Chapter 6: The Whole Armada Empire is in Flames! {Johan/Abellion's Flashback} (6)
The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, painting the filthy windows of the orphanage with streaks of fading crimson and violet—colors that reminded Johan, now inhabiting the young frame of Abellion, of spilled wine and old blood. He was seated on his cot, surrounded by the shadows of a dozen other sleeping children, their soft, scared breathing the only sound accompanying his meticulous, calculating thoughts.
It is already evening. Abellion look on the materials he needed to bring for his escape. The bag, a patchwork of rough canvas salvaged from a discarded laundry sack, was already packed. It contained his entire worldly wealth: the heavy pouch of gold coins, the dull, six-inch utility knife—sharpened over hours on a concrete corner until it held a passable, lethal edge—and two changes of clothes, carefully folded to minimize bulk. He also had a small, tattered map of the local region, stolen from the Head Caretaker's desk, outlining the major roads and the nearest large market town.
'Sigh, I guess this is already enough. I just hope I will be ready to escape tonight.' The mafia boss in him scoffed at the pitiful nature of the kit. In his past life, an escape involved forged passports, safe houses, and a team of armed bodyguards. Here, his life depended on a dull knife and the negligence of a handful of overworked, underpaid staff. It was a humiliating downgrade, yet the challenge was intoxicating. He was stripped of all resources save his intelligence and ruthlessness. That, he knew, was truly enough.
The problem wasn't external; it was internal. His body was a constant, frustrating liability. It was a child's body, riddled with the physical trauma of malnourishment and neglect, lacking both stamina and strength. Every movement had to be planned and executed with economy, as there was no reserve to draw upon. He was operating a precision instrument with faulty parts.
Abellion suddenly hear a knock and then hurrily hide the things he needed to bring for his escape. The sound was soft, tentative, not the authoritative thump of a caretaker. He shoved the canvas bag under the straw mattress just as a small, timid voice spoke through the door.
"Hey Abel, the caretaker said we need to go to the dining hall, it's time to eat," said Finn, one of the smaller, easily bullied children. Finn looked up to Abellion with a mixture of fear and respect—fear for the silent, unsettling intensity the older boy now possessed, and respect for the fact that he was the one who had finally made the Big Kid vanish.
Abellion replied "In a minute, I still have to arrange something here." His voice was toneless, carefully modulated to sound simply dismissive, not suspicious.
The kid then just sighed and said "All right, just don't blame me that all the foods are gone. You know kids like us always don't always share, and worse, the food this time are not many. The caretaker said they don't have enough supplies right now." Finn's worry was genuine; food was the most precious commodity in this miserable place.
The boy shuffled away, but not before delivering a crucial piece of information: the supply shortage. That meant the caretakers would be even more focused on their meager dinners and less likely to patrol. The perfect cover.
The moment the coast was clear, Abellion was ready to proceed, but the body betrayed him again.
GROWL!
The sound was shockingly loud in the silence, an embarrassing, visceral demand. His stomach growling was incessant and maddening. 'Fuck why is this body always hungry? I already eat 5 bread in the afternoon, this fucking body is useless asf.' He had consumed more calories in the last 24 hours than the original Abellion had in a week, yet the starved system was demanding constant fuel to try and recover. The hunger was a ticking clock.
Abellion then heed no mind to it and just go to sleep. He lay back down, focusing on breath control and mental visualization—a trick he used to compress hours of rest into minutes of deep alpha-wave relaxation. The aim wasn't true sleep, but absolute, necessary stillness until the dead hour.
The dead of night arrived, silent and freezing. Abellion woke precisely on time, his internal clock having never failed him, even in this new form.
After many hours it's already midnight, Abellion wake up and then bring the bag and unlock the door. The metal key, a symbol of his brutal initiation into this world, turned smoothly. CLICK!
Abellion look on the surroundings and it seems the caretakers are also asleep. The low, guttural sounds coming from the office confirmed that the staff was either in a drunken stupor or simply exhausted beyond caring.
Abellion sighed in relief 'Finally I could escape in this hell.' He was gliding now, not walking. Every step was measured, placed on the edge of the floorboards to avoid the centers that usually creaked. He was a phantom, moving through the structure he had studied meticulously, recalling the floorplan from the novel's vague descriptions and supplementing it with his own keen observations.
He reached the staff break room and quietly slipped past, smelling stale tobacco and cheap liquor—further confirmation of the staff's dereliction of duty.
