"If I had a nickel for every time I was born an orphan, I would be a millionaire."

Let Me Solo The World

Deathxxx Clan Chat Room

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Koby couldn’t smile right now, not after what he had just done.

Leaning against the railing of his balcony, Koby was unblinking as freezing-cold wind blew his hair back and rushed into his face. For the first time in forever, he liked the feeling of the cold. With dead eyes, Koby looked out on the glowing city his family had ruled over for the last three generations. His eyes aimlessly wondered across the city’s spanning landscape, watching as it moved into the night.

The snowy city was tightly compacted. Neighbors lived wall to wall and its streets were no wider than a carriage, designed with the sole goal of packing as many people inside as humanly possible, and chimneys sticking out of every roof. Contrary to expectations, the original [Architects] had the city’s longevity in mind from the very start, and made sure that everyone, even people of the lower echelon, would be able to keep their dignity. Housing was free and of quality workmanship. In part, that was the reason competition to become an official citizen of Snowfall was an everyday frenzy.

Despite the guilt he felt in his heart and stomach, laying his eyes on the city reminded him of the why. He didn’t like what he had done, but Koby had to make sure that this city would remain in safe hands once his father passed.

Only one out of every few ten thousand people would be born marked.

His little brother, Jack, was born marked, blessed by the God of the Four Winds.

This was a threat not just to him but also to the city. He would be lying to himself if he said that the chance of him succeeding the throne was lower than one hundred percent. It was just that. He was there in the room when it happened. The joyous smile with which his father looked upon his little brother with refused to leave his mind.

And what would happen once his little brother inevitably took the throne?

One of two things would happen to him.

Execution. Or exile.

His other two siblings, Anitta and Miles, would be safe. They never wanted a hand in any of this in the first place. They were content living a life of luxury with minimal responsibility. Miles was too busy visiting the brothels and Anitta was a woman.

And so not only would he meet a bad fate, Jack, his arrogance knowing no bounds—he was blessed by a God after all! —would ruin the past work of their father and his predecessors within the span of just a few decades. Or maybe that was just him rationalizing the evilness of his action?

He didn’t know.

Suddenly a knock came from the door. Speaking in a tone of utmost respect, the voice of his father’s personal butler came from the other side.

“Young Master Koby, the Lord requests your presence in his office…immediately.”

Koby’s face dropped when he heard this.

He took his time to wipe off the accumulated snow on his pelt coat and groom his brown hair in the mirror. He purposely took as long as possible so he could think. It was only a minute later that he heard a loud cough from behind the door .

When he finally walked to the door and opened it, he was greeted by a frowning Alex. He felt uncomfortable in the presence of the serious-looking Alex. He smiled back at him regardless.

The tight-fitting clothes that Alex wore weren’t very flattering towards his gaunt frame. But he was not weak by any means.

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He was one of two people that stood between Snowfall city and destruction.

Two years ago, when he was twelve, he witnessed Alex stroll into the training yard by chance, and casually wipe the floor with forty [Soldiers] all by himself. They were all young recruits, but that didn’t make it any less impressive.

“Can I go to the toilet before I go?” Koby asked.

“Do not delay this further. The Lord shan’t wait for you any longer. You will come with me now,” Alex ordered in a stern voice.

Gulping, Koby followed Alex to his father’s office.

The only sound that Koby could hear—apart from his own thoughts—were the resounding echoes of his and Alex’s footsteps on the wooden floor.

Koby knew what was about to happen. It would be an interrogation.

He had to answer every single question his father posed perfectly. If his logic lapsed in any way whatsoever, if his body language and tone of voice betrayed his own words, if he lost control of his emotions, if he was unable to portray himself in a convincing manner—he was doomed.

Koby didn’t know what sort of consequence he would face if he was found guilty.

He preferred not to find out.

