《Solborn: The Eternal Kaiser》


 Chapter 1: Origin

    The stars do not align without a purpose. Last time, they marked the birth of a war that drowned the world in blood, but tonight¡­ Tonight they whispered of something far worse.


    The words replayed in his mind as he stood atop the battlements, his crimson gaze fixed on the horizon. The sky was a curtain of shifting constellations, the stars shining with an unnatural light, as if reacting to the storm raging in his thoughts. The city burned below him, the streets were choked with smoke, and the cries of the dying, both villagers and knights, filled the air. The largest kingdom in the world was crumbling, and Kaiser was the only one left to stop it.


    But stopping it meant facing him.


    Sabel Stoorm.


    The man who he had once considered a brother, and now the man who had taken everything from him.


    The wind tugged at his long, black hair, unbound and wild, as he turned away from the carnage. His once immaculate military uniform was now a patchwork of ash and blood, with smoke dulling the gold trim. The medals of valor clinked softly with each step, a bitter reminder of the oaths he had sworn¡ªoaths that now felt like chains binding him to a world he could no longer save.


    His boots crunched over broken weapons and splintered stone as he made his way down the battlements. Below, in the courtyard, lay a cemetery of knights, their bodies stretched out in hideous positions, their armor scuffed or destroyed. Some still clutched their swords, their faces frozen in expressions of pain and defiance. Others layed motionless, their eyes staring blankly at the starry sky.


    As he stepped into the courtyard, the few surviving knights turned to face him. Their eyes widened as they recognized him, their hands trembling while still holding their weapons. They had heard the tales of the warrior whose fury could level cities, of a man who could effortlessly defeat a hundred soldiers all alone.


    They had heard of a man called Kaiser Dios.


    However, there was a big difference between hearing about him and seeing him.


    One knight, bolder than the rest, stepped forward, his sword trembling in his hand. ¡°Halt!¡± he shouted, though his voice cracked under the weight of his fear. ¡°You¡ªyou can¡¯t be here! Emperor Sabel ordered¡ª¡±


    Kaiser stopped, his scarred right eye, half-hidden beneath his unkempt hair, stared at the knight with a cold, unflinching stare. The knight faltered, his sword dipping slightly, as if the weight of Kaiser¡¯s gaze made his sword ten times heavier.


    Kaiser said in a steady, low voice, "The Emperor will die."


    The knight swallowed hard, looking around for support from his fellow knights. However, none of them came forward. Their faces were white with terror as they stood motionless, their weapons gripped tightly. "It''s him," muttered one of them, a younger knight with a bloodied face. ¡°It¡¯s really him.¡±


    As he fought to maintain his position, the knight''s knuckles turned white and his sword shook in his hand. ¡°You think we¡¯ll just let you pass?¡± His voice cracked as he demanded. ¡°After everything you¡¯ve done? You¡¯re a monster!¡±


    Behind him, the other knights shuffled back, their eyes darting to the bodies scattered across the courtyard, one of them even whispering a prayer under their breath.


    Kaiser¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°I¡¯m not here for you, little solider.¡± he said, his voice calm but edged with menace.


    The knight paused, glancing at the corpses strewn all over the courtyard. He had witnessed Kaiser''s abilities. All of them had. The way he moved like a storm, how his blade seemed to sing as it sliced through flesh and bone, and how he left nothing but silence¡­ All of that was depicted in the stories, but they didn''t do the reality justice.


    The younger knight took a step back, his voice trembling. ¡°Let him go. He¡¯s not here for us.¡±


    "Are you insane?¡± The bolder knight yelled, his tone shaky. "He is a murderer! A monster!"


    The air appeared to get colder for a moment as Kaiser''s eyes narrowed. ¡°A monster?¡± he repeated, his voice soft. ¡°Maybe. But I¡¯m not the one who turned this city into a graveyard. That was Sabel. And if you want to live to see the dawn, you¡¯ll let me pass.¡±


    The bolder knight opened his mouth to argue, but the younger one grabbed his arm. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he whispered urgently. ¡°You saw what he did to the others. You saw what he is.¡±


    The bolder knight hesitated, his sword trembling in his hand. Finally, he stepped aside, his face pale and his eyes wide with fear. ¡°Go,¡± he muttered, his voice barely audible. ¡°Just¡­ go.¡±


    Kaiser silently passed them, his boots stomping on the blood-stained stones. The other knights'' eyes widened in fear as they parted before him like a wave. No one was brave enough to brandish a weapon, nobody was brave enough to even speak. As he passed, one of the knights¡ªa grizzled veteran with a deep scar across his cheek¡ªmuttered under his breath, ¡°Gods help us all.¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t look back. He didn¡¯t need to. He could feel their fear, their relief as he moved on. They had kept their lives, and in exchange, Kaiser was allowed to enter the castle, the place that was once his home.


    The corridors of the palace were eerily silent, especially for the number of still living knights that were still present. The walls, once adorned with tapestries and banners, were now bare, their grandeur stripped away by war.


    He paused at the entrance of the throne room, the grip on the hilt of his sword tightening. The enormous doors, whose ancient wood was carved with warped, twisted patterns, stood slightly open. Like the veins of some long-dead creature, dried blood seeped into the crevices and streaked across the elaborate designs.


    Beyond them, he could hear the faint sound of laughter, each note laced with cruelty, every breath drawn from a voice he knew all too well. Cold. Mocking. Waiting.


    Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.


    The chamber that had once been the throne was now a shadow of its former self. The tall columns had been reduced to rubble, and the once-gleaming marble floors had been cracked and discolored. The throne itself was a rusted, twisted monstrosity at the far end of the room; its once-majestic form had been transformed into a hideous parody of power.


    And there, leaning against it, was Sabel Stoorm.


    The man looked up as he entered, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. His white hair spilled over his shoulders like a waterfall of snow, a stark contrast to the bloodstained armor he wore. He had a rusted blade in his hand, its sharp edge shining as bright as a star.


    ¡°Ah, the prodigal son returns,¡± Sabel said, his voice smooth and dripping with mockery. ¡°I was beginning to think you¡¯d lost your way. Or perhaps your nerve¡±


    Kaiser remained silent. He looked around the room, at the devastation, then at the figure leaning against the throne. The king, his teacher, his master and his father.


    Kaiser¡¯s jaw tightened, his fists clenching until his knuckles turned white. He felt no grief, no tears welling in his eyes. The King had raised him as a son, yes, but also as a weapon¡ªa blade forged in the fires of war, honed to a razor¡¯s edge. Weapons do not mourn. They do not weep. They break, they cut and they endure.


    Yet, for a fleeting moment, something stirred in the depths of Kaiser¡¯s chest¡ªa shadow of what might have been sorrow, or perhaps rage, or both. It was not grief for the man who had shaped him, but for the lie of what they could have been. A father and a son, not a king and his weapon. The feeling burned, brief and sharp, before it was swallowed by the cold void within him.


    ¡®You deserved better,¡¯ Kaiser thought. ¡®But so did I.¡¯


    ¡°Isn''t that quite a sight?¡± Sabel pointed to the King''s body as he spoke. ¡°To be honest, I didn''t anticipate that he would pass away so quietly. However, he always had a thing for tradition and pride.¡±


    Kaiser''s grip tightened around his sword''s hilt. "You killed him."


    With a broad smile, Sabel nodded, "I did¡­ And I¡¯d do it again. He was a fool, clinging to outdated ideals and meaningless oaths. Just like you.¡±


    Kaiser stepped forward and pulled his blade out of the sheath. "Sabel, this ends tonight."


    Sabel laughed, a cold, mocking sound that echoed through the chamber. ¡°Oh, it does. But not the way you think. You see, I¡¯ve been waiting for this moment¡ªwaiting to see the great Kaiser broken. Tell me, how does it feel? Knowing you failed all of them? Knowing you failed her?¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s eyes burned with a fury that seemed to set the very air ablaze. ¡°You don¡¯t get to say her name.¡±


    "Velaria," Sabel said in a gentle yet mocking tone. "Your dear wife. Do you still hear her voice in your dreams, Kaiser? Or has time finally robbed you of that as well?"


    The name hung in the air like a curse, and for the first time, Kaiser flinched. Sabel¡¯s laughter echoed through the chamber once again, sharp and cruel.


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    ¡°Did you think I¡¯d forgotten?¡± Sabel sneered. ¡°Did you think I¡¯d let you hide behind your silence? No, Kaiser. You don¡¯t get to disappear. Not after everything you¡¯ve done.¡±


    The rage in Kaiser''s eyes seemed to ignite the air itself. ¡°You are not allowed to say her name. You are not allowed to say any of their names.¡± And thus, he ran towards Sabel with all his might.


    Sabel¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Or what? You¡¯ll kill me? You¡¯ve been trying that for years, and look where it¡¯s gotten you. Broken. Alone. A relic of a man who couldn¡¯t keep a single promise.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s blade came up in a flash, the steel singing as it cut through the air. Sabel met it with his own weapon, the clash of steel ringing out like a scream.


    Sabel skidded back from the force of the blow, his smile unwavering. "Oh, such anger! I can see the rage and desperation in your eyes. Tell me, though, is it pleasant? After all this time, letting it all out?"


    Kaiser remained silent. He launched an assault, his blows getting harder and faster as they moved closer to the edge of the throne, but with enraging ease, Sabel danced away, his movements as smooth as water.


    ¡°You¡¯re quick, I¡¯ll give you that,¡± Sabel mocked, deflecting another blow. ¡°But speed will not save you from me, nor from the truth.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s sword cleaved downward, splitting the tiles where Sabel had stood into a spiderweb of cracks. ¡°The truth?¡± His words hissed through clenched teeth, raw as a fresh wound. "The truth is that you¡¯re a coward hiding behind cheap tricks and empty words."


    Sabel¡¯s grin faltered for the briefest of moments, but he recovered quickly. "A coward? No, friend. It''s me who is honest. I don''t hide behind principles or oaths. I take what I deserve, and I don¡¯t apologize for it.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Deserve? That night, it was you who deserved to die, not her!" He screamed. ¡°That was the only thing you ever deserved!¡±


    ¡°And yet here I am,¡± Sabel said, spreading his arms wide. ¡°And you? Still fighting. Still clinging to the hope that you can make things right. But you can¡¯t, can you? She¡¯s gone. They¡¯re all gone. No river of blood you create will be deep enough to drown out that truth.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s grip tightened on his sword. ¡°This isn¡¯t about bringing them back. It¡¯s about making sure you never take anyone else.¡±


    Sabel tilted his head, his grin honed to a razor¡¯s edge. ¡°Ah, Kaiser. Still trying to stitch virtue from violence.¡±


    In an instant, Kaiser closed the gap, his blade a silver blur as he moved like a shadow. His movements were too quick for the eye to follow, and the air itself seemed to scream as he struck. The impact sent a shockwave through the throne room as Sabel just managed to raise his rusted blade in time to parry the blow.


    Sabel was sent skidding backwards by the force of the strike, his boots making grooves in the cracked marble floor. His red eyes flickered uneasily, but his smile remained. ¡°You¡¯ve gotten even faster.¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t respond. He was already moving again, his blade arcing through the air in a deadly horizontal slash. Sabel ducked, the edge of the sword slicing through the air where his head had been moments before. He countered with a thrust, aiming for Kaiser¡¯s chest, but Kaiser twisted away with inhuman speed, his movements as fluid as ever.


    Sabel¡¯s grin faltered as he barely dodged a follow-up strike, the blade grazing his shoulder and drawing a thin line of blood. He jumped back, distancing himself from Kaiser, but Kaiser pursued. In a split second, he closed the distance, his blade dropping in a devastating overhead blow.


    Sabel lifted his weapon to block, but he was flung across the room by the force of the blow. With a loud bang, he was thrown into the wall, causing the stone to collapse around him. Dust and debris rained down as he slumped to the floor, his breath coming in ragged gasps.


    Sabel wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and muttered, "And stronger too." He forced himself to stand, studying Kaiser with narrowed ruby eyes. ¡°You¡¯re full of surprises tonight.¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t give him a moment to recover. He was already moving again, his blade a streak of silver as he lunged forward. Sabel barely managed to dodge, the tip of the sword piercing the wall where he had stood moments before. The stone shattered, cracks spreading like spiderwebs as Kaiser yanked the blade free in an instant.


    Sabel darted away, his movements fleeting but no longer fluid. His grin was strained as he circled around Kaiser, sweat trickling from his brow. "You''re a monster," he said in a breathless, low voice. ¡°But monsters don¡¯t win wars, Kaiser. Men do, men like me.¡±


    Kaiser took a single step forward, his blade shining in the moonlight. He said in a toneless voice with only bore purpose, "We''ll see about that."


    Almost like a phantom, Kaiser traced a path in the air with his hair trailing behind him. He moved too fast for people to understand. One moment he was several meters away, in the next he was next to Sabel.


    Sabel, however, was not at all alarmed by all that speed, strength, or might; on the contrary, he was grinning.


    ¡°Predictable,¡± Sabel muttered as his gaze sharpened.


    With a fluid motion, Sabel twisted his body to the side, the edge of Kaiser¡¯s blade missing him by a hair¡¯s breath. The momentum of the strike carried Kaiser forward, leaving him momentarily exposed, and Sabel waited for exactly that moment.


    In the heartbeat Kaiser was off balance, Sabel slipped behind him, the rusted blade flashing as it plunged toward his back, its jagged edge hunting for his heart. As Kaiser realized what was happening, his eyes widened, but it was too late to avoid it.


    With a sickening crunch, the blade sliced through clothing, bone, and flesh. For a brief moment, time seemed to stop as Kaiser''s breath caught in his throat and his body froze as the cold metal sank deeply into him. Sabel¡¯s crimson eyes met Kaiser¡¯s, making his lips turn into a bitter smile.


    ¡°I told you,¡± Sabel said. ¡°Speed and strength aren¡¯t enough. Not against me.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Kaiser demanded, his voice raw with pain and fury as he fell to his knees from the recent strike. ¡°Why do you bring death to so many people? Sabel, what reason could possibly justify this?¡±


    Sabel tilted his head, his eyes glinting with amusement. ¡°What need has death for reason? Does the wolf justify the lamb¡¯s suffering? Do the stars explain why they watch? No, my friend. Things are as they are. And I am as I have always been.¡±


    "Then let me be the one to break that cycle," Kaiser said, voice low but unyielding. "If the stars are blind, let me tear open the sky. If the wolf does not mourn, let me teach it sorrow. There must be a reason for monsters like you to exist¡­ and if there is none¡ª" He got up and lifted his sword, "Then I will carve one myself."


    Kaiser''s body shivered as the rust from the wound was repelled by his regeneration. His body was attempting to mend itself back together, the flesh surrounding the stab wound starting to knit itself back together, but the battle was a losing one. The rust was more rapid and insidious. Like a poison, it seeped into his veins, transforming his skin into corroded metal and his blood into iron.


    Kaiser raised his blade with a growl of defiance, his hands shaking like a leaf in the wind, but his gaze filled with determination. The edge of the sword sliced through his own torso with surgical precision as he swung it in a desperate arc, and even though the cut was clean and separated the rusted flesh from the rest of his body, it was simply not enough. The corruption had already penetrated his bloodstream and spread like wildfire trough his whole body. As the rust ate away at him from the inside out, his legs gave way and he dropped to one knee, his sword slipping from his grasp.


    Sabel''s ruby eyes looked on with a mixture of triumph and something that could have been mistaken for sadness. "Pitiful," he uttered in a low, husky voice reminiscent of a predator''s growl. ¡°Even now, you''re still fighting. You''re still holding fast to those oaths. But Kaiser, look at you. You are nothing more than a shell. A remnant of a man who failed to fulfill any of his commitments.¡±


    Kaiser''s body tensed, the rust hardening his limbs, but his head jerked up, his eyes burning with defiance. ¡°You¡¯re wrong,¡± he rasped, his voice strained but fierce. ¡°I kept my promises. To her. To them. To myself. And I¡¯ll keep them until my last breath.¡±


    Sabel¡¯s lips curled into a bitter smile. ¡°Your last breath is coming sooner than you think,¡± he said, stepping closer, Kaiser''s blood trickling from the sharp edge of his rusted blade, ¡°Don''t worry, though. I''ll see to it that nothing remains of you to regenerate from.¡±


    Kaiser attempted to stand up, but his legs refused to cooperate. The rust had spread too far, turning his body into a statue of corroded metal. He could feel it creeping up his arms, his chest, his neck, the cold, unyielding grip of Sabel¡¯s curse, forcing his sword to slip from his hand, the blade clattering to the floor as his fingers stiffened and locked in place.


    Sabel stood over him, his red eyes narrowing as he raised his blade. ¡°Goodbye, Kaiser,¡± he said, his voice low and final. ¡°You were always too stubborn for your own good.¡±


    The first blow was delivered with savage precision, sending pieces of corroded metal flying as the rusted blade pierced Kaiser''s chest once again. Kaiser''s jaw tightened against the pain as his body jerked, but he remained silent.


    Sabel continued.


    He struck again and again, each blow driving deeper, each one carving away another piece of the man who had once been his brother.


    By the time Sabel stepped back, Kaiser¡¯s body was gone, replaced by a grotesque statue of rust and rot. All that remained was his head, perched atop the twisted mass of corroded metal, his eyes still open, still burning with defiance.


    With a low, resentful voice, Sabel said, ¡°You could have walked away,¡± He continued, ¡°You could have lived out your days in in peace. But no. You had to play the hero, you had to keep your oaths. And now¡­¡± He pointed to Kaiser''s body, which was now a hideous mixture of twisted steel and rusted flesh. "You will now die a fool''s death."


    Kaiser¡¯s crimson eyes glared up at him, defiance burning even as the rust crept closer to his face, only a rough, shallow gasp coming out of his mouth as he attempted to speak. Sabel squatted and leaned close, his red eyes blazing with rage. "Any words of parting, Oathkeeper?"


    Kaiser''s face stiffened under the rust''s corrosive touch, and his defiance appeared to falter for a moment as it reached his jaw. Suddenly, though, something changed. His eyes, which had once been crimson and full of life and defiance, turned a bottomless black, devoid of any human recognition or feeling.


    A cold, otherworldly presence filled the air, and a voice¡ªsoft, commanding, and distinctly female¡ªspoke a single word.


    "Origin."


    The word resonated through the ruins like a death knell, quiet but infinite, its weight pressing against the very fabric of reality. Sabel''s smug face faltered, his self-assured exterior dissolving into something much rarer: unadulterated horror. His weapon slipped from his grasp and clattered to the ground as he staggered backward. His voice trembled as he stammered, "No¡­ What¡ªwhat have you done?"


    The word seemed to have an effect on the world itself. The clouds disappeared as if engulfed by a void as the sky grew darker. Above, the stars moved bizarrely, reorganizing into one horrifying constellation: a massive, unblinking eye that gazed down upon the world with cold, unyielding judgment.


    A beam of light descended from the heaves, weaving its way into Kaiser¡¯s outstretched, rusted hand. It solidified into a weapon unlike anything mortal eyes had ever seen¡ªa blade of pure starlight, humming with an energy that was not of this world. It wasn¡¯t just a sword; it was a force, an extension of a realm beyond human comprehension. Its shape flickered and pulsed, as though reality itself struggled to comprehend its existence.


    As soon as the weapon touched Kaisers hand, the rust instantly began to peel off of him, but he still wasn¡¯t himself, his eyes still as black as the midnight sky.


    Sabel dropped to his knees, his lips quivering as he stared at the figure before him. This wasn¡¯t Kaiser¡ªnot the man he had taunted and fought for years. This was something else entirely. ¡°No¡­ no, you can¡¯t possibly understand what you¡¯ve done!¡± he cried, his voice rising in desperation. ¡°You¡¯ve killed everyone! Can¡¯t you see that? Can¡¯t you hear me Kaiser?!¡±


    However, the figure remained silent. Unseeing and unfeeling, its black, empty eyes gazed past Sabel. Reality itself moaned under the strain as the air surrounding Kaiser''s body started to crack and twist. An intolerable white light glowed from the jagged lines of cracks that splintered across the ground and sky like lightning.


    Sabel clutched his head, his screams drowned out by the deafening roar of the universe tearing itself apart. ¡°YOU FOOL!¡± he shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos. ¡°Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done?!¡±


    And then, the world shattered.

 Chapter 2: Frost and Rust

    The slight beam of sunlight hit Kaiser''s face, slowly waking him up. He was surrounded by chilly, crisp air that smelled of earth and pine, as if he had been dropped into the middle of a forest. His body ached in ways he had never experienced before as he slowly sat up. Beneath him, the cold stone of the shrine pressed against his torn uniform, reminding him of his last battle.


    Behind him stood an ancient altar, its surface carved with intricate sigils that seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive with an energy Kaiser couldn¡¯t comprehend. The markings were unfamiliar, their geometry and symbols alien to anything he had ever studied in his homeland. He ran his fingers over the carvings, his blood-red eyes narrowing and the pulse they were releasing.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± he muttered under his breath, his voice hoarse. Like a chilly shadow, the truth set in: neither his kingdom nor even the enemy empire had these insignia. It was a long way from home, wherever he was now.


    Bits of memory surfaced. The Throne Room. The mocking expression of Sabel Stoorm. The agonizing sensation of his body turning to rust. His desperation, his rage¡ªand then, nothing.


    He clenched his fists, his body trembling with frustration. ¡°I blacked out,¡± he whispered. ¡°He stabbed me... again and again...¡± His voice grew louder. ¡°And now I wake up here?¡± Kaiser touched where the wounds on his body were recently present, before he clutched his fist slowly.


    In a fit of anger, he drove his fists into the stone platform beneath him with all the strength he could muster. It was supposed to split the entire earth and send tremors rippling outwards in a grand display of his power, but only a dull thud echoed around the?temple. The stone cracked, and?the earth beneath it stirred ¡ª but just a little.


    Kaiser stared at his hands in disbelief. His breathing quickened, his mind racing. ¡°No...¡± he murmured. He punched the ground again, somehow even harder this time, but the result was the same.


    Kaiser stared, confused,?at his hands. His breathing grew rapid, his?thoughts swirling. "No..." he muttered. He struck the?ground again, this time harder but still: sad, weak, pointless. "What is this?" he snarled. "Where''s my strength?" His voice echoed among the empty woods, unheard.


    Unsteady, as though his legs weren''t used to carrying him, he stumbled to his feet. He hurled a punch at the air in front of him, expecting the sheer force to rip through the atmosphere, but instead his actions felt slow, and frustration went to panic. He no longer possessed the power that had previously made him who he was.


    Kaiser felt a rush of panic in his chest for the first time in years. "What... happened?" he muttered to himself, barely audible.


    Then, something unexpected occurred. As his panic intensified, a faint shiver spread down his fingertips. He looked down, his black hair falling into his face, and saw frost beginning to form at the tips of his fingers.


    ¡°What...?¡± He held his hand out, watching in stunned silence as delicate tendrils of ice spiraled outward, freezing the grass at his feet into a solid sheet. Beautiful and lethal, the frost spread in uneven lines across the ground as it sparkled in the sunlight.


    Kaiser''s mouth dropped open in surprise. In contrast to the tremendous strength he once possessed, this power was foreign to him. Like his surroundings, it was cold, wild, and raw.


    His eyes narrowed as he clenched his fists, staring at the frost-covered grass. ¡°This... this isn¡¯t mine,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°But it¡¯s something.¡±


    He raised his hand again, watching as the frost responded to his will, curling up his arm in delicate patterns. It wasn¡¯t the strength he was used to, but it was power nonetheless. The frost clinging to the grass around him began to melt as soon as the morning sun warmed the shrine. With the crisp, salty air filling his lungs, he inhaled deeply and absorbed his surroundings.


    The ancient sigils etched into the shrines surface pulsed once again, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel they were watching him, judging him, seeing his every action. The marks that covered the stone surrounding the shrine, however, were more remarkable. The once-immaculate surface was scarred by deep, jagged rust gouges.


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    Kaiser knelt to inspect them, stroking the rusty scars with his palm. There was no mistaking the pattern¡ªSabel''s work. Sabel''s final desperate attempts to kill him were depicted by the rust, the sharp edges, and the desperation in every stroke. ¡°Guess you couldn¡¯t do it, huh?¡± Kaiser muttered, his voice tinged with pure satisfaction.


    He stood, clenching his fists. For a moment, the realization hit him like cold water: he had somehow become immune to Sabel¡¯s rusted curse, the power that had nearly ended him twice before. But doubt clawed at the back of his mind. Was he really immune? Or was there another factor at work?


    To test himself, he made a decision. He reached for his left hand, spread open his fingers and gripped his index finger tightly. Without hesitation, he snapped it backward with a sickening crack.


    No reaction.


    No sharp intake of breath. No flash of pain. He stared at his broken finger, oddly detached, watching as the bone began to knit itself back together.


    It was slower than before. Much slower.


    Kaiser frowned, a mix of relief and unease washing over him. He flexed his hand as the finger rigidly restored its shape and whispered to himself, "Still regenerating." He continued "How come it''s taking so long?"


    The notion persisted, proving that he was no longer unbeatable. It had cost him something, whatever this new power was, whatever had occurred to him.


    Shaking the thought from his mind, Kaiser turned his attention outward. He stepped off the shrine, taking in the world around him.


    The sea extended eternally to his back, its waves glittering in the sunlight. He hadn''t heard the steady thump of water against far-off rocks in years. If he had to be honest, not since the start of the war. It seemed oddly soothing and slightly bizarre to him.


    The forest extended as far as the eye could see in front of him. With their dark green needles gently swinging in the breeze, tall pine trees reached for the sky. In sharp contrast to the blood and rust he had become used to, the air was heavy with the smell of pine and earth.


    Kaiser stepped forward, the ice cracking faintly beneath his boots. His eyes swept the landscape¡ªthe dense pines ahead, the distant roar of the sea at his back. The pieces clicked into place. He¡¯d studied enough maps to recognize this place, though it felt alien now.


    ¡°The only place that has this kind of geography is the western border,¡± he said aloud, his voice steady. ¡°If I¡¯m anywhere I know, then I¡¯m at as far west as one could go.¡±


    The realization brought a wave of emotions. Relief, at the thought of being close to familiar lands, and at the same time frustration, at the miles of unknown territory he had to traverse, but lastly determination, a burning resolve to make it back to the capital.


    His red eyes narrowed as he set his sights towards the forest. ¡°If I¡¯m anywhere close, the capital should be that way.¡± He flexed his fingers again, testing his grip. ¡°But first... I need to figure out what the hell happened to me.¡±


    Kaiser took one last glance at the shrine, the rusted marks, and the sea behind him. Then, without another word, he started walking away.


    Kaiser stepped into the forest, the air cooler and denser beneath the thick canopy of trees. At first, it seemed ordinary enough¡ªtall pines with their dark green needles swayed gently in the wind, the ground littered with fallen leaves and twigs. There was a slow tempo of his steady march forward, and the only sound accompanying him was the periodic crunch of his boots.


    However, the woodland started to change the farther he went.


    The trees'' height increased, their trunks darkened, and their bark twisted as though they were writhing in agony. White threads of cobweb hung here and there like ornaments left over from some gloomy celebration. In the dim light coming through the canopy, they glistened dimly. They were scant at first, draped across the rare bush or clinging to the low branches.


    Kaiser noticed them, of course. How could he not? Yet, he pressed on, brushing away the sticky strands as they caught on his torn uniform or clung to his hair. An increasing uneasiness chewed at the corners of his thoughts.


    "This feels wrong," he whispered to himself in a steady voice. Something was terribly wrong, and it didn¡¯t take an expert to see that.


    He stopped and glanced around. The air was unnervingly quiet¡ªno birds, no distant rustling of small animals. Just the oppressive silence and the faint whisper of the wind. Out of pure instinct his fingers brushed against the hilt of a sword that wasn¡¯t there, and Kaiser hated that he had no weapon to defend himself with at the moment.


    The cobwebs grew larger as he went deeper. The branches were soon covered in thick, silky layers, and they soon took over the landscape. The once-vibrant forest was now a supernatural graveyard of white and grey, with the trees completely covered in webbing instead of green needles.


    Kaiser paused again, his crimson eyes narrowing as he surveyed his surroundings. He reached out to touch one of the webs, his fingers tracing its sticky surface. It was thicker than any spider silk he¡¯d encountered, unnaturally strong. He pulled his hand back, his fingertips coated in a strange residue that left a tingling sensation.

 Chapter 3: Into the Spiders Lair

    The farther Kaiser moved into the forest, the closer it would close around him,?soon dissipating into a disorienting maze of contorted wood and interminable spider silk. He peered through spillways of silk?that captured more light than leaves possibly could. With every step, the earth clawed at his boots as if it desired to suck him under and entomb him alive.


    His eyes scanned the landscape for any indication of danger as he breathed lightly. There was no breeze, no animal sounds, only the faint rustle of the web-covered trees.


    Kaiser stopped and crouched down, looking closely at the shiny strands that crisscrossed his path. These weren¡¯t just ordinary webs; they pulsed gently, as if they were alive, glowing with an odd shimmer. Cautiously, he touched one with his fingertip and instantly a sharp pain shot up his arm as the web seemed to try to grab hold of him.


    "Great," he muttered quietly, trying to shake off the sting and the cobweb at the same time.


    He carefully maneuvered around the webs, every muscle in his body tight with tension. The stillness grew heavier until something happened, until he noticed them.


    Emerging from the light mist, they walked silently trough the silk floor, their thin bodies stretching out with too many legs to count, all ending in sharp points. Silky threads trailed from their hands, creating delicate patterns on the floor. Their black giant heads tilted toward him¡ªand for a heartbeat, they froze. One of them twitched, its dark eyes widening. A wet, gurgling sound rattled in its throat, halfway between a hiss and a scream. Surprise? Recognition? Kaiser didn¡¯t care to find out.


    The first one lunged, its arms reaching out, shooting threads at him like arrows. He dove to the side, rolling just in time to avoid the strands that hissed as they hit the ground, scorching it in their wake.


    Quickly getting to his feet, he grabbed a heavy branch and broke it to make a rough weapon. The creature glided closer at absurd speeds, but Kaiser managed to duck under its first strike, giving him the opportunity to strike the creature with the branch he just acquired. The hit made the creature reel back, its shape flickering like a shadow before turning into mist.


    Another one came up from behind, quick and quiet. Kaiser spun around, using the broken branch to block a thread aimed at him. The silk wrapped around the branch, pulling it from his hands. Letting it go, he closed the gap in a burst of speed and punched the creature hard in the center. It slammed into a tree behind and disintegrated into mist.


    Kaiser wiped sweat from his brow, staring at the crumpled remains at his feet. ¡°No blood. Just¡­ mist? Good enough.¡±


    Looking ahead, the path narrowed to a thread, swallowed by webs so thick they choked the trees into gnarled silhouettes. The forest pressed inward¡ªbranches creaking, air clotting with the sour-sweet stench of decay. Every step forward felt like wading through tar.


    He hesitated, boot hovering over the unnatural sheen. Turn back? The thought flickered, but his jaw tightened. Sabel¡¯s laughter echoed in his memory, sharp as a dagger.


    ¡°Not today,¡± he growled.


    Kaiser plunged forward, webs snapping against his legs like tripwires. They clung, sticky and cold, as if the forest itself clawed to hold him back.


    As he tore trough the clinging webs, his breath ragged when a searing pain bit into his shoulder¡ªa single drop of liquid hissed against his skin, eating through cloth and flesh alike. He swore, slapping at it, and froze. Another droplet struck the silk-covered ground beside him, smoking as it burned a hole through the threads.


    His eyes snapped upward.


    A creature dropped from the canopy like a falling boulder, its massive, bristled body shredding webs as it descended. It was twice the size of the others, its matted fur streaked with iridescent slime. Thick, hooked claws tore into the earth as it landed, its mandibles dripping with acid.


    Kaiser threw himself backward just as those jaws snapped shut where he¡¯d stood, the sound echoing like a tree splitting. The thing lunged again, claws scrabbling up the nearest trunk with unnatural speed. Desperate, Kaiser grabbed a sagging curtain of webbing and swung hard, the sticky threads burning his palms as he launched himself into the branches.


    The creature hissed, its faceted eyes tracking him, but Kaiser didn¡¯t stop, not for a second. He wrenched a dead branch from the tree, splinters digging into his grip, and hurled it. The wood struck true, cracking against the monster¡¯s face, making it reel, a guttural screech tearing from its throat as it plummeted to the forest floor.


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    As it recovered, Kaiser leapt down, landing hard on its back, making the creature scream in pain and its exoskeleton crack. In an attempt to distract his assailant, the creature thrashed frantically, its mandibles clicking in rage, but that didn¡¯t stop Kaiser. The crack of the exoskeleton echoed through the forest as Kaiser drove his elbow into the base of the creature¡¯s skull. It collapsed like a marionette with cut strings, twitching once before going still.


    But there was no time to celebrate. A low, guttural hiss came from deeper within the woods. The ground trembled as something massive lumbered into view.


    The monstrous creature appeared puffy and bloated, with a putrid glow pulsing through its midsection. Hundreds of smaller creatures writhed beneath its translucent skin, ready to be born.


    Kaiser flew sideways to avoid the creature''s crushing weight as it crashed into the ground where he had been standing as it charged, its legs ripping through the woodland floor as it barreled toward the corpse of the recently slayed monster that was slowly turning into mist.


    Kaiser grabbed a jagged rock off the floor, and hurled it at the creature¡¯s abdomen, the impact causing a rupture, and a swarm of tiny spiderlings to spill out, their chittering filling the air as they raced toward him. Kaiser cursed under his breath, grabbing a broken branch and swinging it wildly to keep the swarm at bay.


    The massive creature reared back, venom spraying from its mouth as it roared in fury. Kaiser rolled beneath it, grabbing a length of webbing and using it to climb onto its chest. The creature thrashed, but he was holding firm, his hands gripping the coarse hairs and holding on for his dear life.


    With a burst of strength he drove the jagged branch into the creature¡¯s swollen abdomen. A?terrible screech erupted from it as it spasmed violently, the spiderlings around it scurrying in terror. Kaiser jumped free as the beast fell, watching as its inhuman?corpse folded in on itself.


    By the end of the battle, Kaiser¡¯s uniform had become even more torn and bloodied, deep gashes crisscrossing his torso and arms. Blood dripped onto the sticky, web-covered ground beneath him, pooling into crimson stains, but the ground seemed to absorb even that.


    Then, as if time itself was unwinding, the edges of his wounds began to knit together, sinew and muscle mending with an unnatural speed. His breath caught as he watched his body heal itself, the sharp agony receding into a dull ache before vanishing altogether. In less than a minute, he was whole again. No scars, no bruises¡ªjust smooth, unbroken skin.


    Kaiser staggered to his feet, staring at his hands as he flexed his fingers, frustrated by how long it had taken. Shaking off his disappointment, he pressed on through the forest, picking up speed with each step. The air grew colder, and he soon realized that the dense canopy above had swallowed all traces of light.


    A flicker of movement.


    Kaiser''s breath caught in his throat as he went cold. A shadow darted between the trees, and he saw it out of the corner of his eye.  He whirled around, his fists raised and yet still saw nothing. Just an endless expanse of webbed forest, stretching into the gloom.


    And yet, the feeling persisted. A cold, creeping sensation ran down his spine raising the hairs on the back of his neck. Slowly, he turned again, and this time, he saw it.


    In the distance, a figure was visible, hardly more than a shadow in the low light. It was indistinct and black, its edges blending together as though they were a part of the shadows. It simply stood there and observed him without moving or speaking.


    "Who are you?" Kaiser''s voice boomed across the quiet wilderness as he yelled out. No answer.


    Even Kaiser was taken aback by the figure''s strange grace as it turned and glided away after tilting its head slightly, almost curiously.


    He paused,?every instinct telling him to retreat. But something about the figure stirred him, a?sensation he couldn¡¯t identify. And, without another thought, Kaiser?took off after it.


    The chase was brief but maddening. Whatever stalked him stayed just out of reach, shifting like a mirage. His boots sank into the sticky ground as he pushed himself to run faster, breath quick and ragged.


    Eventually the trees opened, and Kaiser screeched to?a stop. In front of him?was a great river, but its waters were not liquid. It was a gradual?flood of silky threads instead. The webs writhed and throbbed, as if they were alive, moving?in a nauseating, trance-inducing rhythm.


    A vortex was appearing in the center of the river¡ª a spiraled whirlpool made of cobwebs that?seemed to go on infinitely downwards. Kaiser stared in?horrified fascination as the figure moved to the river¡¯s edge. The shadowy figure glanced back one last time, its face still obscured, and stepped?into the vortex. It was devoured by the webs, the form?falling into the spiraling void.


    Kaiser froze, his thoughts racing. He couldn''t seem to wake up from the nightmare that was the forest, the creatures, and the person. However, he felt a tug from the figure''s presence and motions.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who or what you are,¡± he muttered to himself, ¡°but I would really like to find out.¡±

 Chapter 4: Silken Graves and Hollow Eyes

    Kaiser plunged into the river of cobwebs and immediately felt the agonizing weight of the sticky silk that encircled his limbs like a thousand merciless shackles. The river flowed with its own life, its pulse ringing through the air, tugging at him as if it knew every move he made. His first step into the river was sluggish, the webbing clinging to his boots, pulling him down. His legs felt as though they were sinking into live sand, each motion heavier than the last.


    The cool, damp webs clung to his clothes, sliding under the edges, worming their way through the seams of his clothes. At first, it felt like his skin was being delicately touched by a thousand little fingers. Then came the real nightmare. Additional spiders¡ªtiny, black, twitching creatures¡ªscurried across his skin, their hairy legs pricking his flesh with each inch they traveled. Their movements were a constant, vile sensation that made his skin crawl. He gritted his teeth, trying to suppress the urge to grunt, to rip the spiders off his body.


    His breath came in ragged gasps as more of the creatures found their way into the gaps of his clothes. He could feel them crawling across his neck, down his chest, and across his shoulders, their sharp pincers brushing his flesh with every step that he took. The longer he fought, the more they came, swarming from the river¡¯s depths, piling onto him like a living, writhing blanket. Every breath and every movement seemed to be choked by their weight as they drew nearer to his mouth and face.


    He felt as though a magnetic force was drawing him toward the whirling vortex at the center of the river as its current grew stronger. It was impossible to fight, and Kaiser ended up tripping and giving in to the force that was frantically dragging him. As the waving silk pulled him farther into the vortex, the webs held him fast and he was pulled forward, his feet no longer touching the ground.


    As he neared the heart of the vortex, the world around him blurred into a series of white flashes, like blinding lightning, and the noise of the river faded into a dull, muffled roar. As he was drawn farther and farther into the mouth of silk, the light itself appeared to distort and twist, leaving him completely disoriented.


    And then, with?a jolt, Kaiser was thrown into water. It was cold, but not refreshing ¡ª thick and syrupy, as if he had?fallen into a vat of goo. He tumbled, arms flailing, struggling for control as the murky water swirled?around him. His?nose filled with a terrible stench that accompanied the splashing water, alive with bits of long-dead creatures. Decaying?spider bodies cooed beside him, their eyeless glares piercing through the darkness like a terrible nightmare.


    Kaiser¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as he thrashed against the weight of the water, his limbs tangled in the thick strands of silk that clung to him like the ropes of a trap. The water grew heavier, darker, suffocating as he fought to escape, but the weight of the webbing only tightened around him, dragging him deeper.


    But as fast as he entered the water, he was expelled from it and thrown onto solid ground. He gasped, sucking in air, his chest burning from the struggle. His hands clawed at the ground, as if trying to escape the lingering sensation of the spiders. He lifted his head, and his eyes locked onto the sight of an old, abandoned house in the distance of the strange place he now found himself in.


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    The?structure was an older ruin, broken and abandoned. The wood was decaying,?the boards warped and twisted from years of abuse. Thick vines?of moss crept up the sides interlaced with strands of cobwebs that hung on the house like shrouds. The sight sent a?thrill of dread through him, but it also drew him in.


    Kaiser made it to his feet, muscles stiff and aching, breath still?a ragged rasp. His eyes?were attracted to the attic window at the top of the house, as there was someone standing behind it, watching him. He couldn¡¯t shake the sensation that the figure in the window was not just watching him¡ªbut waiting, biding its time for whatever twisted game had been set in motion.


    But he could not stop now. His legs moved, slow and heavy, his instincts pulling him forward as the sense of being trapped deepened. Kaiser¡¯s every step toward the house felt like walking toward his doom.


    As Kaiser approached the decrepit house, his gaze snagged on the two skeletons slumped against the splintered doorframe. Their bones were so pale they seemed almost translucent, brittle and fragile, yet intertwined in a way that spoke of desperation¡ªa final, futile attempt to hold onto something, or someone, as the end came for them both. They appeared to be staring at him with hollow eye sockets, simultaneously accusing and begging. Here the air was colder, plunging deep into his chest and pressing against his flesh. It was the tangible sensation of wrongness emanating from the building that sent a shiver through him, not the cold.


    Each step was heavier than the last as he pushed himself ahead, his boots crunching against the brittle, leaf-strewn ground. As he pushed it open, the wooden door moaned in protest, the sound breaking the silence like a scream.


    The room was empty inside, the kind of emptiness that seemed intentional rather than coincidental. There are no furnishings or signs of the previous occupants. Only dark nooks and a little stench of mildew and rot, all the while the silence was so complete that it was deafening. Not a single sound reached his ears¡ªnot the groan of wood settling, not the skitter of vermin, not even the faint whisper of wind. It was a silence that seemed alive, sentient, waiting.


    Then his eyes were drawn to the three doors. They faced one another at perfect angles, like cardinal points on a compass while their surfaces were both?old and weathered but somehow in a perfect state of cleanliness. It was nearly too smooth, the wood feeling untouched, unmarred, by time ¡ª or the?world, for that matter ¡ª as if it was not of this house nor this world. The doors each bore?a number carved deep into the wood: 0, 11, 45.


    Kaiser scowled, his heart?racing as he looked at all the doors. They were unsettling, as they weren¡¯t merely doors ¡ª they?were invitations. Or perhaps traps. His confusion only deepened as his mind attempted to piece together what he was seeing, only to be countered by the same gnawing dread, as if he wasn¡¯t meant to?know. As if the house itself was holding the truth at?bay.


    He couldn''t take his eyes off the "0" door, though. It pulled at him like an unseen thread that was hooked into his chest, drawing him in. It wasn¡¯t just curiosity¡ªit was a deep, unshakable question he had to learn the answer to, and deep within some buried fragment of himself already knew what was waiting beyond it. His feet moved before he could think, closing the distance, his breathing shallow and uneven. He stretched out and grasped the cold, unforgiving handle, shaking slightly and turned the doorknob, pushing the door open.

 Chapter 5: The Pyre and the Child

    When Kaiser stepped?through the door, everything felt different. The musty silence of the house had become a damp,?biting chill, and he was suddenly standing on the edge of a dark, winding river. Mist clung to the water and it started twisting into?ghostly shapes.


    As he looked at a lone boat tumbling away from the shore, his breath stopped. It was a small, rudimentary vessel made of broken, deformed charcoal wood that seemed as if it had been carried through hell and back. A woman''s body was inside, cradled in the center with her pale, delicate hands neatly folded across her chest. Her face appeared calm, almost unnaturally so, but her empty cheeks and sunken eyes revealed that she was dead.


    With his boots crunching on the sandy riverbank, Kaiser stepped forward. His entire body begged him to stop, but he was immobile and couldn''t turn his head away. The pale, icy light of a crescent moon highlighted the shape of a figure standing at the river''s bank. The knight''s armor shone dimly, worn but polished, as if it had been used in innumerable conflicts yet was still treated with respect. The knight remained motionless, standing erect and staring at the boat as it sank deeper into the mists.


    The knight exuded a weight of hopelessness that Kaiser could feel, and there was obvious grief that soaked the air around him. The knight then turned and left without saying a word, his heavy armor plates clinking softly as he moved slowly and deliberately. Kaiser followed, driven by an instinct he didn''t entirely comprehend, and honestly he didn¡¯t feel the need to understand it. Even though his own feet were heavy and even hesitant, he kept his gaze fixed on the warrior in front of him.


    As they went, he noticed subtle changes in the surroundings. The ground beneath him changed from loose, gritted earth to smooth, polished stone as the river appeared to disappear into the distance. Unnaturally, shadows stretched and changed, bending into shapes that disappeared the moment he tried to concentrate on them, but they weren¡¯t the main focus of Kaiser for now. Just as Kaiser was about to try and focus on the shadows around him, the knight came to a sudden halt.


    Before?them were knights, armor glowing with soft, drifting light. They were lined up in perfect formation, quiet and motionless like?statues. At the?center of the gathering was a throne, carved of black wood that glowed as if it was wet. On it was a king, his hands resting heavily on the arms,?his head bent over. The king¡¯s countenance was one of deep sorrow,?and his expression was the semblance of torment that appeared to have been etched into his own soul.


    Kaiser¡¯s breath?froze in his throat as understanding hit him like a physical blow. This was his king. The man to whom he had pledged his loyalty, the man whom he had followed into hundreds of battles, the?man whose life he had trusted his own with. His mind was overtaken by memories of friendship, blood-stained victories, and solemn vows made in the silence of the throne room. However, the monarch now appeared diminished and tarnished, as though the weight of his responsibility had finally worn him down.


    Slowly, methodically, and almost ceremoniously, the monarch stood. His hands trembled as he extracted a single blazing arrow from a gilded quiver by his side. The king''s dejected face was covered in flickering shadows as the flame danced along arrow.


    Kaiser''s eyes followed the arrow''s trajectory, and when he saw that the boat was its target, his heart tightened. The dead woman, floating down the river ever so softly. As he struggled and recalled something¡ªnot a specific memory, but more a description he had heard the king give numerous times¡ªthe conclusion hit him like a hammer: This wasn''t just any woman.


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    ¡°Mother,¡± he whispered, the word barely audible as it slipped from his trembling lips.


    As the fiery arrow impacted the woman''s body, there was a terrible hush during which the entire world held its breath. Before the explosion, there was an intolerable silence. The boat was then swallowed by a flaming vortex with a thunderous roar. Impossibly high flames swirled upward, their brightness illuminating the assembled knights in a frenzied manner. Heat caused the river''s surface to ripple, warping the gloomy figures'' reflections as they watched from the bank.


    The?knights, visibly losing their stoic demeanor, were rushing for the edge of the river, clearly surprised by such a large blaze sparked by a single arrow. They paused at the edge of the?flames, their faces lit by the hellish glow as they stared into the inferno. No one spoke. There was simply nothing to say.


    A newborn infant was now lying on the burned remnants of the boat, its feeble cries audible through the thick, harsh air as the flames died down and an eerie calm fell. As they gazed in the child''s tiny form, the knights paused, their motions rigid with shock registering. In the child''s eye, a golden arrow was stuck, and the metal glinted with terrible reminder of the present reality.


    His palm automatically moved to his face and his fingers touched the scar under his eye, his breath becoming only more and more rough. The pain was intense and pulsating, as though the scar itself was attempting to bring back memories he had long suppressed. He couldn¡¯t look away from the scene¡ªthe crying infant, the mother, the knights frozen in a tableau of silent mourning.


    With methodical movements and an unreadable expression, the king approached the baby and gazed down at it. Kaiser, however, was no longer tethered to the present. With every heartbeat, the scar under his eye throbbed, extracting shards of recollection, each one more painful and acute than the last. He stumbled forward, reaching for the king, the man he had once trusted with his life, fueled by a need he did not entirely comprehend.


    But as his fingers touched the air, the image shattered like fragile glass. The river, the boat, the knights¡ªall dissolved into nothingness, leaving him standing alone in the stark, silent room.


    Emotions raged in his head, pulling his thoughts back to the king, the man who had nurtured him as if he were his own son. Unexpectedly, the memories came flooding in: the demanding training sessions conducted under the king''s strict but vigilant gaze, the infrequent instances of fatherly guidance that had broken the armor of authority, and the silent pride in the king''s eyes when Kaiser demonstrated exceptional fighting skills.


    He had always held the king in high regard as a father and a ruler, putting all of his faith in the man''s honor and intelligence. However, the picture of his mother¡ªthe warrior queen who was put to death for alleged adultery¡ªnow contaminated those recollections.


    An intolerable mixture of love, deceit, and confusion swirled inside him. He remembered the rumors that had gone around among the soldiers, the low voices that described his mother''s disobedience. She had remained steadfast till the end, claiming that her child¡ªhe¡ªwas a gift from the gods themselves and that she had remained faithful. The king, however, had not trusted her. She had been condemned for her statements and her attitude.


    The weight of his past weighed down on him, making the air around him feel heavier. But he didn''t hesitate. He didn''t cry. Rather, he stood in the silence of the moment, breathing steadily as he dealt with this strange flood of feelings.


    Kaiser, however, quickly straightened his stance with steely will and a sorrowful heart. No matter how severely his memories had damaged him, he could not stay there. There was still more to confront and much more to discover, and his eyes suddenly landed on the door numbered "11".

 Chapter 6: The Price of Immortality

    The smell that permeated the air changed again when Kaiser walked through door number "11," this time into a foul stench of blood, sweat, and suffering. In the dark room, a single torch flickered, casting terrible shadows upon the stones of the wall. There was only one occupant: a tiny figure swinging in the middle of the room. The chains rattled slightly as the little boy, who was chained like a prisoner in a dungeon, attempted to move.


    Kaiser froze, his stomach twisted between torment and fury. Barely eleven years old, the boy was a memento mori of unrelenting pain. They had stripped away huge bites of his epidermis, or what was left of it, leaving only bloody, exposed flesh. The room reeked of disease, and his blood stained the wall behind him where it dripped¡ªdripping, dripping¡ªand pooling on the floor beneath him.


    The boy''s bones protruded from his skin at unnatural angles, obviously broken but poorly healed, only to be broken again. His mouth was toothless, and his gums were swollen and bleeding from repeated extractions of what little remained. His throat was sore from screaming, though it was always agonizing regardless; "W-why¡­" he whimpers pathetically. Breath after breath came dry and wheezy, wrestling against the deathly pain that consumed him.


    Then, as if to mock the boy¡¯s suffering, the flesh around his wounds began to knit itself back together, agonizingly slow. The child¡¯s regeneration was more curse than gift¡ªevery cell stitched itself back painfully, like needles driving into every nerve. This agonizing process would only begin anew when another wound was inflicted. His broken bones cracked loudly as they reformed and were being pushed back into place.


    He had been molded in this way by the kingdom¡ªnot through lessons or training, but through unimaginable savagery. In order to become stronger, they had broken an unspoiled, pure boy in every possible way. Kaiser harbored no pity for the boy he once was; he just stood there, reflecting on the hurt that had been inflicted upon him.


    Blind to the barbarity and lust for power, the monarchy intent on creating an invincible warrior, no matter the cost.


    A figure emerged from the darkness, his features contorted into a ruthless grin that made the surrounding air seem colder. He was gaunt but wiry, his eyes glinting with a sadistic light that betrayed his pleasure in the suffering of others.


    Kaiser murmured to himself, "Michael Yo," with a voice filled with venom and hatred. The figure was infamous throughout the kingdom as a serial killer whose crimes were so horrific there are no words with which even he could describe it, since the monstrous man supposedly once slaughtered an entire village so as to test every imaginable way he could inflict pain on others. However, the king had kept him alive for a far darker purpose than a show of mercy.


    Michael¡¯s voice was sickeningly cheerful as he stepped closer to the boy, holding a jagged blade in one hand and a pair of rusted pliers in the other. With mocking love, he crooned, "Ah, my little phoenix. Are we going to emerge from the ashes once more? This time, let''s see how long it takes.¡±


    Michael''s thrusted the blade across the boy''s bare chest, carving deep grooves into flesh that revealed nasty-red flaps. The small body thrashed against the chain as he cried out, sounds frantic and grating, but Michael just chuckled, seeming to delight in?pulling a freshly fixed nail from the boy¡¯s hand with the pliers.


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    ¡°Fascinating,¡± Michael muttered, his voice dripping with unhinged excitement. ¡°The regeneration gets faster with each wound. Truly, you are the king¡¯s greatest masterpiece.¡±


    Another person stepped out of the darkness, a towering, hooded man who exuded authority and unconcernedness. An unidentified phantom of dread, the king''s torturer, silently observed Michael''s task. Although his face was concealed, Kaiser could sense the calculating coldness in his eyes¡ªa man who saw suffering as merely as training and investment.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± the torturer finally said, his voice low and commanding. Michael hesitated but soon after his grin faded slightly as he stepped back, the pliers clattering to the floor as he let go of them.


    The boy hung limply in his chains, his body trembling as it began to heal again, slowly erasing the evidence of his suffering. But the memories would never fade, neither for the child nor the man he would become.


    Kaiser¡¯s eyes hardened as he turned away from the scene, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. The echoes of his screams, of Michael¡¯s laughter, of the king¡¯s cold orders, reverberated in his mind. But he would not let them break him now, not after all this time, not after all that he survived. He simply closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he saw himself back in that damn empty room again.


    Kaiser stood motionless at the center of the room, his torn gloves discarded at his feet. His arms hung limply at his sides, his head bowed, and his eyes stared blankly ahead. Whatever flicker of humanity had once burned within him had been snuffed out, leaving a figure that resembled a breathing corpse.


    The stillness was suffocating. The air felt heavy, oppressive, as though the room itself held its breath, waiting for something to stir him. But Kaiser didn¡¯t move. He remained rooted in place, his body looked like a statue carved from despair and exhaustion. The relentless tide of memories and the weight of his past had hollowed him out and left only a shell of the man who had once stepped through the numbered door.


    Then something rang out, a drop of water fell, kissing his lips gently in the silence. It was hardly a sensation, yet it was enough?to stir him, his tongue slowly and almost instinctively brushed against his dry lips, tasting salt ¡ª a taste that startled him, faintly, briefly. Gradually, his eyes rose?and his empty stare swept the ceiling of the house.


    Above him, shadows fell into place, and he saw them: two spiders dangling from the ceiling, their bodies grotesquely shaped like unblinking?eyes. Their long, lacy legs were curling in those ridiculous ways only lashes could do, twitching slightly as they took note of him being able to finally see them back.


    For a long moment, he simply stared back at the spiders, their silent vigil a mirror to his own stillness. Somewhere deep inside, a distant part of him recognized the absurdity of the scene¡ªhow creatures that embodied observation watched a man who had hardly anything to show anymore.


    And then, as if commanded by some unseen force, his body moved. It was not driven by anger or determination, nor by fear or resolve. It was an automatic motion, cold and mechanical, like a marionette pulled along by invisible strings. His legs advanced unhesitatingly, his boots clanked on?the cracked floor of the old mansion.


    He turned to face the final door, an ordinary object that was unadorned and unscarred but exuded an overpowering weight of importance. Kaiser stopped before it, his hand lingering over the handle. He looked down at his trembling fingers, but there was no feeling in them. It was as if they no longer belonged to him, detached from the man he had once been.


    He paused, and for a few fleeting seconds, a ghost of an idea passed through him. Then his icy, immobile fingers clenched around the handle. In one deliberate and practiced action, he slipped it open.


    Silently, the door opened on the outside, revealing a dark passageway. Like a far-off flame licking the rough stone walls with flickering reflections, a bright light spilled from somewhere in the distance. The room fell silent once more as the sound of his footsteps faded away. Whatever awaited him beyond that door, Kaiser no longer cared.

 Chapter 7: Phantom Pain

    Kaiser stepped through the final door, and an unsettling chill slithered down his spine. The?spiders remained there, in the background, overshadowed by the silent haze of their own existence, perceiving all there was.


    As he walked trough the frames of the door, he entered a home that was on fire, actually, fire would be a tame way to describe it... it was more of a burning inferno, and in it the air was filled with smoke and the pungent scent of burned wood and melting fat.


    Amid the inferno, Kaiser¡¯s eyes settled on a chilling sight: a mother with her body burned beyond recognition, holding her two?children. The children were alive, wriggling and screaming as the fire closed in on them up. Their screams cut through the air, unformed, unintelligible, hopeless yet at the same time their dainty little bodies shook with pain and hopelessness.


    Kaiser took a step forward and his instincts screamed at him to protect the injured. His hands stretched out, twitching with desperation, but when they came into contact with them, they passed right through like he was made of fog. Shock struck him, but nonetheless he tried again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again.  Each attempt was met with the same result. His hands clawed at the air, powerless to do anything but witness the unspeakable.


    ¡°No!¡± His voice broke, raw and guttural, as frustration and helplessness overtook him. His fists slammed into the ground, and yet nothing happened to even the floor beneath him. ¡°No! I can save you, please, please¡­ Just grab onto my hand!¡±


    The cries of the kids faded into murmurs and then ceased. Kaiser knelt and trembled as his anger and grief came to the surface, and not a second later he threw his head back and roared¡ªa sound filled with anguish, fury, and despair that echoed through the burning house like a tortured beast.


    A deafening explosion thundered outside, shaking the house to its foundation, and based on his years of survival and out of pure instinct, his head turned toward the sound. Rising to his feet and walking from the scene he would never forget, he stumbled lifelessly through the collapsing doorway and into a world of devastation.


    The kingdom where he had once lived in laid in?ruins. Majestic towers, emblems of?might and pride had collapsed into jagged rubble. The?streets were unrecognizable, under mounds of debris and corpses. The sky was a choking gray, suffocated with ash and?smoke, casting an apocalyptic image over the desolate landscape.


    Above the destruction, a battle raged. Kaiser¡¯s eyes widened as he saw himself¡ªa younger, battered version¡ªlocked in ferocious combat with a swordsman whose presence radiated malevolence. The man¡¯s stark white hair stood in sharp contrast to the dark magic coursing through his rusted blades.


    Sabel Stoorm.


    The memory crashed over Kaiser like a tidal wave. This was the day his hometown was obliterated¡ªthe day he first fought Sabel Stoorm.


    The fight was brutal, each strike of their weapons reverberating like thunder through the ruins of a recently lively city. The younger Kaiser fought with everything he had, but Sabel was relentless. The cursed blades tore through his flesh, the rust infecting his body and slowing his miraculous regeneration, and then for the first time in his life, Kaiser¡¯s immortality was tested to its breaking point.


    The younger warrior faltered, and Sabel drove one of his jagged blades into Kaiser¡¯s chest. Pain exploded through him as the corruption spread, turning his flesh to rust, eating him alive from the inside out, but Kaiser didn¡¯t give up so easily, as he plundered his hand into his chest and ripped his own heart out.


    Kaisers vision went blurry, even tho he was only watching a memory, and then the vision ended as abruptly as it had begun. Kaiser was hurled backward with violent force, his body slamming into the floor of the final room. The door slammed shut behind him, sealing the nightmare away.


    And there he?laid, heaving on the ground and gulping for air, trying to stitch the vision back to the reality around him. The phantom pain of the blade left an ache in his heart that?would never leave him alone, something he knew would never fully heal. He trembled when his hand grazed the place where the sword of that cursed memory had pierced his body, as if expecting to still find the wound, only he was able to find nothing.


    Kaiser finally raised his head, his visage empty, his senses filthy with the unavoidable?goddamn wave of memories. The pain in his chest remained, but as he forced his eyes?ahead, he watched another door appear. This one was?routine ¡ª almost painfully so. Polished wood, a simple brass handle, and no hint of the?horrors that came before. It was there,?an invitation to escape or another snare. Desperately in need of distraction, he pushed to his feet, his body weighed?down with pain, memories, agony, sadness, hopelessness¡­ Yet he still grasped the handle all the same, all the while his facial expression barely changed.


    Kaiser entered a dimly lit chamber as the groaning door opened. At the center sat a girl, one who looked like she was barely 18 years old with pink hair that was disheveled and flecked with soot. Her face was deathly pale and lifeless, with dark pits for eyes that seemed to pierce the depths of his core. She remained motionless and mute, but the aura around her was one of hopelessness.


    The spiders that had followed him, silent and crying, came toward the girl. They climbed up her small torso one by one as their long, lash-like legs raced over the floor. As though seeking safety in her poverty, they slowly sank into the holes at the base of her eyes and soon after their frail bodies were engulfed by the emptiness. The girl opened her mouth to speak, but Kaiser''s reaction stopped her.


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    The room began to shake as the oppressive weight of the air surrounding him increased. His presence exuded a primordial and dreadful aura, and his eyes blazed with a rage born of torture. The man''s muscles coiled like a loaded spring and he took a purposeful, precise stride forward. Every ounce of strength in his body coiled into a single point, his fingers clenching so tightly that his knuckles blanched. With a sharp exhale, he twisted his hips and unleashed his punch like a cannonball.


    The sound of the impact rang through the room like an earthquake as it impacted with roaring intensity. With a horrible snap, the girl''s tiny body flew and was slammed into the wall after being flung back. She tried to push herself up but her weak body trembled and slumped to the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible over the deafening silence. Her words were fragile, full of fear and regret, but they did nothing to stop the man who had nothing but hate on his mind.


    Kaiser towered over her, engulfing her in his shadow. His face was a faceless mask, and he acted in a robotic manner, as though under the influence of an entity that was beyond human comprehension. His silence was more horrifying than any spider monster he faced this day. The girl jumped to her feet, tears spilling down her face and raced after the door desperate to get away from the inhuman thing that wanted her dead.


    Yet she didn¡¯t make it.


    Kaiser¡¯s hand shot out, clenching her arm in a grip of iron strength that made her cry out in pain. No hesitation and no mercy. With a growl that resonated through the walls, he hurled her through the door, and instantly she flew like a rag doll, smashing trough the door¡¯s frame with such force that the room seemed to shake. As she vanished over the other side, the room into witch she had been smashed into started to change, the ordinary timber writhing and deforming, while the walls were starting to distort into an excruciatingly vibrant picture. The world beyond started to reveal her life¡ªher history, just as it had revealed Kaiser his.


    Kaiser was still consumed by rage, so he hurtled through the door after the girl, his body turning into a blur of power and fury. His thoughts were a tempest, clouded by the need to end this torment, to destroy the nightmare once and for all. He didn¡¯t notice the shift around him¡ªthe subtle familiarity of the realm he had just escaped from. He failed to notice the burnt remains of houses that once echoed with laughter, or the crumbling ruins of a community. The flashing recollections, the pieces of the girl''s life reliving like a shattered memory were all invisible to him. He only saw a target, a figure that needed to be eliminated.


    With irresistible ferocity, he charged. Like unstoppable weapons, his fists sliced through the air, with each blow coming down with greater force than the last. He struck her once, then again, the force of his blows causing his knuckles to flare. However, there was a problem. Once capable of destroying mountains and killing enormous creatures in seconds, his strikes struck nothing. Now only did he realize that every time his fists should have connected, they simply passed trough the girl like she was made of mist.


    It was not until the quiet that followed his storm of violence that he really saw her. The girl was crumpled on the ground, her frail body curled in on itself like a wounded animal. She was not shrinking from him in terror, as so many had before. No, her terror was a self-oriented one, toward something much deeper and much more harrowing. Her cavernous eyes¡ªthose empty hollows that once devoured the light¡ªwere wide open. Their gazes did not turn towards the Immortal Warrior but rather the memories that circled her like ghosts.


    The crying spiders scuttled in frantic patterns, their thin legs twitching as they swarmed around her, their mournful wails echoing in the air. Their flailing mirrored her own panic; their weeping caught in time with the shattered gasps that slipped from her mouth.


    And Kaiser? He stood over her like a specter of death, his towering frame radiating power and malice. His eyes glowed faintly, like embers smoldering in a dark void, and his expression was devoid of humanity. The sweat and blood streaking his face made him look monstrous, as though he were some unholy warrior born from rage itself. Even his stance¡ªa hunched, predatory crouch¡ªscreamed cruelty, a predator cornering its prey.


    The girl trembled violently, her small hands clutching at her chest as though trying to hold herself together. Her pale, dirt-smeared face was streaked with tears, her lips trembling as not-vowel sounds came from her throat. Her fear was not merely fear; it was despair, a total and complete breakdown of hope.


    Kaiser finally saw her, truly saw her, and the realization crashed into him like a wave of cold water. She wasn¡¯t an enemy. She wasn¡¯t a monster. She was a child, trapped in the depths of her own pain, reliving the horrors that had broken her. Every fragment of her life now played out around them in haunting detail. A young girl, laughing as she danced in a sunlit meadow. That same girl, standing amid the ruins of her home, her hands clutching the lifeless body of someone who looked like her father.


    Kaiser¡¯s arms fell to his sides, his shoulders sagging as the burden of his anger seeped out. His fists, covered in blood¡ªonce emblems of his unmatched power now simply felt like accountability, questioning how much more he could endure on the poor girl. He sank to his knees next to her, the floor creaking beneath his enormous frame. The girl didn¡¯t react; she gazed ahead, a blur of memories and emotions that Kaiser could only glimpse. The spiders clung closer, their spongy bodies stirring against her as if attempting to shield her from some invisible foe


    Kaiser felt, for the first time in decades, an ache not of battle, but of guilt. Gone was the fury that had driven him, replaced by an empty regret that sat uncomfortably in his chest. The flashes of his monstrous visage softened, glowing eyes dimming as he beheld her quaking body. He wanted to say something, anything, to undo what he had done. But no words came. He didn¡¯t know what to say to comfort her, didn¡¯t know how to undo the harm he had caused.


    All he could do was first take a seat next to her, and then with shaking hands full of remorse, reach out¡ªnot to hit, but to help. His hands moved cautiously, tentatively, as if he feared that his touch would break her into a thousand pieces. He didn¡¯t know whether she could hear him, didn¡¯t know whether she knew him at all anymore. But he whispered, voice low and with a depth of sadness he didn¡¯t know he could feel.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he murmured, the words raw and jagged. ¡°I didn¡¯t see you... for what you are. I thought you were... something else. Someone else.¡±


    The girl didn¡¯t respond. Her tears continued to fall, her sobs filling the silence.


    Kaiser stayed there, kneeling in the ruins of his rage, beside the girl he had so cruelly misunderstood. For once, the Kaiser Dios didn¡¯t feel like a conqueror, or a savior, or even a man. He felt like the very monster he had spent his life fighting against.

 Chapter 8: Ashes of Innocence

    In a village nestled at the world¡¯s edge, where the forest hummed with life and the winds carried the songs of nature, a young girl lived a life so unremarkable it felt perfect. The days went by in a steady rhythm of work and laughter. She learnt the delicate technique of baking bread with her mother while the air was always filled with the aroma of herbs and warmth, and she assisted her father in caring for the garden by picking obstinate weeds beneath the golden sun. She spent her afternoons in the forest with her best friend, a boy with a crooked smile, practicing archery with homemade bows and transforming fallen branches into swords.


    As she released an arrow from her tiny bow, the girl''s laughter boomed around the clearing. The arrow''s shaft stumbled clumsily in mid-flight before thumping into a tree''s side. With a triumphant smile, she exclaimed, "Did you see that? I guess you could say I¡¯m finally deadly accurate!¡±


    Nearby, her best friend,?a boy with tousled blonde hair and a bow much sturdier than her own, sat perched on a rock cracking up, clutching his stomach. ¡°Deadly accurate? You missed the tree,¡± he joked, pointing to the real target, which was?set up a good twenty feet to the left. ¡°Remind me?to stand behind you next time you¡¯re ¡®aiming.¡¯ ¡±


    ¡°Oh, like you¡¯re such a marksman!¡± she shot back, planting her hands on her hips. ¡°You couldn¡¯t hit the broad side of the barn if it were painted with glowberries.¡±


    He arched a brow and drew back an arrow from his quiver with theatrical?flair. ¡°Just sit back and watch,?spider-girl,¡± he sneered as he readied the bowstring. The arrow soared through the air, perfectly aimed it struck the?bullseye with a satisfying thud.


    The pink haired girl groaned and threw?her hands in the air. ¡°Show-off! One?day, I¡¯m going to whoop you so hard you¡¯ll want to never pick up a bow.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure,¡± he said with a grin, flopping back onto the grass. ¡°That¡¯s what you said last week. And the week before that. And¡ª¡±


    ¡°Okay, I get it,¡± she interrupted, plopping down beside him. ¡°You¡¯re the best archer in the village. Happy?¡±


    ¡°For the time being,¡± he said, his tone mock-serious as he craned his head back to look into?the canopy of trees above. ¡°Well, until?you actually practice, anyway.¡±


    They held their silence briefly, comforted by the gentle rustling of the trees around them, and?an occasional bird song. The boy was the first to?break the silence, turning his head to look at her. ¡°You know,¡± he said, ¡°you¡¯re always saying how you¡¯re not afraid of anything?¡ª except spiders.¡±


    ¡°Because they¡¯re creepy,¡± she said, scrunching her?nose up. ¡°I mean, all that skittering around?like they own the place. And their eyes. Ugh. Why do they need so many?eyes?¡®¡±


    He laughed. ¡°So they can keep an eye on you when you¡¯re sleeping.¡±


    ¡°Don''t even joke about that,¡± she said, playfully shoving him. ¡°If any of those things touched me, I''d probably be dead, right there on the spot. Just¡ªpoof¡ªdead.¡±


    ¡°Well, what about the little ones? Like the ones you can barely see?¡±


    ¡°Little ones are worse,¡± she said with a shudder. ¡°They¡¯re sneaky. They¡¯ll get into your hair, or under your shirt, without you even noticing," she said with pure horror written all over her face.


    He stared at her for a moment, his face a mask of mocking horror. ¡°Wait... I think there¡¯s one on your shoulder.¡±


    The girl screamed and flailed and threw herself onto her side, desperately reaching out and scrubbing at her dress, all the while the boy was weeping with laughter.


    ¡°You¡¯re horrible!¡± she yelled, her cheeks flushed. ¡°I mean, if I ever do get over this fear, it will be just so I can completely fill a jar with spiders and just chuck them on your head.¡±


    ¡°Sure, you¡¯ll conquer your fear of spiders just to prank me,¡± he teased. ¡°Sounds like a solid plan.¡±


    She crossed her arms, still angry but with a tiny smile forming on her mouth. ¡°What about you, huh? What are you scared of?¡±


    His expression changed, and for a second he even seemed to be serious. ¡°Losing people", he murmured in a low voice, barely a murmur in the quiet field.


    The weight of his comment fell between the two of them, and she didn''t know what to say. But before the moment could turn somber, he grinned and added ¡°And maybe you learning to shoot straight. That¡¯s pretty terrifying, but thankfully almost impossible.¡±


    She punched him a second time, this one even harder, and he laughed as he landed flat on the grass. ¡°One day,¡± she said with mock, pointing a finger at him. ¡°One day I¡¯m going to hit the bullseye, and you¡¯re going to eat those words.¡±


    Her world felt invincible, untouched by anything beyond the endless trees. But peace, as fleeting as a butterfly¡¯s wings, shattered one summer evening.


    They arrived on one random dusk, cycling along the village as the sun painted the sky in deep red, sinking further and further into the night. Knights who were gleaming in their polished steel visited as prophets of¡­ well, more than what the villagers understood. The villagers stood in the square, apprehensive yet optimistic, giving the visitors bread and sweet wine as gifts, and as hopes of scoring good faith with those soldiers.


    The knights mentioned a prophecy about a potential Liberator of the "Angel" class who was selected by fate and whose influence will affect the course of history. Their year-long quest for a savior predicted by folklore had taken them across lands. With their hands resting on the hilts of their swords, as though to remind everyone of their might, they gazed at the villagers with a mixture of impatience and anticipation.


    Simple folk with friendly faces and modest lives, those were the villagers, who could offer nothing else but their kindness. None among them fit the grandeur of the prophecy that was presented out of nowhere to them.


    When the sun began to set behind the trees and its long rays fell on the village, the knights'' vexation turned into an unremitting anger. A knight, in tarnished silver plate stained with a year spent searching for nothing, sneered, "A year spent, and what for exactly? For these cowards to hide the Angel from us?¡± His gauntleted fist struck a nearby wooden post, splintering it.


    His captain moved towards them, the color of his robe was a shade of deep dark crimson, trailing after him in the shape of a blood puddle. His armor was shining, its black ironwork adorned with threatening runes which throbbed with power. His eyes were as white as moonlight and they emitted an otherworldly feeling of cold. His voice was booming, every word was piercing the heavy atmosphere like a knife trough a cake ¡°A prophecy does not lie," he said, emotionless, utterly disconcerting, but so sure. ¡°If the Angel is not on the scene, then these people have defied the heavens. Such insolence deserves no mercy.¡±


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    His hand made an unhurried, even languorous movement, but the consequence was immediate. Their kindred faces, contorted by fervour and hate, flowed onwards as an avalanche of iron and rage. Daggers shimmered, lanterns flared, and the tranquil night of the village turned into a scene of pandemonium and howls.


    The first cries split the evening like a blade, sharp and jagged, as swords unsheathed and torches were thrust into thatched roofs. Flames erupted, consuming homes with an almost predatory hunger. Chaos swept through the village as the knights moved with methodical cruelty, cutting down anyone in their path.


    The?girl with pink hair laughed and twirled in the garden, the soft perfume of flower petals surrounding her. Her father knelt next to?the vegetable patch, pretending to be a monster that was chasing her.


    ¡°You¡¯ll never escape me!¡± he playfully roared, his?face alight with a smile. She squealed with?joy, running around him in circles. But after that, the?laughter instantly ended.


    It was the?screams that reached them first ¡ª shrieks ripping through the quiet evening. The girl stopped spinning in?her tracks, her eyes snapping to the direction of the sound in the distance. A beat later, an?unnatural orange glow billowed over the treetops, tongues of flame disappearing into the thickening night sky. Her father sat up suddenly,?the color in his face draining.


    ¡°Get inside,¡± he said, his tone so different from just?moments ago that it turned her little chest tight. But she couldn¡¯t move. Her feet?felt as if buried into the earth, her small body shaking as the noise escalated.


    ¡°Run!¡± her father barked, squeezing her arm so tightly?it hurt. He tugged her toward?the house, his steps both urgent and unsteady. She tripped after him, her eyes unable to leave the?sky, her mind fighting to process the horror around her. Inside, her mother was a mess, stuffing clothes and knickknacks into?a small satchel with trembling fingers. Her face was gray?and her breathing grew labored.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± the girl¡¯s voice cracked as she finally found the courage to speak, though the words were barely above a whisper.


    ¡°They¡¯re killing everybody,¡± her father said, his voice breaking in a way?that dropped her stomach. She had never heard him sound like?this ¡ª so afraid, so human.


    Her mother froze for a moment, the reality of his words hitting her like a wave. But then, her resolve returned, and she spun toward the girl. ¡°We have to hide you.¡± She crouched, her trembling hands gripping the girl¡¯s shoulders firmly as she guided her toward the attic ladder.


    ¡°Why?¡± the girl whimpered, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clung to her mother¡¯s arms. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go up there! I want to stay with you!¡±


    ¡°Listen to me, my love. You do have to remain silent, regardless?of what you hear. No matter what happens.¡± Her voice broke on the last word, but she swallowed the sob quickly, hiding her fear with an?almost desperate determination.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave you!¡± the little girl cried, but her cries were ignored as but her father went back to the window and whipped his head trough the window, hearing the shouting?and footsteps came closer. ¡°Lily,¡± he said, turning to his wife?without breaking his gaze from the approaching danger. ¡°They¡¯re coming.¡±


    Her mother kissed her on the forehead, the lips lingering?a minute longer than normal. ¡°I love you, always.¡± Then she hoisted the girl up?toward the ladder.


    ¡°Go!¡± Her father scrambled to the rescue, his hands steady even as terror?carved lines in his face.


    ¡°Climb, sweetheart. As fast as you can. And?remember what your mother told you.¡±


    The girl clung to the rungs, sobbing as she climbed into the attic. Her small hands trembled so badly that she almost lost her grip, but her mother¡¯s pleading eyes gave her the strength to keep going.


    As she reached the top, she looked down one last time. Her father and mother stood together, holding hands, their backs straight despite the despair that filled the room. ¡°Don¡¯t look back,¡± her mother whispered.


    The attic door shut beneath her, plunging her into darkness. She pressed her ear to the floorboards, her tiny hands muffling her cries. Below, the sounds of violence grew louder¡ªthe crash of the door, her parents shouting, the clatter of metal against metal, and then... silence.


    The silence was worse than the screams.


    She crept towards the attic window, utterly frozen with terror. Looking through the broken panes, she saw the devastation beneath. The village was a different place, a complete shadow pf its former self, its streets littered with the dead, its air filled with smoke and death. She saw her best friend¡¯s lifeless form sprawled in the dirt, his bow snapped in two beside him. And like that, something inside her broke.


    With her legs limp under her and her chest heaving as though the air itself had become liquid, the girl staggered back into the attic. She felt as though the walls surrounding her, which had once been comfortable and reassuring, were closing in on her and denying her life. Her wide eyes darted to the wooden door that hardly dampened the sound of boots thudding on the stairs as she trembled and gripped her knees to her chest. They were on their way. She felt her life come closer and closer to its end.


    Her spirit, once so full of life, had been obliterated. She sat there, a hollow shell, unable to summon the strength to run or even cry. What was the point? There was no escape. No hope. Only an inevitable, brutal end.


    This time, her eyes flickered over the chaos of the attic around her, hunting desperately for something ¡ª for anything ¡ª to anchor her, to fasten her to something?tangible in this terrible moment. And then she saw it: the spider. It clung to the wall in the far corner, its long legs moving with deliberate grace as it spun its web.


    It was such a small thing ¡ª a creature that only a day before, had once terrified her to the?point of panic. Nights of being paralyzed with fear of one creeping across her wall came?rushing back to her.


    How trifling those fears?felt now. A bitter laugh rose in the?girl¡¯s throat and wouldn¡¯t come out. Instead, she?was staring at the spider, a weird calm coming over her.


    For the first time,?the creature didn¡¯t frighten her. It was somehow noble in its?simplicity, its purpose steadfast even amid chaos. As her?world was unraveling, it was spinning its delicate strands, meekly unaware of the destruction below.


    The footsteps echoed, the steps creaking as?they bore the weight of the knights¡¯ assessment. They were seconds away from finding her. The girl¡¯s breath hitched. Tears of numbing disbelief blurred her vision, and a force greater than anything she had ever?known surged through her and tensed her body. From the shattered remnant of her soul, it emerged¨C¨Cancient?and inexorable. It demanded release.


    One word crystallised in her mind, heavy and final,?as if it had always existed there, waiting for the right moment. It wasn¡¯t simply a word; it was a?command, a name, a fact. It was the burden of everything she had lost, everything she had endured. And it was?the only thing that she had remaining.


    ¡°Origin,¡± she whispered¡­


    And the world obeyed.


    The air around her erupted with a soundless roar, vibrating with a power so immense it seemed to tear reality apart. Shadows poured from her like an everlasting?tide, flooding the room with a darkness so deep it swallowed the light. The spider, her quiet?witness, started to transform. Its legs grew and multiplied;?its body bloated as countless others crept out of the darkness and scuttled with an unnatural speed.


    Suddenly, the door flew open, and the knights charged in, with blades drawn. But they didn¡¯t find a?scared girl slumped in the corner. It was something they could not comprehend, an incarnation of grief and rage. The girl¡¯s pink hair misted in the dark around her, a vibrant spot of color against the hullabaloo of black tendrils going wild around her. Her tear-streaked face was expressionless, yet her eyes burned with an otherworldly hatred that didn¡¯t seem human at all.


    The knights charged, but the room itself seemed to rebel against them. Threads of shadow shot forward, ensnaring them like prey. The first knight screamed as a web tightened around his throat, silencing him in an instant. Another swung his blade, only for it to shatter as tendrils of darkness coiled around his arm, snapping it like a twig.


    The?attic gave way around her, the floorboards cracking as the nightmare spread. The knights gazed up in horror as the?shadowy figure swooped down and devoured them whole. The colorful and lively village was transformed into a land?of terror. Flames faded, replaced by webs that spread across the ground like veins, alive with?the flickering pulse of a sick light.


