《Arisadis - The Fox's Constellation》


 Prologue

    Prologue


    The sun was setting over Tharym, and the shadows of the cliffs guarding the port city began to stretch out like hands of darkness descending far too early upon these lands. Tharym was enveloped by rocky terrain, resembling the imposing walls of a stone kingdom. The spectacle of the sunset, when the sun''s rays slipped through the narrow passage and ignited the waters of the river and ocean in a reddish glow, was a moment of overwhelming beauty.


    For the master of Tharym, this spectacle had lost its magic. He had seen it too many times, and the beauty he once contemplated had faded, lost in a desolate routine. In contrast, his guest, from the window of the upper floor, remained captivated, unable to tear his gaze away from the scene unfolding before him. His visits to the port were rare, and now he struggled to divert his attention from the enchanting landscape to the courtyard of the central building. Even from that height, he could clearly distinguish the two figures near the gate made of black marble, conversing in the quiet of the sunset.


    ¡°How is he managing?¡± he asked tersely, his voice hoarse from the harsh coastal winds.


    ¡°This place suits him better than your stone tower, Marslo,¡± the city¡¯s leader replied, a grave tone in his voice. ¡°The boy has adapted quite well, although fear still holds him tightly in its claws.¡±


    ¡°What fear, Hrassin?¡± Marslo asked, his eyes flashing with anger. ¡°I didn¡¯t send him here to become the mockery of the scoundrels at the docks!¡±


    Hrassin sensed a note of paternal concern in the other¡¯s tone and barely restrained a smile.


    ¡°He''s made friends with those scoundrels, even though he''s scared them off a few times. No, he fears for himself. The telepaths can''t explain what happened to him. They will try again tonight, but they haven''t discovered anything new in the last few months.¡±


    Marslo wrinkled his nose at the news. It was clear he had expected something more concrete, yet he didn¡¯t want to torment a child just to satisfy his curiosity.


    ¡°Don¡¯t force him if he doesn¡¯t want to,¡± he said with a sigh. ¡°It¡¯s already hard enough for him.¡±


    Hrassin tilted his head slightly, grateful for the gentler tone of his guest.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°He understands that we want to help him and has agreed to cooperate,¡± he confessed. ¡°However, we haven¡¯t managed to gain his trust as that... creature did.¡±


    His gaze turned toward the window. In the fading light, the young man was barely discernible. The one he was speaking with, however, was a strange presence, almost supernatural, emanating a darkness that seemed to merge with the night settling over the city. Hrassin had not wanted that creature in Tharym. It was something beyond his control, a wild force that even the master of the Tower could not fully comprehend.


    ¡°I suppose your wizards couldn¡¯t approach him either,¡± Marslo said, sensing the truth.


    ¡°He nearly killed two of them,¡± Hrassin replied. ¡°I don¡¯t know where it lurks or what plans it has, but it only appears at night. The mystery gnaws at it just as it does at us, but as long as it sees us as enemies, we cannot reach it.¡±


    ¡°It seems he¡¯s friends with the boy. Use that,¡± Marslo said, watching the two from afar.


    Hrassin, who had often witnessed their conversations, knew things were far from that simple.


    ¡°They are not friends,¡± he replied sharply. ¡°They share the same curse, whatever it may be, and like you, they seek answers, but hostility reigns between them. I will not risk provoking the wrath of that creature, nor will I protect the boy. I do not belong to the Tower, Marslo, and I never will. The safety of the city is all that matters to me, regardless of the tribute I must pay to the Guild.¡±


    ¡°They''re just children, Hrassin!¡± his guest exclaimed, an unexpected outburst.


    Hrassin felt the turmoil within the other¡¯s soul. The Sovereign of the Guild knew how to play his cards, but the looming danger ahead made him lose his patience. After all these years of dealing with the Tower, Hrassin had learned to recognize threats. And to avoid them.


    ¡°That monstrosity I know to which kin it belongs,¡± he said heavily, stepping away from the window and lifting the wine glass from the desk. ¡°But the boy? The incompatibility between his physical body and his astral one should have killed him, and yet here he is, working side by side with the sailors. And his power... surpasses anything we could imagine. Not even your Guardians would be able to keep him under control.¡±


    ¡°But the Guardian of Tharym can, to some extent,¡± Marslo said with a calculated smile.


    Hrassin frowned. The Guardian... Of course, that was why Marslo had chosen to send the two of them to the port city, far from the Tower. Even he himself acknowledged that this collaboration had brought certain advantages. He took a sip of wine, recalling his role. The mystery of the young man did not concern him directly, and although he had to treat him like any other inhabitant of the port, he knew he did not have complete control over him. Not as long as he didn¡¯t truly know who or what the boy was.

 Chapter 1 - The Dock City

    The first thing that drove you mad in Tharym was the relentless noise. From the earliest hours of morning to the latest moments of the night, sounds reverberating from every corner of the port amplified the city¡¯s frenetic energy.


    The city, with a history spanning thousands of years, owed its prosperity and longevity to its strategic position. Built along the Tharym River, it was the only gateway out of the Last Barrier, a massive mountain chain encircling the settlement like a natural fortress, leaving just a single pass carved by the river¡¯s waters to the ocean. This rugged landscape served as a shield against the fierce winds, protecting the ships that docked daily, bringing goods and stories from distant lands.


    The docks were the most chaotic and grimy parts of the city. Always teeming with sailors returning from long voyages, it had become the place where they squandered their earnings, often in shady taverns or on fleeting pleasures. That evening, everything seemed worse than usual. A ship, arriving too quickly, hadn¡¯t slowed down in time and had crashed against the shore rocks, breaking its hold and spilling tons of marinated fish into the water. The pungent smell spread everywhere, and the river had turned into a foul canal, thanks to the recent disaster.


    A young boy wove his way through the crowded docks, a calm gaze and a brisk pace carrying him forward. He headed toward the damaged ship, carrying a large net with metal frames and heavy handles. Once, these massive tools had been beyond his strength, but now he wielded them with an ease acquired over years of hard work. The sun was setting, and time was becoming an enemy, especially since he knew that cleaning the river would occupy his entire night. But he didn¡¯t complain¡ªwork gave him an escape. As long as he stayed busy, his mind remained at peace.


    He passed by groups of colorful passersby and even a few nobles, who were easy to recognize by their sumptuous clothes and air of superiority. In Tharym, the nobles held the power to determine a person¡¯s fate with a mere glance, but Ayun didn¡¯t care. He¡¯d quickly learned that a humble demeanor spared him trouble. As long as he kept his eyes down and stayed out of their way, he was invisible to them.


    ¡°Ayun?!¡±


    The voice stopped him abruptly, and his hands clenched around the net¡¯s handle. If not for the unmistakable tone of a noble, he would have continued on, undeterred. Slowly, he turned, his gaze landing on an enormous figure with distinctly bizarre features. The man was massive, though his body was not made solely of muscle; thick layers of fat hung heavily from his bluish arms. His elongated face was dominated by a single central eye, surrounded by twisted horns that curled down toward his bovine nose.


    ¡°Ayun!¡± the noble repeated, grinning widely. ¡°What are you doing here? Why aren¡¯t you at the Tower?¡±


    The man¡¯s familiar tone stirred nothing in Ayun. Figures like this one often drifted into his life, claiming to know him, but to Ayun, they were just shadows from a distant past, a past he¡¯d worked hard to leave buried.


    ¡°I¡¯m working,¡± he replied politely.


    All he wanted was to start his task and clean the river as quickly as possible, but the man before him seemed determined not to let him go easily.


    ¡°You can¡¯t stay in this filth! I¡¯ll get you out of here!¡± exclaimed the noble, drawing the attention of passersby.


    Attention Ayun didn¡¯t need. He felt the discomfort of the gazes fixed on him.


