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Arc 1 - Blind Faith
Blind Faith - Outside of Lagos.
Written by Ellien S. Vorein
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Warm light spilled across the wooden floor.It trembled softly with the breeze slipping through the open window, making the dust dance like tiny golden stars.The smell of chopped vegetables drifted through the air — soft, homely, calming.
"Mom…"A small voice echoed through the room.
The woman looked up from the kitchen counter, knife still in hand, her smile brighter than the morning sun.
"Yes, Kairo?"
The boy walked closer, eyes wide with curiosity, excitement bubbling beneath his words, barely contained in the small frame of an eight-year-old.
"What's the outside world like?"
She paused, then laughed softly — a warm, gentle sound that softened the entire room.Kneeling down, she placed her hand on his head and ruffled his hair.
"The outside world, hmm…?"She tapped her chin dramatically."It's beautiful, Kairo. Creatures you've never seen before. Towns so big they feel endless. Colours and sounds and places more dazzling than anything in Lagos."Her smile deepened."It's amazing."
Kairo's eyes lit up — the kind of pure fire only a child untouched by disappointment can have.
A deeper voice entered the room.
"The outside world, you asked…?"
A man stepped in from the doorway, pinching the woman's cheek before whispering, almost too softly to hear:
"…Laura."
He said her name gently — like it meant something sacred.He sighed, then turned toward Kairo, his expression shifting — warm, then serious, then warm again.
"Yes, Kairo. The outside world is beautiful. Full of wonders you won't find here."He knelt down, placing a hand gently on his son's shoulder."But it's dangerous too. Monsters. Thieves. People who'd hurt you without a second thought."
His smile returned, soft but tired in a way Kairo was too young to understand.
"Besides… you're too young to be running around out there."
He leaned forward and kissed Kairo's forehead.
The boy pouted."That's not true. I am old enough!"He puffed out his chest."I'm eight!"
His mother laughed softly."That's right, Kairo — you're still just a child."
The house around them felt alive — warm, loud, full of the kind of love that clings to memory long after time tries to bury it.The knife on the counter glinted.A pot simmered quietly.The window rattled.Everything was alive.
Kairo's older voice — the Kairo standing in Velronia now — whispered through the memory:
Mom…Dad…So this is the world you said I was too young to see.
He breathed in the morning air of Velronia — the markets, the voices, the colours, the chaos.
I'm finally here.
Dong.
The market was alive.Women hurried between stalls.Children darted through crowds.Men shouted prices over the noise.Cats sprinted past with stolen fish dangling from their mouths.Fruits tumbled from baskets.Water splashed across the stone floors as merchants scrubbed with wide wooden brushes.
Elyra spun slowly in place, eyes wide.
"Woah… are cities always this big?And this… chaotic?"
Her gaze flicked from one thing to the next:catapplewaterbucketgirlchildrenmenbell—
DONG.
The sound rippled through the street, vibrating in her chest.She nudged Faran's arm softly.
"…What was that?"
Faran stretched his arms over his head, joints cracking one by one.He let out a long, bored yawn before glancing back at the two of them.
"Why don't you kids explore?" he said, rubbing the side of his neck."I've got something I forgot to do while I'm still here."
Kairo froze.Not his body —his eyes.
They locked onto Faran's mouth, waiting for the words to rearrange themselves into something else.Something that didn't mean what he just heard.
Faran blinked."…What?"
Kairo didn't answer.He just stared.
…
Faran stretched, arms lifting lazily over his head, cloak shifting with the breeze.He let out a long, tired yawn — not suspicious, not dramatic, just the kind that belonged to a man who'd been walking since sunrise.
"Alright," he said casually, brushing dust from his sleeve,"why don't you two kids explore the city a bit. I've got something to take care of."
Kairo blinked."W–wait, you're leaving us?!"
Elyra slipped her hand into her sleeve — nervous habit, soft and unconscious — but her face stayed calm.