    She stepped out into the ruins, the earth cracking beneath her feet as if it, too, was bowing to her. The bodies of the villagers lay scattered, and for a moment, the girl faltered. This was her home. These were her people. And now it was all gone.

 Chapter 9: Broken, But Not Alone

    Kaiser stood frozen, the weight of the girl¡¯s past pressing down on him like a mountain. Her memories, vivid and raw, played before his eyes like a nightmare etched into the fabric of reality. He had been wrong about her. She wasn¡¯t a monster born of malice; she was a broken child, torn apart by a world that had failed her, and if he had to be honest, guilt ate at him, biting deep into his soul.


    Their eyes locked, empty and lifeless, her rosy hair caked in filth, blood staining her already bright pink hair. Even her small stature now appeared even more fragile as if all those years of carrying the weight of the past had made her even more slight, a ghost of the lovely person she was. She raised her arms slightly, a gesture of surrender, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Just end it,¡± she murmured. ¡°This world isn¡¯t worth living in if everyone just wants to kill me, I can only pray death is kinder then this.¡±


    Kaiser''s chest constricted as her words cut his soul apart. He took a step closer, and his breath hitched when he saw ''them'' again¡ªtwo spiders, grotesque and unnatural, crawling out from her eye sockets. They moved slowly, deliberately, their hairy legs dragging across her pale skin as they made their way down her body. She made not even a twitch, almost as if she had been used to it too long, so that they no longer agitated her.


    As they crawled out of her sockets, her face was left empty once more, void of even the false life they had given her. Her voice, when it came, was quiet, distant, barely more than a breath.


    ¡°They¡¯re all I have left,¡± she murmured. ¡°I never wanted them¡­ not at first. But they stayed. They let me see again, and after a while, I¡ª¡± She hesitated, her lips pressing together before she forced the words out. ¡°I got used to them. Grew attached. Maybe it¡¯s pathetic, but¡­ I don¡¯t want them to die with me.¡±


    The spiders skittered further down her face, legs brushing against her cheeks like a farewell. She shuddered but did not stop them.


    ¡°I can only cry when they¡¯re inside,¡± she admitted, hollow. "I forgot how to cry on my own. At first, I hated them¡­ but they stayed. And now? I think I¡¯d rather never cry again than remember what it was like to be all alone."


    Kaiser swallowed hard, his throat dry. He wanted to say something, anything¡ªbut what was there to say?


    She turned her empty gaze to him, a wretched smile flickering at the corners of her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s funny, isn¡¯t it? How something so awful can become a part of you?¡± The spiders reached her collarbone, pausing as if waiting.


    ¡°If I have to go,¡± she whispered, ¡°at least they don¡¯t have to.¡±


    And with that, the creatures skittered away, disappearing into the dark.


    Kaiser felt his heart shatter. Without thinking, he closed the gap between them and wrapped her in a tight embrace. His arms encircled her trembling body, and for the first time in decades, his voice cracked with emotion. ¡°No,¡± he whispered, his words trembling with desperation. ¡°No one should live like this. You¡¯re safe now. I promise¡ªno one will hurt you again.¡±


    She was fixed in his embrace, speechless, as if the hug was strange to her. For a very brief period of time he believed she would not even respond. Then, slowly, something changed. A shudder ran through her small frame, and her hands, clutched at his clothes.


    ¡°I¡¯m scared,¡± she whispered, her voice breaking with every word she spoke out. ¡°I¡¯ve always been so scared¡­¡±


    Contradictory to what she just said, tears trickled from the corners of her hollow sockets. It seemed as though her emotional dam had finally broken and the flood was uncontrollable.


    Her knees buckled, and she collapsed against him, her body wracked with sobs that seemed to come from the very depths of her soul. ¡°I didn¡¯t want any of this,¡± she cried, her voice broken. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to be this... thing. I just wanted to live.¡±


    Kaiser held her tighter, his own emotions threatening to spill once again, but he held it together. ¡°I know,¡± he murmured. ¡°I know. It¡¯s all right now. You¡¯re not alone anymore.¡±


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    Her wails filled the room, a sound that was both agony and relief, a release of years of pain and loneliness. Her eyes, still hollow, seemed brighter somehow, as though a glimmer of hope had begun to take root.


    Kaiser didn¡¯t let go, even as her sobs quieted into soft whimpers. He stayed there, holding her, shielding her from a world that had been so cruel. And for the first time in his recent memory, Kaiser did something that surprised even him, all in the effort of trying to comfort a crying girl who, by age, could have been his daughter.


    He joked.


    It wasn¡¯t something he did often. Not because he lacked the wit¡ªif anything, his mind was sharper than the blades he wielded¡ªbut because humor felt like a luxury he could never afford. In battle, there was no place for laughter. In war, words were only useful if they commanded, threatened, or cut deeper than steel. He had learned long ago that silence was safer, that levity was a weakness when the world only knew how to take.


    Yet, here he was, grasping for whatever clumsy words he could string together, tossing them into the void like lifelines, hoping¡ªpraying¡ªthat one might catch. That maybe, just maybe, he could lighten the weight on her shoulders, even if only for a moment.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he started, his voice softer than it had been in years. ¡°I¡¯ve fought demons, warlords, and at least three things that could have ended the world. But you? You¡¯re the scariest one yet.¡±


    She didn¡¯t react.


    ¡°Not because of your powers,¡± he continued, undeterred. ¡°But because you¡¯re getting snot all over my uniform, and I don¡¯t even know if this stuff washes out.¡±


    Still nothing.


    Kaiser sighed dramatically. ¡°You know, enchanted fabric is a nightmare to clean. Last time I tried, the laundry boy cried for an hour. Tough kid, though¡ªreal stubborn. You¡¯d like him. Well, unless you¡¯re also planning to traumatize him, in which case, I¡¯d like to request a formal warning.¡±


    No response. But her grip tightened, fingers curled into his armor like she was afraid he¡¯d vanish if she let go.


    He tried again. ¡°Alright, fine, no laundry jokes. But hear me out¡ªafter all this is over, you teach me that spider trick. Just picture it: mid-battle, enemy swings at me, BAM¡ªsuddenly his helmet¡¯s full of spiders. Instant morale destruction. I could retire off the psychological warfare alone.¡±


    There was a long pause before a muffled voice finally surfaced against his chest.


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    Kaiser blinked. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his face. ¡°Oh, she does speak! Here I thought I was comforting an unusually tragic statue.¡±


    She groaned, her voice still small but laced with something firmer. ¡°I said shut up.¡±


    And then, to his surprise, she hugged him tighter. Her tiny hands grasped at his garments and her face pressed to his chest. Kaiser''s smile faltered, his own heart constricted in a way he hadn''t anticipated.


    ¡°Fine,¡± he said, his voice quieter now. ¡°But just so you know, I¡¯m not letting go until you say so. You¡¯ve been carrying this alone for way too long.¡±


    The girl didn¡¯t respond this time, but he felt her shudder again, a soft sob escaping her lips. Kaiser stayed still, his arms wrapped protectively around her, shielding her from the forest and the nightmares that lingered in its shadows.


    The clearing fell silent save for her quiet cries, the weight of her grief slowly lifting. But even as he held her, Kaiser¡¯s mind was racing. The word ¡°Origin¡± lingered in his thoughts, its weight heavy and unsettling. He had felt its power when she spoke it¡ªraw, overwhelming, and ancient. It wasn¡¯t just a word; it was a force, something that connected them both in ways he didn¡¯t yet understand.


    This girl who had been through so much, molded by pain and terror into a being the world did not understand. She wasn¡¯t just powerful; she was a survivor. And Kaiser knew, without a doubt, that she was meant for something greater.


    After what felt like hours, her sobs finally subsided. She didn¡¯t pull away, but her grip loosened slightly, as if the weight on her chest had lightened, if only a little. Kaiser leaned back just enough to look at her, his hands still resting on her shoulders.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he said gently, his usual brashness gone. ¡°I meant what I said earlier. You¡¯re safe now. And I¡¯m not just saying that because I¡¯m scared of your spiders.¡±


    She sniffled, rubbing at her face with her sleeve. ¡°You¡¯re so stupid,¡± she muttered, but the usual bite in her words was gone¡ªreplaced by something softer, something worn down by exhaustion.


    Kaiser huffed out a quiet laugh. ¡°You know, I don¡¯t hear that nearly as often as I should. Real shame, honestly.¡±


    Her hollows met his eyes for a moment, and though her expression didn¡¯t shift, Kaiser thought he saw a flit of something in her face ¡ª something fragile but not quite?gone.


    ¡°Let''s go!¡± he replied, rising and holding?out his hand to her.


    She?looked down, and hesitated. ¡°Where would I even go?¡± she whispered.


    Kaiser took a knee beside her, his voice authoritative but warm. ¡°Wherever you want. But you needn¡¯t sort that out?yourself or anytime soon. We¡¯ll go one step at?a time.¡±


    For an instant,?she was still. Then, in slow motion,?she put her little hand in his. It was cold and brittle, but there was strength, too,?lurking just below the surface. Kaiser smiled?at her encouragingly and pulled her upright.

 Chapter 10: The Blubbering Titan and the Blubberer

    Kaiser sat on the riverbank, his boots sinking slightly into the thick carpet of spun silk beneath him. Tiny spiders scuttled across his arms and legs, their delicate legs tracing ghostlike paths over his skin. They did not bite. They did not flee. They simply existed, as if he were no more than another branch in their tangled world. He clenched his fists, fighting the lingering unease coiling in his gut.


    Beyond the river of cobwebs, hidden within the canopy, the monsters watched. Shadowed figures loomed in the trees, their forms barely visible save for the occasional glint of a twisted limb or the slow, deliberate shifting of weight on bark. Before, they had crept closer, their movements predatory, their hunger palpable in the suffocating air. But now, they remained still. Silent.


    Because she was here.


    Aria sat with her knees pulled close to her chest, her pink hair falling like a curtain over her face. Her voice, raspy and weak after an hour filled with screams, finally broke the stillness.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± she whispered, her words barely audible. Kaiser glanced at her, his expression softening. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to apologize for. You¡¯ve been through hell.¡±


    Aria didn¡¯t respond immediately. Her gaze was fixed on a small puddle of rainwater next to her, where her reflection wavered in the still puddle. It didn¡¯t even look like her anymore¡ªjust a broken, distorted version of who she used to be.


    ¡°I never wanted any of this,¡± she murmured, her voice trembling. ¡°I never wanted to hurt anyone¡­¡±


    Kaiser leaned back, resting his arms on his knees. ¡°I know,¡± he said, his tone calm but weighted with understanding. ¡°I¡¯ve hurt people too. People I cared about. Sometimes we¡¯re thrown into fights we didn¡¯t ask for. Fights we can¡¯t walk away from.¡±


    Aria turned to him, her hollow eyes searching his face. She expected judgment, maybe pity, but found neither. Instead, there was something else¡ªsomething she couldn¡¯t quite name but felt like warmth.


    ¡°Why?¡± she asked after a long pause. ¡°Why did you help me?¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t answer right away. His eyes drifted to the sky, the memories of his own battles flickering behind them. He exhaled slowly, then looked at her.


    ¡°I saw myself in you,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Lost. Hurt. Angry. But I also saw someone who still had the strength to fight. Not against the world, but against the darkness inside. You reminded me of why I keep going.¡±


    Her breath hitched, and she quickly looked away, blinking back tears. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re lying,¡± she muttered. ¡°I¡¯m a monster. I can feel it. Everyone else sees it.¡±


    Kaiser tilted his head, considering her words. ¡°You¡¯re not a monster. Monsters don¡¯t cry over the people they¡¯ve hurt, and they definitely don¡¯t regret what they¡¯ve done.¡±


    A bitter laugh escaped her lips. ¡°You don¡¯t know that. Maybe they just cry when no one¡¯s looking.¡±


    Kaiser smirked faintly. ¡°If so, then I guess I am a monster as well. I''ve cried many times when nobody was around. Actually, once someone did catch me, and they wouldn¡¯t let me hear the end of it. Called me the ¡®Blubbering Titan¡¯ for weeks. You want that nickname? I¡¯ll share it.¡±


    For the first time, a ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, though it quickly faded.


    The space of silence laid between them once more, but not so dense this time. The sound of the wind and the soft sighing of the trees surrounded the area, providing a type of serenity neither of them had experienced recently.


    Finally, the girl broke the silence. ¡°My name¡­ It¡¯s Aria,¡± she said, her voice steadier now.


    Kaiser nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. ¡°Kaiser Dios. But you can just call me Kaiser. No one really uses the whole ¡®Dios¡¯ part unless they¡¯re trying to suck up to me.¡±


    Aria glanced at him, her curiosity flickering to life. ¡°Why? Are you important?¡±


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    Kaiser chuckled, running a hand through his messy hair. ¡°Well, I like to think so. But honestly, I¡¯m just a man trying to keep it together. You know, saving the world one battle at a time.¡±


    Aria snorted softly, surprising herself. It wasn¡¯t a laugh, not quite, but it was close. ¡°Saving the world,¡± she echoed, shaking her head. ¡°Good luck with that.¡±


    Kaiser grinned. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll need it. And maybe you can help me out, huh? You¡¯re pretty scary when you¡¯re not busy crying all over my clothes.¡±


    Her lips quivered again, this time she did not tell him to be quiet. On the other side, she took the initiative, and her little hand bumped against him. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered.


    Kaiser looked down at her hand, then back at her. ¡°We¡¯ll get through this, Aria,¡± he said firmly. ¡°One step at a time. And if anyone tries to stop us¡­¡± He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°You¡¯ll unleash the spiders.¡±


    Aria groaned, covering her face with her hands. ¡°You¡¯re impossible.¡±


    ¡°Yep,¡± Kaiser continued with a smile, rising to his feet and extending his hand to her. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get moving. We''ve got a bumpy road ahead and I''ve got some bad jokes to keep you busy."


    She hesitated, then slipped her hand into his and got up on her feet. Aria felt something she hadn¡¯t in a long time.


    Hope.


    Aria walked silently next to Kaiser, Constantly checking up?on him, getting a good look at the person who had become her rather unexpected ally in a short time. And finally, a minute after they started their walk, her curiosity got the better of her.


    ¡°It¡¯s weird¡­¡± she?muttered, her voice interrupting the hush. ¡°I have never met someone as strange as you.¡±


    Kaiser did not shift his?gaze from the road ahead, but a subtle smirk was pulling at the corner of his lips. ¡°Strange in a good or a bad way?¡±


    Aria tilted her head?and her own mouth started to smile. ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet. But¡­ you¡¯re different. Most people would¡¯ve killed me by now, for everything I put them trough, for making them relive their worst memories...¡±


    Kaiser looked her way,?and his features softened. ¡°I¡¯ve seen enough death to realize that not everyone who looks like a monster is one.¡±


    Aria¡¯s eyes met his, something unspoken passing between them. Then, after a brief pause, she exhaled, her voice quieter this time. "I used to be afraid of this forest, you know. When I was little, I wouldn¡¯t go near it. But now¡­ it¡¯s like it¡¯s a part of me."


    Kaiser nodded and swept his eyes across the white trees. ¡°It¡¯s difficult to run away from the things we fear. Sometimes, we focus too much onto those thing, so much that they end up defining who we are.¡±


    Aria glanced down, her steps faltering a?bit. ¡°I?believe¡­ that¡¯s what happened to me. This forest, the monsters,?the ¡­ the memories. They¡¯re all because of me.¡±


    Kaiser stopped walking and turned to her, his expression serious. ¡°It wasn¡¯t your fault, Aria. What happened to your village¡­ that was on the knights who came, not you.¡±


    She paused,?her gaze filled with shame. ¡°But they were looking for someone like me¡­ someone powerful. If I hadn¡¯t been there¡ª¡±


    Kaiser interrupted her, his voice firm but steady. ¡°Then they would have hunted you somewhere else. A prophecy didn¡¯t make them do this¡ªtheir own choices did. If it wasn¡¯t this village, it would¡¯ve been another. Blaming yourself won¡¯t change what they decided to do.¡±


    Aria?nodded slowly, but her face was conflicted. ¡°Maybe. But it¡¯s difficult not to feel like I¡¯m to?blame.¡±


    Kaiser resumed walking, his tone softening. ¡°Blame¡¯s a heavy thing to carry. But it doesn¡¯t change what¡¯s already happened. What matters is what you do now.¡±


    Aria landed behind him, her footsteps more deliberate. ¡°What I do now ¡­ ¡±?she repeated aloud, half to herself.


    Kaiser turned back to her, resuming his smirk. ¡°For one, you might stop feeling guilty for every?bad thing that ever happened. Baby steps.¡±


    She rolled her eyes, though there was a faint hint of amusement in her expression. ¡°You really don¡¯t know how to stop talking, do you?¡±


    Kaiser smirked. "I could. But then who would keep your mind off things?"


    She shot him a look, but there was no real bite in it. "You''re relentless."


    "And yet, you''re walking next to me," he said, stepping over a gnarled root. "So either I¡¯m not that unbearable, or you just enjoy suffering."


    Despite herself, Aria let out a soft chuckle. It was a fragile sound, but it carried a note of sincerity that hadn¡¯t been there before.


    There ensued a silence for some time, the one in the air slowly dissolving into a softer something. The forest behind them looked less frightening, the shadows less menacing.


    Aria broke the quiet once more. "Kaiser¡­ why did you bring me with you? Even if you chose to spare me, why let me walk next to you?"


    Kaiser didn¡¯t answer immediately. He slowed his pace, his eyes scanning the trees as if searching for the right words. ¡°Because you needed someone,¡± he finally said. ¡°And, honestly? I think I did too.¡±


    Aria blinked, caught off guard by the honesty in his voice. ¡°You?¡±


    He nodded, his expression unusually thoughtful. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ve spent a lot of time fighting, trying to fix things I can¡¯t. But with you¡­ I felt like I could actually help. Like I could make something better, even if just a little.¡±


    Her steps faltered, and she stared at him, her emotions swirling too fast to process. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know what to say.¡± Kaiser stopped and turned to her, his smirk softening into a genuine smile. ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything, Aria. Just keep walking. We¡¯ve got a long way to go, and the forest isn¡¯t going to get any less creepy.¡±


    Aria hesitated, then nodded, falling into step beside him. For the first time in what felt like forever, the weight on her shoulders felt just a little lighter.

 Chapter 11: A Place for the Lost

    The first light of dawn started to filter through trees with long, golden shadows over the forest?floor. The hung tension from the previous day held between Kaiser and Aria like a thread, fragile but unbroken as Kaiser and Aria continued their slow trek through the woods.


    Aria paused, her gaze falling as though she were contending with her thoughts. Kaiser glanced at her, his brow knitting.


    She paused, kicking at a loose stone. Finally, her voice soft and tentative, she asked, ¡°Can we¡­ go to the graveyard? I wish to see the resting place of my parents.¡±


    Kaiser blinked in surprise. ¡°The graveyard? I didn¡¯t even know there was one around here.¡±


    ¡°There is,¡± Aria said softly. ¡°It¡¯s close to the edge of the forest.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s face softened, but there was curiosity in his?eyes. ¡°Wait. Hold on. How were your parents buried? I thought ¡­ I?mean, I thought it all happened so fast. You were even left like?that right  after their¡ª¡± He checked himself, not wanting to say the word.


    Aria sighed, crossing her arms as she looked away. ¡°It was a few weeks after. An exploration party came into the forest. They were looking for the knights.¡±


    ¡°An exploration party?¡± Kaiser repeated, with?a tone of suspicion. ¡°How did they get past the spiders?¡±


    ¡°I allowed them.¡± Aria said dismissively, looking back at him.


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow. ¡°You let them? You¡¯ve got all these spiders crawling around, turning the place into a death trap, and you just gave them a free pass? Why didn¡¯t I get the same treatment?¡±


    Aria smiled faintly, her voice quiet but steady. ¡°By the time you found me, a year had passed. I was losing control of the spiders more and more. But back then¡­ I could still clearly command them. I realized those people weren¡¯t like the knights. They had no greed, no cruelty. They just wanted to find out what happened to the knights and anyone left in the village. So, I allowed them entrance and made sure the spiders didn¡¯t attack.¡±


    Kaiser rubbed the back?of his neck, half smiling. ¡°Well, thanks for nothing. It would¡¯ve been nice to also have the VIP treatment.¡±


    Aria let out a small laugh. ¡°You know, you didn¡¯t exactly make the best first impression. Charging at me with a stick doesn¡¯t exactly scream ¡®good intentions.¡¯¡±


    Kaiser smirked. ¡°Fair point. Still, next time, maybe give a guy a heads-up before sending an army of spiders at him.¡±


    Aria laughed again, a bit louder this time, and for a moment, the weight of her past seemed to lift. ¡°Noted,¡± she said, shaking her head.


    ¡°So,¡± Kaiser said, steering the conversation back. ¡°What happened after the exploration party got into the village?¡±


    ¡°They discovered the bodies,¡± Aria said quietly. ¡°All of them¡ªthe knights and the villagers. They brought everyone to the graveyard near the forest. They buried the knights too, though I didn¡¯t understand why at the time. Now, I think¡­ Maybe they were just trying to bring some peace to the chaos.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s sneer vanished, replaced?by something more contemplative. ¡°And you haven¡¯t visited that place yet?¡±


    Aria shook her head. ¡°No. I¡¯ve always been too afraid. Afraid of?what I would feel, or not feel.¡±


    Kaiser looked?at her for a moment, then nodded. ¡°All right. We¡¯ll go.¡±


    Aria¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°Just like that?¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± said Kaiser, already beginning to walk again. ¡°You want to go. I don¡¯t see why not.¡± Kaiser said and continued to walk, only stopping because Aria wasn¡¯t walking right next to him.


    Aria stood still for a beat, then burst out laughing. ¡°You don¡¯t know where it is, do you?¡±


    Kaiser glanced back at her, grinning. ¡°Details, details. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll find it eventually.¡±


    Aria shook her head, taking his hand and pulling him towards the right direction with an amused smile. ¡°You¡¯re weird, you know that?¡±


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    Kaiser and Aria continued to walk, the heavy silence of the webbed forest slowly breaking down behind them. Finally he realized something was slowly changing, first noticing the air¡ªit felt lighter, fresher. The oppressive dampness of the world of spiders was over, superseded by a clear breeze with barely discernible notes of pine and moss. Penetrating rays of sunlight started to illuminate trees, distributing rays that shone like gold across the ground. The webs thinned, holding onto only a handful of far branches, and then, they were gone in their entirety.


    The transformation was subtle yet striking. Birds called faintly from somewhere far ahead, and the eerie silence that had haunted the forest for so long gave way to the quiet hum of life. Kaiser exhaled, realizing just how heavy the air had been before.


    ¡°We¡¯re finally out,¡± he muttered to himself, glancing back at the faint trail they¡¯d left behind. The web-shrouded forest loomed like a monster even as they moved further from it.


    But he was unable to savor the peace for long. By the time the trees were thinning out, the expanse had opened across from them, and Kaiser¡¯s steps had faltered,?his breath caught and his eyes widening as they were instantly locked onto the impossible sight standing before him now.


    In front of them loomed a mountain, though the term felt inadequate. It was a high monument to mortality, with slopes that rose above his line of sight completely cloaked in graves. Thousands¡ªno, tens of thousands of headstones stretched as far as he could see, climbing upward in rows so precise it looked as though the mountain had been carved by some divine hand.


    The sheer scale of it was overwhelming. The graves weren¡¯t just markers; they were monuments in their own right. Some were simple stones, worn smooth by time, their inscriptions faded and illegible. Others were grand, adorned with intricate carvings of angels, beasts, and symbols Kaiser didn¡¯t recognize. Wildflowers covered the earth in patches, with their delicate color a jarring contrast with the hard grayness of the stone. Mist lay lazily around the foot, winding around and back among the graves like a living creature, its strands fluttering with the sunlight of the day breaking.


    Kaiser couldn¡¯t move. He had crossed kingdoms, fought battles, seen things that only appeared in fantasy books, but this, this surpassed all of them.


    ¡°What is this place?¡± his voice barely a whisper, as though speaking too loudly would disturb the sacred stillness pf the unholy place.


    Beside him, Aria didn¡¯t answer. She stood quietly, her face calm, as though the sight didn¡¯t shock her in the slightest. Her small hand reached for his, and before he realized it, her fingers had slipped into his palm. Her touch was warm, grounding him.


    ¡°Aria," Kaiser replied, this time louder, but still in disbelief. ¡°Where are we? How is this even possible?¡±


    Her eyes remained closed, her expression serene. ¡°It¡¯s the resting place,¡± she said softly, almost reverently. ¡°For everyone. The villagers, the knights... anyone who fell in these parts.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s gaze darted back to the mountain. He did not know how such a place could possibly exist without him ever knowing anything about it. Such a large, perfectly made graveyard would have been famous throughout the world. It would¡¯ve been legendary.


    Approaching them, the soft whirring sound of the wind became louder and almost musical, as if the mountain itself was singing a lament for the deceased. The sound sent chills down his spine.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°How could something like this be built? Who buried them all?¡±


    Aria blinked back to life, her mind a blank slate, but her hollow eyes would drift far, far away. ¡°Explorers,¡± she said quietly. ¡°The same one who came after the village fell.


    ¡°You keep saying ¡®Explorers,¡¯ Kaiser said, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. ¡°That¡¯s just a nickname, right? Who are they really?¡±


    Aria glanced back at him, her expression calm, almost amused. ¡°Explorers were what some people called them, but their real title is something else. Liberators.¡± She said the word so casually, as if it was something everyone should know.


    ¡°Liberators?¡± Kaiser repeated, his brow rising.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she replied, her tone matter-of-fact. ¡°They aren¡¯t just travelers or adventurers. They take on all kinds of jobs¡ªretrieving lost artifacts, mapping uncharted lands, rescuing people, and sometimes, bringing back the bodies of the dead.¡±


    Kaiser stopped in his tracks, blinking at her. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re telling me there are people whose job is to dig up and return corpses? That¡¯s... absurd.¡±


    Aria turned to face him fully, her hollow eyes narrowing slightly, though her lips quirked in a faint smirk. ¡°You think so? To me it¡¯s not so strange. They just believe that everyone deserves a proper resting place, no matter how long they¡¯d been gone. It¡¯s about respect.¡±


    Her explanation was like a kick to the stomach, her straightforward explanation and earnest tone made his skepticism seem almost childish. But the idea itself? Completely alien. He¡¯d traveled across countless regions, fought in wars, and lived through more than most, yet he¡¯d never heard of these so-called Liberators.


    Still, he wasn¡¯t about to admit that. He crossed his arms and gave a nonchalant shrug. ¡°Of course. Everyone knows about the Liberators.¡±


    Aria raised an eyebrow, her smirk growing. ¡°Do they? Funny how you didn¡¯t recognize their work when you saw this mountain.


    Kaiser felt his cheeks warm slightly, but he kept his expression steady. ¡°I recognized it. Just didn¡¯t expect to see it here, that¡¯s all. You know, considering the circumstances.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh," she looked away, clearly unconvinced, but she let it slide, and moved up the slope.


    Kaiser muttered to himself as he followed. "Liberators¡­ Of all the things to be ignorant of."


    He decided to keep his face unaltered at all costs as they climbed. He would appear to be an expert on the Liberators even if Aria brought them up again. But for the time being, he remained silent, his mind racing as he attempted to make sense of this weird new world she was guiding him into.

 Chapter 12: A Name of Stone

    ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± she said quietly.


    Kaiser glanced at her. ¡°Your parents?¡±


    She nodded and took?a tentative step toward him. ¡°Somehow, in all of time that has passed, I never got to say goodbye, nor did I never get to apologize.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s brow creased as he trailed her, the weight of her words settling?in. ¡°You carried that for a long time.¡±


    She looked down at the ground. ¡°Too long.¡±


    Kaiser noticed movement out of the corner of his eye as they continued to stroll into the cemetery. Women in deep black clothing billowed as though they were tangled in an unseen stream, and vague shapes drifted amid the tombs. They wore smooth, featureless, skull-white masks over their faces.


    ¡°What the hell are those?¡± Kaiser asked in a whisper.


    Aria¡¯s gaze lingered on one as it floated nearby. ¡°Those are death fairies,¡± she mumbled, almost to herself. ¡°They were created to speak with the dead¡­ to keep them company so they don¡¯t get bored.¡±


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow, scoffing lightly. ¡°The dead need company now? I would have guessed they had plenty in a place like this.¡±


    A faint, bittersweet smile tugged at her lips, but her eyes remained sad. ¡°Maybe not. But it¡¯s a way to make the living feel better, to think that the dead aren¡¯t lonely.¡±


    Kaiser nodded, his expression thoughtful. ¡°I suppose everyone wants to believe their loved ones are at peace.¡±


    They finally arrived at?a pair of graves away from the rest. The stones were plain but engraved with care. Aria paused in front of them, her hands shaking at her sides. She knelt down, gazing at the names carved into the stone.


    Kaiser couldn¡¯t help but notice how perfectly she seemed to see, especially for someone without eyes, but he kept quiet. He knew now was not the time to bring it up.


    ¡°They would¡¯ve been proud of you,¡± Kaiser said softly as he stepped up next to?her, not wanting to think deeper about the idea that popped into his head.


    Her voice wavered as she replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve done terrible things since they¡­ since they were taken. I¡¯ve hurt people, Kaiser. I¡¯ve killed. What kind of daughter would they think I¡¯ve become?¡±


    Kaiser dropped?down so she could see him, his voice strong but gentle. ¡°You survived. That¡¯s what they would have wanted you to do. No parent would blame their child for surviving.¡±


    Her fingers shook against the stones as she touched them, tears rushing down her soft cheeks. ¡°I wish I could have been stronger. I just wish I could¡¯ve?done something ¡ª anything ¡ª to save them.¡±


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    ¡°You?were a child Aria,¡± Kaiser said, his voice steady. ¡°You don¡¯t seem to realize it, but you still are.¡±


    Kaiser continued ¡°And you¡¯ve done more than most to carry on in spite of it all.¡± He said as his eyes sunk deeper into Aria.


    She shook her head, her sobs quiet but raw. ¡°I just wanted them to see me grow up, to know that I became someone good. But all I¡¯ve done is survive.¡±


    Kaiser leaned forward, his voice quieter?now. ¡°Surviving doesn¡¯t equal weakness. It makes you strong. And being here, confronting this ¡­ it¡¯s proof of that.¡±


    She wiped at her tears, her breathing uneven as she tried to compose herself. ¡°I miss them so much.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Kaiser said. ¡°But they¡¯re still with you, in some way. They always will be, and they always have been.¡±


    Aria remained there for what seemed like hours, her palm resting on the gravestone as though hoping to feel some remnant of her parents. At last she rose, slowly, deliberately. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said softly, looking up into Kaiser¡¯s eyes.


    Aria knelt before the gravestones, her entire body trembling as if the weight of the mountain itself pressed against her. Her voice, fragile and broken, escaped her lips in a wavering whisper. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­ I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t save you. I¡¯m sorry I brought this upon us. If I hadn¡¯t been born, maybe¡­ maybe you¡¯d still be alive.¡±


    Her words lingered in the still air, raw and unguarded, the grief that had been dormant inside her for years. She bent her head, the loose pink locks of hair framing her face like a curtain as tears cascaded unceasingly down her cheeks, staining the cold ground beneath.


    Kaiser remained at her side, his habitual stoicism softened as he studied her. He didn¡¯t say anything, didn¡¯t move ¡ª because he knew it was her moment, and anything he could say might crack it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if you can hear me,¡± Aria said softly, the sound nearly lost to the wind, ¡°but¡­ I¡¯ll make things right. I will try to be the person you would have wished for me to be. The daughter you both deserved.¡±


    She reached out, her trembling hands resting on the cold, weathered stone. Her touch lingered as if she could draw strength from the graves, her fingers tracing the names carved into them. Her lips moved silently, a prayer forming that only her heart could speak.


    But as soon as she was close to getting some piece, her thoughts spiraled.


    ¡°You should hate me. I ruined everything. If it weren¡¯t for me, you¡¯d still be here¡ªlaughing, living, growing old together. How do I make up for that? How do I fix what¡¯s broken when I¡¯m the one who broke it?¡±


    She closed her eyes, the tears burning as they slipped down her cheeks as a persistent memory surfaced. The sound of her father''s laughter as he whirled her round the garden, her mother''s soft fingers running through her hair. She held on to those bits, even if it hurt more.


    ¡°I?miss you,¡± she said through a choked voice. ¡°I miss you so much. Every single day. And I don¡¯t know what to do without you.¡±


    The wind took her words, and for a brief moment everything felt as if it had paused ¡ª the world holding its breath for her sorrow.


    After a long moment, Aria opened her empty eyes. She pressed her palms flat against the gravestones, her head bowed, and took a deep, shuddering breath. Aria stood, slowly, the weight of her grief still heavy on her shoulders, but it was divided now, shared with the earth beneath her feet.


    She stepped back, her gaze lingering on the graves as if she were trying to memorize every detail, to sear the image into her heart. Turning to Kaiser, she met his eyes briefly before looking away, her voice soft but resolute. ¡°Thank you¡­ for coming here.¡±


    Kaiser nodded, watching?her quietly, in understanding. ¡°Whenever you¡¯re ready,¡± he said with a steady voice, ¡°we can go.¡±


    Aria didn¡¯t move. Instead she turned back toward the graves, her lips trembling as she murmured, ¡°I¡¯ll come back. I promise.¡±


    The wind stirred through?the mountain graveyard, as if it understood her. When she finally rose, she was different ¡ª?not healed, not whole, but maybe a little bit less broken.

 Chapter 13: Sight Beyond Flesh

    As the final words of Aria''s goodbye faded into the silence of the graveyard, Kaiser reached out and gently grabbed her arm. She didn¡¯t put up a fight and she simply let him bring her away from the graves. Her eyes were shut, face a silent mix of so many different feelings as they began their gradual stroll through the gravestones, and the longer they went in silence, the heavier the air felt, filling with the weight of unspoken word.


    For a?while, they said nothing. The only sound breaking the silence was the crunch of gravel underfoot. Kaiser kept stealing looks at her every few moments, her face inscrutable except for the slight tear tracks on her cheeks. She was somewhere inside herself, running through whatever thoughts he could only wonder about, so he turned his head to look at the death fairies drifting between the graves.


    Their jet-black robes flowed an inch above the ground, as though swaying in an invisible draft. The white masks covering their faces were blank and featureless, yet somehow unsettling, as if they were watching without eyes. The fairies sat beside graves as if they were sad sentries, weaving soft, nonsensical stories for those no longer living. One fairy was perched cross-legged on a large tombstone, waving her hands around as if telling?about a great adventure. One knelt beside a grave, its voice low and soothing, like?a parent lulling a child to sleep.


    The whole scene felt surreal to Kaiser, absurd even. He couldn¡¯t wrap his mind around it. Floating figures telling stories to the dead? It was as if he¡¯d stepped into a dream, one that didn¡¯t follow the rules of logic. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a rare and unsettling sense of being lost. Truly lost.


    Then suddenly Aria giggled quietly and he could see the faintest smile on her face. It wasn¡¯t the forced, polite smile he¡¯d seen in the past; this was real, as if she¡¯d just won a silent fight in her brain.


    ¡°That¡¯s better,¡± Kaiser said, his voice light, though his relief was real.


    Aria turned her head?slightly towards him, a smile still lingering on her lips. ¡°What¡¯s better?¡±


    ¡°You smiling. It looks good on you, more than¡­¡± He waved vaguely at her face.


    ¡°Crying?¡± she said,?raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Grieving,¡± he corrected. ¡°But yeah, that too.¡±


    They took a few more steps, then Aria¡¯s smile shifted a bit. She looked at him, interested by the tone. ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s our next move?¡± Kaiser froze. His confidence, which had been holding firm,?crumbled when faced with the weight of her question. ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    Like a bad piece of comic relief, his stomach gurgled loudly, breaking the silence like a knife. Aria paused, her eyes growing wide, before she erupted into laughter. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten?¡± she inquired, half laugh, half worry.


    Kaiser scratched the back of his head, his face hot. ¡°Not in over two days. I, uh, didn¡¯t get a chance?to¡­¡± He faltered, realizing how stupid he sounded.


    Aria smirked, crossing her arms. ¡°Well, you¡¯re in luck. I¡¯ve got plenty of spider flesh stored back in the forest. It¡¯s chewy, but it¡¯ll keep you alive.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s face twisted in horror, and he stepped back as if she¡¯d suggested he eat poison. ¡°Spider flesh? No way. Absolutely not. I¡¯d rather starve myself for a thousand years then eat those little freaks.¡±


    Aria shrugged, a mischievous smile?crossing her lips. ¡°Suit yourself. I survived on it for more than a year, you know. Not bad if you can get over the texture. Very¡­ uh, earthy.¡±


    ¡°Earthy?¡± Kaiser repeated, his voice climbing in disbelief. ¡°Aria, that¡¯s not food! That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Survival,¡±?she interrupted, her tone suddenly more grave. ¡°And if you get hungry enough, you¡¯d never believe what you¡¯d be willing to eat.¡±


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    He grimaced but didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he sighed and shook his head. ¡°Let¡¯s just agree we can find real food. Perhaps something?that doesn¡¯t have eight legs.¡±


    Aria?laughed, her voice playful again. ¡°Fine. But the nearest city is three days¡¯ walk away. You think you can survive that long without eating?¡± Kaiser just sighed, but smiled and nodded.


    She laughed again, the sound light and genuine. For a moment, the weight of the graveyard, the loss, and the absurdity of their situation seemed to lift.


    ¡°Okay,¡±?Kaiser said, gesturing to the far horizon. ¡°Three days to the city. Let¡¯s go! And just for the?record, no spiders on the route. Not even as snacks.¡±


    ¡°No promises,¡± Aria said, smirking, as she walked after him.


    Slowly, with each step Kaiser felt the chill in the air begin to dissipate, replaced by the faint, earthy warmth of the field ahead. The transition from tombstones to trees was subtle at first¡ªblades of grass pushing up through the gravel path, gnarled roots snaking toward the edges of the graves.


    Still, during the long and silent walk, there was something eating away at him, a question he had been avoiding but just had to ask.


    He looked at Aria, walking next to him, calm as always, her eyes firmly shut, masking everything. She did this with such confidence, such precision, that it was hard to believe she could see at all. He opened his mouth to speak, hesitated, and then blurted it out anyway. ¡°Aria¡­ how do you see?¡±


    She tilted her head, as though surprised by the question. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been guiding me through spaces I would get lost in. You strolled through that cemetery without a worry on your face, you guided us out of that damn forest in less than a day¡­ You even were alert to the death fairies before me and you even found the gravestones of your parents in this endless sea of tombs.¡±


    He fell silent, gesturing in vague outlines toward her closed eyes. Aria¡¯s mouth twisted into a faint smile, but there was a shadow of something else in her face ¡ª sadness, or maybe resignation. ¡°I share my vision with the spiders I control,¡± she said matter-of-factly. ¡°I see the world through them.¡±


    Kaiser blinked, his feet stuttering a little. ¡°You¡­ share their vision? All of them? Every spider?¡±


    Aria shook her head. ¡°No, that¡¯s impossible. I can handle a maximum of three at once. Anything above that would be¡­ overwhelming.¡± Kaiser nodded slowly, scrambling to process the concept. It all made sense now ¡ª the precision, the awareness. He frowned, his curiosity trumping his unease. ¡°So, those spiders¡­ the ones with the blue backs? The ones that resemble eyes?¡±


    At his words, two small shapes dropped from the canopy above, landing gracefully on Aria¡¯s shoulders. The spiders with shimmering blue markings crawled toward her face, moving with a kind of purpose that sent a shiver down Kaiser¡¯s spine. Before he could react, the spiders climbed into her empty sockets and nestled inside.


    Kaiser took an involuntary step back, his stomach twisting. He¡¯d seen her eyeless face before, but now, with the spiders in place, she looked almost¡­ human. The blue markings on the spiders glowed faintly, blending seamlessly with her features and making her look like a regular girl, even if Kaiser knew for the better.


    Her look, though synthetic, felt authentic. Alive. ¡°Better?¡± she asked gently, tilting her head.


    Kaiser swallowed hard, forcing himself to nod. ¡°Yeah¡­ better.¡±


    Her weak smile resurfaced then, but it took on an air of sadness. ¡°I lost my eyes six months ago,¡± she said, her voice low. ¡°It happened while I was in the house under the river of webs. I¡¯d spent so many days in the dark, weaving and waiting, that I convinced myself I wouldn¡¯t need to see. I thought¡­ I thought it was easier that way.¡±


    Kaiser gazed at her, not knowing what to say. He could only picture what that must have meant ¡ª with so many spiders, living in darkness, hearing their incessant hum. ¡°You chose to lose them?¡± he asked carefully.


    ¡°Kind of,¡± she answered, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. ¡°I didn¡¯t know how much harm I was causing until I was too late. The darkness¡­ it takes you. It causes you to forget the stuff that matters and the stuff that doesn¡¯t. I thought that total darkness was something I deserved, and something that would make me forget¡­¡± Her words were heavy and raw.


    Kaiser looked at her, the dim radiance of the spiders in her sockets flickering an eerie but beautifully genteel light. ¡°I don¡¯t regret it,¡± she said after a long pause. ¡°Not entirely. The spiders¡­ They¡¯ve infiltrated me. They¡¯re my eyes, my mates, and until recently, my only friends.¡±


    Kaiser hesitated, then stepped closer, his voice low. ¡°Aria¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t know what else to say, but¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    She looked at him¡ªor rather, through him¡ªwith those glowing blue eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t be,¡± she said softly. ¡°This is my life now. I¡¯ve accepted it.¡±


    For a moment, neither of them spoke. The forest around them seemed quieter, as if holding its breath.


    Finally, Kaiser broke the silence with a weak chuckle. ¡°Well, for what it¡¯s worth¡­ you¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve met who can say their eyes literally bug people out.¡±


    Aria blinked, then laughed¡ªa real, genuine laugh that lit up her face. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot,¡± she said, shaking her head.

 Chapter 14: Frog, Friend, or Foe?

    Kaiser and Aria walked down the mountain of tombs, which extended endlessly behind them. The weight of the place held on to them like a second skin, but each step drove them farther away from the cemetery''s uncanny beauty.


    Years of solemn visitors who had climbed to pay their respects or bury their dead had left an uneven dirt path that wound down the slope.  The only sound that followed them now was the gentle crunch of boots on gravelly ground. Kaiser turned his head back one more time, seeing the last rows headstones stretching into the mountain, like soldiers standing in formation. The low sun sent long shadows and suffused the graves with a warm, nearly apocalyptic light. It was beautiful in a way he didn¡¯t have words for but that felt deeply unsettling.


    Silence remained between them, the atmosphere thick with unspoken thoughts. The trees surrounding the path were sparse, the once-dense forest of webs and looming shadows had completely vanished, replaced by an open expanse where the ground was dry and cracked in some places. A gentle breeze stirred the air, but it carried no comfort¡ªonly the lingering scent of earth and faint decay.


    Kaiser tried to distract himself by focusing on the road ahead, but the image of the cemetery stayed with him. It was a place unlike any he had ever seen, and the absurdity of it all weighed heavily on his mind. He wasn¡¯t in his world anymore¡ªhe was sure of it then.


    It took more than an hour of walking, but eventually a view of the base of the mountain?appeared and the dirt path broadened into a flatter trail. The cemetery finally faded behind a covey of tall trees and retreated into the distance, and Kaiser felt a strange fusion of relief and comfort.


    ¡°Good riddance,¡± he mumbled to himself.


    Aria, half a step ahead of him, cocked her head?slightly. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± He shook his head. ¡°Just happy to be out of there.¡±


    She gave a small hum of agreement, though her expression didn¡¯t change.


    They followed the trail as it wound through a large clearing. The landscape was different here, less oppressive but still strange in its own way. The ground was dotted with lonely trees, their twisted branches reaching towards the sky like hands looking for something to grab on to. The silence of the graveyard had followed them, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves in the wind.


    The dirt path they followed began to gradually alter, widening and smoothing with each step they took. The barren, uneven terrain turned into what seemed?a more well-trodden road, its surface further compacted with the passing of innumerable feet, hooves and wheels.


    The path curved gently to the left, revealing a narrower trail merging with their own. Though smaller, it bore the same signs of wear¡ªpacked earth, scattered stones, and tufts of grass creeping along its edges where footsteps rarely fell. Like tributaries joining a river, the two paths became one, widening into a single road stretching into the distance.


    He glanced at Aria, who walked slightly ahead, her pace steady and purposeful. If the fusion of the paths meant anything to her, she didn¡¯t show it.


    Slowly, however, from within the silence came a sound¡ªa distant rumble?that deepened each passing second. Kaiser slowed down, his brow knitting. ¡°Do you hear that?¡± he asked, his voice low.


    Aria cocked her head toward the sound. ¡°I do.¡±


    As they walked, the sound grew clearer¡ªwooden wheels creaking, the weary thud of hooves striking earth. At first, there was nothing in sight, but then a small dot appeared on the road behind them. It swelled with each passing second, approaching faster than their steady pace, the rhythmic beat of hooves growing sharper with its advance.


    Kaiser¡¯s eyes narrowed as the outline sharpened¡ªa sturdy, enclosed carriage drawn by two powerful horses, their glossy coats glinting with sweat.  The sigil on the side, though, meant nothing to him.


    For him, it was just another potential threat. When the caravan finally came to a halt a few paces behind them, the horses tossed their heads, breaking the brittle silence with sharp snorts. The wooden frame groaned under the weight of whatever¡ªor whoever¡ªwas inside.


    Kaiser stepped in front of Aria out of reflex, his hand squeezing firm into a fist. "Remain behind me."


    Aria tilted her head, ¡°Bandits don¡¯t usually travel in caravans this fancy,¡± she said softly, though her hand lightly touched his arm to stop him from advancing further. ¡°Wait.¡±


    Kaiser glanced over his shoulder at her, his brows knitting together. Her fingers lingered briefly on his forearm¡ªa small, steadying gesture that was meant to tell him to stand down. Aria¡¯s attention was elsewhere, her gaze fixed on the sigil painted on the side of the caravan.


    It was a rose, but unlike any Kaiser had seen. The petals were made of jagged rays of light, sharp and radiant, cutting outward like the blazing points of a star. The symbol seemed to shimmer faintly, even in the dimming light, as if it were more than just paint.


    ¡°We¡¯re safe,¡±?Aria said, her voice low and reverential. Her grip fell from Kaiser¡¯s arm, her?body noticeably relaxing while the tension in his remained. ¡°That¡¯s the symbol of the Liberatorium?of the South.¡±


    ¡°The what?¡± Kaiser frowned, not having the slightest idea of what she was talking about.


    She glanced toward him, her expression unreadable as the faintest smile tugged at the corners of her lips. ¡°Later,¡± she said, shaking her head. ¡°Just¡­ trust me on this one.¡±


    Kaiser remained in front of Aria, his guard still up despite her reassurances. His eyes were fixed on the doors of the caravan, waiting to see who or what would step out.


    The creature to step from the caravan was unlike anything Kaiser had ever seen: an enormous, anthropomorphic toad. He stood well over two meters tall, and?his rotund body was draped with  flowing purple garments that faintly sparkled in the light. His dotted skin resembled a green, darker streaks around his wide, bulbous hands and thick, webbed fingers curling as he got out of the wagon.


    But it was his head that really got noticed. His face was broad and flat, like a toad, with two bulging eyes protruding from either side of?his head. They shimmered as they caught light, their dark irises swirling with curiosity and joy. His gaze, though, felt strangely direct, as if it could see in any direction he wished to.


    His wide, toothless mouth was framed by an enormous white beard, thick and bushy, spilling down his chest like a waterfall of snow. His mustache was longer, curled out in big, almost silly spirals?that bounced slightly when he moved. The beard itself was meticulously maintained, with an air of pride in its presentation, lending him the dignified appearance of a sage¡ªor perhaps an eccentric elder.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± the creature roared, his voice loud and deep yet warm. He flung out his long arms as if greeting old friends. ¡°Travelers on the road! Always a pleasant sight. Greetings! I am Glunko, lowly merchant and seller of fine wares!¡± He walked all the way into the road, bowing low with an over-the-top flourish, his mustache swaying around him. ¡°And who do I have the pleasure of meeting today?¡±


    Kaiser parted his lips, but before he could speak, Aria moved closer, her voice light and melodic. ¡°I¡¯m Aria,¡± she said cheerfully, her lips quirked in a smile that Kaiser knew was fake. ¡°And this is Dio.¡± Kaiser gave her a sidelong look, his eyebrows raising somewhat at the alias. She avoided eye contact with him, focusing solely on Glunko, her grin unwavering. Realizing that it was probably best to act along, Kaiser forced a nod. ¡°Dio,¡± he repeated, holding out his hand. ¡°It is a pleasure to meet such a fine merchant.¡±


    Glunko¡¯s wide grin nearly doubled, and he let out a resounding laugh that startled the horses. ¡°Dio! A good name, firm and straightforward. And Aria! How delightful to meet you both!¡± He took Kaiser¡¯s hand in his long fingers, shaking it so vigorously that Kaiser felt his arm rattle. ¡°Oh, I know already¡ªgood people, good people!¡±


    Kaiser withdrew his hand discreetly, attempting not to flinch at the power of the shake. Glunko next addressed Aria, bowing slightly as if she were royalty. ¡°And a woman, on the road too. Always a good sign! The road can be rough, but it¡¯s good to those who meet it with grace and courage.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Aria replied, her tone sugary, but Kaiser noticed the briefest shift in her body language, as though she was holding herself just a little tighter. She cocked her head slightly, examining Glunko but otherwise remaining silent. Glunko, unaware of the nuances of her body language, clapped his hands together, his smile unwavering.


    ¡°Well, my friends, what brings you to this lonely stretch of road? Mercenaries, explorers, nomads? Or maybe¡­ something more mysterious?¡± He wiggled his long fingers theatrically, lowering his voice into a conspiratorial whisper.


    ¡°Wanderers,¡± Kaiser shot back, his voice steady but neutral. ¡°Just passing through.¡±


    Glunko nodded sagely, his mustache twitching. ¡°Ah, wanderers! The world¡¯s soul you are. Never static, never stopped. I ask¡ªdo you look for anything in particular? A treasure? A purpose? Or simply a meal? I have goods for every need!¡± He waved grandly at the caravan behind him. ¡°Exotic spices, fine weapons, rare tomes¡­ and for the weary wayfarer, food to fill the belly!¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s stomach rumbled at the mention of food. His face turned slightly red as Glunko erupted in laughter. ¡°Ah, hunger! The truest of needs! Do not worry about that, my good Dio, for Glunko never allows a wayfarer to go hungry. Come, come let us break bread and tell road stories!¡±


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Kaiser hesitated instinctively, but Aria laid a hand on his arm lightly. ¡°He¡¯s harmless,¡± she said quietly, with a note of amusement. Glunko beamed; his obliviousness was almost endearing.


    ¡°Harmless? Oh, darling, I should certainly hope so! My only weapons are my silver tongue¡ªand perhaps a sturdy frying pan if the need arises!¡± He laughed again, slapping his belly in joy.


    Kaiser found himself exhaling slowly, the pressure in his?shoulders lifting. There was something disarming about Glunko¡¯s uncomplicated enthusiasm and his sincere pleasure at meeting new people. Yet as they trailed him toward the caravan, Kaiser stole a look at Aria and wondered what went behind that cheery facade she was putting on.


    For now, however, they had found a rare thing on the road: a moment of rest. And as Glunko started rummaging around his caravan, listing off the merits of the various goods he possessed, Kaiser permitted himself to relax ¡ª at least a little.


    As soon as Glunko disappeared into the caravan, the brief moment of quiet between Aria and Kaiser stretched out, but only for a bit before Kaiser cleared his throat. ¡°You seemed awfully trusting of that guy,¡± he said, keeping his tone light but laced with curiosity. ¡°Do you know him?¡±


    Aria swivelled her head, ever so slightly, a smile escaping her lips. ¡°Not personally,¡± she replied, her voice calm. ¡°But I know where he is from. He hails from the Southern Liberatorium. His crest¡ªthe Shining Rose¡ªis a mark of someone who we can trust."


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow, trying to act as though he understood. ¡°The Northern Liberatorium,¡± he repeated slowly, as if testing the words. ¡°Right¡­ makes sense.¡±


    Aria¡¯s head tilted, and she narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°You don¡¯t even know what the Liberatoriums are, do you?


    Kaiser¡¯s chest tightened. He felt a pang of embarrassment but quickly covered it with a shrug. ¡°I wasn¡¯t looking at the emblem, to be honest,¡± he muttered. ¡°I was more focused on the giant frog man stepping out of a fancy caravan.¡±


    She didn¡¯t laugh. Her sharp gaze lingered on him, and he could feel her suspicion. ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± she said simply, her tone flat and dry. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just admit you don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°I know enough,¡± Kaiser shot back, though even he winced at how defensive he sounded.


    Aria shook her head, a wisp of a sigh escaping her. ¡°Sometimes I think you¡¯d rather stumble around clueless than just ask a question.¡±


    Before Kaiser could reply, Glunko¡¯s voice blared out, shattering the argument.


    ¡°Ah-ha! Found it!¡± the merchant bellowed, emerging from the caravan with an armful of what looked like¡­ wool?


    He almost trotted right up to them the bulk of his purple coat swaying with every step. ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry, my friends! This is all I have left to share¡ªa fine delicacy from the marshlands! Kralak!¡±


    Kaiser blinked, his gut churning at the view of the weird, stringy substance. It was gritty, very much like cotton, with a subtle pale gray tinge. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ food?¡± he asked, his voice heavy with skepticism.


    ¡°Oh, absolutely!¡± Glunko exclaimed, his grin wide. ¡°The finest! A true treat for those with discerning tastes.¡±


    Before Kaiser could speak his doubt, Aria interjected with a gasp of genuine excitement, her face lighting up. ¡°Kralak! I haven¡¯t had this in years!¡± she said, her voice filled with childlike glee. For the first time since Kaiser had met her she seemed genuinely happy and all her characteristic serenity and reserve completely shattered.


    Kaiser stared at her, dumbfounded. ¡°You¡¯re excited about eating¡­ that?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Aria replied, clutching a bundle of the wool-like substance to her chest. ¡°Kralak is amazing. I promise you¡¯re going to love it.¡±


    ¡°Ah, a lady of taste! Really nice to meet someone who cares about the small stuff," he said warmly. Glunkp distributed to each of the individuals a piece of Kralak, and a thin steel stick that curved at the end to hold the food in place.


    Kaiser reluctantly took his share, holding it between his fingers as though it might bite him. ¡°So¡­ what do we do with this?¡±


    ¡°Simple!¡± Glunko said, already skewering his portion and holding it over the fire. ¡°You melt it! Kralak transforms when heated¡ªit becomes a delectable honey-like nectar. The aroma alone is enough to make a grown man weep!¡±


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. He watched as Glunko¡¯s bundle of wool began to change, the fibers shrinking and curling as a golden-white liquid began to pool at the bottom of the plate. The smell hit him almost instantly¡ªa rich, sweet aroma so intense it made his mouth water.


    Following him, Aria had already impaled her share and was busy broiling it over the fire. She held her plate carefully, and even though the liquid was still steaming, she brought it to her lips and took a small sip.


    Her eyes fluttered closed, and she let out a soft sigh of contentment. ¡°Perfect," she said, with a smile gracing her lips.


    Kaiser frowned at his own plate, reluctant to even begin. ¡°It smells¡­ okay, I guess,¡± he admitted grudgingly. ¡°However, it seems as if the thing that you''d scrape off a random plant you might find on a field.¡±


    Glunko roared with laughter. ¡°A common reaction for first-timers! he said, his mustache quivering with delight. ¡°But I assure you, once you taste it, you¡¯ll wonder how you ever lived without it!¡±


    With a sigh, he finally brought his plate to his lips and took a cautious sip. The taste was unlike anything he¡¯d ever experienced¡ªsweet and rich, with a hint of something floral. It covered his palate and warmed his throat as it slid down. He blinked, surprised. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ not terrible,¡± he admitted reluctantly.


    Glunko clapped his hands together, beaming. ¡°A convert! Wonderful! See, my friends, food is the great uniter. No matter where we come from or who we are, a good meal can bring us together.¡±


    Kaiser couldn¡¯t help but smile at the merchant¡¯s enthusiasm, even as he took another sip of the strange, honey-like liquid.


    The fire crackled merrily between them as Kaiser leaned back, slowly but surely getting full. Aria, meanwhile, continued her relentless consumption of Kralak, her enthusiasm defying all reason. Kaiser found himself staring, unsure whether to be impressed or alarmed.


    Aria skewered another massive portion of the wool-like food and held it over the flames, the heat melting it into a golden-white liquid almost instantly, the aroma filling the air again. Without hesitation, she lifted the plate and drank it in one swift motion, barely reacting to the steam rising from the molten meal.


    ¡°You know,¡± Kaiser said, breaking the silence, ¡°at some point, I think you stopped eating and started devouring.¡±


    Aria glanced at him, her expression briefly innocent before her lips curled into a playful smile. ¡°This is too good, it''s not my fault," she cooed, ¡°You should try enjoying something for once.¡±


    ¡°I did try it,¡± Kaiser muttered, holding up his half-empty plate. ¡°And it was fine. But that much? How are you even still upright?¡±


    Glunko, who had been watching Aria with wide, glimmering eyes, clapped his hands together, his booming laugh echoing across the quiet road. ¡°Ah, young lady! A true connoisseur! I haven¡¯t seen someone enjoy Kralak this much since my own childhood!¡±


    Aria, undeterred, skewered another portion. This time, even Kaiser had to admit it looked absurd¡ªshe was melting what seemed like an entire sheep¡¯s worth of Kralak. As the food began to bubble and soften, she lifted it to her lips and drank deeply, ignoring the heat entirely.


    Glunko let out an enthusiastic cheer, clapping his hands. ¡°Marvelous! Simply marvelous! You, my dear, have the heart of a gourmand. A rare quality indeed!¡±


    Kaiser couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the scene. For all his grumbling, there was something endearing about the way Aria lit up, completely abandoning her usual reserved demeanor. By chance, a real smile appeared on his face¡ªa smile that even he did not realize as having occurred.


    After what felt like an hour of eating and laughter, Aria finally leaned back, her plate empty. Her energy spent, she let out a soft yawn and stretched her arms, the firelight dancing on her face. Moments later, she slumped to the side, fast asleep on the grass.


    Kaiser sighed, standing up and brushing off his uniform. He got to her, and lifted her into his arms with care. Her weight was barely noticeable, and her expression was peaceful, almost childlike.


    ¡°Out like a light,¡± he muttered, shaking his head.


    Glunko was starting to clean up the mess from the meal when Kaiser came up. ¡°Thank you for the food,¡± Kaiser said sincerely. ¡°I don¡¯t have much to offer, but¡­¡± He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small pouch. Opening it, he frowned when he found it empty.


    Undeterred, Kaiser unclipped one of the gold medals still attached to his tattered military uniform. The medal gleamed faintly in the firelight, a symbol of his past victories. He held it out to Glunko. ¡°Here. It¡¯s not much, but it¡¯s all I¡¯ve got.¡±


    Glunko''s eyes bulged and he stepped back, shaking his head with a negative sigh. ¡°No, no, my friend!¡¯ he exclaimed, his deep voice filled with earnestness. ¡°I could never accept such a thing! That medal carries a story, a history far more valuable than gold. Please, keep it.¡±


    Kaiser frowned. ¡°It¡¯s just a piece of metal. Consider it payment for your kindness.¡±


    Glunko smiled warmly, his expression softening. ¡°Your kindness is payment enough,¡± he said. ¡°Besides, I can tell you¡¯re no ordinary travelers.¡±


    Kaiser tilted his head. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Glunko moved in closer just a little, his eyes, large, sparkling with wisdom and mischief. ¡°I have tested your hand earlier you see,¡± he said. ¡°I used nearly all my power, and yet, you barely flinched. That tells me you¡¯re no stranger to hardship. You carry yourself like a Liberator.¡±


    There it was again¡ªthat word. Liberator. Kaiser¡¯s brow furrowed, but he kept his face neutral, unwilling to reveal his ignorance. ¡°What gave it away?¡± he asked, his voice steady.


    Glunko gestured to Kaiser¡¯s torn uniform. ¡°Your appearance, for one. Even tattered, that coat carries a certain prestige. And the way you hold yourself¡ªlike a man who¡¯s fought battles most of us can only imagine.¡±


    Kaiser nodded slowly, choosing his words carefully. ¡°You¡¯re observant.¡±


    Glunko chuckled. ¡°A merchant must be, my friend. So, tell me, from which Liberatorium do you hail?¡±


    ¡°The Sothern one.¡± Kaiser replied smoothly, though the answer was a guess.


    Glunko''s smile spread, his massive hand closing over his chest. ¡°An honor, truly. The Northern Liberatorium produces the finest among us. And your companion¡­¡± He nodded toward Aria, still asleep in Kaiser¡¯s arms. ¡°She must be a Liberator as well, yes?¡±


    Kaiser hesitated for a moment before nodding. ¡°Yes. We''re coming back from the mission¡­ bringing some people back to be buried at back of the mountain cemetery close by.¡±


    For the briefest moment, Glunko¡¯s smile faltered. His gaze softened for a moment with a touch of sadness, but then he quickly regained his composure and his tone remained strong. ¡°


    ¡°You have my deepest respect,¡± he said. ¡°Liberators are owed a great debt, but those who bring peace to the dead¡­ they deserve something greater. A selfless act, indeed.¡±


    Kaiser shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the praise. ¡°We¡¯re just doing our job.¡±


    Glunko nodded solemnly, then clapped his hands together, his jovial demeanor returning. ¡°And now, you wish to go to a town, no? To clean up and rest?¡±


    Kaiser nodded. ¡°That¡¯s the plan.¡±


    ¡°Then allow me to offer you a ride!¡± Glunko said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. ¡°My caravan may not be the fastest, but it¡¯s warm, comfortable, and free of charge for esteemed Liberators such as yourselves.¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°We¡¯ll take it. Thank you.¡±


    With that, Glunko began preparing the caravan, humming a cheerful tune as Kaiser settled Aria inside. As the night deepened, the road ahead seemed less daunting, and for the first time in a long while, Kaiser felt a small sense of ease.

 Chapter 15: A Forgotten Name

    Upon getting in to the caravan, Kaiser instantly stopped and stared. The exterior had done little to prepare him for the insides, which felt impossibly vast and extravagant. Even the air itself felt to glow slightly, as if the caravan carried a unique environment of its own. A soft golden shimmer came from the lanterns, their flames held aloft by elegant glass orbs that hovered midair, casting warm light over them.


    Hanging from the ceiling were cages of all shapes and sizes, each containing creatures Kaiser had never imagined in his wildest dreams. One held a small, crystalline bird that glowed faintly with iridescent hues, its feathers catching the light in a prismatic display. Another contained a creature that looked like a serpent made of water, its liquid body rippling gently as though responding to some unseen current. A third cage housed what seemed to be a miniature storm cloud, crackling occasionally with tiny bursts of blue lightning, yet entirely harmless within its gilded cage.


    The walls were lined with racks of clothing so finely crafted that Kaiser couldn¡¯t even begin to estimate their worth. Robes of deep crimson, embroidered with gold running, tunics sparkling with gems that seemed to glow with starlight, and storm clouds that seemed to change color with the skewness of light. One particularly grand piece¡ªa black coat with silver trimming and a collar that looked like it was made of frost¡ªcaught his eye the most, making him think about what he would look like wearing a grand piece of clothing like that.


    On a rack near the back were several weapons displayed with care, each exuding an undeniable aura of power. A bow made entirely of living vines sat nestled among them, its string taut and faintly glowing green, as though it pulsed with the energy of the forest itself. Beside it rested a sword that seemed to drink in the surrounding light, leaving its edges barely visible, as though it existed only in shadow.


    "Clean doesn¡¯t even begin to describe this place," Kaiser muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "It¡¯s spotless."


    "Thank you!" boomed Glunko, who was at that moment guiding Kaiser further inside. His wide grin revealed nothing but pride. "It¡¯s my darling slime who deserves the credit!"


    At that exact same moment, a small turquoise translucent blob of blue liquid crawled out from under the one of the supporting shelves. The creature wobbled excitedly, as if responding to the praise, and emitted a cheerful gurgling sound.


    ¡°Meet Lubi!¡± Glunko gestured toward the slime with excitement. ¡°She¡¯s been with me for decades, you know. Keeps everything clean as a whistle!¡±


    The slime paused to wiggle in Kaiser¡¯s direction, then immediately set to work polishing the floor beneath one of the cages. Kaiser blinked at the strange sight, his lips parting to speak but finding no words.


    Glunko went on, sidling over the edge of the caravan with a flick of his webbed hand. Instantly, a sheet of that appeared to be wool, unfurled from the caravan''s floor, like a billow of soft, plush carpet. Kaiser crouched down and ran his hand over it, but the texture was¡­ off. However, it was impossibly soft and it was not the wool such as he could call it.


    "What... is this, exactly?" Kaiser asked, the awe in his voice barely masking his excitement.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s a trade secret!¡± Glunko¡¯s booming laugh filled the caravan. ¡°Let¡¯s just say it¡¯s comfortable, isn¡¯t it? Perfect for your young friend here.¡±


    Kaiser hesitated, then nodded, gently laying Aria onto the newly formed bedding. She stirred slightly but didn¡¯t wake, her breathing steady. For the first time since she''d met him, she seemed to be truly at ease.


    Satisfied, Kaiser turned to Glunko. ¡°Thanks. She needed that.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s no trouble at all!¡± Glunko grinned, clapping a hand on Kaiser¡¯s shoulder with surprising strength. ¡°You two have been through a lot, haven¡¯t you? I can tell. That¡¯s why I offered to help¡ªheroes like you deserve some kindness every now and then.¡±


    Kaiser arched an eyebrow at the noun "hero", but did not question it. He stalked Glunko to the front of the caravan and the merchant directed the horses there. The seating was cramped but well padded and quite comfortable, plus the open front allowed an unimpeded view down the road in front, which was now brightly lit by a soft glow emanating from the lanterns lightly hanging from the top of the caravan.


    "So," Glunko began, his tone casual but his curiosity clear. "You said you¡¯re from the Southern Liberatorium. That much I figured¡ªbut originally? Where were you born, lad?"


    Kaiser stiffened, caught off guard by the directness of the question. His first instinct was to dodge, but Glunko¡¯s wide, curious eyes¡ªone positioned slightly farther to the side than the other¡ªreminded him of how astute the merchant was. Lies might not cut it here. And perhaps... perhaps he needed to test the waters of this strange new world.


    Clearing his throat, Kaiser decided to tread carefully. "Originally? I was born in a small city called Cordova."


    "Ah, Cordova." Glunko hummed meditatively, and his voice changed to one of deep thinking as his long hands adjusted the reins ¡°Doesn¡¯t ring a bell. Can¡¯t say I¡¯ve heard that name before. What else can you tell me about it?¡±


    Kaiser leaned back a moment, his eyes seeming to scan around a bit in a search for an answer. ¡°It was on the edge of the world¡ªor at least, that¡¯s what we called it. A small city, part of the Kingdom of Nebrosa. Nothing grand, but it was home.¡±


    At the mention of Nebrosa, Glunko¡¯s entire demeanor changed. His wide mouth pressed into a thin line, and his bulbous eyes narrowed slightly in thought. He rubbed his chin with a webbed hand, his beard shifting as he mulled over the name.


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    ¡°Nebrosa¡­¡± Glunko repeated softly, the word rolling off his tongue as though tasting its unfamiliar flavor. Then, as if going through a sudden insight, his body shot up. His eye caught on Kaiser and he made a quick but clear nod. ¡°Sir,¡± he said, his voice laced with unexpected respect.


    Kaiser blinked, utterly bewildered. ¡°...Sir? What are you talking about? You¡¯re older than me by a century at least, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Glunko chuckled softly, but there was a seriousness in his tone as he replied. ¡°Oh, it is not about sir¡¯s due to the age or the stature. I mean sir out of sheer respect. I¡¯ve come to a realization, you see, and if I¡¯m right, well¡­¡± He stopped, drawing closer and his voice dropped. ¡°You¡¯re older than you realize, lad. Far older.¡±


    Kaiser frowned, his confusion deepening. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    With a deep breath, Glunko straightened his posture, his webbed hand gesturing animatedly as he explained. ¡°That so called Nebrosa hasn¡¯t existed in over five centuries. Neither has any other kingdom outside the Liberatoriums. Central Liberatorium united the world 500 ago, following the War of the Gods. Each kingdom, each sovereign state, was subsumed or crushed. If you¡¯re from any kingdom, then¡­ you¡¯re not just any ordinary man. Meaning you must be over five hundred years old.¡±


    Kaiser felt his heart drop into his stomach, but he forced his face to remain neutral. Inside, however, his mind raced. Five hundred years? Was this some elaborate joke? Or had he truly been thrown into a world far beyond his time? He clenched his fists tightly, willing his voice to remain steady.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ quite a claim,¡± Kaiser said, his tone measured. ¡°And why, exactly, would you assume that?¡±


    Glunko shrugged, though his eyes remained sharp. ¡°It¡¯s not an assumption, lad¡ªit¡¯s simple deduction. Nebrosa is long gone. A city on the edge of the world? Sounds like a fairytale now. And then there¡¯s you, with that torn but unmistakable uniform and that aura about you¡ªstrong, commanding, and you carry yourself like a man from another era. That''s the only conclusion that makes a lot of sense.¡±


    Kaiser leaned forward slightly, narrowing his eyes. ¡°And you¡¯re sure this isn¡¯t just some¡­ coincidence?¡±


    Glunko laughed again, this time quieter, and shook his head. ¡°Coincidence or not, lad, the truth has a way of revealing itself. If you¡¯re not five centuries old, then the way you¡¯re acting is the spitting image of someone who would be. Either way, you¡¯re not from this time.¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the horizon as his thoughts churned. Could it be true? Could he truly be five centuries out of place? The weight of it pressed down on him like an anchor, yet he knew he couldn¡¯t afford to show weakness¡ªnot now, not in front of Glunko.


    After a long pause, Kaiser finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm. ¡°If what you say is true... then I guess I¡¯ve got a lot to figure out.¡±


    Glunko nodded, his expression softening. ¡°Aye, lad. And whatever your journey holds, know that you¡¯ve got my respect. The world¡¯s a strange place, but I¡¯ve always believed the past has a way of finding its way back to us.¡±


    Kaiser allowed himself a faint smirk, though his mind remained full of questions. ¡°Thanks, Glunko. And for what it¡¯s worth, I appreciate the ride. Maybe you¡¯re right, and maybe you¡¯re not¡ªbut either way, I owe you as of now.¡±


    The toad merchant grinned broadly, his white beard catching the lantern light as he spoke. ¡°No debt owed, lad. Just hold onto that strength of yours for when the world needs it most. Something tells me it won¡¯t be long now.¡± Then another short silence came over them.


    As the caravan rocked gently along the dirt road, Kaiser found himself in an intense mental battle.


    Five hundred years. The number echoed relentlessly in his mind like a war drum. It wasn¡¯t possible¡ªwas it? He knew his age; the last time he¡¯d counted, he was fifty nine. His body had stopped aging when he turned thirty two, and that had always been his edge. But this? This was different. This wasn''t just a matter of living longer than most; it was a matter of time tearing everything he was familiar with away.


    And that word: Origin.


    His stomach churned. Had he been knocked out for centuries after uttering it? That would explain the bizarre gap in history, the way this toad-like merchant, as well-read and prestigious as he appeared, had no real knowledge of Nebrosa¡ªa kingdom that had once covered half the world. No merchant worth their salt would be ignorant of something that vast.


    His swirling thoughts were cut short, though, by Glunko''s loud, jovial voice.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll give you this much, lad: you¡¯ve held up better than most for someone pushing 500!¡± Glunko chuckled, his wide mouth curving into a grin, his bulbous eyes glinting with mischief.


    Kaiser gave him a stern look, but the merchant remained unfazed. ¡°I mean, look at you! Skin is still tight, with no wrinkles in sight. If that isn''t a miracle, I''m not sure what is. But¡ª" He leaned in slightly, his grin becoming devious. "It begs the question: where the hell have you been all this time? Wouldn¡¯t you say that five centuries is a bit too long for a snooze? What is the name of your kingdom again? Nebrosa? What kind of place was it?"


    Kaiser¡¯s jaw tightened. He forced himself to keep his tone steady, but there was an edge of warning in his voice. "Glunko, I appreciate your hospitality, but you''re pushing too hard. I¡¯ll tell you what I can, when I can. But not now."


    Glunko¡¯s grin faltered, but only for a moment. ¡°Fair enough, lad. Fair enough. I¡¯m a curious old frog, but I know when to let a man keep his secrets¡±. He gave Kaiser a knowing look before leaning back in his seat.


    Kaiser exhaled slowly. ¡°Good. Now, let me ask you something instead.¡±


    ¡°By all means,¡± Glunko said, motioning grandly with one hand.


    Kaiser¡¯s gaze narrowed. ¡°If you¡¯re such an expert merchant, give me the basics. What kind of world am I in now?¡±


    Glunko''s face lightened and he drew from the folds of his cloak, a scroll appearing. It was richly decorated, its edges bordered in gold, and its surface as smooth as silk. He handed it to Kaiser with excitement.


    ¡°This,¡± Glunko boasted, inflating his chest, ¡°is something special. Open it and see.¡±


    Kaiser unrolled it cautiously, and his eyes widened. The parchment shimmered faintly, the text appearing in fluid, glowing strokes as though written by an invisible hand. But what caught his attention most was the moving images that accompanied the words¡ªminiature figures acting out battles, constructing cities, and exploring landscapes.


    ¡°It''s¡­alive.¡± Kaiser whispered, his words a fusion of surprise and amazement.


    Glunko chuckled, clearly delighted by Kaiser¡¯s reaction. ¡°Impressive, isn¡¯t it? I got it from an auction when I was just a young toadling with a fondness for the past," he said.


    ¡°You¡¯re a historian?¡± Kaiser asked, glancing at him.


    ¡°Was, and not a historian, but an archaeologist.¡± Glunko corrected, his chest swelling with pride. ¡°Before I took up trading, I dug through ruins, piecing together the stories of the past. I¡¯ve always had a soft spot for history¡ªand, well, relics like that scroll there.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s gaze lingered on the scroll, the moving images holding his attention. ¡°And you just¡­ carry this around?¡±


    ¡°Of course! Knowledge is a treasure, lad, and I¡¯m a merchant at heart. I figured someone like you might appreciate a little enlightenment, and,¡± he added, leaning in conspiratorially, ¡°in exchange for deepening my knowledge about you, I¡¯ll happily deepen yours in return.¡±


    Kaiser snorted softly, rolling the scroll back up. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡±


    Glunko chuckled, his wide mouth stretching into a grin. ¡°Take your time with it. The world¡¯s changed a lot in 500 years. Best to start slow.¡±

 Chapter 16: A World Too Vast

    Kaiser''s gaze wandered over the lively, ever-changing map in front of him, as if it were a work of subtle magic. The scroll''s gentle light, which flickered gently as if it were alive, shone into the carriage''s interior, the continent sprawled across the surface in painstaking detail: rugged mountain ranges, seemingly unending forests, and expansive deserts. The ground was crisscrossed with rivers that fed life into places that Kaiser couldn''t fathom.


    The sight of a massive mountain range with sharp, soaring peaks suddenly materialized. The map¡¯s focus zoomed closer, revealing a single, towering mountain that dwarfed its brethren. Kaiser''s jaw clenched as he realized its height rendered even the greatest peaks to appear insignificant. Avalanches rumbled down its flanks, obliterating the little figures that had studded its slopes as they fought against the pure forces of nature.


    A massive forest swept across the entire continent as the scene changed. Parts of the verdant foliage turned black as Kaiser observed, but overall, it seemed lively and full of life. Wildfires ripped through the forest, causing bizarre beings to either run for their lives or fight back. As they towered over the blazing canopies, some resembled light, their bodies radiating with heavenly energy, while others were deformed and hideous.


    A metropolis in the distant south, depicted in stark black and gray, drew his attention. The walls were rough, and the spires reached up like shattered claws. The map was filled with spikes and skulls, serving as a foreboding warning that the city was encircled. Upon seeing it, Kaiser''s chest constricted. It was a cemetery that pretended to be a city, and the atmosphere was one of hopelessness and death.


    But none of it fully registered. They were just details, landmarks he¡¯d study more closely later. His attention was instead drawn to the center of the map, where a city unlike anything he had ever seen sprawled outward in every direction.


    The capital.


    Even from a quick glance, the city was impossible to ignore, as it was placed in the very middle of the map. Enclosing four separate districts laid out like pie slices, it was bordered by a massive circular wall. Like the continent''s beating heart, a smaller circle emanated outward from the very core. Kaiser spotted more features as he looked closer. Weak, spectral pictures of carriages, people, and even whole marketplaces flitted across the map, giving the impression that the districts were teeming with activity. He drew nearer, his gaze narrowed.


    Under his breath, he murmured "wait" as he captured an unexpected sight. Faint scribbles, tiny symbols carved within the city''s limits, were scattered around the districts. His first impression was that they were merely ornamental, an artistic flourish on the map. However, as he continued to gaze, they started to appear more familiar.


    Kaiser called out, "Glunko," with an air of intrigue in his voice. From his position at the head of the vehicle, the merchant pivoted.


    "What are these scribbles in the capital?" Kaiser finished his question


    Glunko grinned, as though he¡¯d been waiting for Kaiser to ask. ¡°Ah, those aren¡¯t scribbles, my friend. Those are names.¡± Leaning over Kaiser''s shoulder, he slipped from his perch and stepped inside the wagon. In an instant, the map started to shift as he forcefully pressed his palm onto the scroll''s surface.


    As the capital city came into sharp focus, the whole continent dwindled away. The city, which had already taken up much of the bigger map, now filled the whole scroll. Within the capital itself, the names of towns, villages, and even smaller districts were apparent, as Kaiser had seen them earlier.


    In an instant, Kaiser was paralyzed and gasped for air. As he tried to make sense of what he was seeing, his gaze jumped from name to name. "Are these... cities?" he whispered.


    Glunko chuckled, leaning back with a satisfied nod. ¡°Not cities, exactly. But districts, villages, and neighborhoods, sure. The capital is more than just one place¡ªit¡¯s a world of its own. Bigger than any other structure, they say.¡±


    ¡°Greater than a continent¡±. The words reverberated in Kaiser''s thoughts as his pulse quickened. He had spent his whole life learning the whereabouts of towns in his former world through studying maps. He was familiar with their dimensions. After all, he was a former general and strategist. He was familiar with mapmaking.


    And yet, here he was, staring at a single city¡ªone city¡ªthat was larger than the entire continent he had once fought in.


    He extended his hand, tracing the elliptical walls of the capital, and his hand quivered ever so slightly. The words "This... this can''t be possible" from his lips as he hardly spoke.


    Glunko tilted his head. ¡°Why not? It¡¯s been here for longer than anyone can remember. The heart of the world, they call it.¡±


    Kaiser barely heard him. His mind was racing, piecing together the implications of what he was seeing. If this city alone was so vast, then the entire continent... the entire world...


    The realization hit him all at once, the weight of it like a stone in his chest. The world wasn¡¯t just large. It was enormous. Vast. Ten times¡ªno, maybe fifteen times¡ªlarger than the one he had known. Every landmark, every city, every forest on this map was a titan compared to what he was used to.


    ¡°How could a world like this even exist?¡± he whispered.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    The scroll¡¯s voice hummed softly in response, as if acknowledging his awe. Laughing, Glunko peered back from his seat at the head of the caravan.


    ¡°Overwhelming, isn¡¯t it?¡± he said, his voice light. ¡°I had the same reaction the first time I saw that scroll. Makes you feel small, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    The shaking fingers of Kaiser''s hand traced the perimeter of the world¡¯s capital as he continued to stare at the map. How can something this large even exist? Everything he had ever learned about scale and logic was rendered useless by it.


