A Song of Flesh and Blood

 Oswin returned home, the disgust still lingering in his chest, but his rage had subsided—if only slightly.

As he stepped inside, the familiar scent of warm broth filled the air. Aria, hearing him enter, peeked out from the kitchen. Her sharp eyes immediately caught the tension in his face.

She grumbled, giving him an upward nod—her way of asking, "What happened? And where are the groceries?"

Oswin understood her silent question but didn't answer. Instead, he asked his own.

"Aria... has anyone ever done something inappropriate to you?"

Aria froze.

For a moment, she just stared at the air, lost in thought. A shadow passed over her face, the faint glisten of unshed tears forming at the edges of her eyes. She swallowed, her expression unreadable.

Then, slowly, she grumbled and nodded.

Oswin's fingers clenched into fists. His voice was quiet but sharp.

"Was it just touching... or did someone go further?"

Aria hesitated. First, she nodded. Then, after a brief pause, she shook her head.

Oswin exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening. He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her in a firm, protective embrace.

"Don't worry." His voice was low, steady. "Brother will make sure every last one of those bastards pays."

Aria trembled slightly in his hold but didn't pull away.

And in that moment, Oswin swore—no matter what it took, no matter what he had to become—he would never let anyone hurt her again.

Oswin let off Aria after some time when the broth in the kitchen made loud bubbling sounds.

Aria rushed back to the kitchen and Oswin started exploring the house 

Oswin stepped away from the kitchen, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished wooden floors. Despite the lingering tension in his chest, he took a moment to truly take in the house he now called home.

It was large—far too large for just two people. A house built in the style of Edwardian era, with high ceilings, and intricately carved wooden paneling running along the walls, The house was illuminated by electric lights during the night. The house had once been filled with life, meant to accommodate a family of seven and their servants, yet now, it was eerily quiet.

The main hallway stretched deep into the house, To his left was a drawing room, furnished with dark wooden chairs and velvet cushions that had long since lost their original luster. A large fireplace sat at the center. A grand bookshelf lined one side of the room, filled with aged tomes and financial records—Where Fray's late father then Fray kept record of lined money

Further down was the kitchen—a table of polished wood in one side of room and the gas stove on both side of the room kitchen cabinets were kept. Some housing groceries, some plates.

The one housing groceries nearly empty.

He stepped toward the staircase, it was dark and closed off upon climbing those stairs, lay the bedrooms, meant for his family and the servants who once lived here.

His own room was modest compared to the others, though still spacious—a sturdy wooden bed, a wardrobe, a desk stacked with papers, and a single window. Aria's room was smaller but well-kept, with neat furniture and soft-colored curtains framing her window.

As he wandered, the house felt less like a home and more like a monument—It was kino doubt spacious and big but it was too big for only two people to live in so most of the rooms were closed

But at least Aria was still here.

And that meant, for now, this place wasn't completely hollow.

Then there was Fray's father's study at the end of the hallway upstairs, a place he hadn't visited yet. The door remained shut, an imposing presence at the end of the corridor. Whatever was inside... he was about to encounter it now.

Oswin entered Fray's father's study, the scent of old wood and dust filling his nose. The room was covered in a layer of dust, with white cloth draped over the furniture. There wasn't much there—just a large wooden desk where Fray's father once sat, and a grand bookshelf that still housed a few books.

Oswin grew curious and uncovered the desk. It was made of polished dark wood, with multiple drawers. But what caught his attention was the large black safe hidden underneath, made of hard steel with a wheel combination lock.

Oswin knelt and gently slapped the surface of the safe. A dull, rumbling sound emanated from within.

Curiosity got the better of him.

He turned on his heel and made his way downstairs—to the kitchen.

In the kitchen Aria was preparing the table for breakfast.

"Aria, do you know the password for father's safe"

Aria shook her head without taking a look at Fray.

"Is there a key for the safe"

This time, she didn't answer right away. Instead, she stepped over to one of the kitchen drawers, pulled it open, and retrieved a bundle of old keys. And put them on the table,

And continued her work.