    ¡°This is where I live... for now,¡± he replied, putting on a forced smile. ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯m managing.¡±


    He tried to move away, but the other¡¯s thick fingers clamped down on his shoulder. Ayun turned calmly, though he felt tension building within him.


    ¡°It¡¯s impossible for someone like you to be a servant in this wretched city!¡± the noble declared with feigned pity that disgusted Ayun. He knew exactly what the fat man was after.


    ¡°I have orders to stay here, for the good of... everyone¡ªincluding myself,¡± the youngest replied, keeping his calm.


    The man persisted, speaking as though he were boy¡¯s savior. But Ayun narrowed his gaze in a subtle warning.


    ¡°I obey Hrassin because I choose to,¡± he said quietly but firmly. ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it if you stopped trying to help me. Others have tried... and didn¡¯t end up in pleasant circumstances.¡±


    His words were misinterpreted, with the other man taking him for a victim.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to fear Hrassin!¡± the noble proclaimed proudly. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh, but who said anything would reach Hrassin¡¯s ears?¡± Ayun interjected, his voice laced with a well-masked threat.


    The noble froze, his central eye trembling as he suddenly grasped the danger. He pulled his hand away from boy¡¯s shoulder, and Ayun didn¡¯t wait for a response, quickly distancing himself.


    It had been foolish to react that way, but he was done with being looked at like a dog begging for a scrap of bread. He knew all too well why they were so interested in someone like him. All he wanted was to be left alone! All these fools thought they were doing him a favor without understanding the risks they were courting. To him, Tharym was the only protection he had left.


    Finally reaching the damaged ship, Ayun looked on in disgust as the marinated fish had drifted downstream, a strong odor of decay hanging heavily in the air. The waters were covered with layers of scales and rotting flesh, and the river now reflected the moon in a somber, eerie way. The young boy leaned forward, momentarily captivated by the pale reflection of the nocturnal orb.


    He wore a rough, brown vest over his bare chest, and his black pants were stained with mud and dampness. He gave little thought to his clothes or appearance. His long, red hair fell messily over his shoulders, loosely tied in a simple knot. Though his face still bore the softness of youth, it hinted at a far more complex presence. Two pointed, fox-like ears covered in reddish fur peeked out from beneath his unruly hair, gently stirred by the wind and giving him a wild, untamed look. A long, bushy tail of the same red hue, tipped in white, swayed behind him, the light playing over the dense fur.


    Around his neck hung a small, gray pouch tied with a thin cord, the only item he held dear. His green eyes, sharp and intelligent, shone with an ancient gleam, full of mystery and utterly devoid of any trace of humanity.


    Lost in his own thoughts, Ayun didn¡¯t notice the group approaching until their laughter scratched at his ears. He stood up abruptly, glancing around. He was surrounded by four young men, all around his age. Three of them had greenish scales covering their skin, while the fourth was entirely covered in black fur, his elongated head resembling a snout.


    ¡°Well, look who it is¡ªAyun himself!¡± taunted the one with fur.


    Their presence meant only one thing: trouble. He immediately understood that the exchange with the noble had revealed his name, and now these thugs felt emboldened to provoke him. He tried to sidestep them, but one of the reptilian figures blocked his way.


    ¡°What are you doing around here? This isn¡¯t a place for Tower scum!¡±


    Ayun tensed slightly. His cleaning net was still on the ground, and he needed to grab it and get far away from this group. He had no desire to get involved in a conflict with them.


    ¡°Heard you don¡¯t like water,¡± one of the scaled boys chimed in. ¡°Think you can swim?¡±


    Just as Ayun bent down to pick up his net, the one with black fur landed a blow to his ribs, sending him over the edge of the dock. In an instant, the cold water swallowed him, stealing his breath and wrapping him in darkness. The river was deep, even close to the shore, and the pitch-black water enclosed him on all sides.


    The young men above laughed loudly, proud of their work. They believed no one cared if a dock rat disappeared. One of them even shoved the net into the water, thinking they¡¯d finished him off. But an unexpected splash drew their attention.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Soaked to the bone, Ayun pushed himself up and leapt out of the water with surprising speed. Once on the dock, he took a single gasp of air before launching himself at the boy with black fur, tripping him and sending him sprawling. He didn¡¯t linger, though, as the other three lunged at him. Moving with remarkable agility, Ayun evaded their attacks effortlessly. Although he could have exploited this advantage to escape, he allowed them to surround him, ready to teach them a lesson. He wasn¡¯t looking for trouble, but a scuffle now and then didn¡¯t bother him.


    But something changed the situation completely. Ayun froze, his breathing becoming ragged. He felt as if the air itself were dwindling, his skin growing hot and prickling. It was a sensation he knew all too well, one he feared.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t come any closer!¡± he shouted, desperation cracking his voice.


    Panic slipped into his soul. He saw them advancing and knew he couldn¡¯t fight them¡ªnot in the state he was in. He took a step back, struggling to regain control over his body, but the feeling of suffocation only intensified, as if his blood were on fire.


    Suddenly, the ship¡¯s hull erupted, and a wave of rotting fish cascaded onto the four boys, bringing an unexpected end to the fight.


    ¡ª Again?!


    Hrassin''s tone had a sharp note, like a snake swallowing its prey. Everything about him, from his appearance to his sibilant voice, evoked the image of a reptile. His brown scales gleamed in the dim light of the room, smooth on his neck and chest, rustling slightly with each movement. His eyes, with their large, penetrating pupils, seemed to pierce into the deepest corners of one''s soul. His head, completely bald, lacked ears but was endowed with an acute sense of hearing, capable of perceiving even the faintest of sounds.


    The room was a fortress of wealth and knowledge, with shelves full of rare books, each tome hiding a fascinating story. On the walls, valuable paintings depicted distant lands, inviting the viewer on an imaginary journey. A bottle of golden liquid, resembling brandy, sat proudly on a solid wood desk, shining like a trophy, while Hrassin played with a crystal glass, wrinkling his nose at the disorganized spectacle before him.


    Ayun, wet and covered in mud, stood amidst the elegance of the room, water dripping from his clothes and forming a brown puddle on the white rug. Some algae clung to his damp hair, and in his hand, he tightly gripped a dead fish. It had remained under his vest, and he hadn''t found the chance to discard it. Hrassin sighed, realizing that if he''d known the young boy¡¯s condition, he would never have ordered the guards to bring him into his precious chamber.


    ¡°A fight in the street? Seriously, boy, what were you thinking?¡± he asked in a fatherly tone, though his gaze betrayed something else.


    Sensing the trap, Ayun remained silent, his head lowered, lost in thought. Such incidents would bring him no benefit, but he didn¡¯t understand why he had been brought before the port lord. No one ever bothered to intervene in the frequent street brawls between the port¡¯s inhabitants.


    ¡°One of those you fought with is a noble¡¯s son. If you''d killed him, you''d have been hanged by dawn,¡± Hrassin warned him. ¡°The guards can¡¯t save you every time.¡±


    In fact, the guards hadn¡¯t saved him¡ªthey¡¯d saved the other boys. Even if he had killed the noble¡¯s son, Ayun doubted they would have dared lay a hand on him. But he knew such arguments didn¡¯t matter. It had been foolish to respond to the provocation, and he accepted his guilt.


    ¡°Since you have too much energy, you¡¯ll spend twice as much time in the underground tonight,¡± the sovereign decided with a cold smile.


    The boy¡¯s gaze darkened for a moment, but he nodded without protest. He had brought this upon himself. He bowed respectfully and turned toward the door, accepting the trouble he had gotten into.