    A familiar cold, though, started to creep up his spine as his breathing became faster and his eyes grew more focused. At his fingertips, frost developed, spreading outward like icy veins. Kaiser barely noticed the cold until it was too late.


    The magical surface of the scroll was consumed in a second as the frost raced ahead. The map''s light shook erratically as ice webs tore through it, and then the scroll splintered into a shower of frost and parchment fragments, making a piercing, nearly painful sound.


    The carriage jolted slightly, and Glunko froze, his cheerful demeanor instantly replaced with one of shock and anger. He turned violently, his expression changing from something Kaiser hadn''t expected the merchant to be capable of¡ªsheer wrath.


    "What in the world are you doing?" Glunko snapped, his sharp bark cutting through the cramped quarters. As he stepped closer, his usual easygoing demeanor twisted with irritation, his voice edged with accusation. ¡°How can a man like you, who carries himself like some grand figure, lack even the smallest ounce of self-control?¡±


    Kaiser said nothing. Unable to do so. The vision of the metropolis continued to dominate his thoughts, its immense size resonating in his head like a rhythm. His movements were immobile as he sat still, his breathing shallow and his gaze fixed on the fragments of the scroll. The words spoken by Glunko swept over him, their sound muted and distant, as if they were emanating from another world.


    ¡°Kaiser!¡± Glunko¡¯s shout finally snapped him back to reality. Kaiser drooped his head and looked up at the merchant who had a furious expression on his face. Glunko shook his head in an apparent attempt to calm himself after letting out a long, frustrated sigh. ¡°Unbelievable,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°You¡¯re like a fish out of water. Do you even know what you¡¯ve just done? That scroll wasn¡¯t just a map¡ªit was priceless.¡±


    Kaiser tried to reply, but he couldn''t think of anything to say. His motions were rigid and unstable as he merely stood. Sitting silently next to where Glunk was, in the carriage''s front seat, he kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead. Even though he felt a little grounded when the night air brushed against his face, the tempest in his head would not subside.


    Glunko eyed him warily, his frustration still evident, though his anger was beginning to cool. ¡°You really are something else,¡± he whispered under his breath as he shook his head once more. ¡°You destroy something invaluable and then sit here like a lost pup.¡±


    Kaiser cracked his lips and spoke softly and distantly after a long, heavy quiet. "A city... larger than an entire continent."


    As his initial annoyance faded into something more reflective, Glunko sat motionless in response to the words. His face softened as he slowly exhaled. ¡°I suppose,¡± he said after a moment, ¡°that it must be hard to grasp for someone who¡¯s never seen or heard of such a thing before.¡±


    Kaiser looked over at Glunko, his wide, troubled eyes. "It''s not just difficult to understand," he whispered. "It''s just not possible."


    Glunko studied him for a moment before sighing again, this time with a note of resignation. ¡°My friend, you need to start making sense of it. Because the capital isn¡¯t just big¡ªit¡¯s the heart of this world. If you want to survive here, you¡¯re going to need to understand it.¡±


    Kaiser said nothing. As the carriage continued its journey, he did nothing except sit quietly, burdened by the weight of the information. The chill of the frozen air still lingered faintly, but neither man spoke for several minutes.


    Finally, Glunko broke the short silence with a heavy sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t understand you,¡± he muttered, shaking his head.


    Still seeming faraway, Kaiser stole a quick glimpse in his direction. ¡°You don''t understand?¡±


    "You," Glunko said while making an oblique gesture toward Kaiser. ¡°You seem to materialize out of thin air, as if you were a relic from another era. You seem to have seen it all, yet you pretend as though the world as it is right now is a profound discovery. And then¡ªthen!¡ªyou destroy a priceless artifact like it¡¯s nothing. How am I supposed to make sense of that?¡±


    Kaiser was slow to answer. Allowing himself to be somewhat soothed by the gentle swaying of the carriage, he relaxed back. "I''m attempting to comprehend it on my own," he confessed with a little pause. "This isn''t the world I lived in, not what I expected."


    Glunko snorted. ¡°Not what you expected? What were you expecting, exactly? A city that fit neatly into your old frame of reference? A map you could fold up and put in your pocket?¡±


    Kaiser cracked a small smile to himself. "Perhaps something along those lines."


    ¡°Well, welcome to reality.¡± Glunko remarked, his tone betraying his continued displeasure. ¡°Nothing here is neat and tidy; this isn''t a charming little kingdom. The world is big, messy, and completely unforgiving. You¡¯d better get used to that fast.¡±


    Kaiser looked solemn as he turned to Glunko. ¡°You said the capital¡¯s been here for over five hundred years. That means that it¡¯s older than anything from my past¡­¡± He paused, his brow furrowing. ¡°Do you think it¡¯ll still be here in another five hundred years?¡±


    Glunko glanced at him sideways, his anger subsiding once again. ¡°If the capital falls, the whole world will go with it. That¡¯s how it¡¯s always been. It¡¯s not just a city¡ªit¡¯s a symbol, a reminder of what¡¯s survived, no matter how many kingdoms have crumbled around it. If there is one certainty in this life, it¡¯s that the capital will remain as it always has.¡±


    Kaiser reluctantly nodded, his thoughts continuing to race. "The places marked with skulls, the seas full of monsters... does anyone even know what¡¯s out there?¡±


    Then Glunko shrugged. "Some do. Some don¡¯t. The world¡¯s too big for anyone to know it all. But people like me, we piece together what we can¡ªstories, maps, relics. That¡¯s how we keep moving forward.¡±


    Kaiser looked down at his hands, his fingers flexing slightly as if testing the frost that had erupted from them earlier. ¡°I don¡¯t belong here,¡± he said quietly, almost to himself.


    Glunko chuckled dryly. ¡°There have been others before you, and there will be those after you, who have all felt the same way. However, you are present at this very moment. And whether you like it or not, you¡¯ve got to find a way to make it work.¡±


    Kaiser looked up at him, his eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Is that what you¡¯ve done? Found a way to ¡®make it work?¡¯¡±


    Glunko grinned, though it didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. ¡°More or less. It¡¯s not about belonging, Kaiser. It¡¯s about surviving. And if you¡¯re smart, you¡¯ll stick close to me, because I know how to survive.¡±


    For the first time since their conversation began, Kaiser let out a small chuckle. ¡°You sound like a salesman.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Glunko said, leaning back with a smirk. ¡°Because I am.¡±

 Chapter 17: Shadows of Sabel Stoorm

    The caravan creaked to a halt, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels fading into silence, but Kaiser paid it little mind. He was leaning against small glass window, his cheek resting against his fist as his eyes drifted across the landscape. Even though the small forest had evolved from regular woodlands into something remarkable, it hardly registered in his mind. His mind was still reeling from what had happened that day: the map, the enormity of this world, and the gradual dawning of the realization of how little his previous one had been in comparison.


    As the moon rose above the horizon, it painted the sky with a mesmerizing array of vivid blue and white streaks. The strange glass trees shimmered in the fading light, their surfaces refracting the cold hues into a dazzling display that looked almost like a starry night sky. The air was cool now, carrying with it the faint crackle of the forest as the breeze stirred the delicate leaves, making them tinkle like faintly ringing chimes.


    From the head of the caravan, a rough yet leisurely voice said, "We will camp here for the night." It was Glunko.


    Still, Kaiser made no gesture. Even though he was staring at the glass forest, his thoughts were elsewhere. He believed he heard Glunko speak again, but his thoughts were so heavy that he couldn''t make out the words.


    Just a split second after that, he was startled by a loud bang on the caravan''s wooden framework. He blinked and turned, finding Glunko leaning casually against the side of the caravan, his expression flat but expectant.


    Glunko repeated, "We''re stopping," as he pointed to the fire he had started to light a short distance away. ¡°Are you gonna spend the night brooding in there, or are you planning to come out?¡±


    "Right," Kaiser mumbled as he drew himself clear of his thoughts. He nodded briefly before heading toward the caravan''s rear.


    Aria was still asleep, curled up in the corner as if nothing had changed. Kaiser lingered for a moment, watching her peaceful expression, before he stepped out into the cool evening air. His boots crunched softly against the forest floor, which was coated with a thin layer of glittering fragments that looked like shattered glass.


    The forest''s appearance now rendered him utterly immobile. The trees stretched high into the sky, their trunks and branches impossibly thin yet sturdy, reflecting the campfire¡¯s glow in a thousand directions. The leaves shimmered as though dusted with stardust, their faint tinkling adding an almost musical quality to the otherwise quiet night.


    Kaiser exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cooling air. He strode over to the campfire, where Glunko knelt, stirring a pot with a slight aroma of spices and herbs.


    As Kaiser drew near, Glunko cast an upward gaze. He broke the silence with the words, "Beautiful, isn''t it?" as he looked around him, referring to the crystalline forest.


    Kaiser nodded but said nothing. He sat down on a flat rock across from Glunko, the warmth of the fire finally beginning to seep into his skin.


    For a while, neither of them spoke. The crackling fire filled the silence, along with the faint rustling of the horses as they settled down for the night. Kaiser stared into the flames, his thoughts a tangled mess.


    Glunko was the one who initially spoke up. ¡°That''s strange; you''ve been really silent. I mean, less noisy than normal.¡±


    After a quick glance above, Kaiser''s eyes went back to the fire. ¡°I am merely thinking.¡±


    The snort from Glunko indicated that he thought it was obvious.


    "It''s... this world," he finally uttered, his voice rather low. ¡°It''s big. Far too big to even make sense.¡±


    With his hands resting on his knees, Glunko reclined back. ¡°Big, sure. Too much? That¡¯s debatable. But I can¡¯t say I blame you for feeling that way. Most people who are born into this world feel like ants at first.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s lips twitched into something that might have been a smile, but it faded quickly. He looked out at the glass forest again, his expression pensive.


    ¡°Every inch of my environment was familiar to me when I was back home. All the cities, rivers, and mountains. On a map, everything made perfect sense. Yet this location..." His voice grew weak as he shook his head in disapproval.


    Glunko shrugged. " ¡°Different scales, different rules. You¡¯ll get used to it.¡±


    Kaiser looked across at him, one eyebrow raised. ¡°You sound awfully confident about that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been around long enough to see it happen,¡± Glunko said, grinning faintly. ¡°You¡¯re not the first man to feel out of place, you know. And you won¡¯t be the last. People adapt. Even the stubborn ones.¡±


    There was no amusement in Kaiser''s faint chuckle. ¡°Stubborn, huh? Do you really feel that way about me?


    Then Glunko grinned. ¡°If I¡¯m being really forthright, I¡¯ve met rocks with more flexibility.¡±


    Kaiser couldn''t help but chuckle to himself. He used a stick to poke at the flames, and he watched as the embers shot up into the sky like tiny stars.


    ¡°I wonder what gave you that idea about me¡± Kaiser said in a soft tone.


    Kaiser spent a considerable amount of time staring into the fire, as the shadows danced across his face due to the crackling flames.


    ¡°The Shabab Empire,¡± he began, his voice low, almost distant. ¡°That¡¯s the name of the empire I fought my entire life. The empire that conquered half the world.¡±


    With a raised eyebrow and a low-volume chuckle, Glunko reclined. ¡°Half the world, you say? Impressive. But you¡¯d be surprised. Kingdoms the size of half the capital were once real. Maybe not now, but still. I can imagine it. You sound like you¡¯re making a big fuss over this.¡±


    Kaiser''s gaze became stern as he quickly turned to look at Glunko. ¡°It wasn''t only large, Glunko. For the first time in history, one person had control over half of the world.¡±


    As those remarks lingered in the air, Glunko''s expression became increasingly serious. He silently retrieved a weathered leather-bound notebook from the folds of his coat. With a charcoal stick he had retrieved from his pocket, he turned to a blank page and started writing in crisp, rapid strokes.


    Kaiser didn¡¯t seem to notice. Every word he spoke brought back a flood of memories, and his thoughts were elsewhere.


    Kaiser continued in a more subdued voice, "But it wasn''t always that way. From its inception, the Shabab Empire was far from a magnificent force. At the beginning, it was little. Unassuming. Only one of countless kingdoms, until..." His fingers clenched around the stick he had been carelessly poking the flames with, as he halted. "Sabel Stoorm."


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    While Glunko''s hand continued to glide across the page, his eyes momentarily shifted upwards. ¡°Sabel Stoorm,¡± he repeated, testing the name. ¡°From the sound of it, he sounded like trouble.¡±


    Kaiser let out a humorless laugh. ¡°You don¡¯t know the half of it. He was the crown prince until he became king at eighteen years, still a kid by most standards. Only after a day after his father¡¯s passing Sabel was crowned king. People thought he was a joke at first. An inexperienced boy sitting on the throne? Most thought the kingdom would collapse under his rule, since he refused any consult that was ever given to him.¡±


    "And yet it didn¡¯t" Glunko remarked, his tone betraying his curiosity.


    Kaiser shook his head, staring deeper into the flames as if he could see the past flickering there. ¡°No. It didn¡¯t. Within a week of his coronation, Sabel declared war on four nearby provinces. Four. All at once.¡±


    Glunko let out a low whistle. ¡°Bold, but truly reckless.¡±


    ¡°Reckless is what everyone thought,¡± Kaiser said bitterly. ¡°They laughed. Mocked him. No one took it seriously. Not until¡­¡± He paused again, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Not until he took one of those kingdoms by himself, in a single night.¡±


    As Glunko lifted his gaze to meet Kaiser''s, the journal in his hand remained motionless for an instant. "On his own?" he repeated, his voice becoming quieter. "Are you claiming that he did it all by himself? By which means?"


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Kaiser admitted, his voice tight. ¡°No one does. The stories were wild¡ªsome said he had the strength of ten thousand men, others claimed he summoned storms and shadows to do his bidding. All I know is that by dawn, the kingdom was his. Every leader dead, their armies routed. It was the first move in a game no one even realized he was playing.¡±


    Glunko leaned forward, the firelight reflecting in his eyes. ¡°And after that?¡±


    Kaiser exhaled heavily, his shoulders slumping. ¡°After that, the world realized he wasn¡¯t just some reckless kid. In two months, he conquered half the world. Kingdom after kingdom fell, as if he had already planned it all. Every move calculated, every battle decisive. The other half of the world panicked, and for the first time in history, they united under a single banner. That¡¯s the kingdom I served¡ªthe only thing standing between Sabel and total domination.¡±


    Kaiser added, his expression grim. ¡°He didn¡¯t stop. He didn¡¯t slow down. Every battle, every campaign¡ªit was like he was unstoppable. And the worst part? We still don¡¯t know why. Why he did it. Why he chose to wage war against the world. I¡¯ve fought his armies, seen his strategies, but I still don¡¯t understand him.¡±


    The sound of the fire crackling dominated the air for a brief period. Glunko reclined, staring up at the night sky. He mumbled, "Sabel Stoorm," the name slipping off his lips like a weight. "For some reason it sounds familiar¡­ Were you ever confront him?¡±


    ¡°I did fight him twice.¡± he said, staring into the flames.


    Curious, Glunko tilted his head slightly but remained silent.


    Inhaling deeply, Kaiser''s eyes grew heavy with memories. ¡°It was terrifying how powerful he was. You wouldn''t believe the armies and monsters I''ve encountered before, but Sabel Stoorm? He¡¯s something else entirely. When he fights, it¡¯s like... death itself walks beside him.¡±


    Leaning forward, Glunko scowled. ¡°I don''t understand.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s voice dropped lower, the weight of his words evident. ¡°He can turn men to rust. One touch, one flick of his blade, and they¡¯re gone. They don¡¯t die like normal people. No. Their bodies harden, their skin splits, and they turn into these... screaming statues of rusted iron. Their faces, their agony¡ªit¡¯s frozen in time.¡±


    Glunko¡¯s eyes widened, his usual sharp tongue nowhere to be found. The crackling fire between them suddenly felt colder.


    Kaiser went on, his voice remote and unemotional, as if he had been in the battlefield instead of sitting by the fire. "Men would charge at him with all the bravery in the world, convinced they could take him down. But in the blink of an eye, they''d freeze mid-swing¡ªtheir weapons crumbling to dust in their hands, their bodies twisting as rust devoured them. I can still hear the screams, Glunko. It doesn¡¯t stop, even after all these years."


    For a long moment, neither man spoke. Even the forest around them seemed to hold its breath.


    Glunko finally broke the silence, his voice quieter than usual. ¡°And you fought that?¡±


    Kaiser nodded slowly. ¡°I had no choice. He was leading his main army himself, carving through our lines like they were nothing. I thought I could stop him. I thought... maybe I could end it all right there.¡± He let out a bitter laugh. ¡°I was wrong.¡±


    Glunko observed Kaiser''s expression, which was unusually solemn for him. ¡°So, what happened?¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s grip tightened on the stick in his hand, his knuckles turning white. ¡°I lost. Completely. He¡¯s the only man I¡¯ve ever lost to. The only one who made me feel... helpless. I fought with everything I had, but he was untouchable. Every move I made, he was already three steps ahead. It was like fighting a storm.¡±


    Glunko raised an eyebrow. ¡°And yet, you¡¯re here. Alive.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°Barely. The last time I fought him, I... I lost more than just the battle.¡± He paused, his eyes flicking toward Glunko briefly before returning to the fire. ¡°He turned me to rust.¡±


    Skeptical, Glunko arched an eyebrow and straightened his back. "What?"


    Kaiser nodded, his voice grim. ¡°I remember it vividly. I was fighting him, trying to land a blow, but I couldn¡¯t even get close. And then... he got me. I felt it¡ªthis cold, crawling sensation spreading through my body. I looked down and saw my skin cracking, splitting, turning to metal. I couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t breathe. My sword fell from my hand, and I remember thinking, ¡®This is it. This is how I die.¡¯¡±


    Glunko leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. ¡°But you didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Kaiser admitted, his voice tight. ¡°My last memory before everything went black was Sabel standing over me, his blade in my chest, and that look in his eyes¡ªlike he was more disappointed than anything. Like I wasn¡¯t even worth the effort.¡±


    The fire snapped and popped, filling the heavy silence that followed. Glunko ran a hand through his hair, letting out a low whistle. ¡°That¡¯s... something, alright. And you don¡¯t remember what happened after that?¡±


    Kaiser shook his head. ¡°No. When I woke up, I wasn¡¯t on the where I fell. I was... somewhere else entirely. But that¡¯s another story.¡±


    Glunko stared at him for a long moment, then sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°You¡¯re telling me you fought a man who can turn people in to screaming statues of rust, got turned into one yourself, and somehow walked away? And you¡¯re just sitting here by the fire like it¡¯s no big deal?¡±


    Kaiser let out a dry laugh. ¡°It¡¯s not exactly something I enjoy talking about.¡±


    Kaiser leaned back slightly, letting the tension bleed from his shoulders, but his thoughts swirled relentlessly. He had barely begun to piece together his own confusion when a glint of light caught his eye.


    A fragile butterfly descended from the crystal trees, its wings glistening like fragmented rainbows. The delicate beauty of it was a sharp contrast to the heavy subject matter of the discussion. As it lingered for a second before settling softly on his lap, Kaiser watched fully mesmerized.


    For the first time that night, a faint, genuine smile touched his lips. He didn¡¯t move, afraid to disturb the small creature. ¡°A butterfly made of crystal...¡± he murmured, almost to himself


    Kaiser glanced over, his brow furrowing slightly when he noticed Glunko¡¯s stack of pages had grown significantly. ¡°Wait... what are you doing?¡±


    Glunko didn¡¯t look up, his hand moving with practiced speed. ¡°Writing. Obviously.¡±


    ¡°Writing what?¡±


    ¡°Everything you¡¯ve been spilling tonight, of course. Every single detail.¡± He flipped the journal around briefly to show Kaiser, revealing page after page crammed with notes, sketches, and diagrams. ¡°This? This is gold. You think I¡¯m just going to let a story about rust statues and empire-conquering maniacs slip through my fingers? I might be a lot of things, but wasteful isn¡¯t one of them.¡±


    Kaiser blinked at the sheer amount of information Glunko had recorded. It looked like he¡¯d written more than half a book already. ¡°You didn¡¯t ask if you could¡ª¡±


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t ask if you could destroy a priceless map earlier, did you?¡± Glunko cut in, giving him a pointed look. ¡°So we¡¯re even now.¡±


    Kaiser sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°This isn¡¯t exactly bedtime reading, Glunko. You don¡¯t have to write down everything.¡±


    "Oh, but I do," Glunko shot back with a mischievous grin. ¡°You have to have an abundance of stories¡ªenough to fill a library¡ªand I will not allow any of them to be overlooked. Believe me when I say that this information is going to be in high demand.¡±


    The butterfly fluttered its wings, catching the firelight again. Kaiser watched it for a moment before exhaling slowly. ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been told that before.¡± Glunko scribbled one last note before finally closing the journal.

 Chapter 18: Arkhold Beckons

    The steady creak of the caravan¡¯s wheels and the soft chirping of distant birds filtered through Kaiser¡¯s mind as he stirred awake. For a moment, he laid there, his body heavy from the deep, dreamless sleep he¡¯d fallen into. His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the warm light pouring in through the small windows of the caravan.


    Even though the bed was cozy, he quickly realized it wasn''t the spot he''d dozed off in. He looked about and rubbed his temples, his mind drifting, trying to recall what happened last night, but Aria¡¯s light and cheerful voice drew his attention to the front of the caravan the second he heard it.


    As he sat up, the cozy covers drifted off him and he realized that this was the same bed Aria had been resting in before.


    Taking his time and stretching, he slowly approached the front of the caravan. Aria was seated on the bench beside Glunko as he approached the front; where she was talking passionately and gesturing toward the horizon. With a subtle grin on his face, Glunko nodded while holding the reins with one hand.


    Kaiser stopped just behind them, unseen for the moment, and took a second to soak in the sight. Aria¡¯s energy was infectious, her pink hair bouncing as she talked, her excitement enough to fill the small space.


    ¡°¡­and then, when the sun came up, it was all shiny and glowing! I really think the trees are magical," she said with excitement, gesturing toward the sparkling forest they were passing by.


    Glunko chuckled, his tone warm and tender. ¡°Everything appears enchanting to someone experiencing it for the first time. The trees aren¡¯t glowing kid, they¡¯re just reflecting the light.¡±


    "But they look enchanted," Aria said with a hint of frustration, her face showing her disappointment.


    ¡°They do,¡± Kaiser said, his voice interrupting the moment and catching them both off guard.


    Aria yelped and spun around, her eyes wide before her face broke into a bright smile. Dio, you¡¯re awake!¡±


    He nodded, stepping fully into their view and sitting between the two. ¡°What¡¯s this all about magic threes?¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about that!¡± Aria smiled playfully, leaning in closer to him as if she were about to share a delightful secret. ¡°Guess what Glunko did this morning?¡±


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow, looking over at Glunko, who let out a big sigh, clearly expecting what was coming next. ¡°Did anything happen while I was sleeping?¡±


    Aria smiled brightly. ¡°He lifted you into the caravan like a princess!¡±


    Kaiser cringed, his face quickly shifting to show a blend of embarrassment and disbelief.


    ¡°...Huh?¡±


    ¡°Like a princess," Aria repeated with delight, obviously enjoying in his response. "You were totally out of it! He said he couldn¡¯t just leave you slumped by the fire all night, so he¡ª¡±


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough,¡± Glunko cut in, his tone exasperated but amused. ¡°I wasn¡¯t about to leave you there snoring like some old warhorse, so yes, I carried you inside. Don¡¯t make a big deal out of it.¡±


    ¡°A princess, Glunko,¡± Aria said, unable to stop giggling. ¡°You said he was so peaceful you didn¡¯t want to wake him up. That¡¯s what you said!¡±


    As a hand ran down his face, Kaiser let out a grunt. ¡°I don¡¯t snore,¡± he muttered, choosing to latch onto the least humiliating part of the story.


    "Oh, you do," Glunko grinned and confirmed. "Loud enough to scare off an army of men, I would even say that if some poor souls traveled near us while you were asleep, a new legend would have been born last night."


    Aria drooped to her knees and giggled, clutching her sides. Kaiser sighed, his ears burning. ¡°You two are unbearable.¡±


    Kaiser felt an unexpected sense of peace. He couldn''t remember the last time he had acted this freely around people he still considered strangers. The ease with which he let his guard down, especially after what had happened last night, struck him as strange.


    Kaiser glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers as if testing for something. ¡°It¡¯s strange,¡± he said softly, almost to himself.


    ¡°What is?¡± Aria tilted her head, her laughter fading as she noticed the change in his tone.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel... anything,¡± Kaiser admitted, his voice tinged with confusion. ¡°No tension, no restlessness. Last night, it was like a storm in my head, but now¡­ it¡¯s just gone.¡±


    Glunko gave him a curious look. ¡°And that¡¯s not normal for you?¡±


    Kaiser shook his head. ¡°Not at all. I¡¯ve never felt this... calm. It doesn¡¯t make sense.¡±


    Finally, Glunko leaned back, his tone lighter again. ¡°Well, maybe it¡¯s the magic trees,¡± he said with a shrug. ¡°Or maybe you¡¯ve just realized how lucky you are to have such considerate travel companions.¡±


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    Aria grinned. ¡°Especially ones who carry you like a princess!¡±


    ¡°You two are a dangerous combination," Kaiser said, shaking his head. "I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll survive this journey with my dignity intact."


    Aria looked back to him, her pink hair rippling as she cackled. "Oh, come on, Kaiser. Don''t be such a grumpy¡ª" she stopped short of finishing the sentence, her skin turning to a ghastly white as she realized what she had just said. Her eyes went wild searching for Kaiser in panic, and she backed up as fast as she could. "I-I mean, Dio! I mean... Kaiser! I mean, sir Dio¡ªoh no, I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª"


    Both Kaiser and Glunko burst into laughter, the sound startling her. Kaiser raised a hand, his chuckling deep and genuine, a sound she hadn¡¯t heard from him before.


    Kaiser wiped a tear of laughter from his eye, "It''s all right, Aria. His tone was gentler than before. "He already knew my name wasn¡¯t Dio. You don''t need to act anymore.¡±


    Blinking, Aria''s face displayed a combination of relief and shame. "He knew?"


    Glunko snorted, pulling gently on the reins as he leaned back in the seat. "Kid, the way you hesitated every time you said ''Dio'' made it pretty obvious."


    Aria smiled shyly when the tension finally went away. However, when the conversation was about to return to its typical playful tone, Aria again hesitated for a moment, and a moment later, her fingers tugged at the strap of a small pouch she had hidden by her side.


    ¡°I, um¡­" She suddenly said, in a quieter voice, "I wasn''t really asleep last night."


    Both Kaiser and Glunko turned to her, their expressions curious.


    "I¡ªuh¡ªI mean, I tried to sleep, but I couldn''t." She fidgeted with the pouch and stammered "I was working on something, so I stayed up." She took a neatly folded stack of shimmering fabric that seemed to shift colors as the sunlight touched it. Blues turned to purples, and purples to greens in a mesmerizing, fluid motion.


    Glunko froze, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto the fabric with an expression of utter shock. "By the stars... what is that?"


    Aria glanced at him nervously, holding the fabric out. "It¡¯s just... silk. I wanted to make something as a thank you for all the help you¡¯ve given us. I¡¯ve never seen anyone work as hard as you do, and¡ª"


    Glunko held up a hand, cutting her off. He didn¡¯t take the silk but instead leaned closer, his jaw slack. "That¡¯s not just silk, girl. That¡¯s... I¡¯ve never even seen anything like it before. It¡¯s... alive."


    Kaiser tilted his head and looked at the fabric with a fresh sense of curiosity. The colors moved like liquid light, and he could almost feel a slight warmth coming from them. "How did you even come across something like this?"


    Aria smiled nervously. "It¡¯s not important. I just thought you might like it."


    Glunko finally took the fabric, his hands trembling slightly as he unfolded it to see the full extent of its beauty. He let out a low whistle. "I can¡¯t accept this. Do you have any idea how valuable this is? This isn¡¯t a thank-you gift; this is something nobles would kill for."


    Aria frowned, her expression falling. "But I wanted to¡ª"


    Glunko replied with a firm "No" but his tone was soft. He took a small bag of golden coins that made a jingling sound when he took them out of his pouch, and then forced it into her hands. "Take this. It¡¯s not nearly enough for something like that, but I can¡¯t take it without giving you something in return."


    Aria''s expression was torn as she looked at the pouch forced into her hands. "But I wanted it to be a gift..."


    "And it¡¯s a beautiful one," Glunko added in his usual warm tone. "But this... this is unlike anything I have ever seen before. It wouldn''t feel right if I just took it without giving something in return. If it makes you feel better, you can now officially call us even, for both the ride and all the kralak you ate before.¡±


    Aria looked at the coins, then at Glunko, and nodded. "Okay¡­ but only because you insist."


    Glunko cleared his throat. "When we reach Arkhold, you¡¯ll need that for food and shelter," he said, nodding toward the pouch of gold. ¡°If there is no family to support you, it''s likely to be your only safety net.¡±


    Kaiser, sitting with his arms crossed perked up at Glunko¡¯s comment. "Tell me about this city, what¡¯s it like there?"


    Before Glunko could answer, Aria perked up, leaning forward with excitement. "Oh, I know this one! Arkhold is known as the ¡®City on the edge of the World.¡¯ It''s the place where the coolest retailers come to get the rarest stuff for the best price. They buy everything there and sell it elsewhere for a fortune.".


    Kaiser blinked, caught off guard by her enthusiasm. "The ''end of the world''? That¡¯s quite the name."


    "It¡¯s because so many mythical places are nearby!" Aria explained, her voice bright with excitement.


    "Like this forest made of glass! People come from everywhere to gather rare goods you can only find here. If you want something unique, you go to Arkhold. It¡¯s... kind of a rule, really."


    Glunko turned his head slightly, smirking at Aria. "Well done, girl. That¡¯s exactly right."


    The compliment made Aria beam with pride. She sat up straighter, practically glowing as she hugged the pouch of gold to her chest. "I¡¯ve read about it a lot," she said, grinning.


    Glunko chuckled. "Clearly. Maybe you should be the one leading us, you seem to know more about Arkhold than most who have actual been there."


    The ego boost seemed to energize Aria even more, and she shot Kaiser a triumphant look, as if daring him to challenge her knowledge. Kaiser merely rolled his eyes with a faint smile, but he couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit lighter seeing her mood.


    Then Glunko¡¯s tone shifted, turning more serious. "But Arkhold isn¡¯t all magic and wonder," he said, glancing back at Kaiser and Aria. "I¡¯m looking for a specific item there¡ªsomething my boss sent me to retrieve. But let me warn you both: Arkhold is a city where you can buy anything."


    Aria tilted her head, confused. "Anything? That should be a good thing¡­ right?"


    Glunko shook his head firmly. "It¡¯s not." His voice was low and deliberate now, each word carrying weight. "You can buy things there that shouldn¡¯t be bought. And people sell things they shouldn¡¯t be selling. There¡¯s a reason Arkhold has the reputation it does. It¡¯s dangerous, especially for people like you two who don¡¯t know its rules.".


    Aria blinked, her cheerful expression faltering. "I-I don¡¯t understand¡­"


    Kaiser, however, caught the gravity in Glunko¡¯s tone. He leaned forward, his expression darkening. "You¡¯re saying it¡¯s not just regular merchants and markets. There¡¯s more to it, isn¡¯t there?"


    Glunko nodded grimly. "A lot more. Folks imagine they will be alright¡ªexplore the places, make the purchases, walk off. But Arkhold doesn¡¯t let go of people easily. The less time you spend there, the better."


    Kaiser¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°So we stay for as little as we need to.¡±


    "What?!" Aria cried out, her voice filled with dismay. "No! We can¡¯t just rush through! I¡¯ve always wanted to see Arkhold! There¡¯s so much to explore!"


    Glunko ignored her complaint and walked over to Kaiser, who smiled and nodded approvingly. "Smart. You understand the risks."


    "But¡ª!" Aria started to argue, but one look from Glunko silenced her. She slumped back into her seat, pouting. ¡°It can''t be that bad," she mumbled

 Chapter 19: Arkhold: The City of Trade

    As the caravan creaked closer, the details of the city began to reveal themselves, and Kaiser found himself looking straight forward, unable to look away.


    City walls stood tall, constructed from spotless white stone, which reflected sunlight like a mirror. When examined closer, Kaiser noticed that the surface wasn¡¯t smooth¡ªeach block of stone was carved with countless names each. Some were carved deeply, proud and strong and some were fainter, as if the years had attempted to erase them. He frowned, narrowing his eyes to make out a few of the names.


    Glunko, seated at the reins, saw his curiosity "They¡¯re the names of merchants who¡¯ve passed through Arkhold," he said, a smile growing on his face. ¡°All certified traders who sell in this city have their name carved into the walls, that is the tradition, you could say.¡±


    "Every single merchant?" Kaiser asked, his eyes furrowing, trying even harder to see what was written on the walls "There are¡­ thousands of them."


    Glunko grinned. "Hundreds of thousands Kaiser, maybe even millions. Arkhold isn¡¯t just any city, it¡¯s THE city for us merchants. If you¡¯re a trader worth your salt, you were here at some point in your life. Those names are a mark of passage for us."


    Hanging from the walls were thousands of flags of all shapes and colors, waving in the light wind. Some bore intricate crests and symbols, while others displayed bold, vibrant patterns. "What about those?" Kaiser asked, gesturing to the banners.


    "Merchant flags," Glunko replied. "Or their sponsors. Each one tells a story¡ªalliances, rivalries that were built and broken. If you know what each one represents, you can basically see the history of this place just by them alone.¡±


    Kaiser looked at the flags, their bright colors contrasting with the white walls. The sheer number was staggering, and they seemed to stretch on forever. But his attention was soon drawn upward, to something even more astonishing.


    There, in the sky, hung a giant bubble, colorful but color-changing, reflecting the sunlight in hues of blue, green, and gold. It was bigger than any building he had ever seen, its surface flipping like an immoveable liquid glass. Smaller bubbles orbited the larger one, like moons around a planet, drifting lazily in the air.


    As they got closer to the gates of the city, one of the smaller bubbles popped with a very quiet but audible sound, and thousands of small papers cascaded out of it, showering the city like leaves in autumn. The papers floated down over the city, carried by the breeze, and one particularly rogue piece of paper drifted outside the walls, carried by a gust of wind. It pirouetted through the air as if it had its own consciousness before gently falling next to Kaiser in the caravan.


    Kaiser instantly picked it up, frowning as he inspected it. It was a colorful advertisement, depicting a cheerful figure with impossibly perfect hair. ¡°Erya¡¯s Elite Hair Salon! Where your locks become legendary! Special discounts for first-timers!," the text declared in bold, sparkling typography.


    ¡°What in the¡ª" Kaiser began, but the second his fingers made contact with the sheet, an unexpected jolt went through him.


    The world around him blurred, as though he were being pulled through a tunnel of light. The sound of Glunko and Aria¡¯s voices faded, replaced by a strange, hollow silence.


    "Did he just¡­?" she asked, turning to Glunko, her mouth basically so wide open that it hit the floor.


    Glunko sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "And that, Aria, is why you don¡¯t touch anything that comes out of Arkhold without knowing what it is."


    Aria saw the space where Kaiser had been and the paper. "Should we¡­ do something? He just disappeared!"


    Glunko dismissed with a wave of the hand, however there was a hint of anxiety in his eyes. "He¡¯ll figure it out. People get zapped to strange places all the time here. Happens more often than you¡¯d think. Just hope he does not end up in the wrong kind of place.


    "The wrong kind?" Aria repeated.


    "Let¡¯s just say Arkhold has¡­ variety," Glunko said cryptically, adjusting his mustache. He flicked the reins, urging the horses forward. "Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s tough. He¡¯ll be fine."


    "W-We need to hurry up," Aria blurted, anxiously jumping up and down in her seat. "We have to skip the line. Kaiser could be anywhere, and who knows what might¡¯ve happened to him!"


    Glunko raised an eyebrow, and his lips curved into a playful smirk. "Skip the line, eh? Sure, I¡¯ll just magically teleport in front of everyone here".


    "I¡¯m serious, Glunko!" Aria snapped, her voice rising. "What if he¡¯s in trouble? What if¡ª"


    But her words faltered as the gates came into view. The massive stone archway loomed ahead, flanked by two towers carved with intricate designs of merchant crests and trade symbols. Beyond it stretched an enormous entrance¡­ and not a single soul stood waiting.


    Aria blinked, confusion flashing across her face. "Wait¡­ where¡¯s the line?" she asked, sitting back and looking around. "There¡¯s¡­ there¡¯s no one here."


    "Sure isn¡¯t," Glunko said casually, pulling the caravan to a slow roll.


    ¡°But¡­ every big city always has a long line, doesn''t it? I mean, we didn¡¯t see anyone on the road either, which was weird enough, but now this?". Her voice trailed off on its own as she tried to connect the dots.


    Glunko chuckled softly, flicking the reins to keep the horses moving. "That¡¯s because you¡¯re thinking like someone from a secluded part of the world," he said, his tone half-teasing. ¡°Arkhold really is the city at the edge of the world¡ªnortheast as far as people can go without falling into the sea. Roads are for places where people still walk, and no one travels to Arkhold by road if they can help it.".


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    Aria frowned but didn¡¯t look entirely convinced. ¡°Then how do they get here?¡± she asked, though it was clear she already had some guesses.


    Glunko began naming the options on his fingers. "Teleportation is the most common. Reliable, quick, expensive if you don¡¯t know the right source. Some use private airships, though only the richest merchants can afford that. Then there¡¯s the drillex," he added with a grin. "That¡¯s an underground system built to take you anywhere in the world in less than a day. A real marvel of engineering if I say so myself."


    Aria tilted her head, staring at him incredulously. "The drillex? I¡¯ve never even heard of that."


    "Exactly," Glunko said with a hearty laugh. "Bet there¡¯s a lot you haven¡¯t heard of, lass. The world''s vast, and you''ve seen only a small part of it.


    Aria¡¯s face reddened, and she huffed, crossing her arms. "Well, excuse me for not knowing about an underground world-traveling system."


    ¡°Nothing to be ashamed of kid," Glunko replied, shrugging. "It¡¯s not exactly advertised everywhere. But trust me, there¡¯s a whole lot of things out there you¡¯ve yet to learn.".


    Aria stayed quiet for a moment, frowning as the caravan rolled closer and closer to the city gates. "Speaking of things I don¡¯t get," she said suddenly, "why didn¡¯t we see anyone back there? The Forest of Glass¡­ it must be worth a fortune to harvest some of that, right?"


    Glunko slumped back, his smile dissipating as he adopted a more serious expression. "Ah, that¡¯s a seasonal thing," he said. ¡°The harvesting season does not arrive for another 3 months. It¡¯s heavily regulated¡ªno one¡¯s allowed to take even a single shard out of the forest before then."


    Aria raised an eyebrow. "Why not? Wouldn''t merchants be keen to stock up before the season begins?" she asked.


    "Sure, they would," Glunko said. "But the punishment¡¯s enough to make even the greediest trader think twice. You gather outside of the season and you¡¯ll be hanged on the spot. No trial, no plea, no mercy."


    Aria¡¯s mouth fell open, and she stared at him in disbelief. "Hanged?! Just for picking up some glass?"


    Glunko nodded solemnly. "That forest is older than the city itself. The glass is not only stunning, but magical, exclusive, and deadly if not handled with care. The city exercises strict control over which individuals are allowed to harvest it and when.¡±


    Aria shivered and glanced back at the glittering forest, suddenly glad she didn¡¯t pluck a flower from that place. "That¡¯s¡­ terrifying."


    ¡°That''s Arkhold," Glunko chuckled, and rubbed the corner of his nose. "Beautiful, profitable, and deadly.¡±


    Aria stayed silent, staring at the towering white walls ahead as the caravan rolled closer. But her hands gripped the edge of her seat a little tighter.


    When the caravan rumbled closer to the towering white stone gates of Arkhold, a guard stepped out from the shadow of a watchtower, his halberd resting casually on his shoulder. Unlike the traditional armor one might expect, he was dressed in a sharp green suit, the fabric tailored to perfection and adorned with subtle gold accents. It made him look more like a wealthy administrator than a soldier, but the hard line of his jaw and the confident way he carried the weapon made it clear he was not to be trifled with.


    ¡°Hold there!¡± the guard barked, his voice carrying authority. His blue eyes darted back and forth between Glunko and Aria, assessing them. ¡°State your business.¡±


    Glunko gently pulled on the reins bringing the caravan to a halt. ¡°Just a trader passing through,¡± he added. ¡°On my way to make deliveries in the city. Got one guest riding along. Nothing more, nothing less.¡±


    The guard¡¯s eyes shifted to Aria, who sat stiffly beside Glunko, trying to look composed. Sadly, her awkward grin shoed her nervousness on full display.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t look like a merchant,¡± he finally said, narrowing his eyes at her ¡°Who is she? What¡¯s her business here?¡±


    Aria opened her mouth, stumbling over the start of a response, but before she could get anything out, Glunko stepped in smoothly. ¡°She''s with me", he stated, his voice being both resolute but not unpleasant. ¡°First time in Arkhold, so I figured I¡¯d show her around, let her see the place. That¡¯s all.¡±


    The guard didn¡¯t seem convinced, his fingers tightening slightly on the shaft of his halberd. ¡°Papers,¡± he said curtly, holding out his free hand.


    Glunko didn¡¯t hesitate, reaching into his coat and pulling out a leather-bound packet. He passed it to him, reclining in his chair with the nonchalant pose of an experienced professional, his gaze never straying from the guard for even a moment.


    The guard scanned the documents, a blank look on his face for a moment. However, when his gaze moved over the pages, then, the guard¡¯s expression shifted. His stern, suspicious demeanor melted away as his eyes widened in surprise. He blinked, then looked up at Glunko, then back at the paper, and then once again at Glunko with an almost disbelieving grin.


    ¡°Wait¡­ Glunko? THE Glunko?¡± The guard¡¯s voice rose slightly, his tone tinged. ¡°You¡¯re serious? My father used to tell me stories about you!¡±


    Glunko gave a faint sigh, adjusting his mustache as if this wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d had this conversation. ¡°Aye, that¡¯s me.¡±


    The guard¡¯s face lit up, his earlier suspicion melting away. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned! My father used to drink ale with you! You¡¯re a legend around these parts.¡±


    Aria blinked, her nervousness giving way to curiosity. ¡°A legend?¡± she cooed, glancing at the guard, and then back at Glunko.


    Glunko¡¯s face remained impassive, but there was a subtle flicker of irritation in his eyes. He raised a hand, his voice calm but firm. ¡°Keep it down, lad. No need to announce it to the whole city.¡±


    The guard reddened and his eagerness faded a little as he nodded. ¡°Right. Sorry, sir. It¡¯s just¡­ wow. To meet someone like you¡ªit¡¯s an honor. I never thought I¡¯d see the day.¡±


    Glunko leaned forward slightly, his tone dropping into something softer, yet still commanding. ¡°You didn¡¯t see a day. You saw a trader with a caravan. That¡¯s all.¡±


    The guard swallowed, nodding quickly. ¡°Understood, sir. Of course.¡± He hesitated for a moment, then asked, ¡°How¡¯s the Lady of the Rising Sun? Is she well?¡±


    Aria tilted her head, the nickname catching her attention. ¡°The Lady of the Rising Sun? Is that a nickname for¡­ Lady Celestine?¡±


    Glunko glanced at her, giving a small nod. ¡°Aye. That¡¯s what some folk call her. She¡¯s focusing on her Liberator career these days, though she¡¯s still got some administrative duties keeping her busy.¡±


    Aria leaned back, her expression a mix of admiration and curiosity. ¡°I bet, being one of the leaders of an entire Liberatorium must be exhausting.¡±


    Glunko chuckled softly, shaking his head. ¡°Exhausting doesn¡¯t even begin to cover it. She is carrying the weight of the world on her back, yet she continues to advance somehow. It makes all the rest of us seem like slackers by comparison.¡±


    The guard nodded in agreement, his earlier formality replaced with genuine awe. ¡°She¡¯s incredible¡­ and so are you, sir. What you¡¯ve both done¡ªit¡¯s the kind of thing people only dream about.¡±


    Glunko waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Dreams always look prettier from the outside, lad. Remember that.¡±


    The guard seemed to take the words to heart, nodding solemnly before handing the papers back to Glunko. ¡°Everything checks out. You¡¯re free to enter. Safe travels, Master Glunko.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Glunko said with a small nod, flicking the reins to get the caravan moving again.


    As they passed through the gates, Aria glanced at Glunko, a sly grin tugging at her lips. ¡°So¡­ a legend, huh?¡± she teased, her voice laced with playful curiosity.


    Glunko groaned softly, rubbing his temples. ¡°Don¡¯t start with me, lass. Let¡¯s just focus on finding Kaiser before he does something stupid.¡±

 Chapter 20: A Cut Above the Rest

    The world lurched, and Kaiser stumbled slightly as he materialized in front of a bright, glittering storefront. The words Erya¡¯s: Hair, Flair, and Style Beyond Compare! were painted in dramatic golden strokes across a sign adorned with ribbons and charms that glinted in the sunlight. A faint hum of magic lingered in the air around him, and Kaiser blinked, trying to make sense of what had just happened.


    Before he could collect himself, a loud POP echoed behind him. Then another. And another.


    People began appearing around him in quick succession, their expressions ranging from confusion to outright fury.


    ¡°Wha¡ª? Where am I?¡± a man stammered, clutching a broom like it was a lifeline.


    A woman holding a pan of half-cooked eggs appeared with a shriek. ¡°WHO DID THIS?!¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s mind raced as more people appeared, one man was dressed in striped pajamas, another clutching a basket of laundry. It was like watching chaos unfold in real time.


    The door to the salon slammed open, and out strutted a striking woman with fiery red hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her bright red eyes gleamed with enthusiasm, and she had the kind of energy that filled a room¡ªor in this case, an entire street.


    ¡°Well, well, well!¡± she exclaimed, clapping her hands together as her gaze locked onto Kaiser. ¡°Would you look at this? You, my friend, are the very first lucky winner of Erya¡¯s Legendary Hairleport Giveaway!¡±


    ¡°Winner?¡± Kaiser echoed, feeling her words hit him like a cart full of bricks.


    ¡°Winner!¡± she repeated with gusto, grabbing his hand and giving it an enthusiastic shake. ¡°Congratulations, my dear! As the first to take up the offer, you get an absolutely free haircut! Isn¡¯t that exciting?¡±


    Kaiser hesitated, pulling his hand back slightly. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not sure what just happened. One minute, I was¡ª¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter!¡± Erya interrupted, waving off his confusion. ¡°The important thing is, you¡¯re HERE! And you¡¯re getting the BEST haircut of your life!¡±


    The surrounding crowd erupted into chaos.


    ¡°THIS IS RIDICULOUS!¡± shouted the pajama-clad man, shaking a fist at the sky. ¡°I was taking a nap, and this stupid flyer flew through my window! What kind of scam is this?¡±


    ¡°Oh, shut it, Gregor!¡± Erya called over her shoulder, rolling her eyes. ¡°You haven¡¯t taken a bath in two weeks, you should be thanking me for dragging you out of that musty little shack!¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± shouted a woman holding a toddler who was crying in her arms ¡°I was in the middle of feeding my kid, Erya! You¡¯re gonna pay for this!¡±


    Erya stopped in her tracks, turned to the crowd, and threw her hands up. ¡°Oh, RELAX, Francine! It¡¯s not my fault the paper flew into your window! And besides, didn¡¯t you say last week your split ends were bad enough to cut glass?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t just teleport people out of their homes, Erya!¡± yelled another man clutching a sack of potatoes.


    Erya turned to him and planted her hands on her hips. ¡°Oh, please, Louis! It¡¯s called creative marketing! You wouldn¡¯t understand, you sell the same five kinds of potatoes every year. Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re running some groundbreaking operation.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because people like potatoes!¡± Louis shot back.


    Kaiser tried to edge away while the argument unfolded, but Erya whirled around and caught him by the wrist. ¡°Oh, no, you don¡¯t!¡± she said, wagging a finger at him. ¡°You¡¯re the star of the show today, my friend!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask to be the star of anything,¡± Kaiser muttered, glancing at the crowd that was growing louder by the second.


    Erya ignored him, turning back to the irate group. ¡°Look, folks, you all got teleported here because my magic flyers have reach. If you didn¡¯t want to show up, maybe you shouldn¡¯t have touched them, huh? Ever think of that?¡±


    ¡°YOU SENT IT THROUGH MY WINDOW!¡± Gregor roared, his face red with fury.


    Erya¡¯s eyes locked onto him like a hawk. ¡°Oh, please, Gregor! You don¡¯t even HAVE windows, you¡¯ve been too cheap to replace them since your cousin broke them last spring! Don¡¯t come at me with your fake outrage!¡±


    ¡°THAT¡¯S NOT THE POINT!¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine!¡± Erya threw her hands up dramatically. ¡°You¡¯re all so ungrateful! I¡¯m giving away FREE haircuts, people! Do you know how much I usually charge? A LOT. You¡¯re welcome!¡±


    Kaiser tugged at his wrist, his voice low and tense. ¡°I really don¡¯t think this is necessary. I don¡¯t even need a haircut.¡±


    Erya froze, slowly turning to face him, her expression one of exaggerated disbelief. ¡°Excuse me? Did you just say you don¡¯t need a haircut?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said,¡± Kaiser replied cautiously.


    ¡°Oh, honey.¡± She stepped closer, squinting critically at his head. ¡°Have you seen your hair?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ functional,¡± Kaiser offered weakly, running a hand through his dark, slightly unruly locks.


    ¡°Functional?!¡± Erya looked genuinely offended, like he¡¯d just insulted her life¡¯s work. ¡°Sweetheart, your hair looks like it¡¯s been through a windstorm, a lightning strike, and a bad breakup all at once! Functional, my foot. This is a public service. Now, get inside.¡±


    ¡°I really think¡ª¡±


    ¡°No time for thinking!¡± she declared, dragging him toward the salon door.


    ¡°Erya!¡± one of the townsfolk shouted. ¡°You¡¯re gonna pay for this!¡±


    ¡°Put it on my tab!¡± she yelled back, kicking the door open and pulling Kaiser inside.


    Before she closed the door, she turned to the crowd and clapped her hands for attention, her voice booming like a market crier. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen¡ªyes, all of you who just got the blessing of teleportation here. I wish to tell you that you¡¯re in luck! Since you weren¡¯t the first lucky winner like this fine gentleman here,¡± She gestured at Kaiser, who was sinking further into himself with each passing second. ¡°I¡¯m offering discounted haircuts for everyone else! That¡¯s right, half off for one day only!¡±


    For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then the grumbling started.


    ¡°DISCOUNTED?¡± someone yelled. ¡°WE DIDN¡¯T EVEN WANT TO BE HERE!¡±


    ¡°DISCOUNT?¡± Gregor, still in his pajamas, screamed. ¡°You teleported me out of my HOUSE!¡±


    ¡°You think we¡¯re gonna pay for this?¡± Louis the potato seller shouted, stepping forward with a burlap sack slung over his shoulder.


    ¡°First of all,¡± Erya snapped, pointing a finger at Louis, ¡°you could definitely use a trim, I mean just look at those sideburns. Are they a fashion statement or a warning? Second, I don¡¯t care where you were. You¡¯re here now, and you¡¯re all welcome! I¡¯m practically giving away my services!¡±


    Louis¡¯s face turned red as he reached into his sack. ¡°Oh yeah? Here¡¯s what I think of your services!¡± He hurled a potato at her.


    The potato barely missing her and hitting the salon¡¯s golden-framed door with a thud.


    ¡°Oh, you did not just throw a potato at me!¡± Erya yelled, her hands on her hips.


    ¡°I DID!¡± Louis shouted back.


    As if on cue, the rest of the crowd started following his lead, grabbing potatoes from Louis and throwing them at the hair saloon.


    ¡°STOP IT! These are perfectly good potatoes!¡± Louis bellowed, even as he threw another one himself.


    One particularly large potato whizzed by Kaiser¡¯s head, and he instinctively ducked. ¡°Uh, Erya? I think we should¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh, for crying out loud!¡± Erya growled. She grabbed Kaiser by the wrist and yanked him into the shop. ¡°You people wouldn¡¯t know good customer service if it hit you in the face!¡±


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    ¡°It¡¯s about to hit you in the face!¡± someone yelled, launching another potato directly at her.


    Erya barely dodged the potato before getting into the saloon and slamming the doors behind her. The thuds of potatoes hitting the wooden door echoed in the air as she locked it with a sharp click.


    ¡°Whew!¡± She turned to Kaiser, brushing imaginary dust off her hands. ¡°What is wrong with people? You try to give them a good deal, and suddenly it¡¯s a food fight out of nowhere!¡±


    Kaiser blinked at her, his mind as confused as ever. ¡°I think you might¡¯ve underestimated how angry people get when they¡¯re magically teleported out of their homes.¡±


    ¡°Pfft. Drama queens, all of them,¡± she said, waving it off like it was nothing. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get you in that chair, mister. You¡¯re not leaving here until you look like a brand-new man.¡±


    Before Kaiser could even protest, Erya snapped her fingers, and the chair behind him slid forward with surprising speed, bumping against the back of his knees. He stumbled slightly, and before he could regain his footing, her hands were on his shoulders, guiding him down with practiced ease.


    ¡°Sit, darling,¡± she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.


    Kaiser hesitated for a second, but the chair was impossibly plush, practically molding itself to his body. ¡°What the¡­¡±


    ¡°Comfy, isn¡¯t it?¡± she chimed, snapping her fingers again. A warm, lavender-scented towel floated into place around his shoulders. ¡°Now, don¡¯t fight it. You¡¯ll thank me later.¡±


    Before he could say another word, tools and brushes started circling his head, each glowing faintly with golden light. Kaiser sank deeper into the chair with a resigned sigh. "I already regret this."


    ¡°You won¡¯t,¡± Erya said smugly, scissors flashing in her hand as she leaned in. "Trust the process."


    The moment she moved, the salon came alive. Brushes, combs, sprays, and scissors floated off their shelves, encircling Kaiser like tiny soldiers awaiting orders. Bottles of shimmering oils hovered midair, their contents glinting like liquid gold, while hairdryers hummed faintly as they spun lazily around him.


    Kaiser blinked in alarm, his muscles tensing. ¡°What the hell is all that?¡±


    ¡°Relax, sweetheart,¡± Erya said with a dismissive wave, her golden scissors appearing in her hand with a flick of her wrist. ¡°It¡¯s called professionalism.¡±


    She gestured sharply, and the tools sprang into action. One comb began gently parting his long, tangled black hair while another worked its way through the knots with surprising precision. A mist of warm water spritzed his hair, softening it, followed by the scent of something floral and luxurious.


    ¡°Long and messy? That¡¯s a no-go,¡± she muttered, tilting her head to examine him. ¡°We¡¯re keeping the length because, honey, you pull it off¡ªbut we¡¯re going to make it shine like obsidian.¡±


    The golden scissors flashed as she snipped with lightning speed. Despite her sarcastic tone earlier, her movements were precise, almost reverent, as if she was sculpting a masterpiece. She worked on his hair in sections, commanding some tools to smooth out one part while others polished the strands.


    Kaiser could feel the tension leaving his scalp as the combs worked, and he hated to admit it, but the entire process was oddly relaxing.


    Erya suddenly leaned closer, holding up a lock of his hair between two fingers. ¡°You¡¯ve got great hair, you know. A little unloved, sure, but the potential? Ugh, it¡¯s criminal.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just hair,¡± Kaiser muttered, feeling self-conscious.


    Erya gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. ¡°Just hair?! Darling, this hair is a weapon! A statement! It¡¯s the first thing people see when they meet you. It needs to scream, ¡®I¡¯m in control, and I look damn good doing it.¡¯¡±


    As she spoke, the floating tools whirled around him faster. A few brushes worked to straighten his hair into a sleek curtain of black, gleaming like polished stone under the salon¡¯s warm lights. She stepped back, crossing her arms as she admired her progress.


    ¡°Hair¡¯s done. Now, let¡¯s fix¡­ this,¡± she said, gesturing vaguely at his face.


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my face?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Erya said, flashing him a sly smile. ¡°But that scruffy little beard? Oh, honey, no. We can do better.¡±


    With a flick of her fingers, a straight razor floated toward her, accompanied by a bottle of shaving cream that smelled faintly of eucalyptus. She shook the bottle, sending a puff of foam onto her hands before applying it to his face with a soft brush.


    Kaiser tensed as the razor hovered near his cheek, but Erya rolled her eyes. ¡°Relax. I¡¯ve never cut anyone. Well¡­ not on purpose.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not reassuring,¡± Kaiser grumbled, but he stayed still as she worked.


    She used the razor with skillful, deliberate strokes, the blade gliding effortlessly over his skin. Each pass left his face smooth and spotless, the roughness of his travels erased like it had never existed.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got good bone structure,¡± she murmured, tilting his head slightly to one side. ¡°Strong jawline. We¡¯ll let that shine. No need to hide it under a patchy beard.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t patchy,¡± Kaiser muttered under his breath.


    Erya smirked but didn¡¯t argue, her focus on perfecting every detail. She used her own hands for this part, as if trusting no magic to match her precision. When she was finished, she wiped his face clean with a warm towel, leaving his skin feeling fresh and cool.


    She stepped back, hands on her hips, and gave him a once-over. ¡°Hair? Perfect. Face? Impeccable. Now¡­¡± Her red eyes gleamed mischievously. ¡°A hair that good deserves a better body to carry it.¡±


    Kaiser blinked, caught off guard. ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ll see,¡± Erya said with a wicked grin.


    Suddenly, a flurry of smaller tools surrounded him. Tweezers tidied his eyebrows, straightening them into clean, sharp lines. A touch of moisturizer was applied to his skin, leaving it smooth and healthy-looking. She even adjusted his nails, filing them down to perfection.


    ¡°This is ridiculous,¡± Kaiser muttered, though he couldn¡¯t deny he felt lighter, sharper and cleaner.


    ¡°Ridiculous?¡± Erya echoed, mock offense dripping from her tone. ¡°Darling, this is art. You walked in here looking like a lost vagabond. You¡¯re leaving as a prince.¡±


    Finally, she stepped back, snapping her fingers. All the floating tools returned to their places, leaving only silence in their wake.


    ¡°There,¡± Erya said, gesturing grandly toward the mirror. ¡°Take a look. Admire.¡±


    Kaiser turned to the mirror, and his breath hitched. His long black hair was perfectly straight and glossy, cascading down his back like a waterfall of night. His face was clean-shaven, his jawline sharp and prominent, with his skin glowing faintly as if it had been polished. Even his eyebrows were clean and well-defined, giving him an air of quiet intensity.


    For a moment, he didn¡¯t recognize himself.


    Kaiser ran his fingers through his newly transformed hair, still processing the dramatic change. He glanced at Erya, who was casually leaning against the counter, polishing her golden scissors like they were a badge of honor.


    "So," he started, hesitantly, "you run a hair shop¡ª"


    "Salon," she interrupted, holding up a finger. "Please, darling, let''s not downgrade it. This is a parlor of transformation."


    Kaiser rolled his eyes but continued. "Alright, fine. You run this... ¡®parlor of transformation.¡¯ But how do you manage all this? The magic, the tools flying around, the teleporting posters? You¡¯re acting like you¡¯re more than just a hairstylist."


    Erya smirked, flipping her long red hair over her shoulder. ¡°Oh, sweetie, I¡¯m not just a hairstylist.¡± She gestured around the room with a dramatic flair. ¡°This? Hair? A mere fraction of what I can do. I can do everything¡ªand then more.¡±


    ¡°Everything?¡± Kaiser raised an eyebrow, skeptical.


    ¡°Everything,¡± she repeated with a grin, leaning toward him conspiratorially. ¡°I can bake cakes that would bring a king to tears. I can enchant your shoes to make you run faster than a horse. I could redecorate your house to look like a palace and still have time to write you a sonnet before lunch.¡± She leaned back, snapping her scissors shut with a sharp click. ¡°Darling, I¡¯m a jack-of-all-trades, master of all.¡±


    Kaiser blinked, unsure whether she was joking or serious. ¡°So¡­ why a hair salon, then?¡±


    ¡°Parlor,¡± she corrected again, wagging her finger. ¡°And because, my dear, this is where I can interact with people. Where I can turn lives around one strand at a time. Do you know how many lives I¡¯ve changed just by fixing someone¡¯s bad haircut? Hundreds! Maybe thousands!¡±


    Kaiser snorted, shaking his head. ¡°And here I thought I was just getting a trim.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no, no, no,¡± Erya said, stepping closer and wagging a comb at him. ¡°You didn¡¯t come in here by accident. The universe guided you to me because it knew you needed my magic. And look at you now, practically unrecognizable! You¡¯re welcome, by the way.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, I guess?¡± Kaiser said, still feeling unsure about her over-the-top confidence.


    Erya beamed. ¡°You¡¯re learning. Now, anything else you need? Wardrobe makeover? Maybe I enchant your boots to let you walk on water? Or perhaps you¡¯d like me to whip up a legendary sword while you¡¯re here?¡±


    Kaiser blinked. ¡°You¡­ can make swords too?¡±


    Erya shrugged. ¡°I told you! I can do everything. And then more.¡± She twirled her scissors in her hand, flashing him a playful grin. ¡°But for now, I¡¯m sticking to hair and beauty. Keeps things manageable, you know?¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Kaiser muttered, still trying to wrap his head around the whirlwind of a woman in front of him. ¡°So, what¡¯s the catch? There¡¯s always a catch with people like you.¡±


    Erya gasped, placing a hand dramatically over her chest. ¡°People like me?! Darling, I¡¯m hurt! Offended, even! I run an honest business here. No catches, no strings attached. Just pure, unfiltered excellence.¡±


    Kaiser gave her a flat look. ¡°You literally teleported dozens of people against their will for a haircut.¡±


    ¡°Okay, technically true,¡± she admitted, smirking. ¡°But those were promotional tactics. And don¡¯t act like you didn¡¯t benefit, Mr. First-Customer-Free-Cut.¡±


    He sighed, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ you might be insane.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re lucky I¡¯m letting you walk out of here looking like a god,¡± Erya shot back with a wink. Kaiser smirked despite himself. ¡°You really do think you¡¯re the center of the universe, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Darling,¡± Erya said, spinning her scissors one last time before slipping them into a leather holster at her hip. ¡°When you¡¯re this talented, the universe has to revolve around you.¡±


    Just as Kaiser started to retort, Erya snapped her fingers again. His chair swiveled and tilted forward slightly, forcing him to rise from the plush seat. She strode toward the door, flinging it open with a dramatic sweep. ¡°Alright, you¡¯re done. Time to make room for the next soul in need of salvation!¡±


    Before Kaiser could respond, her hand landed squarely on his back, and she shoved him out the door. ¡°Out you go!¡±


    Stumbling slightly, Kaiser turned just in time to see Erya dodging a potato that sailed through the air and smacked against the side of her shop.


    ¡°Erya!¡± a teary-eyed Louis cried from the street. The potatoes were coming fast now, flung by a group of irate locals still fuming about their unexpected teleportation. ¡°STOP THROWING POTATOES, YOU MANIACS!¡± he yelled at the crowd, his voice cracking as he desperately tried to catch them mid-air.


    ¡°You¡¯re all being ridiculous!¡± he wailed, standing in front of the shop like a human shield. ¡°Good food shouldn¡¯t be wasted like this!¡±


    Another potato hit the glass, leaving a smudge, and Louis¡¯s tears flowed freely. ¡°Potatoes are the most divine thing in creation!¡±


    Inside, Erya ignored the chaos as she reached out and yanked a new victim, a lanky man with a beard that reached halfway down his chest¡ªright off the street.


    ¡°You!¡± she barked, grabbing his beard as if it were a rope. ¡°This thing looks like it belongs in a museum! It¡¯s horrifying, and I¡¯m not letting it walk around like that in my city!¡±


    ¡°W-wait, please, no!¡± the man cried, but it was too late. Erya dragged him into the shop with one swift motion, slamming the door shut behind her.


    Outside, Louis threw himself in front of another incoming potato, catching it and clutching it to his chest like it was his first born child ¡°STOP IT!¡±

 Chapter 21: Beware of Falling Discounts

    Kaiser weaved through the busy streets of Arkhold, taking in the overwhelming sights, sounds, and unfortunately, smells. The city at the end of the world was alive in ways he hadn¡¯t expected. The air buzzed with voices shouting over each other, the scent of spices and smoke filled his nose, and colors clashed in a chaotic yet strangely harmonious mess.


    Then a paper flew right at his face.


    He barely had time to react before another one came soaring from above, then another. The remnants of the bubble burst earlier were still descending, and Kaiser had to duck, weave, and nearly throw himself sideways to avoid the barrage of enchanted advertisements.


    ¡°NO, NO, NO!¡± he hissed, batting them away as if they were deadly projectiles. One particularly aggressive flyer latched onto his sleeve, and he ripped it off, glancing at it in horror.


    ¡°The Grand Opening of Mimo¡¯s Toe-Reading Boutique!¡± it read in fancy golden lettering.


    Kaiser shuddered and crumpled the paper before tossing it aside, somewhat glad that this one didn¡¯t teleport him again. ¡°I hate this place.¡±


    But as he looked around, he had to admit, Arkhold was unlike anything he had ever seen before.


    To his left, a merchant stall held rows of glass cages, but the creatures inside weren¡¯t just statues, they were moving. Tiny birds made of fragile blue glass flapped their crystalline wings, a snake of black obsidian slithered between its bars, and a cat sculpted from emerald-green glass arched its back and hissed at a passing customer. The merchant, a burly man with golden tattoos spiraling up his arms, clapped his hands together and grinned.


    ¡°Ahh, traveler! You have the look of a man who needs a pet that can never die! Perfect for assassins! No mess, no feeding, just pure, elegant companionship!¡±


    Kaiser stepped back. ¡°I don¡¯t need a glass assassin pet, thanks.¡±


    Before the man could argue, Kaiser turned, only to nearly collide with a woman draped in flowing robes that shimmered like liquid. Her stall witch was behind her was filled with clothing that moved like waves, flowing and shifting as if made of living water.


    ¡°Ah! You have a good eye, sir!¡± she chirped. ¡°Would you like to wear the ocean? Perhaps a scarf that will never dry? Or a cloak that lets you slip through crowds like a drop of rain?¡±


    Kaiser opened his mouth, then shut it. ¡°How does that even work?¡±


    ¡°Magic,¡± she said with a wink, adjusting her headscarf, which itself was shifting between the colors of the sea.


    Before Kaiser could process that, a voice bellowed from behind him.


    ¡°YOU THERE! YES, YOU! THE MAN WITH THE PERFECT HAIR!¡±


    Kaiser turned, instantly regretting it.


    A towering, four-armed man stood behind a stall filled with glowing bottles, each pulsating with light. The sign above it read, Elixirs of Personality ¨C Fix Your Flaws Today!


    ¡°You look like a man in need of enhancements!¡± the merchant declared, slamming one glowing blue vial onto the counter. ¡°This one? Confidence in a bottle! Take a sip, and you¡¯ll be charming enough to seduce a rock!¡±


    Kaiser scoffed. ¡°I don¡¯t need¡ª¡±


    ¡°Or this one!¡± The merchant grabbed another, this one an eerie shade of green. ¡°Tired of being too nice? This¡¯ll give you the perfect amount of bastard energy to win any negotiation!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s literally poison.¡±


    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s the black one. But if you want actual poison, I have a discount on¡ª¡±


    Kaiser backed away, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯m good. Really.¡±


    Before he could escape, a child ran past him, chasing a floating golden coin. At first, Kaiser thought the coin had been tossed, but then he saw it weaving through the air, evading the child¡¯s hands like it had a mind of its own.


    Kaiser groaned, running a hand through his new perfect hair, which somehow felt out of place in this chaotic mess of a city. ¡°This is insane,¡± he muttered, stepping aside as another glowing coin zipped past, chased by a man in full plate armor screaming, "COME BACK HERE, YOU CHEATING SON OF A¡ª"


    He exhaled through his nose and kept moving, weaving between merchants and shouting vendors, past stalls that sold things he wasn¡¯t even sure should be legal.


    One booth had a sign that read, "IDENTITY SWAP ¨C BECOME SOMEONE ELSE FOR A DAY!" and Kaiser made a point to walk faster past it. Another was selling weapons, but not just any weapons, but singing singing ones. A dagger hummed a soft lullaby, and a massive battle-axe loudly belted out some kind of warrior chant in a deep, booming voice. The merchant, a tiny old woman with a bejeweled eyepatch, waved at him.


    ¡°Need a weapon that inspires fear and entertainment? Special discount for men with good hair!¡±


    Kaiser held up a hand. ¡°No thanks. I prefer my weapons quiet.¡±


    ¡°Ohhh, mysterious!¡± She cackled. ¡°You¡¯ll be back!¡±


    He doubted it.


    As he kept walking, he felt something tug on his sleeve. He turned sharply, ready for another scam, only to find a hunched-over old man with fingers like gnarled tree roots holding up a small wooden box.


    ¡°For you,¡± the old man rasped.


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes. ¡°What is it?¡±


    The man grinned, showing far too many teeth. ¡°A mystery.¡±


    Before Kaiser could decline, the box shook. Something inside rattled, tapping against the wood like it was alive.


    Kaiser immediately shook his head. ¡°Nope. Not dealing with cursed objects today.¡±


    The old man¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    Kaiser pointed at the sky. ¡°A paper just tried to assassinate me five minutes ago. That¡¯s my limit.¡±


    The old man chuckled, tucking the box back into his cloak. ¡°Very well. Another time.¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t like how certain he sounded.


    Exhaling, he pressed forward, dodging another enthusiastic salesman and stepping around a woman who was arguing with a floating lantern about exchange rates. Every step he took only revealed more absurdity: merchants shouting, people bargaining, enchanted goods blinking, shifting, or outright arguing with their owners.


    And, of course, the sky still wasn¡¯t done assaulting him.


    Another gust of wind sent a fresh wave of papers fluttering down, and Kaiser leapt back, cursing under his breath as one grazed his shoulder.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°I swear to the gods, I will set this whole city on fire if one more piece of paper touches me.¡±


    ¡°Ah! My good sir!¡±


    Kaiser groaned before he even turned his head.


    ¡°You there! You look like a man who desires answers!¡±


    Kaiser visibly twitched. His patience was already hanging by a thread, and now this. He turned slowly, glaring at the man like he was considering arson.


    The merchant was a thin man with dark, beady eyes and a fox-like grin. His stall was completely empty, save for a single black cloth draped over a round object. The kind of setup that practically screamed scam.


    Kaiser exhaled through his nose. ¡°I desire to be left alone.¡±


    The merchant¡¯s grin only widened. ¡°Then, my friend, I have just the thing for you.¡±


    With a dramatic flourish, he yanked the black cloth away, revealing a single gleaming, silver sphere. It hovered an inch above the table, pulsing faintly like it was alive.


    ¡°The Orb of Absolute Truth,¡± the merchant whispered, eyes gleaming with faux mystery.


    Kaiser squinted. ¡°You just made that up.¡±


    The merchant shook his head solemnly. ¡°Not at all. One question. One true answer. Ask, and it shall be revealed.¡±


    Kaiser paused. His irritation battled with curiosity. ¡°¡­Any question?¡±


    ¡°Any.¡±


    He stared at the orb. Then at the merchant. Then back at the orb.


    ¡°¡­How do I get people to leave me alone?¡±


    The merchant chuckled, waving his hands over the orb. ¡°A fine question, my friend! The answer shall be¡­¡±


    The orb pulsed once. Then again. And then, in glowing golden script, a single word etched itself across its surface: "Die."


    ¡°Wow.¡± He laughed. ¡°Bit extreme.¡±


    The merchant coughed, suddenly looking very uncomfortable. ¡°Er, perhaps the orb has a¡ªhow do you say¡ªdark sense of humor?¡±


    Kaiser drummed his fingers against his arm. ¡°Yeah. Or maybe it¡¯s just a rock with a built-in magic trick.¡±


    The merchant gasped, clutching his chest like he¡¯d been mortally wounded. ¡°How dare you! This is an ancient relic!¡± The merchant continued, but Kaiser had already left.


    Kaiser stormed through the streets, his patience hanging by a thread. His boots stomped against the stone road, his long, perfectly straightened hair flowing behind him like a furious noble who just found out his tea was lukewarm.


    "Gods, this city is cursed," he muttered, dodging yet another merchant trying to sell him a bottle of captured sighs. His fingers twitched, fists clenching at his sides. ¡®No more scams. No more weirdos. No more¡ª¡®


    "Ah! You there, sir with the magnificent hair!"


    Kaiser spun on his heel, eyes burning with a barely contained rage.


    "If you try to sell me one more thing, I swear I will take the most cursed object I can find, shove it up your nose, and activate it just to see what happens!"


    A deep, awkward silence followed.


    Then, a familiar, wheezing laugh.


    ¡°Hahaha! Kaiser, my boy, you wound me!¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s brain short-circuited.


    He blinked. Once. Twice. Slowly, painfully, he turned his head to see¡­


    "GLUNKO!?"


    The sheer whiplash of emotions nearly sent him into cardiac arrest. Just seconds ago, he was ready to declare war on everything, but now¡ªnow he was looking at the most beautiful sight in the damn world.


    Glunko stood there, hat tipped, that same lazy grin on his face. And beside him, looking mildly concerned, was Aria, her fingers still curled around Glunko¡¯s sleeve.


    Kaiser let out a dramatic gasp, throwing his arms wide.


    "YOU''RE ALIVE!"


    Glunko arched a brow. "Well, yeah. Why wouldn¡¯t we be?"


    "I THOUGHT I WAS LOST FOREVER!"


    "You were gone for, like, an hour," Aria deadpanned.


    "TIME WORKS DIFFERENTLY WHEN YOU''RE BEING HUNTED BY AGGRESSIVE ADVERTISEMENTS!" Kaiser waved his arms wildly. "Do you know how many times the sky tried to kidnap me!? The sky! I had to dodge FLYING DISCOUNTS like they were FLAMIN ARROWS!"


    Aria crossed her arms. "Ah come on, now you are just being dramatic."


    Kaiser clutched his chest like he had been stabbed. "I have been betrayed."


    Glunko chuckled, patting Kaiser¡¯s shoulder. "Alright, alright, cool it. We were looking for you anyway, kid. You really know how to make yourself hard to find."


    Kaiser groaned into his hands. ¡°This city is going to be the end of my sanity.¡±


    Aria adjusted her sleeves. ¡°Well, now that we¡¯re all together again, how about we find a place to rest? Maybe get something to eat?¡±


    Kaiser perked up immediately. "Yes. Food. Normal food. None of this ¡®drinkable bread¡¯ nonsense I saw earlier."


    Aria made a face. ¡°Why would you drink bread?¡±


    Kaiser threw his hands up. ¡°ASK THE CITY!¡±


    Glunko laughed, shaking his head as he led them forward, Kaiser following like a man finally freed from hell.


    As they weaved through the endless streets of Arkhold, Kaiser felt his shoulders slowly relax. The chaos, the scams, the teleporting, the potatoes, all of it had been too much. But now, with Glunko beside him and Aria within reach, it all seemed a little less overwhelming.


    That relief, however, was cut short when Glunko came to an abrupt stop near a quiet alleyway. He adjusted his hat, rubbing the back of his neck like he was searching for the right words.


    ¡°Well, reckon this is where we part ways for now.¡± Glunko said, his tone light, but there was something underneath it.


    Kaiser blinked. ¡°What? Where are you going?¡±


    Glunko gave a small chuckle, but it wasn¡¯t his usual carefree kind. ¡°Got some folks I need to meet, business to handle. Can¡¯t have a couple of bright-eyed pups wagging their tails behind me while I work.¡±


    Aria crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. ¡°We are not kids, Glunko.¡±


    He smirked. ¡°Oh, I know, never said you were¡± He said, looking at Kaiser, ¡°But trust me, some places are meant just for merchants.¡±


    Kaiser frowned. ¡°So that¡¯s it? You¡¯re just leaving?¡±


    Glunko hummed, reaching into his coat pocket. ¡°Leaving? Nah. Splitting off for a bit? Yeah.¡± He pulled out a small, finely printed card and held it out toward them. ¡°Here. This here¡¯s the address to my shop in the capital. If ya ever feel like droppin¡¯ by, doors¡¯ll be open.¡±


    Kaiser hesitated before taking it. The card was simple, plain even, but somehow, it felt¡­ important. Heavy in a way paper shouldn¡¯t be.


    Aria glanced between Glunko and the card. ¡°You¡¯re making this sound like we won¡¯t see you again.¡±


    Glunko let out a breathy chuckle. ¡°Reckon that depends on you two, doesn¡¯s it?¡±


    Kaiser stared at him. He hadn¡¯t known Glunko for long, but there was something about the old merchant, something about the way he spoke, the way he carried himself, that made him feel like more than just some wandering trader.


    He was rooted in this world. Connected. Someone who had been through things, seen things. And yet, he had taken the time to guide them through this madness, to make sure they weren¡¯t just left on walking for days on the street.


    Kaiser exhaled. ¡°...Thanks,¡± he muttered, slipping the card into his coat pocket.


    Glunko gave a small nod, his smirk softening. ¡°Ain¡¯t nothin¡¯.¡±


    There was a beat of silence, the city¡¯s distant clamor the only sound between them.


    Before Glunko turned to leave, he suddenly snapped his fingers as if he¡¯d just remembered something.


    ¡°Oh! Before I go, you two are gonna need a place to rest up. There¡¯s an inn not too far from here, about ten minutes of walking, straight down the main road.¡± He adjusted his hat and smirked. ¡°Name¡¯s Erya¡¯s Middle Finger.¡±


    Kaiser, who had been nodding along, froze. ¡°...I¡¯m sorry. What?¡±


    Glunko sighed as if he had been dreading this reaction. ¡°Yep, same Erya you¡¯re thinkin¡¯ of.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°The same lunatic who threw me into a chair and teleported people out of their beds?! That Elya?!¡±


    ¡°The one and only,¡± Glunko muttered with a shake of his head.


    Aria looked between them, confused. ¡°Who¡¯s Erya?¡±


    Kaiser threw up his hands. ¡°A force of nature. A menace. A hairdressing tyrant.¡±


    Glunko sighed dramatically. ¡°A genius.¡±


    Kaiser turned to him, horrified. ¡°You¡¯re on her side?!¡±


    Glunko held up a hand. ¡°Listen. I don¡¯t like her either. Woman¡¯s got the subtlety of a war drum and the patience of a lit fuse, but I can¡¯t deny it, she¡¯s the most talented person I¡¯ve ever met.¡±


    Kaiser scoffed. ¡°At what? Screaming at people?¡±


    Glunko wagged a finger. ¡°At everything.¡±


    Aria raised an eyebrow. ¡°Everything?¡±


    Glunko turned fully toward her, as if this was about to be a lesson. ¡°Everything. Name it. Cooking? Better than chefs who¡¯ve spent decades perfecting their craft. Tailoring? I¡¯ve seen her weave a dress so fine, people thought it was stitched by the gods themselves. Blacksmithing? I once watched her forge a sword so sharp, it cut a man¡¯s shadow.¡±


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re exaggerating.¡±


    Glunko stepped closer. ¡°Am I? The woman runs over thirty shops across the world. Her stronghold is here, in Arkhold, where she owns and manages more than ten. She¡¯s got an inn, a tailor¡¯s, a smithy, a bakery, a jewelry shop, a bookstore, a post office¡­¡±


    Aria blinked. ¡°A post office?¡±


    ¡°A post office!¡± Glunko repeated, waving his arms. ¡°The mail system in this city was garbage before she took over! Now letters arrive before people even send ¡®em! You¡¯re telling me that ain¡¯t talent?¡±


    Kaiser slowly turned to Aria. ¡°He¡¯s lost his mind.¡±


    Glunko ignored him, continuing his rant. ¡°She¡¯s built empires, Kaiser! Empires made of haircuts and hospitality! She could be a queen if she wanted! The world¡¯s lucky she doesn¡¯t have the patience for politics, ¡®cause if she did, we¡¯d all be livin¡¯ under the rule of the Eryan Dynasty.¡±


    Kaiser buried his face in his hands. ¡°This is a nightmare.¡±


    Glunko clapped him on the back. ¡°Look, just go to Erya¡¯s Middle Finger, tell ¡®em Glunko sent ya, and you might get a free meal. Worst case, you pay for your dinner. Best case, she¡¯s too busy fixing someone else¡¯s life to notice you.¡±


    Kaiser exhaled sharply. ¡°Gods help me.¡±


    Aria just shrugged. ¡°Free food sounds nice.¡±


    Glunko smirked. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit. Now, try not to get into trouble. And Kaiser?¡±


    Kaiser looked at him warily. ¡°What?¡±


    Glunko¡¯s smirk grew wider. ¡°Try not to get kidnaped again.¡±


    Kaiser groaned as Glunko tipped his hat and finally walked away, disappearing into the city streets.

