Black Clover - The Three Brothers
It was a cloudy morning today in Hage, a small little village in the Forgotten Realm within the Clover Kingdom. Hage would be described as a poor village full of peasants with poor and mediocre magic. While that may be true, that didn't stop one man from being up and ready to go with a smile on his face, one man by the name of Orsi Orfai.
Orsi Orfai was the Father of the Church in Hage Village, his church also worked as an orphanage where he would care for orphans that had nowhere else to go or were abandoned at his doorstep.
He got dressed in his priest attire and began to get the church ready for visitors when he suddenly heard an outburst of whining and screaming from outside the church doors, shaking up his hearing a little, being close to 40 years of age.
"Oh dear, better go see what that's all about." He exits the church in a hurry.
Opening the church doors, he's met with two infants in separate baskets, bawling their eyes out as any normal baby does. Also, He also notices another child, about 4 years of age, leaning against the wall, sleeping peacefully, unfazed by the two infants' cries.
Looking over them, he notices the features of the children. One infant had Ash-Blonde hair with Green eyes from what he could see. The other infant had Black hair and Amber eyes, with a small necklace around his neck that held a blue magic stone in the middle. The oldest of the children had white hair. He was wrapped in a thick blanket and still appeared undisturbed by the loud whining of the infants.
"So, 3 more for me, huh?" Orfai takes a glance at the older child. "You must be a heavy sleeper. Lucky you, I guess." He says, having a small chuckle at the end.
He takes the two infants into his room within the church before quickly running back out to bring in the older one.
He carries the child to his room, then sets him on the bed, next to the other two. Using his flame magic, Orfai lights up a fireplace for light, then goes to calm the two infants down.
After a half-hour or so, Orfai finally got the two to calm down, though he did suffer a kick to the face, courtesy of Asta, at least that was the name on his shirt. The other boy was named Yuno. However, he was unable to find a name for the older child anywhere on his oversized white shirt or his blanket and figured he'll have to just ask the boy when he woke up.
"Well, you three have had a tough beginning, but your worries are over! Starting today, this will be your home!"
While he waits for the older one to awaken, he heads over to the small kitchen in the church and pours 2 cups of water, one for him, and one for the child. He soon returns to the room, setting the two cups on his bedside table and grabbing a book from a drawer as well. He takes a seat on the rocking chair near the fireplace and begins rereading one of his books as he waits for the child to awaken.
Blake begins to wake from his sleep. Slowly opening his eyes, he sees that he's in a mostly dark room, except for a lit fireplace towards the left of him. He sits up, rubbing his eyes, and a sense of anxiousness begins to creep upon him, wondering about the unknown place he's in.
"Oh, you're awake." Says an unfamiliar voice. It startled the boy, causing him to jump back in fear and move to the back of the bed, by the wall. It belonged to a dark-haired older man, with some streaks of white beginning to show, wearing church robes.
Startled by the child's reaction, the man holds his open hands up defensively. He looks at the boy, noticing his eyes were a very dark shade of red.
"It's ok, young one. I didn't mean to scare you, I'm sorry." The older man said in a soothing voice.
Orfai takes one of the cups of water on the table and walks over to the child with it.
"You were asleep for a while, water?" The man asks, offering the cup to the child, who takes it from the man carefully.
"Th-thank you, sir." He says before he begins sipping on the water.
The man nodded happily at the child's good manners. "So, what's your name, son? I checked on your blanket and shirt but I found nothing."
"B-Blake. My name is Blake."
"Blake?"
The boy nodded in response, then took another look at the room.
"W-Where are we? Who are you?"
"Well, my name is Orsi Orfai, but the people in this village just refer to me as Father Orfai." The man writes his name on a piece of paper and shows it to Blake, showing him how it's written.
"I run this church in Hage Village, where we're at right now. I also use it as an orphanage. I bring in orphans and raise them here with me so they can have a family and home until someone else takes them to raise or they become old enough to leave.." The man explained to Blake, who seemed to understand it easily enough.
"Are there other children besides me?" The child asked.
