Forged By Falcrest

Atlas walked through the wide corridors, his boots tapping softly against the stone floor as the woman led him along.

They passed rooms every now and then, and Atlas couldn't help but peek inside whenever a door was slightly ajar. One room caught his attention, a large space filled with rows of seats. Students sat quietly, their eyes fixed on someone standing at the front, speaking with confidence. He lingered for a moment, wishing he could stay and watch, but the woman's brisk pace didn't allow for it.

"Excuse me," Atlas spoke up, his voice hesitant as he quickened his steps to catch up to her.

The woman turned her head slightly, her expression calm but focused. "What is it?"

"Would I be able to send something to the orphanage? Just to let them know I'm okay?" he asked, his voice quieter than he intended.

She continued walking, her tone casual as she replied, "Of course. That's already been taken care of. You don't need to worry about anything."

Atlas felt a wave of relief wash over him, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Thank you," he murmured, his steps feeling a little lighter as they continued down the hall.

Eventually, the corridor opened up, and the cold hit him again as they stepped outside. Atlas pulled his hood up, shielding himself from the fresh snowflakes that drifted lazily from the sky.

The area before him was expansive, with little stone huts scattered across the open field. Narrow pathways wove between them, and the soft glow of lanterns hanging near some of the doorways gave the place a cozy, almost magical feel.

"This is the living compound," the woman explained, gesturing to the huts. "Everyone has their own accommodation. Because you've come in late, unfortunately, you don't get to pick yours."

Atlas didn't respond right away. He was too busy looking around, his wide eyes taking in the sight. The idea of having his own space was something he had never even considered.

As they walked along the snow-covered pathways, Atlas found himself staring in awe at the little huts. Smoke rose from some of the chimneys, and he could see faint light spilling from behind curtains in the windows.

The snow crunched softly underfoot as they made their way toward the edge of the field. Atlas didn't mind that he wouldn't get to choose his hut. He was still processing the fact that he'd even have one.

Finally, the woman stopped in front of a small hut at the very edge of the compound. There were only a few others nearby, the rest of the area open and quiet. Atlas tilted his head, surprised.

"This is yours," she said simply, handing him a key and stepping aside to let him take it in.

He stared at the modest structure, its stone walls sturdy and its wooden door slightly worn. He couldn't understand why this hut was still available. Being on the edge of the compound, with fewer neighbors, seemed like it would've been one of the first spots taken.

But he wasn't about to complain.

The lady's voice broke the quiet. "I'd say I'll give you some time to unpack your things and settle in, but it's obvious you have nothing. So instead, feel free to have a look around. I'll prepare everything for your testing and send someone to fetch you this evening."

Atlas nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you."

She smiled and then turned, she walked back down the path, leaving Atlas alone with his new home.

He stood there for a moment, staring at the hut. It wasn't much, but it was his. Taking a deep breath, he reached out and pushed the wooden door open.

The inside was modest, just as he expected. A small cot sat against one wall, with a desk and chair positioned on the opposite side. At the foot of the bed was a chest, its surface worn smooth from use. In the corner of the room, a tiny fireplace was set into the wall, its stonework simple but sturdy.

The air inside was cold. He rubbed his hands together, blowing into them as his eyes scanned the space.

Atlas wandered over to the chest first, flipping it open with a creak. It was empty. Next, he pulled open the desk drawers, but they were just as bare. He glanced at the cot—no blankets, just the bare mattress.

"Well, this is cozy," he muttered, his breath visible in the icy air.

He moved to the fireplace, crouching in front of it and running a hand along the cold stone. It was clean, unused.

'No point sitting here freezing,'

Straightening up and brushing his hands off. If he was going to make this place livable, step one was getting some heat. And for that, he'd need wood.

He glanced around one last time, as if expecting something to magically appear, but the hut remained as empty as when he'd walked in.

"Right," he muttered to himself. "Wood."

