The Start,End and Nothing

A little seven-year-old boy with hair the color of the world’s purest seas and eyes as clear and blue as an endless summer sky carefully climbed Mount Aurora.

The cold mountain wind whistled between the cliffs, sweeping past the jagged peaks and gently ruffling his blue hair. Yet despite his young age, the boy climbed with remarkable confidence and ease, moving across the treacherous slopes as though the mountain itself had taught him where to place his feet.

He carefully pulled himself higher, his small hands gripping the cold rock as he effortlessly navigated the steep cliffs.

Finally, he raised his sky-blue eyes toward the distance.

There, growing upon a distant cliff where almost no one could reach, was the Jacobs Orchid—the rarest and most beautiful flower in the world.

And Mount Aurora was the only place where it could be found.

The boy continued his ascent, slowly but surely. Despite his young age, he was confident in his ability to climb the mountain.

Then, without warning, his next step found nothing.

The ground vanished beneath his feet.

Aquas froze in terror.

For one horrifying moment, he was certain that this was the end.

But before he could fall, someone—or rather, something—caught him.

A strong pair of horns hooked around him and pulled him safely back onto the mountain.

Aquas quickly regained his balance and turned around, ready to thank whoever had saved him.

A bright smile immediately appeared on his face.

It was Samael.

His faithful goat had once again saved his life.

“Thank you, Samael.”

The goat simply bleated in response.

Together, the boy and his companion continued toward the flower.

This time, Aquas was much more careful. He watched every step, carefully examining the ground before putting his foot down.

Eventually, they reached the cliff where the Jacobs Orchid grew.

Aquas carefully approached the magnificent flower, opened his bag, and began placing the orchids inside.

He was almost finished when something caught his attention.

Aquas slowly turned around.

A long, pale-white snake was lying several steps away from him.

It had no visible eyes.

Only two empty, pitch-black sockets stared directly at him.

The snake did not hiss.

It simply watched him.

Then, slowly, it began to crawl closer.

Aquas instinctively remembered his mother’s lessons.

Never approach a snake carelessly.

Don’t make sudden movements.

Give it space.

And if it begins acting strangely, move away slowly.

His mother had taught him how to behave in dangerous situations, and Aquas had always listened carefully.

Yet something about this snake was different.

He couldn’t explain why, but he felt that it was trying to draw his attention.

It didn’t seem eager to attack him.

It seemed… curious.

Aquas cautiously studied the creature.

The snake continued approaching.

Aquas slowly extended his hand.

The snake raised its head toward him.

For a moment, they simply stared at one another.

Then Aquas gently touched its head.

And immediately felt—

Cold.

Not the ordinary cold of the mountain.

It was a strange, unnatural cold.

The cold of something that should have been dead.

Aquas instinctively pulled his hand away.

The snake suddenly opened its jaws.

Its fangs lunged toward his hand.

Samael immediately charged toward it.

But he was too late.

The snake’s fangs were only inches away from Aquas’s skin when—

A long, slender hand suddenly seized the snake by the head.

The creature’s jaws stopped just before reaching the boy.

Aquas froze.

And then he heard a beautiful male voice behind the snake.

The voice was gentle, refined, and strangely warm.

“Well, well…”

The stranger sounded genuinely amused.

“How fascinating. You are the first person to have caught his attention.”

He paused, his tone remaining remarkably polite despite the situation.

“My sincerest apologies, young sir. I believe you have just had a rather unpleasant introduction to my little companion.”

Aquas stared at the stranger.

There was something about him that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

But before Aquas could say anything, he glanced back at the snake.

Those empty, black sockets were still staring at him.

And suddenly, Aquas felt something he couldn’t explain.

It was as though the snake wasn’t truly looking at him.

It was merely a window.

Something ancient was watching him through those empty eyes.

Something unimaginably old.

Something dangerous.

Aquas instinctively stepped back.

The stranger noticed.

His expression softened.

“Quite perceptive.”

He gently pulled the snake away from the boy.

“Please, do not be frightened. You were wise to be cautious.”

He gave Aquas a small, elegant bow.

“My mother taught me that when one encounters something dangerous, the first courtesy one owes it is respect.”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“And the second is to keep one’s fingers away from its teeth.”

The stranger chuckled softly.

“I suspect your mother taught you something similar.”

The boy turned around and saw a tall, handsome man with fair skin and an unmistakably noble appearance. He wore an elegant white suit, far too refined for such a remote and dangerous place. A gentle half-smile rested on his lips, never quite leaving his face, and there was something strangely warm and charming about the way he carried himself.

Aquas looked at him with gratitude as the man released the snake. The pale creature immediately slithered away between the rocks, disappearing from sight.

“Thank you,” Aquas said sincerely. “You saved my life.”

Samael, however, did not share his master’s gratitude. The goat clearly distrusted the stranger. He gently caught Aquas by the scarf with his teeth and began pulling him away, trying to put as much distance between the boy and the mysterious man as possible.

The stranger merely smiled.

He crouched down so that he was closer to Aquas’s height and looked at the child with the same gentle expression.

“Hello, little prince. What is your name, and what brings you to such a dangerous place? And where are your parents? They really ought to be keeping a closer eye on you.”

