"Life sure is good!" Tobias exclaimed, munching on a plump, ripe apple while perched on a tree branch. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground below. He swung his legs lazily, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he surveyed the playground of the orphanage.

"Hey, Tobias! Get down from there!" a voice called, snapping him from his daydream. It was Elara, the caretaker’s stern daughter, hands on her hips, looking up at him with an exasperated expression.

"Why? The view is better up here!" he replied, taking another bite of the juicy apple, savoring the sweet flavor.

"You’ll get in trouble if you don’t come down. You know Mother will—"

"—never catch me!" he interrupted, winking at her.

Elara rolled her eyes in frustration.

Just then, Tobias spotted his friend Felix below, eyeing the office window where the caretaker kept a beautifully carved wooden box. Tobias felt a rush of excitement. "Felix! What are you up to?" he shouted.

"Planning a heist!" Felix grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I see the caretaker always keeping that wooden box inside her office. I think she has something special in there. You in?"

Tobias glanced at the apple core in his hand, then at the office, intrigue bubbling in his chest. "You bet I am!"

With a final bite, he tossed the apple core to the ground, hopped down from the tree, and landed with a soft thud. Tobias felt the thrill of adventure wash over him as he joined Felix, ready to turn an ordinary day into something extraordinary.

As they made their way toward the office, they whispered their plan, excitement crackling between them. Crouched behind the bushes, they peeked out to check if the coast was clear. Mrs. Larkin, the caretaker, had her back turned, busy arranging flowers on the porch, oblivious to the schemes brewing behind her.

"Alright, on my count," Tobias said, glancing at Felix, who nodded eagerly. "One… two… three!"

They darted from their hiding spot, zigzagging toward the office. Tobias’s heart raced as they approached, adrenaline surging through him. Felix reached the door first, and together, they slipped inside the dimly lit office, the familiar scent of old books and polished wood enveloping them.

Tobias approached the wooden box on the desk, its ornate carvings glinting in the soft light. "Do you think it’s locked?" Felix asked, glancing around.

"Only one way to find out," Tobias replied, lifting the lid carefully. Inside lay a collection of trinkets—some letters with a wax emblem, a delicate music box, and a small, ornate key. Felix’s eyes widened as he picked up one of the letters.

"What’s this?" Felix muttered, opening it. His face drained of color. "Tobias… these are acceptance letters for Calderon Academy."

Tobias blinked in shock. "Calderon Academy? The prestigious school? How—"

"Mrs. Larkin signed us up without telling us," Felix concluded, disbelief evident in his voice. "We're going to be boarding there."

Tobias’s heart sank. "No, no, no… I’m not going." He clenched his fists, backing away from the desk. "I love it here. This orphanage is my home."

Felix stared at Tobias, his own excitement muted by his friend’s reaction. "But Tobias… Calderon Academy is an opportunity of a lifetime."

Before they could continue, the door creaked open, and Elara stepped inside, hands on her hips. "I knew you two were up to something," she said, her tone sharp. "I heard you planning your little ‘heist’ earlier. You weren't exactly quiet by the way."

Tobias flinched, but before he could protest, Elara’s eyes caught a glimpse of the wax emblem on the acceptance letters Felix held. Her stern expression softened, and her eyes lit up with recognition. "Wait… these are acceptance letters for Calderon Academy?"

She snatched one from Felix’s hand and quickly read through it, her face breaking into a radiant smile. "Mother got me into Calderon Academy! The school of my dreams!" Elara’s excitement erupted before she suddenly paused, her gaze shifting to Felix and Tobias. "Wait… you two are going with me?" Her smile faltered, replaced with a mix of annoyance and disbelief. "You mean the two biggest troublemakers in the orphanage are going to Calderon Academy with me?"

Tobias shook his head. "No, I’m not going. I love this place. I’m not leaving."

Felix, still caught in the excitement, added, "But Tobias, think of what we could learn there. We’d be training with the best!"

"Forget the academy for a second," Tobias interrupted trying to rubbish the thought of leaving the orphanage and pointing back at the box. "There’s something more important—there’s a shiny gold key in here. Where does it go?"

Just then, Mrs. Larkin entered the office, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. "And what possessed you three to waltz into my quarters like you own the place?" Her voice carried both surprise and anger.

Elara quickly hid the letters behind her back, but Mrs. Larkin noticed. She sighed heavily. "So much for the surprise… I was going to tell you all at supper later." She moved toward the desk, resting her hand on the wooden box.

"Mother," Elara said softly, "you signed us up for Calderon Academy?"

