The sun was setting over the small village, casting a warm orange glow across the landscape. Five-year-old Tatsuya, our protagonist, was playing with his friends in the fields surrounding his home. They were laughing and having a good time, until they heard a loud noise coming from the direction of their house.

Tatsuya ran towards his home, his heart pounding in his chest. As he approached, he saw that his front door was hanging off its hinges and the sound of shouting and crying could be heard from inside. Tatsuya entered his home and was met with a scene of utter chaos. His parents were lying on the floor, their bodies battered and bloody. Tatsuya fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.

"Mom? Dad?" he sobbed. "What's happening?"

But there was no answer. Tatsuya was alone, the only survivor in the aftermath of the attack. He stumbled to his feet and ran outside, seeking help from anyone he could find.

No matter how much Tatsuya asked, no one seemed to have any information about the mysterious group that had killed their parents. It was as if their existence had been erased from history. Tatsuya's parents had never mentioned any relatives, and Tatsuya was left without any family or answers.

Traumatized and alone, Tatsuya was taken to an orphanage by the authorities. The orphanage was a harsh and unforgiving place, where the children were treated poorly and the donations went straight into the pockets of the corrupt owner. The conditions were terrible, and Tatsuya was often subjected to physical and emotional abuse.

"Get up, you lazy brat!" the matron of the orphanage yelled at Tatsuya as she kicked him awake. "You're wasting food that could go to the other children!"

Tatsuya rubbed his eyes and tried to stand up, but his legs were weak and he stumbled. The matron grabbed him by the hair and dragged him to the kitchen, where he was given a meager breakfast of stale bread and water.

"Why are you so cruel?" Tatsuya asked the matron, his voice trembling with fear and anger. "Why do you treat us like this?"

The matron laughed in his face. "Because I can, boy. And because you're lucky to have a roof over your head and food in your belly, even if it's not much. Now get to work, or you'll get a beating."

Tatsuya was filled with rage and despair as he did the chores assigned to him, feeling hopeless and helpless in this harsh and cruel world. He wondered why his parents never mentioned any relatives, and if they were still out there somewhere, watching over him.

Tatsuya was wandering the halls of the orphanage, trying to find a place to be alone. He'd only been there a few days, but already he was sick of the noise and the constant fights between the other kids. He ducked into a small room, relieved to find it empty. He was about to sit down when he heard a soft noise, like someone crying.

He followed the sound to a corner of the room, where he found a little girl with long, curly hair.  She was huddled against the wall, tears streaming down her face.

"Hey," Tatsuya said softly, not wanting to startle her. "What's wrong?"

The girl looked up at him, and Tatsuya was struck by how big and brown her eyes were. "Nothing," she said, sniffling. "I'm just sad."

Tatsuya sat down beside her, leaving plenty of space between them. "Why are you sad?"

"I miss my mom and dad," Ayumi said, her voice breaking. "I don't know why they had to go away."

Tatsuya felt a pang of sympathy. He knew what it was like to lose your parents. "I miss mine too," he said. "They were taken from me."

Ayumi looked at him with interest. "Really? How?"

"I don't know," Tatsuya said. "I was only five years old when it happened. I don't remember much."

"I'm sorry," Ayumi said, wiping her eyes. "Do you think they're still alive?"

Tatsuya shrugged. "I don't know. I hope so."

They sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Then Ayumi said, "You know, we could be friends."

Tatsuya looked at her, surprised. He'd never had a real friend before. "Really? You want to be friends with me?"

Ayumi nodded eagerly. "Sure! We can help each other. You can help me not be so sad, and I can help you find your parents."

Tatsuya smiled, feeling a warm glow in his chest. "Okay," he said. "We can be friends."

And so Tatsuya and Ayumi became the closest of friends, spending their days together and confiding in each other all their hopes and fears. Despite the harsh conditions at the orphanage, they found happiness in each other's company and looked forward to a brighter future.