    ¡°I did not allow you to leave!¡±


    Ayun¡¯s hand stopped just a few fingers from the doorknob, sensing the weight of the silence in the room. He had already received his punishment, but he had no intention of asking questions. He looked at Hrassin, waiting patiently. There was only one empty chair in the room besides the one occupied by the city¡¯s ruler, but he had not been invited to sit, and his caution prevented him from asserting his presence. Any conflict with the lord of Tharym was bound to fail.


    Remembering his purpose in the port, Ayun set aside his pride and focused on the present moment. Hrassin, with an air of superiority, took a sip of his drink, savoring the intense flavor. Then, with a casual gesture, he motioned with his chin toward Ayun''s clothes.


    ¡ª First of all, get rid of those clothes and take a bath. You smell awful!


    It was true¡ªhe hadn¡¯t had the chance to clean himself after being buried under the pile of fish, and the unpleasant odor clung to his clothes like a heavy cloak.


    ¡ª What''s the point? he murmured, unable to stop himself. I''ll just get dirty again soon anyway...


    The thought of the river covered in the shipwreck''s remains pushed him toward the edge of despair. It would take forever to clean it all, and by the end, he would look twice as bad as he did now. Hrassin, noticing his discouragement, smiled smugly.


    ¡ª Forget about that task. I have another one for you, he said, playing with his crystal glass. There are some mice in a room on the seventh floor. I want you to bring them here.


    ¡ª The seventh floor? the young boy repeated, surprised. But...


    ¡ª If you let one escape, your punishment will be doubled, the sovereign added in a sharp voice. Do you understand?


    Although confused, Ayun said nothing further and prepared for his new task. Half an hour later, he was climbing the stairs to the higher floors of the building. He had changed quickly, putting on a slightly wrinkled shirt and clean pants, and the rancid fish smell was gone. However, the disgusted looks of those he passed along the way continued to follow him.


    He suspected that Hrassin had informed the guards of his presence, as, although he encountered a few, none dared stand in his way. The upper floors of the building were reserved for high-ranking nobles and lords from other realms, and the well-trained servants devotedly attended to their needs. He couldn''t understand why the city''s ruler had chosen someone like him, with no sense of decorum or manners, for such a task. Knowing how to bow before a prince didn¡¯t bring him any benefit down at the docks.


    When he reached the room he was responsible for, he carefully opened the door, quickly closing it behind him. Hrassin''s threat haunted him like a specter, leaving him with an unsettling feeling. With a glance, he realized it was a place meant for someone of status. The room was luxurious, with a large bed, crumpled sheets, and a blanket carelessly thrown over the edge. The carved wooden wardrobes and the mirror framed in polished wood seemed to be used by someone important. The only light came from the full moon, shining through the open window. Beside it, a door led to a small balcony.


    As he stepped inside, Ayun kicked something with his foot. He bent down and picked up a dead mouse from the floor. It was small, brown, and had a horn on its forehead. He turned it over in his hands but found no wounds. The creature appeared to have died for no apparent reason. He tossed it into the wooden cage he had brought with him and immediately discovered others, all just as dead, scattered around the room.


    Normally, such mice¡ªlow-ranked yokai¡ªwere a nuisance, but he''d never encountered them in such numbers. Usually, no more than three or four would dare steal some scraps of food, but in that room, there were at least twelve, all dead for no obvious reason.


    Gathering them all, Ayun bent down to pick up another from under the bed when he heard a faint sigh. He froze, his body going rigid. The blanket on the bed shifted slightly, betraying the presence of someone beneath it. His heart pounding harder, he set the cage down and cautiously approached. He didn¡¯t know what to expect, but the tension in the air made him fully alert. He grabbed the blanket and yanked it suddenly, revealing a frail silhouette.


    Someone screamed, and the attack was so swift that the boy leaped back, instinctively covering his head with his arm. Something was thrown at him, but he felt as though he¡¯d been struck by a gust of wind, filled with sand and confusion. Completely disoriented, he dared to glance at the beds. What he found there left him speechless.


    Curled up in the middle of the bed, a young girl looked lost in her own nightmare. Dressed in an oversized nightshirt that covered her fragile body, her dark hair was completely disheveled, giving her an air of vulnerability. Trembling from head to toe, she tightly clenched her right fist, as if holding onto the last fragment of control. Her eyes, as white as pearls, lacked any hint of color and were filled with tears.


    Ayun stared at her, dumbfounded.


    ¡ª You¡¯re... human?! he exclaimed, unable to hide his surprise.


    In a city full of yokai, the presence of a human was an unexpected and incomprehensible thing.


    ¡ª No... don¡¯t come near me! Please! the girl cried, her voice choked with panic.


    He blinked, confused. Her behavior reminded him of himself at certain moments. Looking more closely, he noticed she was holding some small grains in her hand and had let them fall onto the bed.


    ¡ª You¡¯re trying to attack me... with rice? he asked, his surprise extinguishing any trace of anger.


    Humans really were strange. He thought that the girl had probably been brought in to serve as a maid. Still, one detail caught his attention. Her white, lifeless eyes seemed to be staring at a point to the side, unable to really see anything. She was completely blind.


    ¡ª I was told to clean this room, she said, trying to soften her voice. I won¡¯t do anything to you.


    If the girl had started screaming and waking up the whole building, Hrassin would have skinned him alive. Ayun realized that the ruler of Tharym must have known about the girl''s presence and probably had plans for her. Still, Ayun decided it was none of his business. He took the cage and continued gathering the rest of the mice. Even though she couldn¡¯t see him, she could hear him, and she made sure to keep a good distance, taking refuge in the farthest corners of the room.


    Although Ayun had the ability to move completely silently, he intentionally made noise with his footsteps, giving her a sense of control. Once he finished his task, he left the room and closed the door behind him, wondering if the girl had anything to do with the sudden deaths of the creatures. Her barely perceptible sighs had followed him all the way to the door.


    The thought that a poor, blind child might have caused such a massacre lingered in his mind, a mystery he couldn¡¯t explain.

 Chapter 2 - Born in Darkness

    A ship was drifting away, yet the waves of the sea never touched it. Its ocean was the sky itself, where it soared higher and farther, leaving behind a land steeped in sorrow, a city stained with blood, and sealed graves that would never again receive flowers, tears, or whispers...


    Ayun jolted awake, soaked from head to toe. Again. He blinked in confusion, still unable to distinguish between dream and reality. For a moment, he believed the figure before him was merely an illusion, a phantom of the past.


    The individual had an imposing stature, easily towering over the young boy. His entire body was covered in fur so black it seemed drawn from the very essence of night. Along his back, the fur bristled into sharp spines, while his prominent features and elongated fangs added to his fearsome appearance. His eyes, however, were a fiery orange, glowing like the flames of hell. His powerful body was complemented by long claws and pointed ears, akin to those of an elf, though his legs were bent in reverse, giving him an unusual look. He wore only a stained tank top and a pair of shorts, while two twin tails, ending in sharp blades, swayed menacingly in the air.


    His entire being seemed to radiate darkness. Though he bore some resemblance to the young noble Ayun had clashed with the day before, this creature was far more savage and dangerous. The only thing that slightly undermined his menacing image was the bucket he held in his hand, smiling maliciously.


    They stood on the deck of a ship caught in torrents cascading from the mountains, which had reached Tharym only a short while ago. Branches and mud piled on the deck awaited cleaning, though Ayun had deemed the ship''s condition good enough. In the past, he had dealt with vessels fresh from battle, and mud was far easier to scrub away than dried blood.


    "You!" he murmured, barely waking up fully.


    It took him only a moment to understand why his clothes were drenched. Though the rude awakening was unpleasant, he felt a flicker of relief¡ªhad the port authorities caught him sleeping instead of working, he would¡¯ve been in real trouble. Thus, he made no effort to confront the other, inwardly grateful.


    "Has life in Tharym worn you out?" the creature mocked, a sly grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.


    "I thought you only came out at night," Ayun replied, ignoring the mocking tone.