 Chapter 22: The Center of the Universe

    The moment Kaiser and Aria stepped into the inn, the warm, rustic scent of roasted meats and aged ale filled the air. The place was alive with conversation¡ªmerchants laughing over drinks, tired travelers hunched over bowls of steaming stew, and a bard half-heartedly strumming a lute in the corner.


    But as soon as Kaiser entered, heads turned. Freshly groomed, his long black hair now sleek and immaculate, his face free of the roughness from his travels, and his posture no longer that of a wandering rogue but of a man who had¡ªagainst his will¡ªbeen made presentable. His black coat, though still rugged, now sat on his shoulders with an air of authority rather than weariness. He looked like someone important. Someone refined.


    And the people of the inn were not used to seeing a man that well-kempt enter Erya¡¯s Middle Finger.


    Kaiser noticed the stares immediately. He frowned, leaning slightly toward Aria. ¡°Why is everyone looking at me like I just declared myself king?¡±


    Aria blinked at him, then at the gawking patrons. ¡°Oh. They probably think you¡¯re rich now.¡±


    Kaiser nearly choked. ¡°What?¡±


    She nodded sagely. ¡°You look too polished. People assume you¡¯ve got money.¡±


    Kaiser exhaled, already regretting stepping inside. ¡°Let¡¯s just find a table and¡ª¡±


    Then he saw her.


    Behind the counter, casually counting coins, was Erya.


    His brain short-circuited.


    ¡°NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT. NOT AGAIN.¡±


    Every conversation in the inn screeched to a halt. The bard¡¯s lute twanged discordantly as his fingers slipped. A spoon clattered to the floor. One man nearly choked on his drink, coughing into his sleeve. Erya looked up, blinking in surprise¡ªonly for her face to break into a huge grin the moment she spotted Kaiser.


    ¡°Well, well, look who it is!¡± She practically beamed, striding toward him like a proud sculptor admiring her greatest masterpiece. ¡°My walking achievement! My finest creation! My magnum opus!¡±


    Kaiser took a step back. ¡°This is not possible. You were, you were just, how are you here?!¡±


    Erya waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Kaiser, Kaiser, Kaiser. We¡¯ve been over this.¡± She tilted her head smugly. ¡°I can do anything.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s eye twitched.


    Aria, standing beside him, looked between them, utterly lost. ¡°Um¡­¡± she hesitated, then gave a small polite smile. ¡°Hello?¡±


    Erya snapped her fingers, turning her attention to Aria. She gave her an approving once-over. ¡°Ohhh, you must be the little lady who¡¯s been stuck with this mess of a man.¡±


    Aria blinked. ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    ¡°Kaiser,¡± Erya continued, completely ignoring Aria¡¯s confusion, ¡°who is this absolute darling of a creature?¡±


    ¡°Her name¡¯s Aria.¡± Kaiser pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°And she¡¯s not stuck with me, we just¡ª¡±


    ¡°Aria! A pleasure!¡± Erya suddenly grabbed Aria¡¯s hand with both of hers, shaking it enthusiastically. ¡°I¡¯m Erya, the center of the universe, the backbone of civilization, the reason birds sing in the morning.¡±


    Aria let out a startled laugh. ¡°Uh¡ªNice to meet you?¡±


    Erya winked. ¡°You are too polite. I like you.¡± Then she turned back to Kaiser. ¡°Unlike some people, who greet me with screaming and existential crises.¡±


    Kaiser threw his hands up. ¡°Because it¡¯s physically impossible for you to be everywhere at once!¡±


    Erya folded her arms. ¡°And yet, here I am.¡±


    Kaiser opened his mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again.


    Erya patted his shoulder condescendingly. ¡°That¡¯s alright, sweetie. Not everyone is built to comprehend greatness.¡±


    The inn slowly resumed its usual buzz, though a few patrons kept sneaking glances at the spectacle that had just unfolded. The bard even started playing again¡ªthough it sounded considerably more dramatic now, like he was inspired by whatever lunacy just happened.


    Aria, still a bit overwhelmed, cleared her throat. ¡°So, uh¡­ Glunko said we might get a free meal if we mentioned his name?¡±


    Erya clapped her hands. ¡°Oh, you bet you do! You absolutely do! Glunko and I go way back.¡±


    Kaiser frowned. ¡°I bet you ran, like, fifteen of his businesses.¡±


    ¡°Only three.¡± Erya smirked. ¡°And I was phenomenal at it.¡±


    Aria couldn¡¯t help but laugh, shaking her head. ¡°Well, as long as we get to hear more about Glunko and his¡­ unique business ventures, I¡¯d say this dinner is already shaping up to be interesting.¡±


    ¡°Alright! You two, sit down, eat, rest¡ªbecause let me tell you, that haircut is only going to get better if you fuel that body properly.¡± She flicked Kaiser¡¯s forehead with surprising accuracy, making him flinch. Then, she whistled sharply, her fingers in her mouth like a war captain summoning her troops.


    ¡°Krava!¡± she barked.


    The room went dead silent for a brief moment as all heads turned toward her.


    Kaiser nearly jumped when a stomp echoed from the back of the inn. From the shadows emerged the bearded maid.


    And Kaiser almost had a stroke.


    She looked like Glunko. A lot like Glunko.


    Same broad face, same round nose, same damn beard. But instead of the bizarre mix of merchant garb and adventurer¡¯s gear Glunko wore, this woman was dressed in a full-on maid outfit. A frilly black-and-white dress, complete with an apron and a tiny lace headpiece perched awkwardly on her head.


    ¡°Yes, Madam Erya.¡± Her voice was deep and steady, like a warrior acknowledging their general.


    Erya nodded approvingly and then turned back to Kaiser and Aria with a smug grin. ¡°This is Krava. My finest employee. The pillar of this establishment. The unwavering rock in this chaotic storm of my genius.¡±


    Erya didn¡¯t give him time to process it. She spun on her heel and snapped her fingers, pointing dramatically at the maid.


    ¡°Escort these two to their table with all the grace and professionalism this fine establishment is known for!¡±


    Grounded gave a single, sharp nod. ¡°Understood.¡±


    Then, without another word, she turned and marched toward the dining area, expecting them to follow.


    Kaiser, still reeling, cast a side glance at Aria, as if to confirm that he hadn¡¯t just walked into a fever dream.


    Aria, completely unfazed, shrugged and followed after Ktava like this was the most normal thing in the world.


    Kaiser took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself, and followed suit.


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    And then, as they walked past a nearby table, he overheard the words that fully snapped him out of his confusion.


    ¡°The Right Fist came to Arkhold today. Fresh off another journey.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s attention locked onto the speakers immediately. The dim-looking men at the corner table sat slouched over their drinks, their voices hushed, their expressions drained.


    Kaiser slid into his seat with practiced ease, making sure to take the spot with his back against the wall. Old habits died hard. His eyes scanned the room out of instinct, taking in the dim lanterns swaying from the ceiling, the low murmur of conversation, the occasional clatter of a mug against wood.


    Aria sat across from him, far more relaxed, stretching her arms above her head before leaning forward onto the table. She rested her chin on her hands, blue eyes flickering curiously as she took in the cozy chaos of the inn.


    Kaiser let out a quiet exhale, trying to shake off the nagging thought in his mind. The Right Fist. The words still lingered, pressing at the edges of his thoughts. His fingers tapped idly against the wooden table, his gaze unfocused.


    Most of the people in the inn looked relaxed, carefree even. One table was arguing about whether or not fish had souls. Another was discussing how outrageously expensive Arkhold¡¯s street food was. Someone nearby was going on and on about how Erya was definitely an eldritch being, and that no mortal should be able to run thirty businesses at once.


    Kaiser barely paid any of it any mind, he was still stuck on the thing the men from before said, and the way they said it in.


    The men at the corner table looked tired. Drained. Their words, though hushed, carried weight. He wasn¡¯t sure why, but something about the way they said it made him feel like he should care.


    He was still lost in thought when¡ª


    THUMP.


    A sudden weight hit the table, making him flinch. His focus snapped forward.


    Aria had sprawled across the table, resting her folded arms on the wood, her face barely an inch away from his. She was staring directly into his soul.


    She didn¡¯t blink. Not once.


    Kaiser leaned back slightly. ¡°¡­What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Trying to catch your attention.¡±


    He frowned. ¡°You could¡¯ve just said something.¡±


    She shrugged, still not blinking. ¡°This was faster.¡±


    He sighed and rubbed his temple. ¡°Alright, fine. You have my attention.¡±


    She immediately sat up straight, looking satisfied. ¡°Good! You kinda zoned out there.¡±


    ¡°I was thinking.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh. And what was so important that you left me talking to myself for the last five minutes?¡±


    Kaiser frowned, barely even registering what he was saying as he thought out loud. ¡°Do fish have souls?¡±


    Silence.


    Aria¡¯s lips parted slightly, and she tilted her head. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I mean, if you think about it,¡± he continued, scratching his chin, ¡°if people do, and some animals are treated as sacred, where does that leave fish? Like, do they just float off into a water afterlife, or somewhere else?¡±


    Aria slowly leaned forward, lowering her voice as if genuinely concerned. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯ve heard some dumb things in my life, but that one¡ª¡±


    ¡°I was thinking out loud!¡±


    She snorted, shaking her head. ¡°Right. Well, if fish do have souls, I hope the ones I¡¯ve eaten don¡¯t decide to haunt me.¡±


    The two of them chuckled, the odd tension breaking.


    SLAM.


    A plate was slammed down in front of Kaiser, another in front of Aria.


    Erya stood between them, hands on her hips, looking smug as ever.


    Kaiser blinked. ¡°We¡­ didn¡¯t order yet.¡±


    Erya rolled her eyes. ¡°Please. You think I¡¯d waste time waiting for you to figure out what you want?¡± She gestured at the plates. ¡°I know what you need better than you do.¡±


    Kaiser squinted at his plate. It was steaming hot, a rich aroma hitting his nose. His stomach growled in approval, and, damn it, it did look good.


    Aria, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes at her plate. ¡°But what if I didn¡¯t want¡ª¡±


    Erya cut her off with a dismissive wave. ¡°Eat.¡±


    Aria scowled but grabbed her fork anyway, muttering under her breath while Kaiser picked up his own fork, giving Erya a suspicious glance. ¡°You do this to everyone?¡±


    Erya smirked. ¡°Only the ones who aren¡¯t as amaizing as me.¡± To that Kaiser opened his mouth to protest¡ªthen stopped.


    Aria gave him a knowing look, stuffing a bite of food into her mouth.


    Kaiser stared at his plate, utterly captivated by what lay before him. It was unlike anything he had ever seen¡ªan intricate dish that looked almost alive.


    A large, glazed meat sat at the center, its surface shimmering as if kissed by molten gold. Thin, glass-like flakes of an iridescent blue substance were scattered on top, catching the light with every shift. Around the meat, a ring of deep purple vegetables curled like vines, their skin pulsating slightly as if they had only just been plucked from some magical garden. The sauce, a rich, inky black, was speckled with tiny glowing flecks, giving the illusion of a starry night sky captured on a plate.


    Kaiser hesitated. Was the meat¡­ breathing?


    He glanced at Erya. ¡°I¡¯m not about to eat something still alive, right?¡±


    Erya rolled her eyes. ¡°No, you absolute dummy. That¡¯s Emberback Boar, slow-roasted over Everflame for three days. The ¡®breathing¡¯ is just the glaze settling.¡± She pointed to the vegetables. ¡°Moonroot. Grown under permanent moonlight. Makes you stronger. And that sauce?¡± She leaned in dramatically. ¡°That¡¯s Eclipse Reduction. Costs a fortune to make.¡±


    Kaiser raised a brow. ¡°What¡¯s in it?¡±


    Erya grinned. ¡°No idea.¡±


    Kaiser blinked. ¡°What.¡±


    She shrugged. ¡°Chef won¡¯t tell me. Says if I knew what I was eating, I¡¯d cry.¡±


    Aria, already chewing, swallowed and gave a pleased hum. ¡°Mmh. Yep. This is terrifyingly good.¡±


    Kaiser frowned, still wary, but hunger won the silent battle in his mind. He cut a piece of the meat, lifting it to his mouth.


    The moment it hit his tongue, his entire body stilled.


    The flavors exploded in layers¡ªfirst, the deep, smoky richness of the Emberback Boar, its juices carrying a faint sweetness like caramelized fire. Then, the Moonroot, a sharp, herbal contrast that somehow made the meat even better. Finally, the Eclipse Reduction hit¡ªsweet, but with a hint of something unfathomably deep, like he was tasting space itself.


    He dropped his fork. Stared at his plate and in a hushed, reverent whisper, he muttered:


    ¡°¡­I have seen the face of God.¡±


    Erya snorted. ¡°Told you.¡±


    Aria smirked. ¡°You should write poetry about it.¡±


    Kaiser ignored them, shoveling another bite into his mouth. ¡°This isn¡¯t food,¡± he mumbled between chews. ¡°This is power. This is enlightenment.¡±


    Erya sat down across from him, resting her chin on her palm. ¡°You know, I wasn¡¯t expecting to get anything for this free meal, but seeing your dumb face light up like a temple torch is payment enough.¡±


    Aria nodded. ¡°It¡¯s cute. Like a dog tasting meat for the first time.¡±


    Kaiser glared. ¡°Don¡¯t ruin this for me.¡±


    Erya smirked. ¡°Ruin what? Your deep, spiritual moment with your pork chop?¡±


    Kaiser grumbled but kept eating, trying not to let them see how much he was enjoying himself.


    Erya leaned back, stretching. ¡°Man, you¡¯re lucky I like you.¡±


    Kaiser wiped his mouth with his sleeve. ¡°Lucky?¡± He scoffed. ¡°I got dragged into your store against my will.¡±


    ¡°And now you¡¯re clean, fed, and having the best meal of your life. You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    Aria chuckled, taking another bite. ¡°She has a point.¡±


    Kaiser grumbled something incoherent but didn¡¯t argue. He was too busy making sure he got every last drop of sauce.


    Erya watched with smug satisfaction as Kaiser devoured his meal, savoring every bite like a starving man who had just discovered that food could be divine. She rested her chin in her palm, smirking. ¡°So, Kaiser, when are you going to admit that I¡¯m the best thing that¡¯s ever happened to you?¡±


    Kaiser, still chewing, pointed his fork at her. ¡°I will never, ever give you that satisfaction.¡±


    Aria leaned in. ¡°What if she keeps feeding you?¡±


    Kaiser hesitated. He looked at his half-finished plate. Then at Erya. Then at Aria.


    ¡°¡­I will consider negotiations.¡±


    Erya cackled, slamming a hand on the table. ¡°Ah, see? You¡¯re already weak! Food is the path to all victories!¡±


    Kaiser nodded sagely. ¡°It¡¯s true. I¡¯ve seen entire dynasties fall because of a well-made pie.¡±


    Aria raised an eyebrow. ¡°That sounds like something that actually happened.¡±


    Erya stretched her arms, looking far too pleased with herself. ¡°Anyway, enough about how I¡¯m clearly the greatest person you¡¯ve ever met¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not even top ten,¡± Kaiser cut in.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Erya shot back, before continuing. ¡°I wanna know about you two. What¡¯s your plan now? You gonna keep running around Arkhold until you stumble into more more of me or do you actually have a goal?¡±


    Kaiser set his fork down, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. ¡°We¡¯re figuring it out. I¡¯m still adjusting to¡ª¡± He gestured vaguely around them. ¡°¡ªwhatever the hell this is.¡±


    As if summoned by his words, a faint beep sounded from Erya¡¯s hand.


    A small, embedded gemstone on the back of her palm flickered to life, projecting a tiny blue hologram above her skin.


    Erya sighed. ¡°Speaking of insane things.¡±


    Kaiser squinted at the glowing text. ¡°What the hell is that?¡±


    Erya didn¡¯t answer immediately. Her eyes flicked across the message, and her smirk quickly turned into an exasperated groan. ¡°Ugh. Again?¡±


    Aria tilted her head. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Erya turned the projection toward them so they could read it.


    URGENT: A MASSIVE BRAWL HAS BROKEN OUT AT THE ¡®BREAK YOUR LIMITS, BREAK YOUR BONES¡¯ GYM. CURRENT DAMAGE REPORT: 5 BROKEN NOSES, 3 DISLOCATED SHOULDERS, 1 GUY WHO GOT KICKED INTO THE CEILING AND HASN¡¯T COME DOWN YET. REQUESTING OWNER¡¯S IMMEDIATE PRESENCE.


    Kaiser blinked. ¡°I¡ªwhat.¡±


    Erya pinched the bridge of her nose. ¡°I just had the walls reinforced last week¡­¡±


    Kaiser shook his head. ¡°Wait, wait, hold on. First of all, your gym is called what?¡±


    Erya snapped her fingers, and a floating napkin lazily drifted over to wipe her mouth. ¡°Break Your Limits, Break Your Bones. It¡¯s a motivational name.¡±


    Kaiser stared at her. ¡°That¡¯s not motivational. That¡¯s a threat.¡±


    Erya leaned back, cracking her knuckles. ¡°That¡¯s because it is. People don¡¯t come to my gym to ¡®get fit¡¯¡ªthey come to either become monsters or get obliterated trying.¡±


    Kaiser sighed. ¡°That explains a lot.¡±


    Erya stood up, stretching. ¡°Welp, duty calls. If I don¡¯t get there soon, someone¡¯s gonna suplex my roof off.¡±


    With that, she flicked her wrist, dismissing the hologram, and turned toward the door, already planning her entrance.


    Aria leaned toward Kaiser. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ a lot, huh?¡±


    Kaiser exhaled, rubbing his temples. ¡°Like a storm that never runs out of wind.¡±


    Aria smiled. ¡°You like her, though.¡±


    Kaiser scoffed. ¡°Absolutely not.¡±


    But he didn¡¯t deny it too hard.

 Chapter 23: The Right Fist

    As they pushed back from the table, Kaiser let out a satisfied exhale, adjusting his seat. "Alright," he muttered, rubbing his stomach. "I¡¯ll give her this. The woman might be a walking god complex, but she can cook."


    Aria stretched her arms over her head with a small yawn. "Told you. Now, let¡¯s get a room before I fall asleep on the floor. I¡¯m so not in the mood to wake up with someone¡¯s boot on my face."


    "Doesn¡¯t sound like such a bad thing," Kaiser said as he stood, cracking his neck.


    "Yeah? Well, if I¡¯m sleep-deprived, you¡¯re the one I¡¯ll be talking to all night," she shot back with a grin.


    Kaiser scoffed but didn¡¯t argue. He was already heading toward the front counter, where Krava stood like a perfectly sculpted statue. She was broad-shouldered, her arms were crossed, and she held an expression that suggested she was both unimpressed and uninterested in their existence.


    Kaiser slowed slightly as they approached, once again struggling to process what he was looking at. It was Glunko, but¡­ in a maid outfit. A well-pressed, black-and-white ensemble that looked like it had been made specifically for someone built like a blacksmith. The beard. The thick eyebrows. The sheer absurdity of it all.


    Aria leaned toward him, whispering, "Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?"


    Kaiser muttered back, "That is not normal."


    Aria blinked at him, confused. Then she turned toward Krava and gave her a once-over before looking back at Kaiser. "She looks normal for a Grounded." He could only stare at her, mind spinning as he kept the name in his head. Grounded? He made a mental note to pry about that later.


    Krava, meanwhile, had watched the entire exchange in silence before finally speaking in a flat tone. "Rooms?"


    Aria nodded, straightening. "Yeah. One room, two beds."


    Krava reached beneath the counter, lazily retrieving a small, glass-like tablet. "How will you be paying?" Aria pulled a leather pouch from her belt and gave it a small shake. A clinking sound rang out, crisp and metallic. She untied the string and turned the pouch over, letting a pile of gold coins spill onto the counter. Krava¡¯s face barely shifted, but Kaiser swore he saw her nostrils flare slightly in disgust. She stared at the gold like it had personally insulted her, her thick brows furrowing.


    "Gold coins," she muttered. A sigh, long and drawn out. "Of course."


    Aria hesitated. "What? Is there something wrong?"


    "Nothing," Krava cut her off, snatching a single gold coin and sliding the rest back across the counter. She reached beneath the desk again, this time pulling out a sleek, rectangular card. "Room 19. Second floor."


    Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed Aria¡¯s wrist. "Come on," he muttered, leading her toward the stairs.


    "What¡ªhey," Aria protested, stumbling slightly. "I can walk, you know." But just as they turned around from the counter, the doors slammed open so hard they nearly bounced back, making every conversation in the inn falter. The warm, low hum of chatter and clinking tankards died a swift death as three figures stepped inside, silhouetted against the dim lantern light from the street.


    They walked in like they owned the place. The first was a short, round man stuffed into a suit that barely fit him. His bald head gleamed under the light, and his many golden rings clinked together as he scratched his stomach lazily. The air around him carried the faint scent of sweat, cheap cologne, and something fried.


    The second was a wiry, long-limbed man wrapped in layers of ragged cloth, his eyes darting around the room like a rat searching for an escape. His fingers twitched constantly, as if itching to snatch something. He had the look of someone who¡¯d gone without food for too long, yet his movements were full of energy, jittery and unpredictable.


    The last was the biggest, broad shoulders, thick arms, and a rough, unkempt beard that looked like it had been growing for years without a plan. His ragged clothes stretched against his muscular frame, and unlike the other two, his expression was relaxed, almost lazy, like a man who had never needed to rush for anything in his life.


    Then, the skinny one spoke, his voice high-pitched and far too loud for comfort. ¡°The Right Fist is back in town baby!¡± He spread his arms wide as if expecting applause. ¡°Fresh off another brutal journey, and we got work to do!¡±


    The reaction was immediate. People averted their eyes. Some shifted in their seats, suddenly engrossed in their drinks. Others tensed, jaws tightening, fingers curling into fists. Even Krava, the ever-stoic woman behind the counter, didn¡¯t quite manage to hide her discomfort. Her arms folded over her chest, her thick fingers digging into her biceps. And yet, the three men walked forward like kings returning from war.


    Their path through the inn was slow and deliberate, their hands moving with precise confidence, snatching bread rolls from plates, tearing into hunks of meat, and lifting half-finished tankards of ale straight from under people¡¯s noses. One man, a grizzled-looking mercenary, visibly tensed as the fat one took a whole drumstick off his plate. His grip tightened on the handle of his knife. His breath came in slow, controlled exhales. Then, he glanced at the trio again, the look in his eyes changing. His hand relaxed, and his shoulders dropped.


    The fat one took a loud, obnoxious bite, grease dribbling down his chin as he smirked. ¡°Good man.¡±


    The three made their way toward the counter, passing directly by Kaiser and Aria.


    His beady eyes lingered on Aria but for her, it was for far too long. His lips curled, and for a moment, he looked like he was about to say something, making Aria¡¯s expression turn ice-cold. Kaiser, however, was completely unaware. Because at that exact moment, his gaze had locked onto something far more urgent. A wanted poster, pinned up near the door, slightly curled at the edges, ink faded but still legible.


    The fat man leaned against the counter, his thick fingers drumming lazily against the wood. His smirk was wide, but his eyes weren¡¯t smiling.


    "Oi, Krava. Erya in today?"


    Krava¡¯s expression remained stone cold. ¡°Yes.¡±


    The wiry man let out a dry chuckle, his lips stretching too wide over yellowed teeth. He leaned forward, the stench of stale sweat clinging to his ragged clothes. "Yeah? Then why don¡¯t I see her?"


    Krava didn¡¯t blink. "She¡¯s busy."


    The fat one let out a slow, dramatic sigh. ¡°Yeah, yeah, ¡®course she is.¡± He gestured vaguely around the room. ¡°Busy doin¡¯ what, exactly? ¡¯Cause unless she¡¯s in the back scrubbin¡¯ floors, I don¡¯t see much worth doin¡¯ in a place like this.¡±


    Krava¡¯s arms stayed at her sides, her posture unshaken. ¡°That¡¯s Erya¡¯s business.¡±


    The fat man let out a low, amused hum.


    The wiry one grinned. ¡°Bit rude, that. Not answerin¡¯ a simple question.¡±


    Krava didn¡¯t respond, she just stared at them, unmoving and unreadable. For a moment, no one spoke. The only sound was the occasional clink of glass in the background, the muffled voices of nervous patrons trying too hard to act like they weren¡¯t listening.


    The big man who was silent until now, cracked his knuckles slowly, like the sound was meant to fill the space where words couldn¡¯t. The fat one¡¯s smirk grew. ¡°¡­Tch. Ain¡¯t it funny?" he said, almost lazily. "How you always get all stiff when we come around?"


    The wiry one nodded, his grin stretching wider. "Like she¡¯s got somethin¡¯ to hide."


    Krava met his gaze, unwavering. "I don¡¯t hide anything."


    The wiry one¡¯s grin twitched. "That right?" He let out a breathy laugh. ¡°Then why does it feel like you¡¯re trying real hard to make us leave?¡±


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Krava finally moved. Just a little. A shift in her stance. A slow inhale. Not fear. Not hesitation. But restraint, and the fat one saw it.


    He slapped a heavy hand against the counter, making the wood creak. ¡°Ahh, but I ain¡¯t here to start trouble, Krava. We¡¯re friendly folk, y¡¯know?¡± His smirk widened, eyes gleaming with mock sincerity. ¡°And friendly folk deserve a warm welcome. Like, say¡­ a hot meal. On the house.¡±


    The wiry one leaned in, voice dropping to something just above a whisper. ¡°We gonna have a problem, Krava?¡±


    The big man behind them cracked his knuckles again. A slow, deliberate sound. Krava¡¯s gaze flickered toward the kitchen. Then, with calm precision, she turned around and disappeared behind the counter.


    The fat one grinned, exhaling through his nose. ¡°That¡¯s a good girl.¡±


    The three men turned away from the counter, smugness oozing off them like grease from an overcooked meal. The fat one scanned the room, eyes flicking between tables with a predatory gleam before he latched onto Kaiser and Aria.


    ¡°Hah! Ain¡¯t that a sight, boys? Couple of fresh faces.¡± His grin stretched wide as he grabbed his companions by their ragged sleeves and dragged them along, making a direct path toward the two. Kaiser didn¡¯t react. He stood there, still frozen in place, his gaze locked onto the wall where the wanted poster hung. Aria tugged at his sleeve again, whispering, ¡°Kaiser, let¡¯s just go.¡±


    He didn¡¯t move, and the men were in front of them now. The fat one clapped a greasy hand against his own chest and gave them a mock-friendly smile. "Name¡¯s Ollo. Ollo Garr. Maybe ya heard of me?" He let the question hang in the air like a bad joke, then laughed at it himself. "No? Ah, well, no harm done. Ain¡¯t everybody got an eye for greatness."


    The wiry one gave a slow, lazy bow, his stringy hair falling over his face. His smile was wider than ever, but his eyes were sharp. ¡°And me? Name¡¯s Devlin. Just Devlin. You can call me whatever you like, though. Ain¡¯t that right, Ollo?¡±


    Ollo chuckled, rubbing at the rolls of his chin. "S¡¯right. Man¡¯s got all kinds of names in all kinds of places.¡±


    Then, as if presenting a prize, he threw out an arm toward the towering figure beside them. The man was broad, with thick shoulders and corded muscle stretching under his ragged tunic. Unlike the other two, he wasn¡¯t smiling. His face was blank, save for a simmering irritation.


    ¡°And this fella right here?¡± Ollo grinned, voice practically dripping with self-satisfaction. ¡°This here is our friend Crost. Y¡¯know, a Liberator.¡±


    Aria stiffened at the word Liberator. It wasn¡¯t just a term. Liberators were enforcers, warriors who had earned their name through strength alone. Some were mercenaries,some were adventurers, some were bodyguards, some were executioners.... But almost all of them were dangerous.


    Ollo smirked, clearly expecting a reaction. Maybe fear. Maybe awe, but in reality, he got neither.


    Kaiser didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t flinch. Didn¡¯t even blink. His eyes remained fixed past them, staring dead ahead at the wall behind them. Aria tugged at his arm again, more urgent this time. ¡°Kaiser, let¡¯s go.¡±


    And that was what set them off.


    Devlin¡¯s grin twitched, turning sharp. ¡°Oi now, what¡¯s the rush? Ain¡¯t we havin¡¯ a nice talk?¡±


    Ollo folded his arms, his smugness curdling into something meaner. "Real rude, turnin¡¯ your back on friendly folk.¡±


    Crost, who had remained silent up until now, took a step forward, his expression darkening. His voice was low and gravelly. "You deaf or just stupid?"


    Still, nothing from Kaiser. Just that blank, hollow stare into the distance. But in that instant, Crost saw it. Not what he was staring at. Not the wanted poster, but his eyes, and something in Crost¡¯s chest seized.


    It was like staring into the abyss¡­ Into something wrong. Those weren¡¯t the eyes of a man. They weren¡¯t the eyes of prey, or even a predator. They were empty, like a corpse. Like something that had died a long time ago but just hadn¡¯t realized it yet.


    A chill crawled up Crost¡¯s spine, squeezing his lungs. His fingers twitched, his instincts screaming at him.


    ''Move. Step back. Get away.''


    His mouth went dry. His body locked up. He had fought monsters, men twice his size, things that should not exist. And yet, standing before this motionless man, staring into those lifeless eyes¡­ He had never felt this kind of fear.


    Ollo¡¯s beady eyes squinted as he sized Kaiser up, licking his lips like a merchant seeing fresh coin. "Well, ain''t this a sight? You got the look of money, friend. A real fine uniform, leather boots¡ªreal proper. Didn''t know a new slave merchant came through town."


    Devlin chuckled, tilting his head toward Aria with a smug, toothy grin. "And bringin'' a cutie like this, too. Tsk, tsk, didn¡¯t think Arkhold was worth the trouble. Guess a pleasure slave like her must fetch a mighty price, eh?¡±


    Aria''s fingers dug into Kaiser''s arm. Hard. Yet Kaiser didn¡¯t react, not at first. But very soon after his eyes snapped to them. Crost, the towering, battle-hardened Liberator felt his blood turn to ice. His muscles locked. His breath hitched. His body screamed for him to run. To do anything to escape this moment. But he couldn¡¯t.


    Kaiser¡¯s gaze held him in place like a noose tightening around his throat. It wasn¡¯t fury. It wasn¡¯t hate.


    It was nothing.


    Something that had seen death. Lived through it. Dragged itself out of its grave and walked on, uncaring.


    ¡®He¡¯s going to kill me.¡¯


    Crost didn¡¯t even hear what Ollo and Devlin were saying anymore. His mind went blank. His instincts, his years of fighting, his honed experience¡ªnone of it mattered. He was certain he was going to die.


    Then he felt the temperature around them plummet as a thin frost curled across the wooden floor beneath Kaiser¡¯s feet. The wooden beams above creaked as moisture in the air froze. Ice traced up the table legs, climbing like skeletal fingers.


    Aria¡¯s grip on Kaiser¡¯s hand tightened. She wasn¡¯t pulling anymore, she was holding on. Holding on as something inside him shifted.


    Ollo, oblivious to the weight pressing down on them, was still grinning. ¡°What? That touchy about your property? Relax, friend, ain''t no shame in¡ª¡±


    SMACK.


    Crost¡¯s massive hand crashed down on both Ollo and Devlin¡¯s heads.


    ¡°SHUT THE HELL UP!¡±


    The force of it nearly sent Ollo to his knees, and Devlin stumbled, yelping. ¡°Oi! What was that fo¡ª¡±


    ¡°Apologies!¡± Crost bowed. Deeply. His voice shook. He didn¡¯t care how much he embarrassed himself. Didn¡¯t care how stupid he looked. All he cared about was one thing, and that was his survival.


    ¡°I¡ªI meant no offense, sir! Please, forgive their stupidity!¡± Devlin rubbed the lump forming on his skull, blinking. "Wait, what?" Ollo scowled. ¡°The hell¡¯s gotten into you, Crost? It¡¯s just¡ª¡±


    Then Ollo saw it too. Kaiser¡¯s face, and his bravado shriveled in an instant. For the first time since they had walked into the inn, Ollo shut his mouth. Crost fumbled into his coat, hands trembling, and yanked out a card¡ªa sleek, engraved thing of dark metal, laced with gold. He held it out toward Kaiser with both hands, like a peace offering to a beast.


    "S-Sir... I¡ªI would like to extend an invitation!" His voice cracked. ¡°To the auction! Two days from now! P-Please, come as my personal guest! I¡¯ll even make sure you get a discount on any¡­ on¡­ on¡­¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t move a muscle.


    Crost gulped.


    With no other choice, he pressed the card against Kaiser¡¯s chest. It lingered there for a moment before falling to the ground. The card hit the floor with a soft clink, but the sound may as well have been a hammer falling in the silence that followed.


    Crost still hadn¡¯t moved. His hands were frozen in midair, like he didn¡¯t dare retrieve the card, didn¡¯t dare shift even a muscle in front of the thing standing before him. Ollo and Devlin weren¡¯t much better.


    Devlin, who was usually the first to laugh things off, was now stone-faced, his mouth slightly open like he was trying to form a thought but had lost the ability to think. Ollo, on the other hand, was glaring at Crost like the big man had suddenly gone insane.


    ¡°The hell was that!?¡± Ollo hissed, rubbing the spot where Crost had struck him. ¡°You grovelin¡¯ to some no-name like a whipped dog!? I should¡ª¡±


    Crost whirled on him. ¡°Shut. Up.¡± His voice was low, but the weight in it made Ollo flinch.


    Ollo looked between Crost and Kaiser, truly looked. His piggish eyes darted to the ice still creeping along the floorboards, to Aria¡¯s clenched fists, to the soulless abyss of Kaiser¡¯s gaze, and something inside him twitched. His instincts, dulled as they were, finally started to scream.


    But Ollo was nothing if not a man too stupid to listen.


    He forced out a laugh, straightening his suit, trying to regain his arrogance. ¡°Bah. You¡¯re scared of this guy? You think he¡¯s some kinda threat?¡± He thumbed toward Kaiser. ¡°He¡¯s got some powers, sure, but¡ª¡±


    Devlin elbowed him in the ribs, extremely hard. Ollo winced, turning to snap at him, only to see Devlin¡¯s face was pale as death. The thin man barely breathed the words, but the fear in them was real.


    ¡°Leave. It.¡±


    Ollo opened his mouth. Then shut it.


    Crost, still too afraid to turn back to Kaiser, cleared his throat and forced himself to speak. ¡°Well, sir, the invitation stands. The auction will be held in two days. If you choose to attend, we will welcome you.¡± His words were quick, forced, like he needed to get them out before his lungs collapsed.


    Kaiser didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t acknowledge them, didn¡¯t even react.


    Crost grabbed Devlin by the sleeve and tugged him toward an empty table. Ollo followed, not before spitting on the floor near Kaiser¡¯s feet.


    "Bastard.¡±


    Aria twitched. Her hand flew to the dagger at her hip, but Ollo was already turning away. She clenched her jaw, inhaled sharply through her nose, and forced herself to exhale.


    Ollo and Devlin slumped into their chairs, and Crost took the farthest seat possible, rubbing his arms as if trying to get rid of an unseen chill.


    Aria let out a shaky breath, finally releasing Kaiser¡¯s arm, but only so she could turn on him. ¡°Are you kidding me!?¡± she hissed, keeping her voice low but sharp.


    Kaiser didn¡¯t respond, as his eyes and full attention were fixed somewhere else. Aria followed his line of sight and saw a wanted poster, tacked onto the wooden pillar near the door.


    Kaiser started walking toward it.


    Aria clenched her fists. ¡°You didn¡¯t say a word! They insulted you! Insulted me! And you just¡ª¡± She groaned, dragging a hand through her hair. ¡°If you let every scumbag walk all over you, people will think you¡¯re weak, Kaiser.¡±


    Kaiser stopped in front of the wanted poster, his expression unreadable.


    Aria sighed. ¡°You¡¯re not even listening, are you¡ª¡±


    Then she saw the name. Her breath caught and her pulse spiked.


    The image on the poster was burned into the parchment with magical ink, shifting slightly as if the man in the picture was breathing.


    Wild, untamed white hair, eyes filled with pure malice and a grin that seemed to mock the world itself.


    Sabel Stoorm.


    Aria¡¯s mind barely caught up with her body as she staggered closer, eyes locked onto the poster. The bounty beneath the name was obscene, but none of that mattered to her right now. Slowly, she turned to Kaiser, her anger completely evaporated, her voice quiet, almost¡­ hesitant.


    ¡°Kaiser...¡±

 Chapter 24: A Moment鈥檚 Peace

    The lantern produced long, restless shadows over the wooden walls, flickering just barely. Apart from the occasional groan of the old flooring under the weight of its two occupants, the room was still. Kaiser sat at the edge of the bed, his forearms resting on his knees and his posture slumped. His fingers were entwined, and his face seemed carved from stone. It was unmoving, far-off, immersed in thoughts that carried him far from the present.


    Sabel Stoorm.


    That name had surfaced from the past like a corpse drifting back to shore, and it clung to him, dragging him down into the cold depths of his own mind. Aria, watching him from where she sat beside him, frowned. She hated this.


    It was rare to see Kaiser this withdrawn. Usually, he was focused and decisive, joking even, but now? Now he looked like he was locked in some invisible battle, wrestling with something she couldn¡¯t see. And Aria wasn¡¯t the kind of person to sit around and let her friend spiral into whatever dark pit was calling his name.


    She scooted closer and gave him a solid bump with her shoulder.


    Nothing.


    She did it again, this time harder.


    Still nothing.


    Aria pursed her lips, squinting at him. ¡®Alright, then.¡¯ She leaned back slightly, gathered momentum¡­ And then full-body slammed into him all her might.


    Kaiser jolted slightly, blinking as he finally turned his head toward her. ¡°¡­What the hell are you doing?¡± Aria grinned. ¡®Finally, a reaction.¡¯


    ¡°Trying to knock the brooding out of you,¡± she said casually, shifting to sit cross-legged beside him. ¡°You looked like you were about to start writing tragic poetry.¡±


    Kaiser exhaled from his nose, half a sigh, half buried chuckle. ¡°That¡¯s the approach you went with?¡± Aria leaned back, and on her face was a victorious grin ¡°Hey, it worked, didn¡¯t it?¡±


    Kaiser shook his head, a small, almost imperceptible smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. It was faint and barely there, but Aria saw it.


    ¡°See? Progress.¡± She smirked back at him, nudging his arm again, this time playfully. He sighed, rolling his shoulders as if trying to physically shake off whatever had latched onto him. "And what exactly do you want me to do instead?"


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know. Maybe stop being a depressing pile of angst for five minutes?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not¡ª¡±


    ¡°You are.¡±


    Kaiser gave her a flat look, but Aria only grinned wider.


    ¡°Come on,¡± she said, hopping up to her feet in one smooth motion. ¡°I refuse to let you sit here and brood all night like some tragic villain. We¡¯re going outside.¡±


    Kaiser raised a brow at her. ¡°And if I say no?¡±


    Aria didn¡¯t even hesitate. She grabbed both of his wrists and yanked. Caught off guard, Kaiser stumbled to his feet, barely managing to regain his balance as Aria practically dragged him out of his own head.


    ¡°Then it''s a good thing you don¡¯t get a choice,¡± she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.


    As they made their way down the wooden stairs, Kaiser noticed something strange, and that was that the inn had grown quieter since earlier as most of the rowdy patrons had either retired to their rooms or stumbled out into the night, leaving behind an almost peaceful atmosphere. The air carried the warm scent of burning firewood and the faint tang of ale.


    Kaiser¡¯s sharp eyes scanned the room instinctively, taking note of something immediately.


    Krava was gone.  Instead, standing behind the reception desk was a completely different woman. She looked entirely ordinary, her short brown hair was tied into a loose bun,  and she was wearing a simple tunic with an apron draped over it. She was flipping idly through a large leather-bound book, her fingers trailing over the pages as if checking the registry.


    Kaiser slowed his steps slightly, watching her from the corner of his eye as they passed. The woman barely acknowledged them beyond a brief glance before returning to her work, turning a page with a quiet rustle.


    A sharp tug at his wrist.


    Kaiser barely had a moment to react before Aria yanked him forward, her grip strong, her steps quick and eager. He stumbled after her, caught between resistance and amusement, watching as she weaved through the narrow paths between tables with ease, her pink hair bouncing slightly with each step.


    ¡°Are you seriously dragging me through the inn like I¡¯m some lost child?¡± Kaiser muttered, barely dodging a chair before he was forced through the last row of tables. ¡°You¡¯d just stand there forever if I didn¡¯t,¡± Aria shot back over her shoulder, her voice light and teasing. ¡°Besides, you need fresh air.¡±


    ¡°I need a drink.¡±


    ¡°We just drank and ate.¡±


    ¡°Then I need another drink.¡±


    She huffed a small laugh but didn¡¯t let go. With one last pull, she led him to the wooden doors of the inn and pushed them open.


    A blast of cold air hit Kaiser¡¯s face like a sudden wave, sharp and bracing against his skin. The contrast was startling. Just moments ago, he had been in the dim, warm confines of the inn, the air heavy with the scent of food, alcohol, and the low murmurs of weary travelers. But out here, everything was alive.


    The quiet chatter of the inn was swallowed by the sounds of the street¡ªthe metallic clang of a blacksmith finishing his last work for the day, the creak of wooden stalls being shut, the distant calls of merchants securing their goods. The city had been bustling earlier, but now, as the sun sank beneath the horizon, the streets were thinning out.


    Aria exhaled deeply, tilting her head back to gaze at the deepening sky. ¡°See?¡± she said, her voice softer now. ¡°Better, right?¡±


    Kaiser blinked a few times, still adjusting to the openness of it all. He hadn¡¯t even realized how heavy the inn had felt, how suffocating its walls had been. He hated to admit it, but, ¡°¡­Yeah,¡± he murmured, glancing at her. ¡°Better.¡±


    She beamed at him, pleased with herself. ¡°I¡¯m always right.¡±


    ¡°Debatable.¡±


    ¡°Undeniable.¡±


    She didn¡¯t let go of his hand. Instead, she gave it another small tug, slower this time, more gentle. Without another word, she led him forward, guiding him into the winding streets of the city.


    Lanterns of the streets bloomed with bright pink fire, a strange glow that wasn¡¯t quite flame, nor was it simple magic. The light moved, swirled, danced within the glass cage, casting shifting patterns of lilac and deep indigo along the cobbled roads. Each lantern held a trapped, living wisp, tiny spirits that flickered and spun like fireflies, illuminating the night in all of its beauty.


    They passed by a small, round fountain, where water flowed unnaturally upward before cascading back down in thin, twisting ribbons. The fountain had no visible pipes, no enchantments carved into its stone, just a simple plaque resting at its base.


    Kaiser glanced at it as they walked by.


    Water given by a generous heart will always find its way home.


    ¡®What a strange saying.¡¯ Kaiser thought to himself


    A few children ran past them, chasing after floating, glowing golden coins that rushed through the air like little birds. Street magicians still lingered at corners, performing simple tricks for whatever coin the night could spare.


    Kaiser had seen many strange things in his life, but this city, even in the quiet lull of night felt undeniably magical.


    Aria had been glancing at him every now and then, her lips tugged up in the faintest of smiles every time she did so.  ¡°You¡¯re looking around a lot,¡± she noted, tilting her head.


    Kaiser blinked, turning his gaze back to her. ¡°¡­Is that a bad thing?¡±


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°No,¡± Aria said, her grin widening. ¡°It¡¯s just funny.¡±


    ¡°Funny how?¡± Kaiser asked, his tone dry but curious.


    Aria smirked, ¡°You always act like you¡¯ve seen everything before. But you haven¡¯t, have you?¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t answer right away. The question caught him off guard. He¡¯d been to countless places, crossed lands most people wouldn¡¯t dare to venture into. But when was the last time he¡¯d simply walked through a city and let himself take it all in? Not as a soldier, not as a general, not as someone always on the hunt or being hunted. Just¡­ as a person.


    ¡°¡­I suppose not,¡± he admitted finally, his voice quieter than he intended. Aria hummed, swinging their joined hands slightly as they walked. ¡°I think that¡¯s a good thing.¡±


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow at her. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because it means you can still be surprised.¡±


    He huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. ¡°That¡¯s an optimistic way of looking at it.¡± Aria shrugged, her expression soft but teasing. ¡°Hey, someone has to balance out all your doom and gloom.¡±


    Kaiser smirked, glancing at her. ¡°So that¡¯s your role now?¡±


    Aria grinned. ¡°It¡¯s a tough job, but someone¡¯s gotta do it.¡±


    They passed by a bakery that was closing up for the night, the warm scent of cinnamon and fresh bread still lingering in the air. The owner, a short elderly man with a beard dusted in flour, was packing up trays of leftover pastries. He caught Aria¡¯s gaze and gave a small nod before tossing something in her direction.


    Aria reacted instantly, letting go of Kaiser¡¯s hand to catch it midair. She turned it over in her palm, a small, golden pastry that was still warm. ¡°On the house,¡± the old man said gruffly. ¡°For young love.¡±


    Aria¡¯s face turned bright red. ¡°W-We¡¯re not¡ª¡± But the old man had already turned away, waving her off with a chuckle. Kaiser looked at her, one brow raised in amusement. ¡°You gonna eat that, or just stand there blushing?¡±


    Aria shot him a glare, then ripped the pastry in half and shoved one piece into his hand. ¡°Shut up and eat.¡± Kaiser smirked but complied, biting into the soft, flaky crust. It was sweet, buttery, with a hint of spice. It tasted¡­ warm.


    Aria took a bite of hers as well, her expression instantly softening. ¡°Gods, this is good.¡±


    They chewed in comfortable silence, strolling through the streets as the wisp-lit lanterns cast their eerie glow. The world felt quieter, smaller¡ªjust the two of them walking through an unfamiliar city, sharing a warm pastry beneath a sky full of stars.


    Kaiser dusted the last few crumbs from his fingers, watching the bakery owner disappear into the back of his shop. He exhaled, letting the warm aftertaste linger on his tongue before glancing at Aria. ¡°That man must have good eyes,¡± he mused.


    Aria turned to him with a puzzled expression. ¡°Huh?¡±


    Kaiser smirked. ¡°He mistook me for someone your age.¡±


    There was a brief pause, then, Aria¡¯s eyes narrowed in mischievous curiosity. ¡°Wait a second¡ªhow old are you even?¡±


    Kaiser hesitated, his expression darkening slightly, as if she¡¯d just asked him to recall a particularly annoying memory. A muscle twitched in his jaw, and for a moment, he just stared at her like she¡¯d personally offended him. Finally, he sighed, rubbing his temple. ¡°Young enough.¡±


    Aria gasped in exaggerated horror. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what an old man would say!¡±


    Kaiser glared at her. ¡°I am not old.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what all old men say!¡±


    Kaiser let out a slow, measured breath. ¡°You¡¯re really annoying to talk to, you know that, right?¡± But Aria grinned, unfazed. ¡°You keep saying that, but you still talk to me all the time.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunate circumstance,¡± he muttered, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.


    "Oh, shut up." She nudged his arm. "Seriously, how old are you?"


    Kaiser folded his arms, staring ahead. "...Old enough to know better than to answer that question."


    Aria groaned. "Oh come on."


    They kept walking, their conversation drifting between light teasing and silence, with Aria occasionally pointing out some strange new sight in the city. One particular vendor was selling glass butterflies, enchanted to flutter around their owners for a full day before dissolving into harmless specks of light. Another performer on the street played a strange instrument made of silver rings that hummed like a chorus of voices when touched.


    The city was alive, even in its quieter moments, and eventually, after then more than an hour of exploration, they reached the city gates.


    The massive archway loomed over them, manned by only a handful of guards who looked more bored than alert. Aria glanced toward the small wooden guardhouse at the side of the road and walked up to it, knocking on the counter to get the attention of the man slouched behind it.


    As Aria stepped into the small guardhouse by the city gates, Kaiser lingered just outside, his gaze drifting toward the towering walls that enclosed the city. The night had settled fully now, casting the world in deep blues and purples, but the streets still glowed with the remnants of lanternlight.


    Inside, the guardhouse was surprisingly warm, as it was lit by a single enchanted crystal hanging from the ceiling, humming with faint golden light. The scent of parchment and old leather filled the space, mixing with the faint aroma of ink.


    The guard behind the wooden desk was older, but not in the frail way. He had the build of someone who had spent his life standing watch, with broad shoulders and an easy smile hidden beneath a well-groomed mustache. His uniform was a bit loose on him, as if he had once been much bulkier, but his presence remained steady, reassuring.


    He glanced up as Aria approached, his sharp gray eyes softening with a flicker of recognition. "Ah, another pair heading out for the night?" he said, his voice deep but kind.


    Aria nodded eagerly. "Yes! We¡¯d like four tickets, please."


    The guard reached beneath the counter, pulling out a small metal case. When he opened it, a soft shimmer filled the air¡ªthe teleportation tickets inside were beautiful, each one engraved with a swirling symbol that pulsed faintly. They almost looked like tiny mirrors, reflecting the world in strange, distorted ways.


    He plucked four from the case and slid them across the desk. "Press your thumb in the center for five seconds when you¡¯re ready to leave. Same thing when you want to return, just make sure you¡¯re within the designated zones outside the city, or you might find yourself dropping into a river or a tree."


    Aria chuckled as she scooped up the tickets, careful with them.


    Then, just as she was about to turn away¡ª


    "You planning to play Firefight?" the guard asked casually, his tone light.


    Aria froze mid-step. "Wait¡ªwhat?" she blurted, spinning back around. Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement. "Did you say Firefight? People are playing it outside?!"


    The guard chuckled. "That¡¯s the usual crowd this time of night. Festival season''s over, but some folks never stop." He leaned on the desk, stroking his mustache. "You interested?"


    Aria beamed. "Yes!"


    The guard grinned, shaking his head. "Figured as much." He reached beneath the counter again, rummaging through a different drawer before pulling out a pair of simple white gloves.


    The guard tossed them onto the desk. "If you''re playing, you¡¯ll want to wear these. Otherwise, your hands¡¯ll be covered in firelights before you know it."


    Aria eagerly picked up a pair, slipping them onto her fingers. The material was soft but firm, woven with something slightly slick, like silk mixed with leather.


    "The lights don¡¯t stick to them?" she asked, flexing her fingers.


    The guard nodded. "They only latch onto bare skin or natural surfaces. The gloves let you catch and throw without getting tagged yourself. I¡¯d rather not be peeling firelights off people all night, so trust me, wear them." The guard spoke, but Aria was so excited that she ran for the doors, barely able to hide her excitement for the game that was to come.


    Aria stepped out of the guardhouse, her expression unreadable as she approached Kaiser. The soft glow of lanterns cast a warm light over the emptying streets, but the only thing Kaiser focused on was the small bundle of white fabric in her hands.


    She stopped in front of him, wordlessly pressing a pair of gloves into his chest.


    "Put them on," she said.


    Kaiser didn¡¯t move to take them immediately. His red eyes flickered between her face and the gloves, waiting for some kind of explanation.


    Aria gave him none.


    Instead, she turned and started walking toward a circular platform near the gates. It was smooth and polished, its marble-like surface engraved with the same intricate symbol that had been stamped onto the tickets. The platform was large enough for multiple people to stand on, but right now, it was empty, just waiting to take them somewhere.


    Kaiser glanced at the gloves in his hands before slipping them on, feeling the snug fit over his fingers. His gaze lingered on Aria as she moved, stepping onto the platform as if she had done this a hundred times before.


    She reached into her pocket and pulled out two slim, rectangular tickets, their metallic surface catching the light. With a casual motion, she handed one to Kaiser. "This is how we leave the city," she said simply.


    Kaiser took the ticket without a word, turning it over between his fingers. The engraved symbol on its surface pulsed faintly, like something alive beneath the metal. His grip tightened slightly. The last time he held a ticket like this, he was kidnapped.


    A flicker of hesitation crossed his face. His body remained still, but his mind bristled with instinctual distrust. His eyes flicked back to Aria, searching for any hint of deception. She only gave him a look. One that was patient, expectant, trusting.


    Kaiser exhaled through his nose. ¡®Tch. Fine.¡¯


    He stepped onto the platform beside her, the gloves flexing over his fingers as he adjusted them. He turned the ticket over once more before finally speaking. "And what exactly are we doing outside the city?"


    Aria smiled, her tone light and teasing.


    "Sightseeing."

 Chapter 25: Playing with Fire

    The world blinked.


    One moment, Kaiser and Aria stood within the city walls; the next, their feet touched the smooth, polished surface of a massive white platform. The teleportation had been instantaneous, like stepping through an unseen veil. There was no transition, no warning, just a sudden shift, as if reality had skipped a frame. The air here was different. Crisp, fresh, untouched by the city¡¯s warmth and thick with the scent of the wild. A gentle breeze rolled across the land, carrying the whisper of a world beyond civilization, its cool fingers brushing against their skin. Then, the sight hit them.


    Aria inhaled sharply, her entire body going still. Her fingers tightened around Kaiser¡¯s, knuckles white as her wide, starry eyes drank in the impossible landscape before them, something she had only ever heard of in hushed village stories, something she had dreamed of seeing her entire life.


    A field of glass grass. It stretched endlessly, an ocean of shimmering blades that reflected every sliver of moonlight. Unlike ordinary grass, which bowed and swayed to the whims of the wind, this grass fractured light itself, refracting it into a thousand tiny, dancing colors. The land was alive with glimmers, each ripple of wind sending waves of prismatic hues cascading across the field. It was as if the stars had spilled from the heavens and taken root in the earth, caught in an eternal waltz between reality and dream.


    But even that breathtaking sight was not the most enchanting thing.


    People were running. Dozens of them, darting between the glowing plains, their laughter ringing through the night. They weren¡¯t just running tho, they were chasing. Chasing tiny, flickering lights that hovered just above the ground, flitting unpredictably in every direction. The orbs, no bigger than a clenched fist, danced like embers in the air, trailing faint golden streaks as they weaved through the players.


    Then, just as one figure lunged for a glowing firelight, they threw it.


    The firelight streaked through the air like a comet, disoriented and aimless, before latching onto another player¡¯s back with a soft, static zap. The crowd erupted in laughter as the unlucky target groaned, now faintly glowing where the firelight clung to them.


    Aria¡¯s heart pounded as she had heard of this before. "Firefight," she whispered in amazement, her breath misting in the cool night air.


    Kaiser glanced at her, catching the wonder in her expression. "You¡¯ve never seen them before?"


    Aria shook her head, her voice breathless. "Only in stories. I always thought they were exaggerating, but... it¡¯s even more beautiful than I imagined." Her gaze flickered back to the game, following the orbs as they were tossed and caught, as they clung to players before floating away again after getting detached. "You catch them," she began, her voice rising with excitement, "then throw them at your partner. The first one to have five stuck to them loses. But the firelights get confused when they¡¯re thrown, so they just latch onto whatever they touch first."


    Her fingers slipped from Kaiser¡¯s hand as she took a step forward, then another. And then, she bolted.


    "Too slow!" she yelled over her shoulder, her voice bubbling with laughter.


    Kaiser blinked. It took him a moment to process what had just happened. One second, Aria had been standing beside him, eyes filled with childlike wonder. The next¡ªshe was already halfway across the field, weaving effortlessly between the players. Her pink hair glittered under the firelights, catching the glow and making her look like one of them. She truly looked weightless, radiant and untouchable at that moment.


    Kaiser exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head. "Oh, she thinks she¡¯s clever, huh?" He stepped off the platform, and onto the living starlight.


    The glass grass chimed beneath his boots, a delicate, melodic sound, like stepping across thousands of wind chimes. He wasn¡¯t running, not yet at least, but his long strides carried him forward, watching as Aria ducked and twisted through the chaos, her laughter carried away on the wind. She was quick, nimble, slipping between players with practiced ease, narrowly avoiding a firelight that whizzed past her shoulder.


    She was having fun¡­ Real fun.


    And somehow, that made him want to play too.


    Kaiser glanced up. A single firelight hovered just above his head, flickering and pulsing, like a tiny wisp waiting to be caught. His fingers twitched. ¡®Catch the firelight and throw it at her, simple enough¡¯


    Aria was fast, but Kaiser was faster.


    He snatched the firelight out of the air before it could dart away, feeling a strange warmth in his palm, as if he had caught a tiny, flickering heart. The moment he gripped it, the light pulsed, disoriented, no longer floating on its own. He reared his arm back, and threw.


    Aria, who had been weaving through the other players with the grace of someone who had done this before, suddenly ducked. The firelight streaked past her silver hair, missing by mere inches, and latched onto a random man behind her. "Oi! Who the hell threw that?!" the poor victim barked, glowing faintly as he looked around in confusion.


    Aria¡¯s laughter rang out like a bell.


    "You¡¯ll have to do better than that, old man!" she called, her voice full of playful confidence as she leapt over a patch of taller grass, her feet barely touching the ground. Her eyes gleamed with the thrill of the game.


    She was skilled. That much was obvious. She wasn¡¯t just running randomly¡ªshe knew how to play. She knew how to bait him, how to keep moving so firelights couldn¡¯t lock onto her.


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes. "You¡¯ve done this before."


    "Not exactly," Aria admitted as she twirled to dodge another firelight thrown by a passing player. "But back home, we had a game like this! We¡¯d throw sticky berries at each other during summer festivals. Last one standing without a splatter on them was the winner!" She grinned, still dancing across the field. "I was the best!"


    Kaiser let out a slow exhale, flexing his fingers. He didn¡¯t need experience, he just needed to catch her. Another firelight flickered close to him, and he caught it with a flick of his wrist.


    And then he moved, not running tho, but gliding.


    One moment, he was standing still, and the next he was gone, the glass grass barely making a sound beneath his steps. The world blurred, and Aria¡¯s playful grin shattered the moment she realized he had disappeared.


    "¡ª?!?" She barely had time to react before a firelight smacked into her back.


    Zap!


    A sudden, warm static clung to her, like a gentle electric shock, making her stumble forward as she blinked rapidly before twisting around to glare at him. Kaiser stood just a few feet away, arms crossed, smirking.


    "Didn¡¯t see that one coming, did you?" he said smugly.


    Aria narrowed her eyes. "Oh, it¡¯s on now." Without hesitation, she lunged for a firelight and hurled it toward him, but Kaiser was already moving, twisting out of the way with a sharp grin. Sparks scattered as the flame missed, and in an instant, the duel began¡ªdodging, weaving, launching whatever they could find at each other in a fast-paced, reckless clash of reflexes and instinct.


    Aria fought with skill, weaving between players, predicting Kaiser¡¯s throws, and even bouncing a firelight off another player¡¯s firelight midair to hit Kaiser in the arm.


    Kaiser fought with speed, disappearing and reappearing with such impossible footwork that half the game was just Aria trying to guess where he even was.


    "Damn it! Stay still!" Aria laughed as she hurled another firelight, only for Kaiser to sidestep at the last second, causing the glowing ember to fly harmlessly into the grass. "Why would I do that?" he teased, smoothly catching another firelight and tossing it toward her without stopping.


    She barely dodged it, twisting mid-air, her pink hair catching the moonlight. A nearby group had stopped playing just to watch them. Their movements weren¡¯t normal. The way they moved was effortless, precise and almost unnatural. It really made it obvious they weren¡¯t just two regular players.


    It was no longer just a casual game. It was a duel.


    Four firelights clung to Aria. Four firelights clung to Kaiser. Their breath was visible in the cool night air, their bodies tense with anticipation. Aria¡¯s heart pounded against her ribs as she eyed Kaiser, her muscles coiled like a spring. She could feel the weight of the match pressing down on her, but it only fueled the fire in her chest.


    ¡°One more round,¡± Aria gasped, sweat dampening her temples as she squared her shoulders. ¡°Winner takes all.¡±


    Kaiser rolled his neck, the firelights that were stuck to him pulsing in time with his lazy grin. "You sure you want to keep going? You¡¯re losing your breath."


    Aria narrowed her eyes. "You¡¯re losing your hairline."


    The smirk froze on Kaiser¡¯s face. For a heartbeat, just a heartbeat, his step faltered, and it was enough.


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    Aria lunged, snatching a firelight from the air. The world blurred as she whipped her arm forward, hurling the molten streak straight at his chest. Kaiser moved like lightning, his hand snapping up and catching the firelight mid-flight. The glowing sphere sputtered in his palm, confused, harmless.


    Silence swallowed the field. Aria¡¯s pulse roared in her ears. Even the watching crowd seemed to stop breathing. Kaiser stared at the trapped flame, genuine surprise softening his features. ¡°¡­Huh. Didn¡¯t see that coming.¡±


    Aria¡¯s eye twitched. Then¡­ She launched herself at him.


    They hit the ground in a tangle, rolling through the glass-like grass that shimmered like crushed starlight. When they stopped, Aria straddled him, her knees pinning his arms, triumph blazing in her eyes. Kaiser blinked up, grass in his hair, the firelight still clutched in one hand.


    Their faces were inches apart. She could count the flecks of red in his widened eyes.


    ¡°Five,¡± she hissed, slamming another hiden firelight against his ribs.


    The zap echoed loudly. Kaiser exhaled through his teeth, staring at the sky as if it personally betrayed him. ¡°¡­I despise you.¡±


    ¡°I. Win.¡± Aria vaulted to her feet, fists raised as the crowd erupted.


    Cheers and laughter rippled through the field, the remaining firelights bobbing lazily now that the duel had ended. Someone started clapping. Another whistled.


    Kaiser lay motionless, the grass glowing beneath him like liquid moonlight. His body wasn¡¯t tired as he¡¯d endured far worse¡­ But his pride? That stung. How? He¡¯d calculated every move, every feint. And yet¡ª


    ¡°Legendary!¡± shouted a voice from the crowd.


    ¡°Did you see her tackle him?!¡±


    Aria¡¯s grin could¡¯ve outshone the firelights. She loomed over him, hand extended. ¡°Need a hand, old man?¡± Kaiser batted her away, sitting up with a scoff. ¡°I let you win.¡±


    ¡°Five hits.¡± She held up her fingers, wiggling them tauntingly. ¡°Four. Math¡¯s hard, huh?¡± He opened his mouth to retort, but a black-gloved hand thrust suddenly into his line of sight.


    Kaiser¡¯s gaze flicked up, locking onto the figure who had approached. The man standing over him wore a plain, dark outfit, nothing extravagant, but his mask was what stood out. It was made of polished silver, featureless aside from two thin slits for eyes and a faintly engraved pattern across the forehead.


    The masked man didn¡¯t speak, simply offering his hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world. For a brief second, Kaiser hesitated. Something about the figure felt off. Not dangerous, but maybe calculated.


    Still, there was no reason to refuse. Kaiser reached out, clasping the man¡¯s hand. The grip was firm but not forceful, pulling him up in one smooth motion.


    And then, a subtle, almost imperceptible movement inside his pocket happened, like something had been placed there, or taken. The masked man dipped his head politely and melted into the crowd, footsteps soundless.


    Kaiser tracked him until he vanished, jaw tight. Later. ¡°You okay?¡± Aria nudged his arm, her grin still electric from the win.


    He rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. ¡°Peachy.¡± She squinted at him, then shrugged. ¡°Round two?¡±


    He snorted, shoving his hands into his pockets. ¡°One humiliation¡¯s enough.¡±


    Aria fake-gasped, clutching her chest. ¡°Humiliation? You¡¯re just salty I schooled y¡ª¡±


    A roar of laughter erupted nearby as another match ended, losers groaning theatrically. Aria¡¯s head whipped toward the noise, eyes lighting up. ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s watch!¡±


    Kaiser sighed. ¡°¡­Fine.¡±


    They wove through clusters of players, firelights bobbing overhead like drunken stars. Aria bounced as she walked, still riding the high. ¡°Did you see their faces when I¡ª¡±


    A pale hand thrust into her path.


    Aria blinked in surprise and followed the hand up to see a girl, around her height, with short silver hair that fell messily just above her shoulders. She had sharp blue eyes that gleamed with quiet amusement and wore a sleeveless tunic of dark gray, with fitted gloves that went up to her elbows. She looked young, maybe her own age, maybe younger, but something about her presence felt seasoned, like she had been playing this game her whole life.


    "You¡¯re good," the girl said simply, her voice light and smooth. "Ever played before?"Aria¡¯s eyes widened, her excitement reigniting in an instant. "Something similar back home! But this was my first time playing firefight!"


    The silver-haired girl gave a small nod of approval. "You¡¯ve got good reflexes. I like that. Want to go again? This time, against me." Aria didn¡¯t even hesitate. ¡®A second game?! With someone new?!¡¯


    She immediately took the girl¡¯s hand, shaking it enthusiastically. "Yes!" The silver-haired girl¡¯s lips quirked into a small, almost imperceptible smirk. "I¡¯m Seris," she introduced herself. "Let¡¯s make this fun."


    Aria beamed. ¡®A friend! A girl her age! Someone to play with!¡¯ It was like the night kept getting better and better.


    But before she could turn to drag Kaiser into this, he was already walking away. "Wait¡ªwhere are you going?" Aria called after him.


    Kaiser raised a hand in a lazy half-wave, not even looking back. "I¡¯ll leave you to it. I¡¯m heading back."


    Aria blinked. "But¡ª"


    "You¡¯ll be fine," he said over his shoulder. "Just don¡¯t embarrass yourself."


    Aria pouted, puffing up her cheeks. "I didn¡¯t last game!"


    Kaiser gave a noncommittal shrug before slipping further into the crowd, disappearing like he had never been there to begin with.


    Aria huffed. ¡®Typical Kaiser.¡¯


    She turned back to Seris, who was watching the exchange with mild amusement. "Your friend doesn¡¯t like to play?"


    Aria folded her arms. "More like he doesn¡¯t like to lose."


    Seris raised an eyebrow. "That so?"


    Aria grinned. "Yup. But enough about him. Let''s play!"


    Seris chuckled, stretching out her gloved hands. "Hope you¡¯re ready, then. Because I don¡¯t like to lose either."


    Aria felt the excitement burn in her chest.


    This night was already one of the best in her life. And it wasn¡¯t even over yet, but before it could continue, she still needed to do something.


    Aria¡¯s fingers curled tightly around the teleportation ticket in her pocket as she watched Kaiser¡¯s retreating figure slip into the crowd. She had been so caught up in the excitement of making a friend that she completely forgot¡ªhe still needed his ticket!


    She turned on her heel, ready to sprint after him, her fingers tightening around the teleportation ticket as if holding onto it would somehow stop him from leaving. But the second her foot lifted off the ground, she froze.


    Kaiser was already holding a ticket.


    For a heartbeat, relief flickered through her. But then her eyes focused on it, truly focused, and every inch of her body locked up. It wasn¡¯t the same.


    The one clutched in her own hands was a deep, velvety blue with a golden engraving pressed elegantly into the paper, its edges shimmering faintly under the moons light. But the one Kaiser now held was nothing like that.


    His was black. A heavy, unnatural shade of black that reminded her of scorched metal, dull and lifeless yet somehow wrong at the same time. The material looked thicker than paper, almost like a sliver of iron hammered flat and thin, absorbing the glow of the firelights instead of reflecting it. It didn¡¯t belong. It shouldn¡¯t be here. And Kaiser shouldn¡¯t be holding it. A cold weight pressed against her chest as her breath caught.


    He didn¡¯t have that before.


    "Kaiser!" she called, louder this time, urgency sharpening her voice. Her legs tensed, ready to close the distance between them, ready to grab his wrist and pull if she had to. He had to drop it. He had to get rid of it.


    But before he could turn, the ticket in his hand lit up. It wasn¡¯t a warm glow like hers. It wasn¡¯t the gentle pulse of teleportation magic she had seen before. It was something else entirely.


    The dark metal-like surface flared to life with jagged, flickering veins of deep crimson, pulsing like something alive, something breathing. The lines crawled over the surface of the ticket, spreading like cracks in glass, and then, before she could scream, before she could reach him, it pulled him in.


    One moment he was standing there, and the next he was gone.


    The space where he had been just a second ago was empty. No lingering glow, no remnants of magic, not even the whisper of displaced air. He had vanished without a trace, as if the world had swallowed him whole.


    The color drained from Aria¡¯s face.


    "Kaiser?"


    Her voice came out small, barely more than a breath, but inside, her heart was slamming against her ribs, pounding so hard it hurt. She took a step forward, then another, stumbling as her knees threatened to give out beneath her.


    No. No, No, No.


    Her breath hitched, and she bolted toward the teleportation platform without thinking. The smooth white stone was glowing faintly, the same symbol from before now shimmering beneath her feet. Without hesitation, she slammed her thumb onto the ticket and clenched her jaw as the strange force wrapped around her body.


    A moment later, she was back in the city.


    The rush of night air hit her as the world solidified around her once again, but she barely noticed it. Her eyes darted around frantically, but there was no one there.


    No Kaiser.


    The streets were quieter now, the festive energy from before having settled into a calm lull. The buildings, still glowing with magical lanterns, now cast long, soft shadows across the cobblestone. A few pedestrians wandered past, laughing in hushed voices, oblivious to the ice-cold panic sinking into her stomach.


    ¡®Where was he?¡¯


    ¡®Where did he go?!¡¯


    Aria¡¯s breath came in sharp, uneven gasps, her chest tightening with every frantic thought that raced through her mind. Her fingers trembled as she clenched them around the edges of her sleeves, her pulse a hammering rhythm against her ribs.


    "Kaiser¡­?" she whispered, her voice barely carrying over the festival¡¯s distant hum. But there was no answer. No familiar voice calling back to her, no sarcastic remark, no reassuring presence at her side.


    Only silence.


    A gentle touch on her shoulder made her jerk violently, spinning around so fast she nearly lost her balance. Seris stood before her, silver hair catching the glow of the lanterns, her expression calm yet searching, her sharp eyes scanning Aria¡¯s face with quiet intensity.


    "What''s wrong?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.


    Aria opened her mouth, but nothing came out.


    How could she explain?


    How could she put into words the sheer wrongness of what had just happened? The sight of Kaiser holding that strange black ticket, the way the magic flared around him, the way he had simply vanished without a trace?


    Her throat felt like sandpaper. She swallowed hard, but it did nothing to loosen the tight knot of panic in her chest. Seris¡¯s hand on her shoulder firmed slightly, grounding her. "Breathe," she said, her voice steady, controlled. "Tell me what happened.


    Aria sucked in a shaky breath, forcing air into her lungs, but it didn¡¯t feel like enough. The pressure inside her chest wouldn¡¯t ease.


    "Kaiser¡­" Her voice came out hoarse, raw. "He had a weird ticket." She inhaled sharply, fighting to string the words together before the panic swallowed her whole. "It wasn¡¯t like ours, it was black. It looked wrong. And when I tried to stop him, he¡ªhe disappeared before I could say anything. He was just¡­ gone."


    Seris¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change much, but something flickered behind her eyes, something sharp and calculating. "A black ticket?" she repeated, her tone unreadable.


    Aria nodded frantically, desperation lacing her every movement. "Yes! And now he¡¯s just gone!" Her voice cracked at the end, and she hated it. She hated the way it made her sound small, helpless and afraid, all over again, just as she sounded while she was living a nightmare mere days ago.


    Seris¡¯s grip on her shoulder tightened slightly, steadying but firm. "Alright. First, calm down."


    "I can¡¯t!" Aria snapped, her panic finally spilling over like a dam breaking under pressure. "He¡¯s missing! What if he¡¯s hurt? What if he was taken somewhere dangerous?! What if¡ª"


    "Then losing your head won¡¯t help." Seris¡¯s voice, sharp and controlled, sliced through Aria¡¯s spiraling thoughts like a blade.


    Aria stiffened, her breath hitching. Seris exhaled slowly through her nose, her gaze flicking briefly over their surroundings before settling back on Aria. "Listen. He¡¯s strong, right?"


    Aria¡¯s jaw clenched. "Yeah, but¡ª"


    "Then have some faith in him," Seris said simply, her tone unwavering. "If something really did happen, panicking won¡¯t fix it. If we¡¯re going to figure this out, we need to think. Not lose our heads." Aria¡¯s fingers curled into fists, her nails biting into her palms.


    She hated how right Seris was.


    But it didn¡¯t stop the knot of worry twisting deep in her stomach, didn¡¯t stop the way her eyes kept darting back to the empty teleportation platform as if hoping, praying, that Kaiser would just appear again like nothing had happened.


    But the platform remained empty.


    And the cold weight in her chest only grew heavier.


    ¡®Kaiser¡­ where are you?¡¯

 Chapter 26: One. Two. Three.

    The moment the black ticket crumbled between Kaiser¡¯s fingers, he knew something was wrong. There was no gradual shift, no flickering light, just an instant, crushing darkness. One second, he was standing in the open night air, and the next¡­


    Splash.


    His boots sank slightly as he landed on wet, uneven stone. A thick, rancid smell hit him, a mix of mold, blood, and something far worse. The air was damp and heavy, the kind that clung to his skin like oil. His breath came out in a slow exhale, mist forming in front of him from the cold.


    He wasn¡¯t alone. A single lantern flickered above, casting shaky, stretched-out shadows along the walls. The room wasn¡¯t large, maybe ten paces across, but it felt smaller, as if the darkness itself was pressing in.


    And then, he saw them.


    Five men. Standing in a loose circle, their faces illuminated just enough to reveal their twisted grins and hungry eyes. Each one was different in build, in weapon, but they all shared the same thing, the confidence of killers.


    One of them, a wiry, sharp-faced man stepped forward, and recognition clicked in Kaiser¡¯s mind.


    Devlin.


    The skinny rat from the inn, the one who had sized him up with that too-wide grin, the one who had vanished the moment things got tense. But here? In this damp, rotting pit? He looked completely at home.


    "Well, well..." Devlin''s voice dripped with amusement. He spread his arms wide as if welcoming an old friend. "You actually came. I mean, not by choice, of course, but still, it makes things easier for us."


    Kaiser¡¯s eyes flicked around, analyzing. One door. No windows. Just damp, cracked stone walls and the men standing between him and his only way out.


    Devlin chuckled, stepping closer. His yellowed teeth flashed in the dim light. "Y''know, when I first saw you, I thought you were just some rich idiot passing through. Quiet, stiff, the kind of guy who probably folds at the first sign of trouble. But then..." Devlin tilted his head. "You made a mistake."


    The man to his right, a broad-shouldered brute with a scar splitting his lips in half leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. His knuckles were bruised from old fights and his shirt was stained with something dark.


    "You pissed off Ollo," Devlin continued, voice filled with mock sympathy. "The third most important man in the city. And trust me, he doesn¡¯t like being disrespected." Kaiser¡¯s fingers twitched slightly, but otherwise, he didn¡¯t move.


    "Oh, and Crost?" Devlin let out a short laugh. "Yeah, the big guy you met before? The one who almost killed you two at the inn? He was ordered to finish the job. But y¡¯know what?" He smirked, shaking his head.


    "He quit." The word hung in the air, almost comical in how absurd it sounded.


    "Can you believe that?" Devlin chuckled, turning to the others. "Guy was told to kill some no-name traveler and a whore, and suddenly he grows a damn conscience?"


    The scarred man against the wall sneered. "Crost was always soft." His voice was low and grating, like rust scraping against metal. He pushed himself off the wall, stepping forward. "Doesn''t matter. We¡¯ll get this done."


    Another man, tall and bald, with black tattoos covering his arms rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. His knife spun lazily in his fingers. "Five of us, one of him," he muttered, as if confirming the odds out loud made them more real.


    A fourth man, shorter but stocky, his face hidden beneath a cloth mask flexed his fingers, adjusting brass knuckles wrapped around his fists.


    The last one, the quietest, smallest of the group simply smiled. And it was in a very wrong way. Not cocky, not bloodthirsty, just... expectant. Like someone looking at a puzzle they already knew how to solve.


    Kaiser stood in the center of it all, his expression as unreadable as always, his dark hair untouched by the filth around him. The soft light from the single, flickering lantern in the corner made his features seem almost ethereal, the way his unnatural beauty cut through the grime of the room.


    Davlin was the first to speak again, tilting his head with a slow, deliberate motion, his eyes dragging lazily over Kaiser¡¯s form as if appraising him like one would livestock at a market. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, and he nudged the scarred man beside him with an elbow, his voice dripping with mockery.


    ¡°Damn shame,¡± he mused, the words leaving his mouth like the opening act of a cruel joke.


    The masked man beside him snorted, barely sparing Kaiser a glance. ¡°Shame about what?¡±


    Davlin gestured toward him with an exaggerated wave of his hand, motioning at the long, inky-black strands of hair that cascaded past Kaiser¡¯s shoulders, at the smooth, near-spotless skin that made him stand out in a place like this. ¡°That,¡± he said with a theatrical sigh. ¡°The hair. The face. The shape. Just look at him¡ªif he weren¡¯t a man, he¡¯d put that pink-haired brat of his to shame.¡±


    A low whistle came from one of the other men, a grin spreading across his face as he rubbed his chin, eyes gleaming with sick amusement. ¡°You got a point,¡± he admitted, tilting his head as he examined Kaiser as if seeing him in a new light. ¡°With beauty like that, he¡¯d fetch a damn good price in the right places.¡±


    A ripple of laughter spread through the group, their chuckles laced with a shared amusement that twisted the air into something thick and suffocating.


    The bald-headed man leaned forward, his grin widening. ¡°You hear that, pretty boy?¡± he taunted, his voice a slow, drawn-out drawl meant to crawl under the skin. ¡°Might¡¯ve been worth more alive if you were born a girl.¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t react to the taunt, and they weren¡¯t surprised.


    They were used to men like this, men who knew their time was up, men who had been worn down to nothing, their spirits ground to dust long before the final cut was made. They expected the silence, the lifeless stillness of a body waiting for its inevitable fate.


    But Davlin wasn¡¯t done.


    ¡°You rich types are all the same,¡± he sighed, shaking his head with a theatrical disappointment, as if he were lecturing a spoiled child rather than taunting a man about to die. ¡°All soft hands and easy living. You think being born with a pile of gold makes you better than the rest of us.¡± A grin stretched across his face, sharp and mocking, his tone turning into something sickly sweet. ¡°Bet you can¡¯t even count to five.¡±


    The masked man barked out a laugh, his shoulders shaking. ¡°Don¡¯t be too generous,¡± he mocked, nudging Davlin with an elbow. ¡°Maybe he can count, even if just barely. He¡¯s got the looks, sure, but I wouldn¡¯t bet on much going on upstairs.¡±


    Davlin let out a sharp, amused snort. ¡°Doubt it. These noble types are useless. Born with everything, don¡¯t know how to fight for nothing.¡±


    The bald man leaned back against the damp stone wall, exhaling a slow, exaggerated sigh. ¡°At least he won¡¯t need that gold where he¡¯s going.¡±


    Another round of laughter erupted, echoing off the cold, wet walls, the sound bouncing in the cramped space, stretching the moment into something unbearable.


