4 - The Broken Ocarina

Chapter 2: Desolation

“Stew again?" Orion grumbled, huddled in his blanket as he watched Lyra stirring the pot that held their dinner. It was a thin, uninspiring mix of old potatoes and the last of the dried mutton they'd found in the cellar. The stale smell of the food did little to warm the frosty air of the mid-winter evening.

"It's this or nothing, Orion," Lyra shot back, her hands planted firmly on her hips. The firelight flickered across her face, making her green eyes sparkle. "If you want to complain, you can cook next time."

The words hung in the air, and a pause followed as they both processed what Lyra had said. Then, a burst of laughter echoed through their makeshift home. The notion of Orion cooking was more ludicrous than the idea of the mid-winter snow turning into a summer's rain.

Despite his initial annoyance, Orion found himself smiling at Lyra's retort. Amidst the biting cold and their grim circumstances, this simple exchange warmed him more than any fire could. The ruins of Seraphim Manor, their impromptu home, didn't seem as harsh with Lyra around.

Even amidst the chill of winter, they found ways to laugh. They clung to these moments of normalcy, small embers of warmth in the icy world that had engulfed them. Amidst the snow and ruins, they played house, and in doing so, built something akin to a home.

Orion found himself staring at Lyra again, her small figure huddled over the fire, her breath coming out in soft puffs of frosty air. She was trying to coax a melody from the broken ocarina, her determination a constant source of amusement for him.

"That old thing still giving you trouble?" he asked, a grin teasing the corners of his lips.

Lyra scowled at him, but there was a twinkle in her eyes. “My bro fixed it plenty of times. Why can’t you?” she shot back, her tone playful.

He chuckled, shaking his head, and dropped onto their makeshift bed, his head finding its usual spot on her lap. "I'll take that as my cue to go to sleep."

Her retort was delivered in the soft notes of the broken ocarina, the melody sweet, if a little off-key. As sleep claimed him, the banter faded into a comforting silence, their bond strengthened by laughter, shared stories, and an unspoken understanding.

But even as they found solace in each other, the last of their food was consumed, their existence growing more precarious each day. The world outside their haven of warmth was harsh and unforgiving, a reality they would soon have to face.

With their resources depleted, Orion found himself staring at the pitiful embers of their fire, the cold slowly seeping into his bones. The tension in the air was palpable as they faced the daunting reality of their situation.

"We... we could go to Moros," Orion suggested softly, his voice barely rising above the whisper of the wind.

Lyra looked up at him, her green eyes reflecting the dying flames. "Moros?" she asked, her voice filled with trepidation, "Isn't that days away?"

Orion swallowed, feeling a knot forming in his stomach. He nodded. "Yeah, but I remember... when the world was still warm, we used to go there. It was bustling, full of people... maybe there's still some food, some help there..."

Lyra was silent for a long time. Orion could see the flicker of fear in her eyes, mirroring his own. But then, she squared her shoulders, her usual determination seeping back into her posture.

"Well, we can't just sit here and starve, can we?" she said, a brave smile tugging at her lips. "So, Moros it is."

Orion looked at her, this girl who'd become his anchor, his friend, and he felt a surge of admiration. With a shaky sigh, he managed a small smile back at her. Their journey would be filled with uncertainty and danger, but at least they'd face it together.

It was the crack of dawn when they began their journey, Orion's heart heavy as he cast one last look at the charred remains of Seraphim Manor. The soft orange glow of the sunrise had begun to seep into the frosty sky, painting the snow-touched landscape in hues of gold and pink. It was eerily beautiful, a stark contrast to the harsh reality that lay ahead.

Lyra, clutching her worn ocarina, shuffled up to him, her own eyes mirroring his sadness. She offered him a weak smile, and for a moment, he forgot the chill in the air.

"We'll come back, won't we?" she asked, her voice small in the quiet of the morning.

Orion hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, Lyra," he said, offering her a smile. "We'll come back."

With that, they started their walk towards the village of Moros, their footprints marring the untouched snow. Orion felt an odd sense of relief, as if the ruins of his once-beloved home were a shackle he was finally able to break free from.

As they ventured further into the barren countryside, the ruins of Seraphim Manor grew smaller and smaller, until they disappeared over the horizon. Their past was behind them now, their future uncertain, but Orion felt an unexplainable sense of hope. They were together, and for now, that was all that mattered.

With their hearts filled with courage, and their minds resolute, they pressed forward. Their journey had just begun.