    Since arriving in the city, Ayun had rarely seen Hachyro in daylight. He wasn¡¯t in the mood for conversation, so he tried to walk away, but one of the twin tails suddenly stabbed into the ship''s railing, blocking his path. The other tail hovered threateningly near his chest. Any trace of amusement vanished from the fiery orange eyes.


    "Don¡¯t toy with me, Ayun," Hachyro said menacingly.


    "When I have new information, I¡¯ll come to you. The Tower Mages won¡¯t arrive until next month. Maybe if you cooperated with them, we could learn more," Ayun replied, staying calm.


    The other growled, a terrifying, almost demonic sound.


    "The Guild¡¯s executioners? I still don¡¯t understand why you let them cast all those spells on you."


    "You know very well why. They want to help us, to find an answer to the past. A way to..."


    A powerful roar echoed from the depths of the city, sending a chilling reverberation through the air. It came from somewhere beneath the ship, within the canals connecting Tharym to the underground lakes. Ayun knew those canals were occasionally invaded by creatures drawn to the scent of prey. The dead fish swept into the sea by the damaged ship had now caught the attention of these beasts.


    In the moment of distraction, Hachyro had vanished. Ayun didn¡¯t bother to look for him; his presence in broad daylight would only cause more trouble. Instead, the young man tensed and leapt over the railing, landing on the docks.


    He broke into a run through the city, weaving between passersby and dodging roadside stalls, ignoring the curses that followed whenever he stumbled into someone. He knew every corner of Tharym, every narrow alley and hidden refuge. The streets of the port city held no secrets for him anymore. Without slowing down, he slipped into an inn tucked away in a dimly lit alley, sneaking through a side door left ajar.


    The room was shrouded in semi-darkness, but Ayun hurried down the stairs, sliding along the cold, damp stone walls. The corridor that stretched before him was pitch black, but he didn¡¯t need light. His confident steps revealed that he had traveled this path countless times before.


    The path led to a vast, damp chamber filled with stagnant air, where a massive iron grate, now lifted, served as the doorway. At the center of the room lay an underground lake, its surface shimmering faintly with the glow of thermal waters. Normally, it was an attraction for the inn¡¯s customers, but those who vanished there mysteriously never got to fully enjoy this "privileged" destination.


    From time to time, the "explanation" for these disappearances would emerge from the dark waters. Massive tentacles, covered in suckers as large as windows, would rise from the depths, reaching hungrily for any unfortunate soul lingering on the lake¡¯s edge.


    A few dockworkers, identifiable by their simple clothing, wielded spears to keep the beast at bay. Among them stood the nobleman¡¯s son, his expression frozen in terror but laced with determination. Nearby, fresh bloodstains on a rock hinted that the monster had already claimed a victim.


    On the opposite side of the lake, the other young men, who just a day before had been brimming with courage, now stood paralyzed by fear. Among them, a boy with an abnormally long neck, barely more than a child, was visibly trembling.


    When Ayun burst into the chamber, all eyes turned toward him, filled with disbelief. The monster immediately sensed him and wasted no time attacking, its tentacles hurtling toward him. But Ayun was too quick, sliding along the edge of the lake with agility, dodging the massive strikes. One of the tentacles slammed down on the cowering group of youths, grabbing the smallest among them and squeezing with lethal force.


    An explosion suddenly erupted, filling the air with the acrid stench of burnt flesh. The beast let out a guttural roar that echoed ominously through the chamber. The injured tentacle withdrew sluggishly, much of it gone, the edges of the wound smoldering and smoking. With a pained groan, the creature sank beneath the surface, releasing its prey from its deadly grip.


    The boy was seized by Ayun''s firm hand and effortlessly pulled onto the shore. Behind him, the others were rising, unscathed and still in awe of their miraculous rescue. As if by instinct, they all bolted toward the exit, abandoning the fight they had so desperately sought. That creature was far beyond their abilities. Yet the young man with emerald eyes stood motionless, showing no intention of following them. His gaze was fixed on the last person remaining in the chamber: the nobleman¡¯s son.


    The youth was laughing maniacally, relentlessly stabbing the lake¡¯s waters with his spear, convinced that slaying such a creature would bring him unimaginable glory.


    A faint sound echoed behind Ayun, but he didn¡¯t even turn around. By now, he was used to the almost ghostly presence of Hachyro. He hadn¡¯t come to help; he was drawn by the prospect of carnage. Typical of someone from the Arsien bloodline. Hachyro walked past the noble¡¯s son, grinning broadly, his excitement written all over his face.


    ¡°Close the gate,¡± he said sharply. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡±


    Ayun tilted his head slightly, feeling a growing unease.


    ¡°If I close it, you¡¯ll be trapped inside,¡± he replied, doubting deeply that Hachyro had any genuine concern for the city¡¯s safety¡ªor for anything beyond his own bloody amusement.


    Hachyro smirked, malice gleaming in his eyes.


    ¡°Have you never wondered why the nobles are so eager to help you?¡± he asked, his fiery orange gaze sparkling with macabre amusement. ¡°How they know about us... about what and who we are? This is the reason!¡±


    He gestured toward the boy, who, with a reckless enthusiasm, continued to provoke the monster. Ayun had suspected someone had spread rumors about them in the city, but he hadn¡¯t even considered that this kid might be the source. Most likely, his wealthy family had access to information they had irresponsibly allowed to leak.


    ¡°What are you planning to do?¡± Ayun asked, sensing the tension between them intensify.


    ¡°Make sure he keeps his mouth shut,¡± Hachyro replied with a fierce grin, baring his fangs. ¡°Care to join me?¡±


    Ayun gritted his teeth. Hrassin¡¯s strict orders echoed in his mind, forbidding him from getting involved with the noble¡¯s son again. Staying would mean disobeying those orders and getting into serious trouble. While he could try to protect the boy somehow, doubt gnawed at his thoughts¡ªwhat chance would he have in a real fight against Hachyro? Perhaps giving the noble brat a good scare would be enough to keep his mouth shut.


    Although he pitied him somewhat, Ayun made his decision quickly. He activated the mechanism of the thick chain, and the iron grate fell with a deafening metallic crash, sealing off the room from the outside world. Without looking back, Ayun turned and walked away, leaving the outcome of the battle in their hands.


    The noble''s son showed no sign of fear, even as the grate slammed shut behind him. His full attention was drawn to Hachyro, who had moved close enough to enter his line of sight. He had met him only twice, but unlike Ayun, whom he could tease daily, the arsian was a new, thrilling challenge. He still regretted the moment Ayun had unintentionally revealed his powers, only for the guards to intervene and cut the spectacle short. Now, nothing could interrupt the confrontation.


    The young noble picked up a large rock from the ground and threw it at Hachyro. It was a careless throw, not meant to hit but merely to grab his attention. The noise of the stone striking the floor was enough to prompt the lake monster to lash its tentacles toward the arsian. However, Hachyro did not budge, calmly observing the creature''s sluggish movements.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Suddenly, a sharp roar erupted from the depths of the water, far louder than before. The massive tentacle rose into the air, riddled with deep cuts that split its soft flesh. The noble''s son frowned, unable to comprehend what had just happened, when Hachyro appeared in front of him in an instant, gripping his throat with inhuman speed and strength. The young man struggled desperately, but the gap in power was overwhelming.


    ¡±Da...mned... devil, he rasped, ¡± struggling to articulate a threat. ¡±I¡¯ll... I¡¯ll... ¡±


    But he never finished. Hachyro¡¯s twin, blade-tipped tails rose behind him, slithering like lethal serpents as his orange eyes gleamed menacingly in the darkness. A cruel smile, dripping with sadistic delight, spread across his face as his fingers tightened with merciless pressure, until he felt the young man¡¯s neck snap under his grip.