Faran shrugged, entirely unbothered."You'll be fine. Velronia's pretty safe in the daytime."
He turned and walked down a side street, raising a lazy hand in farewell.
"Don't get lost."
That was it.Just Faran being Faran.
Kairo and Elyra watched him for a moment…and then, just as quickly, the city swallowed their attention again.The colours, the noise, the movement — it all pulled them forward.
They didn't look twice.They didn't question where he went.They didn't notice the people he passed, or the way the crowd shifted behind him.
They simply moved on.
DONG.
The city bell rang.
Something warm drifted through the air.
Elyra paused, lifting her head slightly.Her eyes softened, a tiny smile forming.
"…That smells good…"
Kairo turned, nose scrunching as he tried to track the scent.
Smoke.Spices.Something grilled.Something unfamiliar.
Kairo frowned."What… is that?"
Elyra tugged gently at his sleeve.
"Let's look around," she said softly — but there was excitement behind it, just barely noticeable.
Two children sprinted past them, laughing so loudly they drowned out part of the crowd.Their small feet smacked the stone, weaving between baskets and stalls.
"Oi! You two—watch it!"An elderly man waved his cane threateningly, then sighed when the children dodged around him with zero fear.
Elyra giggled into her sleeve.Kairo snorted quietly, shaking his head.
Velronia was loud.Alive.Chaotic.
And for once…he didn't mind it.
"Meow."
Elyra's head snapped up.Her blue eyes widened — then she ran, full speed toward the source of the smell, sleeves fluttering behind her like soft white wings.
Kairo blinked, about to call after her, when—
A small silver shape padded up beside him.
A cat.Silver-furred.Green eyes.Moving with the cautious arrogance only cats seemed to naturally possess.
It stopped right at Kairo's feet.Tilted its head.Stared.
Kairo's heart wobbled.
…It's so god damn cute.
He crouched slowly, hand outstretched, trying to be gentle, calm, friendly—You can do this, Kairo, he encouraged himself.Just pet it. Be normal.
"Oh— hey… little guy," he whispered, crouching down slowly.He tried to make his voice as soft as possible."My hair's like your fur, see? I'm friendly… I'm gentle…"
He reached his hand out carefully —quiet, slow, patient.
The cat sniffed his fingers.A single hopeful moment.
His fingers reached just an inch closer—
"HSSSS!"
The cat shot away like a launched arrow, tail puffed, vanishing between two baskets without a trace.
Kairo froze mid-pose.A single moment of silence.
Then he sighed, shoulders dropping in total defeat.Then he let out a small sigh —quiet, almost amused, almost defeated, but not sad.Just… accepting.
"…Guess cats don't like me after all."
He scratched the back of his head, glancing in the direction the cat vanished.
It wasn't bitter.It wasn't dramatic.It was the voice of someone who'd hoped — just a little — and wasn't surprised when it didn't work out.
A gentle, familiar disappointment.He stepped forward to follow Elyra."…One day," he muttered under his breath, almost joking with himself,"I'll pet one."
And he jogged after her.
"Kairo… is that what I think it is…?"
Elyra's voice trembled — not with fear, but with a strange mix of awe and curiosity.She stood frozen, face-to-face with a vendor stall.A man behind the counter grinned warmly at her, arms folded, eyes amused.
Kairo hurried up behind her, slightly out of breath from how far she'd sprinted."H–hey— slow down, what did you—"
He stopped.Elyra wasn't reacting to the vendor.She was staring down.
Kairo followed her gaze.
On the counter:A plate.Then another.And another.
Three stacks of grilled food — golden-brown, crispy, seasoned, steaming slightly from the morning heat.
Kairo squinted."What is tha—"
He froze.His soul left his body.
"…Elyra."His voice cracked."Wait. No way. No way—"
On the plate:Cooked Weavers.Legs roasted.Shells crisped.Tiny spices sprinkled over them like the vendor cared too much.
Elyra leaned in closer, eyes sparkling like she just found treasure.
