I still cold and shivering from the icy winds of the winter solstice, I weakly knocked on the door, before passing out, with my eyes vividly open.
After a few moments, you can hear footsteps approaching coming from inside. As the door opens, you can see the figure of the headmistress of the Belchero looking at you with worried expression. "My goodness! Another child passing out outside our doorstep, I see... Is everything alright, young one?"
As you look around and realize that you're laying on the ground and the headmistress was kneeling by your side, you felt a bit of embarrassment at passing out in front of her. "I'm sorry... I..."
"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault you passed out. The weather is a bit cold and you clearly haven't had any food or shelter before you came here. It's natural that you would collapse." The headmistress carefully helps you up to your feet and brings you inside the orphanage. "Come on, I'll lead you to where you will be staying."
"Thank you, miss." I was only wearing rags that I stitched together from my time in the slums, I was an orphan, trying to survive with what I could scavenge, I honestly don't know how I am even alive as of now.
The headmistres couldn't help but feel pifiul and sympathy, as she could just imagine what terrifying close calls I had, my life barely hanging on. "A child living off of scraps and scavenges... I don't even want to know how you survived all this time..."
"But well... No more worries, little girl. You're in the safe walls of the Belchero now. We will make sure you get all the care and affection you lack. Just promise me one thing..."
"Yes, miss, I am in your debt, what is it?"
The headmistress requests, "Promise me that you will behave once you are settled in. I don't care about your past or where you came from. All I want is for you to act decently while living here. Is that understood?"
"I understand, miss." I bow in respecting of her wishes, and I promise to behave.
"Good, good. Now, let's get you to your room. I'm sure being outside for so long, you must be tired and hungry, right?"
My tummy growls, "Starving... Are there other people in this orphanage?"
"Yeah, you're not alone. We have lots of orphans here at the Belanchero. Most are like you, who came here from the streets and wanted a place to stay in. So don't worry, you'll fit in perfectly within this group of children. Now... Let's go, Little one." The headmistress started to guide you to your room.
The headmistress of the orphanage led me to the room I will be staying, she opens the door to the room and I was lead inside by the headmistress. I graciously thank for granting me a place to stay, "Thank you for letting me stay here, it has been almost never have I came across a room with a roof after nights of endless cold."
As the headmistress walks out after a smile, "Take all the tiem you need, and we are glad to be able to shelter poor souls such as yourself.", she closes the room door behind her, you began to examine the place where you will be staying for an indefinite amount of time.
Unlike the outside streets, the room is surprisingly clean and tidy. With walls colored white and light hardwood furniture, the place feels welcoming and safe. And on the bed, lies a clean set of clothes; neatly folded sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and even a pillow. What a contrast to the place you've been living in up until now...
I changed into the clean set of clothes, and I kept my ragged clothes aside, I didn't want to throw them, because I had been wearing them as long as I lived on my own. But even then, I still had no idea what I should be doing, now that I am under the care of someone.
As I looked back at your old clothes, I was reminded once again of the life I had led in the streets. All those time I spent on the cold and dirty ground, scavenging for scraps to eat and clothes to wear... All that will be over now. From here on out, a chance at life was granted to me by the orphanage. I have to earn my keep, to behave and follow the headmistress's expectations. It's really not too much to ask considering what the place is offering...
Once I was changed, I walked out of my room, and I continue following the headmistress with a warm smile to show my appreciation. The headmistress guided you to the kitchen, where all the orphans are gathered around, eating their dinner. "Well, looks like we've got a new addition to the group. Everyone, this here is our new orphan, so please greet him kindly."
The headmistress introduces you to the group of mostly children around the same age as you, as they all turned their heads and looked at you...
"Hi." I greet with a bow, but I don't know where I should be sitting, this is the first time of me talking to people aside from my time in the slums. One of the boys in the middle stood up. "Hey, new kid. Come and sit over here. My name's Reg."
Reg then gestures for you to sit across from him. The other boys and girls in the group follows suit as all the child sat and chatted about nothing in particular, welcoming the new addition to the group.
"Hi, thank you, n-nice to meet you, Reg. Sorry... I am bit nervous."