    ¡±Ah, I almost forgot, ¡± he said in a sinister tone, laced with a falseness so palpable it was impossible to believe. As his victim barely twitched, he continued with a wicked grin: ¡±I was only supposed to teach you a lesson, wasn¡¯t I? ¡±


    He tensed, and with a brutal gesture, hurled the noble¡¯s son into the dark waters of the lake. The boy¡¯s muffled scream was swallowed by the echoing chamber. A guttural sound reverberating from the depths signaled that the lake monster had picked up where Hachyro left off ¡ª exactly as he had planned from the beginning: to kill.


    Unaware of how the underground confrontation had concluded, Ayun visited once again in Hrassin''s office. The port''s leader had summoned him for lunch, visibly pleased to see him utterly exhausted, his eyes almost shut. Only the peculiarity of their conversation kept him awake.


    ¡±With all due respect, ¡± Ayun said after listening to Hrassin''s instructions, ¡±why must I be the one to deliver that human girl''s dinner? Don¡¯t you have servants for this? ¡±


    It was true that he preferred carrying a tray of food to gutting foul-smelling fish from the river or scraping dried mud off ship decks. Still, he couldn¡¯t understand why he had been chosen for such a task when the well-dressed, well-mannered servants of Tharym¡¯s main building were readily available. Hrassin, lazily leaning on his desk, lifted his usual glass of liquor, his calculating eyes fixed on Ayun.


    ¡±I need someone who can think, not just act on instinct, boy. The girl is of immeasurable value. The Tower has tasked us with protecting her for a month, and then they¡¯ll decide what happens next. Until then, I want you to learn everything you can about her. Nothing is trivial. And I expect you to report every detail to me every morning. ¡±


    Hrassin leaned slightly over the desk, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips, his eyes glinting in the dim light.


    ¡±And be very careful... she might be more dangerous than she seems. ¡±


    The amusement in his voice puzzled Ayun. He couldn¡¯t tell if Hrassin was serious or merely teasing him. Lacking clear information, it was obvious he would have to uncover everything on his own.


    By the time evening arrived, he found himself standing once more at her door, carrying a tray of food. Swallowing hard, as he had at the docks, he was haunted by the same strange, suffocating sensation. He didn¡¯t allow himself a moment to recover. He doubted there would be any need to fight, which would have worsened his condition. Sometimes it happened even without using magic, which irritated him to no end.


    Remembering that the girl was blind, he deliberately made noise as he opened the door. He found her sitting on a chair near the window, staring into the void. Her eyes were lifeless, empty. At the sound of his steps, she let out a weak whimper, nearly slipping off the chair. Ayun sighed heavily. It was the same story all over again, though at least this time, she didn¡¯t throw rice at him.


    He set the tray on the bed. His breathing was faster than normal, but gradually, the strange symptoms would subside if he stayed calm. He had the distinct feeling that the air in the room was insufficient, stifling, as though an invisible cloud pressed down on him.


    "I brought you some food," he informed her, his voice calm yet firm.


    Her stomach growled pitifully in the silence of the room, but she didn¡¯t approach. Ayun frowned. Don¡¯t humans need food?!


    Dinner was simple: a few slices of bread with butter and jam, accompanied by a mug of milk. Casting a cautious glance around the room, he searched for mice but found none. He sighed in relief, glad he wouldn¡¯t have to carry another basket of corpses. He sat on the edge of the bed, alert to every movement around him.


    The girl, clearly starving, took small, hesitant steps toward him. But suddenly, she let out a short cry and retreated abruptly, nearly falling. Before she did, her gaze had locked directly on him.


    Ayun flinched, his green eyes widening in surprise. It only took him a moment to understand. He had moved completely silently, by instinct, and the blind girl no longer knew where he was. But one thing was certain¡ªwhen she had looked in his direction, it wasn¡¯t by chance.


    "You can see!" he exclaimed, amazement evident in his voice.


    "I... I can¡¯t!" the girl stammered, her voice trembling with fear. "Stay away!" she shouted again, panic creeping into her tone as she heard his footsteps drawing nearer.


    "What the hell is going on?" Ayun asked, feeling his patience slipping away.


    The girl¡¯s behavior baffled and irritated him in equal measure. Was she just pretending to be blind? Doubt consumed him. No, she was lying¡ªshe had to be! He knew what he¡¯d seen, and it couldn¡¯t possibly be a coincidence.


    Without further hesitation, he strode toward her. The girl, desperate to retreat, backed into the edge of the bed, her terror seeming to grow with every passing moment.


    "Please, don¡¯t come closer!" she whimpered, her voice barely audible. "I beg you... I don¡¯t want to hurt you!"


    Her words stopped him in his tracks. Something was off, though he couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on it. A subtle wrongness lingered in the air, something elusive yet deeply unsettling.


    "Hurt me?" he repeated, confused, feeling his breath quicken slightly.


    How could a mere human, fragile and powerless, possibly harm him? Humans were so vulnerable that a gust of wind could snuff out their lives, yet there wasn¡¯t a hint of pretense in her voice. He began to doubt his conclusions.


    The girl, realizing she could no longer hide the truth, started wringing her hands nervously, agitated and visibly unsettled, preparing to explain.


    "I... I¡¯ll show you... but promise me that if you feel unwell, you¡¯ll leave immediately!" she said, her voice trembling with fear.


    "You¡¯re afraid you¡¯ll hurt me?" Ayun asked, disbelief lacing his words.


    He had spent enough time among humans to hear plenty of absurd things, but this situation surpassed them all. A human girl believed she could harm him? The absurdity made his jaw tighten, and the suffocating sensation became even more oppressive. He cursed inwardly.


    "Promise me!" she insisted, refusing to relent.


    Ayun looked at her, irritated by her stubbornness, yet feeling curiosity gnawing at him. The fact that she seemed to know something he didn¡¯t made him pause, and his pride began to wane in the face of his desire to understand.


    "Fine," he finally relented, his voice full of exasperation. "I promise!"


    He sat back on the edge of the bed, this time making enough noise for her to gauge his position. The girl approached slowly, her steps small and hesitant, and sat at the opposite end of the bed. With a slow, tentative motion, a dark pupil began to form in the whites of her eyes, meeting his emerald-green gaze unerringly. Still trembling with fear, she reached out for a slice of bread, her hand shaking so much that it took her several tries to grasp it.


    He watched her in silence, waiting for her to calm down, though he could feel the tension thick in the air. The girl seemed to expect him to grab her wrist, but Ayun remained motionless, allowing her to act at her own pace.


    "I don¡¯t understand," he said, frowning, his intense gaze fixed on her. "Can you see me when I¡¯m near you?"


    As he formulated his question, Ayun realized that he was breathing normally again, and the suffocating sensation had gradually vanished. He even felt... good. It was strange¡ªsomething he couldn¡¯t explain. His condition, which had worsened without any apparent reason, now seemed to improve.


    "Somewhat," she murmured, avoiding his gaze. "I can see by using... your power. But this will continue until... it kills you."


    Ayun remained silent for a few moments, pondering her words. A connection began to form in his mind. Those dead mice... they were yokai, creatures drawn to magical energy, so they had probably been attracted to her because of this strange power. She had used them to see and had drained their lives, but from the way she trembled with fear, it was clear she hadn¡¯t done it intentionally.


    He continued reflecting on what she had said, trying to grasp the full implications. Finally, he closed his eyes, refusing for a moment to rely on the sense he trusted most, just to test his theory.


    Indeed, if he concentrated hard enough, he could feel a faint... drain on his power. A barely perceptible breach through which she was siphoning his life energy. This discovery explained why his condition had shifted the moment he came under her influence. Awe overwhelmed him, and he struggled to suppress his excitement. He couldn¡¯t wait for the Tower¡¯s mages to arrive so he could reveal what he had found! It seemed he had uncovered a solution to his greatest problem. However, he needed to be cautious; if he frightened her, everything would crumble.


