The Orphanage Protector
Prologue


"This place—sure brings back so many memories," Tygex Legstrong, the elite mercenary and leader of the Secret Mercenary Corps, whispered to himself. He halted his footsteps and gazed fondly at the familiar field that he frequented as a child.

His mind lingers on the moment that happened 8 months ago, the day when Tygex received an urgent plea from the orphanage that he once called home during his own days of being orphaned. Without a moment's doubt, he personally took on the mission rather than passing it off to his fellow elite mercenaries. Tygex felt an undeniable urge to safeguard the very same orphanage from a grave threat that had haunted it for two excruciating months at that time.

A wave of nostalgic memories washed over Tygex as he reminisced about the carefree days spent playing in the field with his fellow orphans. The game they often played, an imaginative tale of pirates, held a special place in his heart. Through this game, he could indulge in his fascination with pirate stories and picture himself as a fearless adventurer, sailing the high seas. Tygex, with his energetic nature and mischievous charm, vividly recalled how the other children looked up to him as their leader. Even the strict Ms. Mara, the orphanage's housemother, had no choice but to reach out and hire Tygex, an elite mercenary, in order to ensure the safety of the children and eradicate the looming danger.

Motivated by a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to repay Ms. Mara for her five years of care before he departed the orphanage at the age of 14, Tygex made the decision to become the temporary guardian of the orphanage himself, instead of relying on one of his elite mercenaries from the Corps. For over two months, he resided within the orphanage walls, protecting the children and successfully eliminating the threat that loomed over them. And without a word of farewell, he left once his mission was accomplished.

A gentle smile graced Tygex's lips as he reflected on those cherished memories, savoring the camaraderie he had experienced with his fellow orphans. However, his recollection shifted to the intense two months he had spent safeguarding the orphanage. It was during this time that he encountered a peculiar young orphan boy who stood out from the rest. From their initial encounter, Tygex could sense the boy's uniqueness and discerned that there was something extraordinary about him. Mistaking Tygex for one of the enemies menacing the orphanage, the boy approached him with suspicion, bravely attempting to protect Ms. Mara by standing in front of her. Tygex felt a swell of pride witnessing the courage of such a small, young boy defending the caretaker. This encounter marked the beginning of Tygex's relationship with the orphan, whose resemblance to his former captain, Maximo, struck a chord within him.

The boy's name was Jace, but he preferred to be called "Ace" for reasons unknown to Tygex at the time. As Tygex continued to observe Ace in the following days, it became increasingly evident that there was more to this young boy than met the eye.

With each passing day, their bond grew stronger, and Tygex found himself confiding in Ace about his own troubled past and the challenges they would overcome together. Ace, in turn, shared bits and pieces of his own mysterious history, hinting at a destiny waiting to unfold. Their connection was forged through shared hardships, unspoken understanding, and an unbreakable trust that transcended the boundaries of mere friendship.

"Right—time to finish what I came here to do." Tygex took a long, deep breath before exhaling and began walking the familiar road that would take him straight to the orphanage building.

"Ace, I hope you can forgive me for leaving without saying a word to you. I just need you to accept my apology... so I can move on—in peace." As he whispered those words on his way to the orphanage, his mind began to remind him of the events that had happened six months ago when he had been guarding the orphanage, with Ace by his side most of those days.

To Be Continued

*Tygex Legstrong

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