[Pon]

As Aba sits there he ponders about the two choices he was given by the lady. Should he stay with her or should he leave? This is an extremely hard choice that will decide the future of his life. It seems that the girl isn't going to say anything unless Aba says something. Aba then finally makes his decision by saying that he’ll stay for the girls safety and his own.

The Lady of the house congratulates him and she leaves the room with this information Aba, sits there, pondering about what just happened. He then begins to eat the rest of the food that was left out for him. He doesnt know whats to come but he does know hes atleast some what safe.

[Later..]

Outside he sits in the lush green grass, thinking of his past, or lack thereof. All he can remeber is that he woke up in some dirt and was taken to a random dessert. The Valkyrie girl comes up to him and sits down next to him. She stares at him while he thinks. Aba stares back and quietly says,

“Look, i did this for your sake.”

“You dont have to thank me.”

[Later….]

Aba continues to stare at the Valkyrie girl, who remains silent, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. The wind gently rustles the leaves around them, adding to the peaceful yet tense atmosphere. Aba tries to read her expression, but it's difficult—she seems as lost in thought as he is.

Finally, she speaks, her voice soft and almost fragile. "Why? Why would you do that for me?"

Aba sighs, running a hand through his messy hair. "Because... we're in this together, aren't we? Whatever happens, we need to look out for each other. I don't know what this place is, or what that woman wants from us, but I couldn't just leave you behind."

The girl looks down at the ground, her fingers absently tracing patterns in the grass. "I don't even know your name," she says after a moment.

"Aba," he replies, offering a small smile. "And you?"

She hesitates before answering. "Rhiannon," she says quietly. "But everyone used to call me Ria."

Aba nods. "Ria... nice to meet you, I guess. Even if the circumstances are... well, not ideal."

Ria lets out a small, bitter laugh. "Yeah, not exactly the way I imagined meeting someone new."

Aba leans back, resting his hands on the grass, staring up at the sky. "Do you remember anything before this? Before you were captured?"

Ria shakes her head. "Not much. Just fragments—faces, places, feelings. But nothing concrete. It's like everything's just... out of reach."

Aba frowns, his mind racing. "Same here. I remember waking up in the desert, but before that... it's all a blur. Like my memories are locked away somewhere."

They sit in silence for a while, each lost in their thoughts. Aba feels a strange sense of camaraderie with Ria—both of them are trapped in this unknown situation, both with fragmented memories, and both uncertain of what the future holds.

Finally, Ria breaks the silence. "What do you think she meant by 'purpose'?"

Aba shrugs, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't know. But whatever it is, I don't think it'll be something we want. People like her... they don't do things out of kindness. There's always a catch."

Ria nods slowly, her wings twitching slightly. "Yeah... I got that feeling too."

[Later…]

As the sun begins to set, casting long shadows across the garden, a maid approaches them, bowing respectfully. "The Lady wishes to see you both in her study," she says, her voice soft but firm.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Aba and Ria exchange a glance, both of them feeling a knot of apprehension tighten in their stomachs. Without a word, they get up and follow the maid back into the mansion.

[The Study]

The study is grand, filled with shelves of books and artifacts that speak of a long and storied history. The Lady of the house sits behind a large oak desk, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She smiles as they enter, though her eyes remain calculating, as if she's weighing every move they make.

"Thank you for coming," she says, her voice as smooth as silk. "I trust you've had time to think about your decision, Aba."

Aba nods, his posture stiff. "Yes, I have."

The Lady's smile widens. "Good. Then let's discuss what comes next." She gestures to two chairs in front of her desk. "Please, sit."

Aba and Ria do as they're told, the tension in the room thickening with each passing second.

The Lady steeples her fingers, her gaze piercing as she speaks. "You see, you both are unique in ways you may not fully understand yet. This world is filled with dangers, but also with opportunities—opportunities that I can help you seize."

Ria shifts in her seat, her wings rustling softly. "What do you mean?"

The Lady's eyes gleam with something that Aba can't quite place. "You have powers, abilities that are rare and valuable. With my guidance, you can learn to control them, to harness them for a greater purpose. You can become more than just survivors—you can become something extraordinary."

Aba feels a chill run down his spine. This was the catch he had been waiting for. But what choice do they have? Stay and learn, or leave and face the unknown?

Ria looks at Aba, her eyes reflecting his uncertainty. Whatever decision they make now will shape their future in ways they can't yet comprehend.

[Later…]

The Lady stares at the night sky while the kids are sleeping in the house.

She looks in the distance and sees a horse caravan. She walks over and greets them. Knights in ironclad armor tell the lady that they are currently looking for a valkyrie girl. The Lady lies and declares that there's no such thing in her house but she does point them to a place where she might be. Due to the status of the Lady they trust her and the Caravan leaves the place.