    Watching her, he noticed how the girl stared dreamily at the starry sky, but suddenly her face darkened, and her eyes filled with tears.


    "Now that you know, leave! You¡¯ll die if you stay near me!"


    "Don¡¯t compare me to mere rodents," Ayun retorted, a wave of indignation coloring his voice.


    "You¡¯ve already been deeply affected just by being here!" she moaned. "Your energy is half of what it was yesterday! I¡¯ve hurt you enough!"


    He frowned. Never had he suspected that a human could sense the spiritual state of others. Slowly, he looked down at the floor and shook his head.


    "You deserve no credit for that, child," he replied, his tone cold.


    He didn¡¯t intend to offer her any further details, and she didn¡¯t seem inclined to ask for them. With timid movements, she took the tray of food and began eating voraciously. He left her alone, but inside, he simmered with fury. Not at her, but at Hrassin. Now he understood why he¡¯d been sent there! Hrassin couldn¡¯t risk the life of an important noble... He had used him as a guinea pig!


    When the girl finished eating, he reached out to take the tray, but she grabbed his wrist. The unexpected gesture required an immense effort of will to restrain his instincts, which screamed at him to jerk his arm away and move back. He was disgusted by his own reaction. Since when had he needed to defend himself from a mere child? Since when had he become so wild?


    ¡°Could you... stay a little longer?¡± she asked, despite her earlier efforts to drive him away.


    Ayun hesitated. He had come out of obligation, not to grant her favors, and Hrassin wouldn¡¯t be pleased to see him delay. However, his expression seemed to be interpreted by her as a sign of approval, and she darted toward the balcony door, opening it fervently. If she intended to jump, he probably wouldn¡¯t be able to stop her in time!


    Suddenly, he heard her exclaim with delight.


    ¡°Is it always this beautiful?¡±


    Though he had seen that port enough to last him a lifetime, her enthusiasm lured him outside. Ayun joined her, leaning his elbows on the railing with a bored air, but the view rendered him speechless.


    The sky was clear, and the moonlight bathed the entire city. The river, flowing silently, had taken on a peculiar hue, resembling a stream of molten silver, while the moon¡¯s rays caressed the buildings and the few docked ships. Every structure seemed to radiate its own power, intertwining with the magic of the night. A quiet and mesmerizing night.


    He had lived in Tharym for years but had only seen its grimy side. He had never bothered to seek its beauty, so what he now beheld felt alien to him. He didn¡¯t recognize the port that usually reeked of fish in this enchanted vision. He had been so consumed by his sorrows and burdens that he had become blinder than the girl standing beside him.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered gratefully. ¡°Umm...¡±


    She didn¡¯t know how to address him. He blinked, puzzled, still under the spell of the night¡¯s scenery.


    ¡°Ayun,¡± he replied shortly. ¡°Ayun Arthan.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Lirany Esdren!¡±


    She extended her hand, and Ayun accepted the human gesture, briefly clasping her fingers before letting go. Lirany pulled back her arm, but not her smile.


    ¡°Thank you, Ayun Arthan.¡±


    His gaze softened. He felt a twinge of pity for the young woman of human descent. He wanted to tell her that she had helped him as well, that what she considered a curse was, in fact, a blessing for him, but he refrained. Magic was taboo in human culture, and he didn¡¯t want to jeopardize the fragile seed of friendship that had just begun to take root.

 Chapter 3 - The Two Harbors

    "Fascinating!" exclaimed Hrassin, a wide grin of delight spreading across his face. "This girl is priceless! A truly remarkable acquisition!"


    "I fail to see how someone like Lirany could be useful to yokai, except as food," Ayun replied dryly.


    The fact that he¡¯d been ordered to report any findings kept him stuck in the office, which reeked too strongly of expensive liquor, and Hrassin¡¯s presence irritated him. Even so, his remark made the port¡¯s overseer grin at him.


    "Ah, so her name is Lirany! She wouldn¡¯t even tell us that much!"


    Ayun shrugged. He found little significance in a name, but the ruler clearly had a different perspective.


    "From now on, you¡¯ll neglect your usual duties. I don¡¯t care about those filthy ships! Your sole responsibility is this girl."


    "You want me to deliver her food instead of looking after the vessels?" Ayun asked with a slight raise of his eyebrow.


    He would have embraced the change without any regrets.. Carrying a tray up a few flights of stairs sounded far easier than managing enormous ships or dealing with grumpy sailors, and his tail swayed slightly at the thought of a calmer day ahead.


    "Not just that," Hrassin replied with a mischievous grin. "I want you to earn her trust, make her love this city... to be loyal to us. But tread carefully. She has the power to obliterate the harbor with a mere snap of her fingers."


    "I thought she was meant to stay here only for a short while. When am I supposed to have time to get close to her?"


    The idea that a human could survive long in a yokai den, where they were seen as nothing more than prey, seemed absurd.


    "Truth be told, I''m tempted to keep her... But what use do I have for a scared, weepy girl, hmm? Do your job as I commanded, and the girl¡¯s power will reshape history!"


    Ayun pressed his lips into a thin line as he closed the door behind him, leaving Hrassin in his office, already sinking into another bottle of fine wine. For a fleeting moment, he felt the claws of instinct scraping at the surface, threatening to shred all those carefully laid plans.


    Indeed, Lirany could be dangerous, and if such power fell into the wrong hands... Yet, she seemed utterly helpless in controlling her gift. Most likely, the yokai in Tharym would view her as food rather than a weapon, and Hrassin, sooner or later, would change his mind.


    But that wasn¡¯t his concern! He had a mission to carry out, and he had to see it through. With a deep sigh, he made his way toward the kitchens.


    The stone corridors, dimly lit by flickering torches, were deserted. A few rats scurried past him, rushing to escape his path. Though he was accustomed to the rodents, a fleeting smirk crossed his lips¡ªhis presence, that of an ancient predator, was enough to frighten any living creature in this perilous place.


    A shadow slipped into view ahead, and though his vision in the dark was limited, Ayun''s sharpened senses instantly identified the figure lurking in the gloom.


    "Any news?" Hachyro asked in a low voice, his tone feigning innocence, as he leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed.


    Ayun¡¯s normally composed and distant gaze narrowed, and a flicker of barely restrained ferocity glinted in his eyes.


    "News?" he hissed dangerously. "Does the corpse in the underground lake ring a bell?"


    Fury¡ªan emotion almost alien to him¡ªconsumed him, impossible to suppress. He had been summoned by Hrassin, who had grilled him for nearly an hour about the remains of a noble¡¯s son found floating in the lake. Ayun had assumed Hachyro¡¯s earlier threat was merely a scare tactic to silence the boy. Never had he imagined that the arsian would go as far as murder.


    While everyone else believed the monstrous creature in the depths to be the culprit, Ayun had noticed the telltale signs: clear, deliberate cuts on the young man''s body¡ªprecise incisions that no marine beast could have made.


    "I did what you couldn¡¯t," Hachyro scoffed with defiant indifference. "The dead can¡¯t talk, can they?"


    "Couldn¡¯t?" Ayun snapped, his tail fluffing up as it reflected the storm raging within him. "I don¡¯t kill indiscriminately just because something displeases me!"


    Hachyro tapped his tails against the stone floor, a malicious grin spreading across his face.


    "If it bothered you so much, perhaps I could... deal with the rumors another way," he suggested slyly. "Half the harbor, along with Hrassin, would be a decent start, don¡¯t you think? What¡¯s your opinion?"


    At that moment, one of the torches exploded, and Ayun fixed him with a piercing glare, his intensity making the air feel almost tangible. Strange currents of energy swirled around him, creating a vortex that stirred up the dust in the tunnel and made the remaining torches flicker as if on the verge of extinguishing.


