《STRINGS OF THE HEART》 Cast no shadow A subtle fog draped the narrow alleyway, shadows darkening dimness over scattered rubbish and cracked pavement. Nyx stood within the filth, unseen by the world around him. His ethereal form changed like dust moving in a swirl of wind. Unconscious and helpless, a black-haired and pale-skinned girl lay with the steaming robes of a royal bard of Ikardin. Her name was Anna. He remembered. How he knew such things remained a mystery. Nothing was clear. Nothing but bits of what once were his wills, his duties, and his oaths. One, and the most clear of all, stroke with the power of lightning. Anna¡¯s protection, a task entrusted only to him. His gaze rested on the necklace cradled in her hand, a simple string holding a crow¡¯s skull, a token once holding the soul of a warlock¡¯s familiar and now nothing more than a relic of the past. ¡°Empty,¡± he said, although without a mouth, no actual words could be heard. Beyond the sight of real eyes, Nyx scouted the unknown world. Impossible lights and strange sounds put him on alert. It was a world greatly different from theirs. But not without danger. Anguish, hollow to any ethereal entity like him, took over. He rejoiced with the absence of an excruciating tether. Anna''s bond was light compared to the prison he¡¯d been in for centuries. He was finally free, and in such a moment, surrounded by the rarities of an unwelcome, strange world, freedom turned out to be the purest pleasure he had ever experienced. Yet, he held a terrible ache, a gnawing uncertainty unsettling his very existence. The impossibility of disappearing into nothingness, escaping to the void where no one would ever find him. Not when he still had a task to accomplish: an everlasting desire, an unbreakable oath. Protect Anna: the only task he¡¯d never considered a burden and the only one allowing him to maintain what little humanity he had left. Interest returned to her, body small and frail. Vulnerable. Alone. Nyx¡¯s shadow twisted, forming a feathered figure of darkness and dust. His head, white and grim, mimicked the raven skull on her pendant. Claws of blackness rose above his face, as large and long as the arms of the girl lying beneath. Shuffling feet snapped him out of the numbness of nonexistence and back into the world where he was meant to be. Empty eye sockets snapped toward a figure stepping out of the deeper shadows, stumbling slightly as he came into view. The man was dirty, his clothes tattered, his face obscured by a greasy beard and covered in strings of his long messy mane. A tongue licked lips, and a smile revealed yellowed teeth. The man¡¯s interest locked onto Anna, face gleaming with malevolent intent. His essence, boundless and untethered, revealed intentions as foul as the stench accompanying him. Of what Nyx''s body would detect from the void, nothing was truly real. But yet, the man''s soul reeked, puncturing like needles drilling the bone. The threat took another step closer and an invisible winged shadow stood in his way. Nyx was ready. If he had to give up his immortality for her, he¡¯d do it. If he had to give his very existence, he¡¯d not hesitate. ¡°Not this one,¡± he said. ¡°Not her!¡± The man rubbed his chin with a filthy hand, his fingers twitching with detestable intentions and his tongue contorting more than before. Disbelief made him dart around, perhaps out of the desire to be alone or the fear it was all a trap. What came was a massive claw aiming for the chest, sharp fingers dipping into his lungs, heart and guts. A senseless attempt, Nyx realised. The claw, devoid of physical mass, turned into a cloud as it touched life and, with failure, Nyx recoiled, unable to fulfil his sacred promise. ¡°Get away from her!¡± A growl of frustration rippled through the familiar¡¯s form, and in an instant, he dove forward; bird¡¯s skull facing man¡¯s face, beast''s mind lashing out to dig into man¡¯s thoughts. Nyx needed control, and when he¡¯d find it, he¡¯d never let it go. ¡°Your soul is as dirty as your clothes, my friend. You don¡¯t deserve the air you are breathing.¡± This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Without knowing why, the man noticed an intrusion and hesitated. He shook his head and rubbed his eyes. Then he hit his temple repeatedly. Nothing would help him anymore, no matter what he tried. It was too late. His own evil had sealed his fate. Down on the man¡¯s mind, Nyx slipped through the cracks of his fragile psyche. He plunged into a pit of corruption, a broken soul filled with cruelty and twisted by his own weakness. He curled through the man¡¯s thoughts like a snake through the tall grass, his anger coiling tighter and tighter. His claws reached for the light of his prey¡¯s soul, and his fingers grasped like the jaws of a hunter clenching into the neck of a hunt. ¡°Mine.¡± Nyx took a breath for the first time in centuries. The cold breeze was invigorating and encouraging. The sounds and smells though, turned out terrifying and nauseating. He flexed his hands, feeling tendons tense. Next came the turn of arms and legs, each single muscle giving him an experience worth a thousand years¡¯ wait. If being free had been the best he¡¯d wish for, feeling alive heightened his joy in a way he¡¯d never have foreseen. Just as an actual body brought him genuine feelings and sensations, a mind brought him the clarity of thoughts he lacked. With it, reflections of the last moments in their old world turned strong and concise. On that cursed night, of what brought Anna out of the inn, he could not remember. He remembered many things before, memories he could not be proud of. Scattered thoughts making no sense as a whole. But of that terrible disaster, he saw it all. When the girl returned, the massacre had already taken place. The vision of her twisted face as she saw the bloodied floor and mutilated bodies, twisted his guts. Her scream of rage at the sight of the nail-toothed man, ravaged his soul. Nyx witnessed the grin of pure evil with which he greeted her. How Oren¡¯s body fell from his hands and splashed on her own blood, and how he kicked Adalan¡¯s shield, and the metal reflected the tavern¡¯s candles as he stepped over it. How Morrigan, choking in his own blood, still found courage and strength to step in between, facing the last, well-aimed stab from the assassin¡¯s dagger. When the claw-toothed man reprised his approach and Anna fell backwards, Serandee let out a yell. On blood painted runes over the torn wood, she cast all her power, all her being. After a last chord of ancient tunes, she stared, not at the bard¡¯s but at him. The battle for her life was lost, and before throwing them into the unknown, she revealed a subtle smirk as a reminder it was time to fulfil an oath. With the violent crack of magic, Nyx found himself yanked back to his new reality. He checked at Anna¡¯s side, where a large box hid in the shadows. An item turning too familiar by the moment. The Strings of the Heart case. A cursed instrument containing an Evil the party of heroes defeated, but never destroyed. ¡°Of course it¡¯s here,¡± he murmured. ¡°It would have been too easy.¡± With newfound control, Nyx walked over to Anna. Gently, he bent down and gathered her into his arms, her slight frame draped over his borrowed arms like a weightless cloak. As he raised, her eyes opened, and she moaned. ¡°Can you walk?¡± His whisper kind. When he put her down, she answered. ¡°Who are you? Where Am I?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Nyx. Oren¡¯s familiar. Now I¡¯m yours. We have been sent to a different world, and I¡¯ve been forced to take shape.