Without another word, he turned and made his way back upstairs.

Kneeling before the safe once more, he sorted through the keys, testing them one by one until—click.

The lock gave way with a crack, and the heavy door creaked open.

Inside, nestled within the dark interior, lay an expensive looking violin, two worn books, and a stack of neatly arranged money.

The violin scratched up old and warm memories in Oswin's mind, Oswin not wanting to get drunk on the old warm memories suppressed them.

The Books read "Basic Violin and Understanding Notes" and "Hymns of Water Sprits for beginners"

Oswin was confused besides the money why would anybody keep the violin and these two books in such a good safe.

"Maybe these are family heirlooms"

Oswin closed the safe and went downstairs for breakfast.

Aria was waiting for him, sitting on the dining table. The breakfast was modest with a meat broth and bread. It was not very good and lacked spices and salt but it filled the stomach.

Oswin ate in silence, the discovery of the violin and books lingering in his mind. He cast a glance at Aria, who quietly dipped her bread into the broth. Her face was unreadable, as always, but he wondered if she knew more about the safe's contents than she let on.

The meal was simple—warm, filling, but lacking in flavor. Aria had long grown used to it. The silence stretched between them, with only the sounds of slurping and chewing echoing in the room. The memories of the morning accident still lingering in the back of Oswin's mind.

Oswin needed information about the new world he was in if he wanted to live in this new world

Finishing breakfast Oswin Went back to Fray's room.

He scrolled through Fry's books and notes and Picked up a few books he thought would provide valuable information.

And deciphered important information

Oswin settled onto the chair in Fray's room, placing the books on the desk. The worn spines and faded ink hinted at years of use. He ran his fingers over the covers before opening the first one—a general geography of the world.

Oswin flipped through Fray's books, his eyes scanning maps and texts detailing the world's vast geography. As he pieced together the major landmasses, a clearer picture of the world unfolded before him.

Four great continents shaped the political landscape:

The four continents—Artia, Arouka, Enture, and Maltia—are spread across the vast oceans of the known world, each positioned uniquely in relation to one another.

Artia, the smallest continent and the heart of the Artian Empire, lies in the northwestern hemisphere. It is bordered by the Leviathan Ocean to the west and the Black Ocean to the east. Due to its temperate climate and strong naval presence, Artia serves as the center of global trade and military power, with shipping lanes extending in all directions.

Arouka, the second-largest continent, is located south of Artia, separated by the Black Ocean. It stretches across the central hemisphere, with its vast deserts in the north and dense, humid jungles in the south. The Serpent Ocean forms its eastern boundary, while the Blood Ocean lies to the west. Artia's colonies are concentrated in Arouka's southern jungles, while the desert sultanates resist foreign rule in the north.

Enture, the largest continent, is positioned northeast of Arouka and east of Artia, across the Black Ocean. It spans a wide range of climates, from its towering mountains in the north to its expansive temperate plains in the south. The Wind Ocean borders its eastern edge, while the Serpent Ocean separates it from Arouka. Despite being divided into seven powerful kingdoms, Enture remains a key region of Artian interest, though direct interference is limited by treaties.

Maltia, the second smallest continent, lies southeast of Enture and south of Arouka, across the Serpent Ocean. It is characterized by endless grasslands and dense forests, with no dominant empire but rather three competing powers—the Corier Kingdom, the Bartino Empire, and Artian Colonies—locked in a bitter struggle. The Blood Ocean surrounds its western shores, while the Wind Ocean borders the east.

Scattered throughout the oceans are the three prominent archipelagos:

The Goron Archipelago lies in the Leviathan Ocean, west of Artia.

The Naga Archipelago is in the Serpent Ocean, near Arouka's southern coast.

The Asura Archipelago is located in the Wind Ocean, east of Enture.

The Gorgon Archipelago is a colony of Artia, whereas The Naga and The Asura Archipelagos are independent countries.