    "Dare to lay a finger on Tharym," he whispered menacingly, "and you¡¯ll never have the chance to hear another rumor again."


    For a fleeting moment, a shadow of unease crossed Hachyro¡¯s face. After a brief hesitation, he took a step back. He had made a habit of provoking Ayun, but this time he knew he¡¯d crossed every line. Ayun no longer feared his own power, as he had at the harbor, nor did he suppress it. The shadows in the tunnel danced, drawn to his tightly coiled aura, ready to erupt at any moment.


    "Maybe I won¡¯t have to kill them myself," the arsian said with a harsh, cruel grin.


    With an agile leap, he disappeared into the shadows, and with his departure, the swirling dust and air currents dissipated. Ayun remained in the tunnel, breathing deeply and silently cursing Hachyro.


    By the time he reached the girl¡¯s room, he was utterly exhausted. The suffocating sensation had intensified along the way, and his blood boiled, turning every breath into a struggle to contain his agony. He placed the tray of food on the bed, barely noticing how Lirany, frightened, had curled up in the far corner of the room. He sat down on the floor, resting his forehead on his knees, desperately searching for an oasis of calm.


    All he wanted was to shut himself off from everything and everyone, to be alone, if only for a moment, so he could quell the inferno raging inside him. His breathing was erratic, as if the air around him had become an enemy too thick to draw into his lungs. In that moment of confusion, he became aware of his energy thinning, losing faint, almost imperceptible threads. It was Lirany; he could feel her cautiously approaching, and a moment later, her voice broke through the haze:


    "Are you okay?"


    It wasn¡¯t fine. But calming his thirst for release through conventional means risked scaring her outright. An idea began to take root in his mind. He knew that Lirany perceived the world through his life energy, but she had always kept a safe distance. The image of the mice he had found dead in her room suddenly resurfaced in his thoughts. What did he have to lose?!


    ¡°Lirany,¡± he whispered. ¡°Can you... can you come closer?¡±


    ¡°If I do, your life will be in danger,¡± she replied, a note of sadness in her voice. ¡°My power could kill you.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t happen,¡± he promised firmly. ¡°If I feel dizzy, I¡¯ll tell you to step back. Deal?¡±


    With one hand pressed against his chest in an attempt to calm his heartbeat, Ayun extended the other toward her. Lirany, hesitant, gazed at him for a long moment before mustering the courage to accept his gesture. Each movement seemed measured, as though an extra second might seal her fate. Her hesitation didn¡¯t bother him. Patiently, he sensed her fear and hope interwoven, urging her to move forward. Then, slowly, her fingers met his palm.


    At first, nothing happened. But suddenly, his body was enveloped in a golden glow¡ªa halo of shimmering lights that slid off his skin, transferring to her hand. As if the girl¡¯s thirst for energy ran deep, she absorbed the lights greedily. Her gaze, initially dark and heavy, began to take on a warm brown hue, her eyes regaining their vibrancy, enriched by the strength she received. The moment lasted only a few seconds, but when the energy stabilized and the magic dissipated, a faint connection lingered between them. Lirany, now able to see much more clearly, yanked her hand away with a small gasp, startled.


    Ayun stared at his hands, astonished. That oppressive sensation of suffocation had vanished entirely, leaving him able to take deep breaths with ease. Usually, it would only subside, but now it felt utterly obliterated, as if the suffering within him had been nothing more than a shadow. All of it, just from Lirany¡¯s touch.


    ¡°How... how do you feel? ¡° she murmured, a note of fear in her voice.


    He lifted his gaze, and when his eyes met hers, he smiled sincerely.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Thank you, Lirany. ¡°


    He inclined his head in a gesture of gratitude, but he could see the doubt on her face. She didn¡¯t completely believe him, and she had her reasons. This new, revealing discovery had brought him a sense of joy he didn¡¯t want to let go of, but he owed her an explanation. And more than that¡ªshe had helped him in a moment when he would have been powerless without her, and the desire to offer something in return gnawed at him.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°Are you sick? ¡° she asked suddenly, frowning.


    ¡°It¡¯s not exactly an illness¡° Ayun replied, still feeling the echo of relief in every fiber of his being. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you, but... it¡¯s such a beautiful day to stay cooped up here. What do you say? Would you like to see the port? We can talk along the way.¡°


    Rumors had already spread throughout Tharym, so revealing his predicament no longer posed any additional risk. Lirany''s eyes widened with an almost childlike delight, but hesitation held her back.


    ¡°Are you sure? ¡° she asked, as if still afraid to believe her luck. ¡°I mean... can I really leave this room? ¡°


    ¡°You¡¯re not a prisoner here¡° Ayun reassured her gently. ¡°Going out alone would be dangerous, but with me, you¡¯ll be safe. ¡°


    The truth, however, was more nuanced: while she wasn¡¯t a prisoner, her freedom to leave the port was limited¡ªjust like his. Yet, the fascination of seeing the city overwhelmed any other thoughts she might have had. In less than a minute, she had swapped her nightgown for a simple brown dress.


    He waited for her in the hallway, respecting her privacy, and when she emerged, her face radiated a mixture of excitement and barely-contained apprehension.


    As he had expected, everyone around them stared intently. The news that a human was in Tharym had spread quickly, and Hrassin¡¯s decree forbidding anyone to touch her only heightened the temptation. Some yokai, who had never seen a human before, watched her with vivid curiosity, while others bore predatory expressions, their eyes gleaming with unrestrained hunger. Only fear of the city''s sovereign and Ayun¡¯s presence kept them from venturing too close to Lirany.


    The girl felt the oppressive stares and pressed herself as closely to him as she could, unintentionally stepping on his foot and tail a few times. Yet, Ayun showed no sign of noticing. Accustomed to the realm of Tharym, he could instinctively discern any real threats, and for now, he was confident that nothing would disturb their walk.


    Once outside the building, Lirany completely forgot she was in a city of yokai. Her gaze wandered in fascination, moving from the massive ships docked at the port to the stalls brimming with glimmering objects and unusual jewelry. The sparkling river, fantastical creatures conversing in unfamiliar tongues, the creaking wheels of carts, and the vibrant mix of colors and sounds took her breath away.


    The bustling crowd became a perfect refuge for the two of them, as no one seemed to pay them any mind anymore. They strolled through streets that smelled of fish, and among the noisy merchants, they reached the docks. A few colossal ships swayed their sails, including one with a damaged hull that had yet to be repaired, and even a fishing galley with four towering masts.


    At one point, they turned onto a wider street but were forced to stop to allow the passage of an unusual creature¡ªa sort of gigantic, slimy worm that pushed its monstrous body forward on a few thin, slippery legs.


    "Greetings, Mron!" Ayun said respectfully, giving a slight bow of his head.


    "G-good... day!" Lirany murmured, her voice trembling slightly.


    Suddenly, she felt a slimy, tentacle-like slap on her back¡ªa friendly gesture from the creature. Lirany barely managed to mask her disgust, striving not to react.


    "Mron is one of the most good-natured yokai in Tharym" Ayun informed her, clearly amused by her effort to remain composed.


    "Is that so?" she asked, casting a skeptical glance at the sharp spike at the end of the creature¡¯s tail, which didn¡¯t seem all that good-natured to her.


    Since the day was splendid and neither wanted to return to the building where Lirany''s room was, the two set off in search of something to eat. The morning had passed without them tasting anything, and hunger was starting to make itself known. The enticing smell of fried fish immediately caught their attention, emanating from an individual with a somewhat human appearance: his reddish skin and prominent belly made him seem almost caricature-like.


    "I... I don''t have any money," Lirany admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment.


    "In Tharym, we don''t use money" Ayun explained. "If you want something, you have to offer something in return."


