ã€ŠEnd to Abaddonã€‹


 Prologue

    Sins are but seeds, and despair their harvest; humanity tends to both, reaping shadows in place of light.

    The gifts you¡¯ve etched into the marrow of your creations, Father. The reflection of your divinity, you say. Creatures who gnaw endlessly at the edges of the world you claim is sacred. They are hollow beings, driven by hunger, their throats parched for power, their hands bloodied in avarice.

    You gave them consciousness, yet they wield it like a blade. You poured your blood into their veins and called it your glory, yet they spill it without thought, staining the world you once called good. You granted them dominion, yet they remain unsatisfied, raking at the heavens, demanding more. Always more.

    And what of me, Father? What did you give to me? You placed me here, suspended between what is and what should never have been. You filled my essence with your truth, but to what end? I know only of you and all that is. But what am I to do with this know- ledge? Is it a blessing¡ªor a curse?

    You grant life, only to anchor it to inevitable decay. Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. Tell me, what lingers when the breath you gave is stolen? What becomes of the soul when the body withers away? Is this endless cycle of beginnings and ends the pinnacle of your creation?Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    If you, Father, cannot create what is truly good, then does goodness exist at all? You claim perfection, yet your creations are flawed beyond repair. They devour each other, clawing in the shadows for scraps of meaning, their eyes blind to the heavens they supposedly worship. If humanity is your reflection, Father, then I pity you.

    Your moral law is a lie. Your divine order is chaos dressed in light. And your truth? It is as hollow as the prayers of those who claim to follow you. They fear the fires of hell but sin as if salvation is their birthright. They cling to a blind faith, stumbling in the dark, all the while believing the light is theirs.

    But I see clearly. I see the rot beneath the veil of your design. I see the despair they drown in, masked as joy. If it is your truth you wish for me to carry, I will do so. But not as you intended.

    They will not receive the comfort of your mercy. No. I will bring hell to their doorstep. I will strip them of their illusions, one by one, until all that remains is their fragile faith, trembling and bare. When they stand on the precipice of despair, with nothing left to lean upon but your name, perhaps then they will understand. Perhaps then, they will see you for what you are.

    You, who call yourself their shepherd, have led your flock astray. If they must burn to see the truth, then so be it. If your kingdom is meant to rise, it will rise from the ashes of their broken wills.

    Father, your creations are imperfect¡­ I will correct that.

 Chapter 1 - The Boy Who Stood Before The World

    The lantern never went out. The boy was emboldened by its flame, mesmerized as he watched it for hours.

    His ears perked up as he heard two plates slide into his room.

    ¡°Momma, momma, wake up! The food is getting cold.¡±

    The boy whispered urgently, gently nudging his mother¡¯s shoulder. The boy¡¯s youthful energy quickly lit up the small, dim room.

    ¡°I¡¯m coming, sweetie,¡± she mumbled groggily. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open with the same weariness they always did. It took her a few moments to sit up, her body heavy with the weight of constant exhaustion. Her movements, sluggish, as though every day had bled into the next.

    With a soft sigh, she finally swung her legs off the edge of the worn mattress, her feet dragging along the cold, hard floor. Slowly making her way toward the small compartment by the thick, steel-plated door¡ªthe only way food came in, or anything ever went out.

    Her shoulders slumped as she picked up the tray as if she were attempting to hold a much larger and heavier object. She turned to her son, who sat cross-legged on the floor, his wide eyes gleaming. A smile slowly tugged at her lips.

    Without a word, she sat down and began dividing the meal. Her hands quivered slightly as she tore the loaf of bread in two, giving him the larger half. She poured half the beans on his plate and then carefully split the orange; giving him the bigger piece.

    Eagerly waiting, the boy wasted no time diving into his food. He tore into the bread first, shoving a chunk into his mouth, barely pausing to breathe.

    ¡°Andreas,¡± his mother said, her voice soft as she glanced at him. Her tired eyes half-amused, half-reprimanding. Andreas met her gaze and knew exactly what she was thinking.

    He hesitated, mid-chew, cheeks puffed like a chipmunk¡¯s as he muttered, ¡°I, uh, just used the bathroom anyway.¡± His words came out garbled, muffled by the bread stuffed in his mouth.

    His mother tilted her head down slightly, raising an eyebrow. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you washed your hands,¡± she said, her tone gentle but firm.

    Andreas sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes as he got up. He scurried over to the small corner of their room, where a tiny sink, toilet, and bathtub were tucked away. He scrubbed his hands quickly under the lukewarm water, not wanting any more interruptions as though washing his hands was unnecessary before his feast.

    "Okay, okay! Now I can eat!" he shouted as he darted back, practically leaping to his spot on the floor. His mother watched with a soft smile, her expression warming.

    Andreas grabbed his bread again, his mouth watering before the loaf reached his lips. "So good..." he murmured, eyes half-closed in satisfaction as the warm, fresh bread melted in his mouth.

    His mother chuckled faintly, shaking her head as she began to eat her share, albeit much more slowly. She glanced at her son, watching him savor every bite with such enthusiasm. It was a moment like this where she would almost forget about the walls that surrounded them, or the steel door that had sealed them away. Almost.

    The room was silent except for the soft sounds of chewing, the meal¡¯s warmth contrasting with the cold floor beneath them. Andreas didn''t seem to notice, his mind fully absorbed in the simple pleasure of eating while his mother stole glances at him between small bites. She watched him briefly, and then, with a faint smile, nudged his shoulder playfully.

    ¡°Have I ever mentioned there are other types of bread out there?¡± she asked, her voice light, but carrying a tinge of mischief.

    Andreas, mid-chew, tilted his head, confused. ¡°What do you mean? There¡¯s more than this?¡±

    His mother chuckled, seeing the disbelief on his face. ¡°Sourdough is only one of ma- ny different types of bread. Some have seeds, some taste sweet, and others even have fruit in them¨Ceven jelly sometimes.¡±

    Andreas froze, the last bit of bread hovering just inches from his mouth. His eyes widened, a mix of shock and disbelief washing over him. ¡°Fruit? In bread?¡± he asked skeptically. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense. How would you get the fruit in there?¡±

    His mom laughed lightly. ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± she said, a glimmer of warmth in her eyes. ¡°Once we get out there, I¡¯ll show you. You¡¯ll go insane when you see all that¡¯s possible with just bread.¡±

    Andreas blinked, his mind trying to comprehend the idea.

    ***

    Later on, Andreas and his mother sat together in the small, worn bathtub tucked in the corner of the room. Steam rose from the water, which had surprisingly been warm for once. His mother sat behind him, washing his head, scrubbing the back of his neck and shoulders, while Andreas splashed his hands playfully, causing ripples to scatter across the surface.

    ¡°My clean, handsome boy,¡± she murmured, her voice carrying a warm affection. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful, you know that?¡±

    ¡°Momma, you say that all the time,¡± Andreas replied, his face flushing with embarrassment. He ducked his head slightly, his hair now wet and shiny under the light of the dim lantern that hung from the wall. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°I¡¯m just reminding you, my love,¡± she teased, her voice gentle but playful. Andreas splashed the water again, sending tiny droplets flying.

    ***

    After their bath, Andreas jumped out first, his feet landing on the cold, gray floor with a soft thud. He ran over to the door, leaving a trail of droplets, where the small compartment opened to reveal a set of fresh clothes. He eagerly grabbed them, his breath forming small clouds in the cold air.

    ¡°Look, Momma! Clothes!¡± Andreas exclaimed, holding a pair of black breeches and a black tunic.

    His mother smiled, carefully stepping out of the tub, water dripping onto the floor as she wrapped a towel around herself. She took her fresh clothes, a thick black linen dress, and began drying off. Slipping into and smoothing it as she turned toward Andreas. Her eyes softened as she watched him fumble with the sleeves, the fabric still too big for his small frame.

    ¡°Momma, I want to keep reading the book we read earlier,¡± Andreas said as he adjusted the sleeves of his tunic.

    ¡°The one about the mountains?¡± she asked, raising an eyebrow.

    Andreas nodded eagerly, his enthusiasm evident as he bounced on his toes. His black hair, still damp, stuck to his forehead as his face lit up in anticipation.

    His mother chuckled, walking over to sit on the edge of the bed, the old springs creaking under her weight. ¡°Hmm, okay. But we can only read it if you agree to practice your magic first,¡± she said with a knowing smile.

    Andreas¡¯ enthusiasm faltered at that, and his face shifted into a pout. ¡°Momma, I can¡¯t! It¡¯s too hard, and I get really tired,¡± he grumbled, crossing his arms in protest.

    His mother leaned forward, gently resting her hand on his cheek, turning his face back toward her. ¡°The more you practice, the better you''ll get at casting your magic,¡± she said lightly, her thumb brushing against his skin. ¡°Let''s just practice for five minutes. If you do well, we can even read two books today.¡±

    Andreas hesitated, his mind torn between the effort of practicing magic and the reward of reading not one but two books. He sighed heavily, his breath visible in the cool air of the room. ¡°Okay¡­¡± he muttered reluctantly, knowing she wouldn¡¯t let him skip it this time.

    His mother smiled, kissing him on the forehead before standing. ¡°That¡¯s my boy.¡±

    ***

    Andreas stood in the middle of the room, his bare toes curling against the frigid concrete floor. His breath fogged slightly in the chilly air as he glanced down at his chest, where a faint glow emanated through his shirt. He then glanced at his hand, opening and closing it as doubt gnawed at him.

    The soft drip of water from the sink echoed. His mother, standing in the farthest corner by the bathtub, kept her distance, arms wrapped around herself. Her eyes, though filled with hope, reflected the anxiety she felt for him.

    Andreas took a deep breath, letting out an unsettled sigh. His heart raced. He knew it all too well. He closed his eyes tightly and extended his left arm, palm outward, shaking slightly as he faced the wall.

    His surroundings began to feel smaller as he let out an unsettled sigh.

    The hum of his heartbeat filled his ears. Slowly, Andreas¡¯ chest began to glow brighter, casting a soft blue light through his tunic, spreading warmth through his body.

    He felt the mana within him stirring, a restless tide building in his chest, the energy pooling and gathering with a pulse of life. It felt chaotic, making his fingers quiver as he willed it to obey.

    A ripple of energy surged through his veins, making his muscles twitch involuntarily. He flinched as the pressure mounted, his heart thumping faster with each passing second.

    He pulled the energy into his palm and released it.

    A beat passed.

    Desperation etched itself across his face as he cracked his eyes open. His heart sank. The magic sputtered from his hand in a weak flicker of blue light, barely forming before it fizzled out into nothingness. The dim glow faded almost instantly.

    His mother let out a soft sigh, her eyes filled with sorrow. Her face softened as she took in his disappointment, the tension in her shoulders loosening slightly. She opened her mouth to speak but hesitated.

    "No... no, no, no, please. Come on!" Andreas muttered under his breath, tight with frustration. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a desperate plea for something, anything, to work.

    He pushed harder, pulling more mana from his chest, forcing it into his palm. The blue light barely flickered, but in his mind, he thought he could force it to grow. But instead, a creeping darkness began to smother his vision.

    Everything started to blur. The room seemed distant as though the space around him was shrinking and collapsing inward. The air grew heavier, thick and oppressive, pressing down on his small frame, making it hard to breathe.

    Andreas'' hand shook violently, his muscles strained, and the mana in his chest became a dull throb. The more he tried, the worse it got. Panic rose inside him, gut-wrenching fear clawing its way through his body.

    ¡°Andreas-¡± his mother began, her voice laced with concern.

    "Please¡­" he gritted through clenched teeth, fighting against the wave of nausea that hit him hard. His vision dimmed further, the haze wrapping tighter around him like a suffocating blanket. His knees buckled, the world tilting wildly as the floor rushed up to meet him.

    His body crumpled before he could catch himself, and everything spun as his strength left him completely. He was done.

    Suddenly, a warm presence enveloped Andreas'' body, steadying him just as he was about to collapse. Soft arms wrapped around him, pulling him close, holding him tight. "It''s okay, my love. I''ve got you," his mother whispered, her voice gentle and soothing. "You did incredible."

    She pulled him into her chest, and he could feel the soft rhythm of her heartbeat against his ear. It was steady and warm, grounding him as the disorientation washed over him in waves.

    "You''re still learning," she said, her fingers brushing gently through his long, black hair. "It¡¯s going to take time, dear."

    The overwhelming sense of failure all came pouring out in a torrent of tears. His body shook as sobs struck, and his face became a mess of tears and mucus. "I can''t... I can''t do it!" he choked out, the words stumbling from his lips, barely coherent. "I don¡¯t know how!"

    His mother held him tighter, rocking him gently as he cried, her embrace unwavering. ¡°Shh,¡± she whispered, her voice a soft hum that filled the room with warmth. "It¡¯s alright. You don¡¯t have to be perfect. We¡¯ll take it one step at a time."

    Andreas'' sobs quieted, though his body still twitched from exhaustion. His mother''s fingers continued to weave through his hair, comforting him with every stroke, lulling him further into a sense of peace. The tension that had built up inside him slowly began to fade, and his heavy eyelids fluttered as exhaustion finally overwhelmed him.

    His breathing slowed, and soon, Andreas fell asleep, nestled securely in his mother¡¯s arms.

 Chapter 2 - The Two Soul Summit

    Andreas trudged through the thick snow, his feet sinking with every step as he ascended the steep slope. The icy wind stung his cheeks, but he pushed forward. His breath came out in ragged clouds, the air thin and cold.