Mrs. Larkin nodded, her expression softening. "I did. I believe the orphanage has given you all the tools it can. You’ve outgrown this place, and it’s time for you to learn more. Even you, Tobias. Despite the mischief you and Felix cause, you’re among the brightest here—second only to Elara in combat ability and intelligence. You all deserve to go to Calderon and further your education. Who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be recruited by the Shining Moonlight Guild."

Tobias’s eyes widened. "The guild famous for bringing down the demon king centuries ago?"

Mrs. Larkin smiled faintly. "Yes. The best guild in the kingdom. You could all have a chance at a better life."

But Tobias’s heart still ached. "This orphanage is my home," he said quietly. "I don’t want to leave."

Mrs. Larkin placed a hand on his shoulder. "I understand, Tobias. But sometimes, to grow, we need to step beyond the places we’re comfortable in. Calderon will give you the opportunity to learn more, to find your true path."

Elara crossed her arms, her excitement barely contained. "Besides, Tobias, you’re not getting rid of me that easily. I’ll be there too."

Tobias looked at his friends—Felix grinning, Elara smirking. He sighed, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. "Fine… I’ll go."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

A satisfied smile crept across Mrs. Larkin’s face. "Good. Now, pack your things. You all leave in seven days."

As they filed out of the office, Tobias glanced back at Felix, a familiar glint of mischief in his eyes. He pulled out the golden key from the box and held it up in front of Felix.

Felix grinned. "I’m in."

At supper, the dining hall was abuzz with chatter. The older inhabitants of the orphanage were buzzing with congratulations, their eyes gleaming with admiration. "You guys better remember us when you’re famous knights or mages!" one of the boys shouted playfully, clapping Felix on the back.

"Yeah, send us a letter when you’re all famous and living in castles!" another teased, while a round of laughter filled the room.

Mrs. Larkin stood at the head of the table, smiling warmly at the group. "Now, now, calm down," she said, raising her own plastic cup filled with apple juice. "Tonight, we celebrate the future of these three young ones. They’re off to Calderon Academy in a week, and while we’ll miss their chaos, I expect great things."

Tobias raised his own cup with a sheepish grin, his mind still reeling from the day’s events. Felix joined in with his own energetic enthusiasm, while Elara, trying to play it cool, smirked from the corner, holding her cup loosely.

"To Calderon!" Mrs. Larkin declared. The room echoed with the sound of plastic cups clinking together. "Cheers!"

The room buzzed with excitement as everyone joined in, laughing, toasting, and offering well-wishes. Tobias soaked in the moment, his conflicted feelings about leaving the orphanage temporarily drowned out by the laughter and camaraderie around him.

Later that night, the orphanage was finally quiet. The soft snores of the other children filled the room, but Tobias couldn’t sleep. He lay in his bed, eyes wide open, the golden key from earlier resting under his pillow. His thoughts wandered back to the basement in Mrs. Larkin’s office, the mystery of it gnawing at him. Every creak of the orphanage seemed to pull him deeper into his imagination, making the urge to investigate impossible to ignore. Eventually, he couldn’t take it anymore.

Tobias rolled over, nudging Felix, who was sprawled out, snoring beside him. “Hey,” he whispered. “Felix. Wake up.”

Felix groaned, turning over sluggishly. “What now?” he muttered, half-asleep, his eyelids barely open.

“No one’s awake right now. Don’t you wanna find out where that key leads?” Tobias whispered, his voice tinged with excitement. His hand reached under his pillow, flashing the golden key in front of Felix.

Felix squinted, rubbing his eyes as he glanced at the key, groaning. “Tobias… can’t this wait till morning?” His voice was low and groggy, but the sight of the key sparked curiosity in him. There was always something alluring about a secret, a mystery waiting to be solved. Felix sighed, knowing Tobias wouldn’t let this go. “Alright, alright,” he finally agreed, sitting up.

They quietly dressed and crept out of the room, careful not to wake the others. The floorboards groaned under their weight, the orphanage eerily silent save for the soft hum of wind brushing against the windows. Shadows danced along the walls as they tiptoed through the hallways, every step amplifying their anticipation.

Tobias led the way, his pulse quickening with each step, and Felix followed closely behind, a mixture of nervousness and excitement stirring within him. They reached Mrs. Larkin’s office without incident. Tobias carefully pushed the door open, and they slipped inside.

The moonlight filtering through the window barely lit the room, casting long shadows over the wooden desk and shelves. The familiar scent of old paper and polished wood enveloped them. Tobias felt a chill crawl down his spine, the weight of their mission settling in. They began to search, running their hands over every nook and cranny.

Felix’s fingers brushed against a loose floorboard. He froze, his heart skipping a beat. “Hey,” he whispered, crouching down. “Look at this.”