    After a brief negotiation with the vendor, the man gestured toward a few crates ready to be loaded onto a cart. Since Lirany had nothing to trade, the alternative was to pay for the food through labor. Determined to help, the girl quickly realized that the physical strength of the port city¡¯s inhabitants far exceeded her own.


    Attempting to move a crate, she was stunned to find it much heavier than she had anticipated, while Ayun carried one with disarming ease. With the work finished and the fish obtained, they rested on a wide, deserted street bordered by a rocky wall. It was a place where grass and a few trees had taken root, faintly reminiscent of the forests surrounding the city, where Ayun had often sought refuge among the branches. This time, however, he remained sprawled on the grass beside Lirany, gazing at the clear sky through the branches. Sleep hovered over him. Perhaps a short nap wouldn¡¯t hurt. The girl certainly wouldn¡¯t dare leave, as her sight depended on his presence.


    "Ayun?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.


    He didn¡¯t open his eyes, but he caught her soft tone, and his right ear twitched slightly, signaling that he had heard her.


    "Tomorrow, representatives of the Guild will come. Do you think... do you think I¡¯ll be punished for my curse?"


    Her tone carried a bite of fear, and Ayun fixed his emerald-green gaze on her, frowning slightly, his hands tucked behind his head.


    ¡°Are you talking about magic? ¡° he asked, noticing her nod. ¡°Lirany, magic is not a curse. It has always been a part of the world''s makeup.¡°


    She looked down, absently playing with a fish bone, mistrust written all over her face.


    ¡°The people in my village would think it whispers darkness to you¡° she said, puffing bitterly. ¡°Magic shouldn''t exist in human blood. It''s a bad omen. I attracted... monsters, yokai who could sense my magic so... I was left in the Guild¡¯s care, who sent me here, where I couldn''t hurt anyone... but they were wrong...¡°


    Her hands trembled, and Ayun realized all her thoughts kept circling back to the mice she''d killed. So that was how she ended up in Tharym. He sighed, sitting up, offering her a friendly smile.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t harm anyone intentionally, and for the Tower ¡ª the Guild''s headquarters ¡ª that matters. I don¡¯t know what the sorcerers will decide tomorrow, but their purpose is to help you. You have nothing to fear. ¡°


    However, his words didn¡¯t convince her. Lirany remained silent, watching him with a hint of mistrust. After a moment''s thought, Ayun decided not to press further. Until she saw the actions of the Tower for herself, she wouldn''t believe him. He hadn¡¯t believed them either.


    Instead, he adopted a different tactic to encourage her.


    ¡°You¡¯re not the only one having trouble with magic. The Guild¡¯s sorcerers are coming for me as well, so tomorrow, I¡¯ll go with you. ¡°


    Her gaze lifted immediately, sparkling with hope but also tinged with a certain confusion. Realizing she was looking at him in a strange way, as though he were suffering from an incurable illness, Ayun recalled he had promised her some explanations. He picked up a fish bone from the ground, then took the one from her hand, holding them close together.


    ¡°Every living being has a physical body and an astral one ¡ª I believe, in your culture, the term is spiritual. The two complement each other, and both are responsible for sustaining life. If one of these bodies is destroyed, you die. Sometimes, in certain races, the astral body is more developed, and from it stems magic, which is likely your case as well.


    Usually, the two bodies are perfectly united, and there¡¯s no need to concern yourself with such things. But not in my case. For a reason the Tower is trying to uncover, my physical and astral bodies aren¡¯t compatible. Not as they should be. My astral form produces too much magic, and my physical body can¡¯t handle it without certain... complications. Thus, if I¡¯m not careful, I end up with an excessive amount of energy, which becomes difficult to bear, like what happened this morning.¡°


    He separated the two bones, pointing to the one on the right, which was two fingers longer than the other.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you... release it, somehow? ¡°


    Lirany had hung onto his every word, attentive and fascinated. Her curiosity gnawed at her, but she didn¡¯t dare press him too much. The moment she asked her question, she began wringing her hands again, fearing she had overstepped. Ayun, however, didn¡¯t seem bothered.


    ¡°It would be dangerous since it would take the form of a wild spell. Last time I did that, I destroyed the hold of a ship. I¡¯d rather use the excess energy to grant you sight than fill an entire river with dead fish.¡°


    Unable to stop herself, Lirany burst out laughing, then abruptly froze. She wasn¡¯t used to such a simple gesture, but seeing Ayun laughing along, she let go of her restraint and continued laughing, not caring about the curious glances of the few passersby.


    ¡°Want to see the airship port? ¡° he asked, standing up and stretching his back.


    ¡°See what? ¡°


    The airship port was located on a nearby cliff, accessible by ascending an endless series of steps. It resembled the other port but wasn¡¯t built on the bank of a river or sea; instead, it perched on a rocky ledge stretching like a wall, marking the eastern border of Tharym. Beyond the dock''s edge lay the vast northern ocean, its surface gilded with hues of gold and fire as the setting sun merged with the horizon.


    To the south, the cliff rose by several dozen meters, with tunnels carved into its rugged face, allowing a different kind of vessel to dock and take shelter. These were far rarer and more valuable, and only one such vessel rested in the port that day.


    It had no masts and resembled a colossal boat¡ªat least, that was the first impression. Its entire structure was composed of thousands of tightly woven roots, stripped of leaves and branches. Four of these roots extended into massive stumps, providing stability on land, contrasting with its sharp, keel-like belly that seemed to sway with every gust of wind.


    They approached to admire it more closely. Fascinated, Lirany reached out, wanting to touch the roots, but Ayun¡¯s fingers clamped around her wrist before she could.


    ¡°Avrasts aren¡¯t particularly... agreeable when they return from their journeys. We should keep our distance.¡±


    ¡°Avrasts?¡± she repeated, curious but slightly intimidated.


    He didn¡¯t get a chance to elaborate further, as the ship began to rise slowly on its stumps, like wooden legs. Its gait was unsteady yet determined, heading toward one of the tunnels carved into the rock, entirely ignoring them. Then, something made her stop.


    Not far away, two yokai were embroiled in a vicious brawl. With a vaguely canine appearance, they wrestled and tore into each other with savage ferocity. Lirany¡¯s heart pounded as she watched, terrified by their aggression, while Ayun observed the fight with unmatched boredom.


    Suddenly, a strange sound, like snapping branches, echoed through the air. Grabbing her around the waist, Ayun leapt back several meters¡ªjust in time. A branch, as thick as a buffalo¡¯s torso, crashed down on the combatants, mercilessly crushing them into the ground. When it rose again, blood dripped from its wooden surface.


    Seeing the remains of the two yokai, Lirany clasped her hands over her mouth, stifling a scream of horror.


    ¡°Tharym has its less pleasant sides,¡± Ayun acknowledged, steering her toward the stairs they had climbed earlier.


    There was no need for him to explain why he had stopped her from touching the avrast; the ship herself had delivered an eloquent demonstration. Silence fell between them for the rest of the walk, and after navigating a maze of narrow streets, they finally arrived at the building where Lirany lived. The darkness of night was settling in deeper, and wandering the port in obscurity brought a different kind of danger, one Ayun was unwilling to risk.


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving already?¡± she asked, her hand on the latch of her room¡¯s door.


    Though the avrast¡¯s attack had scared her, he had no intention of offering her more company. He couldn¡¯t. One last task remained for him to complete before he could call it a day.


    ¡°I need to head underground,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯m coming with you!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d die if you did,¡± Ayun replied. ¡°Goodnight, Lirany.¡±


    He walked away without offering further details. He didn¡¯t know her well, but he had learned enough about her to understand that her curious nature could be dangerous. Until Lirany grasped the true meaning of Tharym, the mystery of the underground would remain an alluring enigma for her.