    Davlin wiped an imaginary tear from his eye, still grinning like he was in the middle of the best joke of his life. ¡°Speaking of,¡± he added, his voice practically giddy with amusement, ¡°after we carve you up, I think we¡¯ll help ourselves to everything in your room.¡± His grin widened, revealing teeth, sharp and yellowed. ¡°Your coin, your fancy little clothes, even your bed.¡±


    Still, Kaiser hadn¡¯t moved, hadn¡¯t blinked, hadn¡¯t reacted, and to them it was almost disappointing. Almost.


    ¡°And of course,¡± the masked man added, his voice dripping with sick delight, ¡°after we¡¯re done here, we¡¯ll go visit your little pleasure slave.¡±


    That was when it happened. For the first time since he had arrived, Kaiser moved, not much. Just his eyes. They snapped toward the masked man, locking onto him with such sudden, razor-sharp intensity that the smirk on his face froze in place. The air shifted, heavy and suffocating, as if the room itself had recognized the change, no longer feeling quite the same.


    The damp walls seemed closer, the flickering torchlight casting elongated shadows that stretched unnaturally, twisting like silent watchers in the dark. The low chuckles of amusement died out one by one, leaving only the distant sound of dripping water, the hushed rustling of cloth as bodies tensed without meaning to.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Davlin swallowed, his grin faltering just slightly, something inside him stirring with unease. ¡°What?¡± he muttered, his voice lacking the earlier bravado, as though some unseen instinct was whispering for him to take a step back. ¡°What the hell are you¡ª¡±


    Kaiser took a single step forward, the sound of his boot striking wet stone echoing through the silence. And then, in one fluid motion, before anyone could even register what was happening, he closed the distance. The masked man barely had time to breathe before Kaiser¡¯s hand clamped down over his face, fingers digging into his skull. He didn¡¯t punch. Didn¡¯t strike. Just held him in an iron grip and then¡­


    CRACK.


    The room jolted as Kaiser drove the man¡¯s head into the stone floor with inhuman, impossible force. His body didn¡¯t just hit the ground, it caved into it, the stone fracturing, his skull buried up to his ears. Limbs twitched violently, spasming from the sheer shock to his brain. Then soon after, nothing. He was dead.


    Kaiser straightened, rolling his shoulders in a slow, deliberate motion, the only acknowledgment of his kill.


    ¡°One.¡±


    The word was soft, yet it cut through the air like a blade.


    Two men lunged forward, moving before their fear could catch up. Kaiser¡¯s hand shot down, snatching a sword from the fresh corpse at his feet. The moment it touched his fingers, his grip tightened, and for one of the first times since waking up in this cursed world, he smiled.


    The attackers were mid-air when the sword flashed. Kaiser didn¡¯t waste time with sweeping cuts across their chests or limbs. Instead, his blade arced upward into a single clean, vertical strike. They split apart before realizing they were dead, their bodies halving in perfect symmetry, collapsing wetly onto the stone. Their severed hands still clutched their useless swords as the hilts clattered against the floor.


    ¡°Two and three.¡±


    The rest just stood there, frozen their breaths shallow, like men who had just realized their lungs were full of smoke, but it was already too late to escape the fire.


    The bald man, the one who had laughed the loudest, took a single step back. His boot scuffed against the damp stone floor, the sound deafening in the silence. His lips parted, but no words came, only the ragged, desperate wheeze of someone whose body had already decided to run, but whose mind was too frozen to follow.


    He forced the words out anyway. ¡°Th-The fuck are you?¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s voice was a frayed thread, unraveling in real time, each word barely holding together as it left his lips. He exhaled slowly, rolling the blade in his palm, feeling its weight and balance with a familiarity that had grown rusty over time. It had been a while since he¡¯d held a sword like this, but the weight of it still felt right, like an old habit he couldn¡¯t quite shake.


    His head tilted slightly, long hair spilling over his shoulder as his eyes flicked up. They were cold, distant, and utterly merciless. ¡°Rich and useless, was it?¡± he murmured.


    The bald man flinched, his body tensing as every instinct screamed at him to move, to run, to do something. But he didn¡¯t. Even as he tried to move, his body didn''t listen to him, frozen in place even as Kaiser began to raise the sword above his head, preparing to deliver a strike that would end the man¡¯s life.


    He swung his blade with everything he had, wild and aiming to kill¡ª


    Crack.


    And then Kaiser¡¯s sword shattered in his grip. The sound of metal fracturing spread through the room, sharp and sudden. Kaiser barely reacted as the hilt crumbled in his fingers, weakened from the raw, unnatural force he¡¯d been wielding it with. The blade itself remained intact as it was now severed from its handle, but it was still sharp, still lethal, and Kaiser was planning to use it one final time.


    His bare fingers clamped down on the broken steel, ignoring the way the jagged edges bit into his palm. Blood spilled instantly, dripping down his wrist and pooling between his fingers, but he didn¡¯t let go. He didn¡¯t flinch. He didn¡¯t even acknowledge the pain.


    Instead, he lifted the shattered blade and let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for something far more deliberate. The bald man stumbled, confusion flickering across his face, only for his horror to double as he watched Kaiser throw the broken weapon.


    It wasn¡¯t just a toss. It was a gunshot. A flash of silver. A blur of death.


    The last thing the bald man saw was the glint of steel rushing toward him, before a hole punched through his gut.


    His entire body jerked as the jagged blade pierced straight through him, the sheer force launching him backward. His feet left the ground, his hands twitching and grasping at nothing but air. There was nothing to hold on to, nothing but the pain.


    The wall met him next.


    The impact was brutal, a deep, meaty crack echoing through the chamber as he slammed against the stone. The velocity drove the broken blade so deep into the rock that he hung there, pinned like an insect on display.


    His fingers trembled, then twitched, then clawed desperately at the blade. He tried to pull it out, tried to move his body, but he couldn¡¯t. The steel had sunk into the stone as if it had always belonged there, locking his body in place and leaving him dangling like a butchered animal.


    His chest heaved, each breath a wet, gurgling struggle as his throat fought to draw air. His arms, once flailing and desperate, slowed to a stop, his twitching fingers finally going limp before dropping to his sides. His head slumped forward, the full weight of his body now hanging from the blade impaled through his gut, pinning him to the wall like a grotesque trophy.


    In the silence that followed, Kaiser exhaled, a slow breath that seemed to echo in the stillness. Then his voice cut through the quiet, low and unshaken, absolute in its finality.


    ¡°Four.¡±


    Only Devlin remained, and his legs had given out entirely. He sat sprawled on the floor, scrambling backward until his back hit the wall, his wide eyes locked on Kaiser as though he were staring at something monstrous, something not of this world.


    ¡°You¡ª¡± His voice cracked, trembling with a mix of fear and disbelief. ¡°You¡ª¡±


    Kaiser moved.


    Devlin barely had time to let out a strangled cry before Kaiser¡¯s hand shot forward, his fingers closing around his throat and lifting him clean off the ground. Devlin choked, his hands clawing at Kaiser¡¯s wrist, but it was like trying to bend iron.


    Kaiser tilted his wrist slightly, twisting Devlin in his grip as if examining him, then reached down with his free hand. Strapped to Devlin¡¯s wrist was a sword, one that was ornate and polished, the kind of weapon that didn¡¯t belong in the hands of a street thug. Kaiser took it, his fingers wrapping around the hilt as he tested its weight and balance.


    ¡°Expensive,¡± Kaiser mused, his tone almost casual, as if they were discussing something as mundane as the weather.


    Then he dropped Devlin.


    The man¡¯s feet had barely touched the ground when Kaiser¡¯s leg shot forward, the heel of his boot slamming into Devlin¡¯s knee with a sickening crack. Devlin screamed, his body buckling as his leg bent in a way it was never meant to. Kaiser didn¡¯t let him fall completely as he held him there, letting the pain sink in, letting him feel every excruciating second of it.


    Then he did the same to the other leg.


    Devlin crumpled to the ground, his breath coming in ragged, uneven gasps, his body trembling as his mind struggled to process the sheer agony coursing through him.


    ¡°Now,¡± Kaiser murmured, his voice as cold and sharp as the blade in his hand, ¡°tell me about Ollo.¡±


    Devlin let out a wet, shaky laugh, his grin wide despite the pain and fear etched into his face. ¡°Ollo?¡± he rasped, his voice hoarse and broken. ¡°Big guy. Very important.¡± His grin widened, blood staining his teeth. ¡°And he really doesn¡¯t like you.¡±


    Kaiser twirled the dagger lazily, his eyes never leaving Devlin¡¯s. ¡°I figured as much. What I don¡¯t know,¡± he said, his voice dropping to a whisper, ¡°is why he cares enough to kidnap me.¡±


    Devlin coughed, his breath hitching as he tried to shift his weight, only to be met with a fresh wave of agony from his shattered legs. He sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth, then tilted his head up at Kaiser, his lips curling into something ugly and cruel.


    ¡°Oh, you really don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± His tongue flicked out, dragging across his bloodied lips, his eyes glinting with malice.


    Kaiser stilled, his body tensing in a way that wasn¡¯t immediately visible. It wasn¡¯t the kind of tension that came before a punch or a shout, it was deeper, darker, like the calm before a storm.


    Devlin, oblivious to the change, cackled, leaning his head back against the ground. ¡°You were just the appetizer,¡± he sneered, his voice mocking and giddy. ¡°They already sent someone for your little pink-haired pleasure slave.¡±


    Devlin¡¯s grin widened, his bloodied teeth on full display. ¡°What was her name again? Aria, right?¡± His tongue flicked out again, slow and deliberate, dragging across his bottom lip. ¡°Pretty little thing, isn¡¯t she? I almost feel bad for her.¡± He chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°But hey, at least someone in this shitty city is gonna put her to good use.¡±


    And in an instant, Devlin¡¯s breath was gone as Kaiser¡¯s boot was pressing against his throat. He watched Devlin writhe beneath his boot, the man¡¯s bloodied fingers still clawing weakly at the leather pressing down on his throat.


    Even now¡­ Even now the bastard was still grinning.


    ¡°W-What¡¯s the matter, pretty boy?¡± Devlin rasped, his lips curling, his tongue flicking disgustingly past his teeth again, slurring slightly as his body fought through the agony. ¡°You g-gonna beg? Gonna tell me how much she means to you?¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t respond. He simply stood there, watching as Devlin¡¯s face twitched with anticipation, waiting, searching for a reaction that never came. The silence between them was heavy, and yet Devlin laughed.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Devlin sneered, tilting his head as much as he could with Kaiser¡¯s boot pressing against his windpipe. ¡°Did I hit a nerve?¡±


    Kaiser exhaled, slow and controlled, his expression unreadable. Then, almost imperceptibly, his foot lifted off Devlin¡¯s throat just enough for the man to suck in his last breath and just enough for him to choke out one last taunt.


    ¡°I hope¡ª¡± Devlin coughed, grinning through the pain, ¡°They send her back to you in little¡ª¡±


    His foot swung up in a brutal arc, and before Devlin could finish his sentence, it drove into his jaw with a sickening CRACK. Devlin¡¯s head snapped back violently, his mouth slamming shut as his own teeth bit clean through his tongue like it was paper. For a brief moment, his eyes widened in shock, and then a deep, gurgling choke tore from his followed.


    He spasmed, his body writhing on the floor as his mouth filled with blood, his severed tongue falling limply from his lips. He clawed at his neck, desperate and panicked, but every breath only brought more blood, more choking and more agony.


    ¡°Five.¡±


    Devlin shuddered violently, his body convulsing one last time before it finally stilled. The only sound left in the room was the soft, rhythmic drip of blood against the wet stone floor. Kaiser let out a slow breath, his chest rising and falling with deliberate calm. And then, he moved.


    His head snapped toward the iron doors at the end of the room, and without hesitation, without thought, he strode toward them. He didn¡¯t check if they were locked. He didn¡¯t care. His rage had already decided for him.


    His fist slammed into the metal, the impact shaking the room. His skin split instantly, blood spraying from his knuckles, but he didn¡¯t stop. He hit it again. And again. And again.


    The fourth strike bent the metal inward, warping it unnaturally, but the doors held. A fifth punch. A sixth. Blood dripped from his fingers, his wounds healing almost as fast as they tore open. Flesh ripped. Bone cracked. Muscle screamed.


    And yet, he did not stop. His shoulders rose and fell heavily, his body trembling with pure, undiluted fury.


    ¡®Aria.¡¯


    She was out there. Somewhere. And the bastards who took her¡­ They were already dead. They just didn¡¯t know it yet.

 Chapter 27: Crimson Eyes, Hidden Lies

    Aria paced in frantic circles near the teleportation site, her breath coming in short, uneven bursts, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides. The city¡¯s silver glow bathed the stone streets in a warm light, but it felt cold and distant, completely disconnected from the storm raging inside her chest. Kaiser was gone, and the weight of that fact pressed down on her like a mountain.


    Seris watched her in silence at first, arms folded, her crimson eyes tracking Aria¡¯s movements with the precision of a predator observing its prey. Finally, she sighed, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife through butter. "You think wearing down the pavement is going to bring him back?"


    Aria spun her head toward Seris, blue eyes blazing. "And standing still will?"


    Seris''s eyebrow went up, unfazed. "No, but thinking might."


    Aria groaned, rubbing her temples as if she were trying to physically push her frustration away. "I can''t just sit here. I have to do something."


    Seris chuckled quietly, leaning against a nearby post with her arms still folded. "You''re really bad at waiting, huh?"


    Aria shot her a sharp look. "What kind of person would just sit around when their friend disappears?"


    The white haired girl raised an eyebrow, her tone humorous. "Friend?"


    Aria hesitated for a fraction of a second, then nodded firmly. "Yeah. Kaiser''s my friend."


    Seris hummed under her breath, drumming her fingers against her own arm as she examined Aria. "Is he aware of that?"


    Aria scowled, knitting her eyebrows. "What sort of question is that?"


    Seris smiled lazily at her, her red eyes shining with something unreadable. "I mean, he looks like he is not the type to get close to people,"


    Aria let out a breath in a puff, looking away as her fists tightened. "Yeah, well. That''s his problem."


    Seris tilted her head, her face softening a little. "You care about him more than he likely realizes."


    Aria''s shoulders tensed, her voice lowering to a whisper. "Yes, I do. He''s... I don''t know how to describe it. He''s just someone you can''t ignore. He acts like he doesn¡¯t need anyone, but that just makes you want to stay. To prove him wrong.¡±


    Seris was quiet for a moment, her red eyes unreadable as she studied Aria. Then, her voice softened, carrying a weight that hadn¡¯t been there before. ¡°You¡¯re a good person, Aria.¡± Aria''s eyes widened in surprise at the abrupt change in mood. "Uh. Thanks?"


    Seris laughed, though there was little humor in it. "Not a compliment. An observation."


    Aria snorted, folding her arms across her chest. "Well, if you''re going to get all profound about it, what about you? You don''t exactly seem like the follow-along-for-the-ride type, why are you here?"


    Seris faltered, her gaze drifting to the rock beneath their feet. "I suppose. I wanted to see what type of person you were."


    Aria raised her eyebrows, interested. "And?"


    Seris grinned, "I like what I see."


    Aria rubbed her arm, squirming uncomfortably from the strange compliment. "You''re being weird again." Seris shrugged her impassive face once again. "Perhaps. Or perhaps I''m thinking too hard."


    Aria rolled her eyes, but some of the stiffness in her shoulders relaxed. "Well, stop. We''ve got bigger issues." Seris breathed out slowly, nodding in agreement as her eyes focused back on Aria. "Yeah. We do."


    For a moment, it seemed Seris was going to say something, something significant, something that would have changed everything. Instead, though, she merely gazed at Aria a bit longer, red eyes studying as if memorizing her every feature.


    Then, in a voice so quiet it was almost lost in the night air, she whispered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    And Arias world went dark.


    Aria¡¯s body slumped against Seris, her breath slow and even, her arms limp at her sides. In sleep, she looked peaceful and completely unaware of the betrayal that just happened. Seris just stood there, holding her for a moment longer than she had to, her hands clenched in the material of Aria''s garments as though she struggled to maintain her grip.


    ¡°Why¡¯d you have to make this so damn hard?¡± Seris muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible.


    She shifted her hold slightly, hoisting Aria higher into her arms. A few strands of pink hair tickled Seris¡¯ forearm, catching the dim glow of the street lanterns. A weight settled in her chest, a heavy, unrelenting feeling that she immediately pushed down, burying it deep where it couldn¡¯t interfere.


    She had to move.


    With careful, steady steps, she carried Aria away from the teleportation circle, her heart hammering despite the silent night around her. But just as she reached the edge of the platform, she paused, her gaze lingering on Aria¡¯s peaceful face.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Seris whispered again, the words dry and bitter on her tongue. They didn¡¯t make it right. They didn¡¯t make it better. But she had to say them, even if no one was there to hear. She adjusted her grip, securing Aria over her shoulder, before turning on her heel and walking toward the city.


    Seris started walking with measured steps, keeping her breathing steady as she carried Aria¡¯s unconscious body towards the dimly lit streets. The warmth of the girl in her arms, the softness of her weight, felt strangely grounding. The city was quieter now, only a few distant murmurs of people talking in inns and the occasional clatter of hooves against stone breaking the stillness.


    She should have been relieved that no one was around to ask questions.


    But she wasn¡¯t.


    Because one person was.


    "Hey!"


    The voice came from behind, sharp and firm, cutting through the silence like a blade. Seris didn¡¯t flinch, but she did slow her steps.


    Footsteps echoed closer, accompanied by the unmistakable clink of a sword shifting. She tilted her head slightly, her expression calm and unreadable, as she locked gazes with the oncoming guard.


    It was the same one Aria had talked to previously, and he was now standing upright at the gateway to the teleportation zone, observing them with narrowed eyes. His eyebrows creased as his eyes darted from Seris to the lifeless girl in her arms.


    "You," he said, a warning in his voice. "Who are you?"


    Seris chuckled softly, shifting Aria''s weight in her arms. "Just a friend," she answered casually. "She had a bit too much fun and played a bit more than she could handle, then dozed off. I was just taking her back to the inn."


    The guard did not respond right away. His eyes remained fixed on Aria''s face, watching her slow, steady breaths. His lips tightened. "You weren''t with her before," he stated factually.


    Seris cocked her head to one side, grin still plastered on her face. "No, but I found her before she could do something stupid. I figured I¡¯d do a good deed and get her somewhere safe."


    The guard did not seem convinced. His gaze swept across Seris, examining her in the way that only a trained soldier would, taking in information that ordinary individuals would miss.


    "You don¡¯t look like a local," he said after a pause.


    Seris smiled once more, shifting Aria in her grasp. "I get that often."


    The guard didn¡¯t return the expression. Instead, his eyes locked onto hers, sharper this time. "She left with a dark-haired man earlier," he told her, his voice even but trimmed with skepticism. "Where is he?"


    Seris¡¯ fingers unconsciously tightened around Aria¡¯s clothes. For a moment, she considered lying outright. But she knew better. A clean lie would raise more alarms than a believable one.


    She exhaled slowly through her nose, keeping her voice casual. "He''s coming. Said he needed to do something first."


    The guard¡¯s expression remained expressionless.  "Then we¡¯ll wait for him to get back."


    Seris stilled, her jaw tightening just slightly.


    ¡®This was getting annoying.¡¯


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    shifting Aria''s weight again as though it were no more than an inconvenience. "You don''t have to do that," she said, her voice relaxed, almost amused. "I mean, come on, she''s out cold. What''s the problem?"


    The guard didn¡¯t budge. "I don''t believe in coincidences," he said flatly.


    Seris''s eyebrow went up. "Coincidences?"


    The guard¡¯s fingers tapped once against the hilt of his sword. "A young girl suddenly falls unconscious, then some stranger, who wasn¡¯t with her earlier, just happens to show up carrying her body through the streets?" His gaze hardened. "That¡¯s not a coincidence. That¡¯s suspicious."


    Seris theatrically sighed. "You''re going to make this hard, aren''t you?"


    "It¡¯s my job," he said bluntly.


    She wanted to curse. She could feel the shift in his stance now, the slight change in his breathing. He wasn¡¯t just suspicious anymore. He was certain something was wrong.


    Seris¡¯ fingers twitched. She had one last chance to end this without things getting messy.


    Seris let out a weak, strained laugh, shaking her head as if all of this was just a minor inconvenience. "Okay, okay. I get it. You''re just doing your job, huh?" The guard didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t blink. His expression remained stone-cold, his grip on his sword unwavering.


    Seris exhaled sharply, meeting his gaze head-on. ¡°Look. She¡¯s safe. No harm done. I just didn¡¯t want her passed out on the field.¡± She nodded toward the path behind him, her tone calm, almost dismissive. ¡°You can go check outside the city if you don¡¯t believe me. She was playing hard¡­ Probably too hard for her own good. That¡¯s all this is.¡±


    The guard didn¡¯t react immediately. For a moment, Seris hoped he might let it go. Then his hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, his knuckles whitening.  ¡°Maybe,¡± he said, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°But I think I¡¯ll check with her when she wakes up.¡±


    Seris¡¯ smile vanished.


    She stared at him, her body completely still, the air around her growing heavier with every passing second. The street was unusually quiet now, the kind of silence that presses against your ears. She heard the faintest wind curling through the side streets, the faint sound of laughter from a distance from people who had no idea what was going to occur.


    Her fingers twitched. The guard shifted his stance, his muscles coiling like a spring ready to snap. And Seris sighed. She lowered her gaze for just a moment, shaking her head as if disappointed. ¡°I gave you enough chances,¡± she muttered under her breath.


    The guard frowned, his brow furrowing. ¡°What¡ª?¡±


    Seris sighed, rolling her shoulders as if shaking off a minor inconvenience. Then, the air rippled.


    Flesh swelled. Bones groaned and cracked like snapping branches. Her arm twisted, grotesque and wrong, swelling into a monstrous shape that had no place on a human body. Her once-human limb transformed into a thick, sinewy appendage, far too large and menacing to belong to her slender frame. Her skin discolored and hardened into something monsterous, as her fingers deformed into huge claw-like nails.


    The guard barely had time to process what was happening as his body tensed instantly, his instincts screaming for him to act. But Seris moved faster than he could even hope to rect.


    Her freshly altered arm shot through the air like a battering ram, hitting him square in the chest, and the force was catastrophic.


    When her palm made contact, the guard''s entire body was thrown backward. He was pulled from the ground, his armor distorting from the sheer force of the collision. A deep, echoing boom cracked through the empty street as his back slammed into the stone wall behind him.


    Dust exploded from the impact site, cascading over the cobbled street in a choking cloud. The sheer force of the hit left an indent in the stone, spiderweb cracks spreading outward from where his body had met the surface. Chunks of debris fell to the ground, rolling across the dirt as the air thickened with dust and silence.


    Seris stood still, her monstrous arm flexing, fingers twitching from the recoil. For a second, she thought that was it, that a hit like that would put him out completely.


    Then, the rubble shifted. A deep, metallic clank echoed through the street as a chunk of stone rolled away, revealing movement within the dust cloud. Seris exhaled sharply, her irritation mingling with a reluctant flicker of respect.


    The guard stood up. His clothes were roughed up, a smear of blood trickling down his lip, and his posture was slightly stiff, but he managed to stand up. Most people wouldn¡¯t have survived a hit like that, and yet he barely looked fazed.


    His head tilted slightly, cracking his neck with a low, dull pop. His shoulders jerked, flicking the dust from them like an animal shedding dirt. His keen gaze clashed with hers, and the confusion in his eyes vanished, replaced by a far more formidable emotion. Cold and unforgiving, rage took its place.


    Seris clicked her tongue, her bloodshot eyes hardening. "Well, crap."


    The guard''s stance shifted in a split second. No thought. No question. His body coiled tight like a killer stalking prey, his boots snapping on the cobblestones as he lowered himself into fighting form. His voice dropped. "Who the hell are you?"


    Seris said nothing. She didn''t need to. Things had already careened past words, and there was no talking out of this one now. Her monstrous fingers flexed, curling into a loose fist as she exhaled sharply through her nose.


    Then, she ran.


    The guard lunged forward at the same instant, his blade whipping from its sheath in a blur of steel. But Seris was already gone. She didn¡¯t run like a normal person. She burst forward, her feet slamming against the cobblestone with enough force to crack the street beneath her. Aria¡¯s limp body was slung over her shoulder, but Seris carried her with ease, her inhuman strength making the added weight feel like nothing.


    Behind her, she heard the guard give chase. He was fast, far faster than she expected. His boots barely made a sound as he moved, his agility surprising for a man of his size and build. But Seris was faster.


    She made a turn, another turn, dodging into tight alleys and racing down the winding streets of the city. The buildings fell behind her as she went, her breathing fast, but her steps faster. The guard was still behind, but she heard the gap between their footsteps widening. He was falling behind.


    She pushed harder, her monstrous arm propelling her forward with every stride. A low rooftop came into view ahead, and without hesitation, Seris leapt. Her monstrous hand grabbed the edge of the roof, her fingers digging into the stone. With a powerful pull, she swung herself and Aria up onto the rooftop in one fluid motion.


    She landed hard, her feet skidding for a brief moment before she bolted forward again.


    Seris¡¯ breath came hard and fast, the cold night air biting at her skin as she tore across the rooftops, as Aria¡¯s limp form was still slung over her shoulder. The sounds of pursuit still lingered behind her¡ªthudding boots on stone, the ringing clink of armor as the guard was not willing to concede. He was fast, but she was faster. Each turn, each alley, each leap over piled crates and abandoned carts grew more ground between them.


    Her gnarled, giant fingers curled in, her deformed arm recoiling as she looked around for a means of escape. Her gaze darted to a tiny, rickety house up ahead¡ªits wooden doors slightly open, a faint, dancing candlelight emanating from within. Without a moment''s hesitation, she charged towards it.


    CRASH!


    The doors shattered open as Seris crashed through them, causing her to slide into the middle of the dark room. Wood splinters and dust went flying everywhere, the wooden floor creaking beneath the force of her fall.


    The first thing anyone would have noticed was that the air inside was heavy with smoke and the acrid scent of ale and sweat. The candlelight created sharp shadows on the walls, illuminating a group of men sitting around a large table covered with half-full bottles and discarded playing cards.


    At the head of the table sat Ollo.


    His fat figure leaned lazily against the chair, one boot propped up against the table¡¯s edge, his massive arms folded across his chest. His bald, wet head gleamed in the dim light, and his expression was one of smug amusement as he turned his gaze toward Seris.


    Around him sat three other men, their eyes narrowing as they took in the scene. Aria¡¯s unconscious body hung from Seris¡¯ shoulder, sweat and blood streaked her face, and the ruined doors swung weakly on their broken hinges.


    ¡°Well, well.¡± Ollo exhaled, a slow, deliberate grin spreading across his face. His voice was smooth, almost mocking. ¡°Didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be making such a grand entrance, Seris. What, decided to bring me a gift personally?¡±


    One of the men beside him, a broad-shouldered brute with a jagged scar across his nose, chuckled. ¡°She looks like she ran through a goddamn battlefield. Maybe she got attached to the little thing.¡± His gaze drifted over Aria, lingering too long. His grin widened. ¡°Shame. Could¡¯ve kept her for yourself, sweetheart. Pretty little thing like that, I bet she¡¯d¡ª¡±


    Seris cut him off with a glare so sharp it could have slit his throat. ¡°Finish that sentence,¡± she said, her voice low, shaking with barely restrained fury. ¡°And I¡¯ll make sure you never speak again.¡±


    The man held up his hands in mock surrender, smirking. ¡°Touchy.¡±


    Ollo only chuckled, reaching down beside his chair. ¡°No need for all that.¡± His hand emerged with a heavy leather pouch, the sound of gold coins shifting inside unmistakable. He tossed it toward Seris.


    She caught it, as a long silence stretched between them.


    Seris stood still, her grip tightening around the pouch of gold. It felt heavy, like it was pressing down on her chest, suffocating her. She didn¡¯t open it, she didn¡¯t want to. The weight alone told her that this was more than enough for a life. More than enough to betray someone who had trusted her.


    Ollo bent his head over in his chair, propping it on his knuckles and eyeing her up. The self-satisfaction in his eyes gave her a sudden desire to rip his head from his shoulders. ¡°You¡¯re awful quiet, Seris,¡± he murmured. ¡°You having second thoughts?¡±


    One of the men at his side snorted, a big burly bastard with a crooked nose and yellowing teeth that flashed when he grinned. ¡°Of course she¡¯s not. She¡¯s just takin¡¯ it in. Ain¡¯t every day you get paid this much for handing over a helpless little thing, huh?¡± His gaze trailed to Aria, his lips curling in amusement. ¡°She doesn¡¯t look so dangerous to me.¡±


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why she¡¯s worth more,¡± another sneered, this one lean and rat-faced, his voice like rusted nails. ¡°Looks untouched, too. A real pretty one.¡± His eyes flicked toward Seris, his smirk widening. ¡°Bet you were tempted to keep her, huh? Would¡¯ve been nice havin¡¯ a little toy of your own.¡±


    Seris¡¯ jaw clenched. Her fingers curled into the leather of the pouch, the nails digging in so hard she felt the texture strain under the pressure. She wanted to break them. All of them.


    Ollo hummed, feigning curiosity. ¡°That true, Seris? You were alone with her for a while, weren¡¯t you? Maybe you got a little soft?¡± He tilted his head, his grin widening. ¡°That¡¯s unlike you.¡± Seris forced herself to breathe. She forced herself not to react, not to let them see how every single word made her stomach churn. She had always hated this. The way these kinds of men talked, the way they looked at people as if they were things to be bought, sold, and used. It made her feel sick, but she had no choice except to obey.


    One of the men, the burly one, chuckled darkly. ¡°Hell, if you¡¯re feelin¡¯ guilty, you could always make up for it.¡± His eyes raked over her, and his smirk turned filthy. ¡°You already look like you¡¯re a screamer, and I¡¯m into that.¡±


    Seris turned her head, slowly, deliberately, and looked at him, and in an instant, he stopped laughing. There was nothing in her expression: no anger, no amusement, no warmth. Just cold, dead silence.


    The kind of silence that usually came before someone died.


    Ollo watched the exchange, raising an eyebrow before exhaling through his nose. ¡°Alright, enough of that,¡± he said lazily. ¡°Seris isn¡¯t here to play games, and neither are we.¡± He gestured toward Aria¡¯s unconscious body with a wave of his hand. ¡°She¡¯s done her part. She¡¯s got her gold.¡±


    Seris didn¡¯t move. She couldn¡¯t.


    Because the second she did, if she so much as twitched¡­ She wasn¡¯t sure if she¡¯d be able to stop herself from tearing out their throats. This was the kind of world she had lived in for years. The kind of men she had worked for. And yet, somehow, this still disgusted her. Maybe because for once, just for a moment¡­ She had seen something different.


    A girl who had smiled at her. Laughed with her. Treated her like a person. And now that same girl was slung over her shoulder, limp and unconscious, sold off like she was nothing more than a prize.


    Ollo flicked his fingers toward the door. ¡°You can go now.¡± Seris finally moved. She turned on her heel, walking out without a word, without looking back.


    Because if she did¡ªif she even glanced at them one more time¡ª


    She might just kill them all.

 Chapter 28: Blood Count

    The dimly lit corridor reeked of sweat, perfume, and something that clung to the skin like filth that wouldn¡¯t wash off. The walls were stained with years of indulgence, and the warm, stifling air carried the muffled sounds of distant moans, cries, and drunken laughter. The floor was littered with discarded clothing, empty bottles, and the occasional gold coin that no one had bothered to pick up.


    At the center of the hallway, a group of six men lounged around a makeshift table, their bodies draped lazily over wooden chairs and old cushions. They weren¡¯t just loitering. They were the watchdogs of a brothel.


    A heavyset man with a scar running down his jaw shuffled a deck of enchanted cards between his thick fingers, smirking as he glanced at his opponents. "I hope none of you spent all your coin on the girls tonight, ¡®cause I ain¡¯t taking IOUs when I clean you out."


    The bald man across from him snorted, tossing a gold coin onto the growing pile at the center of the table. "You keep acting like you¡¯re some kind of card god, but last time, you lost a week¡¯s wages in a single round."


    The scarred man¡¯s smirk widened. "That¡¯s ¡®cause I was distracted. That redhead in Room Five? Worth every damn coin."


    The youngest among them, a wiry man with sharp, fox-like features, leaned back with an exaggerated yawn. "The ones you like are always half-broken already. No fun in that."


    The bald man chuckled darkly. "That¡¯s ¡®cause he¡¯s got no patience. He don¡¯t like ¡®em unless they¡¯re already on their knees, saying ¡®yes, sir¡¯ like a trained bitch."


    Laughter rippled through the group. The fox-faced man grinned, running a hand through his slicked-back hair. "Me? I prefer a little bite. The ones that still think they can fight back, y¡¯know? The first few nights, they try to resist, maybe even spit at you, but then," he snapped his fingers, "They realize there ain¡¯t no way out. And that¡¯s when they start to beg instead."


    One of the older men, a grizzled veteran with gray streaks in his beard, shook his head with a smirk. "Pup thinks he¡¯s some kind of trainer." He leaned forward, cracking his knuckles. "You lot waste your time. I just go for the best money can buy. A refined woman. One that knows how to serve without needing to be smacked around first."


    The bald man scoffed. "A refined woman? What, you think this is a noble¡¯s court? We work for the Right Fist, not a fucking palace." He grinned, tossing a card onto the table, its magical etchings glowing faintly. "But I heard we got some fresh, high-class pieces this time. Something worth saving up for."


    That got their attention.


    The fox-faced man¡¯s smirk widened. "Yeah? What kind of stock we talking?"


    The scarred man tapped his fingers against the table, his grin turning cruel. "Pink-haired little thing. Pretty. Feisty, too."


    A whistle escaped one of them.


    "Exotic." The older man hummed, rolling a gold coin between his fingers. "They go for high prices."


    "And fighters like her?" The bald man licked his lips. "Always the best to break. You take someone weak, they just go limp. But the strong ones, they got something real to take away. Makes it satisfying."


    More laughter filled the space as a new voice joined them, slurring just slightly. "That auction''s gonna be something special. One whole day of bidding. Rich bastards from all over coming to throw their gold around. A whole damn festival."


    The fox-faced man grinned. "You planning to buy, or just watch?"


    The drunk man snorted. "Why would I pay? If I play my cards right, I¡¯ll get first pick before the auction even starts." That got a few knowing smirks.


    "Rules say we can¡¯t touch the merchandise before the sale."


    "Rules say a lot of things."


    The scarred man chuckled, stretching his legs out. "Doesn''t matter. Whoever buys that pink-haired one better lock their doors real tight. Wouldn¡¯t be the first time a ¡®sold¡¯ piece went missing."


    The bald man laughed. "Hah! Damn right. We got the keys, we got the power. Some rich fuck thinks he owns her? What¡¯s he gonna do when she disappears in the night?"


    The fox-faced man rolled his next card onto the table, the arcane script glowing faintly. "What about the silver-haired one?"


    The grizzled man shrugged. "Some noble brat. Might fetch a good price if they market her right. Me? I don¡¯t care. Just hoping she¡¯s got the right¡­ spirit."


    Laughter and the clinking of coins filled the room, the thick scent of alcohol hanging in the air as the men boasted about past purchases and future prey, their words growing more vulgar with each round. Then, a sound. Thud. Faint at first, unnoticed beneath the drunken revelry, until it came again, louder this time, enough to make the scarred man pause.


    "You hear that?" he muttered, but the bald man waved him off. "Probably one of the girls getting disciplined," he scoffed, while the fox-faced man snickered.


    "That, or one of ¡®em finally tried to off themselves. Happens." More laughter followed until the next thud hit hard enough to send a faint vibration through the floor, a shudder in the air that silenced the room.


    They felt it now. Steady. Rhythmic. Not knocking. Testing. The fox-faced man sat up, the bald man¡¯s grin faded, and the scarred man slowly rose to his feet, rolling his shoulders as something sharp edged into his voice.


    "Someone go check that." Silence. No one moved. The light flickered, the air thick with something unspoken. The fox-faced man swallowed. "Maybe we should call someone first¡ª"


    THUD.


    The steel door groaned, then buckled. At first, just a dent, warping inward as if struck by a battering ram, but there was no ram. No tools. No magic. Just hands.


    Another heavy thud echoed through the chamber, and the thick bolts screeched as they twisted like soft wax, the locks warping under an impossible force. Then came the first rip. A set of fingers, raw and mangled, drenched in fresh blood, forced their way through the cracked seam. The bones were shattered, exposed, twisted in ways that defied nature. Yet they still moved. They still clenched. They still tore.


    The bald man paled, stepping back as his breath caught in his throat. "What the fu¡ª"


    Shrkkkkkkkkkk!


    The sound wasn¡¯t clean. It howled through the hall like something dying, a shrieking wail of metal being ripped apart, not pushed or kicked down, but torn apart by hand.


    The moment the steel parted, the hands snapped back into place, bones cracking, muscle knitting together, the torn flesh regenerating before their eyes.


    Kaiser stepped forward, and the first thing the guards saw were his eyes. They were no longer human, but a hungry, glowing ruby that burned in the light. Fresh blood splattered his face, his breath coming in ragged, uneven bursts, like an animal fresh from the hunt. Drenched hair clung to his forehead, his body tense with an unnatural stillness, coiled too tightly, waiting to explode. But the worst part was his smile, a slow and deliberate grin, teeth stained red with blood.


    Then, he moved. It wasn''t a charge or a lunge. It was a sudden flash, a blur of motion, steel, and death. The scarred man barely had time to lift his hand before Kaiser¡¯s fingers found his wrist and snapped it backward, bone breaking with a sickening crack. His scream was cut short as a knee slammed into his chest, ribs shattering on impact, the force sending him into a wall.


    As the man flew through the air, Kaiser sprinted past him, closing the distance to the wall before his victim could even reach it. By the time the man''s body came crashing forward, Kaiser was already there, waiting. His fingers locked around the man''s skull like an iron vice, tightening with merciless force. A savage yank followed¡ªflesh strained, sinew resisted, but the spine yielded first, snapping free with a sickening pop and a final, gurgling cry.


    "Six."


    Blood sprayed warm against Kaiser¡¯s fingers as he let the body drop. The remaining guards stood frozen, staring in sheer disbelief. What. The. Fuck. The bald man stumbled back, sweat pouring down his face. "W-WAIT¡ª"


    Kaiser twisted, snatched a discarded dagger in a single motion, and sent it flying with the force of a bullet. The blade sank deep into the bald man¡¯s throat, pinning him to the wall like an insect. His eyes bulged as his hands clawed at his neck, choking, gurgling, his mouth opening and closing uselessly as blood spilled down his chest.


    "Seven."


    The rest broke and ran.


    One guard, the fox-faced bastard, sprinted for the far door, making it halfway before Kaiser was already behind him. With a single step, he closed the distance, his fingers sinking into the man¡¯s back. The guard shrieked, barely able to beg before Kaiser ripped his spine out. "Eight."


    The veteran on the other hand, did not hesitate. The moment Kaiser turned toward him, drenched in blood and seething with unchecked killing intent, the old man¡¯s blade whistled through the air. Kaiser¡¯s hand shot up to catch it mid-swing, but the veteran was stronger than he looked, and as steel met flesh, it ended up splitting Kaiser¡¯s fingers apart and carving through his palm.


    Yet, before the blade could fully pass through, Kaiser¡¯s muscles clenched, regenerating flesh sealing around the steel like a vice, making the sword stuck.


    The veteran snarled, trying to rip it free, but Kaiser struck first with a knee to the gut, making his ribs snap like twigs. The old man gasped, staggering, only for Kaiser to twist, dragging him forward by his own trapped weapon. Off-balance and now vulnerable, he had no chance to react before Kaiser¡¯s other hand came down like a hammer.


    CRACK.


    His collarbone shattered. A scream tore from his throat as his body twisted violently, his arm dislocating from the sheer force of the blow. Kaiser did not let go. Instead, he gripped the broken bone and squeezed, fingers twisting raw, exposed marrow. The veteran spasmed, knees buckling, his sword still lodged in Kaiser¡¯s palm, trembling.


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    ¡°Stronger than I thought,¡± Kaiser muttered, voice thick with bloodlust. Then he slammed his forehead forward.


    CRACK.


    The veteran¡¯s nose caved in.


    Blood exploded from his nostrils, splattering across the floor. His head snapped back, his balance giving way, but Kaiser yanked him forward again and drove a knee straight into his jaw. The force was strong, so strong that it was able to lift the veteran off his feet.


    The veteran was still alive¡ªbarely. His body hung limp, consciousness flickering, but Kaiser did not let him fall. Instead, he tore the sword from his own hand, making the old man''s eyes widened in shock.


    Kaiser flipped the blade in his grip, shifting his hold lower. With a swift, brutal motion, he brought the pommel crashing down. The heavy steel struck the veteran¡¯s skull like a sledgehammer. Bone cracked, his head caving inward with a sickening crunch. His body hit the ground in a final, twitching spasm¡ªthen went still.


    Kaiser exhaled, flexing his freshly healed fingers around the bloodied sword. Then he grinned.


    "Nine."


    The last man was already on his knees, shaking, his hands raised in surrender, piss soaking his trousers.


    "PLEASE¡ª"


    Kaiser rammed the sword through his open mouth. The blade tore through the back of his skull, pinning him to the wall.


    "Ten."


    Silence hung heavy, thick with the stench of blood. Kaiser stood amidst the carnage, his breath ragged, his muscles coiled and trembling, his hands dripping red. He inhaled the scent of slaughter and smiled.


    "I''m done with this one," a woman¡¯s voice rang out, thick with self-satisfaction. "Bring me a new one. This one lasted longer than I thought he would, but I¡¯ve had my fill."


    Kaiser didn''t move. His body remained perfectly still, frozen in place as those words registered in his mind, sinking deep, intertwining with something black and festering inside of him. His expression did not change, but the air around him shifted, the oppressive weight of something unseen pressing down on the space, thick and suffocating.


    Slowly, his gaze traveled toward the door. It was old but reinforced, bolted shut, the scratches and dents along its surface not from the outside, but from whatever poor soul had been locked inside, clawing in vain for an escape. Kaiser flexed his fingers, the blood on his hands already drying and cracking over his knuckles. His body was sore, riddled with fresh blood, but none of it mattered. He raised a hand, pressed his palm flat against the cold steel, and let out a slow exhale.


    Then he clenched his fingers, making the door groan.


    At first, it was only a faint noise, metal bending ever so slightly under his touch. Then it grew louder, the hinges shrieking, the lock snapping like a brittle bone, until finally, with a push of his palm, the entire thing buckled inward.


    The sound of the door slamming open was deafening, echoing through the brothel like a thunderclap, dust and rusted flakes of iron scattering in all directions as the impact rattled the walls.


    Inside, the woman barely reacted.


    She only sighed, shoulders rising and falling in mild irritation, her fingers tightening around the handle of the whip she held lazily in one hand. "Finally," she muttered, not even turning to look. "You bastards are slow today. I was getting impatient."


    She clicked her tongue and ran a chubby, ring-adorned hand down the bare back of the boy chained against the wall, nails scraping against bruised, raw skin, causing the boy to flinch but not make a sound. His body was thin, underfed, his ribs pressing against pale flesh, his wrists shackled above his head with rusted iron restraints.


    "Such a shame," she continued, her voice thick with fake pity, fingers moving to the iron collar locked around his neck. "He was an interesting one. A boy who can clone himself? A rare find indeed. A few extra bodies for a little extra fun. But I grew bored of him."


    The woman turned her head toward the doorway. She didn¡¯t realize it yet, as she was consumed by lust, but the thing standing in the entrance was not a man. It was something else.


    The blood that coated his body had dried, leaving his skin cracked and uneven, the broken flesh along his knuckles knitting itself together only to split again from how tightly his fists were clenched.


    The woman¡¯s breath hitched as Kaiser took another slow, deliberate step forward, the soft sound of his boots pressing against the bloodstained floor echoing far louder than it should have. The moment stretched into something unbearable, the air in the room thick with tension, so suffocating that even the chained boy¡¯s ragged breathing seemed to slow, as if instinctively realizing that something far worse than his current tormentor had just entered the room.


    And yet, Kaiser said nothing.


    His eyes remained empty. His expression unreadable. His hands twitched at his sides, still covered in blood. The woman swallowed thickly, fingers curling tighter around her whip, her beady eyes darting between Kaiser and the door behind him, calculating, searching for a way out. There was none.


    Still, she forced out a breath, straightened her posture, and let her lips curl into something mocking.


    "Ah," she exhaled, attempting to sound amused. "You must be one of the new ones. A fresh slave, is that it?" She took a step forward, head tilting as she dragged her gaze up and down his blood-covered form. "You¡¯re a filthy one, aren¡¯t you? Did they forget to clean you up before bringing you to me? Tsk, how careless of them."


    Kaiser continued staring at her.


    The woman¡¯s smirk faltered ever so slightly, but she was quick to cover it, letting out a sharp crack of her whip against the ground. The sound echoed through the chamber, causing the boy still chained to the wall to involuntarily flinch, his wrists rattling against the iron shackles.


    "You¡¯re lucky, you know," she continued, stepping closer, dragging the tip of her whip along the floor as she walked. "I usually prefer them younger, but you¡­ there¡¯s something about you. Something¡­" Her eyes flickered with amusement, as if she had just discovered something entertaining. "Dangerous."


    Kaiser took another step forward.


    The woman immediately raised her whip, the smile on her lips widening into something wicked. "That¡¯s close enough, pet," she cooed. "I don¡¯t know how you slipped in here, but it doesn¡¯t matter. You belong to us now. To me."


    She lifted the whip and swung. The crack split through the air, the leather cutting across the space between them with enough force to break skin, if only it had hit him.


    But it didn¡¯t. Because in the instant she had lashed out, Kaiser¡¯s hand shot up, his fingers clamping around the whip mid-air like it was nothing more than a loose thread.


    And then, ever so slowly, he turned his head. The firelight caught his face at just the right angle, casting an eerie glow that deepened the hollows beneath his empty, soulless eyes. The woman froze. Her fingers instinctively twitched to pull the whip back, but it wouldn¡¯t budge. Kaiser¡¯s grip was unrelenting, and then, he yanked it.


    The sudden force ripped her forward, her feet barely able to keep up as she stumbled toward him, her body lurching against the sheer strength that had just been exerted with such casual ease. She barely had time to react before Kaiser¡¯s other hand shot forward, grabbing her by the throat.


    Her entire body was lifted off the ground in an instant.


    She let out a strangled gasp, her fingers immediately clawing at the iron grip around her neck, her legs kicking uselessly in the air as she struggled.


    "You talk too much," Kaiser finally muttered, his voice low, empty, almost bored.


    The woman¡¯s face twisted, a choked noise escaping her lips as her nails dug into his skin, desperately trying to pry his fingers off. Her legs jerked, her body writhing in his grasp, her lips splitting apart in some desperate attempt to beg¡ª


    But Kaiser wasn¡¯t interested in hearing it. With a single, deliberate squeeze, the wet pop of something shattering filled the air. The woman let out a gargled wheeze, her eyes bulging, her entire body convulsing as the pressure around her throat crushed her windpipe.


    But Kaiser wasn¡¯t done, not even close.


    His grip didn¡¯t loosen. His fingers didn¡¯t shake. He simply tilted his head, his expression completely neutral as he stared into her bulging, bloodshot eyes, watching, waiting¡ª


    And then he twisted, making a sickening, wet snap echo through the chamber.


    As soon as the sound was made, the woman¡¯s body seized, and then, just as suddenly, it went limp. She crumpled to the floor in a heap, her lifeless body nothing more than a discarded sack of flesh. Her head lolled to the side, her jaw slack, the unnatural angle of her neck making it painfully obvious that she would never speak again.


    For a long, suffocating moment, there was nothing but silence. But then a soft, breathless laugh was heard in the room. It was quiet at first. Almost uncertain.


    Kaiser¡¯s gaze flickered to the boy who had been chained to the wall this entire time, his body still trembling from exhaustion and starvation, his wrists raw from the rusted shackles that had bound him there for who knows how long.


    But his eyes were no longer dead, no longer empty. They were alive, burning with something even he hadn''t expected. And to his own surprise, he was smiling. It was faint, barely more than a twitch of his lips, weak and fragile, yet unmistakable. A fleeting ember of warmth flickered across his bruised and swollen face, refusing to be snuffed out.


    Kaiser stared at him for a long moment, his empty, unreadable gaze searching the boy¡¯s expression. And then, slowly, he turned away from the corpse at his feet. He stepped forward, closing the distance between him and the boy in a matter of seconds, his hands still bloody, his body still stained with blood.


    The boy did not flinch, only watched as Kaiser gripped the rusted chains above his wrists, and with a single pull, he made the metal shriek, twist, and finally snap. His frail body collapsed forward, too weak to even stand, but before he could hit the ground, Kaiser effortlessly caught him, his touch disturbingly gentle for someone whose hands were still slick with the blood of the dead. The warmth of his own skin against the boy¡¯s cold, malnourished frame made a muscle in his jaw tighten, though his face remained unreadable, his mind already shifting away from the past minute¡¯s carnage.


    The room was silent now. Silent in the way only the dead could be. The air smelled of iron, sweat, and filth. The bodies that laid scattered across the floor, including the twisted, lifeless husk of the disgusting woman, were already cooling. The filth of this place had been purged.


    But it wasn¡¯t enough.


    Kaiser wasn¡¯t done.


    Not even close.


    As he carried the boy toward the door, his boots moved across the blood-slicked floor with deliberate slowness, the boy in his arms let out a quiet exhale, his body curling in on itself, pressing closer to the warmth of his savior.


    Kaiser stepped into the hallway, a narrow passage drowned in darkness, thick with the stench of rot, sweat, and the suffocating air of bodies trapped for far too long. A prison disguised as a brothel. In his arms, the boy stirred, his voice a faint whisper. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ taking me with you?¡±


    Kaiser did not answer. He only walked, his pace unbroken, his footsteps a quiet, steady rhythm against the cold stone floor. The staircase loomed ahead, a narrow, creaking thing, winding upward toward the surface, toward freedom. As Kaiser climbed, the dim candlelight trembled along the walls, stretching his shadow into something monstrous, something twisting and writhing with every step, as if the very darkness recoiled from him, shifting, waiting.


    Then finally, there were doors. They were heavy, thick, reinforced with steel, but none of that stopped Kaiser from pushing them open.


    As soon as Kaiser stepped through them, the thick scent of cheap liquor, sweat, and filth hit him like a wave. The hall was wide, lit by hanging lanterns that flickered weakly, their glow casting jagged, shifting shadows across the figures gathered before him.


    There were twenty of them, maybe more, lounging against walls, sitting on barrels, or gathered around makeshift tables, where stained cards and scattered coins lay forgotten. Their clothes were a mess of different styles: patched leather, tattered cloaks, fur-lined coats stolen off dead men. It was obvious this was a gang of cutthroats, mercenaries, and human filth.


    They weren¡¯t guards. They were killers, buyers, traders. And now, they were corpses waiting to happen.


    The moment Kaiser emerged, carrying the barely-conscious boy in his arms, their eyes snapped to him. The room shifted and silence took hold, creeping into every corner like a slow-moving plague.


    A large man, bald, with a neck like a bull¡¯s and a scar twisting across his lip, leaned forward from where he sat on an overturned crate. He squinted at Kaiser, his beady eyes taking in the sight of him, of the bloodstained clothes, the fresh wounds already sealing and the eerily calm look in his red eyes.


    "The fuck is this?" he muttered.


    Another, leaner man, his fingers adorned with too many rings, clicked his tongue, tapping a knife against the edge of his boot. "That ain''t one of ours." His voice was slow, amused, like a man already deciding how he was going to carve up a new prize. His gaze flicked to the boy in Kaiser¡¯s arms. "That one, though? He is."


    Kaiser just kept walking.


    A third man, tall, wiry, with a jagged nose that looked like it had been broken one too many times, took a slow step forward. He had a serpent-like grin, thin lips curling back over yellowed teeth. "Oi, oi, oi," he chuckled, raising a hand. "Where do you think you¡¯re goin¡¯ with our property, friend?"


    Kaiser did not stop moving, making the men glance at each other, their amusement shifting into unease. "Hey, dumbass, you deaf?" the bull-necked man snapped, rising to his feet. "Put the kid down, nice and slow, and maybe we''ll just beat the shit outta you instead of gutting you like a fucking pig."


    The knife-tapper sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Always the stubborn ones. You kill one or two, and they think they can just walk all over us." He rolled his wrist, flicking his knife upright. "Tch. Shame. Could¡¯ve sold that one again, too. Good money for a boy like him."


    Kaiser came to a stop and gently set the boy down, his touch careful, almost reverent. The room was deathly silent as the scarred man let out a slow breath, his hand drifting toward his sword. But Kaiser didn¡¯t look at him, didn¡¯t move, he just stood there, still and quiet, until he finally spoke, his voice a cold whisper that sliced through the air.


    "Eleven."


    The scarred man blinked. "What?"


    Kaiser''s fingers curled around his bloodstained sword, his grip tightening as he repeated, "Eleven," his voice no longer quite human. He tilted his head, crimson eyes glinting in the dim light, empty of anything but hunger.


    "That''s your number."

 Chapter 29: The Quiet Before the Storm

    Erya pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders as she trudged through the empty streets, her boots scuffing against the uneven stone. The night air was cool, a welcome relief after a long, exhausting day of work, but it carried a certain stillness that didn¡¯t sit right with her. Normally, even this late, there would be at least some movement: a drunken fool stumbling home, a couple whispering in the dark or a few vendors pushing carts of leftovers back to their storages. But tonight, nothing. It was like the city itself was holding its breath.


    She rolled her shoulders, feeling the strain from spending the entire day fixing up her gym. Gods, she should¡¯ve called it a night hours ago, but once she started working, she found it hard to stop. The place had taken a beating, and she had too much pride to let it stay that way. Every dent in the floorboards, every cracked wall, every piece of equipment knocked out of place had been a personal insult to her, and she¡¯d spent the whole damn day fixing it. She should¡¯ve felt accomplished. Instead, she just felt drained.


    When the familiar sight of her inn finally came into view, she exhaled, already imagining the feel of a stiff drink in her hand and the comfort of her own damn bed. Her eyes caught something strange: two figures standing near the entrance.


    ¡®City guards.¡¯


    They weren¡¯t just passing by on patrol; they were stationed there, standing with intent, their weapons sheathed but their hands resting close. They noticed her approach immediately, their eyes sharpening. One of them, a younger guy with a tired face and a permanent scowl, stepped forward.


    "Owner of this place, right?" he asked.


    Erya clicked her tongue. "Did the sign outside not give it away?"


    The other guard, older, built like a wall with arms crossed over his chest, huffed in amusement. "Captain wants to speak with you."


    She frowned. "Captain? Of what, exactly? You two with the city watch?"


    "The watch, yeah. But it ain''t about some bar fight or a drunk pissing in the alley," the older one said, shifting his stance. "This is serious."


    Erya stared at them for a moment, then sighed, rubbing a hand down her face. She really wasn¡¯t in the mood for this. Not after today. But whatever was going on, she could already tell it wasn¡¯t something she could just brush off.


    "Fine, let¡¯s get this over with," she muttered, stepping past them and pushing open the doors.


    Erya let the door shut behind her, the wooden frame creaking as it settled. She barely had time to shake the night chill off her coat before her eyes locked onto the man sitting at the bar. He had the posture of someone who had been sitting there for a while, elbows on the counter, fingers loosely curled around an untouched mug. His uniform was the first thing that caught her attention. He was a city guard, no doubt about it, but unlike the two stationed outside, his looked worn. The deep green fabric was dulled with dust and dirt, and the edges of his sleeves were frayed from years of wear. The faint scent of iron clung to him, and it wasn¡¯t from the drink.


    Krava was at the counter, lazily polishing a glass, but even her usual disinterest didn¡¯t fully mask the way her big eyes flicked between her and the man.


    Erya stepped forward, crossing her arms. ¡°Alright. Who the hell are you?¡±


    The man didn¡¯t look at her right away. Instead, he lifted his hand, fingers curling slightly as he made a smooth, almost lazy motion in the air. At first, it seemed like nothing, but then, right before her eyes, his fingers bent in an impossible way, not broken, not forced, just effortlessly shifting joints and tendons in a way no normal person could.


    Erya¡¯s breath caught in her throat for half a second before realization hit her like a brick.


    No way.


    A slow grin crept across her face as she tilted her head, placing a hand on her hip. ¡°You bastard,¡± she muttered, amusement lacing her voice. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Milo.¡±


    The man finally turned to face her, and despite the deep lines carved into his face, despite the streaks of gray threading through his hair, his eyes held the same sharpness she remembered.


    ¡°Thirty years,¡± he corrected, his voice carrying the weight of those years, steady and measured. ¡°You look exactly the same.¡±


    Erya barked out a laugh, shaking her head. ¡°Time flies.¡±


    Milo smirked, but there was something unreadable behind it. He exhaled through his nose, tapping a finger against the counter. ¡°You know, I try not to let jealousy get to me, but damn. I¡¯ve seen some weird shit in my time, but watching someone barely change after three decades?¡± He scoffed, shaking his head. ¡°That stings a little.¡±


    Erya, still grinning, gestured to herself with an exaggerated motion. ¡°Well, thanks for the compliment. I like to think I still look pretty damn good for someone over three hundred.¡±


    From behind the counter, Krava let out a sharp scoff, her bearded face barely shifting as she continued wiping down the glass in hier hands.


    Erya, without missing a beat, shot her a glance and smirked. ¡°Not all of us stay the same, though.¡±


    Krava didn¡¯t even dignify her with a response, only narrowing her eyes slightly before returning to her task.


    Milo chuckled, shaking his head again as he finally lifted his mug and took a sip. ¡°Some things never change, huh?¡±


    Erya leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. ¡°Damn right they don¡¯t.¡±


    Milo let out a long sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. His fingers were calloused, worn from years of duty, and the way his jaw tensed suggested that whatever he was about to say wasn¡¯t good news.


    ¡°Less than five minutes ago,¡± he began, his voice level but carrying an unmistakable weight, ¡°we found a brothel near your inn. About ten minutes¡¯ walk from here.¡±


    Erya¡¯s expression flickered. For a brief moment, it was just surprise, sharp and quick, vanishing in an instant. But the anger that followed settled in deeper, twisting her mouth into a scowl as she pushed herself off the counter. ¡°A brothel?¡± she scoffed, her voice incredulous. ¡°In my part of town?¡± She exhaled through her nose, eyes narrowing. ¡°I should¡¯ve burned that filth down already.¡±


    The words had barely left her mouth before she noticed the way the room shifted.


    The inn had always carried an air of easygoing chatter, the kind of casual liveliness that made it a comfortable place for travelers and locals alike. But the moment the word ¡°brothel¡± had been spoken, something changed.


    A few of the patrons, mostly men, suddenly looked a little too interested, eyes flicking in Milo¡¯s direction, conversation lowering to a murmur. One group at a corner table went silent altogether, leaning just slightly toward the conversation, their mugs frozen halfway to their lips. Even the ones who tried to act disinterested still betrayed themselves with the occasional glance, hoping to catch a location, a hint, something.


    Erya noticed it all, and if she had been pissed before, now she was livid.


    Disappointed, too.


    Milo must have caught the shift in the air as well, because he sighed again and shook his head. ¡°Not something you have to worry about anymore,¡± he muttered, his tone deliberately vague. ¡°But you might have something much, much worse on your plate.¡±


    That got her attention.


    Erya¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, but Milo didn¡¯t elaborate just yet. Instead, his eyes flicked across the room, scanning the gathered patrons, some of whom were still subtly straining their ears toward the conversation.


    ¡°Better if we talk somewhere private,¡± he said, his voice quieter, measured. ¡°No need to start a panic.¡±


    Erya¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but she exhaled sharply through her nose and turned toward the room. She didn¡¯t yell. She didn¡¯t need to.


    Her voice, when she spoke, was firm, sharp and clipped, carrying the natural authority of someone who had owned this place long enough that when she gave an order, people damn well listened.


    ¡°Alright,¡± she said, clapping her hands together once, the sound snapping through the room. ¡°Time to clear out.¡±


    A few patrons blinked up at her in confusion, as if unsure whether she was serious.


    ¡°You¡¯ve had your drinks, you¡¯ve had your fun and now it¡¯s the time go home,¡± she continued, pacing forward a few steps, giving everyone in the room a slow, deliberate once-over. ¡°If you¡¯ve got a room here, upstairs. If you don¡¯t, out the damn door.¡±


    A few men grumbled, shifting in their seats, but the weight of her stare cut through any objections before they could form.


    Krava, still behind the counter, raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t interfere. He didn¡¯t need to.


    One particularly slow drunk, a man slumped at a corner table, dared to mutter, ¡°Tch. What¡¯s the big deal¡ª¡±


    Erya was already moving, stepping toward him with an easy, fluid confidence. She didn¡¯t touch him. All she did was lean slightly against the table, arching an eyebrow as she fixed him with a look that somehow carried more weight than any words could.


    ¡°You want me to repeat myself?¡± she asked, her voice smooth, dangerously unimpressed.


    The man, suddenly feeling a lot more sober, cleared his throat and scrambled up from his seat, grabbing his coat before making a quick exit.


    The rest of the patrons got the message.


    Chairs scraped against the wooden floor as men and women alike gathered their things and made their way toward the exits, some heading upstairs, others spilling out into the night.


    Erya stood there, arms crossed, watching them all go.


    When the last of them had finally left, a heavy silence settled over the room, making it feel emptier and more oppressive. Now, only three people remained: Milo, still seated at the counter; Krava, leaning against the bar, her arms crossed; and Erya, who turned back to Milo with an expectant look.


    ¡°So,¡± Erya began, tapping her fingers against the table, ¡°what¡¯s this mess about a brothel? You better not be here because some piss-drunk noble got caught with his pants down and decided to cry about it.¡±


    Milo exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head. ¡°No. Not even close.¡±


    Erya raised an eyebrow, but before she could press him further, he spoke again, his voice lower and more deliberate, carrying a weight she wasn¡¯t used to hearing from him before. ¡°When we got there,¡± he said, staring at his hands, ¡°the entire place was a pool of blood.¡± He lifted his eyes to meet hers, dark and unreadable. ¡°Not an exaggeration. We had to wade through it.¡±


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    The casual smirk that had been playing on Erya¡¯s lips faltered slightly.


    Milo leaned back in his chair, exhaling like the memory itself weighed on his chest. ¡°Based on the state of the bodies¡ª¡± He hesitated, gathering himself before he continued. ¡°Based on the freshness of it, the bastard who did it was still nearby when we arrived.¡±


    A slow, amused exhale escaped Erya as she crossed her legs and tilted her head. ¡°Oh, so now we¡¯re calling whoever did this a bastard?¡± she teased, the corner of her lips curling up. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t mind him tho, I think he did a great favor for the city.¡±


    Milo¡¯s face remained unchanged, and Erya¡¯s smirk faded completely when she noticed his fingers tapping against the table. The rhythm was slow and methodical, yet unsteady as his hands were shaking. That¡¯s when she realized, this was far more serious then she first tought.


    "You know what?" he said, exhaling. "I too am glad they¡¯re dead."


    Krava, who had been silent until now, let out a slow breath from behind the counter, her sharp gaze never leaving him. Erya studied the man in front of her, tilting her head slightly as the weight of his words settled over the room.


    Then she snorted. "Milo, you sure you wanna say that out loud?" she teased. "It¡¯s allright for me to say it, but you''re a city guard captain. People hear you talking like that, they¡¯ll think you''ve lost your damn mind." Milo looked up, and the way his dark eyes flickered in the candlelight made Erya¡¯s stomach twist in a way she didn¡¯t like.


    ¡°They weren¡¯t just running a brothel,¡± he said. His voice was quiet. Controlled. But beneath it, there was something deeper, something barely contained. ¡°They were running a flesh trade¡ªa hidden one, right here in the city, disguised under all that perfume and velvet.¡±


    Erya didn¡¯t react immediately. She simply stared at him, her fingers absentmindedly tapping against the armrest of her chair.


    Milo continued, his voice growing more rigid, more strained. ¡°We found¡ª¡± He exhaled sharply through his nose. ¡°We found the men. Their bodies were destroyed. Limbs twisted at angles that shouldn¡¯t be possible. Spines snapped completely in half. Eyes gouged out. Some of them¡ª¡± His voice hitched, but he forced himself to go on. ¡°Some of them were folded. I don¡¯t even know how to explain it. They weren¡¯t cut in half. They were¡­ collapsed into themselves.¡±


    Erya¡¯s fingers stopped tapping.


    ¡°The women?¡± she asked, her voice quieter than before.


    Milo closed his eyes for a brief moment, rubbing his forehead. ¡°Hiding. Every last one of them. Locked in a single room. We found them shaking, sobbing. They wouldn¡¯t even open the door at first, thought we were the monster coming back to finish the job.¡±


    Erya leaned back slightly, arms crossing over her chest. The usual cocky playfulness in her posture was gone now, replaced by something more neutral, more unreadable.


    Milo let out a slow, shaking breath. ¡°Whoever did this wasn¡¯t human.¡±


    Erya met his gaze, her expression blank. Milo¡¯s fingers twitched against the wooden surface of the table as he muttered, ¡°We¡¯re not dealing with a man. We¡¯re dealing with a monster.¡±


    Silence hung between them for several long, heavy seconds.


    Krava finally spoke, her voice as dry as ever. ¡°Monster, huh?¡± She grabbed a glass from behind the bar and started wiping it down with an old rag. ¡°Well, at least that means you don¡¯t have to worry about putting it in a prison cell, right?¡±


    Milo let out a short, humorless chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°No. No prison could hold something like that.¡± He lifted his gaze to Erya, his face unreadable. ¡°Not that I¡¯d want it to.¡±


    Erya exhaled slowly through her nose, the weight of his words pressing against the air between them. Milo¡¯s fingers twitched again, and this time, his entire hand clenched into a tight fist as he stared down at the table.


    ¡°There were children there, too.¡±


    Erya¡¯s entire body tensed.


    Milo didn¡¯t look up. His voice was hoarse, almost distant, as if the words tasted like bile in his throat. ¡°Not just girls.¡± His breathing was uneven. ¡°Boys, too. I¡ª¡± His fingers dug into his palm, knuckles turning white. ¡°We should have been there first, we should have found them a lot sooner, and we were too late, far too late.¡±


    The room was heavy with silence, but it wasn¡¯t the comfortable kind, it was one that settled between old friends when words weren¡¯t needed. No, this was different. This was the kind of silence that sank into the bones, thick and oppressive, like the air before a storm.


    Erya leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, a single finger tapping against her bicep as she mulled over everything Milo had just told her.


    Then she let out a slow, sharp exhale through her nose, shaking her head. "Well," she muttered, tilting her head to the side, "I guess the Right Fist finally got what was coming to them."


    Milo lifted a brow.


    Erya scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Don¡¯t look at me like that." She waved a hand in the air dismissively. "They owned that brothel, didn''t they? You think a place like that just exists in this city without the Right Fist knowing? Please. That was their business. Their filth."


    Her lips curled in disgust. "And if someone finally came along and butchered those bastards like the animals they were?" She shrugged, leaning back further in her seat. "Then I say good riddance."


    Milo sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "Erya¡ª"


    "Oh, don¡¯t ''Erya'' me," she cut in, pointing at him with the same hand she had just waved. "You think I¡¯m gonna cry over a bunch of slavers and flesh peddlers getting ripped apart? Spare me."


    Her eyes darkened slightly, flickering toward the table. "They deserved it."


    Milo studied her for a moment, but whatever he saw in her expression made him keep his mouth shut. Instead, he exhaled sharply, tapping his fingers against the wooden surface of the table.


    "I¡¯d agree with you," he said finally, "if that¡¯s all there was to it."


    Erya tilted her head. "Oh?"


    Milo glanced up at her, his fingers still tapping against the wood. "You¡¯re assuming this was just a case of a bigger fish swallowing a smaller one," he said, voice calm, measured. "That those bastards kidnapped the wrong person and got torn apart for it."


    Erya smirked. "Well, that would be poetic, wouldn¡¯t it?"


    Milo didn¡¯t return the smirk.


    Instead, he flexed his hand, watching as his fingers curled into a slow fist before he relaxed them again. "Maybe. But that¡¯s not what happened here."


    Erya¡¯s smirk faded slightly. "¡­Go on."


    Milo leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, fingers laced together. "I don¡¯t mind criminals killing criminals," he admitted. "Self-solving problems make my job easier."


    "Exactly!" Erya said, gesturing toward him with both hands. "See? Now you¡¯re getting it!"


    "But this wasn¡¯t some criminal settling a score," he continued, voice lowering slightly. "This wasn¡¯t a rival gang making a move. This wasn¡¯t even some poor bastard getting revenge for what they did to him."


    He exhaled, shaking his head. "This¡­ wasn¡¯t a person at all."


    Erya frowned. "Milo."


    "No," he said, shaking his head again, his expression grim. "Nothing human could¡¯ve done that. No man could kill that many people, that fast, in that way."


    His hand twitched against the table.


    "I¡¯ve seen some gruesome shit in my years on the force," he muttered, "but I¡¯ve never seen men folded like that. I¡¯ve never seen ribs punched clean through backs. Never seen skulls split like rotten fruit without a blade involved."


    His eyes flickered to her, dark and sharp. "This wasn¡¯t a person. It was a monster."


    Erya tapped a single finger against the table, thinking. "A monster, huh?"


    Milo nodded once. "Nothing else fits."


    Erya exhaled slowly through her nose, her brows furrowing slightly. "Well," she said, tilting her head, "if it wasn¡¯t something, but someone, then you¡¯d have to be looking at a damn high-ranking Liberator, wouldn''t you?"


    Milo didn¡¯t respond right away.


    His fingers twitched slightly against the table before curling into a slow fist.


    "Yeah," he muttered finally, "that¡¯s the problem."


    Erya raised a brow. "What is?"


    Milo lifted his head, locking eyes with her.


    "A high-ranking Liberator has no business being in Arkhold," he said. "This city is the edge of the world, Erya. It¡¯s where people come when they have nowhere else to go. It¡¯s where we went when we had nowhere else to go."


    His jaw clenched. "There¡¯s nothing here for them."


    Erya¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Then, slowly, she leaned back, arms still crossed, but her expression more serious now. "Well," she muttered, "looks like we¡¯ve got a problem then, don¡¯t we?"


    Milo didn¡¯t answer. The short silence spoke for itself.


    Milo shifted in his seat. It was small move, barely noticeable to most people, but Erya caught it. The way his fingers twitched against the table, the way his shoulders tensed ever so slightly, the way his eyes flickered downward for just a fraction of a second before settling back into place, like he was holding something back, something heavier than he was willing to put into words.


    Erya wasn¡¯t stupid. She had spent centuries reading people, and Milo, for all his years and experience, was still an open book to her.


    "This isn¡¯t the only thing that happened tonight, is it?" she asked, voice quieter now, but still carrying the same sharpness.


    Milo hesitated, just for a breath, but then sighed, shaking his head. "No."


    Erya drummed her fingers against the table, her brows furrowing slightly. "I figured."


    Milo¡¯s jaw tightened, the muscles in his face shifting as he clenched his teeth, clearly frustrated. He exhaled slowly through his nose, his fingers flexing open and closed as he stared down at the worn wood of the table, as if it held answers he didn¡¯t have.


    "I failed," he muttered, voice low. "I failed in my duty today."


    Erya scoffed. "Doubt it."


    Milo¡¯s eyes flickered up at her, but she was already leaning forward, propping her chin up with one hand as she studied him. "Since you were a kid, you''ve been one of the strongest guards this city¡¯s ever had," she said. "And that''s not me buttering you up, that''s just fact."


    She smirked slightly, tilting her head. "Only natural, though, isn¡¯t it? What else do you expect from a former Liberator?"


    Milo snorted softly, but it wasn¡¯t a laugh.


    "Former," he repeated. "That¡¯s the key word, isn¡¯t it?"


    "Oh, please," Erya waved a hand, leaning back again. "Once a Liberator, always a Liberator. You lot don¡¯t just shake that off. It¡¯s in your bones."


    Milo exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. "I was only ranked as a Heroic Liberator," he muttered. "Nothing special."


    Erya barked out a short laugh. "¡®Only¡¯ ranked as Heroic," she repeated mockingly. "Listen to yourself. You know how many people have reached that rank in the last five hundred years?"


    She tapped a finger against the table for emphasis. "One hundred thousand."


    Milo didn¡¯t respond.


    "That might sound like a big number to someone who doesn¡¯t think too hard about it," Erya continued, "but when you remember just how many billions of people have lived and died in that time? You start to see just how damn rare that really is."


    Milo sighed. "I don¡¯t need a history lesson, Erya."


    "No, but you do need someone to remind you that you¡¯re not some washed-up nobody," she shot back. "Because you sure as hell act like it sometimes."


    Milo shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It doesn¡¯t matter."


    Erya¡¯s smirk faltered slightly. "Doesn¡¯t matter?"


    "No," he muttered. "Because none of that changes what happened tonight." His hands clenched into fists against the table.


    "I failed," he said again, voice quieter this time, but somehow even heavier than before. "And because I failed¡­ a little girl was kidnapped right in front of me."


    The weight of those words sank between them, pressing down on the room like a stone.


    Milo didn¡¯t look up. He just sat there, staring at the wood, his shoulders tense, his hands tight, the frustration, the regret, the anger all swirling behind his tired eyes.


    For a long moment, neither of them spoke.


    "Shit."


    Erya exhaled, dragging a hand down her face. "Milo¡­"


    Milo exhaled, shaking his head before finally speaking again. His voice was quieter now, but every word carried the weight of frustration, regret, and something else¡­ Something much heavier.


    "She looked harmless," he muttered. "That¡¯s what pisses me off the most. Just this white-haired girl, carrying someone in her arms like a doting older sister. Nothing about her screamed danger, not at first glance. If anything¡­" His brow furrowed as he replayed the image in his mind. "She looked almost¡­ gentle. Like she belonged in a library or a tea shop, not¡ª" He stopped himself, shaking his head.


    Erya remained quiet, listening.


    "She was carrying a little girl," Milo continued, voice tightening slightly. "Pink hair, small. Couldn¡¯t have been older than eighteen. She was unconscious. Completely limp in her arms."


    Erya¡¯s fingers twitched.


    "At first, I thought maybe she was helping her," Milo admitted. "A lost child? A big sister figure carrying her home? But then I remembered¡­ I¡¯d seen that kid before. I saw her leave the city earlier today, with a man. A dark-haired man. He looked¡­" He paused, rubbing his chin. "He looked like royalty."


    Erya blinked. Her mind immediately went to the pink-haired girl she had met earlier that day.


    "Aria," she said aloud before she could stop herself.


    Milo¡¯s head snapped toward her. "You know her?"


    Erya leaned back, crossing her arms. "Met her today," she confirmed. "Small thing, big eyes, pink hair, a bit too polite for my taste. She was with a guy who¡ª" She smirked suddenly, her exhaustion momentarily pushed aside by something far more entertaining. "Who looked like a homeless bastard when I first saw him."


    Milo frowned. "What?"


    "His hair was a mess, his clothes were a disaster. Honestly, it was embarrassing. Looked like he¡¯d been dragged through a hedge backward and then sat on by a horse." Milo blinked, thrown off by the sudden change in tone.


    Erya grinned, gesturing to herself. "But then I worked my magic. Gave him a proper haircut, tailored his coat, and just like that¡ª" She snapped her fingers. "He looked like he belonged in a palace. Probably could¡¯ve convinced half the nobles in this city that he was some exiled prince."


    Milo stared at her, then, to Erya¡¯s amusement, his eyes lit up. "That¡¯s him," he said quickly. "That has to be him! He came to you for help?"


    "That¡¯s right," Erya confirmed, still pleased with her work. "Both him and the kid have been staying at my inn." Milo looked like a man drowning who had just been thrown a rope. "Then we need to check their room. Now."


    She nodded. "Agreed." The two of them stood, pushing their chairs back as they moved toward the stairs. The room had already been emptied from earlier, the fire in the hearth crackling quietly in the background, casting flickering shadows across the wooden walls.


    But before either of them could take a step toward the stairs, they heard a scream. Not from inside the inn, but from the outside. It was sharp, panicked, and cut short.


    "P-please," a trembling voice stammered. "Don¡¯t step any closer¡­"


    Milo had already turned toward the door, his hand on the hilt of his sword. His entire posture shifted as his muscles tensed, his stance widened, and his shoulders straightened. The easygoing, tired man from before was gone. In his place stood the city¡¯s guard captain, a former Liberator, a man who had spent his life keeping Arkhold from collapsing in on itself.


    Erya cracked her neck.


    "Looks like our night isn¡¯t over yet," she muttered.

 Chapter 30: To Bid or to Bleed

    A figure stepped in, and for a moment, no one moved.


    The wooden floor groaned beneath his weight, the dim lighting of the inn casting flickering shadows across his form. His clothes, once dark and forgettable were now drenched in blood, so soaked in fact that the fabric clung to his skin, every fold and wrinkle outlined in red. Droplets of blood dripped from the hem of his coat, trailing behind him in a slow, rhythmic drip, drip, drip that marked each step he took. His hands, too, were stained, fingers curled slightly as if still ready to crush something in his grip.


    But what drew Erya¡¯s eyes, what made her heart lurch in sudden recognition, was what he held.


    ¡®A boy.¡¯


    Small. Limp. Barely conscious. Bruises ran across his tiny arms, his dirt-streaked face half-buried against the bloodied man¡¯s chest. The slow rise and fall of his breathing was the only indication that he was alive at all.


    Erya exhaled sharply, tension leaving her arms even as her fingers curled inside her gloves. "Oh, for fuck¡¯s sake¡­" she muttered, half in disbelief, half in sheer exasperation. "Kaiser."


    Milo¡¯s sword remained steady, his magic still thrumming in the air around him, but his brow furrowed deeply. "Wait, him?" His eyes darted between Erya and the bloodied figure, expression unreadable. "That¡¯s the man we were going to meet?"


    "Obviously," Erya answered, though her voice was laced with something between wariness and familiarity. "Not many people can pull off ¡®walking corpse aesthetic¡¯ quite like him." The guard behind Milo was still trembling, his grip on his sword weak, but his stance locked into place, refusing to lower his weapon. "That¡¯s not¡ª That monster can¡¯t be¡­"


    "Kaiser," Milo called, his voice measured, but cautious. "Is that really you?" The bloodied man finally moved his gaze upward. His red eyes locked onto Milo¡¯s with an eerie stillness. And then, he spoke, voice low, almost too casual for the situation. "The only monsters I saw today," he said slowly, "are the ones I had to kill."


    Milo¡¯s jaw tightened.


    Kaiser¡¯s eyes flicked downward, noting the uniforms, the weapons, the stances. "Oh." He sighed. "But since I see I¡¯m speaking to the city watch¡­ let¡¯s call it self-defense, shall we?" Milo¡¯s grip loosened, his brows drawing together in something close to frustration. "That level of brutality¡­" He exhaled sharply. "Was it necessary?"


    Kaiser¡¯s expression didn¡¯t shift. "I was a bit upset."


    "A bit," Milo repeated flatly.


    "They kidnapped my partner," Kaiser continued, voice even. "Aria."


    Milo¡¯s shoulders tensed, guilt flashing across his features before he let out a slow breath, lowering his sword entirely. "¡­Shit" The guard behind him, however, did not lower his own. His breath was still uneven, his grip still shaking, but his fear only fueled his desperation. "C-Captain, we need to arrest him¡ª"


    Kaiser didn¡¯t acknowledge him, didn¡¯t look at him, didn¡¯t even turn his head in his direction. He only stepped forward, past Milo, past the guard, past the tension hanging in the air like a blade ready to drop. He walked straight to Erya and held out the boy. "I need your help."