After a couple of minutes of tense, silent walking, the pair finally arrived at the door to the office. Koby pretended to ignore Alex staring at him as he knocked on the door that looked more intimidating and larger than ever.

“Father, I am here. May I enter?”

A moment of silence came and went before his father answered.

“Enter.”

Taking a deep breath in, Koby opened the door and gently closed the door behind him. Moving very slowly, he looked around at the stacked bookshelves that encapsulated the room. By the time he was seated in front of his father’s desk, he had an entire story in his mind formulated and practiced.

“Father, I will go ahead and say it first. I haven’t a single clue as to who kidnapped Jack, but I promise you, and I swear on the Gods, that I will do everything in my power to find the culprit,” Koby said in a strong, powerful voice filled with determination.

Nice! I sounded perfect there, he thought to himself right afterwards.

Sitting behind the desk, Koby’s father, however, continued to silently stare through the tall, arched window which offered a grand view of the city below.

Koby stopped breathing when he saw his father’s face reflected on the glass.

He looked like he was about to murder someone.

“You think I’m fucking stupid?” Malador quietly growled.

Koby was shocked.

Malador turned in his chair and his gaze rested upon his son.

Koby froze. He replied in a confused, yet noticeably nervous tone, “W—what?”

Malador exhaled a loud and hot breath of air.

He licked his lips and said, “I know it was you.”

***

Six years later...

“You want to what?” Stanley asked, making sure that he heard correctly.

Standing in front of him was a young boy with calm eyes and an adorable, eager smile on his face.

Jack said in a mature tone of voice, “I don’t expect to directly join in. I’m fine just standing by the side and working by myself. Because If I joined in, I would get hurt.”

Stanley found the boy’s mannerism remarkable. Was he really only six years old? His voice inflections were rightly placed, and his enunciation was perfect. By his own appraisal, he spoke just like a fully grown adult.

I don’t know what they’re feeding kids at the church’s orphanage, but it sure is something, Stanley thought to himself.

He was about to reply. But then he paused. He noticed the calm, serene look in Jack’s eyes. It was…

It reminded him of the way his grandfather looked upon him. It was the eyes of a person who had a fountain of wisdom, and broad experience. The eyes of someone who had experienced many, many things. Stanley chalked it up to being raised in a church. That and all the books Jack would surely be forced to read.

“Well…”

Stanley looked around.

Guarding the kitchen’s back entrance was a one-man job. Not that it was difficult in any way. It was the easiest job there was. But also very, very boring. Once he became a four-marked, he would be let off regular guard duty. Still, that was far away. He was only twenty-three. Most people only became four-marked by the time they were in their early thirties.

“I don’t think I would be the one to decide if that happens. I would have to bring it up with Instructor Magnus. He’s the one that runs the training for the cadets,” Stanley explained. He then raised an eyebrow, “But you would have to get permission from your guardian first.”

Jack smiled and pulled out a paper note from his left pocket.

He unfurled it and handed it over.

“I knew you would ask for that, Mister Alloway. As you can see on that handy note, Mother Teresa has given me her written permission to participate in training with the cadets. So all that’s left is to get an ‘ok’ from Instructor Magnus. Do you know where he is?”

Stanley felt like he was starting to get a headache.

“Alright. I’ll talk to him later, after I finish my shift.”

“Yay! Thank you so much!” Jack cheered.

Stanley couldn’t help but smile. After pocketing Jack’s note, he made a shooing gesture with his free hand.

“Okay, I’ll see you later then. Come here tomorrow morning and I’ll give you your answer. Does that sound good, Jack?”

The small boy grinned. “Great!”

Jack then walked away and waved goodbye. “I’ll see you then, Mister Alloway!”

“You too!” Stanley yelled back.

As the boy disappeared around the corner, Stanley couldn’t stop thinking about their interaction.

I really hope my kid ends up like that. He sure is smart that one, Stanley thought to himself.

And so that day passed in an ordinary fashion.

Until it didn’t.