"Kairo…"She pointed carefully."Are these… Weavers?"
The vendor laughed loudly."Sharp eye, young lady! Fresh-caught this morning. Velronia's famous delicacy!"
Kairo grabbed the top of his head."Why would you call that a delicacy?! That's a bug! That's— Elyra, don't—"
But she was already fascinated.
"That smells nice…" she whispered.
Kairo stared at her in horror."…Elyra… no.No, no, no, no— don't tell me you actually—"
She turned to the vendor politely.Kairo died a little inside.
Elyra leaned forward, eyes shimmering with innocent excitement."…May I try one?"
The vendor blinked at her — then his entire face lit up.Her voice, her expression, the way she held her sleeves…it hit him like a warm breeze.
"Well now," he chuckled, placing his hands on his hips,"you've got quite the charm, young little miss."
He picked up one of the roasted Weavers with a pair of wooden tongs."It's on the house," he said warmly, offering it to her."No charge. Consider it a welcome to Velronia."
Elyra blinked — surprised, shy, unsure."O–oh… thank you…"
She took the skewer with both hands like it was a sacred gift.
Kairo stepped forward, eyes wide."Wait—what—on the— you're just giving her bugs? For free?!"
The vendor laughed again."Well, she asked nicely. And she's got a gentle aura, that one."
Elyra looked at the Weaver with genuine wonder.Kairo looked at it like it was a war crime.
Elyra lifted it slightly."…It smells really good."
Kairo grabbed his head."Oh my god she's actually gonna eat it—"
The world held its breath.Silence.Even the market seemed to pause —the wind, the chatter, the footsteps…
DONG.
The city bell struck.
And in that perfect stillness—nom.
Elyra bit into the roasted Weaver.Slow.Delicate.Almost graceful.
Kairo cringed so hard his shoulders hit his ears.The sound of the crunch cut straight through the silence like a knife.
The world started again —noise flooding back in, people shouting, merchants calling, cats meowing.
But Elyra didn't hear any of it.
Her eyes slowly widened.Her pupils dilated.She swallowed once.
Then whispered—soft, stunned, almost betrayed by her own taste buds:"…It…"
Kairo leaned in, horrified."Elyra—?"
Her voice trembled:"…It tastes… so good."
A bright, innocent smile spread across her face — the kind that made it look like she'd just discovered a new religion.
The vendor grinned proudly.
Kairo stared at her."…Huh…?"He blinked, completely lost."…What…?"
Elyra beamed at him, holding the half-eaten Weaver like it was treasure."Kairo — it's really good! Try it!"
Kairo stepped back instantly."I'm fine— I'm— I don't need to—"
Elyra tilted her head… then gently pushed the skewer toward his mouth."Try."
"E–Elyra, wai—"
She didn't wait.She just softly pressed it against his lips.
Kairo froze.His entire world went colourless.His eyes widened.His soul left his body.His hands flew up like he'd been stabbed.
"Elyra—!!"
He flinched so hard his whole body tensed, and in that single involuntary twitch—"nom."
He bit it.Just one frame.One accidental bite.
He stopped breathing.
A beat.His expression cracked."…What…"
Another beat.His pupils shrank."…Why the hell does this taste—"
He swallowed.Slowly.Almost emotionally."…so good…?"
He stared down at the skewer like it was some ancient forbidden delicacy.
"It's legit a Weaver," he whispered, voice trembling,"a Weaver, Elyra— it's a bug—why does it taste like heaven—?"
Elyra giggled softly into her sleeve.
The vendor burst out laughing."First time, huh?" he chuckled."Told ya. Velronia knows how to cook."
Kairo stood there, staring at the skewer, questioning his entire worldview."…I… I think I love this place," he whispered.
DONG.
The bell's echo hadn't even faded when a voice cut through the market:"LISTEN UP, EVERYONE!"
Kairo and Elyra both turned at the same time.