    Erya didn¡¯t hesitate. She reached out, carefully taking the small child from Kaiser¡¯s arms, shifting his weight with practiced ease before gently lowering him into the nearest chair. The boy barely reacted, his small frame sagging against the backrest, his breaths shallow and uneven. His eyes were half-lidded, unfocused, his lips slightly parted as if trying to speak but too exhausted to form words.


    Erya¡¯s gaze swept over him, taking in the bruises, the dirt, and the exhaustion carved into his tiny features. She scoffed, running a hand through her wild red hair. "Gods, this night just keeps getting worse."


    Kaiser said nothing as Milo watched, unreadable, while the other guard remained frozen in disbelief. Erya shook her head. "I¡¯ll get something to fix him up." She cracked her neck, rolled her shoulders, then turned on her heel and headed toward the backroom. "And while I¡¯m at it," she called over her shoulder, "I expect someone to start explaining what the fuck is going on." But she was ignored, not even heard as both men had their eyes on each other.


    Kaiser¡¯s lips curled into something close to amusement, though his tone remained steady, almost conversational. "You¡¯re looking at me like I¡¯m the problem." He exhaled through his nose, tilting his head slightly. "I¡¯m not."


    Milo remained silent.


    "You have no reason to fear me," Kaiser continued, stepping forward just enough to close the distance slightly. "I¡¯m on your side."


    That finally got a reaction.


    Kaiser reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a folded document that was bloodied and crumpled, but still readable. He held it up, letting it dangle slightly before Milo¡¯s eyes. "And I think you know why that is."


    Milo¡¯s expression darkened. Kaiser unfolded the paper with a single flick of his wrist, holding it between two fingers as he let his eyes skim over it one last time. "There¡¯s no way the city guard doesn¡¯t know about this." He flicked the document toward Milo. "An auction. Happening in two days."


    Milo caught it, his hands tightening around the edges as he scanned the contents. "And I sincerely hope," Kaiser added, his voice edged with something dangerously close to anger, "that you plan on doing something about it."


    Milo¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. Erya, who had been searching for something in the backroom let out a sharp whistle. "An auction, huh?" She exhaled through her nose. "Let me guess. Not the ¡®fancy art pieces and jewelry¡¯ kind, right?"


    Kaiser scoffed. "The Right Fist has been on a rampage these past few days." His tone turned colder, each word dripping with venom. "You think the brothel was bad? That was just cleanup. They¡¯re stockpiling. Grabbing every vulnerable person they can get their hands on, cramming them into hidden rooms, waiting for the highest bidder. Innocent people, kidnapped right off the streets. That¡¯s what¡¯s happening right under your fucking nose."


    Milo let out a slow, tired breath. His fingers curled tighter around the paper. Then, after a long silence, he nodded. "We knew."


    Kaiser¡¯s expression darkened immediately, his body tensing. "Then why the hell haven¡¯t you done anything?" His voice was sharp now, cutting through the room like a blade. "What the fuck are you waiting for? Permission? A fucking letter? Are you all too scared to act?"


    Milo¡¯s jaw tightened, but he lifted a hand slightly, signaling for silence. "Stop." His voice was firm, but not angry. "You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about." Kaiser narrowed his eyes.


    "We¡¯re handling it," Milo continued, "tonight."


    That made Kaiser pause. His gaze flicked between Milo¡¯s face, searching for any trace of deception, but found none. His muscles, still coiled tight like a predator ready to strike, didn¡¯t relax completely, but they did loosen, even if only slightly.


    Erya, however, was the one who actually reacted. "Wait, wait, wait¡ª" She ran out of the room with a vial in her hand. "That¡¯s why you came to see me today?" She blinked, then let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. "You came here to talk about this?"


    Milo turned toward her, nodding. "Yes."


    "And you were going to just bring it up over drinks like it was casual bar gossip?"


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    Milo exhaled slowly. "I was going to ease into it."


    "Ease into telling me our city is running a fucking slave market?!"


    "I knew you¡¯d react like this," Milo muttered under his breath.


    "And how the fuck else am I supposed to react?" Erya ran her hand through her wild red hair, pacing in a small circle before turning back to him. "And what, you were just going to ask me for help? Just like that?"


    "I was going to warn you," Milo corrected, "because your part of town is involved. That brothel was just one of many places getting cleaned up before the auction." He nodded toward the bloodied paper in his hands. "It¡¯s all in there. Names. Locations. Details."


    Kaiser crossed his arms. "And you just happened to get this information in time?" Milo shot him a tired look. "Do you really think we¡¯ve been sitting on our asses this whole time?" His fingers drummed against the document. "You think I don¡¯t hate this as much as you do?"


    Kaiser¡¯s crimson eyes held his for a long moment. Then, finally, he exhaled through his nose, his arms dropping slightly. "Alright," he muttered. "I¡¯ll give you the benefit of the doubt."


    "Generous," Milo said dryly.


    "But if you already planned on handling it tonight," Kaiser continued, "then you¡¯re going to need me."


    Milo sighed. "Erya, can you get me a drink?"


    "I¡¯m not your bartender, dumbass," she muttered, but she still turned toward the counter, grabbing a bottle of something dark and pouring it into a glass. She slid it toward him without another word.


    Milo downed it in one go. Then, he let out a breath and met Kaiser¡¯s eyes once more. "¡­Tell me everything you know."


    The poor trembling guard was still stuck in the room, standing stiff as a board near the door, his knuckles white from gripping his sheathed sword. His entire body was shaking, and his eyes darted between Kaiser, who sat drenched in dried blood, and Milo, who, despite lowering his guard, still radiated a quiet intensity. The young guard looked like he was barely holding himself together, every muscle in his body screaming for him to run.


    Milo finally turned his attention to him, sighing through his nose. "You¡¯re free to go," he said, his voice even but carrying enough weight that the poor man flinched. "Head to the first checkpoint. We¡¯ll meet you there in an hour."


    The guard didn¡¯t hesitate for a single second.


    He turned on his heels so fast he nearly tripped over himself, bolting out the door with such urgency that for a brief moment, the sound of his retreating footsteps echoed louder than anything else in the bar. The door slammed shut behind him, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.


    Kaiser, unfazed, simply exhaled through his nose and dragged a chair out from the table, the wooden legs scraping harshly against the floor. He sat down with zero concern, letting his weight fall into the seat, his blood-soaked uniform pressing into the fabric.


    Erya visibly winced.


    It was as if she had just watched someone step on her childhood pet. Her eye twitched, and her mouth opened slightly as if she was about to say something. But then she took a deep breath, stared at the chair in absolute agony, and died a little inside.


    Kaiser, completely oblivious to her suffering, leaned back, stretching his arms behind his head. "So, let me break this down for you," he said, his voice casual despite the circumstances. "One moment, I¡¯m minding my own business, finishing a game of Firefight. The next, I use a teleport ticket to get back into the city and boom, I suddenly find myself in some basement."


    Milo frowned. "A basement?"


    "Yeah. The kind you wake up in and immediately know someone¡¯s about to ask where you hid the gold." Kaiser waved a hand dismissively. "Didn¡¯t get much time to enjoy the d¨¦cor, though. I was attacked immediately."


    Erya, still glaring at the chair like she could will the bloodstains away, snapped her attention to him. "And let me guess," she said dryly. "You killed everyone." Kaiser gave her a pointed look. "What else was I supposed to do? Let them carve me up?"


    "I¡¯m just saying," Erya muttered, "I now see that you have a tendency to go overboard."


    "I was in a bad mood," Kaiser shrugged, unbothered. "Besides, they had it coming."


    Milo folded his arms. "And what about the girl, Aria?"


    Kaiser¡¯s red eyes flicked over to him, his expression darkening slightly. "I left her with someone."


    "Who?"


    "Some white-haired girl. Looked young, but she could handle herself." Kaiser leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "I figured Aria would be fine without me." At this, Milo visibly tensed.


    Kaiser noticed immediately, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "What?" Milo exhaled through his nose. "I just fought that white-haired girl." Now it was Kaiser¡¯s turn to raise an eyebrow. "Really now?" He leaned back again, his expression curious. "And?"


    "She was fast," Milo admitted, his fingers drumming against his arm. "Stronger than she looked."


    "You lost?"


    "I didn¡¯t lose," Milo corrected sharply, giving Kaiser a flat look. "She got away."


    Kaiser smirked slightly. "Sounds like a loss to me." And Milo grunted in irritation at the comment. Kaiser looked away in irritation. "But that¡¯s not the point. The point is, I know for a fact Aria was taken. I heard it straight from the men I killed." His expression hardened. "They said a pink-haired girl with blue eyes will been kidnapped. But I didn¡¯t think she was taken by someone so¡­" He trailed off, trying to find the right word. "Small?" Erya offered.


    "Young," Kaiser corrected.


    Kaiser tapped his fingers against the table, his mind working. "So either that girl was working for the Right Fist, or she¡¯s got her own reasons for taking Aria."


    "Either way," Milo said, "we need to act."


    Kaiser nodded, then tilted his head. "Speaking of which¡ª" His red eyes sharpened slightly. "You got any intel on the Right Fist?" Milo met his gaze, his own expression growing serious. "We do."


    Kaiser¡¯s eyes flickered with interest. "Spill it out."


    Milo straightened slightly. "We know where three of their main storage sites are."


    "Storage?" Erya raised an eyebrow. "You mean the places where they¡¯re keeping the kidnapped people?"


    Milo nodded grimly. "And the largest one? It¡¯s not some hidden basement. It¡¯s the Opera House. That¡¯s where the auction is going to be held."


    Kaiser¡¯s fingers curled into a fist against the table. "You¡¯re telling me," he said slowly, his voice eerily calm, "that you knew about this? And you still didn¡¯t do anything sooner?" Milo exhaled through his nose, bracing himself for this reaction. "It¡¯s not that simple."


    "It sounds pretty fucking simple to me."


    "A battle with the Right Fist would leave hundreds dead," Milo said firmly, holding Kaiser¡¯s gaze. "We had to wait for the right moment. A direct assault would turn this city into a warzone. We needed to strike when we could minimize the casualties."


    "And when exactly is that supposed to be?"


    "Tonight."


    That finally made Kaiser pause. Milo continued, "The longer we waited, the worse it would get. But this can¡¯t be a full-force operation. Too many guards are already on their payroll. If we make the wrong move, they¡¯ll know we¡¯re coming. That¡¯s why I¡¯m only taking my twenty most trusted men."


    "So let me get this straight," he said, voice edged like a knife. "You knew about the auction, you knew about the kidnappings, you knew about the Right Fist being behind all of it, and you knew where they were keeping their stockpile of people¡ª" He clenched his jaw, inhaled deeply through his nose, and then let out a slow, measured breath. "And yet, you did nothing until now?"


    Milo met his glare with an unreadable expression, his arms crossed tightly against his chest. "As I have just explained, it¡¯s not that simple."


    "Oh, but it is," Kaiser shot back. "You go in, you kill the bastards, you free the people. Pretty straightforward if you ask me." Milo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Kaiser, listen to me. We weren¡¯t waiting because we were lazy, or because we were scared, or because we didn¡¯t care. We were waiting because if we had struck before today, besides all the casualties, we would¡¯ve missed our chance to take all of them down."


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"


    Milo exhaled, his expression grim. " We knew that one of their leaders, one of the last heads of the Right Fist, was arriving in the city today, along with the remaining core members of the organization. If we attacked earlier, they would¡¯ve stayed hidden, and the whole operation would¡¯ve been for nothing."


    Kaiser tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair, considering that. "So you wanted them all in one place."


    "Exactly." Milo nodded. "We needed to be sure that when we hit them, we got every last one. The auction was the perfect bait. They¡¯d gather there, thinking they were untouchable, and then we¡¯d cut them down before they even knew what hit them."


    "Hmph." Kaiser leaned back, his eyes dark with thought. "Alright. Fine. That makes more sense. But it doesn¡¯t change the fact that innocent people were still suffering while you waited."


    "And you think I don¡¯t know that?" Milo¡¯s voice was quieter now, but no less intense. "You think I don¡¯t hate myself for every day we had to sit on our hands and watch those bastards drag people into the shadows? We had no choice. If we acted too soon, they would¡¯ve gone into hiding, and we would¡¯ve lost them forever. This was the only way to make sure it ends."


    Kaiser studied Milo for a moment, reading the exhaustion in his posture, the weight behind his words. "Tch." He clicked his tongue. "Fine. I get it."


    "Good."


    "Still doesn¡¯t make me any less pissed."


    "I¡¯d be worried if it didn¡¯t," Milo admitted. "But now you understand why we had to wait." Kaiser grunted, running a bloodstained hand through his already messy hair. "Alright. So the plan is still on for tonight, then?"


    "Yes."


    "Good."


    Kaiser exhaled and pushed himself up from his seat, his bloody coat creaking as he moved. "Alright. If we¡¯re doing this, we better do it right. What time are we leaving?"


    "An hour," Milo said. "We¡¯ll meet at the first checkpoint before we move in." Kaiser rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. "Good. Gives me time to clean up."


    Erya blinked. "Wait, you actually plan on bathing before a mission?"


    "What do you take me for? A savage?" Kaiser smirked. "I¡¯d rather not go into battle smelling like a butcher¡¯s shop."


    Erya muttered something under her breath about "miracles happening" as she watched him stretch. Milo shook his head, glancing toward the door. "I need to go check in with my men. I¡¯ll see you both in an hour." He continued, giving Erya a paper with an address. ¡°We will be waiting for the both of you there.¡± With that, he left the tavern, leaving Erya and Kaiser standing in silence.


    "So," Erya said after a moment. "You¡¯re actually gonna take a bath, huh?"

 Chapter 31: No Home to Return To

    The warm steam from the shower still clung to his skin, rolling off his bare shoulders as Kaiser leaned over the bathroom sink, both hands gripping the porcelain edges while he stared at himself in the fogged-up mirror. Droplets of water traced slow paths down his chiseled chest, sliding over his completely clear skin.


    He exhaled, sharp and measured, running a hand through his damp black hair, pushing the strands back as he studied his reflection. His eyes were burning, sharp, predatory. He had washed away the blood, but the weight of the night still clung to him, heavier than any stain.


    Pulling himself away from the mirror, he stepped into the main room, finally allowing himself a moment to take in the sheer size of it. It was massive, much larger than anything he ever needed, and yet, despite its elegance, it felt empty. Sterile. Neither he nor Aria had left much of anything behind. No personal touches, no scattered belongings, nothing to make it truly feel lived in. It was just a place to sleep between fights.


    But something caught his eye.


    On the farthest bed, the one Aria had claimed, sat a small pouch, neatly placed as if left there on purpose.


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes, walking over and picking it up. The moment he untied the string and pulled it open, he felt his breath hitch just slightly.


    Inside, folded with precision, was the same color-changing silk Aria had been so fascinated with earlier. It glittered under the low lighting, shifting between hues of deep blue, soft violet, and the occasional glint of gold, as if mirroring the sky in constant motion. Resting on top of the fabric was a small, handwritten note in delicate cursive.


    "For Kaiser¡¯s handkerchief."


    A rare, genuine smile crept onto his lips, slow and involuntary.


    ¡®That damn kid.¡¯


    Despite everything that had happened, she still thought about something as trivial as this. His fingers traced the smooth silk before he folded it carefully and slid it into his pocket, patting it once to make sure it was secure. A sigh left him, one that felt deeper than it should have, and for just a moment, the weight on his shoulders didn¡¯t feel as suffocating.


    But the night wasn¡¯t over.


    Turning toward the bed, he eyed the fresh set of clothes Erya had left for him. He hadn¡¯t even glanced at them before getting into the shower, but now that he looked¡­ damn, she really outdid herself.


    A fitted, high-collared black undershirt clung comfortably to his frame, emphasizing the muscle underneath without restricting his movement. Over that, a deep crimson waistcoat, intricately embroidered with thin gold lining tracing patterns of flames along the edges, adding just a touch of elegance without being gaudy. The long black coat that went over it was heavier than expected, falling just past his knees, reinforced with an inside lining of reinforced fabric¡ªlight armor disguised as high-class fashion. The sleeves bore subtle leather plating near the wrists, blending seamlessly with the design.


    The pants were a snug but flexible dark gray, tailored for both movement and style, tucked into knee-high combat boots polished to a sharp gleam. A dark belt secured at his waist, adorned with a single, minimalistic silver buckle. And the finishing touch, black gloves, fingerless, with a reinforced grip on the palms, perfect for both combat and theatrics.


    Kaiser adjusted the cuffs of his coat, rolling his shoulders once before glancing back at the mirror.


    ¡®Yeah. This would do.¡¯


    Sliding his hands into his pockets, he stepped toward the door, exhaling as he pushed it open. The moment he did, a familiar voice greeted him.


    "Well, damn."


    Erya''s voice, smooth as silk but laced with amusement, cut through the air. She was leaning casually against the wooden doorframe just a few steps away, arms crossed, hip cocked, watching him like a cat watching a particularly interesting mouse. A slow, knowing smirk pulled at her lips.


    "Took you long enough. I was about to send a search party. Did you fall asleep in there?"


    Kaiser huffed, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. "I had a lot to wash off."


    Erya let out a short laugh, pushing off the wall and falling into step beside him as they moved down the hall. "You better not have used up all the hot water, pretty boy. That''d be a crime punishable by death."


    "Pretty boy?" He raised an eyebrow, glancing down at her with mock offense. "You catcall all your guests, or am I just special?"


    She grinned, unapologetic. "Oh, you''re definitely special. And don¡¯t dodge the question, did you or did you not take up the entire damn hour?"


    "Technically, no." He smirked. "I still had about three minutes to spare."


    "Unbelievable." She rolled her eyes before squinting at his still-damp hair, or rather, hair that should have been damp, but wasn¡¯t. Her smirk widened. "Ah, so you used the crystal?"


    "Yeah," he admitted, reaching up to ruffle his perfectly dry hair. "Didn¡¯t think much of it when you handed it to me, but I¡¯ll admit, it worked like a damn charm."


    "Mmhmm." She tapped her chin. "You saying I give good gifts?"


    "I¡¯m saying you¡¯re not completely useless," he teased.


    "Oh, screw you." She nudged him, but the humor in her voice remained. They stepped down the staircase together, the inn¡¯s warm glow washing over them as the muffled quiet sounds of the city hummed beyond the doors. Kaiser moved with a calm, steady purpose, his shoulders loose, his expression unreadable, yet¡­ there was something about him that felt different.


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    Erya noticed it immediately.


    He wasn¡¯t radiating that storm of quiet, simmering anger like before. The sharpness in his eyes wasn¡¯t fueled by barely contained rage, wasn¡¯t driven by the weight of bloodshed. No, there was something else there now¡­ Something lighter.


    She tilted her head, watching him with interest. "Alright, spill it."


    Kaiser glanced at her. "Spill what?"


    "You. You¡¯re in a good mood. And don¡¯t you dare lie to me, I can see it." She narrowed her eyes, studying him as they neared the doors. "Last time I saw you, you looked like you were two seconds from setting the whole damn city on fire. Now, suddenly, you¡¯re all cool and composed. What changed?"


    For a moment, Kaiser didn¡¯t answer. He let the question sit in the air, rolling it over in his mind, searching for the right words.


    His thoughts drifted:


    ¡ªTo Aria¡¯s laughter echoing in his ears.


    ¡ªTo the small pouch on her bed, the shifting colors of silk carefully folded within.


    ¡ªTo the simple note.


    His hand brushed against his pocket, where the silk now rested.


    Finally, he exhaled, slow and measured, his smirk faint but real. "Anger¡¯s like a blade¡­ You hold it too tight, and it cuts you instead." He rolled his shoulders. "I just let go of the grip a little."


    Erya blinked, caught off guard for half a second before a grin crept onto her face. "Look at you, getting all poetic. That¡¯s new."


    "Don¡¯t get used to it."


    "Oh, trust me, I won¡¯t." She chuckled before nodding towards the doors. "Alright, let¡¯s get this show on the¡ª"


    She didn¡¯t finish. Because the moment they reached the entrance, a small figure suddenly stepped in front of them, forcing them both to halt.


    A boy, the same boy he had dragged out of that basement, beaten and barely conscious, was now standing before him, his small frame still wrapped in bandages. He looked exhausted, like moving alone was a battle, but despite that, his legs held firm, his eyes, though tired, were sharp with something desperate.


    "What the hell are you doing out of bed?" Erya scolded immediately, hands on her hips. "You¡¯re supposed to be resting, dumbass."


    Kaiser simply walked past the boy without another glance, muttering over his shoulder, "Get some sleep, kid. You¡¯ve been through enough."


    But the boy didn¡¯t move. "Wait!" His voice cracked slightly, but he held his ground, taking a step forward. "I need to go with you!"


    Kaiser sighed, still walking. "Not happening."


    "You don¡¯t understand¡ª!"


    "No, it seems you don¡¯t understand," Kaiser snapped, finally turning back. "You¡¯re half-dead, stitched together with whatever magic she could scrape up." He gestured toward Erya, who stood behind him with her arms crossed, watching with an unimpressed look. " And you think you¡¯re in any condition to fight? You¡¯d be more of a liability than anything."


    Erya, already over it, waved the boy away. "Exactly. Now, hop back into bed, champ, or do I gotta drag you there myself? We¡¯ve got exactly¡ª" she dramatically glanced at an invisible watch on her wrist, "Not enough time for this conversation. Not when His Royal Highness over here decided to take his sweet time with his little princess treatment."


    "It looks good, doesn¡¯t it?" Kaiser smirked, ruffling his now-dry hair.


    "Yeah, yeah, you¡¯re gorgeous, we get it." She waved a hand. "But we¡¯re in a rush, and I¡¯d rather not spend the next few hours babysitting."


    "I don¡¯t care!" The boy¡¯s voice cut through their banter like a blade. "I don¡¯t care if you think I¡¯m weak, or useless, or whatever else! I have to go!"


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes. He was about to shut it down again, but something about the kid¡¯s tone made him pause. This wasn¡¯t just stubbornness, nor was it desperation.


    So, instead of turning away, instead of dismissing him outright, Kaiser exhaled, stepping forward, looking him in the eye. "Why?"


    The boy blinked. "What?"


    "Why do you want to come with us so badly?" Kaiser¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t harsh this time. It wasn¡¯t dismissive. It was quieter, steadier. He tilted his head slightly. "You didn¡¯t say a word about what happened to you. You didn¡¯t ask for revenge. You didn¡¯t mention the people who hurt you, in fact in the short period of time we were alone, you were obviously deep in thought. So tell me¡­" His gaze sharpened. "What are you really after?"


    The boy¡¯s fists clenched at his sides. "Two days ago¡­" His voice wavered, but he forced himself to continue. "Two days ago, me and my sister were sold."


    Erya¡¯s playful smirk faded.


    Kaiser¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, his focus now fully on the kid.


    "Sold?"


    The boy nodded, his nails digging into his palms. "By our parents." Kaiser didn¡¯t react, but something in his posture shifted.


    "They handed us over to the Right Fist, saying it was just ¡®temporary.¡¯ They said they just needed the money. They said they were going to use it to gamble, win big, and then buy us back at the auction house in two days." He laughed dryly, shaking his head. "Like we were just¡­ things. Like we were property that could be bought, sold, and returned whenever it was convenient."


    Erya muttered a curse under her breath.


    Kaiser remained still, unreadable. "And?"


    "And¡­" The boy took a sharp breath. "They split us up. My sister was sent to the main auction house. But me?" His hands trembled. "I was sent to a brothel."


    Neither Kaiser nor Erya spoke.


    "I don¡¯t even think my parents knew. They probably thought we¡¯d be kept together, in some holding cell or whatever, waiting for them to win their damn money back." His voice turned bitter, raw with something old and aching. "But instead, I got locked in some disgusting, rotting room with chains on my wrists and men outside my door who wouldn¡¯t stop talking about what I was worth."


    Kaiser clenched his jaw.


    "And then¡­" The boy swallowed hard. "Then I was dragged to that basement. The one you found me in. They said I wasn¡¯t good enough for the high-end places, that I was too much trouble. So they decided to throw me in with the others, just another piece of inventory, just another body to be sold to some bastard with enough gold to waste."


    A long silence stretched between them. The street outside the inn was eerily quiet. Even the wind seemed to have stilled. "And your sister?" Kaiser finally asked.


    "She¡¯s still at the auction house." The boy¡¯s eyes, tired and burning, locked onto Kaiser¡¯s. "And I¡¯m not going to sit here, resting in some warm bed, while she¡¯s trapped there. While she¡¯s waiting to be sold to some noble, or worse."


    "You¡¯re injured," Kaiser pointed out. "You¡¯re a kid."


    "Then I¡¯ll die fighting for her."


    Kaiser¡¯s fingers twitched at his sides. ¡®There it was, that look. That sheer, unbreakable determination that had no right to exist in someone so young. It was like looking in a mirror.''


    He remembered standing in a place just like this, years ago, fists clenched just as tight, invisible scars still fresh, telling someone, anyone, that he didn¡¯t care how impossible it was. That he was going to do something, even if it killed him. He recognized it immediately, because it had once been him. Kaiser exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "Damn it."


    Erya looked between them, arms still crossed. "Oh, for fuck¡¯s sake. You¡¯re actually considering this?"


    "No." Kaiser shot her a look. "I¡¯m considering not leaving him here, because if we do, he¡¯s just going to sneak out and get himself killed."


    "I don¡¯t need protection." The boy straightened his back. "I need to fight." Kaiser studied him for a long moment. Then, finally, he clicked his tongue, tilting his head slightly. "What¡¯s your name?"


    "Ivan."


    Kaiser nodded slowly. "Alright, Ivan. Here¡¯s the deal. You¡¯re coming with us. But you follow every single order I give you, you don¡¯t run off, and if I tell you to hide, you hide. You break any of those rules, and I will personally drag your ass back here and lock you in that damn room myself." His gaze was sharp, serious. "Are we clear?"


    Ivan didn¡¯t hesitate. "Crystal."


    Erya groaned loudly. "Oh, great. Now we have a pet to take care of."


    Kaiser ignored her, turning toward the door once more. "Then let¡¯s move. We¡¯ve wasted enough time."

 Chapter 32: The Last Call

    A weapon shop, usually a place of quiet transactions and the occasional clatter of steel against steel, was now a tense, waiting chamber. The flickering oil lamps cast long shadows over walls lined with swords, spears, and well-crafted firearms, their polished surfaces gleaming dully under the low light.


    Milo sat at a wooden table near the center of the room, his fingers tapping restlessly against the hilt of his dagger. His eyes flickered to the large clock on the wall, its ticking sounding much louder than it should have in the otherwise hushed atmosphere. Every second that passed stretched his nerves thinner. The guards stationed throughout the building weren¡¯t helping. Some were sharpening their weapons with slow, deliberate strokes, their expressions grim. Others murmured quiet prayers in front of a bronze statue of the Sun, their voices barely above a whisper, each one pleading to The Student for protection and victory.


    And then there were those who simply talked, sharing crude jokes or swapping stories, their laughter trying, but failing, to drown out the tension that hung in the air like the calm before a storm.


    But none of that mattered to Milo right now.


    Because sitting across from him, her armor gleaming even in the dim light, was Iris Avalon, a name that still carried weight in the right circles, a woman whose presence demanded attention, whether she asked for it or not.


    Her long, color-shifting hair cascaded over her shoulders, reflecting different hues with each slight movement, a mesmerizing display of gold, silver, and a faint hint of blue. She was beautiful, in a way that wasn¡¯t just about looks. She carried herself like a warrior, like someone who had walked through fire and came out laughing.


    And right now, that laughter was directed squarely at Milo.


    "So this is your way of celebrating, huh?" Iris leaned back in her chair, arms crossed over the heavy steel of her breastplate, her lips curling into a smirk. "I finally reach the same rank as you, become a Heroic Liberator, and instead of a drink or a nice dinner, you call me into the middle of some high-risk raid?" She scoffed, shaking her head, her voice thick with mock disappointment. "Honestly, Milo, I expected better."


    Milo exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temples. "I didn¡¯t have a choice." His voice was tight, the weight of the night pressing against him. "I called in every favor I had, and you were the only one crazy enough to actually show up." Iris''s smirk disappeared in an instant.


    "Excuse me?"


    Milo braced himself. She slammed her gauntleted hands onto the table, making some of the surrounding guards jump. "Are you telling me that I was your last choice? That you called every spineless bastard you know before even thinking of me?"


    "I called in my debts," Milo said quickly, holding up a hand in defense. "That doesn¡¯t mean I didn¡¯t want you here." Iris leaned forward, her blue eyes boring into his. "Damn right you wanted me here. Because out of every sorry excuse for a fighter you know, I¡¯m the only one who could actually handle a mission like this."


    Milo sighed. "I¡¯m aware."


    "Oh, you better be." She settled back into her seat with a huff, grabbing a small flask from her belt and taking a sip before pointing it at him. "Because while I am deeply insulted by how low I was on your little list, I also understand that you¡¯re a moron, so I forgive you. This time."


    Milo let out a short laugh despite himself. "Thanks, I guess."


    "Damn right, thanks," she said, taking another sip before tucking the flask away. "And you should be grateful to have a badass like me on your little raid. Frankly, I should be charging you for this."


    "I¡¯m not paying you."


    "Tsk, figures."


    She exhaled before glancing at Milo, who was still stealing nervous looks at the clock on the wall. A knowing smirk crept onto her lips as she tilted her head slightly. "So," she drawled, "Where are those two you promised would be showing up? You did say they¡¯d be here soon, didn¡¯t you?"


    Milo visibly stiffened, the tapping of his fingers on the table pausing for just a fraction of a second before resuming. "They¡¯ll be here," he said, though the confidence in his voice was thin, almost forced. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to mask his unease as he glanced once again at the clock, the tick-tick-tick of the second hand now feeling almost accusatory.


    Iris arched a brow, took another sip of her drink, and waited. When Milo didn¡¯t elaborate, she smirked wider. "Oh, I see what this is. You¡¯re worried."


    Milo exhaled sharply through his nose and immediately tried to shift the conversation. "Should you really be drinking before a mission this serious?" His tone carried the edge of a scolding officer, but there was also genuine concern laced beneath it.


    Iris chuckled, her color-shifting hair shimmering as she leaned forward slightly, resting her chin in her palm. "Milo, I could fight an infinite number of low-level thugs while drunk, blindfolded, and missing an arm. So forgive me if I don¡¯t share your ¡®grave concerns¡¯ about my alcohol consumption." She punctuated her words by swirling the drink again before finishing the rest of it in one go, setting the glass down with a clink.


    Milo pinched the bridge of his nose. "You say that like it¡¯s reassuring, but all it tells me is that you fully intend to be an idiot tonight."


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    Iris let out a short laugh, before, somewhat reluctantly, giving a small nod in his direction. "Look, I get it, you¡¯re anxious. And I¡¯ll even throw you a bone¡ªyou¡¯re stronger than me, I won¡¯t argue that. But if you of all people should know how easy this¡¯ll be, why are you acting like this mission is some suicide run?"


    Milo¡¯s expression darkened slightly, his fingers finally stilling on the table. "Because this isn¡¯t some group of street thugs," he said, his voice quieter, heavier. "The Right Fist isn¡¯t just another gang running rackets in the slums. They¡¯re the largest criminal enterprise in all of Arkhold. They¡¯ve been around for decades, they¡¯ve built entire systems within the city, and it would be insane to assume they haven¡¯t hired people strong enough to make us struggle."


    Iris sighed, waving a dismissive hand. "You worry too much."


    Milo opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, the doors to the weapon shop swung open. A gust of cold night air rushed in, flickering the oil lamps and carrying the scent of rain-soaked stone and distant smoke. And stepping into the light, framed against the darkened streets outside, were Kaiser and Erya.


    Milo¡¯s face instantly lit up with something close to relief, his entire posture shifting, as if the weight on his shoulders had lessened at the mere sight of them. His mouth opened, probably to greet them, but then his expression changed. Because behind them, just a step slower, was a boy.


    The same boy who had been bleeding out not long ago, who had been barely conscious, whose wounds should have had him bedridden for days.


    And yet, here he was.


    Milo¡¯s jaw tightened, and his initial joy at seeing Kaiser and Erya soured into a deep frown. His gaze darted to Kaiser, then to Erya, and finally to the kid, his disbelief evident. His mind immediately ran through the worst possible conclusions¡ªhad they forced him to come? Had he snuck away?


    "What the hell is he doing here?" Milo asked, his voice sharp, more accusatory than he had intended. Kaiser, who had been in a good mood up until this point, raised an eyebrow. "Nice to see you too, Milo."


    Erya, as expected, rolled her eyes. "Oh great, here we go." She crossed her arms, already bracing herself for an argument. "Yes, yes, we tried to get him to stay behind, and yes, we pointed out the fact that he¡¯s injured, and yes, we told him this wasn¡¯t a place for some random kid."


    Milo looked at the boy. "And yet, he¡¯s here."


    The boy stepped forward, his face set with determination. "Because I¡¯m going."


    Milo ran a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. "You¡¯re barely standing. You need rest."


    "I need to save my sister," the boy snapped back.


    Milo¡¯s jaw was clenched so tight it looked like it might snap. His eyes flickered between Kaiser and the boy, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. Then he let out a sharp breath and shook his head, anger flaring in his voice. "No. No, we are not doing this."


    Kaiser exhaled through his nose. "The kid''s choosing this himself," he said simply, his tone controlled, even.


    Milo scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "Yeah? And what the hell does that matter?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. "You think that just because someone ¡®chooses¡¯ something, it means they should do it? That it¡¯s right? The kid¡¯s still bleeding through his damn bandages, Kaiser. If I let him come along, I might as well be putting a dagger in his gut myself."


    Kaiser¡¯s expression darkened, and for the first time since entering the room, the tension in his shoulders became visible. "If he wants to fight, then he fights. He¡¯s made up his mind."


    Milo took a step forward, his glare cutting through the air like a dagger. "And some choices need to be made for people who don¡¯t know any better," he shot back. "You think he actually understands what¡¯s ahead? That he has any idea what he¡¯s throwing himself into? He¡¯s a kid! His ribs are probably cracked, he can barely stand, and you¡¯re seriously telling me you¡¯re just letting him decide to run into a den full of slavers who would skin him alive for fun?"


    The words landed like a slap, and the heat in the room rose a few degrees. Kaiser¡¯s jaw tightened, and then, something inside him snapped.


    A memory surged, raw and sudden. A younger him, standing on shaking legs, eyes dark, voice hoarse, the weight of chains still lingering on his wrists. A choice forced upon him¡ªa path he had no say in.


    And then, his own voice, years ago, saying something that still burned in his bones. Kaiser¡¯s posture changed. His whole demeanor shifted, the fire in his eyes didn''t flare. It hardened.


    He stepped forward, his voice dropping lower, quieter, but carrying a weight that made the room feel smaller. "The freedom to do what we want¡­ That¡¯s what makes us who we are."


    Milo blinked, thrown off for just a second. "Kaiser¡­"


    "All men are born innocent, a perfect, smooth boulder," Kaiser continued, his voice almost distant, as if he was speaking from somewhere deeper than the present moment. "But the actions they take in life¡­ those are the things that carve them. Shape them. Sculpt them into what they are meant to be."


    His fingers twitched at his sides, his fists clenching, his nails biting into his palm. "If this is what he wants¡­ Then he will do it.¡± The finality in his voice was chilling.


    The boy didn¡¯t say anything, but his eyes, wide, burning with quiet admiration, were locked on Kaiser.


    Milo, for the first time in the conversation, looked slightly uncertain. But he still pushed back. "That¡¯s not how this works. He can''t do this alone, you know that. He¡¯ll die out there, Kaiser."


    "Then stop him," Kaiser said. "Lock the doors. Hold him down. Leave another guard behind to watch him. Do whatever you want." He took another step forward. "But if you do, we lose another blade. And if we do that, our position gets worse. And the moment we step outside, the kid will still leave, by himself, and he will die. You know I¡¯m right."


    Milo¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line.


    He did know.


    He hated that he did.


    Kaiser didn¡¯t break eye contact. "You want to make a decision for him? Fine. Then make the only one that actually matters. Let him come, or leave another man behind and weaken our position."


    Milo exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair, frustration rolling off of him in waves. Iris, who had been watching the whole thing with barely hidden interest, let out a short whistle. "Gotta say, I¡¯m impressed."


    "This isn¡¯t about impressing anyone," Milo snapped. "This is about keeping people alive."


    Milo turned to the boy, eyes sharp. "You understand what¡¯s going to happen, right? That if you come with us, there¡¯s no turning back? That the people we¡¯re fighting will kill you if they get the chance?"


    The boy nodded once. "I understand."


    "And you¡¯re willing to die for this?"


    "I¡¯m willing to fight for it," the boy corrected, his voice steady. "Because if I don¡¯t, then what am I?"


    Milo exhaled slowly, looking away, his fingers digging into his temples. "Damn it¡­"


    Another beat of silence. Then, finally, he looked back at Kaiser. "Fine," he muttered, the words heavy, reluctant. "He stays with you. You¡¯re responsible for him. You watch him, you make sure he doesn¡¯t do anything that¡¯ll get himself killed, and if something happens, you deal with it."


    Kaiser didn¡¯t hesitate. "I promise."


    Milo¡¯s eyes narrowed. "I mean it, Kaiser. No half-measures. No second chances. If you say he fights, you fight beside him. You protect him. Swear it."


    Kaiser¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. "I swear."


    Milo studied him for another moment, then finally sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I hate this."


    "So do I," Kaiser admitted.

 Chapter 33: The Names to Remember

    Iris Avalon leaned back in her chair, stretching out one armored leg with the casual confidence of someone who had seen more battles than most would ever dream of. She swirled the last remnants of her drink in her glass before finally setting it down on the wooden counter with a sharp clink.


    Then, with a grin, she turned her attention to the group, resting an elbow on the table. "I suppose proper introductions are in order," she announced, straightening up and placing a gauntleted hand over her chest with an exaggerated flourish.


    "I am Iris Avalon, Heroic Liberator, former captain of the Silver Vanguard, Vanquisher of the Dread Tide, Twice-Knighted by the Order of Saint Asteria, Bearer of the Dawn¡¯s Radiance, and the only woman to have ever beaten Lord Cavellian in single combat." She smirked, flipping her long, shifting-colored hair over her shoulder. "A pleasure."


    Erya raised a brow, shaking her head with an amused huff. "Alright, alright, we get it, you¡¯re important," she said, reaching out and shaking Iris¡¯s hand. Then, with a playful smirk, she straightened her back and mimicked Iris¡¯s grand tone.


    "I am Erya of Arkhold, Queen of the Golden Crescent, Master of the Coin, Founder of the Black Sun Trade Guild, Architect of the Western Markets, and the only woman to convince three rival merchant houses to sign a contract in blood on the same night." She gave a small bow of her head. "Charmed."


    Iris raised her brows in mock surprise before laughing. "Well, damn," she admitted, leaning forward. "I¡¯ve heard of you."


    "Oh?" Erya asked, tilting her head slightly, curiosity piqued.


    Iris smirked. "You¡¯re the one who turned an abandoned slum into one of the biggest trade hubs in the city. That alone is impressive. But the fact that you did it while keeping the nobles out of it? That takes a special kind of genius. Or insanity."


    Erya crossed her arms, feigning deep thought. "Why not both?"


    "Why not indeed," Iris chuckled. "I respect that. You¡¯re ruthless in business, aren¡¯t you?"


    "Only when I have to be."


    "Good answer."


    The two women exchanged a knowing look, one of those rare moments where two people, despite never having met before, recognized something in each other.


    Kaiser watched the exchange in silence, his expression unreadable. When Iris turned to him, she gave him a quick once-over before tilting her head expectantly.


    "And you?" she asked. "What¡¯s your grand, impressive introduction?"


    Kaiser adjusted his coat with an easy movement. "Kaiser."


    Iris waited for more. When it didn¡¯t come, she blinked. "That¡¯s it?"


    "That¡¯s it."


    She let out an exaggerated sigh. "You can¡¯t just stop at a name. Where¡¯s the flair? The titles? Something that makes people remember you?"


    Kaiser met her gaze, calm and steady. "If I¡¯m worth remembering, they¡¯ll remember me."


    Iris huffed. "Spoken like someone with a dozen titles collecting dust somewhere."


    A hint of amusement flickered in Kaiser¡¯s eyes. "Or someone who left them behind."


    That gave her pause, though only for a moment. Erya, watching the exchange, shrugged. "He¡¯s always like this," she said. "Brooding, mysterious, allergic to self-promotion."


    "Tragic," Iris mused. "With the right storyteller, you could be a legend."


    "Legends are just stories," Kaiser replied. "People are the ones who make things happen."


    Iris grinned. "Not bad. You might be more interesting than you let on."


    Ivan straightened his back, trying to find his moment to speak, his lips parting as if to introduce himself.


    "I¡ª"


    But before he could get a word out, Iris completely ignored him and turned her attention back to Kaiser and Erya, leaning forward with her elbows on the table, her expression suddenly serious. "Alright, now that the formalities are out of the way, let¡¯s talk about what actually matters," she said, tapping her fingers against the wood. "What do you two bring to the table? What can you do? Because if we¡¯re walking into a slaughterhouse, I¡¯d like to know who I¡¯m bleeding next to."


    Erya, leaning back in her chair with that ever-present smirk of hers, was the first to answer. She rolled her wrist lazily, as if she had been waiting for the question, eager to show off. "Well, you see, Iris," she began smoothly, "I am a woman of many talents. But if we¡¯re talking strictly about combat, I think you¡¯ll find that I am rather¡­ adaptable."


    She lifted her arm, revealing the thick, metallic bracelets wrapped around both wrists, each one a polished band of transparent silver, almost liquid-like in its shine. With a slow exhale, she snapped her fingers, and in an instant, the bracelets melted like quicksilver, shifting and extending, reforming in her hands into the shape of a sleek, curved sword.


    Iris raised a brow, but Erya wasn¡¯t done.


    The sword dissolved just as quickly, splitting into two smaller daggers, each perfectly balanced between her fingers. Then, another snap. The daggers morphed, twisting into something unrecognizable for a brief moment before solidifying into a sleek, black-barreled gun.


    And then, just as effortlessly, the gun melted, retracting back into its original shape, wrapping once more around her wrists as nothing more than simple jewelry.


    Iris whistled lowly. "Alright. That¡¯s damn impressive." She crossed her arms, nodding in approval. "Never seen anything quite like that. Is it alchemy? Some kind of enchanted metal?"


    Erya smirked, shaking her head. "Nothing so simple, I can fully control items that I own."


    "Then what exactly does it mean when you say you ¡®own¡¯ something?" Iris asked, tapping a finger on the table, her curiosity piqued.


    Erya¡¯s smirk deepened. "Ah, now that is where my power gets interesting."


    She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice just enough to add a sense of mystery to her words. "The first part of my ability allows me to form contracts with the spirits of the dead. Those who refuse to pass on, the ones who linger in the in-between, clinging to this world like stray embers in dying flames." She lifted her hand, watching as one of her silver earrings shimmered before twisting and extending outward, reshaping itself into the form of a coiled whip. The handle gleamed as she held it, her fingers brushing over the metal before it melted back into its original shape, hanging delicately from her ear.


    "In exchange for allowing them to exist in the world of the living just a little longer," she continued, her voice smooth, "I officially claim their souls. Their very existence belongs to me, and with that ownership, I can force them into weapons, armor, anything I desire. But only if they consent to it."


    Iris narrowed her eyes slightly, studying Erya with newfound interest. "So every item you own is, in some way, tied to a spirit?"


    "Not every item," Erya admitted, tilting her head. "But the important ones, yes. Every weapon I wield is a remnant of someone who once lived. And in my hands, they get to fight again." There was a moment of silence at the table. Even Milo, who had been half-listening while organizing the guards, glanced over briefly.


    Kaiser, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "And the spirits? They obey you?" Erya turned to him, and for a moment, her usual playful expression softened. "They don¡¯t obey," she corrected. "They trust me."


    "They trust you?" he asked, his voice lower, more serious. Erya¡¯s smirk wavered slightly.


    "Yes," she repeated, but there was something different in her voice now. Less playful. More¡­ grounded. "They trust me, because they know that as long as they¡¯re with me, their existence still has meaning."


    Kaiser exhaled slowly through his nose, closing his eyes for a brief second before speaking again. His words came slower this time. "Then you carry a burden heavier than you let on."


    Iris exhaled sharply, shaking her head with a chuckle, rubbing the bridge of her nose as if trying to process the sheer weight of the explanation. "That¡¯s¡­ equal parts terrifying and fascinating. I like it."


    Erya blinked, but before she could respond, Iris leaned forward, slamming her palm on the table, snapping the tension. "Alright, that was cool and all, but I need to know, what about you?" she asked, pointing a finger directly at Kaiser¡¯s chest.


    He raised an eyebrow. "What about me?"


    "Don¡¯t play dumb," she shot back. "You just watched Erya turn jewelry into goddamn weapons and control the souls of the dead like it¡¯s a side business, and you didn¡¯t even flinch. Which means either you¡¯ve seen worse¡­ or you can do worse."


    Erya tilted her head slightly, looking at him with renewed curiosity. "She¡¯s got a point. You talk a lot about proving yourself through actions instead of words. But right now, all I¡¯m seeing is you sitting there, looking broody. You gonna impress us or what?"


    Kaiser¡¯s lips curled into the faintest smirk. "Alright then," he said simply. He turned his gaze to Erya. "Transform your bracelet into a dagger again."


    Erya raised an eyebrow, but with a flick of her wrist, one of her silver bracelets melted and reshaped itself into a sleek, gleaming dagger, perfectly balanced in her grip.


    "There. Happy?" she asked, twirling it between her fingers. Kaiser extended a hand. "Lend it to me."


    She smirked, spinning the dagger once before flipping it in the air and catching it by the handle, holding it out to him. "I hope you know how to use it."


    As he took it from her, she added, "It¡¯s the sharpest dagger you will ever wield."


    Kaiser examined the blade for a moment, running a finger along the edge, feeling its deadly precision. Then, without hesitation, he pressed his left hand flat against the table¡­ And sliced his own thumb off.


    The reaction was instant. Iris jerked back so hard her chair nearly toppled over. "WHAT THE¡ª?! KAISER, WHAT THE HELL?!"


    Ivan let out a strangled sound, his eyes widening in pure horror, his face going pale as he took a stumbling step backward. "Wh¡ªhe¡ªhis finger¡ª"


    Milo, who had just turned back toward the group, froze, his breath catching mid-sentence.


    Erya stared.


    The detached thumb sat on the wooden table, blood pooling around it in a perfect crimson circle, yet Kaiser¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change in the slightest. He merely set the dagger down beside it, resting his arm back onto the table like nothing had happened.


    Iris was still gaping at him. "DID YOU JUST¡ªWHAT¡ª" She was struggling to even form a sentence, staring at him as if he had lost his mind.


    Ivan, barely able to comprehend what he just saw, pointed weakly at the severed thumb. "K-Kaiser, your¡ªyou just¡ª"


    "Hush." That was all he said. And then, in front of their eyes, the impossible happened.


    His wound didn¡¯t bleed out. The flesh at the severed stump twitched, then pulsed, then began to regenerate¡ªnot slowly, not gradually, but rapidly, the exposed bone knitting itself back together, muscle forming, skin closing over as if time itself was reversing.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Within seconds, his thumb was back. Perfect. Untouched. As if nothing had ever happened, but the table was dead silent.


    Iris, who had been mid-rant, was frozen, mouth still open but completely speechless for the first time since meeting him.


    Ivan, who had looked moments away from passing out, suddenly had a look of pure amazement, his fear now replaced with something almost like awe. "That¡¯s¡­ incredible¡­"


    Even Erya, who had been unfazed by almost everything so far, was quiet. Her eyes were still locked onto his hand, her expression unreadable, her mind turning over something, lost in thought.


    Kaiser flexed his fingers, then tapped the table twice, as if checking to make sure everything was back to normal. "Sharp, just like you said," he mused, tilting his head slightly toward Erya.


    She blinked, snapping out of whatever thought had taken hold of her, before slowly leaning back, crossing her arms. "You¡­ you¡¯re not human, are you?"


    Kaiser smirked slightly. "I am. I just have a gift."


    Iris finally snapped back into motion, gripping her hair. "Okay, WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. HELL. You just cut off your own damn thumb and acted like it was nothing! Do you know how insane that is?! That¡¯s not a normal thing to do!"


    Kaiser glanced at her. "You asked me what I could do."


    "I expected a normal answer! Not whatever the hell this was!"


    Ivan, still staring at his hand, whispered, "Can you heal others too¡­?"


    Kaiser shook his head. "No. Only myself."


    For a while, the only sound in the room was the distant chatter from the guards outside, muffled through the old walls of the building. Kaiser leaned back slightly, resting his elbows on the table, the faintest trace of amusement still lingering on his face as the others continued to stare at him with a mixture of awe, curiosity, and in Iris¡¯s case, mild exasperation.


    Erya was the first to break the silence.


    "So," she began, tapping a finger against the table. "You¡¯re telling me that if I took that dagger and stabbed you through the heart right now, you¡¯d just, what? Walk it off?"


    Kaiser tilted his head slightly, as if considering the question.


    "Well, that depends," Kaiser said, his tone calm but matter-of-fact. "I¡¯ve taken hits that should¡¯ve killed me instantly, like an arrow straight through the brain or a blast that reduced me to a skeleton, yet I came back from all of it. Just took a little longer."


    Erya leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with a mix of fascination and mischief. "So, technically, you could just keep going? No matter what happens, you¡¯ll always come back?"


    Kaiser gave a small nod. "Something like that. The worse the damage, the longer it takes, but as long as there¡¯s something left to heal, I¡¯ll survive."


    Iris, who had been massaging her temples this entire time, groaned. "I swear to God, I¡¯m surrounded by lunatics. Erya, why are you even entertaining this? Are you really sitting there thinking about stabbing him now?"


    Erya grinned. "I¡¯m just curious, that¡¯s all."


    "You¡¯re a psychopath," Iris muttered.


    "Pot, meet kettle," Erya shot back.


    Iris ignored her, turning her attention fully to Kaiser again. "Okay, okay, but there¡¯s gotta be some limit. No one¡¯s completely invincible."


    "Of course," Kaiser said. "Nothing in this world is absolute."


    "So what¡¯s your limit then? What actually kills you?"


    He was silent for a moment, then, finally, he shrugged. "I don¡¯t know."


    Erya blinked. "You don¡¯t know?"


    "I¡¯ve never died before," he said simply.


    Iris gave him the most deadpan stare imaginable. "No shit, genius. But have you at least tested it? Like, is there a point where your body just gives up?"


    "I assume so," Kaiser replied, his tone casual, but there was something underneath it, something unreadable, as he gently touched the middle of his chest with a bit of a shaky hand. "But I haven¡¯t reached it yet."


    Erya leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. "That¡¯s insane."


    Iris crossed her arms. "Wait, wait, wait, I just realized something. Does that mean you don¡¯t even feel pain? Like, when you cut your thumb off just now, did it even hurt?"


    "Oh, it hurt," Kaiser said, a small smirk creeping onto his lips. "I just don¡¯t react to pain the same way most people do."


    Iris squinted. "That¡¯s the most vague, bullshit answer I¡¯ve ever heard. Either you feel it or you don¡¯t."


    "I do. It just doesn¡¯t matter."


    Erya hummed, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "So basically, even if someone were to rip you apart limb by limb, you¡¯d just¡ª"


    "Put myself back together," Kaiser finished.


    Iris let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair. "Okay. This is ridiculous. I mean, I¡¯ve met some powerful people before, but this? This is just unfair."


    At that moment, Ivan, who had been quietly listening the entire time, finally gathered the courage to speak. "Um¡­" he hesitated, fidgeting slightly under their gazes. "Can I ask something too?" Kaiser turned to him, his expression softening slightly. "Go ahead."


    The boy swallowed, looking nervous but determined. "You said you heal from anything. But¡­ does that mean you never get sick? Or like, never get old?"


    That question made Kaiser pause. For a brief moment, something flickered across his face, something almost¡­ distant. "No," he said finally. "I don¡¯t get sick. And I don¡¯t age. Not the way most people do."


    Iris blinked. "Wait. You¡¯re telling me you don¡¯t even age? Like, at all? How old are you?"


    Kaiser smirked slightly. "Old enough."


    "Goddammit, that¡¯s not an answer."


    "It¡¯s the only one you¡¯re getting."


    Before the conversation could spiral further, Iris suddenly clapped her hands together. "Alright, enough about you, Mr. Mysterious Immortal. I think it¡¯s time we ask the real question," she turned sharply to Ivan "What about the kid?"


    Ivan blinked. "M-me?"


    "Yeah, you. Do you have anything special? Any powers? Or are you just tagging along for fun?"


    Ivan hesitated. "Well¡­ I do have something."


    Iris raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."


    The boy looked around nervously before exhaling sharply, as if trying to hype himself up. Then he took a step forward, and suddenly, there were three of him. The two extra Ivans stood perfectly beside him, identical down to the last detail, breathing in sync, their expressions mirroring his exactly.


    Iris¡¯s eyes widened. "Okay. Okay, that¡¯s actually cool."


    Milo, who had been passing by the table, stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the clones. "Oh, what the hell."


    Erya let out a low whistle. "Now that¡¯s interesting."


    Kaiser studied the clones carefully, his expression unreadable. "How many can you make?"


    Ivan furrowed his brow in concentration, and suddenly, four more copies appeared, standing in perfect formation. Iris leaned forward, her expression now fully intrigued. "Alright, kid. I take back what I said. You¡¯re definitely not normal."


    Ivan grinned slightly, a flicker of pride in his eyes. "I can control them, too. They think what I think. Move how I move."


    Erya grinned. "Kid, you¡¯re gonna be very useful."


    Iris leaned forward, tapping her fingers against the wooden table in thought, eyes narrowing at Ivan like a scientist dissecting a fascinating specimen. "Alright, kid," she said suddenly, her tone shifting to something more analytical, more intrigued. "I want to test something."


    Ivan blinked, looking up at her. "Test¡­ what?"


    "Your ability," she clarified, motioning vaguely with her hand. "You just made six copies of yourself, yeah? And each of them looked exactly like you, dressed the same, moved the same, acted the same. But¡­" her gaze sharpened, a spark of excitement flickering within her violet eyes "What happens when you try to copy something more?"


    Ivan hesitated, but before he could even question what she meant, she unsheathed the sword at her waist. The moment the blade was drawn, the dimly lit room seemed to brighten, as if the very air itself had become infused with light. The sword shimmered with a hypnotic, prismatic glow, the metal ringing softly as it settled into her grasp, reflecting shifting rainbow hues along its razor-sharp edge.


    It was¡­ beautiful.


    Not just in its craftsmanship, but in the way it sang with energy, thrumming with an undeniable presence, as though it was alive. Ivan stared, his mouth slightly open. Even Kaiser¡¯s eyes flickered with mild intrigue.


    Iris smirked, clearly enjoying the attention her weapon was receiving. She turned it over in her grip, letting the prismatic light dance along the table. "Try it," she said, flipping the blade so the hilt was pointed toward Ivan. "Take it, and then duplicate yourself again."


    Ivan swallowed, glancing at Iris briefly, as if looking for permission, but when the older woman simply gave a small nod, he carefully reached out and took the sword.


    The moment his fingers curled around the hilt, a strange tingling sensation spread through his palm, like static electricity rushing up his arm. The sword hummed in his grip, responding to his touch, but he could already tell that it wasn¡¯t just a normal blade. There was power in it, something foreign, something untouchable.


    Still, he took a deep breath, focused, and in an instant, six more Ivans appeared, perfectly aligned beside him. They each held the same sword, positioned in the same way, standing in the same stance. But the moment Iris saw them, her expression fell slightly, her eyes narrowing in mild disappointment. The copies of the sword lacked something.


    They were physically identical in every way, from the shape to the engravings, but something was missing. The shimmering rainbow aura, the quiet hum of energy, and the subtle pulse of the blade¡¯s presence were all gone. The copied swords were nothing more than ordinary steel.


    "Tch." Iris clicked her tongue, her shoulders deflating slightly. "I thought so."


    Ivan frowned. "What?"


    She pointed at the swords. "They¡¯re not real copies. I mean, yeah, they look the same, but they don¡¯t have the same enchantment. The Sol didn¡¯t carry over."


    Ivan glanced down at the blade in his hand, then at his clones'' swords. Now that she mentioned it¡­ he could feel the difference. His original sword still vibrated with power in his grip, while the copies felt... empty.


    "Oh." His voice was small.


    "Don¡¯t look so crushed, kid," Iris sighed, reaching out and plucking her sword from his hand before smoothly returning it to her sheath. "It makes sense. Enchantments are complex things. They¡¯re woven into the material, infused with energy over time. Your ability is duplication, not creation. You can replicate the shape, the weight, the material, but Sol? Sol isn¡¯t just something you can copy."


    Ivan still looked a little disappointed, but he nodded slowly, accepting the logic. Kaiser, however, raised an eyebrow at her, clearly interested. "An extremely powerful enchantment, you said?"


    Iris grinned, clearly pleased he caught that detail. "Oh, absolutely."


    "And what exactly does it do?"


    She lifted her palm, fingers slightly curled, and summoned a small orb of rainbow light. It hovered just above her skin, swirling in chaotic, prismatic colors, constantly shifting, never settling. The hues twisted and churned, red bleeding into orange, into yellow, into green, into blue, into violet, never staying still, never stable.


    Kaiser watched the colors shift, his red eyes keen, as he noticed something¡­ peculiar.


    From the red swirls¡ªtiny sparks of flame crackled out.


    From the blue streaks¡ªdroplets of water leaked downward.


    From the green hues¡ªgentle gusts of wind curled around her fingers.


    It was a cycle, chaotic yet controlled. Unpredictable, yet natural. "My power," Iris said, voice laced with amusement, "Is Random."


    Kaiser¡¯s gaze lingered on the swirling energy in her palm. "Random?"


    "Random." She flicked her wrist, and the orb spun faster. "Elements in magic are usually set¡ªfire mages cast fire, water mages cast water, wind mages control air, et cetera, et cetera." She made a vague circular motion with her free hand. "But me? My power is unstable. It doesn¡¯t like to stay in one place. It cycles through everything, constantly shifting. Sometimes I throw out a fireball, sometimes it turns into a thunderbolt, sometimes I just get a really aggressive gust of wind that smacks my enemy in the face. It¡¯s completely unpredictable."


    Kaiser hummed in thought. "So you have no control over what comes out?"


    "Oh, I have some control." She smirked, tossing the ball of energy into the air and catching it effortlessly. "It¡¯s not like it¡¯s completely wild. I can guide it, influence it, direct it where I need it to go. But I don¡¯t always know what it¡¯s going to be until I actually use it."


    Erya, who had been listening with mild amusement, finally spoke. "So let me get this straight. You¡¯re basically gambling every time you use magic?"


    "I prefer to think of it as trusting fate." Iris twirled her fingers, making the energy pulse in response. "And luck tends to be on my side."


    Ivan, who had been staring at the orb of rainbow light with wide eyes, finally blurted out: "That¡¯s the coolest thing I¡¯ve ever seen."


    Iris beamed. "See? The kid gets it." To which Erya chuckled. "It¡¯s cool, I¡¯ll admit, but it sounds like a nightmare to actually rely on in battle."


    "That¡¯s because you don¡¯t have my skill," Iris shot back with a smirk.


    Erya rolled her eyes. "God, I already regret teaming up with you."


    Kaiser, meanwhile, was still watching the swirling energy, his expression unreadable. He finally spoke, his voice thoughtful. "So everything you do¡­ is dictated by chance."


    Iris met his gaze, her violet eyes sharp. "Not chance," she corrected. "Opportunity."


    And with that, she snapped her fingers, the ball of light vanished, dispersing into the air like it had never existed. The room was quiet again, everyone still digesting what they had just seen.


    Milo, who had been listening in from across the room, finally muttered, "You people are ridiculous."


    Erya smirked. "And yet, you called for us for help."


    Milo sighed. "Against my better judgment."


    Iris crossed her arms, grinning. "Well, that was fun. Any more tests, or did we all just agree that I¡¯m amazing?" Ivan hesitated, then slowly raised his hand. "Can I try holding it again?"


    Iris laughed. "You realize that sword you were holding is worth more than your entire life, right?" Ivan blinked, then frowned. "That¡¯s kinda mean."


    "No, that¡¯s just the truth," she shot back with a grin, sheathing the shimmering blade back into its place at her hip. "That sword has been reforged through generations, enchanted by some of the most powerful smiths in Arkhold. It¡¯s been used in duels, in wars, passed through the hands of kings, nobles, and warriors who actually mattered. Meanwhile, you¡¯re¡­" she motioned vaguely at him "Well a child."


    Ivan scowled. "I¡¯m not a child!"


    Iris smirked. "You literally are, but sure, whatever helps you sleep at night."


    Before Ivan could snap back at her, Kaiser¡¯s voice cut through the conversation. "What about Milo?" he asked, his eyes shifting to the approaching figure.


    Milo was walking toward them with an air of quiet efficiency, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. He had the sort of presence that didn¡¯t demand attention, yet somehow always held it. Iris shrugged. "What about him?"


    "His abilities," Kaiser clarified. "What does he do?"


    Iris tilted her head, then smiled lazily. "Oh, Milo? He controls wind." Kaiser frowned. "That¡¯s it?"


    Iris snorted. "Oh, don¡¯t be fooled." She leaned forward slightly, her tone shifting into something more amused. "You see, Kaiser, there are people who are born with weak abilities, and then there are people who take something simple and turn it into something unstoppable. Milo is one of the strongest people in Arkhold with ¡®just¡¯ that. Definitely in the top five."


    Kaiser¡¯s gaze flickered with interest. "Top five?"


    But before he could ask more, especially about that list, Iris was already looking past him. "Looks like we¡¯re being summoned."


    Milo had stopped a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes scanning the group with a sharp, assessing gaze. Kaiser followed his line of sight and immediately noticed something off.


    The shop was¡­ empty.


    All the city watch guards that had been stationed around the building were gone. Even the ones that had been positioned near the front door, near the shelves, near the windows, they were all missing.


    "Everything¡¯s prepared," Milo said, his voice controlled. He glanced at Kaiser, then at Erya and Ivan. "I¡¯ll brief you all on the plan. It¡¯s extremely simple."


    "That¡¯s because I heavily influenced the plan," Iris quipped, her smirk widening.


    Milo didn¡¯t even blink. "No, that¡¯s because I had to make it more simple, because I knew you wouldn¡¯t follow any directions regardless."


    Iris gasped, putting a hand over her chest in mock offense. "How dare you. I am a woman of logic and discipline."


    Milo stared at her blankly. "You have never followed a plan in your entire life."


    Iris waved a hand. "Because they were all bad!"


    Milo exhaled through his nose, ignoring her entirely as he turned to Kaiser. "I¡¯ll explain everything. Follow me." Without another word, he strode toward the back of the shop, where the slightly open door awaited.


    Kaiser exchanged a glance with Erya, who merely smirked, and Ivan, who looked like he was still recovering from the whole ¡®sword worth more than his life¡¯ comment. Then, without hesitation, he followed Milo inside.

 Chapter 34: The War Room

    The backroom of the shop was larger than expected. It was wide, spacious, with a long wooden table in the center, covered in scattered maps, rolled-up parchments, and a few unlit candles. The walls were lined with shelves stacked with crates, ledgers, and some carefully placed weapons, some still sheathed, others exposed like silent threats. Dim lanterns swayed from the ceiling, casting flickering shadows that danced across the stone walls.


    Milo led the way inside, posture straight as a blade, expression sharp as ever. Kaiser, Erya, Iris, and Ivan followed, the heavy wooden door clicking shut behind them. The air inside was thick with focus, as this was where plans were made, and where failure wasn¡¯t an option.


    The city watch was already inside, all twenty of them, standing in formation, disciplined and waiting. Some rested hands on hilts, others crossed arms, all listening as Milo stepped toward the table and flattened his hands against the worn wood. His gaze swept the room before he spoke.


    "Listen up," Milo began, voice calm but edged with authority. "We¡¯re splitting into three teams. The timing needs to be precise. When we strike, we strike together. No hesitation, no delays. If one group moves too soon, the others are compromised. If one group moves too late, we lose the advantage. So you all follow orders, or you don¡¯t belong here. Clear?"


    The guards murmured their agreement, some nodding. There was no room for error. Milo tapped a marked location on the map. "Erya, you¡¯ll be leading the first team. Seven guards will go with you."


    At that, seven of the city watch members straightened, as if hearing their name called at a knighting ceremony. They exchanged quick glances before shifting their focus to Erya, standing just off to the side. And that was when their expressions changed.


    A few of them smirked knowingly. A couple had the faintest hints of respect in their eyes. One even rolled his shoulders like he was about to step into the arena with an old champion.


    "Oh, this is gonna be good," one muttered under his breath.


    Erya smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction. "Well, well, looks like I have some fans." One of the guards, a tall, old man with a scar running across his chin, gave her a firm nod. "Ex-Captain Erya. Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d be taking orders from you again."


    "Neither did I," she mused, casually inspecting her nails. "But here we are. Try to keep up, yeah, for good times sake?" The man chuckled. The others nodded, clearly satisfied with their assignment. They knew who Erya was. And they had no problem following her lead.


    Milo barely gave them time to settle before moving on. "Iris, you¡¯re taking the second team. Thirteen guards." The remaining guards visibly perked up. And this time, the reaction was different¡ªless formal, more personal.


    A few of them grinned. Some exchanged glances, muttering things under their breath. One outright scoffed, shaking his head with an amused smirk.


    "Holy shit, we¡¯re with Iris Avalon?"


    Iris tilted her head, lips curling into an all-too-satisfied grin. "That¡¯s right. Try not to embarrass yourselves."


    One of the younger guards chuckled. "She¡¯s just as cocky as the stories say."


    "Damn right I am, and trust me when I say this, it''s earned!" Iris shot back, flipping her hair over her shoulder.


    Milo exhaled sharply, clearly not in the mood for their antics. "Enough." The room fell quiet again. He tapped another point on the map. "Now, listen up. Here¡¯s how this works." His tone sharpened, and everyone straightened instinctively.


    "Erya, your target is the first storehouse. On paper, it¡¯s a textile import facility selling high-end rugs and expensive fabrics. But that¡¯s just the cover. Beneath the floorboards, there¡¯s a hidden chamber where they store contraband. Enchanted goods, stolen artifacts, and most importantly, illegal weapons."


    Erya tilted her head slightly. "How many guards?"


    "Fifty. Maybe more, if they¡¯re expecting trouble."


    She cracked her knuckles. "Fifty against eight? Sounds like a warm-up."


    Milo ignored the comment and continued. "Iris, your target is the second storehouse. Officially, it¡¯s a luxury furniture supplier. Unofficially, it¡¯s a holding station for human trafficking."


    A few of the guards tensed. The ones under Iris visibly stiffened, hands clenching into fists. Iris, however, stopped smiling. Her expression darkened, her gaze sharpening in a way that wasn¡¯t playful anymore. "How many?" she asked flatly.


    "At least seventy inside. Possibly more outside, depending on tonight¡¯s movement schedule."


    Iris rolled her shoulders. "Good. I was hoping for a proper fight."


    Milo¡¯s expression hardened. "This isn¡¯t a game, Iris."


    "I know," she muttered, looking at the map. "I¡¯m gonna make sure every single one of those bastards regrets showing up to work today." Milo didn¡¯t argue with that. He just moved on.


    "That leaves me and Kaiser." Kaiser, who had been listening silently with his arms crossed, finally looked up.


    "We¡¯re taking the main auction house," Milo said. "That¡¯s where the biggest threats will be." He tapped the last location on the map. "This is the heart of their operation. The Right Fist¡¯s primary hub. This is where the wealthiest buyers gather. Where the real power players make their transactions. If they have anyone important in the building, they¡¯ll have personal guards, mercenaries, maybe even contracted Liberators." Kaiser raised an eyebrow. "And we¡¯re walking in with just the two of us?"


    Milo nodded. "We don¡¯t need numbers. We need precision. If we slip in quietly, we can take out the valuables before they know what¡¯s happening."


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    Kaiser exhaled through his nose. "Alright. I assume we will all be attacking at the same time, so what¡¯s the signal?"


    The room fell into a moment of quiet after Kaiser¡¯s question. The city watch had been preparing for this for weeks, but timing was everything. If one team struck too soon, the others would be compromised. If they hesitated, their enemies would have time to react. They needed a signal, but one that wouldn¡¯t expose them before they even got started.


    One of the guards, a younger man with close-cropped hair and a confident stance, spoke up. "We could send a message through the Albus." Some of the other guards nodded in agreement, but Milo immediately dismissed the idea with a sharp shake of his head. "No. The Right Fist has the means to detect that."


    Kaiser¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡®Albus?¡¯ He had no idea what that was, but now wasn¡¯t the time to ask. He simply kept his expression neutral, letting the conversation continue.


    Milo leaned forward, resting his knuckles on the table. "We¡¯re not sending a signal. We¡¯re making one." Kaiser raised an eyebrow. "And by that, you mean¡­?"


    Milo tapped the map again, this time pointing to a small structure near the auction house. "This building. It¡¯s an abandoned mill, just a few streets from the main target. It¡¯s old, unstable, and conveniently, it has a cellar full of leftover black powder from its last owners."


    The realization hit Kaiser instantly. "You¡¯re blowing it up."


    A few of the guards tensed slightly at the blunt phrasing, but Milo didn¡¯t flinch. "Yes. A controlled detonation, right as the clock strikes the hour. Loud enough that every slaver in Arkhold will be looking toward the fire instead of their own doors. That¡¯s when we move."


    A beat of silence passed. Most of the guards simply accepted the plan without much reaction. A few nodded, clearly used to the idea that this was just another step in their operation. But Kaiser found himself glancing at Ivan, who, like him, seemed at the very least mildly surprised by the sheer boldness of the idea.


    Ivan exhaled. "That¡¯s¡­ one hell of a distraction."


    Kaiser let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "And here I thought this was going to be a quiet job." Milo crossed his arms. "Quiet won¡¯t work. We¡¯re dealing with the Right Fist. We need to hit them so hard, so fast, that by the time they understand what¡¯s happening, it¡¯s already too late."


    Kaiser tilted his head. "And you¡¯re sure this explosion won¡¯t bring too much attention? Say, from¡­ I don¡¯t know, the city guard on their payroll?"


    Milo¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. "I have that covered."


    Kaiser let out a short breath. "Of course you do."


    The tension in the room lingered for a moment longer, but Milo didn¡¯t let it settle. He stood straight again and gestured toward the guards. "You have your orders. You know the plan. Get moving."


    As soon as Milo finished his orders, the tension in the room finally gave way to something else¡­ Anticipation. Boots shifted against the floor. Metal clinked softly as guards adjusted their armor. Even the flickering lanterns seemed to waver in time with the weight of what was about to unfold.


    But, of course, before anyone could make a dramatic exit, there was one final thing that needed to happen.


    Iris, already halfway toward the door, turned on her heel with an almost lazy movement, one hand resting on the pommel of her sword, the other drumming against the leather strap of her belt. Her lips curled into that signature smirk, the one that always meant trouble. "So, Erya," she drawled, voice oozing with casual arrogance, "you¡¯ve got seven men under your command, yeah?"


    Erya, who had been adjusting the straps on her bracers, barely spared her a glance. "Looks like it."


    "And I¡¯ve got thirteen," Iris continued, shifting her weight onto one foot, practically lounging against the air itself. "Which means that, numerically speaking, my squad is superior."


    Erya scoffed, rolling her shoulders like she was shaking off an annoying mosquito. "Or, it means you need nearly twice as many people just to keep up with me."


    That earned a few snickers from the guards nearby, some subtle, some not so much. One of Erya¡¯s squadmates, the tall man with the scar on his chin, smirked knowingly at his teammates, as if silently saying, She¡¯s got a point.  Meanwhile, one of Iris¡¯s younger recruits visibly perked up, leaning toward a fellow soldier. "She¡¯s really like this in real life," he whispered, eyes alight with excitement, like a fan meeting a living legend.


    Iris, never one to back down from a challenge, straightened, flipping her long hair over her shoulder with an exaggerated motion. "Cute theory. But you¡¯re hitting the first warehouse, and I¡¯m hitting the second. And mine has seventy enemies, while yours has, what? Fifty?" She whistled low, shaking her head in mock pity. "Sounds to me like your job¡¯s the warm-up, while mine is the real challenge."


    Erya exhaled sharply through her nose, finally looking at Iris properly. "Sounds to me like you¡¯re making excuses for when my squad finishes our job first."


    Now, that got an even bigger reaction. A couple of Iris¡¯s guards chuckled, but the rest weren¡¯t laughing. One of the more eager ones, a broad-shouldered man with a nose that had clearly been broken more than once, slapped a fist against his chestplate with a loud clang. "Like hell they will!" he barked. "We¡¯ll clear that place out before they even find their first knife-eared bastard hiding in a storage crate!"


    Erya¡¯s men, never ones to back down from a challenge, immediately bristled at that. The scarred man cracked his knuckles with a slow, deliberate motion, a grin playing at the edges of his lips. "Oh, is that so?"


    "You wanna bet on it?" one of Iris¡¯s men shot back, grinning. "Yeah," another chimed in, his voice laced with playful aggression. "Winner gets drinks on the loser¡¯s squad."


    Erya finally let out a small, amused exhale. "Alright, fine," she said, stepping past Milo toward the exit, her voice as relaxed as ever. "You want a bet? Here¡¯s one¡ªfirst squad to finish their job, get out, and rendezvous back here gets free drinks. Losers pay for everything."


    The room erupted. It wasn¡¯t loud, not quite, but the energy was palpable. Excited murmurs spread like wildfire. The guards, most of them, at least, looked like they were already halfway to swinging their weapons just for the hell of it. Some of them grinned, others muttered quiet affirmations to their teammates, but all of them were ready.


    Except, of course, for Milo, who stood there, staring at them like a father realizing his children were irreversibly stupid. "Are you two seriously turning this into a competition?" he asked, voice somewhere between exasperation and resignation.


    Iris gave him an exaggerated look of innocence. "We¡¯re enhancing morale."


    Milo rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You¡¯re gambling with human lives."


    Erya tilted her head, as if considering it for the first time. "... And?"


    "And," Milo snapped, exhaling sharply, "And I don¡¯t care. Just go. Before I decide to sabotage both your missions just so I don¡¯t have to listen to this anymore."


    The banter continued even as they moved.


    Erya¡¯s squad was already slipping out of the back door, but not before the scarred man threw a final glance over his shoulder toward Iris¡¯s group. "Hope you don¡¯t trip over your own swords," he called, smirking.


    Iris smirked right back, waving dismissively. "Hope you don¡¯t choke under the pressure. Would be real embarrassing, considering all that confidence."


    And then they were gone, disappearing into the night like wolves on the hunt. The room, once filled with chatter and energy, now held only silence. The distant echoes of boots against the streets outside had long since faded as Erya and Iris led their squads toward their respective objectives, leaving only the three of them; Milo, Kaiser, and Ivan, standing in the empty room.


    Milo was the first to break the silence. He let out a slow breath, reaching for a nearby lantern and dimming its flame before turning toward the back of the shop. ¡°We need to move,¡± he said, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. ¡°The sewers will get us closer to the auction house without drawing attention¡ªfewer patrols, fewer prying eyes.¡±


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow, slipping his hands into his pockets as he fell in step beside Milo, Ivan trailing close behind. ¡°Sewers, huh?¡± He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°Why is it never the scenic route?¡±

 Chapter 35: The Latrine Gambit

    Milo led them through a narrow hallway toward a door at the back of the shop, one that looked far too inconspicuous for what was waiting behind it. He pushed it open without hesitation, revealing a set of stone steps descending downward into darkness. The air that drifted up was thick, damp, and carried the unmistakable scent of stagnant water.


    Kaiser took a step forward, but before he followed Milo down, something nudged at his mind. A thought, one that had been lingering ever since he had been allowed to walk alongside these men in the first place. So he spoke. "You know," he said, voice casual but carrying an edge of something sharper, something pointed, "I have to ask, why the hell did you let me come along?"


    Milo kept walking, the soft tap of his boots against the stone the only response for a long moment before he finally spoke. "Why wouldn¡¯t I?"


    Kaiser tilted his head.  "Because we¡¯ve just met. Because I could be a spy. Because, for all you know, I could¡¯ve been sent by the Right Fist to infiltrate your operation and feed them every detail of your little rebellion." He shrugged, his smirk returning. "And yet, you let me waltz in here like I belong."


    Milo didn¡¯t slow his stride, nor did his expression change. But Ivan, walking just behind them, shivered ever so slightly, as if the question itself had triggered something inside him. Milo spoke, his voice calm, even, as though this conversation was nothing more than a minor detour before they got back to work. "I let you come along because you¡¯ve killed too many of the Right Fist¡¯s men to be a spy for them."


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow at that. "You¡¯ve been keeping count?"


    Milo stopped at the bottom of the stairs, reaching for the rusted metal gate that separated them from the sewer tunnels. He placed a gloved hand against it, pushing it open with a low groan of metal against stone. "I make it my business to know who my allies are," he said simply. "And who my enemies are."


    Kaiser¡¯s smirk deepened, but before he could respond, Milo continued. "And as for combat," he added, stepping through the gate, "I have no doubt that I could finish this mission without you."


    Kaiser laughed, shaking his head as he followed him inside. "Now that¡¯s the kind of confidence I like to see."


    "It¡¯s not confidence," he said, walking ahead, his voice as steady as ever. "It¡¯s perspective."


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow, waiting.


    "I know what I am," he continued. "I know what I can do. And I know that, in the grand scale of things, I¡¯m weak."


    Ivan let out a slow breath through his nose but said nothing. "But the Right Fist?" Milo continued, voice as sharp as a blade¡¯s edge. "They¡¯re pathetic."


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes slightly, but he wasn¡¯t smiling anymore. He was listening. "They¡¯re strong to people who don¡¯t know how to fight," Milo said, stepping over a puddle as they walked deeper into the tunnels. "They have numbers. They have weapons. They have influence. But none of them, not a single one, understands what real combat is. They¡¯re brutes who have never been tested. Men who only know how to win when their enemies are already on their knees."


    His voice darkened, just slightly. "And the only thing keeping them relevant is that they know what people like. They know what the world has become. They know how to profit from misery."


    Kaiser tilted his head, watching him. "And what do you like, Milo?" Milo was quiet for a moment. Then, finally, he said, "I like when people do what they¡¯re supposed to do without asking stupid questions."


    Kaiser burst out laughing. "Oh, come on, that¡¯s the most joyless answer you could¡¯ve given!"


    Milo didn¡¯t react. "You asked. I answered."


    Kaiser grinned. "No, no, see, that¡¯s not an answer, that¡¯s a complaint disguised as an answer. Try again. There has to be something you enjoy. Food? Drinking? Women? Hell, maybe you secretly collect little wooden figurines in your free time. I need something."


    Milo sighed again, deeper this time, as if entertaining this conversation was a complete waste of his patience. "I like efficiency."


    Kaiser groaned. "That¡¯s just another way of saying you hate inefficiency! That¡¯s not liking something!"


    Kaiser shook his head, undeterred. "Alright, fine. What about combat? You clearly think the Right Fist is full of weaklings, so do you enjoy fighting? Or is it just another ¡®efficient¡¯ means to an end for you?"


    Milo finally turned his head slightly, glancing at Kaiser. His expression was unreadable, but there was the faintest flicker of¡­ something. Not amusement, but something close. "I don¡¯t like fighting," Milo said. "But I do like winning." Then, Milo stopped.


    Kaiser, still half-lost in thought, nearly bumped into him before noticing what had caught his attention. A section of the wall ahead bore strange markings. At first glance, it looked like just another cracked and weathered stretch of old stone, but upon closer inspection, the cuts were far too precise, too deliberate. Four sharp slashes carved into the shape of an M.


    Kaiser took one look and let out a laugh. "Damn, Milo. Real subtle work you got here. I bet no one will ever suspect a thing." His tone was teasing, but the amusement in his voice was undeniable.