"It's nothing. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just... Relax. No need to be shy around us." Reg smiles as he pats you on the shoulder, trying to reassure you. The other kids also smiles at you from their seats. You can't help but feel that this place is already vastly different compared to the previous places you've lived in...
"May I get to know the rest of you guys? I would like to know you all better in the orphanage." I fidget my fingers while trying to ask around for their names, I only hope that it wasn't any arkward.
The kids nod their heads in agreement.
"Of course. Well, that's Nat along there..." Reg points to a young boy with brown hair.
"That's Kiyui..." Reg points to another smaller boy with light yellow hair who was the youngest at our table.
"And that's Rico there..." Reg points to the last girl on the group with dark red hair, who is quietly reading a book with a thoughtful look on her face.
"N-nice to meet you all, I am, oh... I still can't recall my name, I'm sorry, embarrassing of myself really." As I look down in shame, not even knowing my own name.
Reg smiles with no worries. "Don't be embarrassed, friend. It's not your fault that you can't remember... Maybe it'll come to you eventually." The other kids smiled reassuringly at you as well.
"I hope it comes back to me as soon as it does." I bring forward a question of the place, "What is it like here, in the orphanage, it is really new to see many kids my age."
"It's a bit different compared to outside, that's for sure. We usually spend most of our time here eating, playing, sleeping, and learning. And I guess it depends on each kid's personality, but overall, It's a much safer and warmer place than the outside streets.
"That makes sense, but word on the streets even in the slums, there was more about the orphanage, something of being affiliated with an exploration organisation?", I ask.
Reg answers, "Oh, yeah... The orphanage is pretty much funded by a group of cave diving Explorers, and the kids are trained to become future Explorers too as well. They have this whole program for them to learn everything about the Abyss and how to survive an expedition. So if you want to become a cave raider someday, you better get used to this place quickly."
Reg continued. "You don't have to worry about it just yet, though. The training only really starts when you're 12. You have 5 years until you're old enough to start training."
"Right and the land we are living on, Orth is it?"
"Yeah, Orth is the place where the orphanage is located. Orth is like the major settlement of humanity in the center of the Abyss, so it's essentially the city to live in, for humans, at least." Reg wonders why I asked that, not knowing of my lack of knowledge of the land we are in, "But, why do you suddenly ask about Orth?"
"In all of time, I didn't know much of Orth, I was only living on my own on the streets, lost and just focusing on surviving day by day."
"I guess that makes sense. Why would a street rat know much about this world anyway?" Reg gave out a smug smile before continuing.
"Yeah... Don't worry. After spending some time here, you'll get to know your surroundings as well. It might take some getting used to, but I'm sure you'll fit in pretty well with us. Just remember, this city has its own rules, so don't do something stupid that will get you into trouble okay?"
As long as I am with you guys, I will be okay, i just never thought that I would be able to live in a community, I mean... I start tearing up, a bit. The rest of the group looked at you with concern as you started tearing up.
"Hey, hey... Is something wrong?" Reg asked, his face turning from smug smirk to a concerned expression.
"No it is just that I have been on my own so long, I never had anyone to count on, it was only just me, and I thought that it was only going to be that way till I was gone." My tears fall from my face, while I still couldn't believe I had another shot at a difference in my poor life.
"We all understand now. Don't worry, this place is all about giving you a chance to start a new life. No one will neglect or bully you here, everyone is friendly and supportive. Some of us know what you have been through as well, we once believe that our lives had no meaning not until we were given that same chance too, so we are all here for one another." Reg reassures you again.
"Thanks Reg, I do want to give back, and maybe become an cave raider for that."
Reg chuckles. "I'm sure you will, girl. We will all become great cave raiders someday. But for now, let's just focus on getting used to this place and following the headmistress's expectations, okay?"
Reg smiles at you reassuringly along with everyone else, it warms my heart to find support in admist newly befriended people.
Reg chuckles.
"Of course", as we resume eating, it was time for us to head in bed, most of us head in to the rooms, but I was still up and I wandered around a bit, and came across many rooms, which looked like classrooms. Curious, I continue to explore the facility during a time when everyone was supposed to be asleep. As I walked down the hall, i can hear faint noises coming from what sounds like a class in session. It seems like the orphanage is offering classes even at night.