"Well, I've cared for a fair amount of orphans over my years of running the church. The last child I cared for, fortunately, got adopted a few months back, so it's just been me recently. That is, until just this morning when I come to see these two infants with you, out there by my fence." The man explains, gesturing to the two infants that were on the bed with Blake.
Blake honestly had paid zero attention to the two, not even noticing there were on the bed with him.
"Oh, seems like they're starting to wake up." Orfai comments, noticing Asta and Yuno's eyes start to slowly open from their nap, in much better moods than before.
Curious, Blake quickly finishes the rest of the water, handing the cup back to Priest Orfai, and moves across the bed, sitting in front of Asta and Yuno.
"What are their names?" Blake asked.
Orfai leans forward, pointing at one Infant. "Well, this little guy is Yuno." Then points at the other. "And this one is Asta."
"You'll take care of us from now on?" He asked.
"Well, that was the plan anyway. Do you have any family, Blake? Maybe I could try..." Orfai offers, but Blake shakes his head no.
"I don't remember my parents well, a blur," Blake responds, tears beginning to well up in his eyes. "I don't know why...can't remember anything." Seeing the child saddened, Orfai offers a loose embrace, patting him on the back lightly.
'He can't remember anything? That's quite odd...he seems healthy, with no injuries to the head it seems, quite strange.' The man wonders but sets it aside for later.
"There, there, child. I'm sure you weren't given up unless they felt no better option was available." Orfai reasons, hoping this helps ease the child's sorrow, which it does a small bit.
"And don't worry about not remembering anything, let's focus on the here and now and what we can make of that! From this day forward, you can consider me a father of sorts, and these two will be your little brothers." Priest Orfai exclaimed happily.
"Little brothers?" Blake said to himself, looking at Asta and Yuno, who seemed to have taken a quick liking to Blake, both outstretching their little hands toward him.
Instinctively, Blake holds one hand out toward Asta and one toward Yuno. The two babies became delighted, grabbing onto the hand Blake held out to them with their tiny hands and holding it to their chest, snuggling it. Asta even decided to suck on Blake's thumb like a binky.
"H-hey, stop that. It tickles." Blake spoke through the laughs, a smile spreading on his face.
"Aww, that's Adorable! Looks like they've taken a liking to you already."
Blake smiles happily at the two, a feeling of warmness beginning to spread throughout his body. he didn't expect the joy of these two babies to make him feel like this.
Orfai placed a hand on the young boy's shoulder. "As the oldest sibling, it'll be your job to help protect the younger siblings and to set a good example for them so they can look up to you." Orfai explains, "Are you okay with that?" Orfai asks Blake.
Blake took in the words spoken by the man, letting it sink in, thinking to himself. He may have only been 4 years old, but he very clearly understood something.
These three...they're my family now.
Family. I should protect.
...No
Family. NEED to protect!
Blake turns his head towards Father Orfai, then points at Asta.
"Protect Asta!"
Points at Yuno
"Protect Yuno!"
Points at Father Orfai
"Protect Dad!"
Priest Orfai was surprised by Blake's words, a bit by how quick the child was to call him dad, but also by the words themselves and by just how much weight he could feel within Blake's words, the simplicity of it not mattering. Hearing it brought a smile to the older man's face.
"I'm sure you'll make a great older brother!" Orfai said encouragingly, Blake nodded happily in agreement.
My promise! I will protect you all!
"Come on, Recca! You can do it, you're almost there!" Blake spoke, trying to encourage the infant girl, wobbling her way to trying to stand on her legs.
A couple of years have passed since Blake, Asta, and Yuno had been at the church and recently a fourth addition was added to their little found family. A redhead infant girl named Recca left at the church about a year ago and just as he did with Asta and Yuno, Blake helped take care of caring for his new little sister with Father Orfai.
Currently, Blake was playing with his little siblings in the field by the church while Father Orsai prepared dinner for them. Recca was close to taking her first steps and Blake was doing his best to motivate her.
"Go, Recca, go! Go, Recca, go!" Blake claps in sync with his cheers. Asta and Yuno began copying Blake's cheer as well.