Abellion then walk towards on another exit where it was rarely use on. This was the old coal-chute door, hidden behind stacks of firewood, known only to those desperate enough to look for a non-official route.
He unlocked the thick, iron latch with the key, eased the door open just enough to slip through, and then executed the most critical step of his escape.
CLICK
Abellion unlock the door and then lock it back, then he run towards to the fence and found the section where the rotting wood met the old perimeter. He didn't waste energy on a high jump. He found a sturdy crate, hauled his small body onto it, and vaulted over the rusted wire.
JUMP!
He landed lightly on the cold, damp earth outside. He didn't pause for triumph, only for assessment. Abellion jump through the fence and look back on the orphanage, he thought the escape would be hard but it seems it was all in all easy.
'Fucking caretakers, no wonder in the novel Abellion parents called them incompetent including the hag I killed.' The facility's sloppiness was his salvation. He felt a wave of professional scorn mixed with personal gratitude.
The hag Abellion killed is a extra villain, which is one of the people who abuse the original Abellion in the novel that his father decapitated her using his legendary sword. He remembered the passage. Abrellios, the Hero, would later find the records and avenge his son violently. He had merely preempted the Hero's action, a grotesque act of self-rescue that saved his father the trouble.
'That bitch hag deserves it anyways including that fat brat.' His conviction was absolute. He had cleared the board of immediate threats and secured his freedom. He was now a runaway child in a world governed by magic and destiny, but he was free of the script.
Then Abellion hurrily run away towards the path into the town. He didn't use the main road; he followed the tree line, utilizing the cover of darkness and foliage, moving like a shadow until the dim, distant lights of the town of Barring were visible on the horizon. He ran until his lungs were screaming, forcing the starved body to perform beyond its capacity, pushing until the moment he risked collapse.
---
The run took nearly three hours of brutal, non-stop exertion. When he finally reached the outskirts of Barring, Abellion was drenched in sweat and shaking with exhaustion. He stumbled through the sleeping streets, hiding his face in the shadows. He looked like an ordinary, dirty, runaway child, which was exactly the persona he needed.
After many hours it's already 5:00 am in the morning, Abellion look on the watchtower and said. The massive, soot-stained stone structure stood guard over the town, a landmark of civilization and commerce.
'I need to fucking sleep. Glady I have enough money to buy room in the local inn here.'
He reached into the pouch, its contents clinking heavily—a wonderful, reassuring sound. Abellion on the pouch that is full of coins and smiled in contempt. The Head Caretaker's emergency funds, meant to bribe officials or cover up minor incidents, were now his escape fund.
'I'm fucking smart.' His first act in this new world was a double murder and a high-value theft. Johan Dietrich's legacy lived on.
The scene shifted where Abellion arrived on the local inn. It was called the Barring Inn, a three-story structure reeking of yeast and cheap beer. The main common room was still lit by dim lanterns, catering to a few early-rising merchants.
"Hello, welcome to the Barring Inn," a massive man with a bushy, flour-dusted mustache greeted him from behind a stout wooden counter. He was the innkeeper, named Garret, and he looked immediately suspicious of the small figure.
"Is there any rooms available?" Abellion ask to the innkeeper. He kept his hood low, but his voice, though high, carried an authoritative resonance that cut through the morning silence.
"Of course, there are many rooms available, which room do you want to stay?" Garret replied, instantly changing his tone from dismissive to wary respect. That commanding tone didn't belong to a street urchin.
"Room with only 1 bed, how much," Abellion insisted on efficiency.
"10 gold," the innkeeper replied. This was the standard exorbitant price for a secure, private room in a decent establishment.
Abellion then gave the 10 gold coins from his pouch and when the innkeeper finally done counting. Garret's eyes widened slightly as the heavy gold pieces stacked on the counter. The amount was a small fortune to most travelers. He took his time checking the coins, ensuring they were not counterfeit. When he was satisfied, he handed a brass key across the counter.
"Enjoy your stay, kid." Garret's demeanor was now deferential. He knew better than to question a child with that much gold and that cold a stare.
Abellion arrived on the door of the room that the innkeeper instruct to where is his room is. "Room number 34, it seems this is the right room."
CLICK! The sound of the lock engaging was the sound of freedom.