    After what felt like hours, he finally crested the summit. He stood there for a moment, his body heaving as he caught his breath, before lifting his head.

    And that¡¯s when he saw it.

    His heart skipped a beat, his entire body freezing in place, not from the cold, but from the sheer awe of what lay before him. Vast fields of rolling hills spread out beneath him, each one blending into the next, the soft curves of the earth kissed by sunlight. Beyond the fields, towering mountains jagged the horizon, their snow-capped peaks gleaming in the distance. Rivers snaked through the landscape like silver ribbons, winding through the valleys, shimmering in the light.

    It was endless, beautiful in a way that made his chest ache. A world untouched, a place that felt both familiar and distant all at once. The silence was deafening, the only sound was the gentle whistle of the wind.

    He stretched his arms out to his sides, closing his eyes and letting the wind wash over him. It wasn¡¯t cold anymore. It was gentle, soft.. For a moment, he forgot everything.

    Here, standing at the peak of the world, he felt free.

    ¡°Momma¡­ it¡¯s amazing,¡± he whispered, turning his head to the side.

    To his surprise, she was there beside him, standing just as still, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Andreas smiled up at her, feeling a warmth bloom in his chest. She was smiling too, her eyes glistening in the soft light of the sun.

    But then he saw it¡ªher smile wavered, her lip shook. Slowly, tears began to stream down her face, spilling onto her cheeks as she stood there, motionless. Andreas frowned, confused.

    "Momma?" he asked softly, his voice cracking with concern.

    She didn¡¯t respond, her body trembling slightly as the tears flowed faster. Her eyes remained locked on the vast expanse of the world in front of them, but her expression had drained of life. The once serene smile twisted into something hollow.

    Andreas¡¯ heart clenched. As he stared, her image began to flicker.

    The snow under his feet turned to the hard floor of the room. His body twitched, his vision flickering between the summit and the room.

    The wind, once soft and gentle, now carried a strange echo¡ªa distant sound he couldn''t place. It sounded like crying.

    He looked up at his mother, but the sound of the crying wasn¡¯t coming from her.

    ¡°We¡¯re never going to leave this hell,¡± she muttered.

    Andreas flinched, the words piercing through. ¡°What?¡± he whispered, confused. His mind scrambled, but there was something wrong about the way she spoke¡ªsomething unsettling. He tugged at her hand, his heart pounding harder.

    "Momma, stop. What¡¯s happening?" Andreas tugged again, but her body felt heavy, unresponsive.

    ¡°Momma!¡± Andreas shouted, yelling rising in desperation as he yanked on her arm.

    She didn¡¯t move.

    ¡°It¡¯s impossible¡­¡± she muttered again, her voice so quiet, it almost blended with the wind. "Andreas is going to die here¡­"

    She continued to mutter, her eyes distant, her voice filled with dread.

    Andreas'' heart pounded in his chest. His vision struggled to keep everything from unraveling, but the sounds of crying¡ªthe sobs¡ªgrew louder, bleeding into the moment.

    "Momma, please," Andreas pleaded. He pulled at her arm, but it was like she wasn¡¯t there anymore. Her body stood, but her soul was gone. His surroundings flickered in and out.

    The crying, the despair¡ªhe could hear it. The sobs, once distant, now clear as it bled into his ears.

    ¡°Momma!¡± he screamed, but her figure started to fade until everything turned dark.

    He could only hear his heart pounding and the faint, desperate echo of crying, dragging him further into the void.

    And then, all was still.

    ***

    Andreas¡¯ eyes shot open, his body trembling slightly as he jolted awake. His breaths came in short gasps, but as his vision cleared, the sight of his mother¡¯s soft, concerned gaze looking down filled him with relief.

    ¡°How¡¯re you feeling, my love?¡± she asked, her voice gentle.

    Andreas blinked, his mind still shaken. ¡°I¡¯m¡­okay,¡± he said slowly, his voice soft. He nestled his head in his mother¡¯s lap, feeling the warmth and comfort of her presence wash over him. As her fingers gently stroked his hair, his tension began to ease.

    With her free hand, she waved a book above his head, a playful smile on her lips. "Since you did such a great job today, how about we continue reading that book you¡¯ve been so wanting to finish?"

    Andreas'' eyes lit up with joy as he sat up quickly. "Yes!" he exclaimed.

    "But," she added with a knowing smile, "you have to read it aloud this time. We need to work on your reading skills."

    Andreas let out a soft sigh, "Okay, but help me if I get stuck."

    His mother chuckled softly. "Of course."

    They both cozied up side by side on the mattress, the soft, dim lantern casting a warm glow on the pages as Andreas, his eyes filled with focus, began reading aloud. Occasionally glancing up at his mother for a sign of approval that he¡¯s pronouncing every word correctly, she gives a soft, reassuring smile. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ***

    "''Lila, the spirited young woman, dreamt of leaving her village and exploring the vast land. Andor, a young kindhearted, and cure-a-goose man¡ª''"

    His mother let out a soft giggle beside him. "Courageous," she corrected, her eyes glowing with warmth.

    "Oh," Andreas mumbled, before continuing. "Courageous man, dedicating his life to studying the mountains and the secrets they held within. On the day Andor stumbled upon her village, it was fate that would bring them together. It was not only their love for nature that united them, but also their hearts¡­"

    He paused, whispering to himself, ¡°Wow¡­¡± as his eyes trailed across the page, enraptured by the story.

    "''I''ve never seen a valley this beautiful,'' Lila whispered as she and Andor stand together at the top of a summit, overlooking the breathtaking view." Andreas paused for a moment, smiling at the thought.

    "Andor, taking Lila''s hand in his. Their bond grows ever so vastly at just the touch of each other. ''Not as beautiful as you are,'' he replies with sincerity." Andreas read the words slowly as the scene unfolded in his mind.

    He continued, "''In this enchanting moment, surrounded by the grand-or¡ª''"

    Andreas groaned, his brow furrowing. ¡°Momma, how do I say this word?¡±

    His mother smiled gently beside him, resting her hand softly on his arm. ¡°It¡¯s grandeur, sweetie. You¡¯re doing incredible, my love.¡±

    Andreas smiled and nodded, before going back to the page.

    ¡°¡®By the grandeur of nature, Lila and Andor realized that their journey had not only led them to the heart of the mountains, but to the heart of each other. I want to hold your hand, forever and always,¡¯ Lila uttered.¡±

    His voice faltered slightly as he read the next part, his eyes widening with wonder. ¡°¡®Together, they share a tender kiss¡­ a promise that their love would extend far beyond their journeys.¡¯¡± Andreas blinked in confusion, lowering the book as he stared up at his mother.

    ¡°They kissed? What did they kiss?¡± he asked.

    His mother giggled, her laughter light. ¡°They kissed each other, on the lips,¡± she said, her tone teasing as she ruffled his hair.

    ¡°Oh, they kissed because they love each other,¡± Andreas nodded.

    ¡°Yes, sweetie,¡± his mother said, her smile deepening. ¡°Like how I give you kisses all the time because I love you so, so much. And one day, you''ll meet a beautiful girl that you¡¯ll love as well, and give her lots of kisses, too.¡±

    ¡°But I already love you, Momma!¡± he said earnestly, the idea of loving someone else perplexing.

    His mother smiled warmly and leaned down, gently kissing his forehead. ¡°You¡¯ll understand what I mean one day,¡± she whispered.

    She patted his leg softly before standing and walking over to the pile of books stacked in the corner of their room. Andreas watched her sift through the titles, finding another one to read. Sitting there, Andreas couldn¡¯t help but keep thinking about the story they¡¯d just read. He absentmindedly rubbed his chin.

    ¡°Their bond growing ever so vastly at just the touch of each other,¡± he mumbled, his eyes distant.

    His mother turned toward him with a new book in hand. "What was that, love?"

    Andreas looked up at her, his eyes suddenly bright with an idea. ¡°Momma, Momma! Come here¡± he called out, springing up from the bed and rushing to the center of the room. His tone was filled with urgency.

    His mother blinked in surprise, concern flashing in her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Andreas? Is everything okay?¡±

    Andreas nodded quickly, determination clear on his face. ¡°I want to try again¡ªmy magic. But different this time,¡± he said boldly, his gaze steady.

    His mother sighed faintly, her brow creased with worry. ¡°You¡¯ve already tried today. We can pick it up when you¡¯re fully recovered. Your mana needs rest." She gave him a playful smile, hoping to redirect his energy. "How about we do some laps around the room instead?¡±

    But Andreas frowned, his determination unwavering. ¡°No, Momma, hold my hand,¡± he said, extending his right arm toward her, his expression firm.

    She hesitated, her concern still lingering. Her eyes darted between his hand and his face, the weight of her worry clear. But Andreas stood there, filled with resolve.

    With a soft sigh, she reached out, her fingers shook slightly as they inched toward his hand. Her fingers finally wrapped around his as she held him with a tender, reassuring grip.

    ***

    Andreas gripped his mother¡¯s hand tightly, his small fingers digging into hers with a firm determination. He nodded at her once, then turned to face the wall, his eyes narrowing in focus. Slowly, he extended his left arm, palm facing outward. His fingers, though shuddering, were relaxed, poised.

    Blocking out the world around him, Andreas focused inward. The walls of the room disappeared from his mind as he drew his attention to the mana circulating through his body. It was there¡ªhe could feel it, like a quiet current pulsing beneath his skin. His senses sharpened, tuning in to the warmth of his mother¡¯s hand, to the faint hum of energy that flowed between them. Every crease, every wrinkle in her hand was clear to him, it gave him strength.

    The mana within him stirred, responding to his will. He could almost see it in his mind¡¯s eye, flowing through his veins, threading through every fiber of muscle and tissue like an unseen river. It gathered, pooling in his chest before surging into his arm, then his palm. His hand began to glow faintly with light, a soft, barely visible shimmer.

    But it wasn¡¯t enough.

    Andreas clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling to the surface. His grip on his mother¡¯s hand tightened, and she winced slightly, though she said nothing. Her thumb brushed over his knuckles in a soothing, silent gesture.

    He could feel the doubt creeping in¡ªthe fear that he wasn¡¯t strong enough, that he¡¯d fail again. His arm throbbed with the strain, the mana inside it growing thicker, more erratic. The glow from his palm intensified, illuminating the cracks and lines of his skin in a brilliant light. He could feel the pressure building, the mana pulsating like a being inside him, straining to be released.

    In a fleeting moment of clarity, he grinned. The fear, the doubt¡ªit fell away. He saw it now. He understood.

    The skin of his arm shimmered, becoming almost translucent. He could see the strands of mana flowing beneath the surface, twisting and swirling like threads of energy, intertwining with every muscle and bone. It was alive.

    The connection was exhilarating, unlike anything he had ever felt before. It wasn¡¯t just power¡ªthis was something greater.

    ¡°Free¡­¡± Andreas whispered, barely audible.

    And in that moment, with a calm, assured breath, he let go.

    And everything went black.

    ***

    Time had passed, but Andreas wasn¡¯t sure how much. It felt like mere moments. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, the world around him still hazy. As his vision cleared, he saw his mother¡¯s face above him. She looked down at him, her expression soft, full of relief.

    ¡°Momma?¡± he murmured.

    Her smile grew, her eyes gleaming. ¡°Hi, sweetie. You did it¡­¡± she said softly, brimming with pride.

    Andreas blinked in confusion. "Did what?" he thought. His mind clouded, struggled to grasp what she meant. Then, it hit him¡ªrealization swept through him like a jolt. His eyes shot open as he sat up. Glancing at the wall, his breath caught in his throat.

    There it was. An icicle, lodged into the wall, the ice shimmering in the dim light.

    Andreas felt a wave of emotion well up inside him. Overcome, he collapsed back onto his mother¡¯s lap, tears brimming at the corners of his eyes. He threw his arm over his face, trying to stifle the sobs. "I did it... Momma," he whispered, his voice shaking with disbelief.

    His mother looked down at him, her gaze full of warmth. She stroked his hair gently, watching as tears streamed down his cheeks. Her own eyes began to glisten.

    But as Andreas wiped away his tears, something inside him shifted. A strange discomfort, an unshakable pressure, crept over him. He felt... seen.

    Sitting up abruptly, his body stiffened with sudden adrenaline. His mother placed a hand on his shoulder, alarmed. "Sweetie¨C"

    But Andreas wasn¡¯t listening. His heart raced as his eyes darted around the room, scanning every corner, every shadow.

    Then, he saw it.

    What he just wasn¡¯t able to register, was now ominously present.

    The air grew thick, suffocating as Andreas¡¯ eyes widened in pure shock. His breath hitched, his spine prickled. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.

    Sitting in the dimly lit corner.

    Was another human.

 Chapter 3 - The Visitor

    Andreas¡¯ breath caught in his throat, his heart drumming. The room felt like it was shrinking, the walls closing in around him. His chest tightened, as though the presence of this stranger had sucked the air from the room. Andreas¡¯ mind raced, trying to reconcile what his eyes were seeing.

    He had seen illustrations of people in books. He had read about the world beyond these walls, a world he had only imagined. But they were just that¨Cstories. He had never truly considered the idea of meeting another person face to face. Yet, there he was, sitting just a few feet away.

    The man looked ordinary. His pale skin was slightly freckled, his eyes a deep green that seemed to study Andreas just as much as Andreas was studying him. The top of his head along with his face was bright, orange hair. Andreas instinctively reached up to his own chin, feeling the smooth skin there, confused by why the man had hair on his face when he didn¡¯t.