Recca held a face of pure concentration as if this was the most important thing she could do in her 1 year of living. She just had it, but became off-balance and fell on her butt before she could properly begin to walk.
"Aww, so close!" Blake groans in defeat.
He could hear the sniffles from behind him, undoubtedly coming from Yuno.
He turns back to wipe the tears off Yuno's face. "Always crying, aren't you? Come on, Yuno, Recca isn't even upset. Look."
Recca begins to pout, hitting the grass with her fist out of frustration, then begins to whimper out of sadness, tears beginning to well up.
I walked right into that. Blake was by her side in an instant. "H-Hey, come on, Recca. Don't cry, it's okay, we just gotta keep trying is all." Blake tried his best at comforting his little sis, though it didn't seem to have much effect on the poor baby.
Before Blake could try to find a way to comfort her, Asta and Yuno had run over to them as well, going to each side of Becca. Becca looked up at her two younger brothers, trying to wipe her tears on her sleeves.
Asta held out a hand for her and Yuno followed after.
"You can do it!" Asta shouted, as usual.
"One more try." Yuno attempted to encourage his sis as well but was much meeker compared to Asta.
Recca looked at them in wonder, then towards Blake. Blake held his arms out with a smile on his face.
"I'll be your goal! I just know you can do it!"
A big smile appeared on Recca's face, the encouragement of her brothers lifting her spirits higher than before. She grabbed ahold of Asta and Yuno's hand, who then lifted her up, helping her balance as she stood.
"Let go when you're ready." Blake advised.
For a few moments, Recca steadied herself and whenever she may have begun to lose balance, Asta and Yuno were there to keep her up. Finally, she began to loosen her grip on the two boys' hands till she eventually wholly let go, balancing herself one final time. Recca stood upright.
A big smile came across the 3 boys' faces. "You did it!" They shouted almost in unison.
The infant girl didn't let herself waver in the face of all this encouragement, she kept herself steady, and suddenly...moved her foot forward.
Blake inhaled sharply. "Her first step."
Then she took another
"Her second step!" Asta shouted
Then another
"Her third step!" Yuno spoke
And another, and another, and another.
"She's walking! All on her own!" Blake shouted happily at the sight.
Continuing to walk, she put her hands in front of her, toward Blake.
"Big...Brother."
Blake's heart must have stopped for a split second. That was the first time she called me that.
"I'm right here, Recca. Just a little more, your biggest bro's right here!" He encouraged. Asta and Yuno ran to his side to cheer for Recca again as well.
Recca was beginning to lose her balance but she still walk and kept moving closer until she was just out of reach of Blake. She almost fell but instead, pushed herself forward and lept towards Blake.
"Woah!" Blake wasn't ready for the impact and ended up getting pushed to the ground, his little sis sitting on his chest, clapping happily.
"Did it! I did it!" She raises her hands in victory, looking at her brothers for congratulations, which she received in abundance.
"Awesome!" Asta spoke, high-fiving his little sis.
"Great job, Recca!" Yuno congratulated.
Blake stood up and lifted Recca, setting the girl on his shoulders.
"High! High!" Recca said, excited, flapping her arms like a bird.
"Three Cheers for Recca!" Blake spoke.
Recca raised her arms, like a Queen ordering her subjects.
"Cheer fo me!"
"Hip Hip!" Blake began
"Hooray!" Asta and Yuno shouted.
"Hip Hip!"
"Hooray!"
"Hip Hip!"
"Hooray!"
The 4 children turned at the sound of the familiar but unexpected voice, Father Orfai.
"Father!" Blake/Asta and Yuno spoke.
"So, what are we celebrating? I got caught up in the excitement." He asked.
"Look, Dad!" Blake took Recca off her shoulders, showing her standing on her own before she began to walk to Father Orfai.
"I...walk! I walk!" Recca showed off her new capability.
Father Orfai let out a loud gasp, before applauding. "You are! That's great, sweetie!" Orfai picked up Recca and held her in his arms. "We can celebrate with our Dinner. Pot Potatoes galore!"