Tobias knelt beside him, lifting the board to reveal a hidden passage beneath the floor. A narrow stone staircase descended into the dark unknown. The air was colder down below, damp and filled with a creeping sense of unease. Tobias swallowed hard, suddenly aware of the tight knot forming in his stomach.

“Well… here goes nothing,” Felix muttered, his voice betraying the anxiety he was trying to suppress. Together, they descended into the passage.

The deeper they went, the more the cold gnawed at them, wrapping around their bones and making their skin prickle. Their breaths echoed softly in the narrow space, the oppressive silence amplifying every sound. Tobias felt his heartbeat quicken, each step down bringing with it a growing sense of dread.

“We should turn back,” Tobias whispered, his voice faltering. Something didn’t feel right. Every instinct told him this place was dangerous, far more than they had anticipated.

But before Felix could respond, the path ahead began to softly illuminate, as if the darkness itself was drawing them in. A faint, eerie glow filled the chamber at the bottom of the stairs, revealing shallow water that soaked into their shoes. Tobias shivered as the cold seeped through his clothes, the dampness heavy in the air.

In front of them, massive iron bars spanned from wall to wall, holding something in the shadows. The dim light barely illuminated the figure behind the bars, but Tobias could make out the long, sinuous body coiled in the darkness. His breath caught in his throat.

“What is that?” Felix whispered, stepping closer despite himself.

A low, hissing voice slithered through the air, sending a shiver down Tobias’s spine. “Come closer, children,” it said, its voice soft and seductive. The words curled through the cold air like smoke, wrapping around their senses. “Free me, and I shall grant you whatever your heart desires. Wealth, power… even the ability to change fate itself.”

Felix’s eyes widened, his thoughts immediately consumed by the offer. His breath hitched as the serpent’s words seeped into his mind, twisting his resolve. “You mean… if I want to revive my parents… you can do it?” His voice trembled. The conflict within him was visible—his longing for his family he never got to thoroughly enjoy versus the danger he felt in the pit of his stomach.

The snake’s eyes gleamed with malice from behind the bars. “That wish is certainly grantable,” it purred, its voice dripping with temptation. “Just a single touch, and you can have them back, as though they never left.”

Tobias’ heart raced. His instincts screamed danger, every fiber of his being warning him to run. “Felix, don’t listen to it,” Tobias said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. He could feel the dark aura surrounding the creature, its evil intentions palpable. “This thing is dangerous. We need to leave.”

But Felix was already under the serpent’s spell, inching closer to the bars. “I could see them again… mother and father…” His voice was hollow, distant, his mind clouded by the snake’s promises.

“Felix!” Tobias shouted, panic rising in his chest as his friend inched closer. Felix didn’t stop, his feet moving on their own accord. He reached out, hand trembling as it hovered near the bars.

The snake’s eyes glimmered. “Yes, just place your hand on the bars, and I shall do the rest,” it whispered, its words dark and inviting.

“Felix, stop!” Tobias yelled, desperate now. But Felix, inches away from the cage, whispered, “Mother… Father…” and touched the bars.

The iron dissolved into wisps of smoke upon contact, freeing the serpent with a hiss of delight. The snake uncoiled, its massive body slithering out into the open. “Very good, human,” it said, voice dripping with malice.

Tobias’ instincts flared. He summoned his sword in an instant, feeling the familiar surge of power as he imbued it with lightning. He couldn’t let Felix be consumed by this creature’s evil.

With a swift motion, Tobias lunged, his sword slicing through the air. It pierced the serpent’s eye, sending sparks flying as lightning crackled around them. The snake shrieked in pain, its body writhing as Tobias’ blade vanished into glittering dust.

“You dare harm me?” the serpent growled, the wound in its eye healing instantly. Before Tobias and Felix, the snake’s body began to morph, shifting and contorting until it stood tall—a towering humanoid figure with silver scales, long flowing hair, and glowing serpentine eyes. The transformation sent a ripple of cold dread through Tobias.

The air around them grew heavy, as if the atmosphere itself was pressing in on them. Tobias felt his stomach churn as the creature cracked its neck, its expression turning dark and sinister. “Foolish humans,” it sneered. “You dare challenge me?”

The serpent man then smiled baring its razor sharp teeth and before Tobias could react, the serpent-man moved with inhuman speed, its fist colliding with Tobias’ abdomen. The force of the blow sent him flying across the chamber, crashing clean through the wall behind him.

“Tobias!” Felix shouted, snapping out of his daze as he watched in horror.

The serpent-man loomed over Felix, who stood frozen, his mind still reeling from the promise of seeing his parents again. The creature grinned darkly, its razor-sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. “Now, little one,” it said, its voice low and threatening. “It’s your turn.”