Lost Saint

Without Arrow to keep him company or his father to entertain him with his childish jokes and sparring matches, life at the mansion felt unbearably dull. His mother, Athena, did her best to keep him engaged, but her love alone couldn't fill the void.

As a second-class noble, Ajax often felt lonely; his choices of friends were limited.

The outside world is big, he knew that much, and yet he was trapped in his estate—he needed a friend.

His days were structured—training, studies, etiquette lessons—but nothing could shake the lingering emptiness inside him.

As the hours slipped towards evening, Ajax decided to escape, perhaps it would be fun outside his world. Athena had kept a close eye on him, with maids and guards shadowing his steps, but that didn't stop him.

He planned his escape, slipping past the staff with calculated ease for someone his age.

He hadn't expected the city to come with such a beautiful view—not from behind a carriage window but up close, on his terms.

The city was alive in a way the estate never did. The air filled with voices, merchants called out their merchandise, and children strode through the streets with laughter brightening their faces. Ajax wandered, marveling at the energy, feeling free for the first time.

Feeling overwhelmed by the crowd, he turned into a quiet alley; he saw them—a group of well-dressed noble children surrounding a girl his age.

She stood rigid, her small hands clenched into fists. One of the boys sneered as he shoved her backward.

With a lazy expression, he turned to walk off. Before he could get far, it happened: a punch to the poor girl's cheek. 

Before he could think, his body started to walk towards them. "What am I doing?" He thought.

He held the puncher by the shoulder and punched him back. "This feels good," he thought and smirked.

"You will pay for this," the noble said as they ran off.

Once they were gone, Ajax turned to the girl. 

"Well, I've got a friend," he thought.

Ajax offered his hand. "I'm Ajax Romanov."

She hesitated before mumbling, "Emy…I'm Emy."

"Nice to meet you, Emy." He gave a warm smile. 

Her gaze flickered downward. "But… I'm just a commoner."

Lucius's voice echoed, [She's lying. Something's off about her.]

Ajax felt the weight of Lucius's warning but didn't press. She must have her reasons. Instead, he smiled.

"I don't care about that," Ajax said. "I just want to be your friend."

She hesitated, "I guess I owe you." She sighed, "Okay, friends." And they shook hands. 

They walked through the streets, talking and laughing. Ajax hadn't felt this free in a long time.

As the sun set, they decided to head home.

"There they are," a voice shouted from behind. 

The nobles from before. They brought someone else this time.

One of the boys pointed at Ajax, his lip curled in anger. "He's the one who punched me."

The newcomer stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. "How about you fight someone your size?" He cracked his knuckle.

"What a pain!" Ajax let out a long sigh. "Don't you think you are a little too old for this, Mr. Fighter?"

"Are you afraid?" He aggressively walked closer.

He threw a punch, but Ajax swerved; he threw another one, and Ajax dodged. "You brat!" He yelled. He conjured fire magic and sprinted towards Ajax. Ajax swerved and tripped him with his leg.

He hit the floor with his face facing the ground. 

Ajax held Emy's hand and asked and walked away with her.

Ajax didn't want the nobles to attack Emy again. He offered to take her home, but she declined.

Days turned into weeks. Ajax and Emy met regularly, growing their friendship in secret.

He never asked about her past, though Lucius remained wary.

Ajax didn't care. He valued her company more than her secrets.

The nobles never attacked them again, but the glances they gave them whenever they saw them were wary.

They spent their time playing, sneaking food from their homes for each other, and causing harmless mischief in the neighborhood before running when spotted.

It was a little later in the day when Ajax had an idea.

"Let's go on an adventure," he said eagerly.

Emy raised her eyebrow. "An adventure?"

Ajax grinned, "I bought this from a street vendor. It's a map that leads to a magical amulet hidden in Whisper Forest."

Her expression faltered. "Whisper Forest?"

It was a mystical woodland—known for its glowing mushrooms, shimmering streams, and trees that whispered people's deepest fears.

Emy hesitated, but Ajax's enthusiasm was contagious.

"We'll be fine," Ajax promised. "Come on, where's your sense of adventure?"

Eventually, she sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. "Alright. But if we get eaten by a monster, I'm haunting you."

Ajax grinned. "Deal."

The forest was beautiful yet eerie, the faint glow of whispering trees casting creepy shadows. Ajax kept trying to startle Emy, laughing each time she jumped.

Then, the whispers began.

They started softly—carrying distant voices. But soon, the words sharpened.

"You will never be free."

Ajax flinched. The voice sounded like… his own.

"No one will accept you."

Emy froze. Her hands trembled.

The whispers wrapped around them, feeding on their doubts.

Realizing the fun had turned into something else, Ajax stopped teasing and grabbed Emy's hand.

"We're almost there," he said, forcing a confident grin. "Come on."

She hesitated, then nodded.

Pushing forward, they finally reached a small, hidden chest nestled between the roots of a tree. Ajax forced it open—inside lay two silver amulets.

The moment they slipped them on, the world around them changed.

Every animal in the forest began to speak.

But instead of gentle words, the voices hissed—low, venomous.

"Kill them!"

"Kill them!"

Emy gasped. Ajax's heart pounded. The voices weren't whispers just anymore—they were deadly.

"Run!" Ajax ordered.

Emy turned to flee but tripped.

Ajax turned "Huh? Why must you choose the time to be clumsy?"

He caught her, hoisting her onto his back before sprinting toward the exit. The whispers grew deafening, surrounding them, clawing at their minds.

And then—silence.

The moment they crossed the forest's edge, the voices vanished.

Ajax collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. Then, unexpectedly, he laughed.

"That was terrifying!"

For a moment, Emy just stared at him. Then, to his surprise, she laughed too.

The sun started to dip below the horizon, and despite the fear, it was an unforgettable adventure.

Now wiser, they removed the amulets and returned them to the vendor.