"Pot Potatoes!" Asta shouted happily.
Father Orfai then puts his attention on Blake. "By the way, Blake, I've been meaning to ask. Your magic...has it...?"
Blake's smile faded at the question, looking at his hand. "No. I've been trying to...nothing ever happens. I can feel it faintly from you, and even from the little ones, but never me."
Orfai rocked baby Recca in his arms as he thought. That's weird. Usually, by this age, children begin to manifest their magic and are able to use it. But it seems like he hasn't been able to do it at all. Orfai was concerned, but he didn't want Blake to see that so instead, he simply pat the young boy's head with a warm smile.
"Hey, no need to worry, son. I'm sure you'll get your magic soon. Come on, let's get inside for dinner, you guys!" Orfai turned to make his way back to church.
Blake stood for a moment, unsure of whether his father truly meant it or not. Though he didn't have much time for contemplation once Asta and Yuno started pulling him along.
"Come on, Blake! Pot Potatoes!" Asta shouted happily.
Asta's enthusiasm was so contagious, Blake couldn't help but smile.
"Children, stop playing and come over for a moment!"
Blake and his little siblings stopped as they heard Father Orfai call for them, who held another infant in his arms. Nash was his name? He was left at the church only a couple of days ago. As Blake and the others began to make their way, he noticed there was another figure standing by his pops. A girl who was only a couple of inches taller than him. She looked a bit older than he but still quite young.
She wore clothing befitting a nun from head to toe, holding a traveler's bag in front of herself. As they finally reached the two, more of her features became clear; roundish face, clear pale skin, a beauty mark underneath one of her eyes, dark blue hair from what could be seen, and teal-covered eyes. Anyone could see she was quite cute.
Blake stood in front. Asta and Recca were beside him, while Yuno hid slightly behind him, holding on to the sleeve of his older brother.
Orfai introduced her, "This is Sister Lily Aquaria, she's been kind enough to offer help to our church and care for you all. Be kind to her."
Sister Lily offered a small bow to the children, "It's nice to meet you all." She spoke with a smile.
She...seems nice. Blake concluded, he tidied up his hair, pushing his long bangs away from his face, then held out his hand. "M-My name is Blake. It's nice to meet you!"
Sister Lily giggled at the action and shook the 10-year-old's hand. "Father's spoken so nicely about you, you're a great older brother. Quite tall for your age as well."
Blake blushed a light shade of pink from her compliment. He scratched his head and awkwardly chuckled, not knowing how to respond.
"Woooooow. Sister Lily." Asta walked in front of Blake, who could've sworn Asta's pupils turned into stars.
"Oh, you're Asta, right? What do you-
"PLEASE MARRY ME!" Asta suddenly leaped towards Sister Lily.
Just as quickly, a large fist made of water slammed Asta to the ground.
"Holy Fist of Love!" Sister Lily spoke, her open grimoire radiating a blue aura as she cast her spell.
She barely realized what she had done, her eyes widening after the fact. "I'm so sorry, Asta! I wasn't thinking!"
"Asta!" Blake, Yuno, and Recca ran to their drenched brother.
Blake pulled him into his arms. "Stay with me, buddy! ...Huh?" Blake was dumbstruck when he saw Asta with a big smile on his face, his eyes looking off somewhere.
"Well, he looks happy at least," Recca said with a small giggle.
"S-Sister Lily~" Asta spoke, he was off somewhere someplace in his mind.
Oh boy, this might be a problem.
The rest of the day was spent getting Sister Lily situated to life at the Church. All the children enjoyed having her around, though Asta liked her a little too much. He quite often pestered her for marriage, but Sister Lily shot him down at every instant. Thankfully, her "Fist of Love" wasn't needed too often; Blake quickly developed a sense of when it was about to occur and made sure to put a stop to Asta's antics.
"Give it a rest, Asta! What's this, the 50th time today?" Blake berated his little goofball of a brother, pulling him away from Lily who was finishing setting the clothes to dry.