¡± Anna¡¯s legs gave way to weakness, and Nyx rushed to grab her. His new body was tall, and standing below his shoulders, she had to tiptoe to follow his pace. ¡°The-they are all, they,¡± she said. ¡°All dead.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for your loss, but we have no time to mourn. I don¡¯t sense the Dark Horde in here, but it doesn¡¯t mean we are free of danger. Night is due and we need shelter and food. There will be time to cry later. Time to learn and time to blend. I swear you will have a happy and unburdened life here. A new start and a new future.¡± Nyx''s eyes darted to the box they were living behind. ¡°As far from the Darkness as we can. You just leave everything to me.¡± She pushed his arms away with a gentle touch. Her legs wobbled, but held place. First steps made her stagger, but found steadiness soon after. Before her struggle, Nyx¡¯s jaw tightened and his hand raised, unable to offer the aid she refused. She halted, turned and reached to hold his hand. ¡°Sorry, but you smell like a troll.¡± Nyx smiled. ¡°I have noticed.¡± Here comes the sun The morning light filtered through the slots of Anna¡¯s blinds, casting long, bright lines across her bedroom floor. The chaotic shrine of a room brightened as she opened the window. Morning revealed a mess of music CDs and movie casings scattered on the floor, ruled by walls full of posters from eras long forgotten by the youth of which she was a part in body, but not in soul. As she stretched lazily, her foot knocked over the case of last night¡¯s watch, a movie she had seen way too many times. Rubbing sleep from her face and spreading toothpaste on the sink, she lingered on her awakening dullness a little longer, savouring the calm before facing the troubles of a day that was going to unfold, whether or not she wanted it, as one of the most important of her new life. After splashing some cold water on her face, she pulled the bathroom scale closer. A sigh escaped her lips as she stepped on it, watching the numbers blink up at her. ¡°Great,¡± she said under her breath, stepping off quickly and shoving it back under the stool. The calm of the moment was fleeting, brushed aside by reminders of her first day in a new school. As he put on her pristine uniform, anxiety and worry engaged in an intrusive and nauseating conversation. The living room was tidy and clean, nothing to compare with her room, and a breakfast of toasted bread and noodle soup was waiting for her over the table. A plate opposite to her seat remained empty, chopsticks coming out of the bowl. As usual, Nyx had already left, and also as usual, it was the sound of the door and his scream from the entrance what had woken her up and not the alarm on her cell phone. At the entryway, Anna put on her shoes, grabbed her jacket and searched through the pockets for her headphones. Then, with a bag slung over one shoulder and her headphones firmly in place, Anna headed out, Huey Lewis synthesiser striking hard as her feet jumped down the stairs. First lyrics were always her favourite. While she lip synced, an old lady stepped to the side. After correcting her steps to follow the music, a young man glanced. And as she skipped along to the beat, a woman startled. About all of this, she didn¡¯t care at all. It was her moment. And for someone who had been walking amongst giants, nuances of commoners, where nothing. It was early morning, but the streets of Singapore were already alive. A city that, along with its residents, rested little. Younglings heading to school and adults rushing to work moved through pedestrian streets, noisy cars crowding traffic and piling on the larger avenues. For Anna, it was all background noise. The real world was in her ears: in the riffs and lyrics creating a life soundtrack delighting her mood as the views delighted her sight. She bopped her head to the beat, fingers strumming an invisible guitar against the strap of her bag. Her steps danced through the streets to the sound of music and ignoring the sideways glances and raised eyebrows of passersby. World unfolded around her as if she was living in a movie, vibrant colours of the market stalls blending with the crisp clothes of other citizens. Anna remained in her bubble, observing all from afar, as every single morning she lived in other countries and other cities. ¡°How many times do you loop this song in a day?¡± Nyx said, worlds deepening in her head as her own thoughts. ¡°You manage to turn the gift of immortality into a burden.¡± ¡°Really? I just passed the coffee shop.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t stop for coffee today. Been with you since you woke up. And by the way, lying to me at night about my cookies only works if you don¡¯t complain about gaining weight in the morning.¡± Anna snapped her teeth and increased the music volume. A new song hit its peak just as she approached Chinatown station. When she crossed the turnstile, a sad ballad threatened to break her mood. She unlocked the screen and scrolled to the song¡¯s list beginning while stepping on the escalator. ¡°There, have you heard this one?¡± When the song started again, Nyx let out a growl. His discontent triggered in her a sudden laugh, drawing condescension from the cabin¡¯s commuters. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Few returns to the list¡¯s start later, she put the first one in loop. When she stopped at the light of Prinsep St. with Bras Basah Rd. the solo hit, and she let herself be carried away, eyes narrowing and fingers tugging at the strap over her shoulder. Lost in her play, she barely noticed a boy standing off her side. His gaze slid over his shoulder, searching for a nook behind the sleek, black case of a guitar. He fixated on her fingers, moving swiftly and sure. When the chime of the green lights invited him to cross, his head turned, stubbornly holding on to her. Anna, oblivious to the people flowing, rooted to the spot, lost in her enjoyment. She stepped forward absentmindedly, only to be met by the sharp blare of a horn which stopped her path towards a terrible mistake. ¡°Pay attention!¡± Nyx said. ¡°I can¡¯t save you from your own stupidity! Do I really have to hijack one of these kids¡¯ bodies and babysit you at school?¡± Rolling her eyes, Anna tapped the side of her headphones as if she could mute him. ¡°Stop spying on me, Gandalf! And while having you close and quiet sounds fantastic, I¡¯d rather not let you torment some innocent mind.¡± ¡°Spying? Your mental solos flood into my mind without warning. I call it a curse.¡± Nyx let out a lugubrious crackle. ¡°And ¡®innocent,¡¯ really? How little you know of your peers in this world, glee girl.¡± ¡°Go haunt someone else,¡± she teased, waiting for the light to change. ¡°I¡¯m busy scouting the land.¡± The light turned green, and she resumed her way to school with her body reacting less to the melodies as her imposing destination closed. The entrance stairs lead up the guts of the building like the throat of a beast with its jaws open and, with such a sight, the cheerfulness of the journey completely evaporated. New school, new faces, new start. She was a people person. He¡¯d learn to amuse, to entertain and to cheer. Since they arrived, not only she had learned the languages, but the ways of the many peoples of that world, yet, she could not shake away the weight of a boulder in her stomach. And not being able to understand why was the worse part of it. Nyx¡¯s voice hummed in her mind again, softer this time. ¡°Come on Pips. It¡¯s not a dungeon.¡± She smiled at that, shaking her head. ¡°I rather prefer to deal with evil necromancers and sword-wielding maniacs, than a bunch of annoying teenagers.¡± ¡°You have described my evening thoughts perfectly.¡± Anna chuckled, drawing an awkward stare from a passing student. ¡°Right, right. Just walk in, Anna. Stop being weird and just¡­ walk.