Ayumi was a petite girl with waist-length, shiny black hair and big brown eyes that sparkled with intelligence and curiosity. She had a small, heart-shaped face and a gentle smile that lit up her whole demeanor. Despite her delicate appearance, Ayumi was tough and resourceful, having learned to survive in the harsh conditions of the orphanage. She was fiercely loyal to those she cared about, including Tatsuya, and always stood up for what was right, even if it meant putting herself in harm's way. Despite her difficult upbringing, Ayumi was full of hope and always found a way to see the good in people and situations.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Tatsuya lived in the harsh and oppressive environment of the orphanage for two years after the death of his parents. He was constantly mistreated and abused by the staff, who neglected the children and pocketed the donations meant for their care. Despite the difficult circumstances, Tatsuya found a glimmer of hope in the form of a young girl named Ayumi.

The two quickly became close friends and offered each other a sense of comfort and support amidst the turmoil of the orphanage. They would often sneak away from the watchful eyes of the staff to play and talk, forming a strong bond over their shared experiences.

Tatsuya learned to hide his emotions and keep to himself in order to survive the harsh conditions of the orphanage, but he was fiercely protective of Ayumi and did everything in his power to keep her safe.

Despite the daily struggles, Tatsuya and Ayumi found joy in each other's company and made the most of their time together. They dreamed of one day leaving the orphanage and starting a better life elsewhere.

Tatsuya had always suspected that something was off about the orphanage. Despite the constant donations from wealthy benefactors, the children were often malnourished and poorly taken care of. So, one day when the orphanage's owner, Mrs. Jenkins, was out of the building, Tatsuya decided to snoop around and try to uncover the truth.

As he was rummaging through the dusty old office on a night, he heard muffled voices coming from the next room. Tatsuya quietly approached the door and pressed his ear against it, trying to listen in on the conversation.

"I can't believe you're doing this," said a man's voice. "Selling kids to these wealthy merchants is morally wrong."

"Morals don't put food on the table," Mrs. Jenkins replied, her tone cold and callous. "And besides, they're just a bunch of orphans. No one will miss them."

Tatsuya felt a pit in his stomach as he listened to the conversation. He had always known that Mrs. Jenkins was cruel, but he never suspected that she would go so far as to sell kids to the rich under her care.

"What about Tatsuya?" the man asked. "He's different from the others. He's special."

"Don't worry about Tatsuya," Mrs. Jenkins said. "I'll take care of him when the time comes."

Tatsuya's heart was pounding in his chest as he backed away from the door and ran back to his room. He knew that he had to get out of there as soon as possible, and he also knew that he had to find a way to protect the other children from the horrors that Mrs. Jenkins had planned for them.

It was a chilly evening when Tatsuya snuck out of the orphanage, the familiar creaks and groans of the old building fading away into the night as he made his way through the dark alleyways. The moon was a faint sliver in the sky, casting just enough light for Tatsuya to see by as he made his way to the headquarters of the Order of Radiant Justice.

Tatsuya had heard rumors of the Order's power and their unwavering commitment to justice, and he was desperate to get their attention. He needed someone to believe in him, to listen to the secrets he had uncovered about the orphanage and the horrors that were happening there.

He finally reached the entrance of the Order's headquarters, and he pushed open the heavy door with a sense of determination. The entryway was empty, and Tatsuya took a deep breath as he stepped inside, trying to steady his nerves.

"Hello?" he called out tentatively, his voice echoing off the high walls of the chamber. "Is anyone here?"

"Who are you and what do you want?" came a stern voice from the shadows. Tatsuya turned to see a figure emerging from the darkness, a figure clad in gleaming silver armor, with a sword at his side.

"My name is Tatsuya," he said, his voice trembling a little. "I'm here because I've discovered something terrible about the orphanage where I live."

The figure stepped forward, his armor clanking with each step. "What have you discovered?" he asked, his voice echoing in the chamber.

Tatsuya took a deep breath and began to tell his story, describing the horrors he had uncovered about the orphanage and the cruel fate that awaited the children who lived there. He spoke of the abuse and exploitation, the selling of drugs and the unspeakable crimes that were taking place.

"I need your help," Tatsuya finished, his voice choked with emotion. "I need someone to believe in me, to stop this evil and bring justice to the children who are suffering."