"Aww come on, Blake! One more try, please?! I'm sure she'll say ye-OW!" Asta was flicked on the forehead.
"Save it for tomorrow, do you want another fist to the noggin?"
"Well if it's from Sister Lily...OW!"
Blake flicked him on the forehead again. "Stop it. Go get ready for dinner, alright? I'll be in in a minute." Blake ordered.
Asta pouted. "Fine!" He ran back into the Church as Blake heaved a sigh. Here comes the part where he hates me.
He felt a soft hand pat his head, Sister Lily's. "My little hero." She had a small smile on her face. "I don't mind Asta's antics really, though he can be a bit overbearing."
"W-Well, I'm his big bro, I gotta make sure he can act a little properly at least." Blake turns towards Lily, speaking a bit softer now. "Sister Lily, do you ever want to be m-married?" Blake couldn't look her in the eyes even if he tried.
She hummed lightly at his question. "I'm a woman of the cloth, we've taken a vow that we can never have relationships like that in our lives. Our devotion is placed solely within the church and our lord."
Blake nodded along, following her explanation. "Ohh, I get it. But, what if you meet someone you really really really like?"
Sister Lily's smile softens, laying her chin on her hand. "If I really really really wanted to be with them, I would have to leave my life as a sister behind. I wouldn't be able to have both. I'm quite happy with my life as it is now, so they would have to be a really really really special person for that to happen." She continued.
Blake looked down, "A special person..." He whispered, and nodded once again, before looking back at Sister Lily. "Sister Lily, I have a favor to ask."
Sister Lily internally sighed, hoping for the best. "Of course, what is it, Blake?"
"Could you show me some more of your magic?" He blurted out.
Sister Lily was slightly taken aback, that wasn't the question she expected. "My magic? Why is that?"
"I...well...I've never been able to use magic of my own, no matter what I tried. I don't know what's wrong with my body. But, seeing amazing magic like yours feels me with the hope that when I do, it could be just as amazing as the ones around me. So, please, could I see your magic again?"
Sister Lily took in what the boy said. No magic of his own, could that be true? I can't sense any mana from him, not even a faint one, how could he...
She gives him a warm smile. "I'd be happy to show you again, Blake." Sister Lily then opened her grimoire, to give her better control of what she wanted. Slowly she began to create water and shape its mass into something more complex and distinguished, as Blake stared in awe. Completing the shape, it appeared to be some kind of flower.
"Amazing." Blake spoke, taking in what he found to be a majestic sight.
Sister Lily opens the palm of Blake's right hand and places the flower in it. He takes a moment to look at the features and gently runs his thumb over the surprisingly detailed texture of the flower.
"I based it on the Edelweiss flowers I've found during some of my trips throughout the kingdom. It's said to represent courage and devotion, two traits I have no doubt you will have in abundance when you've grown up, a strong man even without magic by your side." She explained, patting the boy's head once again with a warm smile.
Blake had no words for what she said, anything that would attempt to leave his mouth was caught in his throat. All he could do was ride this overwhelming wave of emotions that he could feel warm up his body, more than any bonfire ever could.
Unfortunately, the spell wouldn't last much longer and the flower slowly dissipated.
"No..." Blake softly spoke, trying to keep ahold of the flower to no success.
"Don't be sad, Blake." Sister Lily comforted him, pulling his hand and leading him back into the church for dinner. "When you're older and have seen more of the world, you'll be able to find the real ones and even plant some of your own, doesn't that sound nice?"
Blake rubs his eyes, not wanting to show tears. "Y-Yeah, really nice!" He followed Sister Lily with a bright smile on his face.
For the rest of the night, even as he lay awake in bed with his sleeping siblings, Sister Lily's words wouldn't leave his mind.
Devotion and Courage, strong even without magic, Blake held his arm in front of him, If I want that to be true, He closes his hand into a fist.
I've gotta give it everything I've got!
Black Clover - The Three Brothers
NOTES
A/N: References for Blake's Appearance can be found on Wattpad and Ao3 versions of the story which allow images.
A/N: Feedback is always appreciated!