    The man wore a long black cloak, his outfit weathered¡ªa black tunic tucked into black trousers, held by a worn brown belt. He was still, unmoving, his presence both unsettling and oddly calm.

    "Mo-Momma?!" Andreas¡¯ voice cracked as he finally managed to speak.

    His mother¡¯s arms wrapped around him from behind, pulling him close to her chest, ¡°Don¡¯t worry my love. He won¡¯t hurt you, he¡¯s kind.¡± she said reassuringly.

    The man sat with one leg drawn up, his arm draped loosely over his knee. Though his face remained still, his hands wavered ever so slightly. Andreas noticed the subtle shake in his fingers, the way his gaze occasionally flickered to the ground, as if he was just as unsure as Andreas was.

    Their eyes met, and a wave of nerves shot down Andreas¡¯ spine, freezing him in place. The man¡¯s fear was palpable, though his expression gave nothing away. Andreas felt an odd connection to him¡ªa shared fear of the unknown. The man¡¯s presence was foreign, confusing, but not hostile.

    ¡°Who... who is he?¡± Andreas whispered as he clung to his mother.

    His mother¡¯s arms held him close, her voice gentle as she smiled down at him. ¡°He¡¯s someone who¡¯s been alone for quite some time, just like us,¡± she said delicately. ¡°He doesn¡¯t know what to make of this either. But you¡¯re safe, my love.¡±

    Andreas watched as the man¡¯s eyes drifted toward the floor, his movements slow and uncertain. Despite the initial shock, Andreas felt his nerves begin to settle. He trusted his mother, and her reassurance calmed him, though curiosity still gnawed.

    There was something about the man that tugged at Andreas¡¯ heart. Loneliness¡ªhe knew what that felt like.

    A flicker of sympathy welled up inside him as he continued to observe the man.

    ¡°Do... does he have a name?¡± Andreas asked, skittish with hesitance.

    His mother paused for a moment, her expression thoughtful before she glanced at the man with a warm smile.

    ¡°Reach,¡± the man finally said, his voice a low, husky whisper. The sound of it startled Andreas, sending a shiver through him, though it wasn¡¯t fear this time. It was awe. The name hung, heavy and unfamiliar, yet it felt significant.

    Andreas blinked, taken aback by how the man¡¯s voice sounded. It didn¡¯t feel threatening¡­ it felt broken.

    ¡°Reach,¡± Andreas repeated, whispering.

    The man flinched slightly at hearing his own name, his eyes softening. Andreas hesitated, unsure if he¡¯d said something wrong. His mother¡¯s hand gently squeezed his shoulder, her voice calm and reassuring.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell the kind man your name?¡± she urged softly, her smile encouraging.

    Andreas swallowed hard, his gaze shifting back to Reach. There was a pause¡ªa brief, nervous silence. "My name is Andreas," he said timidly.

    For a moment, Reach was still, his expression unreadable. But then a faint smile tugged at the corner of the man¡¯s mouth. It was subtle, barely noticeable, but enough to make Andreas¡¯ eyes widen.

    "It¡¯s... nice to meet you," Andreas added, his words trailing off.

    Reach¡¯s smile widened ever so slightly, the tension in his features easing. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure, Andreas,¡± he replied, a little stronger now.

    Andreas gleamed, the warmth of those words settling into his chest. He felt a sense of pride, as if somehow this exchange was his biggest achievement. The fear that had once gripped him was now fading, replaced by a new sensation¡ªcuriosity, and a growing fascination with this man.

    Andreas, feeling a surge of confidence, slid off his mother¡¯s lap and hopped onto the floor. His small feet made a soft thud as they landed, and for a brief moment, both his mother and Reach looked at him in surprise.

    ¡°Andreas¡ª¡± his mother began, but she stopped herself as Andreas walked forward.

    Reach¡¯s tense posture stiffened slightly, his gaze softened as the boy approached. Andreas, heart pounding in his chest, clasped his hands together and bowed deeply in front of Reach. His movements were awkward, but sincere as he lowered his head.

    After a moment, he turned to his mother, searching her face for approval. She smiled warmly, her eyes gleaming.

    "Uhm... Momma said this was the right way to greet someone when I first meet them..." Andreas said shyly, glancing to Reach.

    For a brief second, Reach seemed stunned. A faint snort escaped him, and his lips twitched into a smile. "I see. My apologies then," he said.

    Slowly, Reach stood, and Andreas¡¯ eyes widened in awe. The man was tall¡ªtaller than Andreas had expected. The boy blinked in surprise as he craned his neck to take in Reach¡¯s full stature. It was as if the man stretched up to the ceiling.

    Reach noticed Andreas¡¯ reaction, pausing for a beat before bowing in return, his movements slow and deliberate. Then sat back down.

    Andreas beamed, his chest overcome with pride. "You can always just shake their hand too, but it¡¯s a little less formal," Reach said, tinged with amusement.

    Andreas¡¯ face lit up. "Oh, I wanna try!" he exclaimed, sticking out his hand.

    Reach hesitated, but then extended his own hand, enveloping Andreas''. Andreas¡¯ eyes went wide as they shook hands, his mouth hanging open in wonder.

    As they let go, Andreas noticed something¡ªa slight waver in Reach''s hand. It was barely noticeable, but it was there.

    Curious, and a little confused, Andreas tilted his head. "Uh... are you scared?" he asked, the question slipping out.

    Reach hesitated, his gaze shifting to the floor for a moment. "Yes," he admitted quietly, "I''m pretty scared." He paused, his eyes searching Andreas''. "But... are you not?"

    Andreas blinked, taken aback by the question. "Uh... I was at first," he admitted, glancing at Reach. "But you don''t seem mean," he added earnestly.

    Reach¡¯s brow furrowed as he blinked in confusion. "That''s... not what I meant," he muttered, soft but strained.

    Andreas scratched the back of his head, unsure of what to say next. "Oh, uhm... well, I didn''t know if there were others. It''s always just been me and Momma," he replied, looking toward his mother for reassurance. "But you don¡¯t seem scary.¡±

    For a brief moment, something flickered across Reach¡¯s face. A lump formed in his throat as he glanced back at Andreas¡¯ mother. "What... what do you mean?" he asked, his voice weak. He could feel a knot beginning to tighten in his stomach.

    Andreas¡¯ mother cast her gaze downward, her hands resting limply in her lap. There was a heavy sigh, "This is the first time Andreas has met someone," she said tender- ly.

    Reach stared at her in disbelief. "His first time?" he asked. He turned back to Andreas, who looked at his mother, puzzled by the sudden shift. "He looks ten... How long have you been in here?" The question hung in the air as if Reach were afraid of the answer.

    Her expression was one of quiet resignation. "It''s been a long time. I''ve lost track," she said, her voice barely a whisper now. She glanced at Andreas before continuing, her words slow and measured. "Andreas was born here. It was the month of Nativity... the year five eighty."

    Reach''s breath hitched, his chest tightening as the weight of her words sank in, striking him like a physical blow. His face drained of color. "We''re in Vitalus... in the year five ninety," he whispered, his voice hollow.

    Andreas¡¯ mother kept her gaze lowered. ¡°Ten years, I guess that makes me twenty-five,¡± she said softly, the shock absent from her voice.

    Her voice remained calm, almost detached. Reach watched, expecting a larger reaction¡ªa sign of panic or despair¡ªbut what he saw was a woman who had made peace with fate. "I had always wondered," she said, her tone flat. "But it doesn''t really change anything for us, does it?"

    Reach''s throat tightened, words failing him as Andreas shifted nervously. The boy looked between them, his confusion deepening.

    "No," she continued, her voice steady but distant. "We''re still here. Just as we were before. The world has kept spinning, and we''ve been forgotten." She glanced down at Andreas, her face softening into a bittersweet smile. "But we¡¯ll keep going, just as we always have."

    The tension in the air was thick. Andreas furrowed his brows. "Is it bad? That we''ve been in here for so long?" he asked, his voice small.

    Reach glanced at Andreas'' mother before answering. "What does the boy know about all this?" he asked carefully.

    Her gaze hardened, though her words remained gentle. "There''s no reason to instill fear. He''s happy, and that''s all that matters to me," she said firmly. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    "And... at least tell him why?" Reach¡¯s voice was softer now, unsure of how to approach.

    "Ignorance is bliss," she said, her eyes lowering once again, shutting the conversation down as the room fell into a heavy silence.

    "Momma, what are you talking about? What does he mean?" Andreas asks, his eyes searching his mothers for answers.

    "Let¡¯s just leave it, kid," Reach cut in, his voice low.

    Andreas blinked, confused, but Reach turned his attention back to his mother, his brow furrowed. "But I am curious... you haven¡¯t tried to flee? If they sapped your mana, it¡¯s bound to come back in a few months'' time, right?"

    Her face mellowed at the question, her gaze still firmly on the ground.

    Reach shifted awkwardly, realizing he might have overstepped. "I¡¯m sorry¨C" he began to apologize, but she raised her hand and grasped the collar of her dress, stopping him mid-sentence. With a calm motion, she pulled it down, revealing a deep, jagged scar in the center of her chest¡ªa hollow, empty space.

    Reach¡¯s breath caught in his throat, his eyes widening as he stared at the scar. He whispered, disbelief seeping. "Your lacryma... they took it..."

    "They carved it out," she said quietly, her voice resigned but steady.

    Andreas looked between them, wide-eyed. "Momma?" he whispered.

    Reach couldn¡¯t tear his eyes away from the scar, the weight of what had been done pressing down. "That¡¯s a cardinal sin..." he murmured, barely audible. "But why?"

    Her face softened, sorrow glimmering in her eyes. "It was taken from me after I conceived Andreas," she said.

    Reach¡¯s heart ached for her, for Andreas. He snapped out of his thoughts when she gently slid her collar back up, hiding the scar once more.

    His gaze shifted to Andreas, trying to ease the tension. "What about you, kid? Your lacryma... still intact?"

    Andreas looked up, startled. "Who, me?" he stammered. "Uh, no. It¡¯s still here." He lifted his shirt, revealing the faint blue crystal embedded in his chest.

    "Good," Reach said quietly.

    "Mmm," Andreas mumbled, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "But... I¡¯m not too good with magic. I¡¯ve never been able to use it right."

    A chuckle escaped Reach, though it was strained. "Guess I can say the same. I¡¯ve been sapped of my mana completely, but my lacryma¡¯s still there. In time, it¡¯ll restore itself."

    Andreas¡¯ eyes widened with curiosity as he shuffled to sit. "So... you¡¯ve been out there?" he asked, firm and eager.

    ¡°Outside, you mean?¡± Reach replied, a faint smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been out there all my life. Until I ended up in this lovely place.¡±

    A spark of excitement lit up Andreas'' face, his expression shifting with awe. "What!? That¡¯s so cool!" He said. "Does every man have a weird voice like yours?"

    ¡°Andreas¡ª¡± his mother started, but Reach let out a cold, raspy laugh that echoed through the room.

    "Elyon knows I could use a cigar right about now," Reach muttered, leaning back slightly.

    Andreas'' eyes widened with intrigue. "A cigar?"

    "Something you shouldn¡¯t ever touch, trust me on that," Reach added quickly, catching Andreas¡¯ mother¡¯s knitted brow out of the corner of his eye. "But nah, the voice? That¡¯s all thanks to me smoking too much." He glanced back at Andreas.

    Andreas grinned. "That¡¯s... amazing," he said, looking up at Reach.

    Reach arched an eyebrow, amused by the boy¡¯s admiration. He looked over at Andreas¡¯ mother, who was clearly unimpressed. "Amazing, huh? You know, there¡¯s a whole world out there kid. It''s filled with way more amazing stuff than this old man''s bad habits."

    Andreas scooted closer,  "Like what? What¡¯s it like out there?"

    Reach studied Andreas for a moment, his eyes softening as he considered how to answer.

    ¡°Well," Reach began, his voice a little quieter now, "it¡¯s loud, first of all. People don¡¯t shut up, lots of mountains, trees, and animals. Carts clattering along the cobblestone roads all day. You¡¯d be surrounded by noise. And the sky? It¡¯s endless. It changes colors¡ªblue during the day, red when the sun sets, and at night... it¡¯s filled with stars. Thousands of ¡®em."

    Andreas¡¯ eyes grew wide with wonder, his imagination painting the scene as Reach described it. "Stars... like from my book," he murmured.

    "Yeah," Reach said softly. ¡°Except better, ''cause you¡¯re standing there, under them.¡±

    "Wow," Andreas murmured. "What did you do out there?" he asked eagerly

    Reach¡¯s eyes softened at the boy¡¯s curiosity. "A lot of traveling. I was an adventurer and... a hunter," he said, hesitating on the last word.

    "That sounds awesome!" Andreas exclaimed. Then, with a tilt of his head, he added, "But... what¡¯s an adventurer?"

    Andreas'' mother let out a gentle sigh, giving Reach a pointed look. "Just make sure you keep it appropriate."

    Reach chuckled gently, shaking his head. "Of course." He turned back to Andreas. "An adventurer is someone who takes on guild quests to complete all sorts of dangerous tasks. You travel a lot, explore, take on monsters sometimes." He paused, choosing his words more carefully. "The jobs vary. Mostly, it involves dealing with less-than-friendly folks."

    Andreas blinked,  "So... you fight the bad guys?" he asked, full of awe.