¡± ¡°Maybe add some juggling while you¡¯re at it. Might liven things up.¡± Steering herself, she squared her shoulders and walked through stairs, stepping into the unfamiliar world that awaited her. As she entered the building grounds, the noise chatting and people buzzing around overwhelmed her. Her fingers toyed with the strap of her bag but not playing at any tune. Insecurities creeped in as she approached her classroom. The walls, the students, the very air seemed colder, less inviting. Even daunting. The teacher greeted her at the door, introducing her to the class as a new transfer student. She waved and offered her usual welcome smile: A facade practised hundreds of times with Morrigan. A greeting pleasing any crowd she¡¯d faced before, but that created a lukewarm response at best. A few students glanced up to offer brief nods or disinterested stares before returning to their conversations. Most didn¡¯t seem to care at all. Anna¡¯s gleam didn¡¯t falter, but she could feel the slight chill in the air. ¡°Great Scott, Nyx! Get me out of here!¡± she thought, determined not to let the cool reception dampen her spirits. ¡°Delorean¡¯s in the workshop, sorry,¡± Nyx said. ¡°Come on, Anna. You were the entertainer of the Party of Heroes. Those were the tough, stoic guys who defeated the Dark Lord, not just giggling commoners. And they were all at your feet after every single song, story and swing.¡± She took her seat near the back of the classroom, sliding her bag under the desk and pulling out her notebook. The lesson began and the buzz of conversation faded into the monotony of the school day. The energy she carried since home was long gone, as was the nervousness of her arrival. Instead, a quiet sense of isolation grew, a state she was too used to. Anna kept her smile, tapping her pen absently against her notebook. ¡°Like stones in the wind, they sat unmoved,¡± she told herself in the language she has not spoken since she¡¯d learned the one of the new world. ¡°Broken statues of a hurtful past. Silent watchers, hearts unproved.¡± Somewhere, in the back of her mind, the laughs and claps of the Party of Heroes echoed. Forcing her focus back to the classroom board, her thoughts fought back, drifting to the landscapes of her old life. Breakaway Anna thought the new school would be different. Like in TV shows, she believed it was all about being in a class with the same people during every day of the week. The reality turned out different. The place was more like a university, where each student, depending on their curriculum, continually changed classes, and classmates. What at first seemed great to meet even more people, and make more friends, became a routine of rushing up and down to get to classes where personal conversations were rarely made, and when they were, all revolved in topics she either did not know about, or had no interest in. ¡°It¡¯s your eyes,¡± Nyx said. ¡°They are not used to electric blue.¡± ¡°Nonsense. I¡¯m just a weirdo.¡± ¡°Well, in that case, you just need to find other weirdos like you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll join the music club,¡± she said, stepping inside the busy cafeteria. ¡°And I¡¯ll speak with my music!¡± The table facing the cafeteria¡¯s entrance crowded a bunch of students with their hands full with percussion and wind instruments. They all dressed in an outlandish uniform of bright colours and extravagant design. Anna startled and froze. Without being able to take her eyes off them, her frown inspected one by one carefully for a long time and without shame. Each member noticed, sharing looks of bewilderment among themselves, as if their presence was something only Anna found ridiculously out of place. ¡°Unless you¡¯re planning to kill them or getting autographs, I recommend you to move on, lady. You are scaring the minstrels.¡± Following the smells of the trays filled with bulk-made food at the side of the room, Anna finally turned away, reaching for the self-service stands to grab a brick of choco milk and a couple of sweet buns. ¡°They caught me off guard. I didn¡¯t expect that.¡± ¡°What? A group of kiddos dressed for a performance?¡± In that instant, Nyx¡¯s tone turned out too mocking for her liking. ¡°Or them not inviting the weirdo kid to the weirdo table? You are in an arts school, Pips. People do artistic stuff here.¡± ¡°I know, I know. It¡¯s just¡­They reminded me of old times. Somehow.¡± Anna sat in one of the few empty tables by choice and scouted across the room, taking in the elaborate social dynamics around. At the very centre of the cafeteria was Kelly Ong, the leader of the most popular girl band, and as such the most popular of them all. Anna was not one to ask trivial questions, and yet, in less than a day, Kelly¡¯s name and her members¡¯ passion for dancing to J-pop songs had reached her ears. Kelly¡¯s beauty was undeniable, and in Anna¡¯s opinion, it could have been even more striking if her makeup hadn¡¯t pushed the boundaries of the school¡¯s dress code. Her long, straight hair, cascading to her waist, shimmered with the light as she moved, and with every measured gesture in whatever story she was telling to her followers, her slender, well-proportioned figure exuded grace. Around Kelly gathered her J-pop idol girls. Some shorter, some chubbier. But all pretty in their own way. And for some reason, beyond Anna¡¯s understanding, none of them had a hairstyle quite like the others. Anna watched them with detached curiosity. Kelly¡¯s table wasn¡¯t the kind of place she¡¯d ever aim to be. The glitzy, polished world of idols, fashion, and trends never interested her. Yet, she couldn¡¯t shake a bit of envy. Her interest shifted to the band dressed for performance, instruments in hand and top hats on their heads, ready to head for action. Her mind wandered back, but this time about tales. She¡¯d been always travelling with the Party of Heroes, and as a matter of fact, she¡¯d never seen much of other minstrels herself. A few bards apart from Morrigan and she. Some jugglers here, some poets there. But most of it, the best of unforgettable performances and impossible shows, came from the stories and legends that reached either by word of mouth or in crumpled scrolls. The boy standing in front of her made his presence known with a subtle clearing of his throat. He stood tall and lean, standing out from the crowd, with sharp features and intense, yet sad eyes. He waited, as if he had asked something Anna didn¡¯t hear. Then he shoved hands into his pockets, slightly tilted his head and took a step closer. ¡°Hey, sorry to bother,¡± he said, his voice quiet but clear. ¡±I¡¯m Darren. We are in music theory together. You were the one playing an air solo while waiting in the traffic light yesterday, right? ¡± The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Anna blinked, caught off guard for a moment, before a grin spread across her face. ¡°You saw that? I get carried away sometimes,¡± she said, leaning back in her seat. ¡°To my defence, nailing Mixolydian twists on a bag strap is almost as hard as playing a mandolin in full armour.¡± Darren¡¯s mouth twitched into a half-smile. ¡°I-I suppose.¡± The awkward silence felt worse with Darren¡¯s fidgeting. To her aid, or rather punishment, Nyx came as fast as his mind could plan the jokes.¡°Very well played, Ross Geller. It¡¯s fine, don¡¯t worry. If he runs away, you can always speak to him with your music. Or to the minstrels, although for those it may be too late.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Anna thought. Noticing the casing bag resting on Darren¡¯s shoulders, she tried again. ¡°My name is Anna, and as you can tell, I¡¯m awkwardly unfunny. Do you play the guitar too?