Once upon a time, in a kingdom that neither had a name nor needed one, there was a small house that served as an orphanage. It was so small, in fact, that it housed only four children, one of which was the daughter of the couple than ran the orphanage. The others were unwanted children taken in out of pity.

Ayano, the eldest, was kind and gentle, always helping her parents to care for the younger ones. Kido was fierce and independent, never wanting help from anyone. Kano lied his way through life, but he cared deeply for his siblings, even if he rarely showed it. Seto was the weakest of the three, and he often cried, but he always did his best to help when he could.

Though the little family was happy, they had money troubles at times. The father was a tutor in the city, and he would travel back and forth, spending months away from home. His job brought in just enough to keep them fed and clothed. But one day he came home with terrible news.

"I was on my way home," he said, his head bowed with exhaustion. The children crowded at his feet. "I was lost in the forest, it was raining horribly.. and I found a castle."

A castle? They'd never heard of anyone living in the forest before, though of course there were stories of the monsters that lurked between the trees.

"I thought it was a blessing, and I went inside…but inside, I was confronted by a terrible beast. It was going to keep me captive…but then I told it that I had to say goodbye to my children."

Ayano gasped, a hand over her mouth. "It let you leave? Just like that?"

Her father was already shaking his head, exhaustion creasing the corners of his eyes. "I promised to return. If I don't, it will destroy this town. Unless I can find someone to take my place—"

"I'll go!" Ayano said, determined, clenching her fists. It was her job as a big sister, after all. She knew that without her father's income the family would starve.

Her parents begged her not to go, but her mind was made up. It was a practical response, but the children wept too, holding onto her skirt and not wanting to let go. Finally, her father gave in. He drew her a map to the castle, and told her that he'd been given three days.

The family spent the next two days trying to say goodbye, but of course it wasn't enough time. As the hours wore on, Ayano's expression became even sadder, and the children couldn't stop crying. Ayano was the world to them, and they didn't know how they would survive without her.

That night, as they drifted off to sleep and the candles burned low, Seto found himself unable to sleep. He rolled over, and he could see the tear marks on his sibling's cheeks. What would they do without Ayano? He just didn't know.

Hardly knowing what he was doing, the tiny boy got out of bed. He kissed his siblings on the forehead as a goodbye, and neither of them awoke. Then he crept to Ayano's bed. He took the map, and his hands hesitated over her hair clips that lay next to her bed. He knew he couldn't make the journey without her courage to guide him. The night was cold, however, and he took her favorite red scarf instead. He laced his boots and, with many long looks over his shoulder, disappeared into the forest.

The moon was out, so he was able to read the map in between the patches of light where branches didn't leave shadows. It seemed awfully straightforward, and Seto wondered why no one had found the castle before. He looked up at the iron gates in awe, then snuggled down into the wool scarf. He couldn't find the latch, so he knocked, the metal hurting his small fist.

The gates creaked open.

His heart pounding, the little boy walked into the courtyard, statues around him making terrifying shadows on the walls. Why would anyone have so many statues of frightened people? He supposed it must be standard monster lawn decor, but still it scared him.

The gates clanged shut, and he screamed. He whirled around, but there was nothing behind him. A soft hissing filled the courtyard.

"Don't turn around," a voice said, and he nearly screamed again. it was a woman's voice, or maybe several, and it was accompanied by whispers that sounded like snakes. "If you do, you'll become just like all those 'statues' in this place."

He swallowed. No wonder they'd seemed so realistic. Gathering his courage, he spoke. "I came in place of my father," he squeaked out, and the hissing intensified.

"You? You're not more than a child. He sent you in his place?" The voice spat out the words, like it was cursing the man it let go.

Seto fought not to look in the direction of the voice. "I ran away! My family needs him, or they'll starve." The whispers quieted, and for a moment he wondered if the monster was gone.

"When I have left, take the first door on the right, then go down the stairs. Pick one of the rooms on that hallway, because it will be yours for the rest of your life." Seto was too terrified to reply, but the beast didn't seem to be expecting it. The slithering noises faded, and after counting to fifty, Seto judged it safe. He turned around, and the doorway was empty, though the door was open just a crack.

The boy followed the directions, trotting down the stone steps. He was eager to get to his room and warm up, for the journey had been long and cold. The hallway had many doors and he chose one at random, walking inside.

It was a bare stone room with only a wooden bench in the corner and some straw on the floor. He blinked in confusion, and said aloud, "But this is a dungeon." The door behind him slammed, and when he tried it, it was locked.

Resigning himself to his fate, the child sat down in the corner, pulling the scarf around him, and tried to warm himself enough to fall asleep.