    Reach hesitated, then smirked faintly. "Uh... yeah. Basically"

    Andreas'' eyes lit up as an idea flashed across his mind. Without a word, he rushed to the small pile of books stacked beside the bed, eagerly grabbing one. Holding it to his chest, he ran back over to Reach, who raised a curious eyebrow as Andreas thrust the book toward him.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Reach asked, taking the book from the boy''s hands. Andreas'' mother watched the interaction with a slight smile, her curiosity piqued.

    ¡°It¡¯s The Kingdoms of Aurelius!¡± Andreas said excitedly, flipping the pages until he found a large map. ¡°Look, this is where we are, right?¡± He pointed at a small part of the map, bordered by the sea.

    Reach leaned in, his finger tracing the outline of the landmarks. "Yeah, this is it." His finger moved over the map. "Covenentia, land of the humans," he explained. "To the east of us is Sanctoria, where the elven people live. The King resides there, in the capital."

    ¡°And over here?¡± Andreas asked, pointing to the chunks of land southeast and south of Covenentia.

    Reach¡¯s lips quirked in a half-smile. "South of us is Redemptora, the land of the beast people. A real joy to have around, you¡¯ll love them," he added sarcastically, ¡°South- east of us is Cavaria, land of the Catalans, lot of mountains there.¡±

    Andreas'' finger hovered over a small chunk of land, isolated in the center of the four sprawling regions, surrounded by water. ¡°What about this place?¡± he asked.

    Reach leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the spot Andreas was pointing to. ¡°That,¡± he said, ¡°is the Titan Continent.¡±

    Andreas blinked. ¡°Titan Continent?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Reach continued, scratching the back of his head. ¡°A place no one in their right mind gives a crap about¡ªor rather, no one sane enough to try. The whole thing¡¯s crawling with monsters. Not your average ¡®big, scary orc¡¯ type, either. I mean ancient, godlike beasts that could crush entire armies without breaking a sweat.¡± He gestured vaguely toward the map. ¡°Strong enough that even the Sereth Knights or the Dominions don¡¯t mess with it.¡±

    Andreas was entranced, his gaze fixed on the map, absorbing every detail. "Did you see all these places when you were an adventurer?" he asked, eyes wide with awe.

    "Besides the titan continent, I did," Reach said softly. "I¡¯ve seen it all."

    Andreas¡¯ face lit up. "So if I become an adventurer, I¡¯ll be able to see the world too?"

    Reach hesitated, his smile faltering for just a moment as he glanced over at Andreas¡¯ mother. Her expression was sorrow. She gave a subtle nod.

    ¡°Yeah, kid,¡± Reach said, ruffling Andreas¡¯ hair. "You will. But you¡¯ll have to work hard. The world¡¯s a big place¡­¡±

    ***

    Hours passed as Reach shared stories from his adventures, painting vivid pictures of the lands, towering mountains, and hidden dungeons. Andreas listened intently, his eyes heavy with the weight of wonder until he finally drifted off to sleep.

    His mother gently lifted Andreas, tucking him into the bed. She lingered for a moment, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead, her face glowing with a bittersweet smile. After a quiet moment, she turned back to where Reach was still sitting, lost in thought.

    "I think having you here will be good for him," she said softly, breaking the silence. Her voice was gentle as she sat beside Reach.

    Reach blinked, snapping out of it. "It¡¯s just been the two of us for so long¡­ He¡¯s never had anyone else to talk to, to learn from. I hope you don¡¯t mind sharing the space too much," she added with a faint smile.

    Reach chuckled, a short grin forming on his lips. "Doesn¡¯t seem like we have much of a choice, do we?" he joked.

    She let out a quiet laugh. "I suppose not."

    There was a moment of silence before Reach looked at her more closely, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "You never told me your name."

    She hesitated for a moment, her eyes dropping to the floor before she met his gaze again. "Havyn," she said softly. "Havyn Alethi."

    ¡°Alethi¡­¡± Reach repeated quietly, nodding to himself. "I see." He glanced over at Andreas, his expression softening. "You¡¯ve done well by him. His heart is in the right place." Reach¡¯s voice grew quieter. "He reminds me of someone I once knew¡­ he¡¯ll do just fine out there."

    Havyn smiled, her eyes warm. ¡°Thank you, Reach. He''s all I have, and I want to continue giving him everything I can, even if it¡¯s not much.¡± Her voice wavered slightly at the end.

    Reach nodded. His gaze shifted to the ground.

    ¡°And what about you? Do you have a family?¡± Havyn asked.

    Reach hesitated, his jaw tightening slightly. "Yeah... I have a brother and sister," he said, cracking just a little. "And my mom and dad."

    Havyn tilted her head, concern flickering in her eyes. ¡°Are they not worried about where you might be?¡± she asked quietly.

    A long pause stretched between them, Reach¡¯s eyes growing distant, almost as if he were looking through the walls. ¡°Nah,¡± he said quietly. ¡°They¡¯re all fine.¡±

    Havyn studied his face, sensing that there was more beneath the surface. But she didn¡¯t push. They sat in silence for a moment, the quiet of the room enveloping them. The only sound was the soft crackling of the dim lantern, flickering weakly against the stone walls.

    "Sometimes," she began, muttering, "I wish I could do more for him. Give him more" She glanced at Reach, her expression tired. "But this is all I¡¯ve got."

    Reach was silent for a moment, his gaze on Andreas before shifting to Havyn. "You¡¯re doing enough," he said. His tone was low. "You¡¯re giving him love, hope, and that¡¯s more than a lot of kids ever get. Even out there."

    Havyn chuckled, but it was dry. "You make it sound like I¡¯m some kind of saint." She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. "But I¡¯m just surviving¡­ avoiding death."

    Reach studied her for a moment, his face unreadable. "Surviving can be its own kind of heroism," he said. "Especially in a place like this."

    Havyn blinked, turning to look at him. His words caught her off guard. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn¡¯t come. Instead, she let out a small, shaky laugh. Reach slowly smiled as he watched.

    They sat in silence for a few minutes, the quiet not uncomfortable, but warm.

    "Do you think death would be better?" she asked faintly.

    Reach turned to her, his brow furrowing. "Death? No, I don¡¯t think it would,¡± he said firmly.

    Havyn studied him. "Why not?" she whispered. "I mean, isn¡¯t it easier? To just... let go? Stop fighting?" Her words trembled.

    Reach let out a long, steady breath. His eyes drifted toward the ceiling. "Death might seem easier," he admitted. "But it''s final. We don¡¯t know if there¡¯s a second chance. And no matter how bad things get, as long as you''re breathing, you still have a chance. A chance to change things. To fight. To hope."

    ¡°One day¡­¡± He continued, looking over at Andreas, ¡°he¡¯ll know what the world is. He¡¯ll see it, not because he read about it in a book, but because he¡¯ll step out into it. You can still give him that." He said, then dropping to a whisper. "But not if you¡¯re gone."

    Havyn looked away, wiping the tear quickly before it could fall. The weight of her exhaustion bearing down on her.

    "It might end the suffering," Reach said, "but it also ends any chance of changing things. And as long as you''re alive, you still have control. Control to change something, even if it¡¯s just a small part of this world. For Andreas. For yourself."

    Havyn was silent, her eyes fixed on the floor as she let his words sink in. The quiet stretched between them again.

    Havyn let out a slow breath, her fingers jittering slightly.

    "Thank you, Reach," she whispered, her voice thick.

    As they sat there in the dim glow of the lantern, Havyn''s head slowly leaned against Reach¡¯s shoulder. Her breathing evened out as she drifted into sleep. Reach remained still, surprised by her sudden trust.

    He glanced back at Andreas, studying the peaceful expression on the boy¡¯s  face as he slept soundly. Reach¡¯s eyes hardened with resolve, his gaze shifting between mother and son. His mind raced as he clenched his jaw, whispering to himself.

    "We¡¯re getting the hell out of here."

 Chapter 4 - The Frost

    The next several days were a whirlwind of adjustments for Havyn, Andreas, and Reach. Havyn found herself navigating the presence of another person in their space, now filled with the subtle shifts of someone else in the room. It wasn¡¯t unwelcomed, just strange. Reach, for his part, spent most of his time in front of the steel door, flipping through the pile of books Andreas had brought him or talking with the boy, his low voice a constant hum in the background.

    One day, Havyn and Andreas were in the corner of the room, bathing together. Reach sat on the ground with his back to them, his face turned toward the wall. He stared at the pages of a book, though the words hardly registered as he listened to the soft splashes behind him.

    "I hope you plan on taking a bath soon," Havyn teased lightly. "Wouldn''t want your pleasant aroma filling the room."

    Reach let out a chuckle, turning a page without looking up. "Uh-huh," he muttered. He stretched out on the floor, bubbling his lips in boredom. "I¡¯ll let you know when I¡¯m feeling up to impressing anyone."

    Andreas giggled from the tub, splashing water as he played with the soap. "You¡¯re funny," he said, watching as Reach lazily waved a hand in response.

    "Don¡¯t encourage him," Havyn laughed, scrubbing Andreas¡¯ hair.

    ***

    ¡°Alright, Andreas, let''s do fifty laps around the room, then some squats,¡± Havyn instructed encouragingly.

    ¡°Ay, Ay, Ms. Momma!¡± Andreas shouted enthusiastically, already starting his laps around the room.

    Havyn glanced over at Reach, who was still slouched on the ground, one arm propping up his head, his expression half-asleep. ¡°Reach, you come join too. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen you get up once in days,¡± she said, leaving no room for argument. ¡°If you suddenly stop moving, your body¡¯s going to weaken.¡±

    Reach let out a small groan, burying his face deeper in his arms as if to drown out the noise of Andreas¡¯ footsteps. But the steady rhythm of their feet soon became too persistent to ignore. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, Reach pushed himself up, grumbling as he did. ¡°Alright, alright, let¡¯s get this over with.¡±

    He fell in line, matching Havyn¡¯s pace as Andreas zipped around them. Their eyes met briefly. Havyn smiled warmly at Reach, her gaze soft with gratitude. Reach was taken aback as a small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. Though he quickly glanced away.

    After they finished their workout, a tray with three plates of food slid through the small compartment by the door along with several sets of clothes. The clatter made Andreas pause mid-squat, his face lighting up with excitement.

    "Yay, food''s here!" Andreas cheered as he bounced up.

    "Go wash your hands first," Havyn instructed.

    Andreas ran off to the corner sink while Reach sat down, pulling the tray towards him and examining the food on his plate. ¡°Freshly baked sourdough, eggs, an orange, and cheese. Every day they give us a well-balanced meal. It''s strange... like they want us to stay healthy," he muttered, cautiously eyeing the bread and poking it.

    Havyn chuckled lightly as she and Andreas joined him at the tray. ¡°I¡¯ve eaten better here than I ever did on the streets of Cordoba," she joked, her tone light.

    "Wait, Cordoba?" Reach asked, curiosity piqued. His brow raised in mild surprise.

    Havyn nodded, smiling. ¡°I grew up there."

    "I did too," Reach replied, intrigued.

    ¡°I wanna see Cordoba!¡± Andreas said, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he sat down beside his mother.

    Havyn ruffled his hair affectionately. "You will, sweetie. Now eat up before your food gets cold.¡±

    As Andreas dug in, Havyn noticed Reach still poking at his bread, his brow furrowed with suspicion. She glanced over at him from the corner of her eye. ¡°Don¡¯t play with your food, Reach. Yours will get cold too,¡± she said, light but firm.

    "Ay, ay, Ms. Momma,¡± Reach said, though making no expression.

    Havyn¡¯s cheeks flushed slightly, and Andreas let out a giggle, bits of bread still in his mouth. "I''ll take your bread if you don''t want it, Mr. Reach," Andreas gurgled, his cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk, a half-eaten roll crammed inside.

    Reach sighed, shaking his head in resignation, and finally bit into the bread. His eyes widened in surprise as the warm, soft texture melted in his mouth. "Fu¡ª"

    ¡°No, we don¡¯t use that language around here.¡± Havyn cut him off with a raised eye- brow.

    "Aw man, this is so good," Reach muttered, his voice muffled through another bite.

    Andreas leaned in towards his mother, ¡°Momma, what was he gonna say?¡± he whispered.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t concern you, my love,¡± she replied gently, giving Reach a pointed look before smiling at her son.

    Reach shot her a sheepish grin, mouthing an apology as he stuffed another bite of bread into his mouth. Havyn just shook her head, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

    ***

    Andreas sat cross-legged on the floor, staring intently at the lantern hanging on the wall. The flickering flame within danced and swayed, casting shifting shadows across his face. His eyes seemed to reflect the light, glowing faintly as if lost in thought.

    ¡°Hey, kid,¡± Reach said, his gruff voice breaking the silence as he walked over to Andreas.

    Andreas blinked, startled, his gaze snapping up to Reach. ¡°Huh? Oh¨C What¡¯s going on Mr. Reach?¡±

    "Let¡¯s get straight to business," Reach began, his tone gruff but tinged with playfulness to make it light. "It¡¯s come to my attention that you¡¯re sh¡ªuh¡ªreally bad at using magic."

    "Mhm," Andreas nodded, his face suddenly set with an exaggerated look of seriousness and focus.

    "And it¡¯s also come to my attention that you¡¯re an ice-based user," Reach continued.

    ¡°Mhm," Andreas confirmed.

    "And," Reach added with a dramatic sigh, "you almost die every time you try to use magic."

    "Mhm," Andreas said, nodding once more.