Abellion unlocked the door and saw the room. It's simple like in many fantasy mangas and manhwas, the room is just simple, 1 bed, there's a window and 1 table. The furniture was functional, the linens were clean, and there was a lock on the inside. It was paradise.
'Atleast there's a table here,' Abellion thought. He could use it to study the map and plan his next move. His ultimate goal wasn't just hiding, but becoming formidable. He needed to find a way to train this weak body, to regain the tactical dominance he once possessed.
Then locked the door and put his big bag to the table and Abellion thrown himself on the bed and said. His entire body screamed in relief as it hit the mattress. The exhaustion was total, overwhelming the crushing hunger for the first time.
"Finally, a time to rest. Since I'm in this town, Abellion's parents and Yulen wouldn't find me here." The logic was sound. They would search the roads and the immediate vicinity of the orphanage. They would not suspect him to have the resourcefulness or the funds to rent a clean inn room miles away.
"AUGGHHH," Abellion stretch his hand and continue. The weariness was a drug, pulling him down into the blissful void of sleep.
"Let's just go to sleep."
---
Meanwhile in the orphanage the whole office is in chaos. The sun was rising, casting an orange glow on the desperate scramble of the remaining staff. The Head Caretaker, a bloated man named Barbus, was in a full-blown mental breakdown.
"The fuck you mean the kid Abel is not here?!" Barbus shrieked, his voice cracking as he slammed his fist on the desk, scattering papers like confetti.
"We really don't know where he is, sir," whimpered a junior caretaker.
SLAP! Barbus backhanded the man across the face.
"You fucking incompetent bastards!" The Head Caretaker look on the caretakers being incompetents. His eyes were wild. He knew the Hero's family was due to arrive any minute.
"Do you know who is his parents is?!"
The caretakers shook their head and ask "Who?" Their ignorance was infuriating.
SLAP! Barbus struck another man. "His parents is the Hero of this Empire and the Saintess! Do you know what you have just done hah?!" He screamed until his throat was raw.
"WE ARE FUCKING SCREWED BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE FUCKING LAZY!"
The Head Caretaker throb his temples and demanded the location of the missing staff member, the hag. "Where is that old bat? Why she's not here?!"
A caretaker replied "We don't know. She is missing. Even yesterday we couldn't find her."
"What?!" The Head Caretaker shocked that old bitch was nowhere to be found. The simultaneous disappearance of the abused child, the main bully, and the abusive staff member was too much to process.
A shadow fell over the doorway, cutting off the natural light. The air pressure in the room seemed to drop instantaneously.
Then the Hero Abrellios arrived to the office ask angrily. "WHERE IS MY SON?!" He was clad in polished steel and divine silk, his legendary sword, Aethelred, sheathed at his hip, radiating barely contained power. Standing beside him were his wife, Lutiana, the Saintess, her face a mask of anxious hope, and the young, dark-haired boy, Yulen.
The Head Caretaker replied "It's seems he just go outside, my lord. I already send my men to search the whole area."
"Don't you dare lie to me," Abrellios saw the lie on the Head of this orphanage. Abrellios was the Hero of the Empire; he could sense deceit like a sour odor.
Suddenly, a shrill, hysterical scream ripped through the corridor.
"AAAAAGGGGHHH!!!"
The group froze. Then the Head and the Hero look to the direction where the scream come from. Abrellios's face hardened into granite.
"I swear If my son is dead I will kill of you!" Abrellios angrily saying that. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of Aethelred. He knew the controversy of this orphanage and if his son is dead he will burn this orphanage down with the caretakers and the head inside except the kids.
Then they hurrily go towards on the direction and then Abrellios saw his wife covering her mouth and including Yulen too. Lutiana gasped, tears instantly springing to her eyes at the scene.
Then Abrellios cover Yulen's eyes and look on the corpse, two bodies but it seems his son is not here. A monumental wave of relief washed over him, but it was quickly replaced by righteous fury.
The caretaker who had screamed pointed at the double decker bed. One caretaker said. "I found them under the bed on the double deck. It seems the killer is an expert on hiding bodies. If it weren't the blood scattering on the floor I could not found their bodies."
The Head then saw the old woman and the fat kid who is always the center of trouble because he always bully the kids here in the orphanage.
Then the Head ask the caretaker "Is that here?!"
The caretaker just nod and said "Yeah, it seems she and that kid died but not accidentally, because there's bruises on their neck, same of it." Choking.
