Lullaby of New Beginnings***
The morning bell of the orphanage chimed like a music box winding open.
Soft, twinkling notes drifted through the long wooden halls, vibrating through the floorboards, slipping under doors, and touching every child with its warmth. It was unlike anything Bungo had ever heard—a melody that felt alive, as if the building itself were singing.
Bungo blinked awake in a small cot, his blanket bunching at his feet. For a moment, he forgot where he was. The foggy memory of collapsing steel haunted his mind like a half-remembered nightmare.
But then he smelled it—
Fresh bread.
Warm milk.
And the faint sound of a harp being tuned downstairs.
This… was not Greyline City.
He turned, seeing Kairo curled up on the cot beside his—sleeping peacefully, breathing steadily. Even in his smaller, childlike body, Kairo still clutched a pair of makeshift drumsticks fashioned from broken twigs he must've found in the night.
Some habits refused to die.
Bungo smiled softly.
"We really got another chance, huh?"
Kairo stirred, rubbing his eyes. "Morning already?" His voice was small but carried a familiar spark.
The door creaked open, revealing a tall woman with silver hair tied into a loose braid. Her eyes were gentle, deep brown pools radiating a maternal calm.
"Good morning, you two," she said warmly. "Breakfast is ready. The others are waiting."
Bungo sat up. "Miss… um…"
She laughed quietly. "You may call me **Mother Lyra**. I run this orphanage—**Crescent Haven**."
Kairo tilted his head. "Like the musical note?"
"Exactly." She winked. "In Ardenia, music is part of everything… even names."
She led them through the corridor. Sunlight streamed through arched windows, illuminating walls lined with paintings—battles fought with instruments, heroes wielding glowing melodies, dancers creating storms with their feet. Every painting hummed faintly when they walked by.
The air itself felt touched by sound.
As they reached the dining hall, Bungo froze.
Dozens of children—different ages, skin tones, and features—sat around long tables, each with an instrument nearby: lutes, tiny drums, crystal flutes glowing faintly, even floating shells that rang with soft notes.
Conversations filled the air:
"When I grow up, I wanna join the Melodist Guard!"
"No way! I'm totally going to be a Harmonic Knight!"
"I bet I can levitate my flute today!"
Bungo felt his chest tighten. Kids here didn't live day to day. They dreamed freely.
Mother Lyra clapped her hands. "Everyone, welcome our two new family members—Bungo and Kairo."
The hall erupted in cheers.
Bungo stiffened, unused to being celebrated. Kairo hid behind him shyly, gripping his twig-sticks.
A boy with messy blond hair and a lute slung on his back stood from the table. "Hey! I'm Rell! Stick close, I'll show you the ropes!"
A girl with puffy curls and a glittering triangle raised her hand excitedly. "I'm Lumi! We play music battles after breakfast. You should join!"
A tiny toddler swung around a rattling tambourine, giggling.
Bungo and Kairo exchanged looks.
No gangs.
No hunger.
No running from police.
Just… music and warmth.
---
They ate until their stomachs hurt—steaming bread, crystal-honey butter, berry milk that sparkled faintly.
Kairo tapped on his bowl softly, creating a gentle rhythm.
Some kids turned toward him, hearing the beat.
A few clapped along.
One girl even harmonized with a humming spell.
Bungo watched Kairo's eyes widen. "They… understand rhythm," he whispered.
"Of course they do," Rell said proudly. "Everyone here practices **Aural Arts**."
"Aural… Arts?" Bungo repeated.
Lumi grinned. "It's how Ardenians use music as magic! Dance, hum, play—if it has sound, it has power."
She snapped her fingers.
A tiny spark of glittering light burst above her palm—shaped like a star.
Bungo's heart skipped.
Dance… as magic?
His entire life… could actually mean something here.
---
Later, they were led outside to a training yard paved with white stone. Children practiced everywhere—some dancing to create gusts of wind, others strumming chords that made plants bloom, one boy even whistling a note that lifted him a few inches off the ground.
Kairo stared in awe. "Bungo… this is insane."
Bungo stepped forward, feeling the ground beneath him.
Here, the stone hummed faintly—as if waiting for a step, a rhythm, a conversation.
He lifted his foot.
His heartbeat aligned with an invisible pulse.
**Tap.**
A small ripple of shimmering light escaped from beneath his foot, spreading outward like a wave.
Kids gasped.
Mother Lyra's eyes widened with quiet surprise.
"Remarkable," she murmured. "You have natural resonance."
Bungo blinked. "Is that… good?"
"It's extremely rare for someone untrained. Your body responds to rhythm on instinct." She stepped forward, kneeling to his height. "Bungo… you may possess a Gift."
Kairo smirked. "Told you he was crazy good."
Mother Lyra touched Bungo's chest gently. "This world heard your heartbeat before it heard your voice. Ardenia brought you here for a reason."
The wind shifted.
Somewhere across the yard, a massive bell chimed—deep, powerful, ancient.
Every child turned toward the distant mountains.
Rell whispered, eyes full of awe, "It's the **Conservatory of Arcs**…"
Bungo swallowed hard.
A path was forming for him—one he didn't expect.
One he never asked for.
But for the first time in his life…
It felt like the world wanted him.
---
That night, after training and laughter and warm lantern-lit corridors, Bungo sat by the dorm window while Kairo slept soundly.
The moon outside was larger than any moon he'd ever seen—soft violet, glowing like a quiet drum.
Bungo pressed his hand against the glass.
"New world… new life…"
His reflection smiled faintly.
"But as long as Kairo's here… nothing feels impossible."
A soft breeze sang.
The orphanage creaked like an old guitar strummed by invisible hands.
And somewhere far beyond the mountains, a future waited.
Bright.
Terrifying.
Musical