    "Well, today, that¡¯s going to change," Reach said, leaning forward with a grin. "Since I¡¯ve been sapped of magic and I really, really want to get the hell out of here, you¡¯re going to be training under me. Starting today."

    Andreas'' mouth dropped open. ¡°Wow-wow-wow¡­ wow.¡± he exclaimed.

    Reach pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a small sigh. "Yeah, sure. Don¡¯t sound too excited."

    "So, uh, what kind of magic do you have, Mr. Reach?" Andreas asked, leaning in, his curiosity bubbling over.

    "Well, I did have ignition-based magic," Reach said, scratching the back of his head. "In other words, I make things explode. Which would be really useful right about now."

    Andreas¡¯ eyes grew even wider. "Woah! I wanna make things explode!" he said, brimming with excitement.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    "Yeah, well, too bad, kid," Reach said with a smirk. "You¡¯re stuck with whatever you¡¯re born with. In your case, ice. Anyway, let''s get started."

    ¡°Ay-ay, Mr. Reach!¡± Andreas nodded eagerly, his face lighting up with determination as he puffed out his chest. Havyn watched from the bed, her arms crossed, smiling tenderly at the scene.

    Reach smirked, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to think of the best way to explain something as complex as magic.

    "Alright, kid," Reach began, standing straight. "We¡¯ll start with the basics. I might not have studied magic in some fancy school, but I know enough about how it works." He tapped his chest where his lacryma was embedded. "First thing you gotta understand¡ªyour magic? It¡¯s not just you. It¡¯s like an entirely separate being, something that happens to live inside you."

    Andreas¡¯ brow furrowed as he listened carefully, his eyes wide trying to process everything. "It¡¯s... not me?"

    "Exactly," Reach nodded. "Think of it like this¡ªyour lacryma, the magic inside you, it won¡¯t offer you power just because you want it to. You gotta give it a reason. Your magic¡ªit''s survival, instinct. It exists to protect, to fight¡­ to kill. It¡¯s a part of who you are, but it¡¯s not fully you. It¡¯s something deeper. It¡¯s all about will, kid."

    "But I don''t wanna hurt anybody," Andreas mumbled, looking at the floor as he fidgeted his feet.

    Reach looked surprised by the honesty of the statement, catching Havyn''s eye. They shared a soft, understanding smile.

    "I know you don¡¯t, kid," Reach said gently. "And you won¡¯t have to. We¡¯re doing this to find a way out of here, to protect you and your mom. I¡¯m not training you to kill¡ªI¡¯m training you to be strong enough so that you won¡¯t have to." He ruffled Andreas¡¯ hair.

    Andreas nodded, his fear giving way to certainty. "Ay ay!" he responded with a little more confidence.

    Havyn¡¯s heart swelled as she watched, her eyes brimming with both pride and relief. She offered Reach a warm smile, the gratitude clear in her expression.

    "So," Reach continued, "ask yourself, Andreas: What is your desire? What¡¯s your intention? What do you want most in this moment? Once you know the answer, give your magic another try. No rush¡ªtake your time."

    Reach moved to the side of the room, standing near Havyn, giving Andreas space to focus. Havyn¡¯s eyes followed her son, silently encouraging him.

    Andreas stood still in the middle of the room, facing the wall, eyes slowly closing.

    His stomach growled.

    "Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re thinking about bread right now," Reach sighed, rubbing his temple.

    Andreas let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry¡­ It was the first thing that popped in my head."

    He caught his mother¡¯s gaze, her smile tender, full of love and encouragement. Andreas inhaled deeply, steeling himself. His expression grew determined as he closed his eyes again.

    What is it that he really wants?

    A memory surged through him¡ªhis dream of standing on the summit with his mother, gazing over the vast valley. Her cries¡­ and the weight of her sadness.

    A single tear escaped Andreas¡¯ closed eyes, slipping down his cheek.

    Havyn¡¯s breath caught as she saw the tear, her hands clenching in her lap. Reach glanced over at her, then back at Andreas, keeping silent, not wanting to interfere.

    Conviction settled deep in his chest. He knew what he wanted. His will decided that long ago.

    His mind cleared as his intention solidified. He let go of all stray thoughts, allowing his magic to flow in alignment with his desire. The mana began to hum inside him, coursing through his veins. His lacryma glowed beneath his shirt, casting a soft light. He raised his arm, palm outward, the magic surging into his hand.

    Reach instinctively stepped forward, placing a protective arm in front of Havyn. His eyes widened as he watched Andreas, disbelief flickering across his face. Havyn leaned forward, her gaze fixed on her son, a mixture of awe and anxiety tightening her chest.

    Andreas'' eyes shot open. The glow in his palm brightened, pulsating with energy. "I want¡­ to give momma the world," he whispered, releasing the mana.

    The room filled with an intense light, blinding Havyn and Reach momentarily. They shielded their eyes with their arms, bracing for whatever was to come. As the glow faded, they lowered their arms, blinking against the afterglow.

    What they saw left them speechless.

    Hanging in the air before Andreas was a delicate, shimmering snowflake. It floated, suspended by magic, intricately detailed and glistening like fine crystal. The temperature in the room dropped slightly, and tiny flecks of frost dusted the floor beneath it.

    "...A snowflake," Reach muttered, clearly unamused but content with the result.

    Andreas, panting heavily from the effort, turned his head toward Reach and Havyn. "I¡ªI did it," he whispered, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

    Almost immediately, his strength gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor, unconscious.

    "Andreas!" Havyn cried out, rushing to his side. She knelt beside him, gently cradling his head in her lap. After a few tense moments, she let out a sigh of relief, her fingers brushing through his hair. "He¡¯s alright... my poor boy," she murmured, her heart aching with pride and worry.

    Reach stood nearby, his hand resting on his chin, his gaze fixed on the now-fading snowflake. "Well... that¡¯s a start," he said, sighing with resignation. "We¡¯ll pick it up later."

    Havyn glanced up at Reach, locking eyes with him. Her smile, soft and sincere. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice brimming with emotion.

    Caught off guard, Reach¡¯s eyes widened, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. He coughed, averting his gaze. "Oh¡ªyeah, don¡¯t mention it," he muttered, trying to keep his cool. "But don¡¯t thank me just yet. We¡¯ve still got a long way to go."

    ***

    And with that, the next several months became crucial for Andreas¡ªa time of intense training and growth. Every day was a routine of discipline, magic practice, and physical training. He began to grow more comfortable with the power that once frightened him. Slowly but surely, the flickering sparks of magic became more reliable, the snowflakes more deliberate, and the frost more steady.

    Each morning began with Havyn leading a series of exercises. She would stand with Andreas, guiding him through stretches and laps around the room. Reach, often slouched against the wall, groaning in protest when she insisted he join in, but eventually, he¡¯d rise and fall into step, jogging lazily behind them.

    Havyn would tease, her smile playful. "I swear, you¡¯re worse than Andreas some- times."

    Reach would give her a mock glare, though a smile tugged. "You¡¯re lucky I don¡¯t charge for this." Andreas would giggle at the banter, he loved these moments. Reach wasn¡¯t just another person in their space anymore¡ªhe was part of it.

    Later in their days were spent in a much calmer way, reading stories or listening to Reach recount tales of his time as an adventurer. Andreas¡¯ eyes would light up as Reach described the different kingdoms, the towering mountains, vast oceans, and distinct scen- eries.

    In between those moments, there was time for quiet reflection. Havyn and Reach  would sit together while Andreas recovered from his magic. Subtle glances were exchanged¡ªHavyn¡¯s gentle, appreciative smiles, and Reach¡¯s growing respect for her resilience. There was warmth.

    One day, Andreas had spent several hours successfully summoning a small, thin sheet of ice. ¡°Woah¨Cthis is new!¡± Andreas shouted before falling unconscious, Havyn catching him before hitting the ground, then laying him on the bed.

    She then sat next to Reach. He had been reading, his back resting against the wall, one leg stretched out and the other bent lazily. She gently nudged him with her foot.

    "How¡¯s the book?" she asked, her tone light.

    "Same as yesterday," Reach muttered with a smirk, not looking up. "You know, reading the same books on repeat loses its appeal after a while."

    She chuckled gently. "It¡¯s not so bad, you understand the material more and more."

    Reach finally glanced up, catching her playful gaze. "Yeah, guess you¡¯re right," he admitted, closing the book with a sigh.

    ***

    "Remember what I told you, Andreas," Reach said, his voice firm yet hopeful. "You can¡¯t force it to do what you want. It¡¯s an extension¡ªbreathe with it. Let it flow."

    Andreas nodded, his brow furrowed in focus. The air around him began to cool, a visible breath escaping his lips as the room chilled. He took a deep breath, extending his hand. In an instant, an icicle shot forward from his palm with a sharp crack, striking the wall and shattering into pieces.

    "Aw yeah!" Andreas jumped into the air, his face lit with triumph. "But... how do I make it not shatter? I swear it stuck to the wall last time," he asked, panting slightly.

    Reach nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You¡¯re getting there, kid," he said, encouragingly. "But here¡¯s the thing¡ªyou can¡¯t focus on just the impact. Your magic will respond to the intensity of your will. Do you want the icicle to break? Pierce? Freeze? Your intention controls the outcome."

    Andreas wiped the sweat from his brow, nodding. His heart still raced from the excitement of his small victory. Turning toward his mother, his face lit up with pride. "Momma! Did you see that?!"

    Havyn, lying down with her head resting on a thin pillow, smiled delicately, her face weary but filled with pride. "I saw, my love. Just keep it down a bit... I need some rest," she murmured as she closed her eyes.

    Andreas beamed, still riding the high of his success. "I think I¡¯m gonna join y¡ª" But before he could finish, his legs gave out beneath him, and with a soft thud, he collapsed onto the floor, his body completely spent from the spell.

    Reach, arms crossed, a mix of amusement and concern. His eyes drifted toward Havyn, who was already slipping into sleep. He let out a quiet sigh, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he leaned back against the wall.

    ***

    "Mr. Reach, look!" Andreas called out, bubbling with excitement.

    "Hm?" Reach glanced over, his usual gruff expression softening.

    With a proud grin, Andreas flicked his wrist, sending a small flurry of snowflakes drifting into the air. They shimmered in the dim light, twirling like tiny stars. "Ta-da! Pretty cool, right?" Andreas beamed, though the effort had clearly taken a toll. He staggered slightly, nausea creeping in, and the snowflakes faltered, falling to the floor in a delicate mess.

    "Aw man," Andreas sighed, though not discouraged.

    Reach watched the snowflakes land, a small, amused chuckle escaping him. "Not bad, kid. You¡¯ve got something there."

    Just as Andreas was about to respond, a sharp gasp cut through the room.

    "Reach," Havyn¡¯s breathless voice broke through the air, laced with urgency. She winced, her hand instinctively clutching her belly as a sharp pain coursed through her. "I think it¡¯s happening."

    Both Reach and Andreas turned toward her, their eyes widening in alarm. Havyn¡¯s face was pale, her face tight with pain.

    "Momma, what¡¯s wrong?"

 Chapter 5 - The First Exigency

    Havyn forced a reassuring smile, though the strain was etched across her face. "It¡¯s okay, Andreas," she whispered, her hand trembling as it gently caressed his cheek.

    Reach¡¯s heart raced, but his body moved instinctively, hurrying to Havyn¡¯s side. He had known this moment was coming, but he hadn¡¯t known how to prepare. His voice, firm yet laced with concern, tried to anchor her. "Don¡¯t worry, love, we¡¯re here."

    Andreas clung to his mother¡¯s arm, his heart pounding. "What do we do, Mr. Reach?!" he asked frantically.

    "Andreas," Reach said, crouching to meet his eyes. "I need you to be brave right now. Your mother needs us both."

    Havyn¡¯s breathing grew labored, her body tightening as another wave of pain surged through her. She gritted her teeth, her focus shifting to Reach¡¯s steady voice. "Reach, please... stay with me," she murmured, her grip on his arm tightening.

    "I¡¯m right here, Havyn," Reach said, his voice calm even though his mind raced. "We¡¯ll get through this together."

    Andreas¡¯ wide eyes darted between his mother and Reach. "Is Momma gonna be okay?"

    "She¡¯s going to be just fine," Reach said with all the calmness he could muster. "We just need to help her through this."

    Havyn let out a sharp breath as another contraction rippled through her body, her face twisting with the intensity. "It¡¯s so close," she gasped, her entire body tremoring.

    "Almost there," Reach encouraged, his voice a low murmur as he guided her. "Breathe, Havyn. Focus on your breathing."

    Andreas watched, his awe mixing with fear as his mother¡¯s struggle continued, his small hands gripping her arm tightly.

    "Keep pushing!" Reach urged, his voice filled with determination.

    With one final, intense cry, Havyn gave everything she had left. The room was suddenly filled with a new sound¡ªa sharp, piercing wail. The tension shattered, giving way to an overwhelming sense of relief.

    Andreas¡¯ eyes went wide as he looked at the tiny bundle in Reach¡¯s arms, a newborn with a shock of orange hair and a small, glowing red lacryma embedded in her chest. "Momma... it¡¯s a baby," he whispered in disbelief.

    Havyn, tears streaming down her face, let out a breathless laugh as she reached out to hold the child. Cradling the newborn close to her chest, she gazed down in wonder. "Our baby girl... look at her, those beautiful brown eyes." Her voice cracked with emotion.