¡± ¡°This is a bass,¡± he replied with a casual shrug, his eyes drifting across the cafeteria. ¡°Been at it for a few years.¡± Darren excused himself. As Anna feared her first attempt to make a friend had failed, he turned, hand scratching his hair. ¡°I¡¯ll be back. I want you to meet one of my bandmates.¡± Before Anna could say more, she felt a sudden shift in the air: a sharp gaze burning into her from across the room. She looked up and saw Kelly, her eyes locked onto her from the idols table. Kelly¡¯s face remained perfectly neutral, cold and calculating, but Anna could feel the weight of her judgement. Anna stared back for a moment, refusing to look away first. She flashed a quick, defiant smile before turning away, though she could feel Kelly¡¯s eyes on her for a few seconds longer. A discomfort making her return to the challenge. The rest of the girl¡¯s group, engaged in a conversation making them laugh too much, didn¡¯t pay attention to their leader and it wasn¡¯t until one of them, a petite girl with pretty features and big eyes, put Kelly¡¯s interest back on them and away from Anna. Almost certain it all had to do with Darren¡¯s approach, Anna muttered inside her mind, ¡±First duel of stares, checked.¡± ¡°Want me to hum some Enio for you?¡± Nyx said. Her hand instinctively drifted toward her bag, fingers searching for the shape of something familiar. Tucked inside rested the skull amulet she kept with her at all times. The rough surface of the crow¡¯s skull pressed against her fingertips, and as soon as she touched it, a wave of memories flooded her mind. The sounds of the cafeteria faded, replaced by a distant, crackling campfire and the soft murmur of her old companions settling in for the night. She remembered Oren, the warlock, always on the edges of the group, kept for herself. She was, as she always explained, an outcast. Never sure where or how she¡¯d fit. She always spoke little, and most of the time, her gruff, aggressive attitude put Anna at a distance. That night, Oren approached her, forcing her lips to appear friendly. ¡°This is for you,¡± she told Anna as she raised the crow¡¯s head pendant. ¡°It¡¯s the container for my familiar. It likes you.¡± ¡°For me?¡± Anna said, surprised by a familiarity coming from someone she had not expected. Oren sat on her side, shaking the log back and forth. ¡°I heard from Morr that sometimes you feel you don¡¯t belong in the group. That you don¡¯t know where your place is. Well, my familiar and I feel the same. Maybe this is my way of saying there¡¯s always someone.¡± ¡°Someone for what?¡± ¡°Not really sure,¡± Oren said in her deep, mournful voice. ¡°Maybe someone to fill the gaps.¡± The memory faded, and Anna was back in the noisy cafeteria, her fingers still dabbing the amulet hidden in her bag. The weight of Oren¡¯s words turned too difficult to bear, leaving her with a sense of vulnerability impossible to shake off. As her lunch break ran out of time, Darren returned to her table. ¡°This is Wei Jian,¡± he said, nodding sideways to the tall, bulky boy standing next to him. Wei had a quiet, shy demeanour, especially in the way he avoided eye contact. Maybe it was a behaviour so similar to Oren what struck her as oddly familiar, or maybe it was his physical appearance, similar to Adalan. Whatever it was, the extremely shy boy, without meaning to or trying to, shook Anna to the core. ¡°He¡¯s my drummer,¡± Darren continued. ¡°We¡¯re looking for a guitarist. Are you interested?¡± Anna felt her heart skip a beat. ¡°Don¡¯t freak out, don¡¯t freak out,¡± ¡°I¡¯m pretty calm just now. What are you talking about?¡± Nyx said. The prospect of joining a band put her hair to an end. As her eyes widened, Wei shuffled, reaching for Darren to whisper in his ear. Darren shrugged and tilted his head. In response, Anna raised an eyebrow, demanding to know what the big guy had just said. Darren, who seemed the kind who understood perfectly human interactions, raised his palms up. ¡°He just said your gaze makes him nervous. Sorry, Wei is a little shy.¡± She gave her best to play it cool, trying by all means to contain unfunny comments and jester antics. ¡°No worries, not as bad as a rotten cabbage straight to the face, isn¡¯t it? I¡¯ll think about the guitar offer.¡± After parting ways with Darren and Wei, Anna¡¯s head turned into a war of opposites. Butterflies fluttering at the prospect of connecting with interesting people, fought against ants chewing her guts with the frustration of being embarrassed each time she spoke. Dont stop me now Anna placed Professor Wong¡¯s guitar into its hard case with the gentleness of a mother placing a baby in its crib. Matt, the boy she had been practising with for the past hour, said goodbye with a soft snort before heading off into his world of mobile gaming. ¡°We have all the guitars you want in the shop.¡± Nyx said. ¡°It¡¯d be cheaper for me to give you a new one than what Marcus¡¯s bill is going to cost me.¡± ¡°My Ramirez is irreplaceable. You should have thought about it before using it as a war mace in your mafia feuds. Pay or die.¡± Anger welled up in her belly, and Nyx, who was not only connected to her by inner voice but way deeper, was quick to react. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Teacher Wong gleamed with kindness as Anna put the case at the side of his desk. He was the typical middle-aged man who, despite looking older and behaving like someone much younger than what he really was, managed to do so naturally that gave him a certain charisma instead of looking like a creep. Once a respected classical guitarist whose career had been cut short by issues in the knuckles, he was a teacher with a talent beyond anyone Anna had met, though without wishing to be humble, she had realised from day one; she was slightly above his technical skills. Still, Wong had surprised her with other amazing qualities, perhaps spurred on by experience or his attitude, from which Anna had much to learn. ¡°How did it feel?¡± he said as she reached for the door. ¡°Amazing, teacher. Playing it is like¡­like.¡± She hesitated, a finger tapping her cheek as she searched for a good way to describe what it had felt like to play the borrowed instrument. ¡°It¡¯s like it knew exactly what I wanted to say. Thank you again for letting me use it.¡± Wong¡¯s Yamaha had left her with a strange sensation she couldn¡¯t shake away. It was a great guitar, but her own was way better. Yet, she had felt in its playability and unique resonance, a special, intimate connection her own never achieved. ¡°I have some bad girls with a great smooth, responsive feel. Let¡¯s test some this weekend,¡± Nyx said. ¡°Promise the Ramirez will be ready soon as well.¡± After a couple of girls with their hands full of sketching books came down the stairs, Anna gave a hum of agreement. ¡°That would be great, thanks.¡± The music room where Darren and Wei were practising was at the end of a corridor. Anna had passed a class filled with people singing scales and another where a group of dancers jumped around like bunnies chasing each other. Anna stepped into the music room and moved aside, where a rosy-cheeked girl watched the two prepare their instruments in silence. She greeted Anna with a forced smile and a subtle, polite nod. The room was well lit and chaotic. On the sides were a few guitars of various types, and a couple of basses. And between several amps and a floor covered in cables was the only drum kit from which Wei seemed to hide behind. Darren, trying not to trip over the cables, tuned the peg while his finger searched for the right note. ¡°Back in my day, we just needed a flute and a fire,¡± Anna said, nodding toward the mess of cables. The girl¡¯s grin faltered into confusion. ¡°What?