Atlas grabbed the door handle, pulling it open and stepping back out into the cold. The snow was still falling, though lighter now, and the soft glow of the afternoon sun made the world seem almost peaceful.

The thought crossed his mind to sit and wait, to take it easy until someone came to fetch him. But he knew himself too well. Sitting idle would only make him restless.

The snow crunched beneath his boots as he wandered back toward the pathways connecting the huts. A few other students were out and about, some talking in small groups while others hurried toward the main building. No one paid him much attention.

He pulled his hood tighter, his breath puffing out in little clouds as he glanced around. There had to be some kind of storage for firewood—or at least a place he could scavenge some.

"Guess I'll find out," he muttered, stuffing his hands into his pockets and setting off down the path.

***

Atlas wandered around for what felt like half an hour before he started getting bored. Everything was new to him, sure, but identical huts and empty pathways got old fast.

In the distance, he noticed a small group, a girl and two boys, chatting among themselves. Deciding he had nothing better to do, he headed toward them.

"Hello," he called out. They didn't seem to notice, so he tried again, louder this time. "Hello…"

One of the boys turned, irritation written all over his face. "What?" he snapped. "Can't you see we're talking?"

Atlas blinked at the hostility. "Uh, yeah, sorry about that… Anyway, do you know where I can get some firewood around here?"

The boy looked at him like he'd just asked the dumbest question in the world. Atlas resisted the urge to glare back.

'What the hells his problem'

It was the girl who spoke up instead. She had long blonde hair tied back loosely and a small, delicate nose. Her voice was soft and sweet. "Are you new here?"

Atlas paused, caught off guard. He realized this was probably the first time he'd spoken to a girl his age, Midtown's orphanage hadn't exactly been co-ed. He snapped out of it a moment too late, a bit flustered. "Uh, yeah. Just got here today."

"Good for you," the rude boy cut in again. "Now piss off."

The second boy sighed, his tone more exasperated than anything. He was shorter than the first, with dark brown hair and eyes that seemed a little kinder. "Drop it, Aaron. He's obviously lost, stop being a dick."

Aaron rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

Atlas cleared his throat, trying to regain some ground. "Anyway… about that firewood?"

The second boy gave him a small nod. "It's back toward the main building. All the supplies are kept there. You won't miss it."

"Oh. Thanks," Atlas replied.

"No problem," the boy said, extending a hand. "I'm Seth. That's Rea," he nodded toward the girl, "and that guy is Aaron."

Atlas shook his hand. "Atlas."

Aaron let out a snort, whether it was at being called out or at Atlas's name, he couldn't tell. Rea, on the other hand, smiled warmly.

"Actaully… We're heading that way for our lesson," Seth offered. "You can tag along, and I'll show you where to go if you like."

Atlas hesitated briefly, then nodded. "If it's not too much trouble, thanks."

***

The walk back to his hut took longer than he had hoped. By the time Atlas said goodbye to the group and began his trek with an armful of firewood and a fire starter, he was already feeling the strain.

After taking a few wrong turns he finally reached his hut. As he stood outside, the realization hit him. Now he understood why this spot had been one of the least desirable. The isolated location, combined with the long and winding walk, made it a pain to get to.

By the time he pushed the door open, he was sweating, his arms shaking from carrying the wood. His chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath. Ignoring his exhaustion for the moment, Atlas focused on getting the fire started. Once the flames crackled to life, spreading much-needed warmth through the small room, he collapsed onto the cot.

His body still ached from everything he had been through, and the day's efforts hadn't helped. He lay there for what felt like an hour, staring at the wooden ceiling as the heat from the fire slowly thawed his bones.

A knock at the door broke his quiet. Atlas groaned as he sat up, his muscles protesting the movement. He shuffled over and opened the door to find Aaron standing there, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Atlas was too surprised to speak.

Aaron didn't waste time. "I'm here to take you to your testing. Let's go."

Atlas blinked but nodded, stepping out into the cold once more.