    Reach, still catching his breath, stared down at them, pride swelling in his chest alongside something deeper¡ªa feeling he hadn¡¯t known in years. "You did it, Havyn," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "You both did."

    Havyn, barely able to take her eyes off the baby, looked up at Reach with a tender smile. "So... what do we name her?" she asked soft and tired.

    "Up to you," Reach replied, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face. "You did all the work¡­ except when¡ª"

    "Reach!" Havyn cut him off with a playful grin, despite her exhaustion.

    He chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. Andreas squinted, clearly not understanding the joke.

    "Alright," Reach said, his tone more serious now, as his face softened. "How about... Chee?"

    Havyn looked down at their daughter, whispering the name as though testing it. "Chee... yes, it¡¯s perfect. Chee Alethi."

    The baby let out a tiny sound, as if agreeing with the choice, Havyn¡¯s heart swelled even more.

    Reach moved in closer, wrapping his arms around Havyn and their newborn daughter. He pulled Andreas in too, holding them all tightly as the room settled into a peaceful silence, broken only by the soft breaths of the baby.

    "This little one..." Reach murmured, gently touching Chee¡¯s lacryma, his voice full of quiet awe. "She¡¯s going to be something special."

    Havyn, her eyes heavy with exhaustion, nodded. "She already is. Just like Andreas," she whispered, her gaze drifting lovingly toward her son. "And you¡¯ll protect her too, won¡¯t you?"

    Andreas nodded eagerly. "I promise, Momma!"

    ***

    Reach and Andreas collapsed onto the ground, sprawled out in exhaustion after everything that had just happened.

    "Man, that was intense," Reach muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. Andreas let out a long, relieved sigh, his eyes half-closed as he lay beside Reach.

    "Thank you for being there for Momma, Mr. Reach," Andreas said. "I don¡¯t know what I would¡¯ve done if I had to help her by myself."

    Reach chuckled, glancing over at Andreas as he ruffled the boy¡¯s hair. "Well, none of this would¡¯ve happened if I wasn¡¯t here in the first place."

    Andreas blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

    Reach lightly scratched his cheek, searching for the right words. "Uh... well, you see, when a man and a woman really like each other, the woman gets pregnant," he said awkwardly.

    Andreas nodded thoughtfully, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Oh, okay, I see."

    Then, his eyes widened, and he shot upright in a panic. "Wait! This didn¡¯t happen until you lived here! Does that mean Momma doesn¡¯t like me?!"

    "No, no! That¡¯s not how it works" Reach quickly corrected, sitting up and waving his hands. "Shoot¡ªuh, no, it only happens between grown-ups. It¡¯s a different kind of liking."

    Andreas tilted his head, still thinking it over. "Ohhh... like Lila and Andor from my book, right?" he said with a grin, satisfied with his explanation.

    Reach smiled, shaking his head. "Yeah, sure. We can work with that."

    ***

    The soft light from the single lantern flickered gently, casting warm shadows across the room, adding to the peacefulness that had settled after Chee¡¯s birth. Havyn lay in bed, her breath steady, Chee tucked safely in her arms. Andreas and Reach, still on the floor, slept soundly.

    KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

    The sudden, jarring thuds shattered the silence like a hammer striking glass. The room froze. Everyone¡¯s eyes flew open, their pulses roaring in their ears. Havyn stiffened, her fingers clutching Chee. Reach quickly stood up, his mind racing.

    ¡°W-what was that?¡± Andreas whispered.

    Havyn¡¯s face drained of color as her wide, terrified eyes darted to the door. She reached out, pulling Andreas close and shielding him with her arm. Her breaths came in sharp gasps, and she cast a desperate look at Reach.

    "Who¡¯s there?!" Reach shouted, his voice sharp. He took a step toward the door, his posture braced.

    The door creaked. Slowly. Agonizingly.

    The sound scraped against their nerves, stretching out the seconds into what felt like minutes.

    The crack widened, and what lay beyond was an abyss of black. No light poured in, no shadow fell across the threshold.

    A voice broke the silence. Soft. Calm. Unnaturally calm.

    "Please, forgive my intrusion. It wasn¡¯t my intention to frighten anyone.¡±

    The voice was higher-pitched yet carried a chilling cadence that made the hair on the back of Reach¡¯s neck stand. Stolen story; please report.

    Reach stiffened, his fists clenching. ¡°Step out where I can see you!¡± he barked, but his words wavered.

    From the void, two figures emerged. Their movements were slow and deliberate, unnervingly in sync. Reach could feel his stomach twist.

    "Who the fuck are you!?" Reach demanded, his voice strained as he fought back both fear and anger.

    The two figures were human, but their appearance was anything but ordinary. They wore identical white, single-breasted jackets, each fastened with golden buttons and secured with black belts. Their trousers were tucked neatly into polished boots, and silver gauntlets gleamed on their forearms. Their faces were completely hidden beneath blank, white masks, the shadows of their hoods casting eerie darkness where their eyes should be.

    Havyn, Andreas, and Reach stood frozen, paralyzed by shock and terror.

    "Sereth Knights...." Reach muttered, his voice low, recognition setting in. His eyes narrowed.

    "Not quite," the voice responded, calm yet chilling.

    The man stepped forward, his cloak rustling as he moved. Havyn instinctively tightened her hold on Andreas, pulling him closer, her body trembling.

    "My, my," the man continued, his voice smooth and unsettling. "So invoked with fear... but that¡¯s expected when faced with the unknown."

    Reach¡¯s fists tightened as he held back his anger, a growl deep in his throat. "Yeah, well, it¡¯s been some time since we¡¯ve seen anyone. I¡¯m sure you¡¯d understand if you were held captive for so damn long."

    The man seemed unphased, scratching his head absently. "Allow me to introduce myself. I¡¯m Timor¡ª"

    "Please!" Havyn¡¯s voice cracked as she interrupted, her desperation overflowing. "Please, whatever it is you want... just let us go. We¡¯ll do anything¡ªplease, just let us be free."

    Her voice faltered, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Chee and Andreas close, her fear and desperation palpable.

    Timor ignored her plea entirely, continuing as if she hadn¡¯t spoken. "It¡¯s come to our attention that a potential candidate has not quite lived up to the standards we deem acceptable."

    "What the fuck are you talking about?" Reach snarled, his anger barely restrained.

    "Momma, what¡¯s happening?" Andreas whispered, his voice shaking as tears welled up in his eyes.

    The figures remained silent, their presence looming and suffocating.

    Timor''s voice remained calm and cold. "We bring news of a rather fortuitous nature. We¡¯ve been instructed to handle the disposal of the candidate ourselves. You needn¡¯t concern yourself with it any longer."

    "Disposal?!" Reach¡¯s body vibrated, his nostrils flaring. His muscles coiled as he was ready to spring into action, but he held back, unsure if his magic had recovered enough to help. His jaw clenched. "Whatever it is you need, take it and get the fuck away from us."

    Timor chuckled, "That¡¯s our intention, Mr. Nuri."

    The use of Reach¡¯s name sent a shock through him. His eyes narrowed in disbelief and rage as a sense of impending dread settled deep in his chest.

    In an instant, everything stopped.

    The air in the room became heavy and suffocating, as if time itself had frozen. Havyn, Reach, and Andreas stood paralyzed, their breaths shallow, hearts racing. Each second stretched unbearably, twisting their insides in a knot of agonizing anticipation.

    All of Reach¡¯s instincts flared to life, adrenaline surging as he assessed the situation in a split second. He spun towards Havyn. His heart hammered in his chest. With a voice booming with raw urgency, he shouted.

    ¡°ANDREAS, NOO-¡±

    But it was too late. The world seemed to shatter in slow motion. One moment, Andreas was there, and the next, he vanished, his small form dissolving into thin air. Reach''s pulse pounded in his ears, eyes wide in disbelief.

    Havyn¡¯s face twisted in sheer horror, her mouth forming a silent scream, her wide eyes fixed on something beyond Reach.

    And then he saw it.

    The masked man had moved with unnatural speed, faster than Reach could comprehend. Timor now stood across the room, holding Andreas by the neck in a brutal, unyielding grip. The boy dangled helplessly, his small body tremoring, his face twisted in panic and pain.

    Havyn dropped Chee onto the bed, the baby letting out a wail that cut through the thick silence. She lunged forward, but her movements felt sluggish, as if the very air around her had thickened, slowing her down. Reach, too, was caught in the same nightmare, moving in a haze as time itself fought against their desperate attempts to save Andreas.

    Chee¡¯s cries pierced the air. Tears streamed down Andreas'' face, his wide, pleading eyes meeting his mother¡¯s as fear and agony overtook him. His trousers darkened with urine, a stark, pitiful reminder of his abject fear. His small hands clawed desperately at Timor¡¯s gauntlet, but the unfeeling metal refused to budge.

    His voice. A hoarse, desperate whisper.

    "Momm¡ª!"

    And then, the sound.

    That sick, twisted noise.

    A sickening crack.

    Timor twisted his hand. Andreas¡¯ head snapped violently to the side, the sound echoing in the silence.

    The boys¡¯ life, once filled with pleading terror, now stared vacantly into the void, devoid of life. His tiny hands, which had clawed so desperately at Timor¡¯s gauntlet moments before, now fell limp at his sides.

    Havyn¡¯s scream ripped through the room, a guttural, raw cry of pure devastation. Her body crumpled, drained of every ounce of strength. She collapsed to her knees, reaching out in desperation, her hands grasping at nothing but the cold, empty air. Her wails echoed off the walls, filled with a grief so deep it seemed to suffocate her.

    Reach''s mind fractured. In an instant, rage consumed him. His muscles coiled, and with a roar, he launched himself at Timor, his fists flying, blinded by rage.

    ¡°I¡¯LL FUCKING KILL YOU!¡± he screamed, tears streaming down his face. His body was a blur of motion, all pain and anger directed at the man who had taken Andreas¡¯ life.

    Timor stood unmoved, his figure still and unfazed by Reach¡¯s desperate charge. In one swift motion, Timor caught Reach¡¯s arm mid-swing. The sound of bone snapping echoed through the room, the crack sharp and merciless.

    "My, how fragile," Timor whispered, his voice calm.

    Pain shot through Reach¡¯s body, but it barely registered. He swung his other arm, trying to summon what little magic he might gather. But Timor was faster, slapping away Reach¡¯s hand with ease. Before Reach could react, Timor¡¯s armored fingers plunged deep into his mouth, the gauntlet tearing into the soft flesh inside his cheeks.

    Reach¡¯s eyes shot red.

    The pressure was unbearable, Timor¡¯s thumb pressing up against Reach¡¯s jaw, slowly squeezing. Blood pooled in his mouth, spilling from the corners of his lips as he gasped for air, his vision blurring from the pain. He pounded against Timor¡¯s chest with his free hand, his blows weak and useless.

    Havyn could do nothing but watch, her arms wrapped around Andreas¡¯ lifeless body, sobbing in agony. Chee¡¯s cries filled the room, a haunting melody of despair.

    Timor released his grip and threw Reach to the ground as if he were nothing. Reach hit the floor hard, his broken arm sending waves of pain through his body, his mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood. He lay there, gasping for breath, tears mixing with the blood smeared across his face.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ going to kill you,¡± Reach rasped, broken but filled with a desperate vow. His eyes glistened with pain and rage, but the two figures stood still, their masks revealing no hint of emotion.

    Timor glanced at his companion. ¡°I¡¯ll take the boy,¡± he said calmly. ¡°Escort Mr. Nuri to the infirmary. His time has come.¡±

    Without hesitation, the other figure seized Reach by his arm and began dragging him across the floor. Reach was too weak to resist, his body limp. His head lolled to the side, and with the last bit of strength left in him, he muttered.

    ¡°Havy¡­ I¡¯ll save you¡­¡±

    His voice faded as consciousness slipped away, leaving the room in deafening silence.

    Timor turned his gaze to Havyn, who knelt on the floor, her arms wrapped tightly around Andreas¡¯ lifeless body. Her sobs echoed in the suffocating silence, a visceral sound of grief and desperation as she rocked back and forth.

    ¡°No, please... please stop!¡± she cried, her voice cracking. ¡°Don¡¯t take my boy! Leave us alone!¡± Her tears flowed freely, her words tearing through the air.

    Timor¡¯s steps were deliberate and slow. Havyn looked up, her body shrinking in terror as he approached. She shifted to shield Andreas with her body, her fingers turning white as she clung to him. But Timor gripped the boy effortlessly, prying him from her embrace.

    ¡°No-no-no-no¡ªplease!¡± Havyn screamed, her voice shattered, her nails digging into Andreas¡¯ leg as she was dragged along the floor, unwilling to let go. Her feet scraped against the hard surface as she clung to her son with all she had left.

    Timor halted and turned to her, his masked face revealing nothing, but his voice a cold whisper that froze Havyn.

    "I don''t understand," he began, each word cutting deeper than the last. "The boy was ineffective from birth, a mere byproduct. Yet you cling to the husk of this worthless contrivance, as though it were something more. As if you believe it will return to you... as though there¡¯s¡­ hope."

    He paused, his words lingering in the air.

    ¡°It is no more than a lie, a tool for you¡­ weak humans. You¡¯re all so desperate, wasting your time on things which don¡¯t exist. The sooner you accept that the natural state of this world is despair, the closer at which you¡¯ll be at peace.¡±

    Havyn¡¯s breath came in ragged sobs, her fingers faltering as she held on.