[Later…]

The Lady then goes back into the house and sits down on a chai while she drinks tea. She knows that they'll be back soon so she formulates a plan to leave the place while her husband is sleeping. She knows that her husband is a scumbag on the inside and will do anything to get a quick buck. The Lady truly believes that she can protect these two kids and turn them into fighting machines. She sees the true potential in them.

[Later..]

She now plans to make her grand escape as she tells a quick lie to her husband. She plans to go to the capital city and meet up with a strange woman with strange powers.

[The Next Day...]

The early morning sun streams through the windows of the mansion, casting soft light across the halls as the Lady moves swiftly but quietly. Her husband remains asleep, snoring lightly in the master bedroom. She knows it won’t be long before he wakes and questions her intentions. Time is running short.

She pauses for a moment, staring at herself in a large, ornate mirror in the hallway. The reflection shows a composed, regal woman, but beneath the surface, her mind churns with calculated plans and hidden fears. With one last glance, she turns and strides toward the hidden passage beneath the mansion.

[Aba and Ria’s Room]

Aba wakes with a jolt, his heart racing from a dream he can’t quite remember. He glances around the small room, noticing Ria still sleeping soundly on the other side. He sighs, rubbing his eyes, trying to shake off the unease gnawing at him.

Suddenly, the door creaks open, and the Lady steps in, her face calm but urgent. "Aba, Ria, wake up. We need to leave. Now."

Ria stirs, sitting up groggily as Aba frowns, standing quickly. "What’s going on?" he asks.

The Lady motions for them to get dressed quickly. "No time for questions. Trust me, if we don’t move now, you’ll both be in danger. We’re going to the capital."

Ria, now fully awake, exchanges a confused glance with Aba. "Capital? Why? What happened?"

The Lady’s lips tighten, but she doesn’t answer directly. "There are people looking for you, Ria. Dangerous people. If we stay, they will find us. I made a deal to buy us some time, but we need to be gone before they return."

Aba, unsure but sensing the urgency, begins gathering his few belongings. "Where exactly are we going?"

The Lady’s eyes glint with determination. "To meet someone who can help you unlock your true potential. But we have to be careful; they’re watching, always."

Ria stands, brushing her hair from her face, still trying to process the situation. "You’re risking a lot for us. Why?"

The Lady doesn’t answer for a moment, but her gaze softens. "Because I believe in what you can become. I believe you can fight back, and not just survive but thrive. You two have more power than you realize—and if I can help you harness that, maybe we all have a chance."

[Later…]

The three of them move swiftly through the mansion, entering the hidden passageway that leads to an underground tunnel. The cool air rushes over them as they descend into the dark, winding corridor, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

Aba’s heart pounds in his chest as he glances at the Lady. "How far to the capital?"

"A day’s ride," she replies. "I have a carriage waiting just beyond the woods. We’ll be safe once we get there."

Ria, still unsure of what awaits them, grips her cloak tightly. "And this person we’re meeting… can they really help us?"

The Lady nods. "She has powers unlike anything you’ve ever seen. If anyone can help you, it’s her."

Aba can feel the weight of the unknown pressing down on them, but at this point, there’s no turning back. Whatever they’re walking into, it’s better than being hunted down by knights and slave traders.

[Later…]

As the tunnel finally opens up into a dense forest, the sun is now higher in the sky. The Lady leads them to a concealed carriage, sleek and black, waiting in the shadow of the trees. They climb inside, and the driver, a quiet man with sharp eyes, urges the horses forward.

The road to the capital is long and uncertain, but as they ride in silence, Aba can’t help but wonder what kind of powers he and Ria truly possess—and whether they’re ready to face what lies ahead.

[The Capital - Dusk]

By the time they arrive, the capital city looms before them, a sprawling metropolis filled with towering buildings, bustling markets, and the smell of industry. The carriage winds through narrow streets until it reaches a secluded alleyway behind an old, dilapidated building.

The Lady motions for them to follow. "She’s inside."

As they enter the building, the atmosphere shifts. The air feels thick, almost electric. Shadows cling to the walls, and the temperature drops as they descend into the basement. At the bottom of the stairs, they are met by a figure shrouded in a dark cloak, her face hidden beneath the hood.

The Lady steps forward, her voice steady. "We’ve come as we agreed."

The cloaked figure nods, her voice low and almost hypnotic. "I’ve been expecting you."

Aba feels a chill run down his spine as the figure turns her gaze toward him and Ria. There’s something otherworldly about her presence, something ancient and powerful.

"These two," the Lady says, gesturing to Aba and Ria. "They need your help."

The figure steps closer, her eyes glinting beneath the hood. "You wish to unlock the power within you?" she asks, her voice echoing in the room.

Aba swallows, his mouth suddenly dry. "Yes… if that’s possible."

The figure smiles, though it’s more unsettling than reassuring. "Oh, it’s more than possible. But be warned—once you awaken, there’s no going back."

Ria shifts uneasily but nods. "We’re ready."

The figure extends her hands, a strange energy pulsing around her fingertips. "Then let us begin."

[End.]