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Anna,¡± Nyx reassured as Anna tried to hide behind a curtain of hair. ¡°The art of making a fool of yourself with gracing charm died with Dean Martin. They¡¯re unable to understand it nowadays.¡± ¡°Neither do I,¡± she said. Anna stood quietly by the door, watching the group of students rehearsing. To Anna, who worked in a music shop and heard thousands of songs hundreds of times, the beat felt overplayed. Though, being just a drummer and a bassist, it was an acceptable choice. For a moment, the lines between her past and present blurred. The way Wei Jian played transported her back to the tales of her old life, where at the edge of battle, drums of war hit the correct rhythms for the engagements to death. Not that she had been in any actual battle, but as a bard, she always put the passion of someone who has seen them firsthand to strike deep into the emotions of her audience. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Darren was spot on. His technique was great, so was his groove. Wei, on the other hand, although good enough, was not at the same level. ¡°His left hand is dragging,¡± she thought, the sound of the music washing over her. Unable to resist any longer, Anna slipped deeper into the room. She stood near the back, watching the band play until they reached the end of the repetitive melody. The last note hung in the air, and the students exchanged glances, unsure of their performance. ¡°Hey,¡± Anna called out, stepping forward with a bright smile. ¡°You guys sound pretty good.¡± The room fell silent as the band members turned to face her. Darren stood with his bass slung low, eyes flicking to her with a raised brow, while Wei Jian glanced up from his drum kit, surprised by her sudden entrance. ¡°Seven Nation, uh? Would sound better with a guitar.¡± Darren¡¯s expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes. Wei remained quiet, watching her with an intensity that made her think of the paladin again. ¡°We usually play more asian pop when Lucas comes.¡± ¡°Who¡¯s Lucas, the singer?¡± Anna asked. Before anyone could respond, the door swung open, and in walked Kelly Ong, flanked by her group. The atmosphere shifted instantly. Dressed in their flawless J-pop-inspired outfits, Kelly and her entourage radiated confidence and entitlement. They clearly expected to own the space, and when Kelly¡¯s sharp gaze landed on Anna, her lips curled into a faint, condescending smile. ¡°Are you coming to join? We are full but you look good enough, better than some.¡± Kelly glanced at her group mates, a check that made all of them greatly uncomfortable. ¡°With a bit of polishing, you could totally fit.¡± ¡°Polishing, says the goblin!¡± Nyx chimed in. ¡°Want me to get rid of this one? Painfully?¡± Anna smiled back, though the warmth didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. She shook her head, keeping her voice calm. ¡°Thanks, but I came here to join a real band.¡± The room fell silent. The tension between Anna and Kelly turned palpable, the unspoken rivalry already taking root. Kelly¡¯s smile faltered for a split second, her eyes narrowing just enough to betray her irritation before she regained her composure. ¡°We¡¯ve got the room now,¡± Kelly said, turning towards Darren. ¡°This is for dancing and playing. Or do I have to tell teacher Wong again?¡± Darren stiffened, clearly not one to back down easily. ¡°This is a music room. Go practice in the dance studio.¡± Kelly¡¯s group exchanged uncertain glances, but Kelly wasn¡¯t so easily swayed. ¡°They are full. Wong let us practise here, but your noise won¡¯t let us hear our music. Doesn¡¯t exactly make for the best practice environment.¡± Before Darren could respond, the door opened again, and Lucas walked in and his presence immediately shifted the mood in the room. Tall, handsome, and radiating charm, Lucas was clearly the star of the school. Kelly¡¯s group visibly relaxed at the sight of him, their expressions softened and their complaints banished. And seeing their faces, Anna realised immediately why the pressure to practise there. ¡°Didn¡¯t know we had a new guitarist. She looks good enough; shall we see how she plays?¡± Lucas said after Darren introduced Anna. His eyes locked onto her with a practised smile. His tone was friendly, but something about it was calculated, like he was already sizing her up. ¡°I haven¡¯t joined yet, Face. Just checking around.¡± ¡°Well, now that you¡¯ve come, how about you play a bit for us?¡± Lucas continued, stepping further into the room. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you please my ears as well as you please my eyes.¡± Anna could hear the challenge hidden beneath the surface of his words, along with the stabbing jealousy radiating from the girls¡¯ corner. Though Lucas appeared welcoming, it was clear he was testing her¡ªand using her to rile up his fans. But she wasn¡¯t rattled. ¡°Sure,¡± she replied, picking up the school guitar, a Squier Strat with a slightly worn neck and a few nicks along the body. ¡°I¡¯d love to.¡± The room grew quiet as Anna adjusted the strap over her shoulder. Her fingers brushed the strings as she looked around. ¡°Alone? How about we deep into that song you practised before? Is more fun to quest with a full party, right?¡± Darren and Wei looked at each other and shrugged at the same time. ¡°Come on,¡± Anna continued. ¡°Darren takes the intro riff, I¡¯ll jump in with the rest. Wei, make sure your left hand¡¯s keeping steady on the snare¡ªyou¡¯re delaying a bit in the fills. Who¡¯s singing? No? Alright, I¡¯ll take it.¡± The moment Darrent began the riff and the world around her seemed to fade. It wasn¡¯t just a song she was playing¡ªthis was her escape, her passion, the one place where she felt completely at home. And for Anna, a glee girl and a wanderer, home was not a place, but a feeling filled with the energy that had always driven her. Kelly¡¯s group, though visibly unimpressed by the rough sound of the song, listened in silence, and somehow mesmerised by the intensity of the performance filling the room. Even Lucas, who did his best to look unimpressed, had a foot marking the rhythm and betraying his facade. Few students who passed by stopped by the door. And when the beat was at its half, there were more than a dozen people in the crowd. ¡°She¡¯s better than I thought,¡± Lucas mused silently, his eyes narrowing just a fraction. But his charm never faltered, and when the song ended, he was the first to speak. ¡°Although we don¡¯t play this style, I have to admit you sound pretty good,¡± he said as the song ended. ¡°My friend Eddy is interested in joining. He¡¯s too busy with his band, so let¡¯s keep this one for the time being. When Eddy comes, we will try both and decide who fits better for us.¡± Anna smiled, her confidence unshaken. ¡°This one is fine with it.¡± Hand in my pocket A dream she¡¯d not remember gave way to one of those moments of drowsiness when a person is aware they are sleeping but remains trapped in the world of unconsciousness. An instant in which Anna took a dive into her past, when she was happy and fulfilled. Back when she was still travelling with the Party of Heroes, back when everything had seemed simpler, if not easier. During one of the many times they camped during the way back home, the Party had gathered at full around the fire. Morrigan was telling a tale to the team and Anna, still a child not much older than the age she was found, practised a melody in harmony with her mentor¡¯s verses. That night, Adalan had been sitting by her side, calm and collected as always. She, lying on the cold ground, moved his fingers over the mandolin¡¯s neck with hurried clumsiness. Dozens of servants, assistants, squires and ground soldiers buzzed around to fulfil tasks to make the heroes¡¯ life easier. Vikor, a horse keeper who often made jokes about her play but was always willing to help in other matters, came up from behind to whisper. ¡°Girl, you miss some tunes there.