    "He¡¯s... my son..." she whispered, her voice a faint echo. Her tears dripped onto the floor as she refused to release her grip.

    In one swift motion, Timor lifted Havyn by the neck, her feet dangling helplessly above the ground as her breath was stolen from her lungs. She clawed at his gauntlet, gasping for air, her vision blurring from the pressure.

    With a flick of his hand, Timor flung her aside. Havyn crashed against the floor, the impact knocking the wind from her lungs. She gasped, struggling to get back to her knees, her eyes wide with panic as she watched Timor walk away with her son¡¯s body.

    ¡°Please... no, don¡¯t leave me!¡± Havyn¡¯s voice broke as she crawled after them, her hands outstretched in a desperate attempt to reach Andreas, but it was too late. The heavy door slammed shut behind them with a resounding, final thud that echoed through the room.

    The room was still, the silence now suffocating. Havyn sat up slowly, her arms quivering as she wrapped them around herself. The sobs faded into hollow, heart- wrenching whimpers. Her body rocked back and forth as she stared blankly ahead.

    ¡°Andreas...¡± she whispered, her voice cracking.

    "Andreas..." she repeated, the name spilling from her lips over and over, her words growing weaker with each passing moment.

    Her grip on reality unraveled, slipping between the lines of memory and despair.

    Chee''s cries pierced through the haze, but they sounded distant, as if coming from another world. Havyn¡¯s gaze never left the door.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Andreas,¡± she whispered, her voice breaking.

    ¡°I¡¯ll come for you.¡±

 Chapter 6 - The Vessel

    "Momma!?" Andreas shouted as he jolted up, his chest heaving with panic. His wide eyes darted around. It was his room¡ªthe familiar small bed, the threadbare blanket drap- ed over it, the soft drip of water from the faucet in the corner, the lantern that hung casting shadows along the walls. But something was off.

    There was no door. Andreas froze. The one thing that could have led him out was missing.

    His breath quickened as the realization set in. The air felt thick, as if it weighed down on him. It hit him¡ªa flash of memories that sent prickles crawling through his skin. His neck. The snap. His mother''s scream.

    ¡°No¡­ no, no, no¡­¡± Andreas said apprehensively, instinctively reaching up to clutch his neck, but felt no pain. ¡°Momma!¡± he cried out, cracking with desperation. But there was no answer. Only silence.

    He sat down, wrapping his arms around his knees, rocking back and forth as tears brimmed in his eyes. "Please, Momma... please..." he whispered. The walls seemed to press closer.

    Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something¡ªmovement. The shadows along the walls began to shift, swelling, as if they had come alive. They expanded, growing darker, thicker, swallowing the room inch by inch until everything around him was plunged into an impenetrable blackness.

    Andreas'' heart thudded violently in his chest. Panic surged through him as he stumbled to his feet. Swiftly, he ran over to the lantern, taking it down and clutching it to his chest. The small flicker of light became his shield.

    He could feel it. A presence. Something was in the room with him. Watching him.

    "H-hello?" he whispered, shaking as he clutched the lantern even tighter. The silence stretched on.

    Then¡ªa deep, low groan that resonated across the room cried out. The vibration crawled beneath Andreas'' skin, freezing his breath in his throat, sending icy shivers racing up his spine. His chest heaved as panic gripped him tighter with every passing second.

    ¡°Who... who was that? What¡¯s going on?!¡± Andreas¡¯ voice broke. There was no reply, only a long, suffocating pause.

    A low resonant murmur. It seeped from every corner of the room, threading through the thick darkness. Andreas flinched violently, whipping his head around in every direction. His wide, tear-filled eyes darted across the void. The lantern in his trembling hands cast a weak, flickering glow, barely enough to carve through the blackness.

    ¡°Please¡ªwho¡¯s there?!¡± he cried as the words stumbled out in a desperate plea.

    The silence pressed down on him once more. Suffocating him like a wolf with its claws poised over his throat.

    Andreas¡¯ knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor. His breaths were shallow and uneven, tears streaking down his cheeks as he rocked back and forth. The lantern slipped from his fingers, clattering softly onto the floor as its dim light wavered. Curling into himself, he pressed his forehead to his knees, trembling as he tried to block out the soundless void surrounding him.

    ¡°Momma¡­ please... what¡¯s happening?¡± he whispered.

    A long, drawn-out groan echoed again, reverberating through the walls and the floor beneath him. Andreas¡¯ head shot up, his body rigid with fear as he stared into the black. The room held its breath once more, the stillness terrifying.

    Then, the ground beneath him began to shift. Andreas gasped, his eyes widening as the floor rippled like water, distorting the faint light from the fallen lantern. It shimmered and twisted beneath his palms, and he scrambled backward, his heart hammering.

    Before him, the shadows began to coil and gather, collapsing inward into a shape ¡ªmassive, ominous, and blacker than the surrounding void. It stretched upward, smooth and unbroken, until it loomed over him like an obelisk of night.

    And then, it opened.

    A single, enormous eye stared down at him, its iris glowing with an otherworldly, golden light. Three pupils floated unnaturally within the iris, scattered and unblinking, each one fixed on him as if dissecting his very being. The oppressive silence was shattered only by Andreas¡¯ shallow, hitching breaths.

    The eye was impossibly still, its cold, unblinking stare cutting through Andreas. He wanted to scream, to run, but his legs wouldn¡¯t obey. He was trapped¡ªsmall, powerless, and drowning in the presence of something far beyond his comprehension.

    Tears streamed down his face as his lips parted, but no words came. This impossible eye, seeping through the very marrow of his being. The cold air pressed against Andreas¡¯ skin. But as the seconds passed on, his ragged breaths began to even out.

    The eye¡­ it didn¡¯t move closer. Nor did it strike or lash out. It just¡­ watched him.

    Andreas¡¯ hands lowered from where they clutched his knees. His chest still rose and fell quickly, but the terror that had gripped him began to loosen its hold. He glanced at the lantern, its faint light flickering faintly beside him, and then back to the enormous eye.

    His gaze locked with the three pupils floating within the iris. They didn¡¯t blink nor shift. For all its sheer enormity, it remained perfectly still. It carried an uncanny calmness.

    Andreas tilted his head slightly, his breathing further slowing. His fingers stopped digging into the fabric of his breeches. ¡°...Hello?¡± he whispered.

    The moment stretched taut. Then, without a sound, the three pupils shrank, narrowing into sharp pinpoints that echoed intensity. The light around the iris pulsed faintly, sending faint ripples of golden light across the surrounding void.

    Andreas flinched slightly, then blinked. His voice steadied, just barely, ¡°Can you understand me?¡±

    The eye didn¡¯t answer, but the pupils shifted, circling one another. The glow in its iris seemed to deepen. The shadows stretched along the walls as if reacting to Andreas¡¯ words.

    Andreas hesitated, rubbing his clammy palms on his breeches. He glanced at the flickering lantern again, then back at the eye. ¡°Do you¡­ know what happened to my momma?¡± he asked.

    The pupils stilled. Then shifted again, but slower this time, as if it were hesitant. The glowing iris dimmed slightly, the golden hue flickering like an uncertain flame. The ripples of light slowed and the shadows softened.

    Andreas observed closely, his brows furrowing as if he tried to understand the eye¡¯s movements. He looked back at the eye, almost fascinated. ¡°You¡¯re not going to hurt me, are you?¡± he asked softly. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    The eye still gave no response, but something about the stillness of its movements felt less threatening. Andreas¡¯ expression began to soften. He didn¡¯t feel the oppressive weight of its stare, rather, he felt watched. Seen.

    ¡°Uhm, are you¡­ lost too?¡± he asked.

    Andreas blinked, leaning forward slightly as the faint ripple of light spread outward from the eye. His brows knit in concentration, his small fingers brushing his chin. ¡°Is that a yes?¡± he asked softly.

    The eye remained still, the pupils circling each other.

    Andreas¡¯ face softened again as he tilted his head. ¡°Do you¡­ need help finding your momma too?¡± he ventured hesitantly.

    The pupils paused, then shifted erratically. A ripple of light shimmered outward, more uneven this time.

    Andreas stared, his fear ebbing. Slowly, he put a finger to his lips, thinking. ¡°Okay¡­ uhm¡­¡± He scratched the back of his head, trying to muster some sort of confidence. ¡°Since you can¡¯t talk, what if¡­ every time you want to say yes you do one of those light wave thingies? And if you want to say no, you, uh¡­¡± He hesitated, frowning in thought. ¡°I don¡¯t know, do something else?¡±

    The eye¡¯s golden hue pulsed faintly, its pupils circling once before a soft ripple spread outward.

    Andreas let out a breathy laugh, his lips curling into a soft smile. ¡°Awesome! That works!¡±

    For a moment, the silence returned. But it felt calmer, the stillness carrying a quiet warmth.

    Andreas rubbed his chin, glancing at the eye again. ¡°So¡­ are you lost?¡± He asked again, his tone careful, shy.

    The eye¡¯s pupils stilled, then rotated slowly. Another ripple of light spread outward.

    Andreas¡¯ face eased, his smile fading into a thoughtful frown. ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said, his eyes shimmering in the dim light. ¡°Is there¡­ any way I can help?¡±

    Another gentle wave of light rippled out, almost like a nod.

    Andreas¡¯ shoulders relaxed, his hands dropping to his lap. ¡°Oh good! I¡¯ll try my best!¡± he said earnestly. ¡°I¡¯m, uhm, not sure how. But I¡¯ll try. And if we find a way to talk better, maybe we can help each other!¡±

    The eye¡¯s glow brightened, the pupils tilting slightly.

    Andreas offered a sheepish grin, his cheeks a tinge of pink as he scratched the back of his neck. He glanced back at the golden eye, and asked hesitantly, ¡°Do you know how to get back to my momma? She might be able to help too¡­¡±

    The pupils stilled for a moment, seeming to hover in indecision before shifting again. A ripple of light spread outward, gentle and deliberate.

    Andreas¡¯ face brightened, his smile widening. ¡°Really? You do?!¡± he exclaimed.

    But just as he was about to say more, a dark shape began to emerge from the shadowed wall. Andreas froze, his heart skipping a beat as a pitch-black arm¡ªlike the shadows themselves¡ªextended into the room.

    He stumbled back slightly, clutching his chest. ¡°W-whoa!¡± he yelped.

    The arm paused for a moment, then retreated quickly into the wall, dissolving into the darkness like smoke.

    Andreas blinked. ¡°Oh! Is that your arm?¡± he asked. The eye sent out another ripple of light in response.

    Andreas winced, pressing his hands together in apology. ¡°I¡¯m super sorry! I didn¡¯t mean to be scared¡ªI just¡­ didn¡¯t expect it, that¡¯s all,¡± he said quickly but earnestly.

    The pupils within the eye shifted, their movements quicker, as though they were bouncing. The arm emerged again, slower this time, unfurling cautiously from the wall. Andreas tilted his head, his face lighting up. ¡°Wow¡­ that¡¯s so cool,¡± he murmured.

    The arm reached down, its shadowy fingers brushing against the fallen lantern. It lifted the lantern with grace, setting it upright on the floor. Andreas watched, his mouth slightly agape, as the arm raised a single finger, its tip glowing faintly with a golden light.

    The glowing finger moved purposefully, tracing patterns in the air. Andreas¡¯ breath hitched as the light began to form a figure¡ªan outline of a woman, her features soft and familiar. The golden glow shimmered faintly, capturing every curve of the image.

    Andreas¡¯ eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. ¡°Momma!¡± he cried, tears brimming in his eyes.

    The golden outline flickered gently, like a crackling flame, and Andreas reached out, his small hand brushing the glowing figure as if to hold onto it. His lips quivered as he whispered, ¡°Momma¡­¡±

    The arm lingered near the lantern, still and quiet. The eye remained watchful, its pupils calm but curious as they studied the boy''s reaction.

    Andreas sniffled, wiping his face with the back of his hand. He glanced back at the eye, his tone soft but resolute. ¡°Can you really help me find my momma?¡±

    The eye pulsed, a ripple of golden light spreading outward.

    Andreas hesitated, his small fingers curling at his sides as he bit his lip. Then, with a shaky but genuine smile, he asked, ¡°If you do help me¡­ how can I find you? So I can return the favor¡­ you know, help you too.¡±

    The eye widened slightly, its pupils converging as though focusing entirely on him. Slowly, the arm moved again, its pitch-black fingers extending toward Andreas. Andreas flinched slightly but held his ground. The hand didn¡¯t stop. Instead, it pressed its cool, shadowy finger lightly against his chest, right over his lacryma.

    Andreas blinked, startled. He glanced down at the faint golden glow emanating from the spot where the finger touched. The light seeped softly into his shirt, warm and oddly comforting. He looked back up at the eye. ¡°What¡­ what does that mean?¡± he asked with a whisper.

    The hand didn¡¯t respond. Instead, it ruffled his hair gently, its touch surprisingly light and warm, almost like a breeze. Andreas¡¯ lips parted slightly as his cheeks flushed.

    The hand then withdrew, extending toward him in an open gesture, its fingers reaching out. Andreas tilted his head, studying the hand. It hovered there, patient and steady, as though offering him a choice.

    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Andreas reached out. His small fingers curled cautiously around the hand. It was cool to the touch, and the subtle glow of the golden eye reflected faintly off the dark surface.

    The eye lifted him with ease, its strength effortless but gentle. Andreas stumbled slightly as he stood, fidgeting with his breeches. ¡°So¡­ what do we do now?¡± he asked, his tone carrying both nervousness and curiosity.