I peak through a slot through the classroom door. "What are they teaching about, I can hear things about cave raiding, the curse of the Abyss, what are those things?"
The teacher standing in front was giving a lecture about cave raiding, and in particular, the Curse of the Abyss. From what I can make out from the teacher, some of the material are:
The Curse of the Abyss is a type of mysterious and deadly malady that can affect any delver that descends deep into the abyss. According to legend, these curses are the result of some ancient beings that are somehow connected with the Abyss.
"The deeper you go into the Abyss, the more potent the curses you might face during exploration."
"That sounds very ominous," I thought to myself, and I leaned in to hear better, but ended up tripping into the classroom, "oww..."
I accidentally stumbled onto the classroom while trying to listen to the presentation. The students and teachers all looked directly at me, causing you to let out a loud squeak of surprise.
"Who are you?" The teacher asked.
I quickly got on my feet and apologize for making a scene, "I'm sorry, I'm just one of the new kids, I can't help but listen to your lesson." "I didn't mean to intrude..."
The teacher looks to me, "Oh... Well, this is not the one of the lessons suitable for you, considering it was meant for the older kids. But... I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you about what we were discussing. Well, we were just talking about the Curse of the Abyss, and how it affects cave raiders during exploration. As you know, the abyss is a mysterious place with... Some rather bizarre creatures within. So it's important to always be prepared when exploring the abyss."
The abyss, what is it actually, teacher?" I walk a little closer, hoping I could maybe listen in before I head to bed.
The teacher looked at you with a smile before explaining further. "The abyss is a giant chasm that extends thousands of meters into the ground. No one really has a clear idea of just how deep it is, in fact, it might even have no bottom at all.
"But the main thing is that the Abyss itself is this giant pit of darkness that is filled with ancient artifacts and relics. But what's more bizarre is that some of the things that are found deep within the abyss can't even be explained by modern science."
"Objects that can't be explained by modern science?" I asked curiously to the existence of such objects.
The teacher nods before further explaining, "Yes, the abyss is filled with mysteries for researchers to discover. But if this is what you find interesting, you should know that this mystery comes at a price. "The curse of the abyss. Even the most experienced cave raiders can fall victim to it. That is one reason why humans can only safely explore the first few layers of the abyss. The deeper we dive, the higher the chances of succumbing to the curse. So, that is something we all should always keep in mind."
Interesting to learn such lessons, I humbly ask that, "May I if I have time, can I come and listen to more lessons or stories, I know that I'm still young, but I really like to listen, if you would let me."
"Hmm... You like to listen, huh? Well, there's no rule about that, so I suppose that's fine. As long as you are willing to sit down quietly and listen." He then chuckled. "Just don't get yourself into trouble and distract the other students, okay little one?"
"Yes, thank you Teacher, what do I call you?", I asked for his name.
"Just call me Mr. Torka, that's all." Mr. Torka then smiles at you once again. "Now you should try to go back to your room. It's past our bed time already."
"Thank you Mr Torka, I deeply apologize if I have disturbed the class." I left the room quietly and head back to my room where, I begin to take a book from a shelf, and started writing on the first day in the orphanage and what mysteries lie for me soon. As I returned to your room and began writing down a detailed account of my first day at the orphanage, I was unaware of a figure watching me from behind the door...
"I can't wait, really, all this talk about the abyss, sure it sounds ominous and dangerous, but I can't wait to explore it for myself when my time comes." I put my journal and diary aside, as I lie in bed sideways, looking out the window, I look at the sky with amazement, as I thought to myself, maybe this is what I am searching for...
The sky truly was beautiful. It looked as if the sky was filled with millions of shining sparkling stars. The moonlight that shone in through the window reflected of the clear glass, creating a calming atmosphere. The night sky truly was a sight to behold...
I close my eyes, and hope that in time, I will be the one out there, cave delving into the abyss. Right afterwards, I settled in and learn in my time in the orphanage.
Though I close my eyes for now, thoughts of one day becoming an experienced explorer was definitely enough motivation for me to continue on. For today, I could rest without worries. Tomorrow would be another day where you would explore more of Orth and the abyss. But for now, I only needed to take a deep breath and rest... a moment that I had long never had.