A man stood atop a makeshift platform — three wooden barrels stacked unevenly beneath his boots.Middle-aged.Rough clothes.Sun-creased face.A tone that demanded attention even without authority.
People slowed.Conversations paused.Vendors leaned out of their stalls.
The crowd gathered — not out of respect, but out of curiosity, annoyance, habit.
Kairo wiped his mouth from the Weaver crumbs, blinking."…Who's that?" he muttered.
Elyra lowered her half-eaten skewer, tilting her head."He's… loud."
The man raised both hands, calling out over the murmuring crowd:
"LISTEN UP!This won't take long — but it needs to be heard!"
More people drifted in:Parents with children.Merchants stepping aside with arms crossed.Teenagers still chewing their food.
A few people gasped.Someone whispered, "Here he goes again…"Another scoffed, "Blasphemer."A fruit merchant muttered, "Oh, this jackass again."
The atmosphere shifted —from lively chaosto a strange, anticipatory stillness.
Kairo felt Elyra inch closer beside him.
The man cleared his throat, chest rising with breath.
"THIS CITY," he shouted,"KEEPS SPREADING LIES ABOUT ABYNTS!"
A ripple of confusion ran through the crowd.
Kairo stopped breathing.
Elyra blinked, fingers curling into her sleeve.
The man continued, louder now —voice cracking with conviction,with anger,with something almost desperate:
"These stories about Abynts… all of them… they're LIES!"
He pointed sharply toward the rooftops, the sky, the crowd — anywhere his fury could land.
"Lies spread by the Kirolious Kingdom during the war! Don't you people see it?! Don't you understand how deep those lies run?!"
Murmurs rippled again — confused, irritated, anxious.
The man's eyes burned.Truly burned — like a fire had been lit behind them years ago and he'd never been able to put it out.
"THEY fed you fear!THEY fed you myths!And you all swallowed it whole — because it was easier to fear a monster than question the crown!"
His voice thundered across the market.
Elyra looked up at Kairo……and saw him go still.
Completely still.Like the world had dropped out from under him.
DONG.
Elyra slowly raised her hand —hesitant, shy, almost like she wasn't sure she was allowed to speak.
"Um… excuse me…"Her voice was small."What's an Abynt?"
Kairo stared at his black shoes, looking at the floor, his eyes faded with colour.
"You don't know, young lady?Then let me tell you.FOR all of you to understand."
People got closer.Some sighed and muttered, "Oh here we go again," as if they'd heard this 500 times by now.
"Abynt's are monsters that are parasytes. They are not people. The view of abynt's in the world — the definition, the meaning — is all a lie. All propaganda made up by the Kingdom to make us go against each other. They really are horrible natural curses and monsters. Those who commit absolute destruction."
Elyra stared at Kairo as she slowly held onto his black sleeve tightly.
Kairo slowly stared at the man.
"I'm one."
Everything went quiet.No bells chimed.No splashes of water.No children running anywhere.The wind stopped.Couples stopped kissing and holding hands.Everything paused.
As they all slowly looked at him.
The man spoke.
"Kid… what's wrong with you? Why would you even say that?"
A woman spoke from the background, "What, for attention?"
Another man laughed with disgust."Brat, abynt's aren't kids with silver hair who think they are tough shit."
Kairo was in disbelief.
All he said was:"…huh."
As his vision got blurry.
Elyra held him tight and said,"Kairo…"
Kairo swayed.His breath hitched once.The colours of Velronia — the stalls, the crowds, the sky — all bled together into a washed-out blur.
His knees weakened."Kairo—?"Elyra's voice barely reached him.
The ground felt uneven.His vision flickered.The muffled noise of the market twisted into a distant hum.
His fingers loosened from his sides.
Then—
He collapsed.Not dramatically.Not loudly.Just… silently.
Kairo fainted, his body folding forward as Elyra caught him with both arms, her small frame trembling under his weight.
"Kairo!" she whispered, panicked but quiet, holding him tightly as the crowd stepped back in confused silence.
DONG.