    The eye didn¡¯t respond immediately. Its arm retracted, the shadows rippling as it plunged its hand into the golden surface of its iris. The room seemed to hold its breath.

    Andreas gasped audibly when the arm withdrew. In its grasp was a small, luminous sphere no larger than a marble, glowing brighter than the lantern¡¯s flame.

    He stared, his jaw slack. The sphere pulsed faintly, radiating warmth that pricked his skin. ¡°What¡­ what is that?¡± he whispered

    The eye¡¯s two remaining pupils shifted slightly, their focus never leaving Andreas. It held the marble-like pupil out toward him, the glow reflecting in his wide, astonished eyes. The unspoken weight of the gesture pressed into the air between them. Andreas¡¯ throat tightened as he took a gulp.

    ¡°I¡­ if I take that¡­ I¡¯ll find Momma?¡± he asked. The eye sent out another ripple of light. The warm wave washed over him steadily.

    Andreas hesitated, his small hand tightening into a fist at his side. He stared at the glowing sphere, his heart thudding. Then, with a sharp exhale, he nodded. ¡°Alright¡­ I¡¯ll take it then.¡±

    He reached out slowly, his fingers trembling. Just as they brushed the edge of the sphere¡¯s glow, the hand jerked back slightly, retreating an inch. Andreas froze, blinking in confusion as the pupils darted about, shifting as though evaluating him.

    The pause stretched, the air thick with tension, as though the void were holding its breath. Then, the pupils stilled, their gaze sharpening. The hand extended again, slower this time, reluctant yet deliberate, and lowered the sphere into Andreas¡¯ open palm.

    The moment his fingers made contact, the light erupted.

    A brilliant, searing radiance poured through the room, consuming everything. Andreas staggered, shielding his eyes with his free hand, but the warmth of the glow poured into his skin.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Momma¡­ I¡¯m coming,¡± he whispered. His fingers curled around the sphere, clutching it tightly as the world around him dissolved into a white void.

    A voice cut through the silence.

    Ethereal and resonant, it rang like a chime. Its presence enveloped him, soft yet vast, like a goddess murmuring into his soul.

    ¡°My light shall reside within you, fragile as you are,¡± the voice intoned, each word wrapping around him like silk. ¡°Yet know this¡ªyour soul remains but a flicker, tethered to the precipice. Tread carefully, child, for each step into life may draw you nearer to the edge. When the eyes of death stare into yours, I shall claim their essence to mend your own.¡±

    The warmth of the light became overwhelming, and then, all went silent.

 Chapter 7 - The Extrication

    Andreas awoke, his eyes fluttering open to the sight of a concrete ceiling. His body ached, a soreness settling into his limbs as he slowly pushed himself up. He rubbed his neck with one hand, trying to shake off the grogginess, while the other hand wiped at his tired eyes. The room felt unfamiliar.

    As his vision cleared, something¡ªor someone¡ªcame into focus at his feet. Andreas froze, his breath hitching in his throat. A skeleton, draped in tattered black and gold cloth, slumped lifelessly before him. The remnants of its clothing clung to its brittle frame, torn with age. He felt a jolt of terror surge through him, and he scrambled back- ward, his heart pounding in his chest.

    "Wha¡ª!" His voice caught as he gasped, his back hitting the cold, rough stone wall behind him. His eyes locked onto the skeleton¡¯s empty sockets, expecting it to move.

    But it didn¡¯t.

    Andreas let out a shaky breath, realizing it was just bones. ¡°Oh¡­ I, uh¡­ woah...¡± he muttered, his voice shaking as he tried to calm himself. The initial shock ebbed, but something else crept into his awareness¡ªa smell. A sickening stench filled the air, thick and putrid, making his stomach churn.

    ¡°Ugh! Blegh!¡± He pinched his nose, wincing at the overwhelming odor. He took a moment to gather himself, his gaze wandering cautiously around the room. ¡°Where am I?¡±

    The space around him was vast, much larger than the room he had known all his life. The walls were thick, built from rough cobblestone that absorbed the dim light, casting everything in shadow. Andreas squinted into the darkness, his heart still racing, trying to make out details in the near-blackness.

    A flicker caught his eye¡ªlight.

    He turned his head, noticing a set of wooden stairs leading up. The faintest hint of light spilled from the top, spilling into the room in thin, pale streaks. It called to him, the only sign of life in this foreboding space. But the sense of dread that clung to his skin gave him pause.

    Andreas swallowed hard, the uncertainty gnawing at him. ¡°Uh... hello?¡± His voice echoed through the chamber. His eyes darted back to the skeleton, as if expecting an answer from it.

    The boy shifted uncomfortably, wrapping his arms around his body for warmth, but the cold crept into his bones. He glanced again at the stairs.

    ¡°Is anybody there?¡± His voice cracked, shaking with hope.

    "Momma? Reach? Uh... Chee?" He called out again. He sat frozen in place, his body heavy with fear and exhaustion.

    "Uhhh... eye man?" he added, hesitantly, the words almost absurd as they left his mouth. He hoped for something, anything¡ªa response, a sign. But the silence stretched on, the air in the chamber cold against his skin. Andreas'' heart sank, and the loneliness crashed down on him, the weight unbearable.

    "Someone... please," he whimpered, his voice breaking as tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision. "Come get me..."

    Just as the first tear fell, a sharp, searing pain exploded behind his eyes.

    He cried out in agony, his hands flying to his face as he collapsed to the ground, curling in on himself as the pain shot through him like fire. "It hurts!" he screamed. "Someone help!"

    Tears streamed down his cheeks as he writhed, the burning overwhelming his senses. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block it out.

    Then, just as suddenly as it had come, the pain left, leaving him gasping for breath, trembling in the aftershock. His chest heaved as he lay still, tears drying on his cheeks.

    ¡°It¡¯s... gone...¡± he whispered, his voice weak, filled with relief. He wiped at his face with shaky hands, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

    As he opened his eyes, something strange caught his attention. A faint, golden glow illuminated the ground beneath him. Confused, he blinked, then looked around, searching for the source of the light. The glow flickered in front of him, then behind. His heart raced as he checked the ceiling, but the light now appeared there too, bouncing between the walls and floor, casting long shadows in every direction.

    Then, he looked down at his hands, and the answer hit him.

    The glow was coming from his eyes.

    ¡°Woah¡­¡± Andreas muttered as he stared at his hands. The light reflected off his skin, painting it in soft, golden hues. His breath hitched as he tentatively touched his face, feeling the warmth radiating from his eyes.

    He patted his cheeks, trying to piece it together. His brown irises were now intertwined with a soft, golden hue, swirling like embers in a fire.

    The golden glow from his eyes slowly faded, though the warm, golden hue in his irises remained. His vision returned to normal, leaving the dull chamber dim.

    "Aw, I can''t see anymore..." he pouted, disappointment crossing his face. He rubbed his eyes one last time, almost hoping the glow would return, but it didn¡¯t.

    Andreas pushed himself to his feet, his legs still quaky. Uncertainty gnawed at him, but a strange sense of confidence bloomed. Whatever that voice had been, whatever the deal was, he could feel it now. The eye was watching.

    He swallowed hard, his gaze drifting toward the wooden stairs in front of him. Beams of light streamed down from above, casting patterns along the stone floor. Andreas stared at the light, mesmerized. He took a step forward, drawn to the faint glow, his heart pounding in his chest.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    As he reached the bottom of the stairs, a cool breeze kissed his cheek. He shivered slightly, his skin prickling at the touch of fresh air¡ªreal air. He blinked up, his eyes widening. The stairs loomed impossibly tall before him, each step feeling like it stretched higher than the last. And at the top, spilling through the tiny cracks of a door, was the source of the light.

    It felt like the door to another world.

    Andreas stared in awe at the thin rays of light seeping through the cracks. He reached out hesitantly, his small hand twitched as he placed it under one of the beams, his palm bathed in warmth. The sensation sent a shiver through him, his chest tightening with an overwhelming mix of emotions.

    The light was... warm.

    A slow, wide grin spread across his face, pure wonder overtaking him. He lifted both hands into the beam, basking in the light.

    "Alright... time to go find Momma," he murmured, more for comfort than confidence.

    He swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the door. It felt impossibly large, its surface marred by grooves and cracks that spoke of age and wear. Tiny slivers of light that seeped through the crevices seemed to pulse.

    Andreas¡¯ legs staggered as he took the first step up the wooden stairs. The air grew colder as he climbed. His heart thudded loudly in his chest, each step feeling heavier.

    As he reached the top, his legs wobbled, and he paused just before the door, staring at its rough, uneven surface. His stomach twisted in knots, his throat tightening as doubt crept in.

    ¡°What if I can¡¯t do it?¡± He muttered. The thought gripped him, freezing him in place. His mind flashed back to the men in white masks, their eerie figures, and the terror that had filled the room before everything went black. He thought of his mother¡¯s face, the way she had held him, her voice filled with love and reassurance. He thought of Reach, Chee¡ªeveryone who might be waiting on the other side of this door. They were there.

    ¡°They need me.¡±

    With a shaky breath, Andreas¡¯ hand wavered against the rough wood of the door. The surface was cold under his touch, the wood groaning under the weight of his palm. The sound was deep and it reverberated through the room with a low hum. He flinched, stepping back slightly, hesitation clawing at him.

    But he had to move forward. There was no turning back.

    Gritting his teeth, Andreas steeled himself and stepped forward again, leaning into the door to push it open. Just as he did, another gust of cold air brushed against his cheek. He froze, his heart pounding¡ªsomething was on the other side, waiting.

    Curiosity gnawed at him, and without thinking, he pressed his face against one of the larger cracks in the door, squinting through the small sliver of light. He held his breath.

    At first, his vision blurred, his eyes adjusting to the brightness. Then, slowly, the world beyond the door came into focus.

    Andreas¡¯ breath hitched, his body tensing in awe and disbelief.

    Beyond the door wasn¡¯t another room, wasn¡¯t another dark space¡ªit was something entirely new. A vast, endless blanket of white stretched out before him, pristine and untouched. The snow sparkled faintly under the dim light.

    It wasn¡¯t the snow from his magic. This wasn¡¯t something he had conjured with his hands. This was real. This stretched out endlessly before him, uninterrupted by walls or barriers. Andreas stood frozen, unable to move as he stared. His heart pounded in his chest, disbelief mixing with awe.

    The outside world.

    His eyes roamed wildly, trying to absorb every detail. Tall pillars of wood stood proudly in the distance, their long, bare branches draped in silver as the snow clung to them. He realized, slowly, that these were trees¡ªthe towering structures he had only ever seen in the pages of books. But here they were, real, stretching toward a sky that seemed impossibly far away.

    ¡°Trees¡­¡± Andreas whispered, the word slipping from his lips in sheer wonder. The trees were unlike anything he had imagined, their bark rough and weathered, their branches twisting into the air like arms reaching for the heavens.

    He could feel the cold creeping in through the cracks, biting at his skin, but it was refreshing. Crisp. The air smelled different here, not like the musty, closed-off space he had grown up in. This air was fresh, with the scent of snow and pine. He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the invigorating chill.

    Above him, the sky was a muted gray, heavy with thick clouds that loomed omin- ously. But even the clouds, threatening as they were, seemed breathtaking. ¡°Clouds¡­¡± he murmured, almost reverent. He¡¯d seen drawings of them, but nothing compared to the real thing, casting shadows over the snowy landscape.

    Andreas reached out, his fingers brushing against the rough wood of the door as if needing to feel something solid to ground himself. The snow, the trees, the sky¡ªit was all so overwhelming. His chest tightened with a mix of excitement and disbelief, his heart racing.

    Andreas¡¯ gaze swept across the snow-covered landscape, his eyes widening as they fell upon a large, rectangular structure made entirely of stone, standing isolated in the distance. It jutted out from the surrounding trees like a monument. Its form was stark, a sharp contrast against the soft, white snow. There was only one entrance, dark and foreboding.

    "Momma¡­" Andreas breathed, a whisper of hope and uncertainty.

    Suddenly, the muffled sound of footsteps crunching through the snow reached his ears, startling him. Andreas'' heart leapt into his throat as he frantically scanned the area, his wide eyes searching for the source. The steady rhythm of boots on snow grew louder, nearer. He pressed his face back against the door, peering through the cracks.

    Through the slits, he spotted them¡ªtwo men, clad in the same pristine white attire he¡¯d seen before. The glint of their silver gauntlets and leggings cut through the dim light, their cloaks hanging stiffly from their shoulders as they trudged through the snow. Their faces were hidden beneath the eerie white masks.

    Panic surged through Andreas like ice water, every nerve in his body screaming for him to hide. His chest tightened, his breath coming in short, ragged bursts.

    They''re going to find him.

    He stumbled backward from the door, his limbs trembling uncontrollably.

    He held his breath, listening as the footsteps came closer and closer¡ªuntil they seemed to hover right outside. Andreas froze, his body rigid, terrified that even the slightest movement or sound would give him away.

    Then, just as suddenly as they had appeared, the footsteps began to fade. Slowly, they drifted further away, moving toward the stone structure in the distance. Andreas let out a shaky breath, the terror still coursing through his veins.

    Andreas swallowed hard, his heart pounding as he worked up the courage to push open the door. His hand hovered over the wood, faltering, but he forced himself to be brave.

    His chest tightening with a mix of fear and determination. His fingertips brushed against the door, just about to press when¡ª

    BOOM!