    Milo exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Cuts on stone go unnoticed," he muttered. "The Right Fist doesn¡¯t look for markings like these. To them, this is just damage from wear and tear. If I wanted to be obvious, I¡¯d use paint."


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    Kaiser smirked. "Sure, sure. So, what¡¯s behind the wall?"


    Milo pressed his palm against the wall, feeling along the grooves for a brief moment before answering. "A bathroom."


    Kaiser blinked. "A bathroom?"


    "A bathroom," Milo corrected. "Right Fist¡¯s main building storage facility. One of the least guarded spots in the whole place. They don¡¯t station men in there because no one expects an attack to come from the latrines." He stepped back from the wall, arms crossing. "This is our way in."


    Kaiser stared at him for a moment before snorting. "Hells, that¡¯s actually smart." Milo ignored the remark, his attention shifting to something else. He stepped to the side and pointed to another section of wall, this one bearing another carved M, slightly fainter than the first.


    Kaiser followed his gaze. "Alright. And that?" He gestured to the markings, his curiosity now piqued. "That is our exit," Milo said simply. "The entrance to the Drillex."


    Kaiser¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. "Drillex." He rolled the name over his tongue, testing it. "Sounds important."


    Milo nodded. "It is. It¡¯s how we¡¯re getting everyone out."


    Ivan perked up slightly at that but didn¡¯t say anything. Kaiser, however, tilted his head. "Mind explaining what it is?"


    Milo didn¡¯t look at him but continued examining the wall as he spoke. "The Drillex is an underground tunnel system. Ancient, unstable in some places, but still functional. It runs beneath the entire world, connecting to various points, including here." He tapped the wall near the second M. "On the other side, it leads straight to Orlogolog."


    Kaiser raised a brow. "Orlo-what now?"


    Milo sighed. "Orlogolog. A city far to the south. Big place with a heavy Liberator presence and the closest city to the capital."


    Kaiser¡¯s smirk faded slightly as a thought occurred to him. If a group of Liberators was waiting on the other end of this tunnel, that meant these slaves weren¡¯t just being rescued. They were going somewhere safe. Kaiser¡¯s gaze lingered on Milo for a beat longer than usual.


    ¡®He¡¯s strong, isn¡¯t he?¡¯


    It wasn¡¯t just a feeling. It was an instinct. He could tell when someone was worth fighting. When someone was dangerous. And despite the way Milo spoke in that flat, unreadable tone, despite how little he seemed to care about anything, there was something beneath the surface.


    Something sharp. Something deadly. Kaiser grinned slightly to himself. ¡®I¡¯d like to fight him one day.¡¯


    But for now, there were other things to focus on.


    "So," Kaiser finally said, shifting gears, "you¡¯re telling me we¡¯re just gonna shove a bunch of half-starved prisoners into some underground escape tunnel and hope for the best?"


    Milo shook his head. "No. We¡¯re not hoping. We have an exit strategy." He turned his head slightly. "A friend of mine is waiting on the other side. He¡¯s got a large group of Liberators ready to take them in. Once they get to Orlogolog, they¡¯ll be safe."


    Kaiser nodded slightly at that. He wasn¡¯t worried about them, though. He was here for one reason.


    Aria.


    If he happened to rescue a few extra people along the way, well¡­ that was just a happy accident. He crossed his arms. "And this Drillex, you mentioned it was a tunnel, but what makes it so special?"


    Milo hesitated for just a fraction of a second before answering. "It¡¯s¡­ more than a tunnel." Kaiser narrowed his eyes. "Go on."


    Milo exhaled through his nose, as if debating how much to say. Then, he simply shook his head. "You¡¯ll see."


    Kaiser clicked his tongue. "Hate when people say that." Ivan, who had been uncharacteristically silent throughout the conversation, simply nodded in quiet agreement, as if none of this surprised him.


    Kaiser squinted at him. "You¡¯re taking this awfully well, kid. You knew about this Drillex thing?" Ivan glanced at him, then shrugged. "I¡¯ve heard the name before."


    Kaiser sighed. "Great. Love being the one guy who doesn¡¯t know shit." Milo took one final look at the wall before turning to face them fully. "We wait here for the signal," he said. "Until then, we talk strategy."


    The three of them settled into place, the weight of what was to come hanging thick in the air. The clock was ticking. And soon, the real fight would begin.


    Milo stood in front of the marked wall, arms crossed, his sharp green eyes scanning the stone as if he could see straight through it. The tunnel around them was quiet, save for the occasional distant drip of water echoing through the underground. The air smelled of damp earth, aged stone, and the faintest trace of rust.


    Kaiser leaned against the wall beside him, arms behind his head, his smirk ever-present but his gaze focused. Ivan, standing to the side, watched them both with that same unreadable expression of his.


    Finally, Milo exhaled through his nose and turned to them. "Alright. Listen carefully," he said. "We¡¯re going in with a simple but efficient strategy. The main attack force will be me and Kaiser. We¡¯ll be the ones engaging the Right Fist directly, neutralizing any guards and clearing the path. The bathroom is located at the furthest part of the building, the lowest point underground. That works to our advantage in two ways. First, it¡¯s unlikely to be heavily patrolled. Second, it puts us in close proximity to our target: the main storage room. That¡¯s where they keep the captives and their valuables."


    Kaiser¡¯s smirk faded slightly, a glint of something sharper flashing in his eyes at the mention of captives. He didn¡¯t care about valuables. He cared about one person. But he didn¡¯t interrupt.


    Milo gestured towards the wall. "The distance from the bathroom to the storage room is roughly twenty meters. Close enough that we can move quickly, but not so close that we can afford to be reckless. Once we breach the bathroom, we advance with controlled aggression. That means silent takedowns whenever possible and no hesitation to kill if needed."


    Kaiser grinned again, rolling his shoulders. "Oh, I never hesitate."


    Milo¡¯s eyes flicked to him, unimpressed. "Good. Because once we reach the storage room, we don¡¯t have time to waste. The prisoners will likely be held behind reinforced locks, possibly even chained. We need to break those restraints fast."


    Kaiser cut in. "And I assume I handle anyone dumb enough to be standing in the way?"


    Milo nodded. "Exactly. The moment we breach storage, the real fight begins. The Right Fist will realize something¡¯s wrong, and reinforcements will come pouring in from the main building."


    Ivan shifted slightly at that, his expression still blank, but his fingers twitching slightly at his sides. Kaiser noticed. Not fear. Anticipation.


    Milo turned to him. "That¡¯s where you come in."


    Ivan blinked. "Me?"


    "You have two objectives," Milo said. "First, assist with the evacuation. Some of the captives might be injured or too weak to move on their own. Your job is to carry anyone who can¡¯t walk, get them to the Drillex, and make sure they get out alive." Ivan nodded, and Milo continued, "Second, if there are any high-value artifacts stored here¡ªanything we know the Right Fist shouldn¡¯t have, we take that too. If it¡¯s a weapon, it stays out of their hands. If it¡¯s documents, we secure them. Anything that could give them an advantage, we have to remove."


    Kaiser cracked his neck. "And if they send too many guys for us to hold off?"


    Milo didn¡¯t hesitate. "Then we collapse the route behind us and force them to take the long way around."


    Kaiser arched a brow. "You thought of everything, huh?"


    Milo¡¯s voice remained even. "That¡¯s my job."


    There was a beat of silence. Then Kaiser chuckled, shaking his head. "I like you, Milo."


    Milo didn¡¯t react. He simply looked between them, making sure they understood every part of the plan. Then, he spoke again, voice calm but firm. "One last thing."


    Kaiser raised a brow. "Oh?"


    "If either of you sees an enemy trying to reach the Drillex before we do, kill them immediately."

 Chapter 36: A Door Too Stubborn, A Fist Too Strong

    For a moment, there was only silence.


    The underground passage remained eerily still, with only the distant drip of water and the quiet, steady breaths of the three men breaking the stillness. Kaiser leaned against the rough stone wall, arms crossed, exuding an air of casual patience, though his muscles remained ready. Milo, standing just ahead, was unnaturally still, his gaze fixed on the marked section of the wall before them. Ivan stood just behind them, shifting slightly, his posture watchful but quiet.


    Then¡­ BOOOOOOOOOM.


    The explosion roared through the underground like a beast finally breaking free from its cage. The entire world trembled, the force of the blast tearing through the air with a deep, thunderous shockwave. The old windmill above had been reduced to splinters in an instant, its unstable structure unable to withstand the sheer violence of the detonation.


    The tunnel beneath their feet shuddered, dust raining from the ceiling in thick plumes. The distant sound of cracking timber, toppling stone, and shattering glass filled the air. The concussive force was so powerful that it sent a small gust of air rushing through the tunnels, carrying the scent of burnt powder and splintered wood.


    The explosion was near, but not here. The Right Fist¡¯s hideout had not been touched. Not yet. Above them, through layers of earth and stone, distant screams echoed. The frantic, panicked shouts of slavers and guards trying to make sense of what had just happened. Orders were being barked, boots slamming against wooden floors. Chaos had begun.


    But down in the tunnel, where the trio stood, there was no urgency.


    The dust continued to settle, the reverberations still fading through the walls, yet Milo remained perfectly still, his hands at his sides, unmoving. Kaiser, who had been watching the ceiling for any sign of collapse, finally scoffed and exhaled. "So¡­ we¡¯re just going to stand here while half the city loses its shit?"


    Milo didn¡¯t look at him. "We move when it¡¯s time." Kaiser rolled his eyes at that.


    Another beat passed. Then, Milo exhaled slowly and reached for his weapon and the moment he did that, the air changed.


    A sudden burst of sharp, cutting wind erupted from the blade as soon as it was freed. The motion was fluid, precise and dangerous. A deep, whistling sound filled the underground passage, like the howl of a storm given shape. The wind lashed out like invisible blades, kicking up dust and making Kaiser¡¯s coat whip against his legs.


    Even Ivan flinched slightly, his eyes narrowing as he instinctively braced himself.


    Kaiser, however, was grinning.


    "Oh, that¡¯s good," he muttered, voice low with amusement. "That¡¯s really good."


    The air itself seemed sharpened around Milo, as if the blade in his hands had a hunger for battle. Kaiser could feel it¡ªthe presence of a fighter, someone who could carve through flesh and bone with terrifying ease. For a brief moment, the thrill of a possible fight between them burned in Kaiser¡¯s mind. His hands twitched slightly, his instincts screaming at him to test this man, to see how deep that sword could cut, how fast it could move.


    But he pushed the thought away.


    ¡®Aria.¡¯


    He had one goal tonight.


    Still, he couldn¡¯t resist the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You don¡¯t exactly give off ¡®retired Liberator¡¯ energy," he remarked, eyes still locked on the sword. "If anything, you look like you should still be active."


    Milo didn¡¯t react. He simply flicked his sword once, dispersing the lingering wind that had swirled around them. "Ready?" he asked, his voice calm, unreadable.


    Kaiser rolled his shoulders, his smirk widening. "You already know the answer." Milo turned toward the marked wall. The sounds of the panicked slavers above were growing louder, more frantic. He took a slow step forward, raising his sword.


    "Then let¡¯s move."


    With a single, fluid slash, his blade carved through the air, releasing an invisible force of wind that slammed into the marked wall.


    The effect was instantaneous, as sharp howl of slicing air filled the tunnel and the stone wall shattered into a thousand precise fragments, diced so cleanly that for a second, the structure held together in its original shape before collapsing all at once. The debris crumbled apart, forming a fine mist of dust in the air as the path ahead was revealed.


    Not stopping, Milo spun on his heel and flicked his sword toward the opposite wall. Another burst of cutting wind followed, but this time, controlled, deliberate. The second wall split open, revealing two small, hidden openings within the stone.


    He barely needed to speak; instead, he pointed at them, and Ivan immediately understood. That was the entrance to the Drillex. The underground escape route. Kaiser, who had been standing off to the side, watching with mild amusement, suddenly burst into laughter.


    It wasn¡¯t a small chuckle, either, it was a full, deep roar of amusement, his voice bouncing off the tunnel walls as he gripped his stomach.


    Milo frowned, until his eyes followed Kaiser¡¯s gaze and finally noticed it.


    In the wreckage of the first wall, amid the shattered stone and scattered debris, was a dead man sitting on a toilet. Or rather¡ªwhat was left of him. The poor bastard had been in the middle of his business when Milo¡¯s wind had sliced through the stall, through the walls, and through him in one effortless motion. His upper half had slid clean off, collapsing onto the ground with a lifeless thud.


    Milo sighed, shaking his head. It wasn¡¯t the first time his sword had unintentionally massacred someone mid-shit, but it was never not ridiculous. Then, despite himself, a small, involuntary snort of laughter escaped him.


    Kaiser¡¯s head snapped up at that. His grin widened. "Oh? You actually have a sense of humor?"


    Milo immediately suppressed the expression and turned away. "Move."


    Still grinning, Kaiser followed, and Ivan trailed just behind him. Stepping through the ruined entrance, the trio entered a completely different world. For a criminal organization known for trafficking, blood money, and underground dealings, the Right Fist certainly had taste.


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    The interior was stunning. The floors were polished marble, reflecting the soft golden glow of lanterns lining the walls. Intricately woven rugs were spread across the ground, adding warmth to the otherwise cold stone structure. Even the ceilings were beautifully decorated, carved with intricate swirling patterns, depictions of wealth, battle, and power. It was absurdly extravagant for a group of slavers, a stark contrast to the filth and suffering they caused outside these walls.


    Kaiser scoffed. "Huh. They¡¯ve got money, that¡¯s for sure."


    Milo didn¡¯t respond. He simply moved forward, stepping silently. His posture was cautious, his sharp eyes scanning the halls. And then they noticed something that relieved them, and that was that there were no guards. For a hideout this size, especially after an explosion had just gone off, the fact that they hadn¡¯t encountered a single patrol was¡­ odd.


    Milo held up a hand, silently signaling them to slow down. Kaiser, for once, obeyed. The trio moved carefully, their steps barely making a sound as they passed ornate doorways and luxurious furniture that looked like it belonged in a noble¡¯s estate rather than a den of criminals.


    As they reached the corner of the hallway, Milo raised a hand, halting them before peeking around the edge. He saw three guards stood in front of a large, reinforced door, one of them a broad-shouldered, scarred brute clad in thick armor with a heavy weapon strapped to his back.


    "That¡¯s the storage room," Milo whispered. "We need to be quick."


    Kaiser grinned. "Ready when you are."


    And then, Milo vanished. In an instant, his form dissolved into a rushing gust of wind, a streak of movement so swift and seamless that it seemed as if the air itself had taken a blade and gone on the offensive. The guards at the storehouse door never even had the chance to react as a blur of silver cut through the air, and in a fraction of a second, Milo reappeared behind them, his sword held low, its edge gleaming.


    For a brief moment, nothing happened. Then, deep red lines carved across the guards¡¯ throats and torsos, followed by a sudden gush of blood. Their bodies twitched, then crumpled into a lifeless heap, weapons slipping from their hands and clattering dully against the floor. Milo exhaled, sliding his sword back into its sheath in one swift motion.


    Kaiser walked past him, then turned toward the door, and lifted his golden sword with both hands. If this was the storehouse, then Aria was right behind this door, and that was all that mattered to him. With one powerful downward slash, his blade struck the metal doors.


    CLANG!


    His sword bounced off, making Kaiser blink in surprise. "The hell?" Milo sighed, shaking his head as he stepped forward. With a casual motion, he drew his blade, its surface shimmering faintly as it hummed with cutting wind.


    CLANG!


    The exact same result. The sword bounced off, completely ineffective. Milo clicked his tongue, eyes narrowing. "Hmph."


    Kaiser sheathed his blade. He cracked his knuckles, and then, without a second thought.


    BOOM.


    He punched the door with all his might. A sharp, sickening crunch rang out as his own bones shattered from the sheer impact. But the door? Completely unmoved.


    Kaiser stared at it for a long moment, expression unreadable, before clenching his fist as his body immediately started regenerating. "Alright. That was bullshit." Milo, watching with mild disappointment, exhaled through his nose. "I¡¯m genuinely amazed. That might have been the dumbest thing I¡¯ve seen today."


    Milo sighed, rubbing his chin with a gloved hand. "They enchanted it. I should have guessed."


    Ivan, meanwhile, had crouched beside the corpses, rummaging through their pockets. "No keys," he muttered. Kaiser paused, frowning. "That¡¯s weird."


    Milo shook his head. "Not really. These guys were just guarding the storage. Only the higher-ups carry keys to a reinforced door like this." He narrowed his eyes at the green sigils still glowing faintly. "Breaking through this thing would take me around ten minutes, not that big of a problem."


    Kaiser cracked his neck. "Then we¡¯re not bothering with the door." Rolling up his sleeves, he clenched his fists and, without hesitation, drove a punch into the wall beside it. Milo¡¯s eye twitched. "You have got to be kidding me."


    Another punch landed, and another crack of bone was heard, almost instantly rebuilding as Kaiser¡¯s insane regeneration kicked in. Blood smeared the wall, but the marble and reinforced stone weren¡¯t enchanted like the door.


    BOOM!


    Finally, the wall gave in, blasting open a hole large enough to step through. As the dust settled, Milo and Ivan stared while Kaiser flexed his hands, bones snapping back into place. His smirk widened. "Door¡¯s open."


    Kaiser stepped through the gaping hole in the wall, his boots crunching over broken stone and dust. The moment his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting inside the storage room, his gaze landed on the four men standing within¡ªor rather, trembling inside.


    The Right Fist guards, the firm and battle-ready warriors had gone pale. Their hands quivered on their weapons, their faces slick with sweat, their breath ragged.


    They had just witnessed a man break through a solid, reinforced wall with his bare fists. One of them stumbled backward, nearly tripping over a wooden crate. Another gasped as he gripped his sword, his knuckles turning white. The largest among them, the one who looked like he might actually try to fight, couldn¡¯t stop his hand from shaking.


    Kaiser moved the instant he saw them, his golden blade slicing through the air with a terrifying grace, his movements almost resembling a dance. What made it worse, what made the Right Fist guards feel true horror, was that Kaiser dodged attacks that never even came.


    He moved like a phantom, his body slipping through unseen attacks, dodging before his enemies could even react. His sword sang, and it became a blur of motion too fast to follow. A single breath. A single second. Then¡ªblood sprayed through the air. Four guards collapsed simultaneously, their bodies falling apart in precise, perfect pieces.


    Milo, stepping in behind Kaiser, barely had time to react before all the enemies were dead. He had seen speed. He had seen power. But there was something brutal about how Kaiser fought¡­ Not just as a warrior, but as a beast in human form, something feral hidden beneath the sharp grin and carefree attitude. The only sound that followed was the soft clinking of Kaiser¡¯s sword as he flicked the blood from its edge. Milo exhaled sharply, watching as the last body hit the ground. He hadn¡¯t even raised his weapon.


    He opened his mouth, perhaps to compliment, perhaps to say something witty, but Kaiser was already gone. Before Milo could even register it, Kaiser had dashed ahead, his figure vanishing between the rows of metal cages deeper in the storage room. Ivan, without hesitation, ran in after him, his small frame darting between iron bars, frantically searching.


    Kaiser¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as he moved, but not from exertion, but from the sheer weight of urgency pressing down on him. Every step he took, every face he examined, only fueled his frustration. He had prepared himself for something horrific, expecting bruised and beaten captives, the kind of misery he had witnessed in slave pens before, but instead, what he found was eerie. Too clean. Too quiet.


    All of them were simply sleeping.


    His sharp red eyes flickered from one unconscious figure to the next, taking in their unnaturally peaceful expressions, their unnerving stillness. The air was thick with a strange, almost medicinal scent, and that was when it clicked.


    ¡®A drug.¡¯


    A place like this, built to store human beings as if they were mere merchandise, would need a way to keep them manageable. Slaves that didn¡¯t cry, that didn¡¯t scream, that didn¡¯t resist¡ªmade for easier transactions.


    He gritted his teeth and kept moving, his focus narrowing to a singular goal.


    ''I need to find her as soon as possible!''


    But then, suddenly he heard  Ivan¡¯s scream.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    Ivan¡¯s voice rang out through the storehouse, sharp and filled with relief. Kaiser glanced over his shoulder, and in that moment, he spotted her. Amidst the countless caged bodies, the unmistakable sight of soft pink hair caught his eye.


    With no hesitation, Kaiser lunged forward, seizing the bars of her cage. The iron groaned under the pressure of his grip, bending, warping, before finally snapping apart as he tore the entire door off its hinges. The sound echoed through the room like the cracking of thunder, but he didn¡¯t care, his focus was entirely on her.


    Without another thought, he stepped inside, crouching down and wrapping his arms around her limp form, pulling her into his chest. His grip was firm yet careful, his usually rough hands surprisingly gentle as they held onto her sleeping body.


    She was warm, alive and safe.


    His fingers instinctively brushed against her face, tucking strands of pink hair away from her closed eyes as a grin tugged at his lips. ¡°Well, well,¡± he muttered, amusement lacing his voice. ¡°Took me long enough, didn¡¯t it?¡±


    She didn¡¯t respond, of course¡ªstill under the effects of whatever drug they had used to keep these prisoners subdued, but it didn¡¯t matter to him. He had found her.


    He exhaled, his grip on her tightening slightly as he rose back to his feet, holding her securely in his arms.

 Chapter 37: Kaiser of Carnage

    Milo¡¯s ears twitched as a distant chorus of armored boots slamming against the stone could be heard. The sound wasn¡¯t just getting louder, but closer as well. His grip on his sword tightened, and his eyes flicked toward Kaiser, who was still standing over Aria.


    ¡°Kaiser!¡± Milo called out sharply. ¡°Get your ass in place, we¡¯ve got company!¡±


    At the same time, Ivan was struggling with the cages, pounding on the steel bars in frustration. His fists, despite his strength, barely made a dent. ¡°Oh, for the love of¡ªhow the hell do they expect me to break all these cages open by myself?!¡±


    Kaiser, with an almost lazy amusement, glanced down at the sword in his hand. He took a moment to appreciate it, admiring the edge, before flipping it effortlessly in his grip and tossing it toward Ivan.


    Ivan barely caught it, stumbling back as he looked at the golden blade in sheer wonder. It was impossibly light, yet it shone with an almost unnatural sharpness. Kaiser smirked, his red eyes gleaming with dark amusement. ¡°It¡¯s sharper than it looks, huh?¡±


    Ivan barely had time to respond before Kaiser leaned in, lowering his voice to a slow, deliberate threat.


    ¡°Rescue Aria first,¡± he said, his tone so casual it sent chills down Ivan¡¯s spine. ¡°Or I swear to God, I will hunt you down, murder you and your sister, and make sure your graves are empty.¡±


    Ivan froze, his grip tightening on the sword instinctively. He looked up at Kaiser, waiting for a sign that he was joking, that maybe this was just some crude, twisted humor, but there was none. Just those burning red eyes, watching him like a predator watching its prey.


    And yet, as terrifying as that was, Ivan barely had time to process the threat. His mind was entirely focused on one thing, getting everyone out. His hands trembled for only a second before his instincts took over. He activated his ability, and in the blink of an eye, ten identical copies of himself materialized around him, each one wielding a perfect copy of the golden sword.


    Without hesitation, they moved. The first swing of the blade sliced through the steel bars like they were made of paper. The resistance was nonexistent. One by one, the cages burst open, releasing their sleeping captives into the arms of the waiting clones.


    Meanwhile, Kaiser finally turned away, stepping beside Milo, who stood in front of the broken wall, his expression darkening as the marching boots turned into shadows stretching down the hallway. ¡°Think you¡¯ll be alright without a weapon?¡± Milo asked, his voice steady but edged with subtle concern.


    Kaiser exhaled, cracking his knuckles. ¡°I¡¯ll get one soon enough.¡±


    And then they arrived. A hundred, maybe more Right Fist members flooded into the hallway like a storm of steel and anger, their weapons already drawn, their armor clanking as they formed tight formations. Among them, scattered throughout the ranks, were members of the city watch. But the way they carried themselves, the way their eyes flickered with uncertainty, set them apart. While the Right Fist men looked eager, almost giddy at the idea of cutting them down, the city guards were hesitant.


    Milo stood there, still as a statue, his eyes burning with something colder than anger, disappointment. His grip on his sword tightened, but he did not raise it. Not yet.


    The city guards, men he had once respected, men who had sworn an oath to protect the people, stood before him with weapons drawn. But their hands shook. Their faces were strained with something heavier than duty. Guilt.


    Milo exhaled, the weight of this moment sinking into his bones. Then, softly, almost like a whisper carried on the wind, he spoke. ¡°A blade in the back is as sharp as the one to the throat. And yet, somehow¡­ it always hurts more.¡±


    His voice carried through the hall, wrapping around the silence like a funeral shroud. For a moment, no one moved. The only sound was the flickering torches, their flames swaying as if even they hesitated to witness what was about to unfold. And then a new sound was heard behind Milo and Kaiser.


    Footsteps. Ivan emerged from the shadows of the cages, his clones following behind, each one carrying a prisoner. The first, a blonde girl who was his sister. The second, Aria, her pink hair vibrant even in the dim torchlight. And the last, a noble-looking brunette, her elegant dress stained with dirt but somehow still regal.


    The sight of them sucked the air from the room and for a brief second, everything was frozen in place.


    ¡°THEY¡¯RE TAKING OUR MONEY!¡±


    It was the first scream that shattered the silence, and it was followed by a dozen more. The first wave of Right Fist members lunged forward, their rage drowning out their fear, their weapons raised high to cut down the intruders who dared to steal their "Money."


    But they never even reached their targets as Milo moved first.


    With a single step forward, his blade lashed out in a clean, unbroken arc. Three heads were severed from their bodies in one swing, rolling across the cold stone floor before their owners even realized they had died. Their bodies remained standing for a fraction of a second, as if their minds had not yet caught up to reality, before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.


    The air filled with the sound of wet thuds, and a moment later, a sickening crack followed.


    Kaiser, with a casual flick of his wrist, had backhanded another man with such force that his skull shattered against the wall, painting the bricks with a gruesome splash of red. The body slumped to the floor, twitching, then went still.


    Kaiser let out a satisfied hum, stepping over the corpse without a second thought. He bent down, picking up the fallen man¡¯s sword, testing the weight in his hand. Then, in a grandiose motion, he slashed the air in front of him, the blade cutting with a sharp whisper as if singing its own deadly tune.


    A grin played at his lips as he spun the sword once, then twice, effortlessly twirling it between his fingers with practiced ease, more for show than necessity. The Right Fist men took an instinctive step back, making the city guards step forward. Unlike the criminals, these men did not shake. They did not hesitate. They had trained for years, and their discipline was evident in the way they moved.


    Milo''s eyes flicked to them, his expression unreadable.


    Kaiser, however, let out a low whistle. ¡°Oh? You lot actually know what you¡¯re doing.¡± He spun his newly acquired sword one last time before pointing it toward them lazily. ¡°Good. I was getting worried, for you I mean.¡±


    A dozen city guards stepped forward, their eyes locked onto Kaiser with unwavering focus. The weight of betrayal sat heavy on Milo¡¯s shoulders as he could not bring himself to strike down his former comrades, even if they had turned their blades against him. His fingers tightened around his sword, his expression conflicted.


    Kaiser, on the other hand, had no such hesitation.


    With a grin that barely concealed his anticipation, he lunged into the fray, moving like a force of nature. His first strike was effortless. His newly acquired sword tore through the first guard¡¯s chest, cutting through his armor as if it were nothing more than paper. Blood sprayed in an arc, painting the cold stone beneath them.


    The moment he finished his swing, two more guards attacked, slashing at him from opposite sides. Kaiser ducked low, feeling the blades whistle just inches above his head, his is grin widening with each passing second. Before they could recover, he twisted on his heel and lashed out with a vicious roundhouse kick. The impact sent both men crashing to the ground, their helmets bouncing off their heads as they crumpled.


    But Kaiser didn¡¯t stop moving. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled his sword at a guard standing a few paces back. The blade slammed into the man¡¯s chest with such force that he was launched off his feet, his body crashing into a cluster of Right Fist members behind him. They toppled over like dominoes, their shocked expressions frozen in disbelief.


    Now weaponless, Kaiser showed no concern. Instead, he crouched low like a beast preparing to pounce, and then he leaped. His feet came down with sickening force upon the two guards he had just knocked over. Their skulls caved in beneath his weight, their bodies twitching for only a moment before going completely still.


    The remaining guards hesitated, but only for a heartbeat. Then, one of them thrust a long spear forward, the tip finding its mark¡­ Right through Kaiser¡¯s chest.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The force of the blow sent a deep shock through the hall, the sheer power of the strike making even the Right Fist members pause, and the other city guards didn¡¯t waste a second as the blades impaled Kaiser from every direction. Swords plunged into his arms, his legs, his stomach, his back. Metal cleaved through flesh, breaking bones, severing tendons.


    Kaiser stood at the center of it all, his body skewered like a beast hunted down by a pack of wolves. The guards panted, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and triumph.


    The Right Fist members, still in the back, stared in horror at the man impaled before them. Their breath caught in their throats as they looked at the guard Kaiser had thrown, his corpse still lodged in their ranks.


    Milo sighed.


    It was tragic, in a way. These men, traitors though they were, did not deserve this fate. Perhaps if they had been more righteous, if they had not stained their hands with corruption, they could have lived long enough to see justice. But they had chosen to stand against the wrong man.


    And just as he finished the thought, life returned to Kaiser.


    With a sudden, horrifying movement, his hands shot up and grabbed two of the city guards by their helmets.


    Before they could even react, he smashed their heads together, their skulls shattering like fragile glass. Blood and brain matter splattered in all directions, painting the remaining guards in a sickening red mist.


    Kaiser¡¯s fingers twitched. His hands, drenched in warm blood, trembled¡ªnot from pain, but from something else. He let out a long, shuddering breath, and then¡­ He laughed.


    It started as a low chuckle, barely audible over the crackling torches, but then it grew.


    His shoulders shook, his chest heaved, and soon his laughter filled the entire chamber. It was wild, unhinged, something that no sane man should ever produce.


    The guards still holding their swords inside him recoiled in horror. His body twitched, blood oozing from his wounds¡ªwounds that should have killed any normal man. But for Kaiser, they were nothing more than temporary inconveniences.


    He reached down and grabbed the spear that was still lodged in his chest, and instead of pulling it out, he pushed it in deeper. The spearhead erupted from his back, a fresh gush of blood spilling onto the stone floor. Yet he did not falter. He lunged at the guard who had impaled him, smashing his forehead into the man''s skull with such ferocious force that bone shattered and brain matter sprayed the air.


    The guard stumbled back, collapsing onto the ground, his body twitching in its final moments. Kaiser, too, fell to the floor. His forehead was drenched in blood, his vision momentarily hazy, but his regeneration had already started working.


    As Kaiser¡¯s regeneration kicked in, his shattered body mended itself with unnatural speed, the spear wound closing as though it had never been, pushing the spear out of him, and as he slowly rose, his crimson eyes gleamed with a grin that was no longer just a smile, but something darker, something hungry. For the first time in their lives, even the Right Fist members, seasoned in horrors, stood frozen in dread, unsure if the man before them was even human.


    Kaiser rolled his shoulders, feeling the last remnants of pain dissolve into nothingness. His crimson eyes scanned the stunned soldiers before him: the city guards, the Right Fist mercenaries, the so-called warriors who had believed, foolishly, that they could stand against him.


    He took a step forward, and the room collectively flinched.


    Then, with a voice dripping in amusement, he chuckled.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± His words were casual, almost conversational. He lifted his hand, watching the way the blood dripped from his fingers. ¡°Was that all? Surely you weren¡¯t thinking that would be enough?¡±


    One of the city guards, still gripping his sword, stammered, ¡°Y-you¡­ you should be dead.¡±


    Kaiser tilted his head, his grin widening. ¡°Dead?¡± He pressed a hand to his chest where the spear had impaled him, fingers tracing the place where the wound had been just moments ago. ¡°Oh¡­ you poor things. You really thought you won?¡±


    His laughter returned, louder this time, bouncing off the walls. ¡°That¡¯s adorable.¡±


    Then, without warning, he moved. The guard who had spoken barely had time to scream before Kaiser was upon him. With a single motion, Kaiser caught his head in his palm, gripping it like a fruit, and squeezed.


    CRUNCH.


    The skull shattered in his grasp, like an overripe melon bursting open. Blood sprayed out in a violent arc, splattering across the horrified faces of his comrades. Kaiser¡¯s fingers twitched, letting the lifeless body crumple to the floor. He exhaled slowly, reveling in the sensation.


    The Right Fist mercenaries, in their blind fury, rushed forward. ¡°Kill him! Cut him to pieces!¡±


    The first came from the side, swinging a heavy battle-axe. Kaiser stepped forward, his movements elegant, almost effortless. His body twisted like a dancer¡¯s, dodging just enough for the blade to whistle past his ear.


    Then, before the attacker could recover, Kaiser¡¯s fist lashed out, striking the man in the ribs. The impact was thunderous, like a cannon blast at close range. The man¡¯s body lifted off the ground, flung backward, crashing into two others behind him.


    Without stopping, Kaiser caught another attacker¡¯s wrist mid-swing and twisted.


    The sickening snap of bones breaking was followed immediately by a bloodcurdling scream. The mercenary fell to his knees, clutching the ruined limb, until Kaiser drove his knee into his face, silencing him forever.


    Milo, still gripping his sword, had not moved. His hands were clenched, his face unreadable. The city guards, despite everything, hesitated. They still knew him as their captain. Kaiser glanced at them, licking blood from his fingers. ¡°Still unsure?¡± His voice was mocking, taunting. ¡°That¡¯s fine. Stay right there and watch. Maybe you¡¯ll learn something.¡±


    Another wave surged toward him, but this time with wariness in their eyes. Kaiser exhaled, and in that breath, the world seemed to go still. Then, he moved. He flowed through their attacks like wind through an open field. Every sword swing missed by mere inches, every spear thrust met only air. He weaved between them with grace, bending and twisting, making them strike at nothing but shadows.


    ¡°Too slow.¡±


    He grabbed one soldier by the throat and lifted him with a single arm, holding him aloft like a toy. The man struggled, his hands clawing at Kaiser¡¯s fingers, until Kaiser simply squeezed. The man¡¯s throat caved in. His body spasmed, then fell limp.


    Kaiser dropped him and turned to the next, but this time, he did not use his hands. He lunged, biting down into the soldier¡¯s neck. The taste of warm, pulsing blood flooded his mouth, as the soldier screamed a horrifying, guttural sound, before Kaiser tore away, leaving a gaping wound where flesh had once been.


    Another guard lunged at him, sword raised high, and Kaiser pivoted on his heel, allowing the blade to pass just inches from his ribs. In the same motion, he snatched the man by the throat and slammed him into the ground so hard that the stone cracked beneath him. The body went limp before the next breath could leave the poor bastard¡¯s lungs.


    Another guard attempted to take advantage of the moment, swinging a curved saber down toward Kaiser¡¯s exposed back. Without looking, Kaiser reached back, caught the incoming blade with his bare hand, and yanked the man forward. The guard stumbled, and Kaiser delivered a swift elbow to his face, shattering his nose in an instant. As the man staggered back, dazed, Kaiser grabbed his sword by the hilt and drove it straight through his throat.


    The dying man gargled, eyes bulging as he grasped at the blade embedded in his neck. Kaiser merely smirked and twisted the sword before yanking it free in a single, vicious motion. Blood sprayed outward, painting the stone floor in an ugly shade of red.


    His crimson eyes gleamed with amusement as he let the corpse drop. ¡°Oh? That¡¯s it?¡± he taunted. He twirled the sword lazily in his grip, wiping the blood off with a flick of his wrist. ¡°I expected at least one of you to put up a fight.¡±


    As the remaining city guards hesitated, shaken, the Right Fist mercenaries roared in fury and charged in unison. Kaiser laughed and stepped forward, ready to butcher them all, but before he could strike, a sharp, piercing pain erupted in his chest. He froze, his eyes widening slightly as a flicker of surprise crossed his face. Looking down, he saw a sword impaled straight through his heart, and behind him, a Right Fist soldier let out a triumphant grunt, gripping the hilt with both hands. "Got you, you bastard."


    Kaiser¡¯s body slumped forward slightly. His crimson gaze dulled, lifeless¡­ For all of four seconds.


    Then, in an instant, his head snapped back up, the light returning to his eyes. No¡­ not just light. Something far worse.


    Kaiser exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as if merely stretching. He tilted his head back, neck popping audibly. Then, in one smooth, merciless motion, he twisted around and drove the back of his hand into the soldier¡¯s face with bone-crushing force. The impact was thunderous¡­ Cheekbone shattered, teeth scattered like shards of glass, and the man''s head snapped sideways with a sickening crack. His body followed a moment later, collapsing to the ground in a twitching, bloodied heap.


    Kaiser sighed. ¡°Tch. Amateur.¡±


    With an almost bored expression, he grasped the sword still lodged in his chest and pulled it out in one slow, deliberate motion. Blood coated the steel, but before it could drip, Kaiser twirled the weapon elegantly, letting the force of the spin fling the blood off in a crimson arc. He then flipped the blade once in his grip before resting it on his shoulder.


    His eyes flickered toward the remaining Right Fist mercenaries, daring them to try again, but none of them moved.


    ¡°I SWEAR TO THE GODS, KAISER!¡±


    Ivan¡¯s voice rang through the chamber, frustration dripping from every syllable. Kaiser turned, tilting his head slightly. He spotted Ivan at the far end of the hallway, standing amidst the freed prisoners, but instead of moving them out, the young man looked furious.


    Ivan pointed at him accusingly. ¡°ARE YOU SERIOUSLY WASTING TIME RIGHT NOW? WE HAVE A DAMN JOB TO DO!¡±


    Kaiser smirked. ¡°I thought you were handling it.¡± Ivan stomped toward him, throwing his hands up. ¡°I CAN¡¯T! There are three cages I can¡¯t break open!¡±


    That got Kaiser¡¯s attention. His smirk faded, replaced with something colder. He turned on his heel, completely ignoring the remaining fighters in the room. Milo, still standing in place with his sword raised, blinked. ¡°Wait, where are you going?¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t stop walking. ¡°You said you could handle this mission alone.¡±


    Milo stiffened as Kaiser glanced back over his shoulder, grinning like a devil. ¡°I already took care of the city guard. Now you won¡¯t have to feel bad about killing the rest.¡±


    Milo¡¯s expression darkened. His grip on his sword tightened until his knuckles turned white. The air around him shifted and a sudden, violent gust sweeping through the chamber.


    Kaiser chuckled. ¡°Ah¡­ so you do have some fight in you.¡±


    The room groaned under the pressure as Milo¡¯s wind magic surged. The torches flickered wildly, their flames threatening to extinguish under the raw force of his power.


    Then he started his attack. The first gust was nearly invisible. A razor-thin crescent of air sliced through the nearest Right Fist mercenary like paper. The man didn¡¯t even react. He took a step forward, then¡­ his upper body slid clean off his waist.


    The second gust followed immediately after, tearing through three more men at once. Their bodies split open in grotesque, diagonal cuts, blood spraying in every direction.


    Kaiser chuckled under his breath as he disappeared down the hall, following Ivan. ¡°Have fun, old man.¡±

 Chapter 38: Flame of the End

    The storeroom was eerily quiet, the air thick with dust and the faint lingering scent of iron. The once grand space, was now nearly empty. Shelves that should have been overflowing with stolen riches, rare artifacts, and whatever else these slavers deemed valuable were instead stripped bare. A few scattered trinkets remained, glinting under the dim torchlight, but the bulk of what once occupied the room was gone.


    Kaiser stepped forward, his boots pressing against the blood-stained stone floor, leaving faint crimson prints in his wake. His body still hummed with the energy of combat, his muscles tight with tension from the relentless slaughter outside. He wasn¡¯t sure what he expected upon entering, but the sight before him wasn¡¯t it. His gaze flickered to Ivan, who stood nearby, panting heavily, his body visibly exhausted yet victorious. His clothes were drenched in sweat, but despite the clear signs of physical exertion, there was a triumphant smirk plastered across his face.


    Ivan exhaled sharply and rolled his shoulders before wiping a smear of sweat od from his cheek. "You were too busy playing with your food, so I had to pick up the slack. You¡¯ve been on your little rampage for over fifteen minutes, you know that?" He let out a strained chuckle, shaking his head. "I pushed myself to the absolute limit and cloned myself twelve times, pulled a hundred and twelve people out of here, and even managed to grab some artifacts. I left the useless noble garbage behind, like paintings, golden cups, anything that didn¡¯t give off any power. But the real issue is..." His voice trailed off as he motioned to the far end of the room.


    Kaiser followed his gesture, his gaze settling on three massive silver cages.


    Unlike the rusted, crude enclosures they had broken into before, these weren¡¯t just simple holding cells. The bars shined under the torchlight, unnaturally pristine, without a single scratch or dent. The craftsmanship was intricate, the silver weaving together in patterns that felt too calculated to be purely decorative. Even stranger, despite the clear gaps in the bars, Kaiser couldn¡¯t see inside.


    His crimson eyes narrowed as a creeping sense of wrongness settled in his gut. He took a step closer, cautiously running his fingers along the smooth, cold surface of the metal. ¡®There was something off.¡¯


    "...These aren¡¯t normal cages," he muttered, his voice low and calculating.


    Ivan walked up beside him and rapped his knuckles against the bars. The sound that rang out was hollow, unnatural, as if striking the surface of deep water rather than solid steel. He pulled his hand back with a frown.


    "Yeah, no shit," Ivan muttered.


    Kaiser continued studying the cage, his mind quickly breaking down the possibilities. He grabbed hold of the bars and attempted to pull them apart, applying a considerable amount of strength. Immediately, he felt a strange resistance, not like a normal lock or barrier, but something else entirely. The harder he pulled, the more the metal resisted, pushing back against him with an invisible force.


    His frown deepened. He braced himself and applied even more strength, his muscles tensing, veins bulging as he increased the pressure. The resistance only grew stronger. It was almost as if the cage was adapting to his force, countering it, rendering brute strength completely ineffective.


    Kaiser let go and took a step back, rolling his shoulders as he clicked his tongue in irritation. "Hell of a lock," he muttered, his expression unreadable.


    Ivan folded his arms, watching with mild frustration. "Guess we¡¯re screwed, huh?"


    Kaiser placed his hand against the cage, his fingers gliding over the cold, enchanted metal. It was completely unyielding. For several moments, nothing changed. The cage remained as rigid as ever, its strange defenses holding strong. Then, just as he was about to shift his stance, he noticed something. A subtle shift, a flicker of weakness. It was so faint, so fleeting, that had he not been paying full attention, he might have missed it entirely.


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes. He didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t press harder or try to force the cage open. Instead, he simply waited, his fingers still resting lightly against the metal. Ten seconds passed, and again, the magic faltered, even if just for an instant. The resistance wavered before reasserting itself, like the faintest hiccup in an otherwise unbroken rhythm.


    Twenty seconds. Another lapse.


    Thirty seconds. And there it was again.


    Realization settled over him like a slow-burning flame, spreading from the depths of his mind to the confident smirk that curled at the edges of his lips. ¡®The cage was not invincible.¡¯ It was not an unshakable wall, standing firm against all attempts to break it. It breathed. The magic fluctuated, waxing and waning in precise intervals, and if he timed his strike correctly¡­ If only he struck at the exact moment when the barrier was at its weakest, then nothing could stop him.


    His fingers curled into a fist, his entire body coiling with effortless control. He waited, patient and calculating. And then, just as the next pulse of weakness washed through the cage, he moved.


    The force of his punch met the enchanted metal at the precise instant its defenses faltered, and the result was nothing short of devastating. The cage did not merely crack. It detonated. The enchanted silver erupted outward in a violent cascade, fragments of metal bursting into the air like shrapnel. A concussive shockwave rolled through the room, sending wooden crates skidding across the floor, the thick layer of dust swirling in chaotic spirals.


    Ivan stumbled back, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at the wreckage. The cage, once an unbreakable prison was now nothing more than a twisted ruin of shattered steel and dying magic. Kaiser exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he casually dusted off the remnants of the obliterated metal.


    "Gotcha."


    The bars had been completely destroyed, reduced to jagged, broken fragments.


    Kaiser barely had time to revel in his success before a sharp, searing pain shot through his arm. He looked down to see his mangled fingers, shattered knuckles, and wrist bent at an unnatural angle. His entire hand was ruined, a twisted mess of broken bones and torn flesh.


    Kaiser let out a breathless chuckle, flexing his broken fingers slightly as blood dripped onto the ground. Even as the pain flared up his arm, he could already feel the bones beginning to knit themselves back together, his rapid regeneration working overtime.


    "Now," he murmured, eyes gleaming with curiosity, "Let¡¯s see what was worth locking up so tightly."


    The moment he took a step inside, the oppressive weight in the air lifted, like a chain had been snapped, releasing something that had been bound for far too long. Kaiser¡¯s gaze immediately locked onto the source.


    A sword.


    Not just any sword tho, this was something beyond mortal craftsmanship, beyond the understanding of any blacksmith. It glowed, radiating a red aura so intense that the very air around it seemed to waver, as if reality itself was struggling to contain its presence. Even sheathed, its power bled into the surroundings. The polished black scabbard was etched with faint, infernal runes that pulsed dimly, like embers stirring in the wind. The guard, shaped like demonic wings, curved outward as if ready to take flight, their crimson hue matching the glow that seeped from within.


    Kaiser felt something primal stir inside him at the sight. His grin widened. "Yeah," he muttered, eyes gleaming. "That¡¯s mine."


    Ivan, still standing at the entrance of the now-ruined cage, tilted his head. "You¡¯re not even gonna think about it, huh? Just ¡®oh look, terrifying, cursed hell-blade, guess I¡¯ll pick it up¡¯?"


    Kaiser chuckled, already stepping inside. "You¡¯re acting like you don¡¯t want it." He glanced back at Ivan, motioning lazily toward his old sword. "Keep that piece of junk I gave you earlier. I don¡¯t need it anymore."


    Ivan scoffed. "Piece of junk? That sword¡¯s been cutting through metal cages like nothing." Kaiser wasn¡¯t listening. His focus was locked solely on the blade before him.


    Each step closer made his skin prickle. The aura it emitted wasn¡¯t just hot, it was oppressive. The ground beneath the sword had been scorched black, the stone cracked and fractured from exposure to its presence. Even the air smelled different, filled with the scent of burning metal and something older, something ancient.


    Kaiser extended a hand toward the hilt, and the moment his fingers brushed against it, the entire room reacted.


    A violent surge of heat erupted outward, igniting a vortex of flames that roared to life, engulfing the cage in an instant. The shockwave sent Ivan flying backward, forcing him out of the ruined enclosure as a blazing wall of fire melted the remaining silver bars, reducing them to molten slag.


    "Kaiser!" Ivan shouted, shielding his face from the heat as he stumbled back, but his voice was drowned out by the deafening roar of the flames.


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    Inside the inferno, Kaiser remained unmoved.


    The fire twisted around him, consuming the space in a swirling maelstrom of red and orange, but he stood in its heart unflinching. His clothes burned away, his skin blistered and cracked from the sheer intensity of the heat, but none of it mattered. His regeneration worked just as fast as the flames could devour him.


    If anything, he looked thrilled. With a slow motion, Kaiser wrapped his fingers tightly around the hilt.


    The moment he lifted it from its resting place, the flames exploded outward, the entire room trembling under the sheer pressure.  Kaiser inhaled sharply as the heat intensified, flowing through him like magma in his veins. The sheer power radiating from the weapon was suffocating, but it wasn¡¯t trying to reject him¡­ It was testing him.


    Will you wield me? Or will I consume you?


    Kaiser¡¯s grin widened. ¡®What a stupid question.¡¯


    With a smooth, almost reverent motion, he unsheathed the blade, and the moment the metal was exposed, the room shook even harder.


    Flames coiled around its surface, dancing along the pitch-black steel like living embers, their intensity growing the longer it was held. It wasn¡¯t just a tool for cutting, it was destruction given form, a raging inferno in the shape of a blade.


    Kaiser exhaled slowly, his breath coming out in steam, his body already struggling to keep up with the raw heat pouring from the weapon. His palm sizzled as the fire licked at his flesh, eating away at his skin over and over again. But each time the sword burned him, his flesh knit itself back together.


    Pain. Regeneration. Power.


    A constant cycle.


    Kaiser swung the blade through the air, testing its balance, and it was perfect, far too perfect. It didn¡¯t feel like he was swinging a sword. It felt like the sword was swinging itself. The heat, the weight, the movement, it was all intoxicating.


    His grin turned downright feral.


    "It¡¯s alive," he murmured, his voice filled with pure exhilaration. He twirled the sword effortlessly, watching the way the flames trailed behind each movement like the tail of a comet. His crimson eyes gleamed as he whispered, almost to himself "This thing wants to kill something."


    Outside the cage, Ivan had barely regained his footing, still staring at the infernal display before him with wide eyes. His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. He had no words. Kaiser, still caught in his moment of admiration, finally turned his attention back to him.


    "Hey," he called out, lifting the sword slightly, letting the flames surge higher as he did.


    Ivan took a full step back. "What?"


    Kaiser flashed him a sharp grin, the hellfire reflecting in his crimson gaze. "...Think anyone¡¯s still alive out there?"


    Ivan crossed his arms, his face still slightly pale from witnessing Kaiser¡¯s unhinged delight with the infernal sword. "Before you go running off to kill more people, we still have two cages left to open." he reminded, voice firm.


    Kaiser sighed, "Yeah, yeah¡­ might actually find something as good as this thing in them." He patted the black scabbard at his hip, sending out small flickers of heat with the motion.


    Ivan rolled his eyes. "Let¡¯s hope it¡¯s something safer this time."


    Ignoring him, Kaiser stepped toward the second cage. Now that he was properly armed, he decided to test something. Raising his new sword, he swung it in a single, fluid motion.


    The moment the blade met the silver bars, they melted like butter. There was no resistance. No need for the careful technique he¡¯d used before. The sword cleaved through the magically reinforced metal as if it were paper, the heat warping and collapsing the edges of the remaining bars into molten drips.


    Ivan muttered under his breath, "¡­That sword¡¯s bullshit."


    Kaiser didn¡¯t respond. Because this time, there was actually someone inside the cage.


    ¡®A girl?¡¯


    She was small, far too small to be here. Brown hair hung in long, messy strands around her face, obscuring her features. She sat on the floor, knees pulled up to her chest, unmoving. Her arms, though pale and thin, bore something strange, a violin tattoo.


    Unlike the rest of the prisoners they had found, she wasn¡¯t chained. She wasn¡¯t hurt. And yet¡­ she wasn¡¯t asleep, either.


    Kaiser¡¯s battle-hungry grin faded immediately. His hands sheeted his sword, and for once, his expression softened. Without thinking, he strode forward, stepping through the half-melted bars. "Hey," he called out, voice firm but gentler than before. "Are you alright?"


    The girl remained motionless, offering no response. Kaiser frowned and crouched beside her, resting a hand on her arm.


    "Oi, squirt, you hear me?"


    The moment his fingers made contact with her skin, she stirred. Not in a natural way¡ªno startled flinch, no sluggish blink¡ªjust a slow, deliberate movement, as if something unseen was guiding her. Her head lifted, inch by inch, the motion disturbingly unnatural, like a marionette on tangled strings.


    A chill crept up Kaiser¡¯s spine, cold and insidious. Then, she opened her eyes.


    No whites. No pupils. Just void.


    Kaiser flinched back instinctively. "The hell¡ª"


    Ivan, who had just stepped inside the cage, halted mid-step. "Okay, yeah, that¡¯s unsettling as hell."


    But before either of them could react further, the girl¡¯s hand grasped Kaiser¡¯s wrist, her grip was weak, but at the same time firm. And then, she spoke.


    "Your name," she murmured. Her voice was small, fragile, barely more than a whisper. "What is your name?"


    Kaiser blinked, caught off guard. "¡­Kaiser."


    The moment the name left his lips, the girl grinned. A grin so wide, so unnatural, that for the first time in a long while, Kaiser felt something deep in his chest lurch. And then, her tattoo began to glow.


    The ink on her arms flared with golden light, its form twisting, shifting, until it moved. The violin materialized on her shoulder, no longer just a mark, but a real, physical object. A golden violin, humming with power.


    The moment Kaiser saw it, his instincts screamed, but before he could react, she let go of his wrist, reached for the strings, and whispered, "I only need one more thing to confirm," as a bow of pure light formed in her hand. Then she played a single note, and the world exploded.


    A sound unlike anything Kaiser had ever heard tore through the air, sending shockwaves through the entire room. The remaining cage detonated, shards of silver metal blasting outward in a deadly storm of shrapnel. The ground split open, stone fracturing under the sheer force of the sound. Ivan, who had been mid-step, was violently thrown backward, tumbling across the floor as debris rained around him.


    But Kaiser took the worst of it.


    The force hit him point-blank. He was launched like a cannonball, slamming into the farthest wall with bone-crushing force. The impact sent cracks spiderwebbing across the stone, dust and debris collapsing from the ceiling. For a moment, the only sound left was the ringing in his ears.


    Kaiser¡¯s vision flickered as he peeled himself from the ruined wall, his whole body aching, bones already knitting themselves back together. He spat out a chunk of stone. "¡­What was that?"


    Across the room, Ivan groaned, still flat on his back. "Kaiser¡­ what the hell was that girl?!"


    Kaiser cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders. He could still feel the vibration from the note inside his ribs. His gaze snapped back to the center of the destruction, to where the girl had stood, and she was still there, cradling the violin with delicate fingers, her expression no longer eerie but radiant. Pure, unfiltered happiness spread across her features as she let out a soft, breathless laugh.


    "Father was right," she whispered, as if the words themselves were sacred. "You really exist."


    Kaiser¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡®What?¡¯


    Ivan, still recovering from being blasted across the room, coughed and rubbed his face. "I don¡¯t like that. I don¡¯t like anything about that."


    Kaiser took a slow step forward, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "The hell are you talking about?"


    The girl didn''t answer. Instead, she tilted her head, farther than was naturally possible, all the way until something cracked.


    Her head snapped violently to the side, twisting farther and farther until it bent at an unnatural angle, then kept going until it had fully turned around¡ªyet her face, now staring from behind, still held the same eerie smile as Kaiser¡¯s grip tightened, his instincts screaming, just as she began to change.


    Her body twitched. Muscles shuddered. The violin disintegrated into golden motes of light as a white, viscous slime-like substance began crawling over her head. It spread across her face, coating her features like melting wax, obscuring everything beneath a shifting, gelatinous layer.


    Then she grew. Her thin frame expanded, limbs stretching, broadening. Feminine features disappeared entirely, the delicate form morphing into something much larger, much more imposing. The skin beneath the slime shifted, bones cracking as musculature adjusted, reshaped.


    The process was disgustingly smooth. There was no blood, no tearing and only change. By the time it was done, a completely different figure stood before them.


    The humanoid shape was tall, looming, unnervingly perfect. The white slime-matter now formed a smooth mask over its head, featureless aside from two deep, pitch-black holes where eyes should have been.


    It was unnatural. Fluid. Yet precise.


    Then, the creature bowed. A deep, graceful motion, like a performer before an audience. "I apologize for the deception," it said, voice now distinctly male, smooth, refined. "But faith must be tested, after all." The mask tilted upward, and though it had no eyes, Kaiser felt its gaze.


    "I am Maestro," the being continued. "The Shepherd of the Father. The right hand of the Unloved One. And with your arrival, Kaiser¡­" The two black voids where eyes should have been seemed to darken further.


    "I am now certain, certain that you are real."


    Kaiser only stared. Then, after a long pause of thought he raised an eyebrow "What does that mean?"


    Ivan threw up his hands. "Great question. Fantastic question. I also have another¡ªWHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU?!"


    Maestro chuckled. The sound was rich, elegant, unfitting for something so¡­ inhuman. "I am but a humble servant," he mused, placing a hand over where his heart should be. "A Shepherd, guiding the lost toward the path of the Father."


    Kaiser didn¡¯t relax. If anything, his stance hardened. "And who the hell is this ¡®Father¡¯?"


    The being gave a soft, almost fond sigh. "The one who waits. The one who sees."


    Ivan, who had gotten to his feet, took an aggressive step forward. "You¡¯re being really cryptic, mask-boy, and I don¡¯t like cryptic."


    Kaiser didn¡¯t move. His eyes stayed locked on the Maestro. "You said you had to ¡®test¡¯ your faith." His voice was low, almost dangerous. "What the hell does that even mean."


    Maestro tilted his head. "Faith must be proven," he said simply. "One does not recognize the sun by merely hearing its name. They must feel its warmth. They must witness its light."


    Kaiser was beyond done with this flowery bullshit. "Yeah? And does that have to do with me?"


    Maestro stepped forward, not walked, but stepped. The movement was so unnaturally smooth that it almost seemed like he had shifted positions instantly.


    "You are the flame," Maestro said, voice still calm, but filled with certainty. "The fire that will either consume or illuminate. I had to know whether the stories were true. Whether you were simply a myth. But now¡­"


    Another step.


    Kaiser felt the air shift as the room, despite the lingering heat from his sword, grew colder, and as Maestro raised a single hand, his gaze unwavering, he spoke with quiet certainty. "I see now that you are not a myth, Kaiser. You are real." Then he snapped his fingers, unleashing a shockwave that tore through the air.


    The stone beneath Kaiser¡¯s feet fractured instantly. The molten silver cage imploded into dust and Ivan was thrown backward again, cursing as he skidded across the ground.


    But Kaiser held his ground. His body screamed from the sheer force of the sound wave, but he forced himself to stay upright. His eyes burned with adrenaline.


    Though the Maestro¡¯s mask had no mouth, Kaiser could feel the grin beneath it as the being spoke with something unnervingly close to reverence. "Yes¡­ you¡¯ll do."


    Kaiser unsheathed his sword, flames erupting in a furious clash against the whole room, "You wanna test me, freak? I say bring it on."


    Maestro merely gave a slow, elegant bow before whispering, "Then let us dance, Flame of the End."

 Chapter 39: When the Music Stops

    Kaiser¡¯s grin widened, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his blazing sword. "Ivan," he said, never taking his eyes off the Maestro. "Go."


    Ivan, still sprawled on the ground from the last shockwave, looked up in disbelief. "What?"


    "The Drillex," Kaiser clarified. "Our mission is done."


    Ivan furrowed his brows, glancing back at the lone, untouched cage behind them. "Kaiser, there¡¯s still¡ª"


    "I¡¯ll see what¡¯s inside," Kaiser interrupted, rolling his shoulders, "After I smear the walls with this weirdo¡¯s insides."


    Maestro let out a soft chuckle, adjusting the golden violin resting against his shoulder. "Weirdo, is it?"


    Kaiser took a slow step forward, flames licking up his sword as the heat distorted the air. "I didn¡¯t catch your name."


    Maestro sighed. "I introduced myself already." He gave a small, almost theatrical wave of his hand. "I would appreciate it if you called me by it."


    Kaiser snorted. "I only remember people who are worthy of the honor." His smirk sharpened, eyes glinting with something dangerous. "But if you¡¯re the man I think you are¡­" His grip on his sword tightened. "Then I¡¯ll remember you, at least for a while."


    Maestro paused. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he bowed again. "It will be my highest honor to play for the Great Eternal Flame, tonight."


    As soon as he straightened, Kaiser shifted, signaling the start of another battle.


    Maestro¡¯s bow moved before Kaiser could even blink, unleashing dozens of golden arrows that burst from the empty air in front of him, their brilliance blinding. Kaiser reacted instinctively, twisting his body to evade the first arrow, then the second. He spun sharply, dropping into a backward roll, and flickering his sword to deflect another.


    The sheer precision of Maestro¡¯s attack was staggering. The arrows didn¡¯t just fire in a single volley, they curved, they adjusted, they aimed for the future positions of Kaiser¡¯s movements. Kaiser''s mind raced as he realized this wasn''t just magic, but pure music. Each note dictated motion, each stroke of the bow summoned death, and Maestro, this masked bastard, was playing him like a fiddle.


    Ivan was already sprinting toward the hall as he barely managed to dive out before another wave of golden arrows rained down.


    Kaiser grinned, relieved to see Ivan reach safety, until a sudden, searing agony ripped through him. An arrow struck his chest with the force of a ballista, hurling him through the hall and slamming him into the wall, stone cracking on impact. His vision blurred, his ears rang and his body screamed, until he saw his left arm. Not just severed, but obliterated. Blown away at the shoulder.


    What remained of his arm was pinned against the far wall by another glowing, burning arrow, and for a moment, Kaiser simply stared, then let out a long, guttural laugh, wheezing as he leaned slightly forward, grinning through the pain with ragged breath while the arrow still pinned him to the wall. "Holy shit, you actually got me!"


    Maestro took a graceful step forward, the bow still poised against his violin. "I would be ashamed if I hadn''t."


    Kaiser coughed, blood dripping from his lips. He tilted his head back against the wall, eyes gleaming with exhilaration. "Alright," he muttered, cracking his neck.


    "KAISER!" Milo whirled around, eyes frantically locking onto the man still pinned to the wall¡ªa man who, by all logic, should have been writhing in agony, should have been panicking, yet wasn¡¯t listening or even looking at him. Milo¡¯s heart slammed against his ribs. "Kaiser, we need to leave!" But Kaiser couldn¡¯t focus on Milo, because at that very moment, another barrage of golden arrows shot toward him.


    A sea of radiant light rushed down the corridor like a perfect storm of death, yet Kaiser didn¡¯t flinch. The wound where his arm had been was already closing, the muscles in his shoulder twitching as his fingers dug into the arrow pinning him to the wall.


    A grin split across his face as he crushed it, shattering the golden arrow like glass and scattering burning fragments across the room. The moment he fell forward, slamming into the ground, he rolled to the side, narrowly dodging the second volley.


    A shockwave of golden explosions erupted behind him, ripping through stone, fire, and air. The moment he landed, he snapped his gaze toward Milo. "You¡¯re yelling a lot," Kaiser muttered, flexing his regrown arm. "What¡¯s got you so¡ª"


    Milo grabbed him by the collar, dragging him up. "THE KINGS-FUCKING-GUARD, YOU PSYCHOPATH!"


    Kaiser¡¯s grin didn¡¯t fade. "...And?"


    Milo¡¯s eye twitched. "Are you actually insane?"


    Kaiser shrugged. "I wouldn¡¯t describe myself with that word."


    "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT MEANS THAT A KINGSGUARD IS ON THEIR WAY?!" Milo gestured wildly toward the corridor, toward the carnage, toward the hundreds of bodies littering the floors. "WE JUST WIPED OVER A HUNDRED PEOPLE KAISER! THIS¡ªTHIS WAS A SECRET OPERATION!"


    Kaiser dusted himself off, rolling his shoulders. "I think that ship sailed when you started butchering them in the halls, Milo."


    "OH, FUCK OFF."


    Milo¡¯s hands trembled, an unsettling sight, given that Milo never trembled. His voice was tight, barely controlled. "If a Kingsguard is coming, that means we have minutes, no, maybe seconds before we¡¯re face-to-face with someone who makes the entire Right Fist look like common peasants."


    Kaiser tilted his head as if considering, then, with unsettling calm, said, "...I wanna see them¡­" sending Milo into a rage as he snapped, "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR GODDAMNED MIND?!"


    Before Kaiser could respond, another sharp note cut through the air, making Milo¡¯s gut twist.


    "Ah," the masked figure said, voice amused. "Looks like the night is getting even more interesting." He traced his bow along the violin¡¯s edge, producing a slow, haunting melody. "But before you concern yourselves with the Kingsguard¡­"


    The ground trembled beneath their feet and the air turned thick and suffocating. "...You still have a dance partner."


    Milo ignored Maestro, and went past Kaiser, towards the drillex. ¡°You can die by yourself, you lunatic, but don¡¯t forget I tried to warn you.¡± Without a single word, without hesitation, without so much as looking back, Milo became the wind.


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    His body dissolved into a rushing gust, an unseen force streaking through the hall with a howling roar. Dust and blood sprayed from the ground as his form shot forward, past Kaiser, past the corpses littering the floor, past the bodies still twitching from his blade. He didn''t spare a second to glance at the battle behind him, didn''t even turn to see if Kaiser followed. He only knew one thing.


    If they didn¡¯t leave right now, they were all going to die.


    But Kaiser had no such sense of urgency.


    Still grinning, he rolled his shoulders, feeling the satisfying pop of his freshly regenerated arm settling into place. His chest, where the golden arrow had blown him apart moments ago, was still tender, but the pain was already fading. His body had long since become accustomed to being torn apart, stabbed, broken, and burned. Pain was just another part of the dance and right now, he was enjoying the music.


    The Maestro stood before him, bow still poised in mid-air, the violin at his shoulder vibrating with unseen energy. His masked face was unreadable, but something about his posture told Kaiser that this man wasn¡¯t in a rush to end the fight.


    ¡®Good.¡¯


    That made two of them.


    Then, something happened. At first, it was barely noticeable, a faint vibration that tingled against the skin. But in an instant, it erupted. The ground beneath Kaiser¡¯s feet cracked as a wave of golden energy burst from the Maestro¡¯s violin, streaking through the air in the form of blazing, ethereal arrows. They came at him from every angle, twisting and curving mid-flight like they had minds of their own. Each one sang, their deadly song filling the air with a chorus of vibrating strings.


    Kaiser moved the second he saw them. He twisted his body at the last second, dodging one arrow by a hair¡¯s breadth, then another, his instincts carrying him through the deadly barrage with inhuman speed. He weaved between the attacks like a ghost, his movements fluid, effortless and beautiful.


    But there were far too many of them. A golden arrow slammed into his chest like a war hammer, sending him hurtling through the air and into the hallway once again. The impact shattered the stone behind him, tore his left arm clean off. His body crumpled to the ground, smoke rising from the seared flesh where the arrow had struck.


    For a moment, the only sound was the crackling embers of the arrow still embedded in his chest, but soon after came a deep, rich, unhinged laughter. Kaiser pushed himself up, his body shaking from the force of his own amusement rather than pain. His head tilted back, and he laughed so hard that his shoulders trembled, blood dripping from his lips as he wiped his mouth with his remaining hand.


    "Oh-ho-ho¡­" His voice came out between chuckles, rough but filled with exhilaration. "I like this one¡­" With a flex of his muscles, his severed limb grew back in an instant, the skin knitting itself together with unnatural ease. He reached up, ripped the still-burning arrow from his chest, and tossed it aside.


    "That¡¯s twice you¡¯ve managed to land a hit on me," he said, rolling his shoulders as if testing his newly restored arm. "Not bad. Not bad at all."


    The Maestro remained still, watching. His mask betrayed no reaction, but there was a subtle shift in the air, an awareness that this thing standing before him was not normal, but he already knew that, ohhhh he knew that better than anyone.


    The moment Kaiser took a step forward, the heat in the room surged. The air itself seemed to boil around him, distorting the space between them like a mirage in the middle of a sun-scorched wasteland. The sword in his grip pulsed as it was alive, hungry, exuding a crimson glow that flickered and danced like living fire.


    And yet, despite the suffocating intensity, Maestro did not move. He remained poised, violin at his shoulder, bow at the ready. But something was different.


    The masked man¡¯s aura, once immense, had dimmed. There was no longer the crushing weight of his presence, no longer the feeling that the air itself was being twisted into sound around him. At the start of the battle, Maestro had been like a storm, a grand conductor leading an orchestra of destruction. Now? Now he was just a man with an instrument.


    Kaiser smirked. ¡°So,¡± he mused, letting his blade rest on his shoulder, the metal scorching the fabric of his coat. ¡°Looks like you aren¡¯t what you just used to be, Maestro.¡±


    Maestro did not respond at the obvious deduction, making Kaiser¡¯s smirk widened. He¡¯d fought enough bastards in his life to recognize when someone lost their edge. The violinist had started this fight brimming with power, launching those golden arrows like they were an extension of his own will. They had burned, they had sliced, they had blasted him apart, but now? They lacked their former fury.


    And Kaiser couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡­ Why?


    At the start of the battle, the entire Right Fist had been here. The enemy gang members had crowded the halls, filling the halls completely. Even Milo had been watching. All of them had heard him play.


    But now, there was no one left.


    Milo had fled the moment the Kingsguard was mentioned, and the Right Fist members all retreated the second he was out of sight. The only ones remaining were him and Maestro. And yet¡­ something felt different.


    Was it the silence? The way the sound of the halls had just¡­ vanished, leaving only the sound of his their own dance? Or was it the people? The way they¡¯d all disappeared, maybe it was the sound they were producing? Did Maestro need them, their attention or their sounds to keep his power alive?


    Kaiser didn¡¯t know. But he could see it in the way Maestro gripped his bow, the slight stiffness in his stance, that he was getting nervous. And now, Kaiser was going to tear him apart.


    "Well, come on then," he taunted, tapping the blade against the ground. The floor hissed and blackened where it touched. "Play me another song."


    Maestro did exactly that. His bow slashed across the strings in a vicious arc, and a single, sharp note rang through the air. A golden crescent of energy tore toward Kaiser, rippling like a wave of molten light.


    But Kaiser was already gone. He had already lunged forward, the floor cracking beneath his feet as he shot toward Maestro like a human meteor. The golden crescent barely grazed him, singing past his cheek, but Kaiser barely reacted.


    His sword swung, and the flames trailing the blade exploded outward in a wild arc, a violent inferno roaring to life. The walls screamed as they melted, silver and stone alike turning into bubbling, molten slag in an instant. Maestro leapt back, bow racing across the strings in a desperate counterattack. Another volley of arrows erupted from the violin, dozens of golden streaks burning through the air.


    Kaiser laughed, neither dodging nor retreating, but swinging with a ferocity that made the blade howl as its power erupted in an unrelenting, fiery storm, the arrows disintegrating in mid-air before they even neared him, consumed by the searing heat radiating from his weapon.


    Maestro¡¯s masked face snapped up, his body flinching ever so slightly.


    It was obvious he hadn''t expected that, and Kaiser saw it. He saw the hesitation, the flicker of doubt, the realization that whatever power he once held wasn¡¯t enough anymore.


    "Too slow, Maestro."


    And then he was on him. The violinist barely managed to twist away as Kaiser¡¯s sword came down, the ground beneath them shattering from the sheer force of the strike, embers swallowing the space where Maestro had stood only seconds ago.


    But Kaiser didn¡¯t stop. He was a storm. A relentless, flaming tempest. Every motion was a deadly dance: step, swing, strike, step, swing, strike. He didn¡¯t give Maestro a single moment to recover. And with each clash, with each desperate note Maestro played, his attacks became weaker.


    Kaiser could feel it, the intensity building within him as his flames scorched hotter, his strikes growing heavier with every swing. Maestro, once unyielding, was starting to buckle under the relentless pressure. Then, it something changed. Maestro played another note, another golden arrow forming in the air, but for the briefest moment, the glow dimmed and the magic wavered. That split second of weakness was all Kaiser needed. With a savage roar, he lunged, the air itself screaming as he closed the distance.


    Maestro¡¯s bow barely had time to move before Kaiser¡¯s burning fist slammed into his chest. The force of the impact sent the violinist flying backward, crashing through the melted remains of the wall, but Kaiser was far from satisfied. He stepped forward, swinging his sword again, this time aiming to end it.


    Maestro barely had time to react. In the blink of an eye, he turned into a flicker of movement as his violin sang its final note. His body twisted, phasing through the air where Kaiser¡¯s flames had just surged, vanishing like a mirage before he landed, sliding across the shattered stone with ragged breaths. Kaiser tilted his head, observing the shift in Maestro¡¯s demeanor. For the first time since their battle began, Maestro stood differently. He was tense, the grip on his violin tight, his head slightly bowed and the dark holes in his mask fixed on Kaiser¡¯s sword.


    And that¡¯s when it clicked.


    Maestro was scared.

 Chapter 40: The Assassin鈥檚 Waltz

    The torches flickered. Not from wind, nor from movement, but from something far more unnatural.


    One by one, the flames dimmed, their light being sucked away, not extinguished, but devoured. The fire still burned, but the illumination it provided was siphoned down the corridor, like it was being pulled toward some central point. The hallway that was once bathed in an eerie orange glow became suffocated in a perfect blackness, a darkness that seemed to breathe.


    Kaiser exhaled slowly, his grip tightening around his sword as he watched the unnatural darkness spread. The flames from the torches were still there, but their light had been stolen, drained toward a single, expanding point of pure abyss at the end of the hallway. It was almost beautiful, in a way.


    "Well, that¡¯s new." From the corner of his eye, he saw Maestro rise from the rubble, dusting off his coat with methodical, practiced grace. The golden violin and bow in his hands still glowed faintly, their light refusing to be swallowed by the abyss.


    "Oh dear," Maestro murmured, tilting his head as he observed the approaching darkness. "I was rather hoping to finish our waltz before this."


    Kaiser didn¡¯t take his eyes off the void. "You recognize ¡®this¡¯?"


    Maestro chuckled softly, tucking his violin under his chin. "Of course. There are only two people in this world that can steal light itself." He let the silence stretch for a moment, savoring the tension, before finally speaking the name with a smile. "And this one is called Maw."


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like someone important."


    "Oh, he is," Maestro assured him. "He''s the king¡¯s shadow. The perfect assassin. The man who turns legends into silence." He adjusted the cuffs of his sleeve. "And if you and I have any interest in seeing the sunrise, our duel must unfortunately be postponed."


    Kaiser snorted. "You say that like I¡¯d let some lurking bastard end the fun early."


    Maestro¡¯s bow ran a slow, thoughtful stroke over the strings. "You will always be an arrogant flame. Exactly as the father predicted."


    That made Kaiser¡¯s smile falter. His gaze snapped to Maestro, something sharp and burning in his crimson eyes. "The father?"


    Then, in the space of a heartbeat, Kaiser¡¯s throat was cut. He staggered back, a crimson line blooming across his skin, hot blood spilling down his collar. He barely registered the pain, his instincts screamed before his brain caught up. His free hand shot up to his neck, the wound already sealing itself shut, burning as his body repaired the damage almost as fast as it was inflicted.


    And yet, he hadn¡¯t seen it, he hadn¡¯t heard it. There had been no movement. No breath. No sound. Just an absence of flesh on his throat. His fingers clenched into a fist. "Oh. That¡¯s good."


    "Yes," Maestro murmured, his voice calm. "That¡¯s a rather big problem."


    The darkness shifted again, as something moved within it. Not footsteps. Not rustling fabric. Just¡­ movement.


    Kaiser¡¯s grin returned, wide and wicked. "Finally, another name to remember."


    Maestro sighed. "I must admit, your enthusiasm is admirable, if not wildly misplaced."


    "Misplaced?" Kaiser flexed his fingers around the hilt of his sword. "I disagree. This is exactly where it should be."


    Maestro lifted his bow again, his expression unreadable. "Then allow me to play a melody for the battle to come."


    Kaiser lunged. His sword roared to life, flames bursting outward, cutting through the darkness like a beacon. But the void, the void didn¡¯t burn. His blade passed through nothing. Just empty air. No resistance. No target.


    And suddenly, Kaiser was on the defensive. His body reacted before his mind, twisting and dodging, but it was far too late. A line of pain carved across his ribs as dozens of clean cuts covered his body. Another flicker, and blood sprayed from his shoulder. His arm twitched, but he gritted his teeth, ignoring the sting as the wounds sealed just as quickly as they appeared.


    Kaiser exhaled, licking the blood from his lips. "Alright. That¡¯s annoying."


    "Indeed." Maestro tilted his head. "And he hasn¡¯t even started."


    As if in response, the void moved again. This time it was a shift in the air. A pressure against his skin, like the very space around him was folding inward. His instincts screamed, and this time, he fully listened. His sword was already moving before his brain caught up, and a blazing arc of flame slashed through the darkness, aimed directly at where his whole body predicted a strike should be coming from, and for a split second, he saw him.


    Maw.


    He was a child, one that couldn¡¯t have been older than eighteen. Puffy black hair, soft features that could almost be called delicate, dressed in robes that swallowed the light, making him look like a living shadow. He wielded two daggers, each held with a casual ease that sent a different kind of warning through Kaiser¡¯s body.


    Then, Kaiser¡¯s full-powered swing connected, but it didn¡¯t do a damn thing.


    The impact felt like hitting solid, immovable wall. No, it was worse. The moment his sword clashed with Maw¡¯s dagger, all force was negated. Not redirected, not absorbed, but simply erased. Kaiser¡¯s arms rattled from the backlash as his blade bounced away, flames sputtering for a brief instant before reigniting in full force. Kaiser landed a few steps back, eyes widening slightly, lips curling into a sharp grin. "Oh? That was unexpected."


    Maw, still hovering in the darkness, tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. Then, in a voice completely devoid of emotion, he muttered, "The target is stronger than predicted. Regenerative capabilities confirmed. Adjusting approach."


    A flick of his wrist, and his daggers instantly ignited into black flames. An abyssal hunger that devoured light itself, reducing everything it touched into nothingness. The torches in the room flickered violently, as if afraid for their existence.


    "Oh." Maestro¡¯s voice cut through the silence, calm and composed, but with an unmistakable hint of tension. "That is unfortunate."


    Kaiser didn¡¯t take his eyes off Maw, but his grin widened. "Unfortunate in what way?"


    Maestro let out a quiet, measured breath. "Those flames burn the soul. I would strongly advise against being touched by them."


    Kaiser¡¯s laughter was immediate. Full-bodied, reckless, delighted. "Burns the soul, huh? Now that¡¯s something new." He cracked his neck, shoulders rolling as he settled into his stance once more. "Never had my soul hurt before. Should be a fun experience."


    Maestro sighed, fingers adjusting on his violin bow. "You truly are as insane as the stories describe you."


    "And yet you''re standing next to me, facing the same enemy."


    "I do not regret a single choice that brought me to this moment," he replied, his voice steady and resolute. "For every step, every action has led me to fight alongside The Eternal Flame. That is a cause I stand proud of."


    Maw didn''t wait for the conversation to continue, instead he moved, and the darkness followed.


    Kaiser twisted his body, barely avoiding the incoming dagger aimed at his throat. The blade sliced through the air, close enough that he felt the whisper of its movement against his skin. He didn¡¯t hesitate, his sword swung in retaliation, a blazing arc of fire meant to cleave Maw in two.


    But the assassin was like smoke. With a flicker of movement, Maw twisted his daggers and redirected the strike, making Kaiser¡¯s sword bounce off as if he had struck an immovable force. The impact sent a jolt through Kaiser¡¯s arms, and before he could even process what had happened, another dagger came for his ribs.


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    ¡®Too fast.¡¯


    Kaiser barely managed to pivot away, his sword moving purely on instinct. Steel clashed against steel, embers flying in the suffocating darkness. His movements were sharp, precise, his battle instinct the only thing keeping him alive as he deflected each strike with razor-thin precision.


    And yet, even at his best, it wasn¡¯t enough. Maw¡¯s attacks were just fast, and they were surgical. The assassin didn¡¯t waste a single movement. Every feint, every flick of his wrist, every shift in his stance was calculated. His strikes weren¡¯t meant to overwhelm, they were meant to kill.


    A grin stretched across Kaiser¡¯s face as he narrowly ducked a sweeping slash, only to parry a follow-up strike with a flaming spin of his sword. ¡®This guy¡¯s good¡­No, this guy¡¯s almost perfect!¡¯


    But Kaiser wasn¡¯t the only one Maw was fighting. As Maw leaped back, adjusting for another attack, a violin sang, and in that same instant, a streak of golden light tore through the air as an arrow of pure energy streaking toward his heart.


    The assassin¡¯s head snapped toward the incoming strike, his body twisting instinctively, narrowly evading the golden arrow. But in that instant, his balance shifted¡ªthe perfect, untouchable rhythm of his movements disrupted, thrown off just enough for both Kaiser and Maestro to see.