Aquas looked at him with mild indignation.

“My name is Aquas Morningstar. And I’m not little. I’ll be seven tomorrow.”

The man’s smile became slightly warmer.

“Already seven? My apologies. Then you are clearly a very grown-up prince.”

Aquas tilted his head curiously.

“Why do you keep calling me a prince?”

“Do I?” the man replied innocently, his soft and calm voice never changing. “Pay it no mind. It is simply a peculiarity of the way I speak. In any case, I have answered your question. Perhaps you might be kind enough to answer mine?”

Aquas proudly lifted the bag containing the flowers.

“I’m here to get these flowers for my mother.”

The man’s eyes lit up with genuine delight.

“Oh? How impressive. A brave little prince willing to risk himself simply to bring something beautiful to the most important woman in a man’s life. That is rather admirable. But surely your mother must be worried about you?”

Aquas’s expression immediately became less confident. He lowered his head, suddenly embarrassed.

“She is at home cooking dinner. I told her I was going to play with Samael… but I think I did the wrong thing by lying.”

The stranger gently placed a hand on Aquas’s head and stroked his blue hair.

“Doing something questionable for a noble purpose does not necessarily make you a bad person, prince. Growing up means learning that the world is rarely so simple. Sometimes we do things that appear wrong to ourselves or to others, even when our intentions are good. I am certain Maria would understand why you did it.”

Aquas immediately looked up, his expression changing from embarrassment to suspicion.

“How do you know my mother’s name? I never told you.”

The man did not appear surprised. Instead, he calmly reached into his pocket and pulled out a photograph.

“Ah. That would be because I know her.”

He handed the photograph to Aquas.

The boy stared at it in shock.

His mother was standing in the picture. Beside her was the same man Aquas had just met, although he looked considerably younger. He was clinging to Maria’s leg while she gently stroked his hair.

The stranger’s voice remained soft.

“Yes. I knew her a long time ago. I was much more timid and shy back then. Your mother and her sisters helped raise me. In many ways, they were like mothers to me.”

Aquas slowly handed the photograph back.

“Mom never told me she had sisters.”

“They had a falling-out seven years ago,” the man explained. “Your mother left them and burned every bridge behind her. But her sisters have never stopped missing her. They still wish to see her again.”

Aquas looked at him thoughtfully.

“Should I tell Mom that you’re here?”

The man gently shook his head.

“No. That would hardly be polite to her sisters. It would be rather unfair if she were to meet me before she had the chance to see them.”

Aquas’s eyes widened.

“Are her sisters coming here?”

“Not all of them,” the man replied. “But I can assure you that her closest sister will come to see her. And I have a feeling you will adore her. She absolutely loves children. She even has two wonderful sons of her own.”

Aquas blinked in surprise.

“I have cousins?”

The man’s smile widened ever so slightly.

“You have no idea how many relatives you have yet to meet.”

He glanced toward the bag of flowers.

“But I suspect your mother has already begun wondering where you are. She may soon come looking for you. So, brother, allow me to help you gather the rest of those flowers. Then we can head home together, little prince.”

Aquas puffed out his cheeks.

“I told you. I’m not little.”

The man’s composure finally broke into a quiet, amused laugh at the boy’s offended expression.

“Very well, very well. I shall try to remember that.”

He began picking the remaining flowers and handing them to Aquas. Together, they quickly filled the bag before setting off down the mountain, with Samael following closely behind them.

After some time, the house finally became visible on the horizon.

The stranger stopped.

Aquas looked at him in confusion.

“Why did you stop?”

“I told you, little prince. First her sisters, and only then me.”

Aquas looked at him with curiosity.

“When are my aunts coming?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes. It shall be their surprise for your birthday, little prince.”

Aquas’s face immediately brightened.

“Mom will be happy to see her sisters again.”

“Of course she will.”

The stranger’s gentle half-smile never disappeared.

“And I shall forgive you for telling her that you met me.”

Aquas frowned.

“Why?”

“Because then the surprise would be ruined.”

Aquas thought about it for a moment before nodding in understanding.

The stranger looked toward the distant house.

“And now, little prince, you should go home. Your mother has probably been waiting for you.”

Aquas began walking, but the man added softly:

“Oh, and I know it is a little early, but… happy birthday.”

Aquas turned around.

“Why are you saying it now?”

The man smiled.

“Because tomorrow there will be so much noise and celebration that neither your aunt nor I may have a quiet moment to congratulate you properly.”

Aquas nodded.

“Thank you.”

The man gave him one final warm smile.

“Now go. Your mother is waiting.”

Aquas started toward the house with Samael beside him. After a few minutes, they reached the front door. Before entering, Aquas turned around, intending to wave goodbye and thank the stranger once more for helping him with the flowers.

But the man was gone.

There was no trace of him anywhere.

Aquas stared at the empty path for a moment.

I didn’t even ask his name.

He shrugged.

Oh well. I’ll ask tomorrow. And I wonder what my aunts will look like…

A small smile appeared on his face.

I guess I only have to wait until tomorrow. I’ll meet them soon enough.

With that thought, the seven-year-old boy opened the door and entered his home, with Samael following faithfully at his side.