The figure stood in silence for a moment, then he lowered his head. "We will help you, Tatsuya," he said, his voice filled with compassion. "The Order of Radiant Justice will not rest until justice is served and the guilty are brought to justice."

Tatsuya felt a rush of gratitude and relief wash over him as he realized that he had finally found someone who would listen to him and believe in his cause. With the support of the Order of Radiant Justice, he knew that he could make a difference, and he felt a fierce determination rising up within him to fight for what was right.

 As he was making his way back to the orphanage, he was spotted by one of the caretakers. Tatsuya tried to play it cool, but his heart was pounding in his chest.

"Hey you! What are you doing out here?" the caretaker called out.

Tatsuya's mind raced. He couldn't let the caretaker know what he was up to. He tried to come up with a believable excuse. "I-I just needed some fresh air," he stammered.

The caretaker was not satisfied with his answer. "Fresh air, huh? I think you were up to something else. Follow me."

Tatsuya was led back to the orphanage, his heart sinking with every step. He couldn't believe he had been caught. 

As he was taken back to his room, Tatsuya couldn't help but feel hopeless. He had no idea what the caretakers would do to him now that they suspected him of something. All he could do was wait and see what would happen next.

Tatsuya was punished harshly for trying to leave the orphanage without permission. The corrupt owner of the orphanage, who was aware of the illegal activities taking place, was afraid that Tatsuya would reveal their secrets to the outside world. So, they decided to give him a lesson he would never forget.

Tatsuya was locked in a dark, damp basement cell with limited food and water. The punishment was designed to break his spirit and make him regret his actions. The days passed by slowly, as Tatsuya lay on the cold concrete floor, unable to move or do anything. The only sound he could hear was the occasional footsteps of the guard coming to check on him.

One day, the guard came down to the basement with a sadistic smile on his face. "Looks like you've learned your lesson, boy," he said. "But just to be sure, we're going to keep you down here for a little longer."

Another day, the owner of the orphanage, Mr. Jenkins, came down to the basement to talk to Tatsuya.

"Why did you run away, boy?" Mr. Jenkins asked with a stern voice.

"I had to go out, sir. I needed some fresh air," Tatsuya lied, trying to keep his real motives a secret.

"You don't have to lie to me, boy. I know why you went out. You were snooping around, weren't you?" Mr. Jenkins accused.

Tatsuya was caught off guard and didn't know what to say. He just stared at Mr. Jenkins, trying to keep his fear hidden.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" Mr. Jenkins asked again.

"I... I just wanted to see the outside world, sir," Tatsuya said, trying to cover up his true intentions.

"I see," Mr. Jenkins said, his eyes narrowing. "Well, from now on, you will be punished for a month instead of a week. And if you try to run away or snoop around again, you will be punished even more severely."

With that, Mr. Jenkins left the basement, leaving Tatsuya alone in the darkness once again.

As Tatsuya was being punished for his attempts to escape the orphanage, he suddenly heard a loud commotion coming from outside. The door to his punishment room was thrown open and a group of people dressed in white and gold armor stormed in. Tatsuya recognized them as the Order of Radiant Justice, a group known for their pursuit of justice and righteousness.

"Everyone, this place is under arrest for illegal activities," one of the knights announced.

Tatsuya's heart raced as he realized that his attempts to expose the corruption of the orphanage had finally paid off. As the knights began to arrest the corrupt owner and staff, Tatsuya approached one of them.

"Excuse me, sir. I have information about the crimes committed here," Tatsuya said, trying to get the knight's attention.

The knight turned to Tatsuya and raised an eyebrow. "What kind of information do you have?"

Tatsuya began to explain what he had discovered about the illegal selling of drugs and humans, but before he could finish, a loud explosion interrupted them. The building began to shake and Tatsuya and the knight were thrown to the ground.

As Tatsuya looked up, he saw a group of hooded figures emerging from the smoke, wielding powerful magic. The Order of Radiant Justice quickly sprang into action, but Tatsuya couldn't help but feel a sense of fear as he realized the full extent of the danger he was in.

The scene ends with Tatsuya and the knight surrounded by the hooded figures, with Tatsuya wondering what will happen next and if he will survive this encounter.