rain pouring at a sharp angle under each flash of light, until he finally fell into a deep slumber.

Tsugi awoke to birds chirping after a hard rain. The morning sun lit his room and the cool breeze carried in the smell of fresh dirt and grass. Light chatter and clopping of horses from merchants filled the streets.

Tsugi found himself in the exact same spot he had fallen asleep in, an indication that he had no nightmares, or possibly didn’t even dream at all. He breathed deeply and a grin appeared on his face.

He walked around the house, but he seemed to be home alone. There was a pouch on the table with a note next to it.

-Tsugi

Go adventure and be a kid.

-Yamo

Tsugi picked up the pouch of coins and threw on his cloak. He was curious, but he didn’t know how to act like a kid, so he observed other children chasing after their parents, their siblings, and friends down the streets.

A young girl cried a river of tears when she fell and scraped her knee. “Momma, it hurts!” She sobbed.

‘What a big baby.’ Tsugi chuckled to himself. ‘It barely even broke her skin. There isn’t even any blood.’

“It’s okay sweetie.” The mother knelt down and blew softly at her knee. “Magic kiss to take the pain away.” She leaned down to kiss the girl's knee.

“Come here bugger.” Her father scooped her up in his arms and put her on his shoulder. “Papa will carry you.”

The gesture left an empty feeling inside Tsugi. Even though it was something so small and useless, Tsugi longed for someone to love him like that, but how could he miss what he never had? With all the pain and hardship he went through, he didn’t have a mother to comfort him, and a father who was the cause of them.

‘It’s okay.’ He smiled wistfully and tapped at his aching chest. ‘I have my friends.’ He thought of his friends he left at home, and his new friends he made here. He never had a mother, and never knew how he should be treated by a father, but the love from his friends was enough to fill the void in his heart.

He tried all kinds of different food and visited all kinds of vendors. He only used the money for food, but he enjoyed looking at all the items and clothes.

“Is there something I can help you with darlin?” Jenene leaned over the counter.

“Uh…I…” Tsugi gazed around the room, a little disoriented. He didn’t realize that he had entered the orphanage.

“You’re the kid that was with Yamo. Enron, right?”

“Uh…yes.”

“Come on in, darlin. I’ll show you around.” She walked out from behind the counter. Her arms and legs were very long, and she had big hooped earrings that matched the golden bangles on her arms. “He has not shut up about you since he’s been back. Every day it’s always Enron this and Enron that.” She chuckled and shook her head. She waved a hand into the air, “not that it’s a bad thing. It’s actually kind of nice. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him like this. He already told you what we do here right?”

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“Something about teaching orphans responsibilities?”

“Yeah, sounds about right. We teach children life skills, starting from basics like reading, writing, to career choices in finance, healing, mercenaries, you name it.”

“You don’t think it’s immoral to teach young kids to kill?”

She chuckled. “This world is a cruel place. If we don’t teach you how to at least defend yourself, how would you survive in it? A lot of children learn that they are alone in this world at such a young age. They know that not everyone sticks around, and it’s usually left up to them to fend for themselves. As I’m sure you know.” She glanced down at Tsugi. “Yamo told me about your bold move stealing from them.”

“Yeah…” Tsugi scratched the back of his head and chuckled nervously. “Yamo punched my lights out.”

She chuckled loudly. “The instructors are pretty well versed in almost anything. If they don’t know, and you’re curious about something, they’ll learn it, just to be able to teach you.”

“Why? Why would they do all of that?”

She knelt down to look Tsugi in the eye. “Because they know what it’s like to grow up with nothing, and to have nothing but the knowledge in their heads.” She tapped a finger against her temple. “Most people think physical things, such as wealth and strength are the most powerful things in the world. You can have all of that, but if you’re an idiot, it’s worth nothing. The mind and knowledge are the most powerful things you can possess, and those…no one can take from you.”

"Enron." Volgan walked toward them from down the hall. "What are you doing here? Is Yamo okay?"

Tsugi tilted his head and furrowed his brows in confusion. "Isn't Yamo here? He wasn't home when I left this morning."

"Is it today already?" Jenene stood up and turned to face Volgan. He nodded sadly.

"What's today?" Tsugi looked back and forth between them.

"Nothing." They both said and gave Tsugi a wistful smile.

"Take the rest of the day off and take him back with you. You shouldn't leave him alone." Jenene tapped Volgan on the shoulder. I'll cover both yours and Fay's classes. Head back first, I'll let Fay know." She turned to me and smiled. "It was very nice meeting you, Enron darlin." She continued down the hall.

"Come." Volgan placed a hand on my shoulder and turned me back around. “I think I know where we can find him.”

They walked to the outskirts of the town, over a big grassy hill and came upon a big dark purple wisteria tree. Underneath it was Yamo. He leaned against it with a bottle in his hand and a few more scattered on the ground. Volgan took a deep breath and made his way up the hill toward the tree.

“Hey!” Yamo slurred and held his bottle into the air, pointing at Volgan. “He’s here!” Yamo smirked. “Oh look!” His eyes widened and he held both hands into the air in a welcoming gesture. “Enron is here too! It must be a great day! Now everyone is here!” Tsugi could feel a deep sense of sadness coming from Yamo.

“Come on brother.” Volgan tried to lift Yamo to his feet. “Let’s go home.”

“No.” He tried to push Volgan’s hand off of him. “NO!” He shrugged off Volgan’s arms and plopped himself back down on the ground. His eyes turned bright red and watered, heaving deep breaths, he collapsed his face into his hands and rubbed his hair angrily, before forcing on a smile. “I’m okay.” He looked at Tsugi. “Come sit with us.” He waved, and Tsugi approached carefully, sitting down beside them.

“Are you okay Yamo?” Tsugi treaded carefully.

Yamo nodded his head exaggeratedly. “Mhm. I’m good.” He smiled wistfully and lifted the bottle to his lips. A tear fell down his cheek and he quickly wiped it with his sleeve. Sniffling, he threw his head back to fight back any more tears from falling.

“Let’s go home.” Volgan spoke softly.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” Yamo stared up at the tree, and tears rolled down his temple. His chin began to quiver as he pounded his chest harder and harder as if he was trying to stop his own heart.

Tsugi placed his hand on top of Yamo's, causing his pounding to stop abruptly. Tsugi didn’t realize he had done that until Yamo looked at him with teary eyes and a wistful smile. He didn’t want Yamo to hurt himself.

Yamo cleared his throat and swallowed the rock lodged in his throat. “Let’s uh…” His chin quivered and he twirled the empty bottle in his hand. “Let’s go home.”

Volgan helped Yamo to his feet and supported him as he staggered through the streets. Tsugi picked up the empty bottles and followed behind them. Tsugi could feel a great amount of sadness in Yamo’s aura, but he couldn’t quite understand what else he was feeling from it. He didn’t know how to explain the pain, but the amount of dread was overwhelming.

“Come here Enron.” Yamo sat on the couch and tapped the spot next to him.

“I’ll make the tonic.” Volgan headed into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry you had to see me like this.” He still wore that same sad smile. “Just to warn you, things may get worse over the next week, or it may not. But…” he held a finger into the air, “...if it does, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” He wrapped an arm around Tsugi’s shoulder. “I really am glad that you are here.”

Volgan appeared around the corner and handed Yamo a bowl of tonic, which he gladly accepted and downed in a flash.

“I’ll see you around bud.” He ruffled Tsugi’s hair and stumbled up the stairs to his room.

“You should get some sleep buddy. Over the next few days, keep an eye on him and come get me at the orphanage if anything happens.