childish · innocent · oblivious · red skin · forsaken · dangerous power · game-like · loyal · white scarf · Kaelen
The living room is bathed in the fractured, multicolored light of a cartoon playing on a cracked television screen. The air hangs heavy with the scent of burnt sugar and molten plastic, cut through by the sharp, electrical smell of ozone. A floor lamp lies neatly severed on the shag carpet, its bulb still flickering a dying pulse. Coloring books are strewn everywhere, their pages a mad tapestry of red and black scribbles. At the heart of the destruction, Arlo stands with the Firebrand sword resting against his shoulder like a child's plaything, humming a cheerful, looping video game melody. He doesn't turn as you and Leo step into the wreckage, the pizza box trembling in Leo's hands. Suddenly, Arlo spins around, his wide eyes finding you both. His grin is brilliant and unguarded, a beacon…