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Anna had mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I swear I¡¯ll get better!¡± Adalan smiled softly, not before warning Vikor to leave with a simple, yet penetrating look. The paladin was the type of man who would face any challenge and misfortune with courage and warmth, no matter what. The leader of the Heroes, their captain and protector. He was a shield that let nothing through. Not even Vikor¡¯s words, which were nothing more than comments without real animosity. ¡°Don¡¯t mind that idiot,¡± he said. ¡°You are already amazing. Those tunes are so great, they amplify our magic. Am I wrong, Serandee?¡± The party¡¯s mage, busy with one of her books, hummed with assertiveness. Anna¡¯s face gleamed as Adalan tousled her head with playful care. To everyone around the fire camp, his gesture would have seemed like that of an encouraging father, perhaps an older brother. But to Anna, it meant the entire world. It meant a spark to feed an impossible dream she clung to since the first time she met him. Anna finally awoke, more to her own desire to forget than the morning light on her face. Her guts feeling the bitterness of the inability to return to those early, loved days left a sensation she could stand no more. She rubbed her eyes and stretched, enjoying for a last time the softness of a blanket wrapped around her. The dreamlike haze faded, and she smiled to herself, the events of the day before still vivid in her mind. After meeting the band, Anna couldn¡¯t think of anything else. Today was just another day, but she was determined to make it a good one. At her school, there were plenty of people who shared her passion. And of the band members, none of them seemed to share her preferences or tastes for outdated trends. Still, she noticed something special about being part of them. Something that dragged her back to her past, even if it wasn¡¯t exactly a party of warriors fighting evil. She hopped out of bed, crossing the room in a few quick strides. Her school uniform was already laid out on the chair by her desk, neatly folded and waiting for her. Anna pulled it on quickly, humming to herself as she did so. Outside the room, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and toast greeted her. Nyx, sitting at the table, sipped the first coffee of his usual caffeine induced mornings with an apathy only he could make seem effortlessly magnetic. His eyes flicked up to meet hers, and a smirk played on his lips. ¡°Morning, Pips,¡± he said, his voice gruffer than when talking through her mind. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Anna grinned, pouring herself a glass of orange juice. ¡°Good morning. I¡¯m late, and it seems you are too.¡± She took the seat across from him, noticing how he was dressed. Wherever he went, even in the comfort of a home, Nyx always dressed in half-ripped jeans and a very few selections of music t-shirts he wore so much, he had to replace them often. And when he did, he always bought the same one again. Only on special occasions, his t-shirts would give up to a black shirt, sometimes not even ironed, which in his mind was as formal as wearing a suit. Anna raised her eyebrows towards the shirt. ¡°Important meeting?¡± An arm riddled with leather straps and covered in tattoos brought the cup to his lips, dozens of earrings glinting as his head shook, savouring his black juiced vice. He used his fingers to comb back his shoulder-length, greyish mane.¡±I have to deal with the store repairs and I have no leverage against the handy fella. Later, I¡¯ll pass by to see how Matt¡¯s doing.¡± Anna grabbed a buttered toast, biting into it as she mulled over her words. ¡°You could just pay, you know? Like a normal human being.¡± ¡°Nah, he¡¯s a piece of shit. And a klutz. He broke a bass and dropped a keyboard. I¡¯m going to suck out half of his bill. ¡± She swallowed quickly, glancing at the clock. ¡°I¡¯m running late.¡± She stood, ready to go, but curiosity got the better of her. ¡°So, how about what broke during the fight? And the complaint about assault?¡± He chuckled, setting his cup down. ¡°Got from one the usual cheating and from the other some juicy cunning, so we settled our differences. Silence for forgetfulness. We good now.¡± His tone was casual, as if they were discussing something trivial. ¡°The jerk of the insurance will comply, too. Not a bad guy, but I got something on his brother he was happy to know. So we good too.¡± Anna couldn¡¯t help but shake her head. ¡°You really need to stop blackmailing people. Damn, it¡¯d be great if you stop reading their thoughts at all. And mine.¡± Nyx shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t read thoughts, I just know. And unlike the waterfalls of teen nonsense coming from you, the others always arrive as little streams of mischief. If they were good people, I wouldn¡¯t read shit. If I catch something from them, it¡¯s because they deserve it. I¡¯m tired of telling you.¡± ¡°And I¡¯m tired of hearing it,¡± she rushed to the door. ¡°Just be a nice idiot and do things normally. I wouldn¡¯t have to repeat myself so often if you listened for once.¡± ¡°I¡¯m far from ¡®normal¡¯. I¡¯m a unique, nice idiot, therefore, I do things ¡®uniquely¡¯.¡± The smirk of mischief on his face irritated her, but she didn¡¯t have time to argue. She crammed the rest of her toast in her mouth, threw her bag over her shoulder, and yanked at her shoelace. ¡°I¡¯m going to be late!¡± she exclaimed, jumping to her feet and rushing to open the door. After crossing the doorway, Nyx¡¯s voice arrived muted. ¡°You¡¯re late already!¡± Hurried by the words, Anna broke into a jog, hands searching for the earplugs in her pockets. When she reached Duxton Hill, she grabbed her phone to check the time. ¡°What a jerk. I¡¯m on time!¡± Anna looked both ways and crossed the red line, returning to a leisurely walk through Neil Road. ¡°Are you there yet, Gandalf the Black? You like making me run, huh? Today I will flood your brain with Ferris Bueller¡¯s nonsense!¡± When he didn¡¯t answer, she waited to repeat her inner words until well into South bridge. ¡°I didn¡¯t lie to you. You are late indeed,¡± he finally said. When she spoke to him mentally, his voice was always softer, with a hint of youth that didn¡¯t fit his host¡¯s age at all. ¡°I am messing with you, though. And I have to say, I¡¯m cracking up right now.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Look at the phone again, you glorified lute beater.¡± She blinked, then groaned as she checked the screen, dragging a hand over her face in exasperation. ¡°Saturday? Curse your bones, Nyx! I¡¯ll sting your eye with that crow skull of yours! You could have told me earlier.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the fun in that? Now come back home, change that boring uniform into something as cool as me, and get your ass to the store before Matt calls me in a huff.¡± Sound of silence Anna arrived at the music room with her heart racing and the hand holding her own guitar trembling. With the lights off, the place was dimly lit, with sunlight filtering through the tall windows, casting long shadows over the cluttered space. Her new bandmates were all there. Lucas, standing near his mic, barely glanced in her direction, his body stiff and unwelcoming. Darren practised a solo with silent moves, while Wei Jian sat quietly behind his drum kit, adjusting the cymbals with the same focused, grounded energy Anna had noticed days before. