It was quiet for a moment, as if the air itself held its breath, waiting for the truth to surface. Then Theo’s young voice broke the silence, steady yet heavy with memory.

  “Five years ago,” he began, “shortly after I was born… my sister was ten at the time. She was a bright girl, or so I’ve been told. Our family was happy back then. Peaceful. Whole.”

  His gaze darkened.

  “But one day… men stormed our home. They came to fight my father. He fought with all his strength, but their power was overwhelming. My mother was the first to fall. Father… he had no choice but to entrust my sister with me. I was too young—just opening my eyes felt like a battle. So she took me and ran. My father died protecting us.”

  Theo clenched his fists.

  “From that day, she became a thief. A bandit. She stole food, so I could survive. We slept in stables, starved in the cold. She never cared for herself, only for me… until one day, she fell gravely ill. That’s when we met an old man who sheltered us. For the first time, my sister had a friend. For a moment, I thought… maybe she could live like any other girl.”

  He paused, his voice lowering.

  “But one day, she chose to run away. And you know the rest of that story.”

  Theo’s words hung in the air like a blade. Assashin’s eyes widened. The puzzle pieces finally clicked—the reason Soma could kill so mercilessly, so young. He whispered almost to himself:

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “That explains it…”

  But then Assashin straightened, as if compelled to bare his own wounds.

  “Alright,” he said slowly, “it’s only fair I share my truth. Though mine feels… trivial, compared to yours.”

  He drew a breath, his voice unsteady but sincere.

  “I also had an older sister. We were poor, and my father… he was cruel. He didn’t care about my mother’s health. She grew weaker and weaker until… she died. My sister hated him for it. She hated everything. And when I saw your sister yesterday, Theo, I saw her—my own sister. The one I couldn’t save. So, if you want the truth… this is my way of atoning. By helping her. By sharing her pain. By standing with her, even if it costs me everything.

  “And besides…” he smirked faintly, “I’m a good fighter. She shouldn’t have to face every danger alone.”

  Theo’s eyes softened. For the first time, he felt warmth toward the boy before him. Assashin was not just a wanderer—he was someone who could be trusted. Someone who could stand by his sister when Theo could not.

  The boy rose, puffing out his chest like a tiny king, and declared proudly:

  “Very well, Assashin. I, Theo, accept you as our ally—for now. Of course, only if my sister agrees. I cannot sway her choices. But hear me: you are welcome with us. You are family now.”

  Assashin blinked, startled by the boy’s sudden formality. Then Theo narrowed his eyes, his tone turning sharp.

  “But before that… I have one final question.”

  Assashin hesitated. “Wh… what is it?”

  Theo leaned closer. His eyes gleamed with mischief.

  “How old are you, intruder?”

  Assashin froze, then stammered:

  “Th… thirteen.”

  A long sigh escaped Theo’s lips, as though a mountain had lifted off his shoulders. Then, his face broke into a wide grin.

  “Good. That means you’re younger than my sister. In that case…” He burst into laughter, voice echoing through the night.

  “You’re welcome in our home—as part of our family, little Assashin! Hahahaahahaaa!”