The Head throbbing his temples again 'Just who the hell did this?' The thought that the quiet, weak Abellion could be responsible was impossible.
Then, little Finn stepped forward, trembling, but resolute. "I know who did it."
Everyone look back and then saw the kid. The kid continue "It's Abel, I saw his face bloodied and his hands full of bruises."
Abrellios was stunned. Abrellios ask "Abel? Is his description golden blond hair and purple eyes?"
Finn realized the terrible implication. He couldn't doom the only kid who hadn't snitched on him. He shook his head. "It seems I was wrong."
The Head throb his head "Wrong? Next time don't falsely accuse someone, and yeah that kid Abel has the golden blond hair and purple eyes, sir. Don't believe this kid, he is known to falsely blaming everyone." The Head glare on the kid and then the kid shook in fear.
"ENOUGH!" Abrellios look on the Head and who was still glaring and ask the kid again.
Abrellios knelt, his gaze gentle but firm. "Are you sure Abel didn't do this?"
Finn, knowing the Hero was his only chance for survival, dropped the lie about the killer and told the only truth that mattered. The kid just said "Those guys deserve it anyways. That fat kid name Brian always bully Abel and that old woman always abuse Abel using her baton. Even the caretakers didn't do anything to protect Abel, they just look at him. The same happens to us all kids too."
The Head hearing launching himself to the kid "You damn brat!"
But before he could continue someone stab him and it's non other than Abrellios using his legendary sword.Aethelred plunged through the Head Caretaker's heart, and the blade glowed with the power of judgment.
The Head slowly disappearing because of the Legendary sword and just said as a final struggle. "Noo—" He disintegrated, a victim of divine justice. The Head finally disappear.
The air was thick with the ozone of magic and the metallic scent of terror. Abrellios stood up, his fury cold and absolute.
Then Abrellios ordered his knights. "Kill all the caretakers and bring the kids to safety." The Hero did not forgive corruption that harmed children.
The Knights salute to the Hero "As Your Command!" The Knights begin slaughtering the caretakers, the whole orphanage is full of screams—the final death throes of the institution that had tortured his son.
Abrellios look on the kid and ask. "Can you tell me where Abel is?"
The kid shook his head and replied "I go to his room already but there's no inside there, sir. It seems he escape. I couldn't blame him, atleast he finally have the courage to escape this hell."
Abrellios's heart swelled with agonizing relief and pride. His son, abused and beaten, had fought back and fled. Abrellios look on the kid and then pat his head "You don't need to worry anymore. After this, I will build an orphanage where orphans like you will be treated with care and love."
The kid glinting his in happiness "Really?!"
Abrellios nod and order the remaining knights to bring this kid to safety.
Then Abrellios look on his wife and Yulen and said "You don't need to worry, alright? We will find Abellion." Abrellios touch his wife's face and then her wife Lutiana replied.
"Mhm, just promise, promise me you will find our son, alright." Lutiana clutching's Abrellios hand with impossible strength. Her Saintess's intuition told her Abellion was alive, but twisted. She needed him safe.
Abrellios nod.
"Can you look on the kids and Yulen for now, my dear?" Abrellios ask preparing to leave to find his lost son.
Lutiana nod.
Abrellios said "Thank you," and then call his horse and ride it.
"HEYAH!"
"NEIIGGGGHHH!"
Then slowly Abrellios disappeared to Lutiana's sight and look on Yulen, then she hug Yulen tightly in a desperate, clinging embrace. She buried her face in his hair, finding solace in the son she had raised while grieving the son she had lost.
"Thank you, hic hic, if it weren't for you we will not find our son's whereabouts." She meant Yulen's role in bringing them to the orphanage in time to prevent even greater tragedy.
Yulen then hug Lutiana back and replied "This is could least I can do to thank you for adopting me." But his mind raced. He had set the plot in motion, and now the fragile brother he was meant to protect was a fugitive killer.
Yulen then look on the skies and said to his thoughts 'Just where are you, Abel? I just hope you are alright.' The Hero and the Protagonist were now hunting the missing villain, each motivated by love and duty, unaware of the killer's instinct that now resided in the boy they sought.
Meanwhile Abellion sleeping on the inn unaware what's happening to the orphanage. He was curled up tight in the soft, clean sheets of room 34, sinking into the first true rest he'd had since his reincarnation. His exhaustion was so profound, his mind so completely shut down, that the psychic ripples of the slaughter