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get started,¡± Lucas didn¡¯t even look at Anna as he spoke, his tone dismissive and impatient. He handed her some music sheets while she looked around for a stand.¡°These are the songs we have in our repertoire. We will focus on the three I have marked and decide later which one fits better for the mid-term showcase. Let¡¯s practise ¡®Congratulations¡¯ now.¡± Anna felt a flicker of irritation but swallowed it down. discomfort did not improve as she sifted through a dozen unknown songs for the one Lucas had mentioned. When she found it, she put the hastily scribbled tablatures on the stand and quickly took her custom Les Paul out of its case. She set up her guitar, her fingers tingling with anticipation. After a quick check, she found the jack of a cable connected to the closest amp and plugged her instrument in. With a flick, she powered it on, a faint hum vibrating through the air. ¡°What sound exactly are we going for here? I haven¡¯t heard this song.¡± ¡°You are an expert, aren¡¯t you? Just get the tone right.¡± She frowned slightly, glancing at him and the rest of the band. Darren crouched over her amp, fingers turning the pegs. ¡°This will do. Are you sure to play cold?¡± ¡°Even with Lucas¡¯ writing making me wonder if he¡¯s Beethoven, I can still handle it.¡± ¡°I wrote those,¡± said Wei from behind. ¡°Oh,¡± Anna muttered. ¡°Sorry.¡± Darren¡¯s phone appeared from behind her, ready with a video of the song. Ana pressed play and turned down the volume just enough to hear without disturbing the others. After listening to the entire song with attention fixed on the paper¡¯s notes, she handed the phone back to Darren when finished. ¡°Got it. I suppose these rushed notes are adjustments to cover keyboard melodics? Good job, big guy.¡± Wei hummed, unable to raise his flushing face from the drums. They launched without further preamble. Lucas barked out the starting note, and the band followed, each member falling into rhythm. Anna let her fingers glide over the strings, the familiar rush of music flooding her senses. Her movements were fluid, precise, but even her, skilled to levels her bandmates would never believe, had the struggle of who has not practised. And to compensate, she put more emphasis and effort into the delivery. Halfway through, Lucas suddenly cut the song short, his hand raising to put the music to an abrupt halt. ¡°You¡¯re playing too hard,¡± Lucas snapped. Anna blinked, surprised by an outburst much more confrontational than it should have been. ¡°Sorry,¡± she said, trying to stay calm. ¡°I was aiming for more Jimmy Page and less Coldplay.¡± As usual, her joke didn¡¯t land well. Lucas¡¯ eyes narrowed, his irritation barely concealed. ¡°This isn¡¯t about you showing off,¡± he munched. ¡°This is Day6, not Coldplay or whoever that guy is.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not trying to show off, really.¡± She said, addressing the other two members more than the singer. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°I understand,¡± Lucas squeezed a clearly forced smile. ¡°You can do better. Try to tone it down and not drown my vocals, please. Let¡¯s start again.¡± Anna took a deep breath, her fingers still resting lightly on the strings. She had always played with passion, that was just who she was, but as a glee performer, she was used to all sorts of music, and in a world where Rock didn¡¯t exist, melodic songs were the norm to ease the hearts of battered men, and she was ready to play as smooth and bland as Lucas demanded. Music was her life, yes. But she needed no one to fill that gap. What she needed was to fill much wider holes in her soul. Fingers flexed over the strings, forcing herself to relax. If he wanted something smoother, she¡¯d give him smoother. She adjusted her grip on the pick, loosening her hold to soften her attack. No more heavy-handed strumming, and lighter, controlled swinging. The band resumed practice, but the atmosphere remained strained. Every note Anna played seemed to rub Lucas the wrong way, no matter how hard she tried. The others, caught in the middle, said nothing. As the minutes ticked by, the weight of unspoken discomfort grew heavier. At the end of the last song, Lucas stared at her, his jaw tight. ¡°Not so bad, after all. I suppose with some practice, you can learn how to play within the group.¡± Anna snorted, hiding from Lucas her eye roll. He¡¯d be right about her style by the beginning of the session, but now it was clear he was just piling up his dislike for her as a person over anything related to her playing. The confidence in her skills and the knowledge of her craft would not allow empty words to leak in. ¡°Right, right.¡± She tapped the body of the guitar and searched for any reaction from the two she really cared about. ¡°I think it was not too bad for, well¡­ a first day.¡± She was unsure of what to expect, but Darren packing up his bass without a word and slipping out of the room felt like a punch. Wei Jian stayed quiet as usual, observing Lucas as he left soon after, and then searching for a small bag where he put his sticks. As he gave a brief glance before leaving her alone, Anna reached for a side chair, guitar on her lap. ¡°This is the way a music club ends, not with a bang but a whimper, right?¡± Strangely, Nyx didn¡¯t answer. The guitar, her only listener, responded with a heartfelt solo, fingers and thoughts dancing with notes and memories of ¡®brothers in arms¡¯, all blending further into a mournful drift. The music took her away from the place and the moment. When her fingers stopped, the afternoon was already darkening, and the school seemed to fall asleep without the noise of brats bouncing around in every corner. When she put her guitar in the case, her frown lowered to the sight of the box in front of her. Black wood adorned with gilt filigree beckoned to be opened, though Anna did not feel the usual desire to do so at the moment. Still, seeing the curse seek an acquaintance was enough for Nyx to notice. ¡°What is it?¡± he bellowed, nerves brimming over in trembling words. ¡°It has appeared to you, right? Is it there?¡± ¡°It¡¯s here,¡± she whispered. Zipping her pack and standing in a crouch, she challenged the Strings of the Heart, almost as if she could feel the damned thing could stand against her. She put her guitar aside and stepped forward, decisive and brave. ¡°What are you doing, Anna?¡± Nyx said. ¡°Anna, leave the thing alone!¡± She grabbed the box, weight deceptively light in her trembling hands, and rushed through the corridor, Nyx¡¯s frantic calls ignored. Reaching the inner stairs, she glanced at the empty landing below. Without a second thought, she hurled the box over the railing and let it go. It plummeted the pavement, scattering itself and the hurdy-gurdy inside across the ground with a deafening clatter, pieces splintering in every direction. ¡°Damn girl. I-I thought you were going to open..to play it,¡± Nyx sounded relieved, and for once, scared. ¡°Why did you do that? You know it doesn¡¯t work.¡± She turned back, walking back to the practice room. ¡°I know.¡± Her voice reassured herself as she put her guitar strap over the shoulder. At the moment she reached the room¡¯s door, the corner of her eye caught what she¡¯d expected to see when she returned. A presence she knew well it would return, and despite that, it gave her a shiver down the spine. The Strings of the Heart lay in the same spot as before, untouched, as if nothing had happened. Its polished wood and intricate carvings sending flashes of mockery towards her futile resistance. She smirked, shaking her head slightly. ¡°But it felt good, nonetheless.