Viktor woke up in the middle of the forest. His head hurt and he had no idea where he was. Surrounding him was the aftermath of a battle....no, a massacre. Goblin corpses were everywhere. Victor was sickened by the sight and felt like throwing up. The corpses were mostly men but there were some women and children there as well. The more he saw, the angrier he became.

'What. What the hell? Who the fuck would do this!? They're just- they're just children godammit!'

Without a second thought Viktor searched for any signs of life he could find. He had almost just about given up when he heard some soft cries from behind the bushes to his left. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He pushed the bushes aside and froze.

There she was. A child was pinned to the ground by an arrow that had pierced her leg. Viktor kneeled down to soothe the child.

"Shh. Everything is ok, child. There is no need to be afraid. I am here to help you."

"You...help..?"

Viktor was stunned. Was she in so much pain that she couldn't even speak properly?

"Yes. I will help you. Would you like that?"

"Yes...help..."

"Ok. This will hurt so you can hold on tight to me. On the count of three I'll take the arrow out. Ready?"

"What....mean...count?"

"Excuse me?"

"What....mean....three?

".....child?" Viktor asks cautiously.

"yes?"

"Can you tell me what 7 times 9 is?"

"I...not....know"

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"You don't know the answer?"

"I....not....know....what....mean"

What the hell? What is going on here? First the field of bodies and now this child. Every child should know basic algebra by her age. Why is it that she doesn't know?

"Child do you know what Algebra is?"

"What.....Algebra?....not...know"

Impossible. I'm definately not in Leona anymore. But if not the Capital, then where? This just doesn't make any sense. Even if there was a battle, how could the result be this many dead Goblins?

"Umm....who....you?"

"What did you say?"

"Who....you?"

Even amidst his confusion Viktor smiled at the innocent question, he had a soft spot for children. And it was rare for someone not to know who he was. It was actually a nice change of pace.

"My name is Victor Cromwell. And might I ask what your name is, little one?"

"Cretin"

The smile on Victor's face freezes. He's pissed to say the least. That soft spot for children can act out when they are abused in any way. And naming a little girl Cretin was certainly a one way ticket to the top of his shit list.

"O-oh. That's a...name. How would you like a new name? A better one?" Asked Victor barely able to keep his anger in check.

"New....name....want" said the little girl with excitement in her eyes.

"Okay. How about Haruka"

The girl gave a sour face in reply. She did not like the name.

"Hmmm....ah, what about Liliana? Or Lily for short?"

"Name.....Lily....like.....Lily" she gave Viktor a toothy smile.

'Well at least she has a decent name now. But I still need to get that arrow out of her.'

"Lily, this is going to hurt a lot. So I need you to be brave. Can you do that?"

"Can....do..."

"Okay. Try not to scream because we need to attract as little attention as possible. Understand?"

"Lily....understand....try.....not....scream...."

With a quick jerking motion, Viktor pulled the arrow out in one try. Unfortunately Lily couldn't hold in the scream that travelled for miles in each direction. Viktor, however, anticipated such an outcome and was ready to move.

He picked up Lily and ran as far south as he could before he hit a wide river. He put Lily down against a rock started to treat the wound that he arrow left behind. Viktor ripped of a piece of his tunic and tied it around Lily's leg.

It was only now that he noticed that she was crying. He spoke in a soft and gentle voice.

"Hey. It's ok. The arrow is gone and I bandaged your wound. Your're going to be ok."

"Uuuu *sniff*....you....not.....leave?"

"Silly girl. Why would I leave?"

"You....said....not....scream....but.....did.....scream....now....you......leave....Lily....uuuu"

Victor was quiet for a moment. He wanted to approach the situation delicately. Kids are quite sensitive to these types of situations.

"Oh you sweet child." Victor scoops her up in a hug. "I won't leave you. Not ever."

"Really?.....Victor....promise?" Lily was cautious. She had never met anybody who had shown so much kindness to her. Not even her own parents.

"Of course I promise. After all, us meeting....It has to be fate."