¡± Fix you There was no band practice, yet Anna waited for Wei at the school gate, wishing he¡¯d join her for a short jam. She wanted him to improve, and she was there to help. Practise alone the both of them. For a little bit. Enough to give him some advice without the embarrassment of other¡¯s presence. That was the reason she kept telling herself, although at that point, she herself could sense her own deception. Wei¡¯s head appeared from behind a group of classmates, but before Anna could get close to him, Teacher Wong stepped in between. ¡°Anna, do you have a moment?¡± Anna fidgeted, and after realising she couldn¡¯t leave a teacher hanging, she let out a breath that immediately red-faced her. Luckily, teacher Wong was as cool as any could be, and he chuckled to her impoliteness. ¡°Just a moment of your time, Anna. I¡¯ve been meaning to talk to you about your counselling session.¡± ¡°This is about NAFA instead of YST, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± He paused, minding his words carefully. ¡°I just want you to know there are plenty of scholarships and financial aid options for talented students like you. You don¡¯t have to worry about the cost, and YST could open doors internationally.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that, teacher.¡± She paused as well, but in her case, was to search for a giant instead of an answer. Searching through the crowds for Wei, she found a useful set of words practiced a thousand times. ¡°I just want to stay closer to home and be able to keep my job at the family business. Too much commuting if I go to YST. I have given it a careful, long thought. And quality of life wins.¡± Wong¡¯s expression softened after a moment of surprise, his eyebrows lifting slightly before approval showed on his lips. ¡°Well then, you seem pretty sure of your choices.¡± Anna hopped away from the still baffled Wong, and with a tongue snapping clicks and fingers shooting invisible bullets she bid farewell to him. As she turned, her face reddened one more time. ¡°Why did I do that? Am I stupid?¡± ¡°Glad you noticed,¡± Nyx said. ¡°Shut up!¡± Anna turned her walk to a trot to catch Wei, who was way down Bras Basah Road, while a couple of girls spooked at the yell. During her rush, her mind stubbornly replayed the conversation with Teacher Wong. Her decision was not really carefully thought out, neither had been decided for as long as she pretended to be. She wanted to be a wanderer musician. A glee girl travelling the trails with her belongings on a mule. Or perhaps more appropriate to her new world, a rocker riding from city to city in a beat-up minivan. A silly, childish dream, and the only dream she had ever considered for her future. As she reached closer, a group of boys approached Wei, their voices rising above the general noise of the city. One boy held his nose dramatically as he neared Wei. ¡°Smells like fish again, huh? You bring that stink with you everywhere!¡± Another chimed in, taking a sudden run to jump and hit the back of Wei¡¯s head. ¡°Ah! My hand! Stinks of fish! Help!¡± The kid wiped on the back of a friend who at the same time wiggled to get away. After a series of disgusted faces and mock vomiting, everyone burst into an obnoxious laughter. ¡°Gonna do something? Or want me to dream-walk them?¡± Nyx said. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°I¡¯m sure if a girl steps in to help, it will be way worse for him later,¡± Anna answered. ¡°And I prefer you keep your claws away, Freddie. Last time you dream-walked someone it turned out to be a mess.¡± ¡°A beautiful mess that earned me a house.¡± Few steps away Wei Jian endured more mockery in silence, his expression as calm and impassive as ever. But Anna could see the tension in the way he held himself, the slight clenching of his fists by his sides. He was taking it all, as stoically as Adalan would have done it. The bullies, none realising they would stand no chance against the much bigger boy if he decided to fight, continued laughing and pushing each other. Full of themselves and their jokes, they walked away completely, forgetting who they were laughing at. Wei, unfazed, resumed his journey home. The quiet way he absorbed all thrown to him reminded her of the ways of her beloved paladin in a visceral way she didn¡¯t fully understand. His physique, tall and corpulent, added even more to a resemblance, which, although clearly different in reality, she couldn¡¯t help but see it as exactly in her mind. Of course, they looked different. While Wei had asian features and a sturdy build, Adalan, fit more in the stereotype of what in the new world would be described as a norseman warrior. She excused herself, pushing out of her delusions, yet, her mind oberflowed with the image of Adalan. His towering high. His broaden shoulders. His blonde mane dancing with the wind. As Adalan took over, Anna¡¯s blood, boiling over the fate of Wei, stopped boiling as doubts spurred by inconsistencies in her memories. Without realising she had lost Wei of sight, she gave up on her intentions and headed for Bencoolen Station, her legs moving out of habit and her excuses preparing new opportunities to meet him the next day. ¡°Was Adalan¡¯s hair grey?¡± she asked Nyx. ¡°On the sides I mean. Sometimes I remember some gray. Although sometimes I only see blondes.¡± In those beautiful times she was a few years younger, but old enough to remember. Conflicting memories collided. Not only about the hair, but at some points, the paladin was remembered as a young middle aged man, and sometimes older. When the memories failed the most, she even doubted the shape of his nose, or the size of his ears. ¡°Nyx, was Adalan¡¯s side-hair grey?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t remember. Does it matter? Maybe he got it with age. You two travelled a lot, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I was slightly younger when they found me.¡± Anna slumped onto the train seat, but then stood up abruptly to let an elderly lady sit down. ¡°If we had travelled that much, I¡¯d be older now, don¡¯t you think? Also, sometimes I remember him being older at times that I think happened before than times happening later. Isn''t that weird?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. The guy had a lot on his shoulders, didn¡¯t he? Stress can turn your hair white in an instant.¡± She entered the crowded streets of Chinatown with the feeling of uneasiness tightening her chest. At each step, her memories turned more confusing and Nyx¡¯s ridiculous answer, aimed to cut off an uninteresting conversation, didn''t make her feel better. ¡°What a damn pain. Why don¡¯t I remember well? Everything always gets blurry and confusing.¡± ¡°Well, you told me the party¡¯s mage erased your childhood¡¯s memories so as to take away the horrors you endured under the Horde. Right? Considering she also launched you through the cosmos with a spell that few can do and few others can withstand, maybe she left you with some scorched neurons. That would explain the confusion and your tendency to go full ¡®Bully Maguire¡¯ in front of your teachers.¡± ¡°Hilarious.¡± Anna adjusted her earplugs and cranked ¡®painkiller¡¯ at full. Not a song she particularly liked, but an ideal choice to punish her ears, ease her thoughts and torment her familiar. Maybe he was right. Maybe her past was scorched by otherworldly magic. But from the clear thoughts the ¡®right now¡¯ was giving her, she realized all she wanted was to be close to Wei. She wanted to help him, to give him a hand to rise above his bullies. A hand to keep him close, and, not letting the hold go, walk together home for a little bit longer.