    "Tch." The musician frowned, his bow gliding across the strings as another arrow of light shot forward. But this time, it was dimmer.


    Kaiser noticed immediately. The energy still crackled through the air, still felt like a deadly force, but something was missing. Something that he was going to take advantage of in their battle.


    There was no audience.


    Maestro¡¯s power wasn¡¯t his alone. It thrived on eyes watching, on hearts captivated. Right now, the only ones present were Kaiser and Maw, one too focused on fighting, the other too indifferent to care.


    Maestro let out a quiet sigh. "Unacceptable." Without another word, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small brass button. "I didn¡¯t think I would have to do this," he muttered to himself, before pressing the button between his fingers.


    The effect was immediate as in less than a second, a swirling void burst into existence, distorting reality like ink in water. The portal swirled violently, chaotic and untamed, until suddenly, it settled. And what lay beyond was¡­


    Rows upon rows of silent figures that sat in eerie stillness, their faces hidden behind identical bone-white masks. Hundreds of them. The portal had torn open onto a grand stage, making their battle a feel like a performance.


    Maw¡¯s body tensed. For the first time since the battle began, something flickered in his expression. Then, he heard the violin sang, and this time, the whole building shook.


    Golden light erupted from Maestro¡¯s bow, radiant and overwhelming. The very fabric of reality trembled as energy surged around him, coiling like a divine storm. The masked audience watched in silence, but their presence alone amplified his power tenfold.


    The hall now was by all means a battlefield, but to Maestro, it was nothing less than a grand stage, and tonight, the performance was to be a duet of death. The sound of his violin resonated through the chamber, the bow gliding across the strings with an elegance that was almost mocking given the brutality of the scene before him. Each note hummed with ethereal power, the melody weaving itself into reality as golden arrows of light shot forth with every stroke, their radiant trails illuminating the suffocating darkness that had swallowed the hall.


    Yet, for all their brilliance, the arrows barely fazed the one they sought to strike.


    Maw moved through the barrage like a shadow given life, his body contorting in ways that defied human limitations. His form would flicker, twist, and distort just as the attacks reached him, his feet barely making a sound against the cold stone floor. His movements were eerily fluid, not hurried nor desperate, but practiced and calculated, as if he had seen every attack before it had even been conjured.


    Kaiser, however, was not one to sit idly by while another performed.


    The moment he thought he spotted an opening he, lunged forward with terrifying speed, his flaming sword carving an arc through the darkness. The attack was aimed with lethal precision, a direct strike toward Maw¡¯s exposed ribs, but just as the blade was about to meet its mark, the assassin¡¯s daggers flicked outward.


    A resounding clang echoed through the chamber as steel met steel, the sheer force of Kaiser¡¯s swing causing sparks to burst into the air like dying embers. Maw did not stagger, nor did he recoil. Instead, with a flick of his wrist, he redirected the attack, causing Kaiser¡¯s blade to skid off course just enough for him to slide past, his dark robes barely fluttering.


    "Persistent, aren¡¯t you?" Maestro¡¯s voice cut through the chaos, still laced with that ever-present theatrical amusement, though there was a hint of strain now. His violin¡¯s melody had grown sharper, faster, and with it, more weapons began to form around him. Ethereal swords, spears, and lances flickered into existence, suspended in the air like a divine arsenal waiting for his command. "But he is slippery, no? Almost like he knows every note before I even play it."


    Kaiser¡¯s lips curled into a grin. "That just makes it more fun." Without hesitation, he charged again, his blade blazing with intensity, a blur of fire and steel. This time, his attacks came in rapid succession of slashes, thrusts and feints, each one designed to force Maw into a position where Maestro¡¯s incoming storm of golden blades could strike true.


    For the first time, Maw was forced to truly move. He ducked, twisted, and spun, his daggers parrying Kaiser¡¯s relentless onslaught while simultaneously avoiding the ethereal weapons closing in from all sides. Yet, no matter how fast he was, the pressure was mounting. He was evading, but he was no longer in complete control.


    "Hmm¡­" Maestro¡¯s eyes gleamed as he played. "Interesting, interesting¡­ perhaps you can bleed." With a final, powerful crescendo, the floating weapons surged forward all at once, converging on Maw from every possible angle. There was no gap, no space left unaccounted for. Kaiser took one last vicious swing, forcing the assassin to dodge straight into the trap.


    The moment he moved, the weapons of light shimmered, shifting like liquid fire. Blades elongated into chains, spears unraveled into glowing tendrils that lashed out and coiled around his limbs. The golden bindings snapped tight, locking him in place as radiant light pulsed through their lengths. The last remnants of the floating arsenal reformed, hovering inches from his skin, ready to impale him at the slightest movement.


    For the first time since the battle began, Maw was still.


    Kaiser exhaled, stepping forward, his sword lowering slightly. "Looks like the perfect assassin isn¡¯t so perfect after all."


    "You should leave," Maestro interjected, though there was no triumph in his voice, only an almost regretful certainty. "Now."


    Kaiser frowned. "What?"


    Maestro didn¡¯t stop playing, but his free hand adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. "This hold will last no more than a minute. Then he will break free. And then he will kill us both."


    Kaiser¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. "Then we kill him first."


    With that, he raised his blade high, flames roaring to life along the edge, and in one decisive motion, he swung downward, aiming directly for Maw¡¯s throat.


    The steel met flesh¡­ And bounced off.


    Kaiser barely had time to process what had just happened. His sword, the very same blade that had cut through metal as if it was paper, had simply rebounded from the assassin¡¯s skin as though striking solid steel. A sharp vibration ran up his arms from the impact, forcing him to take a half-step back. His gaze flickered down.


    There, just beneath Maw¡¯s jawline was a single, thin scratch. A mere sliver of red, no more than a paper cut.


    Kaiser¡¯s heart pounded. "What the hell¡­"


    Maestro let out a quiet chuckle, though there was no mirth behind it. "You understand now, don¡¯t you?" He flicked his bow across the strings, sending one final golden chain to tighten around Maw¡¯s already-bound frame. "He is on a level beyond us, and that means¡­"


    Kaiser¡¯s jaw clenched.


    "We can¡¯t kill him," Maestro finished simply. "Not yet."


    For the first time, Kaiser truly stopped to feel it, the suffocating presence radiating from the seemingly fragile young man bound before him. It wasn¡¯t just raw power; it was something else entirely. Something unnatural.


    Maestro sighed, stepping backward toward the still-open portal behind him. "A shame, really. This was quite the enjoyable duet, Eternal Flame." His masked audience remained motionless, watching in silence as he made his exit. "I truly cannot wait for your future accomplishments."


    And with that, he was gone, disappearing into the swirling void of the portal.


    "Forty seconds remain," Maw murmured, his voice low and steady. The golden chains binding his wrists and ankles trembled, fractures slithering across their radiant surface like veins of impending doom. The glow flickered, dimming as the cracks spread wider, splintering with a sound like shattering glass. Kaiser took a step back, then another, then another, until after the third one, he turned and ran.


    Kaiser¡¯s boots pounded against the stone floor as he sprinted through the pitch-black hallway, the oppressive darkness swallowing everything around him. He could barely see his own hands, let alone the walls, and more than once, his shoulder slammed against them. His balance wavered, but he pushed forward, gritting his teeth.


    Behind him, he could still feel Maw¡¯s presence, appearing like a whisper at the edge of his senses. Even though he was trapped for the moment, the weight of being hunted still clung to Kaiser¡¯s skin. It was the kind of feeling that made a man want to look over his shoulder, but Kaiser knew better than to waste even a second doing that.


    Then, finally, he saw it. A faint, flickering glow bled from the edge of a doorway at the corridor¡¯s end. The same room Milo had wrecked earlier, and there was no hesitation in his mind anymore. He bolted with all his speed towards it.


    Kaiser threw himself around the corner, barreling into the ruined bathroom. The place was even worse than he remembered, filled with cracked tiles, shattered walls and the lingering stench of death and sewage. He leapt over the splintered remains of the stalls, his foot landing heavily on the corpse of the unfortunate guard Milo had put down at the beginning of the raid. The body gave slightly under his weight, but he didn¡¯t stop to think about it. His eyes were already on the gaping hole behind the toilets.


    He rushed forward, stepping through the jagged opening and into the damp underground tunnel. The air was thick, humid, clinging to his skin like a layer of filth. But what caught his attention wasn¡¯t the smell or the darkness, it was the silence.


    No Milo.


    No Ivan.


    No slaves.


    They were all gone.


    Kaiser exhaled sharply, scanning the area, but there was nothing to see. His eyes flicked toward the two tunnels at the other side of the sewers, and without a second thought, he dashed toward the leftmost hole, his mind already locked onto the entrance to the Drillex. His ride out of this mess.

 Chapter 41: Liberators and Liabilities

    Kaiser¡¯s eyes snapped open.


    His body tensed immediately, instincts screaming at him before his mind fully caught up. He inhaled sharply, sitting up in the bed, only to pause as his fingers grazed against fabric. Soft fabric. A blanket. A warm, comfortable one.


    This didn¡¯t feel right.


    His gaze flicked downward, and his brow furrowed. He was shirtless. But that wasn¡¯t what made him pause. He was¡­ clean. Completely. The blood, the filth, the sweat from the slaughter, it was all gone. His skin was smooth, his hands free of grime, even his hair, which had been stiff with dried blood, now felt soft and untangled. The scent of iron, of war, had been scrubbed from him entirely, leaving behind only a faint sterile aroma.


    Kaiser¡¯s eyes scanned the room, and what he saw surprised him to no end. Everything was pristine, unnervingly so. The walls and floor were made of pure, immaculate white tiles, polished to a reflective shine. Shelves lined the walls, stocked with medical supplies, though none were attached to him. No bandages, no tubes, no restraints, only the soft, warm blanket covering him. It was the most comfortable thing he had ever been wrapped in, a near-perfect balance of warmth and lightness.


    Then, something hit him, the realization he should¡¯ve had the second he woke up. Four knights stood in his room. They were clad in heavy, plated silver armor, polished to a mirror sheen. Their helmets obscured their faces, but their postures were dignified. One of them, standing closest to the door, gave a small nod to another, who immediately turned and left without a word. The remaining three stepped forward, their heavy boots clicking against the spotless tiles.


    Kaiser exhaled slowly, flexing his fingers. His body felt intact, which meant he wasn¡¯t captured as a prisoner. If they wanted to restrain him, they would¡¯ve done it while he was unconscious, and at the moment, he had no chains nor any bindings on him.


    Still, that didn¡¯t mean he was free.


    One of the knights, his voice smooth yet firm, spoke first. ¡°You¡¯re awake. That is good. You arrived unconscious, exiting the Drillex nearly three hours ago.¡±


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡®That explained the sterile setting. A medical facility, then?¡¯ But something didn¡¯t sit right. He pressed his fingers against his forehead, feeling a dull, sharp pain throb behind his skull.


    Pain.


    Real pain.


    For the first time in years, he could feel it clearly, raw and unfiltered. His nerves, dulled from years of injury and battle, had always made pain an afterthought. But this? This was something else entirely. The pounding in his skull was foreign, jarring, almost unbearable in contrast to the numbness he was used to, and he was not pleased. He exhaled through his nose before addressing the knight. ¡°Where am I?¡±


    ¡°The city of Orlogolog,¡± the knight answered, his tone composed.


    Kaiser¡¯s expression darkened slightly as he realized that he was once again, unarmed. ¡°My sword.¡± He said firmly.


    The knight was silent for a brief moment before responding. ¡°It has been retrieved.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s fingers twitched. ¡°I can see that, and I¡¯ll take it back now.¡±


    The knight didn¡¯t move. ¡°It is an artifact of extreme significance, one that belongs under the care of the Liberatorium.¡±


    Kaiser let out a quiet, humorless chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°Right. Safekeeping.¡± He leaned back against the headboard, rubbing his temple. ¡°And I suppose that means I don¡¯t get it back.¡±


    The knight gave a small, subtle tilt of his head. ¡°Not at this time.¡±


    Kaiser let out a slow breath. His eyes, sharp and unreadable, studied the knights for a moment longer before he smirked slightly. ¡°Well, isn¡¯t that just convenient?¡±


    The knight didn¡¯t react to his sarcasm.


    Kaiser¡¯s smirk faded. He didn¡¯t like this. He wasn¡¯t particularly attached to the sword, as it was more like a tool than a possession, but he hated the idea of someone else deciding what was his and what wasn¡¯t. Especially when it came from a group as secretive as the Liberatorium.


    Before he could ask anything else, the door to the room suddenly opened, making Kaiser turn his head. Whoever was entering next would either bring answers¡­ or more trouble. And judging by the way the knights subtly adjusted their stance, it was about more likely to be the ladder.


    The knight they had sent away returned, stepping aside to allow another figure through. This one, however, was way different, and Kaiser¡¯s eyes immediately locked onto him.


    The newcomer was clad in the same silver armor as the rest, but his presence eclipsed them entirely. A long red cape draped over his back, swaying slightly as he stepped forward. His helmet was unlike the others, more ornate, its design sharper, more refined, and on top of it sat a large flaming-red feather, swaying slightly as if moved by an unseen breeze. His posture was completely at ease, yet there was no mistaking it, this knight was powerful.


    More powerful than anyone else in the room.  Even as he stood relaxed, Kaiser could tell, with the same certainty as the beating of his own heart, that this man could take on everyone in the room and still come out on top.


    And then there was his sword. Though still sheathed, Kaiser could feel the power radiating from it. It wasn¡¯t the same as his last sword, but it was eerily similar, more like a different kind of strength, but one of equal magnitude. A weapon meant to slay something far beyond the realm of mortals.


    It had become obvious to Kaiser that this man was someone important.


    Without hesitation, the man raised a gloved hand and motioned for the other knights to leave. None of them protested, nor did they hesitate. With smooth, disciplined movements, they turned and filed out of the room, closing the door behind them with a soft click.


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    Kaiser watched as the man approached, his movements precise, purposeful, yet carrying no hostility. When he finally stopped at the foot of the bed, he removed his helmet with a smooth motion, revealing a face that was both sharp and composed.


    ¡°I am Regulus,¡± he said, his voice deep but calm, carrying the kind of authority that came naturally rather than one that had to be forced. ¡°One of the commanding Liberators of the North.¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t react, though the title wasn¡¯t lost on him. Regulus exhaled, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if bracing himself for his next words. ¡°I am also¡­¡± He hesitated, just for a fraction of a second. ¡°A close friend of the Lady of the Morning, from the Southern Liberatorium.¡±


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow. He wasn¡¯t sure what to make of that yet, but the way Regulus spoke of it caught his attention.


    Regulus didn¡¯t let the silence linger long. ¡°I came here to assist and thank you,¡± he continued. ¡°For what you did in the mission.¡±


    Kaiser scoffed lightly, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Mission?¡±


    Regulus gave him a knowing look. ¡°The raid on the Right Fist.¡±


    Kaiser clicked his tongue, shaking his head slightly. ¡°I didn¡¯t do that for any grand cause.¡± He swung his legs off the side of the bed, rolling his shoulders as he tested his muscles. ¡°I had my own reasons.¡±


    Regulus smiled, just slightly. ¡°Of course.¡±


    Kaiser stood up, stretching his limbs. His body felt strong, unharmed, and somehow even rested. But something nagged at him, something more important than whatever conversation Regulus wanted to have. His eyes gleamed as he turned back to the knight.


    ¡°Where is she?¡±


    Regulus quirked an eyebrow. ¡°She?¡±


    ¡°My companion.¡± Kaiser¡¯s expression darkened, his tone losing any trace of amusement. ¡°Aria. The reason I helped Milo in the first place.¡±


    Regulus tilted his head, as if weighing something, before letting out a quiet chuckle. ¡°You know,¡± he mused, crossing his arms, ¡°Most people who meet me act stiff. They measure their words, keep their posture straight, speak like they¡¯re walking on a blade¡¯s edge.¡± His smirk grew just slightly. ¡°You, on the other hand, don¡¯t give a damn who I am.¡±


    Kaiser shrugged. ¡°Should I?¡±


    Regulus laughed, a deep, genuine sound, before stepping aside. ¡°She¡¯s here. You¡¯re free to leave whenever you want.¡±


    Kaiser wasted no time. He turned toward the doors, already ready to walk past him, when he heard Regulus speak again. ¡°Oh, one last thing.¡±


    Kaiser stopped, glancing over his shoulder. Regulus gave him an almost amused look. ¡°You might want to put some clothes on first.¡±


    Kaiser blinked. He looked down, suddenly realizing that, yes, he was still shirtless, standing in the middle of what was most likely a hospital. He kept his expression unreadable, burying any embarrassment before it had the chance to surface. Instead, he simply asked, ¡°Where are my old clothes?¡±


    Regulus reached down, slipping a hand under Kaiser¡¯s bed before pulling out a neatly folded set of clothing. A fully black long-sleeved shirt and blue pants. Something simple and functional.


    ¡°Your suit,¡± Regulus explained, ¡°while beautiful, was¡­ well.¡± He gave a slight smirk. ¡°Let¡¯s just say it was so drenched in blood that it became a health hazard.¡± Kaiser sighed, taking the clothes from his hands.


    ¡°¡­Figures.¡±


    Regulus chuckled again, stepping back as Kaiser got dressed. ¡°Once you¡¯re done, go find your companion. But when you¡¯ve settled, come see me later.¡± Kaiser didn¡¯t respond, but something told him that whatever Regulus wanted to talk about wasn¡¯t going to be something minor.


    For now, though, only one thing mattered, and that was finding Aria.


    Kaiser stepped out of the white chamber, rolling his shoulders as he adjusted the black long-sleeved shirt and blue pants Regulus had given him. His body still ached, but at least he was clean. The knights he passed in the hallway were as stiff as ever, their silent gazes following him as he moved. He could tell they didn¡¯t like him much, not that he cared.


    As he walked through the hospital¡¯s bright, spotless halls, sunlight streamed in from tall windows. Outside, the city of Orlogolog stretched before him, the heart of it centered around a round plaza with a large fountain. Water shaped like fish and other creatures leapt gracefully from the fountain¡¯s depths, glittering in the light. People gathered around it, some sitting on the edge, chatting or resting, while others strolled hand-in-hand, enjoying the day. A few children ran around laughing, their voices mixing with the sound of flowing water. It was a peaceful place, warm and alive, the kind of scene Kaiser rarely had the time to appreciate.


    Behind him, a familiar voice cut through the quiet. ¡°This city never changes, for that reason out of many, it remains one of my favorites.¡±


    Kaiser turned to see Milo approaching, his uniform neatly in place, looking completely unharmed. The old commander smirked as he extended a hand, and Kaiser took it with a firm shake. ¡°You look like you didn¡¯t even fight,¡± Kaiser said, narrowing his eyes. ¡°Meanwhile, I feel like I got hit by a damn warhammer.¡±


    Milo¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re a complete idiot.¡±


    Kaiser blinked. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    Milo sighed, shaking his head. ¡°The Drillex, Kaiser. It¡¯s supposed to be used with precision. People who travel through it are kept perfectly still in special chambers to avoid injury. But you? You just jumped straight in like a lunatic.¡±


    Kaiser scoffed. ¡°Maybe you should¡¯ve mentioned that before.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s common knowledge for those who know of the Drillex...¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not a common man.¡±


    They stared at each other for a moment before Milo let out a chuckle. Kaiser rolled his eyes but found himself smirking too. It was a stupid argument, but at least it meant they were both alive to have it.


    Milo¡¯s smirk faded slightly, replaced with something more thoughtful. He turned, motioning for Kaiser to follow. ¡°Come on. Walk with me.¡±


    Kaiser and Milo strode through the pristine white halls of the hospital, but there was a faint scent of antiseptic in the air, Kaiser finally broke the silence between them. ¡°What happened to the others?¡± he asked, glancing sideways at Milo. ¡°The twenty city guards, Erya, Iris¡­ Did they all make it out?¡±


    Milo scoffed, shaking his head. ¡°Did they make it out? Hah! Kid, their missions were a damn breeze. The Kingsguard got wind of what was happening¡ªturns out the sheer level of magic from you, me, that sword of yours, and that bastard with the violin tripped every sensor within a hundred miles. The whole damn world knew something was off in Arkhold.¡±


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, you didn¡¯t even check on them?¡±


    Milo shrugged. ¡°Didn¡¯t have to. The moment the Kingsguard got involved, the whole operation turned too big for the Right Fist. They offered barely any resistance where Iris and Erya went. Hell, those cocky bastards even turned it into a competition.¡±


    Kaiser smirked. ¡°A competition?¡±


    Milo nodded, rubbing his chin. ¡°They wanted to see who could finish first. And, to my surprise, Iris won.¡±


    Kaiser blinked, then let out a short laugh. ¡°Iris? Really?¡±


    ¡°Really,¡± Milo confirmed, chuckling.


    ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t know much about her,¡± Kaiser admitted, crossing his arms, ¡°but if I had to bet, my money would¡¯ve been on Erya. From everything I¡¯ve heard, that woman could do anything blindfolded.¡±


    Milo snorted. ¡°And you¡¯d be right! She¡¯s damn near unstoppable. I still don¡¯t have a clue how Iris managed to win. Either she pulled off something ridiculous, or Erya got distracted by something shiny.¡±


    Kaiser let out another laugh, shaking his head. ¡°I almost feel bad for not being there to see it.¡±


    They continued through the halls, the once-sterile quiet now filled with their conversation, and eventually, they approached a set of large double doors, guarded by two knights in the same heavy silver armor as the ones Kaiser had seen earlier. Their helms covered their faces entirely, and they stood rigidly, their hands resting on their swords as Kaiser and Milo approached.


    Milo gave them a simple nod, and without hesitation, they stepped aside, pushing the doors open. ¡°Sir,¡± one of them said, saluting Milo with the kind of respect that only came from years of recognition.


    They didn¡¯t even glance at Kaiser tho.


    Kaiser exhaled through his nose, shaking his head as he stepped forward. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Good to see you too.¡± And Milo stifled a chuckle as they entered the room.

 Chapter 42: Bound by Fate

    As Kaiser and Milo stepped into the hospital room, Kaiser immediately recognized its sterile white walls, smooth tiled floors, and bright lighting, as it was nearly identical to the room he had woken up in. But there was one key difference: this one was far more spacious, with four beds neatly arranged along the walls, each occupied by a patient.


    His sharp eyes scanned over them one by one. The first was a woman with long dark hair, her face calm in unconsciousness. She looked mostly fine, showing no visible wounds or distress, but she hadn¡¯t woken up yet.


    The second was a familiar face, Ivan, the boy who had fought alongside him and Milo during the mission. Unlike the woman, he was clearly injured. Bandages wrapped tightly around his arms and torso, and faint scars from cuts and bruises peeked through. He wasn¡¯t unconscious, just deep in sleep, likely from exhaustion.


    For a brief moment, Kaiser thought about how battered Ivan was. He had been beyond useful, sure, but compared to the kind of damage Kaiser had taken¡­ well, it was no contest. His mind briefly drifted to when he himself had been pierced trough the chest, the moment he grabbed that cursed sword, the raw explosion of power that had erupted from the cage.


    He exhaled sharply, shaking the memory away. No point in lingering on it.


    Instead, he moved on to the third bed. Lying there was a young girl, maybe around sixteen. Her face was peaceful in unconsciousness, her chest rising and falling in slow, steady breaths. Her short blonde hair was slightly messy, strands falling over her forehead. But what caught Kaiser¡¯s attention most were her ears, which were animal-like, perched atop her head, covered in soft fur.


    For a split second, he blinked.


    His gaze flickered to Milo, expecting some sort of reaction, but the old man didn¡¯t even spare her a second glance. In fact, he looked completely unfazed.


    Kaiser thought back to Glunko, the giant talking frog-man with a beard. He had met him only once, but that had been more than enough to convince Kaiser that the world was a lot weirder than he had originally thought. If a frog could walk around in a robe and smoke a pipe like some kind of scholar, then a girl with animal ears probably wasn¡¯t that strange.


    Still, the sight was surprising enough that he made a mental note of it before finally moving on to the last bed.


    And then, his expression softened.


    There she was.


    Aria.


    Her pink hair rested gently over the pillow, her body still and peaceful. She looked untouched, as if she hadn¡¯t been through the horrors of an auction, as if she hadn¡¯t almost been sold like an object.


    Kaiser took a deep breath, feeling something warm and unfamiliar stir in his chest. Relief. He spotted a chair nearby, pulled it close, and sat beside her bed. He let himself relax, if only slightly.


    Milo, standing behind him, finally spoke. ¡°The slaves at the auction are unconscious because of a drug,¡± he explained casually, as if reading off a report. ¡°It¡¯s called the Breath of Lyla. Pretty common stuff.¡±


    Kaiser didn¡¯t look away from Aria, but he narrowed his eyes. ¡°A drug?¡±


    Milo nodded. ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s mainly used for long-distance travel. If you can¡¯t afford the Drillex or teleportation, you take this stuff and sleep through the journey instead. Makes the trip feel like it never even happened.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s grip on Aria¡¯s blanket tightened. ¡°So the Right Fist drugged them before the auction?¡±


    Milo sighed. ¡°Of course they did. They didn¡¯t want the merchandise hurting itself before it was sold.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s jaw clenched, his knuckles turning white. ¡°How long before she wakes up?¡± he asked, his voice low.


    Milo scratched his beard. ¡°Depends. Average person sleeps for about six hours. Could be as short as three, could last up to twelve. Just depends on the body.¡± But a faint, raspy whisper of a girl finished his statement.


    ¡°Better sooner than later¡­¡± A female voice was heard. Kaiser¡¯s head snapped toward Aria, his body instantly tensing.


    Milo, just as caught off guard, blinked in shock before leaning forward slightly, watching as the pink-haired girl¡¯s fingers twitched against the sheets. Her eyelids fluttered open, and they were dazed and unfocused, but awake.


    For a brief moment, Kaiser just stared at her, his brain catching up with the moment. Then, something warm and deeply unfamiliar spread through his chest. His lips curled up slightly, almost instinctively. With a rare softness, he muttered, ¡°You¡¯re awake, little spider.¡±


    Aria¡¯s half-lidded eyes slowly moved toward him, her hazy mind clearly struggling to adjust. But despite the exhaustion weighing her down, a small, relieved smile appeared on her face. Kaiser reached out, taking her hand in his own. ¡°It¡¯s all gonna be alright,¡± he assured her. His grip was firm and steady, like a promise.


    Aria¡¯s fingers weakly curled around his. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered. Her voice, though hoarse from sleep, carried something gratitude, relief, and a silent understanding of just how much he had done for her. She didn¡¯t need to say more. It was all there, in her eyes.


    Kaiser, for once, didn¡¯t have some sharp remark or teasing comment. He just held onto her hand, grounding her, letting her know she was safe. Then, a deep voice interrupted.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Both Kaiser and Aria turned to see Milo standing behind them, his expression uncharacteristically solemn. His head was bowed slightly, a rare gesture of regret. ¡°I should¡¯ve stopped her,¡± he said quietly. ¡°That white-haired girl¡ªI fought her, but she got away with you. I let that happen.¡±


    Aria¡¯s fingers unconsciously tightened around Kaiser¡¯s. She was silent for a moment, then shook her head weakly. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have known,¡± she murmured. ¡°I should¡¯ve been more cautious. I¡ª¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Milo cut her off, his tone firm but not unkind. ¡°That was my job. I was supposed to make sure something like that didn¡¯t happen. And I failed.¡±


    The room was quiet for a few moments. Kaiser glanced at Milo, then back at Aria. He had known the old man for only a short while, but even he could tell that guilt wasn¡¯t something Milo carried lightly.


    Aria, despite her obvious exhaustion, looked at Milo with a tired but understanding expression. ¡°I bet you tried your best,¡± she said. ¡°And¡­ I¡¯m still here. That¡¯s what matters, right?¡±


    Milo let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Doesn¡¯t change the fact that I let it happen in the first place.¡±


    Kaiser snorted. ¡°Then make up for it by being better next time.¡±


    Milo raised an eyebrow. ¡°That simple, huh?¡±


    Kaiser smirked. ¡°Yeah. That simple.¡±


    There was a short silence between the group, but it was interrupted by a soft cough filled the room. It was faint, but enough to make all three of them turn toward the source.


    The girl in the next bed stirred slightly, her breathing growing more audible. Then, another cough, this one stronger. Her body tensed before her eyes fluttered open, revealing a pair of tired, green irises.


    Kaiser, Aria, and Milo watched in silence as the girl¡¯s gaze moved sluggishly across the room, trying to make sense of where she was. Then, her eyes landed on her brother, still unconscious in the bed beside her. Her lips parted slightly, as if wanting to speak, but no words came out yet.


    Milo stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. ¡°Easy there, kid. You just woke up. Don¡¯t try to sit up too fast.¡±


    The girl slowly turned her head toward him, blinking in confusion.


    Milo pulled up a chair, lowering himself into it with a tired grunt. ¡°Alright, kid. You¡¯re in Orlogolog, you¡¯re safe, and your brother¡¯s right next to you. Take a second, breathe, and when you¡¯re ready, we can talk.¡±


    Mia¡¯s green eyes remained fixed on Ivan, a crease forming between her brows as she studied him. Her breathing was shallow, uncertain, and for a moment, it seemed like she hadn¡¯t even registered anyone else in the room. Her fingers flexed slightly, reaching toward her brother, but hesitated just before making contact. ¡°¡­He¡¯s okay, right?¡± she finally asked, her voice hoarse and fragile.


    Before anyone could answer, Kaiser felt a shift beside him as Aria pulled her hand from his grasp. He blinked, watching as she suddenly threw the blankets off herself and, despite still looking half-asleep, jumped out of bed.


    Well, jumped was a generous word. It was more of a wobbly stumble, and the second her feet hit the ground, she swayed like a newborn deer. Kaiser instinctively reached out to grab her, but she was already determined, arms out slightly to balance herself as she took a slow, uncertain step forward. Then another. She looked like a drunk penguin trying to cross a frozen lake.


    Kaiser sighed. ¡°Aria, sit down before you fall over and crack your skull.¡±


    Aria shot him a determined look before wobbling her way toward Mia¡¯s bedside, stopping just close enough to place a gentle hand on the girl¡¯s blanket. ¡°I¡¯m Aria,¡± she said, breathless but grinning. Mia finally peeled her gaze away from her brother and blinked up at the pink-haired girl, processing her words.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Then, with the same concern still weighing on her, she glanced at Milo. ¡°Is my brother alright?¡±


    The old commander let out a sharp bark of laughter, shaking his head. ¡°Kid, out of everyone in this room, he¡¯s probably the one who got off the easiest.¡±


    Mia¡¯s lips parted slightly, her shoulders sagging in relief. ¡°Really?¡±


    Milo smirked. ¡°You¡¯re lookin¡¯ at a room full of people who¡¯ve been tossed around like rag dolls in the past twenty-four hours. Your brother just took a couple of cuts and bruises.¡±


    Mia let out a breath, finally looking at Ivan with something less than sheer panic. Then, her eyes flickered back to Milo, properly taking him in. ¡°¡­Wait.¡± Her brows furrowed slightly as she studied his features. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re the city watch commander, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Milo cocked his head. ¡°That¡¯s me.¡±


    Mia¡¯s expression brightened. ¡°Oh! I have heard about you before! You¡¯re Old Man Milo!¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s head snapped toward Milo so fast it was a miracle he didn¡¯t get whiplash. ¡°Old Man Milo?¡±


    Aria muffled a giggle while Milo groaned, rubbing his temples. ¡°Oh, hell.¡±


    Mia blinked. ¡°You don¡¯t like the name?¡±


    Kaiser grinned, leaning forward with obvious interest. ¡°Oh no, I think it¡¯s fantastic.¡±


    Milo shot him a glare. ¡°Shut it.¡±


    Mia, oblivious to the brewing war between them, continued with a cheerful tone. ¡°People say you¡¯re one of the kindest commanders the city¡¯s ever had. That you spend a lot of your own money buying food for poor families.¡±


    Milo scratched his beard, grumbling. ¡°Not that much.¡±


    Mia shook her head, smiling warmly. ¡°You¡¯ve helped us a lot, actually. There were times when my brother and I barely had enough to get by, but we always had something to eat because of you.¡±


    Aria¡¯s expression softened. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful.¡±


    Mia was still smiling, but she soon after looked at Kaiser and Aria with curiosity. ¡°I know Old Man Milo, but I¡¯ve never heard of either of you before.¡±


    Aria¡¯s face twitched. Her left eye gave a small, irritated tic, her lips pursing as she crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°I already introduced myself,¡± she muttered, puffing out her cheeks like a pouting child.


    Mia blinked, tilting her head innocently. ¡°You did?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Aria huffed. ¡°Right when I waddled over here like an idiot.¡±


    Kaiser, who had been quietly observing, smirked. ¡°I mean¡­ you did kind of look like a newborn deer trying to walk for the first time. Maybe she just didn¡¯t take you seriously.¡± Aria shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel, but Kaiser only grinned wider.


    Mia, meanwhile, giggled. ¡°Well, now I do remember! Sorry, Aria, I didn¡¯t mean to ignore you.¡± Aria held her glare for a moment longer, then exhaled in dramatic exasperation, throwing her hands in the air. ¡°Fine. Whatever. I¡¯ll do it again.¡± She straightened her back and placed a hand on her chest, looking as dignified as possible despite still being in a hospital gown. ¡°I am Aria.¡±


    Mia, despite the tension, smiled warmly. ¡°Nice to meet you, Aria! Where are you from?¡±


    ¡°¡­Woodrift,¡± she said, her voice firm.


    Mia¡¯s smile faltered slightly. ¡°Oh...¡±


    Aria didn¡¯t stop. ¡°I came to Arkhold after Kaiser rescued me. We only came here to find something to eat.¡± The simplicity of the statement sent a hush over the room. Mia¡¯s brows knit together, sympathy creeping into her expression.


    Milo exhaled through his nose, arms crossing over his chest. His posture shifted slightly, a telltale sign that he was thinking hard about something. ¡°Wait¡­ Woodrift.¡± He spoke slowly, his voice laced with something unreadable. ¡°That¡¯s the village that got wiped out by the spider invasion, right?¡±


    The glow in Aria¡¯s eyes dimmed. Her fingers twitched at her sides, tightening slightly into fists. ¡°No,¡± she said, voice quieter but sharp. ¡°The knights of the Northern Liberatorium destroyed my village. The spiders were the ones protecting me.¡±


    The air in the room grew still as Mia stiffened, her eyes widening slightly, while Milo pressed his lips into a firm line, fingers curling over his forearm in thought. Kaiser, watching Aria¡¯s posture carefully, noticed the way her body tensed, as if she had said more than she meant to. Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡°You don¡¯t have to explain.¡± Aria stiffened, and then laughed.


    A laugh that didn¡¯t belong to her, but she forced it anyway. ¡°Ah¡­ yeah. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t be saying all that.¡±


    Kaiser glanced at Mia, who still looked unsettled, then straightened his posture slightly. ¡°Well, I suppose I should introduce myself properly. I¡¯m Kaiser Dios, and I¡¯m Aria¡¯s companion.¡±


    Mia blinked, nodding slowly as she processed that. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Kaiser! Are you from Woodrift too?¡± Kaiser opened his mouth to respond, but his eyes glowed green.


    ¡°No,¡± he said, without thinking. ¡°I am the Supreme Military Commander of the Kingdom of Nebrosa, and a proud resident of the city of Cordova.¡±


    Silence¡­


    Absolute silence followed. Kaiser¡¯s heart stopped as his own words rang in his ears, and for a second, he swore he had misheard himself. His mouth snapped shut, breath catching in his throat. ¡®What?¡¯ That wasn¡¯t what he meant to say.


    A bead of sweat trailed down the side of his neck as he tried to recover, he opened his mouth again, this time to correct himself. ¡°I¡ª I mean, I¡ª¡± He swallowed. ¡°I¡¯m from Woodrift.¡± His eyes glowed again.


    ¡°¡­I am the Supreme Military Commander of the Kingdom of Nebrosa.¡±


    Kaiser went rigid. It was as if something had reached inside his mouth and ripped the truth out of him before he even had the chance to think. He shut his lips quickly, heart thundering in his chest. Aria, on the other hand, did the exact opposite.


    ¡°WHAT?!¡± she shrieked, grabbing his arm with both hands. ¡°You¡¯re a Supreme Military Commander?!¡±


    Kaiser stiffened. ¡°I¡ª¡±


    Aria gasped dramatically. ¡°IS THAT WHY YOU¡¯RE SO TALL?! AND WHY YOUR POSTURE IS SO GRAND?! AND WHY YOUR FACE IS SO PRETTY?!¡±


    Kaiser stared at her blankly. ¡°What the hell does my face have to do with¡ª¡±


    ¡°I KNEW IT!¡± Aria cried, practically bouncing on her feet. ¡°YOU¡¯RE SOME BIG, FANCY WARLORD, AREN¡¯T YOU?!¡±


    Mia, equally excited, clapped her hands together. ¡°A Supreme Military Commander¡­ that sounds so important!¡± She straightened up and suddenly saluted him. ¡°Sir Kaiser, it¡¯s an honor to meet you!¡±


    Kaiser opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again¡ªonly to sigh, utterly defeated. Meanwhile, Milo was the only one not swept up in the excitement. No. His reaction was different. His body had gone still, brows furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line. Unlike Aria and Mia, he didn¡¯t laugh, didn¡¯t joke, didn¡¯t question it. He simply stared at Kaiser, watching him closely.


    And then, without another word, he turned on his heel and made for the door. Kaiser immediately noticed. ¡°Milo?¡±


    ¡°I need to check something,¡± Milo said, his voice low. Then, without another word, he stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.


    Kaiser¡¯s eyes flickered as he caught the subtle shift in Mia¡¯s expression, her posture tensed, her fingers curled against the blanket on her lap, and most telling of all, the way she averted her gaze when he met her eyes.


    He let out a quiet sigh through his nose and gently tugged Aria back toward her bed. ¡°You should rest,¡± he said, his tone softer than usual but firm.


    Aria looked up at him with a furrowed brow, clearly confused by his sudden insistence, but as she turned her gaze back to Mia, something clicked in her mind. Kaiser wasn¡¯t just worried about her; he was trying to defuse the tension in the room.


    Still, she wasn¡¯t about to just go along with it blindly. ¡°Kaiser,¡± she whispered as he helped her sit down, her voice careful and probing. ¡°Did you feel it too?¡±


    Kaiser kept his expression neutral, but his grip on her shoulder tightened ever so slightly. ¡°I¡ª¡± He hesitated. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to say any of that,¡± he admitted in a hushed voice, like speaking it aloud would make the reality of it worse. ¡°It just came out.¡±


    Aria stared at him, her lips pressing together as she thought back to the moment Mia had asked where he was from. His entire demeanor had shifted. His words were spoken with confidence, yet the second he finished speaking, he looked like a man who had just revealed a secret he wasn¡¯t even aware of.


    And his eyes¡­


    ¡°They looked just like hers,¡± Aria whispered. ¡°When you were speaking, your eyes had that same glow.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s head turned sharply toward her, his brows drawing together in intrigue. He mulled over the idea, letting it roll through his mind like a stone in a tumbler, slowly smoothing out the jagged edges.


    If what Aria was saying was true, and he had no real reason to doubt her, then that meant Mia was the cause. She had somehow forced the truth out of them. He cast a glance toward the girl, who still looked shaken, her small hands clutching at the blanket like it was a shield. She didn¡¯t seem dangerous. Hell, she barely looked like she understood what was happening herself.


    ¡°She¡¯s too young,¡± Kaiser murmured, more to himself than anyone else. ¡°Too tired. If she really has an ability like that, she wouldn¡¯t be able to use it so effortlessly.¡±


    Aria, however, didn¡¯t look convinced. She pulled her knees up to her chest, her fingers twitching slightly as she rested her chin atop them. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted. ¡°I feel weird, Kaiser. Like I was forced to tell you the truth, and I couldn¡¯t stop it.¡±


    Kaiser ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. ¡°That¡¯s probably why Milo left so quickly,¡± he mused. ¡°If he realized he couldn¡¯t lie, even by accident, he¡¯d want to get out of here before saying something he¡¯d regret.¡±


    Aria nodded, though she still seemed lost in thought. The pieces were there, but they weren¡¯t quite fitting together yet. Before either of them could dwell on it further, the door to the room creaked open.


    Milo returned, his presence heavier than before, as if he had spent the past few minutes walking through his own thoughts and didn¡¯t like where they had taken him.


    Following close behind him was a man dressed in pristine white, his coat flowing slightly as he walked with a measured pace. His expression was calm, unreadable, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that suggested he missed nothing.


    Kaiser straightened instinctively, his military instincts kicking in despite himself, while Aria remained curled up on the bed, watching the new arrival with quiet curiosity.


    The doctor glanced at each of them in turn before finally speaking. ¡°Good afternoon,¡± he greeted, his voice professional yet not unkind. ¡°I¡¯m Dr. Atherton. I¡¯ll be overseeing your recovery.¡±


    Mia shifted where she sat, still curled beside her unconscious brother, and finally spoke up, though her voice was quieter than before. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I seemed¡­ weird before.¡± She glanced at Kaiser, her fingers curling against her palms. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ when you were talking, I felt something. I don¡¯t know how to explain it, but it was like there was something else there. Like I was seeing something I shouldn¡¯t be seeing.¡±


    Kaiser and Aria exchanged a glance. Kaiser wasn¡¯t sure how to respond at first. He wasn¡¯t even sure if Mia herself knew what she was doing. But one thing was clear, she wasn¡¯t in full control of it.


    ¡°Sometimes people have abilities they don¡¯t fully understand,¡± he said carefully. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s what¡¯s happening here.¡± Mia nodded slowly, though her uncertainty didn¡¯t fade completely.


    Dr. Atherton cleared his throat, his sharp gaze flickering between them all. ¡°I understand you¡¯ve been through quite a lot. I assure you, my only concern is making sure you all recover properly.¡±


    Milo stepped forward, rubbing a hand over his face before speaking. ¡°We appreciate the help, Doctor.¡± He then turned his attention to the others, his expression softening. ¡°And for what it¡¯s worth¡­ I¡¯m sorry if I ran out on you all like that. I just¡ª¡± He shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s not something I¡¯ve ever experienced before.¡±


    Kaiser smirked slightly. ¡°What, being honest?¡±


    Milo let out a gruff chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m in a good mood, kid.¡±


    Mia, however, wasn¡¯t amused. She shot Kaiser a glare. ¡°Don¡¯t tease him,¡± she huffed. ¡°Milo¡¯s a good man.¡±


    Kaiser let out a short chuckle and leaned back against the wall. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. Though, whatever this ability is, it¡¯s got some weight to it.¡± He looked at Mia again, his eyes more serious now. ¡°You should be careful with it.¡±


    Mia swallowed, her hands tightening around the blanket in her lap. ¡°I¡­ I will.¡±


    Finally, Dr. Atherton took a step back, adjusting his sleeves. ¡°I¡¯ll give you all some time to rest. By the tests we have done, nothing as of now is wrong with any of you, except the depleted energy¡± he said, his tone signaling that he wouldn¡¯t be lingering any longer. ¡°If you need anything, just call for one of the nurses and they shall be with you in less then a minute.¡± With that, he turned and exited the room, his footsteps fading down the hall.


    Milo let out a long breath and rolled his shoulders. ¡°I should check on the rest of the watch,¡± he muttered. He then nodded to Mia. ¡°Stay with your brother. He¡¯ll wake up soon enough.¡±


    She nodded, offering him a small, grateful smile.


    As Milo stepped out, Kaiser glanced at Aria, who had gone oddly quiet. ¡°You alright?¡± he asked.


    Aria hummed, tilting her head slightly. ¡°I¡¯m just thinking,¡± she murmured. ¡°About everything.¡±


    Kaiser smirked slightly. ¡°Try not to think too hard. You¡¯re supposed to be resting.¡±


    Aria shot him a playful glare before sighing and letting herself relax against the bed. ¡°Yeah, yeah. I¡¯ll rest.¡±

 Chapter 43: The Men Who Shouldn鈥檛 Exist

    Kaiser walked through the halls of the hospital alone, his boots echoing with a steady thud against the white floor. The air was thick with the mingling scents of herbs, antiseptics, and the faint metallic tang of blood, a simple reminder that this was a place meant for healing. Yet, something about it felt oppressive. Maybe it was the heavy silence. Maybe it was the weight of unseen eyes watching his every move.


    As he turned a corner, a figure clad in steel stepped into his path. It was one of the knights he¡¯d seen when he first woke up, the broad-shouldered, rigid, knight with a sword strapped to his hip and an expression as unyielding as stone.


    ¡°You. Follow me,¡± he commanded, his voice flat and devoid of any courtesy.


    Kaiser raised a brow but said nothing, falling into step behind him. The knight¡¯s armor clanked softly with each step, the sound reverberating off the quiet walls. For a while, Kaiser let the silence hang between them, but curiosity eventually got the better of him.


    ¡°Not much of a talker, huh?¡± Kaiser tried, keeping his tone casual.


    The knight didn¡¯t even glance back. ¡°I am only following orders.¡±


    Kaiser studied the knight, his mind racing as he connected the dots. These men served under Regulus, a knight of the Northern Liberatorium¡­ The very same faction that had razed Woodrift. The people who had slaughtered Aria¡¯s village, burned her home to the ground, and left her with nothing but the clothes on her back. His fingers twitched with the urge to curl into a fist, but he forced himself to stay calm. He knew better than to make assumptions, and he knew these men weren¡¯t necessarily the same as the ones responsible.


    The knight led him down another hall, past several closed doors, until they finally stopped in front of a familiar wooden entrance. Kaiser recognized it instantly, as it was the very room he had woken up in. The knight turned to face him. ¡°Wait here. Sir Regulus will come when he¡¯s ready to speak with you.¡±


    Kaiser crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. ¡°So, what? I¡¯m your prisoner now?¡±


    The knight¡¯s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. ¡°I do not wish for this to escalate. Follow orders.¡±


    A sharp laugh escaped Kaiser¡¯s lips. ¡°Oh? Orders? I thought this was a request. When did that change?¡±


    The knight¡¯s jaw tensed. ¡°Are you refusing?¡±


    Kaiser smirked. ¡°I¡¯m just asking for clarification.¡±


    A flash of irritation crossed the knight¡¯s face before he reached out, gripping Kaiser¡¯s arm to drag him toward the door. And that¡¯s when Kaiser acted.


    His hand shot up, clamping around the knight¡¯s wrist, his grip so tight that the steel of the gauntlet began to groan under the pressure. The knight¡¯s body stiffened, his breath hitching as he realized he couldn¡¯t pull away.


    The floor beneath them cracked slightly as the knight¡¯s aura flared, raw power pouring from his body like a searing heatwave. A silent challenge, as if he was begging Kaiser to give him a better reason to attack him.


    Then, from behind him, the unmistakable sound of armor shifting came as three more knights emerged from the shadows of the hall, their presence like circling wolves. One of them, taller than the rest, spoke first. ¡°There are more knights stationed near the wounded girl,¡± he said, his voice level but laced with an underlying threat. ¡°Think carefully about what you do next.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s grip lingered on the knight¡¯s wrist for a moment longer, his fingers pressing into the cold steel. He could feel the pulse beneath the gauntlet grow rapid and unsteady. If he squeezed just a little harder, the metal would buckle entirely, bones following soon after¡­ But he didn¡¯t.


    Instead, he took a breath, relaxing his hand and stepping back. ¡°You know what? I changed my mind.¡± His tone was casual, but the edge in his voice was unmistakable. ¡°I think I¡¯ll rest for a bit.¡± He turned, striding past the knights and into his room, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click.


    Outside, three of the knights immediately moved into position, standing tall, backs straight, stationed directly beside the door like statues.


    It was obvious they weren¡¯t just guards, but instead wardens, and Kaiser wasn¡¯t being invited to stay, he was being contained. Yet as the knights took their positions, the one Kaiser had grabbed, remained in place where he grabbed Kaiser¡¯s arm.


    He stood there, staring at his own hand, flexing his fingers stiffly. The other knights took notice, exchanging glances before one of them muttered, "What¡¯s wrong?" The knight hesitated, then slowly turned his palm upward, revealing the damage.


    The metal of his gauntlet was crushed. Not dented. Not bent. Crushed.


    The steel was warped inward, molding against his skin like a second layer of flesh, the pressure visibly causing him discomfort. He tried to move his fingers again, but his knuckles barely responded.


    Inside the room, Kaiser let out a slow breath.


    The room was as grand as before with polished marble floors and intricate gold embroidery on the curtains. Everything about it spoke of wealth and power. But for all its beauty, Kaiser found himself irritated because Milo was waiting for him inside.


    The man sat in a cushioned chair near the center of the room, his posture stiff, his usual casual air nowhere to be seen. His expression was unreadable, his lips pressed in a firm line, eyes sharper than usual.


    Kaiser sighed. "Not even gonna say hello?"


    "Sit," Milo said, his tone giving no room for argument.


    Kaiser hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and lowering himself into the chair across from him. Milo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze unwavering. "What are you?"


    Kaiser¡¯s jaw tensed, but he didn¡¯t answer. Milo exhaled, folding his arms. "I reached out to some people in Arkhold. Asked around about that girl, Mia." His eyes narrowed slightly. "They told me she has the power to make everyone in her presence speak the truth.".


    Milo¡¯s voice grew lower, more measured. "So imagine my surprise when I heard what you said earlier. Supreme Military Commander of Nebrosa." His expression darkened. "There¡¯s no such place."


    Kaiser tilted his head. "You sure about that?"


    Milo¡¯s fingers tapped against his arm. "The last true kingdom in this world was absorbed into the Liberatoriums five hundred years ago. If what you said was true..." His voice trailed off before his gaze hardened. "It would mean you¡¯re something far beyond a common man."


    Kaiser stared at him for a long moment before finally standing up from the chair. "I owe you no explanations."


    He turned slightly, his back half-facing Milo. "But I¡¯ll give you one anyway," he said, glancing back at him. "Because I consider you a friend."


    Milo¡¯s expression flickered for a moment, but he said nothing. Kaiser exhaled, his voice quieter this time. "I was in a battle. I don¡¯t remember how long ago. But I remember my opponent." His hands curled into loose fists. "And I remember that I lost."


    Milo¡¯s brow furrowed. He had seen firsthand how strong Kaiser was. "Who could have beaten a monster such as yourself?"


    Kaiser¡¯s gaze darkened. "A man whose death is my only goal," he said. "Sabel Stoorm."


    Milo stiffened slightly at the name, and after a moment, his shoulders slumped, and he exhaled. "...I¡¯m sorry."


    Kaiser glanced at him. Milo rubbed the back of his neck. "Not just for you. For everyone. The whole world¡¯s been on edge because of that bastard."


    Kaiser¡¯s expression sharpened. "You know of him?" Before Milo could answer, the doors to the room swung open, and a powerful voice boomed through the air.


    "Who in the Five Liberatoriums doesn¡¯t?"


    As Kaiser''s head turned, Regulus entered the room.


    The weight of command pressed upon the knight with each step, yet he moved with a grace that could only come from unwavering confidence. With each step, his armor sparkled, its polished metal showing no signs of wear and tear. As he walked, the long cloak that hung over his shoulders hardly moved; its white fabric was immaculate and unaffected by the outside world, while the flaming feather still burned bright on top of his helmet.


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    Even though Kaiser had seen him previously, there was something unquestionably intimidating about him at this precise moment. As a presence, not merely as a warrior or even as a knight.


    Regulus moved forward cautiously, his armor barely making a sound in spite of its weight. He grabbed a chair and pulled it across the floor, then sat down on it, making the poor chair bend from the weight if the man.


    Kaiser looked down at him, still standing.


    Regulus sat with an air of ease, his hands resting lightly against the armrests, fingers tapping idly against the polished wood. There was no tension in his posture, no overt hostility. And yet, he might as well have been a mountain sitting in that chair, unshakable and utterly dangerous.


    His head locked onto Kaiser. "You interest me." Kaiser remained silent, but met his gaze. "I was the first to see you when you arrived," he said in a measured voice. "I watched your unconscious body fly out of the Drillex gate, smashing into the stone at the other end of the chamber."


    He drummed lightly on the wood with his fingers. "I have witnessed men sustain severe injuries from less severe impacts. I''ve witnessed warriors suffer broken backs as a result of falling at a wrong angle.¡± His eyes became piercing. "But you? Not even a bruise anywhere on your body.¡±


    Kaiser could feel the pressure of Milo''s gaze, but his face was still unreadable.


    Regulus reclined a little. "Then, I hear of you fighting a member of the Kingsguard, and you left that battle alive."


    Even though his voice was steady, there was something sharp and intensely inquisitive about the way he spoke. "And then," he continued with a slight chin tilt, "I discovered that you were in possession of the Marlabane, the sword that ought to have killed you the instant you touched it."


    With a hint of amusement in his face, Regulus let out a breath through his nose before Kaiser could say anything. "I''ve previously encountered people with exceptional recovery skills. However, yours...¡± He curled his fingers a little. "None I¡¯ve seen come even close."


    Regulus continued, his face unchanging, "I also had to make sure of something, so I cut your hand while you were unconscious." To this, Kaiser''s gaze grew strained, and even Milo appeared unprepared, flashing a startled glance in Regulus'' direction.


    Regulus, however, stayed perfectly calm. " Simply put, it wasn¡¯t much," he said. "Just a quick test. Your palm was cut shallowly, but at the very least, it ought to have left a scar.¡± He pressed his lips together. "And yet, with no effort¡­ with no rush of Sol¡­ your body repaired itself in an instant."


    Kaiser stared, turning the words over in his mind, processing them as carefully as he could, before speaking after a short pause. "What is Sol?"


    Silence hung in the air as Regulus sat still, unblinking, while Milo remained motionless, both of them fixated on him without a word. Kaiser''s eyebrows went up. "What?"


    Milo''s expression changed from bewilderment to something more akin to disbelief as his lips slightly parted. On the other hand, Regulus smiled, and in less then a second, he burst out into a laughter.


    It was neither a controlled exhale nor a courteous laugh. It was a loud, honest laugh. He threw his head back, his whole body trembling as a deep, booming sound filled the room. It was the sort of laughter that results from seeing something genuinely ridiculous. Something so implausible that laughter was the only appropriate response.


    Kaiser looked at Milo, who had a contorted expression of secondhand embarrassment on his face. The man muttered something under his breath and rubbed his temple.


    Regulus, after a few long moments, finally began to calm down. His laughter tapered off into deep breaths, a lingering smirk on his face as he wiped a gauntleted hand across his mouth trying his hardest to hide it.


    He mused, "No spy," and shook his head. "No infiltrator, no matter how skilled and experienced would ever act this clueless." Still amused, he let out a breath and sank back in his chair. "Milo, your suspicions were unfounded."


    Milo let out a sigh. "Seems so." Milo''s words caused Regulus to ease his posture fully and exhale once again, but his smirk persisted for a moment longer. As he turned back to Kaiser, the amusement in his eyes subsided, but not completely. With a more composed expression, he spoke.


    "Sol," he stated, "Is the power of every living being."


    His tone was matter-of-fact, as if explaining something so basic it shouldn¡¯t have needed explanation. "Some call it talent. Others call it magic. Some just say power. But the world, as a whole, calls it Sol. It¡¯s the energy you¡¯re born with, the force your soul exerts through your abilities."


    Leaning forward a little, Regulus''s eyes remained fixed on Kaiser. "Simply said. It¡¯s the most basic state of power for any living being."


    Kaiser just processed the information without saying anything. "And yet, you didn¡¯t even know of its existence." Regulus added, seeing how silent Kaiser was being.


    A faint hint of amusement returned to his face. ¡°Even young children in the capital are aware of that. A man of your age...?" He drummed his fingers lightly on the chair''s wood once again. "You should have known that, no matter your background."


    Kaiser''s eyes squinted at the insult, but Regulus wasn''t done yet.


    "You claim to be from a kingdom." He carefully uttered the word while observing Kaiser''s response. "The last of those were absorbed into the Liberatoriums quite a while ago." He gave his chin a little tilt. "Which means you are either¡­ ancient, Or¡­" His gaze grew serious once more. "You are from a land completely unknown to us."


    Kaiser''s face remained unchanged, but there was a faint, nearly undetectable strain in his shoulders, and Regulus noted it down.


    He went on, "But there is one more possibility," in a tone that became almost informal. "That you are not the first of your kind to appear out of nowhere." After a moment of staring, Regulus went on.


    "There is only one person in recent history who was unknown one day and infamous the next."


    "Sabel Stoorm." The name hung in the air like a curse.


    Regulus let the silence stretch before speaking again. "He appeared near Woodrift only a year ago. No records. No past. No known origins."


    His voice was level, but his gaze was still as sharp as ever. "And you, Kaiser¡­" Regulus let his words trail off as he studied the man before him.


    He had noticed it from the very start. The way Kaiser¡¯s posture subtly shifted. The way the air itself seemed to grow heavier when the name was spoken. The way his expression, no matter how carefully controlled, always darkened at the mention of that man.


    Regulus leaned back slightly. "The sheer hatred that radiates from you every time his name is spoken¡­" He said. "To me proves you are not his ally, far from it in fact."


    Milo said nothing, his eyes darting between the two men, while Regulus''s face became contemplative.  "Which begs the question," he mused, "Just what is he truly?"


    Kaiser let out a slow, controlled breath, but the air changed. The room began to feel heavier, as though invisible hands had squeezed the warmth out of the walls. Milo was the first to notice. He didn''t say anything, but his fingers twitched a little against his chair''s armrest. Regulus stood motionless, keeping a close eye on Kaiser.


    For a short moment, there was only silence, but then Kaiser finally spoke.


    "Men write stories of devils and beasts to make sense of monsters," he continued "To give them fangs, horns, and purpose¡­ But Sabel Stoorm is no such thing."


    His voice did not waver, yet there was a weight behind it, a certainty that could not be questioned.


    "He is not the wolf that stalks the lamb, nor the fire that razes the village, ohhh no¡­ He is the absence of the village. The space where a thousand lives should have been, the yawning hollow in the world that nothing will ever fill again.¡±


    The words sat heavy in the air, sinking into the bones of those who heard them, especially Regulus. He was a man who had witnessed war and stood in front of unspeakable atrocities, however, there was something about Kaiser''s speech that caused his fingers to flex slightly against his chair''s arms.


    "You speak as though he is something greater than a man," Milo said, his voice quieter than before. "But I have seen true evil before. I have met men who have done unspeakable things¡ªmonsters, if you will." He fixed his gaze on Kaiser. "And I doubt he is much different then the rest."


    Kaiser exhaled deeply before looking directly into Milo''s eyes.


    "To call him evil," he stated, "is to call the abyss deep, it¡¯s true, in a sense, but it does not capture the horror of standing at its edge." Kaiser went on. "He is not cruel because cruelty necessitates emotion. He doesn''t hate because hatred is inherently motivated. He is hunger without end, the silence without mercy."


    Regulus''s grip on his chair tightened slightly, the wood creaking under his fingers.


    "The weight of inevitability pressing down on every mortal soul."


    Against the dense air, the light from the light in the room wavered and flickered.


    "Sabel Stoorm does not leave corpses.¡± As he said the last words, Kaiser''s eyes remained steady and unblinking. "He leaves nothing at all."


    A dense, impenetrable silence descended upon the space. Despite all of his knowledge and his experiences with the worst that humanity had to offer, Milo was unable to speak. He had come prepared for many things, for defiance, for bravado, even for threats.


    But this was not a threat. It was a truth so absolute, so terrifying, that there was nothing to say.  Regulus exhaled, slow and measured, as if steadying himself. He was no stranger to horror, to the cruelty men could inflict upon one another. He had waded through battlefields littered with the broken, had seen warlords burn entire cities to cinders.


    And yet, something about the way Kaiser spoke of him left a hollow in his chest, a creeping, gnawing thing that he dared not name. Milo leaned back, fingers lacing together in thought. His sharp gaze flickered between Kaiser and Regulus, searching for something, perhaps reassurance, perhaps denial, but neither came.


    Then, with a quiet breath, Milo spoke. "I have heard the rumors," he said. "The destruction of Northlink, the vanishings and the whispers of something unnatural."


    "But even then," Milo added, "I never truly believed it. Men embellish, they make myths out of murderers, turn butchers into demons. I assumed he was simply another murderer, another man who had clawed his way to the top through blood and terror."


    His jaw tightened slightly.


    "But if what you say is true¡ª"


    "It is," Kaiser interrupted, with no room for negotiation.


    Milo paused.


    Regulus drummed his fingers against his gauntlet, a slow and thoughtful rhythm. Then, without warning, he let out a small breath of amusement, shaking his head. "Well," he muttered. "That¡¯s fucking terrifying." Kaiser tilted his head slightly at the reaction.


    "You¡¯re laughing?"


    Regulus exhaled sharply. "Yea. Because what else can a man do?"


    He got up from his chair. "If I don¡¯t laugh, I might start thinking too hard about what it means to fight something like that."


    To that Milo only glanced at Kaiser. "You said you fought him," Milo said. "And that you lost." And to that Kaiser could only nod.


    "Then tell me this." Milo¡¯s voice was quieter now. "If he is as unstoppable as you claim, if he is hunger without end, the silence without mercy¡­ Why are you still alive?"


    Kaiser did not answer immediately. His gaze dropped, ever so slightly, as if searching for an answer himself.


    Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he replied:


    "I don¡¯t know."

 Chapter 44: Not a Teacher, Not a Student

    Kaiser leaned back on the bench, arms spread out along the backrest, and stared at the city in front of him, and he had to admit that it was nicer than he¡¯d thought it would be.


    The sun shone off the smooth stone streets, making the whole city glitter, and seem as it is made of magic. The fountain nearby caught his eye first as the water itself twisted into shapes of strange creatures. A snake made of flowing water curled around the base, and a bird with a long tail spread wings that sprayed droplets into the air, refreshing everyone who was close to the fountain. Magic pulsed through the veins of this place, from the floating lanterns that hovered lazily in the air to the colossal Scale Walls, their towering form embedded with massive, overlapping silver scales.


    People walked up to those walls and touched them, and when they did, the scales shifted and peeled back like flower petals, opening into doorways. He was truly in awe of the city, but his wonder was cut short as he saw three figure approaching him from the corner of his eye.


    Aria led the group, her pink hair bright under the sun. Bandages peeked out from under her sleeves, but she walked like she owned the city, shoulders back, chin up.


    Next to her was Ivan, and he was taking it all in. Unlike Aria, he wasn¡¯t acting like he owned the city, but it was obvious that he was relieved by it. The tension in his shoulders eased, and his breath came a little easier. It was the quiet, unspoken relief of someone who had finally seen proof that the world wasn¡¯t just Arkhold.


    Walking right next to him was Mia, her hand was wrapped securely around his, her expression one of soft, unwavering attention. She wasn¡¯t looking at the city, as her eyes were glued to Ivan, not caring about anything else. When he paused, she paused. When he stared at something, she followed his eyes.


    Kaiser barely had time to recognize them all before Aria spotted him, her eyes lighting up the second their eyes met. ¡°KAISER!¡± She screamed as she broke into a sprint. She crashed into him before he could stand, nearly knocking him off the bench. He laughed, wrapping an arm around her to keep them both from falling to the ground.


    ¡°Oof!¡± He blinked down at her. ¡°What¡¯s my little spider doing running around with these two?¡±


    Aria pulled back just enough to give him a pout, her arms still latched onto him. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine! What¡¯s with the sudden concern? I¡¯m not made of glass.?!¡± she huffed, her nose scrunching slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re that worried about me.¡±


    He ruffled her hair. ¡°Worried? You? Not a chance. I know how tough you are. That whole mess was nothing to you.¡± Her eyes practically sparkled at the words, a grin breaking across her face as she beamed with pride, squeezing him just a little tighter.


    Ivan and Mia finally caught up, the former letting out a tired sigh as he ran a hand through his hair, while the latter smiled softly at the sight before her.


    ¡°Well,¡± Ivan muttered, shaking his head. ¡°Guess she really missed you, she didn¡¯t stop talking about you the whole way here... I really started to think she was crazy.¡±


    Aria, still latched onto Kaiser, turned to shoot Ivan a look. ¡°Shut up or I will make spiders eat your eyes.¡±


    Ivan shivered, repelling from disgust. ¡°See what I mean?!¡±


    Mia chuckled, squeezing Ivan¡¯s hand gently before looking back at Kaiser. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you up and moving Sir Kaiser,¡± she said warmly. ¡°We didn¡¯t expect to find you out here.¡±


    Kaiser shrugged. ¡°City¡¯s too pretty to stay cooped up inside.¡± His eyes flickered to Mia. ¡°I assume you agree.¡±


    Mia led Ivan to sit on the bench next to the one Kaiser was sitting in, and only nodded to his question, truly observing her surroundings, her eyes slipping from Ivan for the first time since she left the hospital.


    Aria finally let go of the hug and sat next to Kaiser, looking at him with glitter in her eyes.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Kaiser said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯re you three doing out of bed? Shouldn¡¯t you still be resting?¡±


    Ivan shrugged. ¡°We¡¯re fine. Just tired.¡± His voice was calm but firm, as if he wasn¡¯t just saying it for the sake of appearances. ¡°Just a bit tired, that¡¯s all. A good night¡¯s sleep, and we¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Aria rolled her eyes, her pink hair glinting in the sun. ¡°I don¡¯t need sleep.¡± She said it like it was fact, leaving no room for arguing. ¡°I¡¯m ready to keep moving. Whenever you are ready.¡± She said, looking at Kaiser with somehow even more admiration.


    Kaiser sighed.


    ¡®Of course she was.¡¯


    He looked at her, at the unwavering spark in her blue eyes, at the way she stood like she owned the ground beneath her feet. She had been like this ever since he met her: reckless, headstrong, full of life and wonder, ready to teach him anything he didn¡¯t know. And yet, this time¡­


    ¡°Aria.¡± His tone softened, but the weight in his voice remained. ¡°Where I¡¯m going next isn¡¯t safe. It¡¯s dangerous. And while I love your company¡­¡± His fingers curled slightly, as if choosing his next words carefully. ¡°I need to do this alone.¡±


    Her smile faded a little. It was small twitch in her shoulders and dip in her chin, but he noticed every little change. Beside her, both Ivan and Mia felt the weight of those words, but neither spoke.


    Aria, however, did. ¡°It¡¯s because of him, right? That white-haired guy.¡± She didn¡¯t say the name as it was obvious who he was talking about.


    Kaiser nodded. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Sabel Stoorm is too dangerous to be left alive,¡± Kaiser continued, his voice carrying the kind of certainty that only came from absolute, unwavering hatred. ¡°And the grudge I hold against him¡­ It¡¯s too great to bury.¡±


    He exhaled slowly, as if steadying himself. ¡°I need to finish this.¡± His fingers curled tighter, as if the thought alone was enough to bring that old, familiar fury back to the surface. ¡°And to make sure the panels of history never remember his name.¡±


    Mia lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening around Ivan¡¯s hand, while Ivan looked away, jaw clenching slightly, almost as if he wanted to say something, but couldn¡¯t.


    And then there was Aria. She stood there, watching Kaiser with an unreadable expression, her hands hanging loosely at her sides.


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t care about your opinion.¡±


    Kaiser blinked.


    She didn¡¯t raise her voice. She didn¡¯t shout. She didn¡¯t get angry. But the sheer will in her words and the finality of them was enough to cut through the moment like a dagger. Her blue eyes locked onto his, unwavering and unshaken.


    ¡°Now,¡± she said, ¡°where¡¯s our next stop?¡±


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    Kaiser frowned. ¡°Aria¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in whatever plan you made for me.¡± She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. ¡°Just answer the question.¡±


    Kaiser exhaled sharply through his nose, rubbing his temple with one hand. ¡°¡­I arranged for you to go back to Arkhold,¡± he admitted. ¡°Milo¡¯s leaving tomorrow, and I¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked.¡±


    Kaiser stared at her, surprised at her boldness. She didn¡¯t even hesitate, she didn¡¯t even pretend to acknowledge what he had said. She just stood there, certain that she will get a different answer.


    ¡°¡­You¡¯re not going back to Arkhold, are you?¡± he asked, already knowing the answer.


    Aria¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Kaiser exhaled, his eyes briefly closing. ¡®Of course.¡¯


    Ivan shifted uncomfortably, his cautious gaze darting between the two of them. Unlike Aria, he wasn¡¯t challenging Kaiser, but merely watching and waiting for something. Hoping, maybe, that this would resolve itself without a fight.


    Mia, on the other hand, was still holding Ivan¡¯s hand, but her attention was fixed solely on Kaiser. There was no defiance in her eyes like in Aria¡¯s, no apprehension like in Ivan¡¯s. Instead, she looked at him with something softer, understanding.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to win this, you know,¡± she said quietly, offering him a small, knowing smile.


    Kaiser scoffed. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know that?¡±


    Aria shrugged. ¡°Then stop pretending like you don¡¯t.¡±


    Kaiser ran a hand through his hair, letting out a long, tired sigh. This was not how he imagined this conversation going.


    ¡°Alright.¡± He finally looked back at Aria. ¡°You want to hear it? Fine, our next stop is the Southern Liberatorium.¡±


    Aria finally realizing Kaiser gave in, plastered the biggest smile she could muster. ¡°Then that¡¯s where we¡¯re going,¡± she said simply.


    Kaiser let out a long sigh, shaking his head with a tired smile. "Fine, fine. I¡¯ll enjoy your company, little spider," he said, his tone full of affection.


    Aria grinned. ¡°I would enjoy my own company if I were you too.¡±


    Kaiser let out a genuine laugh, shaking his head. This girl never lacked confidence. Then, with a sly smile, Aria nudged Ivan forward. "Oh, and by the way, Ivan has something to ask you."


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow, finally giving the boy his full attention. He hadn¡¯t really thought much about him since the rescue. He was just a kid, quiet and reserved compared to Aria. But now, standing before him, Ivan seemed... determined. There was a fire in his eyes that hadn¡¯t been there before. Then, to Kaiser¡¯s surprise, the boy bowed deeply.


    "Please, Kaiser¡­ make me your student."


    Kaiser paused, turning to face Ivan fully. His brow lifted, caught between amusement and disbelief.


    "Come again?"


    "I want to learn from you."


    Ivan¡¯s voice didn¡¯t waver. It rang with quiet steel, the kind that wasn¡¯t forged in bravado but born from desperation. His fists were clenched, not from fear, but from a determination too fierce to ignore.


    "You saved me from the Right Fist. You protected my sister. You fought like... like something out of legend. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it."


    Kaiser raised a hand, waving off the praise with a slow shake of his head.


    "Hold up. Slow your roll, kid."


    But Ivan didn¡¯t stop. The words spilled out, the flood of something long buried cracking open.


    "I owe you everything. I know I can¡¯t repay it¡ªbut I want to try. I don¡¯t want to be weak anymore. I¡¯m done standing on the sidelines, watching the people I care about bleed while I stand there, useless."


    Kaiser exhaled. He rubbed the back of his neck like a man who had heard too many pleas, seen too many graves.


    "I¡¯m not a teacher," he said. "Never been one. Probably never will be."


    "Then don¡¯t be."


    Ivan took a step forward, the fire in his eyes undeniable.


    "Just let me follow you. Let me watch. Let me learn. Anything. Everything. I need to grow. I have to."


    Kaiser stared at him in silence. The moment stretched, long enough for the air between them to shift, heavy with something unspoken. Then his gaze sharpened, the warmth fading behind a flint-hard stare.


    "And what happens when it gets real?" he asked, voice low, rough. "When blood soaks the ground and screams drown out your thoughts? What happens when you''re forced to look death in the face and realize strength doesn¡¯t always save the people you love?"


    "I won¡¯t run," Ivan said. "I want to be strong enough that I don¡¯t have to."


    Kaiser studied him, the way his hands trembled slightly, the way his breath was controlled but deep, the way his eyes held both fear and resolve.


    The kid was serious.


    Still, Kaiser sighed, leaning back against the bench. "You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re asking for."


    "I do," Ivan insisted, his voice steady but edged with determination. "And I won¡¯t stop asking until you say yes."


    Kaiser studied him, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly, as if measuring the weight of Ivan¡¯s resolve. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "You¡¯re stubborn for someone who barely knows me."


    "I know enough," Ivan shot back, his gaze unwavering.


    The silence between them stretched, filled only by the gentle trickle of the fountain beside them. "Fine," he said, his voice low but resonant.


    Ivan¡¯s eyes widened, hope flickering across his face. "Really?"


    Kaiser raised a hand, cutting him off before he could celebrate. "But understand this," he began, his words flowing like a river. "I can teach you how to hold a sword, how to feel its weight in your hand, how to make it an extension of your will. I can teach you how to take a life, to see the moment when the light leaves a man¡¯s eyes and know it was by your hand. I can teach you to harness the power within you, to bend it to your command, to make it burn brighter than the sun. And I can teach you to survive¡ªto endure when the world tries to break you, to rise when you¡¯ve been brought to your knees."


    He paused, his gaze piercing, as if searching for something deep within Ivan¡¯s soul. "But what I cannot teach you," he continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "Is how to become strong. Strength is not in the sword, nor in the power, nor in the survival. It is in the choices you make. It is in the fire that burns in your chest when all else fails. It is in the will to stand when every part of you screams to fall. That, Ivan, is something you must find for yourself."


    Kaiser leaned back, his expression unreadable. "If you want to learn from me, you start by keeping up. No whining, no complaints. If you fall behind, that¡¯s on you. But if you rise¡­" He trailed off, a faint glimmer of something almost like pride in his eyes. "If you rise, then you¡¯ll have earned it."


    Ivan¡¯s grin spread slowly, a spark of defiance and determination lighting up his face. "I won¡¯t fall behind," he said, his voice steady. "I¡¯ll rise."


    Kaiser¡¯s smirk returned, sharper this time, as if he saw something in Ivan that even Ivan himself had yet to fully understand. "We¡¯ll see."


    Mia stepped forward, placing a hand on Ivan¡¯s shoulder. He was still beaming, practically vibrating with excitement, but her expression was calmer, more measured. She looked straight at Kaiser, her gaze sharp yet gentle.


    "You¡¯ll treat him right, won¡¯t you?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with the protective edge of an older sister. "You don¡¯t have any ulterior motives, do you?"


    Kaiser barely had time to react before it happened.


    His vision flickered. A strange sensation crawled up his spine, an invisible weight pressing against him. Then, a dull, golden glow filled his eyes. He recognized this feeling as Mia¡¯s ability.


    A wave of irritation rolled through him, but his body moved on its own, answering before he could even process the question. "I will treat him as right as I can," Kaiser said, his voice unnaturally even. "And I have no ulterior motives with him."


    The moment the words left his mouth, the glow vanished, and the weight lifted. Kaiser inhaled sharply, his eyes narrowing at Mia. "Don¡¯t do that again."


    Mia simply giggled, bringing a hand to her lips. "I can¡¯t control it," she said playfully. "It¡¯s just how it works."


    Kaiser clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "Yeah, great. What a gift."


    Mia just smiled, giving her brother¡¯s shoulder a squeeze. "I just got him back, you know?" Her voice softened. "I¡¯m not about to let him run off into the world alone."


    Ivan looked up at her, his grin faltering slightly. "Mia¡ª"


    "I don¡¯t care about getting stronger," she interrupted, her gaze still locked onto Kaiser. "That¡¯s his dream, not mine. But I want to be with my brother. That¡¯s why I¡¯ll be joining your little group."


    Kaiser glanced at each of them¡ªAria, standing like she owned the entire damn city; Ivan, still looking eager as ever; and Mia, calm, watchful, but unwavering in her stance.


    He sighed. "Do whatever you want."


    Ivan¡¯s face brightened, and Mia let out a small, relieved breath. But before they could celebrate, Kaiser lifted a finger. "On one condition." His voice dropped slightly, serious and firm. "When I find Sabel, you won¡¯t interfere. No matter the circumstance."


    Mia¡¯s expression tightened. Aria crossed her arms, frowning, and even Ivan hesitated, his excitement fading just a little.


    "Kaiser..." Aria started, her tone uncertain.


    "No exceptions," Kaiser said, his red eyes stern. "Sabel is mine, and MINE alone."

 Chapter 45: A Fragile Peace

    Aria walked ahead, hands behind her head, her eyes wide as she took in the city. ¡°Man, this place is fancy,¡± she said, staring at a floating lily pad that followed a little girl, casting just enough shade to keep her cool. ¡°"Look at that! Personalized shade? I need one of those!"


    Ivan trailed behind, quieter but no less amazed. The city was nothing like Arkhold. The air was warm, the streets open, and the constant damp, suffocating feeling of too many people was gone. It felt¡­ free.


    Mia, still holding his hand, smiled at his expression. ¡°Feels safe, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ivan said, watching a group of kids chase a tiny, floating fish made of water. The fish slipped through their fingers like liquid silk, only to reform and dart away again. ¡°Safe¡­ and free.¡±


    Nearby, a pair of street performers caught the groups attention. One played a crystalline flute that sent glowing blue notes into the air, while the other shaped them with their hands, turning the music into shimmering images of dancers and animals. As the glowing notes swirled into the shapes of dancers, a group of children gathered around, eyes widening in wonder.


    ¡°Look, look!¡± one boy said, tugging his friend¡¯s sleeve. ¡°That one looks like my mom!¡±


    ¡°Your mom doesn¡¯t dance like that,¡± his friend teased, grinning. ¡°She dances like a chicken shaking off rain!¡±


    ¡°Does not!¡±


    ¡°Does so!¡±


    The first kid narrowed his eyes, then smirked. With a quick flick of his wrist, a ball of water formed in his palm, swirling lazily before he launched it straight into his friend''s face. The water splashed over him, soaking his hair and dripping down his nose.


    The now-drenched boy stood frozen for a moment, blinking rapidly as water dripped onto his shirt, and then, his expression darkened. "Oh, you''re dead."


    He clapped his hands, and three snowballs appeared, orbiting his fingers like tiny moons. The air around him turned chilly as he grinned.


    The first boy¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait, hold on¡ª¡±


    Too late. The first snowball hit him square in the forehead. The second smacked his shoulder, and the third nailed him in the chest, making him stumble backwards.


    ¡°That was cold, you jerk!¡±


    ¡°You started it!¡±


    Their little magic fight escalated, water and snow flying everywhere. Kaiser watched with a faint smirk, hands in his pockets. Aria looked ready to cheer them on, while Mia sighed, already predicting how this would end.


    And then, a stray snowball smacked Ivan right in the face. He froze, slowly wiping the slush off his cheek, all the while his cheery expression darkening.


    Aria covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. ¡°Ohhh, now you¡¯ve done it.¡±


    Ivan¡¯s fists clenched, his whole body trembling, not from the cold, but from the fake and playful irritation. Then, with a sharp inhale, he stepped forward, his form flickering, and suddenly, there were five of him, making the kids'' eyes go as wide as dinner plates.


    "Uhhh¡­" one of them gulped.


    "Oh crap," the other whispered.


    The Ivans cracked their knuckles in perfect unison. "So," they said, voices overlapping, "Who threw that?"


    The two boys exchanged glances. Then, without another word, they bolted, skidding around a corner and disappearing into the crowd. ¡°Sorry, mister!" one of them shouted as they ran.


    Ivan sighed, rubbing his temples as his clones vanished in wisps of light. "I hate kids."


    Kaiser chuckled, patting his shoulder with a grin that was equal parts amused and teasing. "You are a kid," he reminded him, his tone light but pointed. Ivan shot him a glare, but Kaiser just shrugged, unfazed. "What? You¡¯re, what, sixteen? Seventeen? Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re some grizzled old man."


    "I¡¯m old enough to know kids are the worst," Ivan grumbled, crossing his arms. His eyes flicked to the corner where the boys had disappeared, as if half-expecting them to come back and cause more trouble.


    "Well, I¡¯m not sticking around to argue about it. I saw a pub on the way here," he said, his tone shifting to something more casual, almost eager. "Think I¡¯ll check it out.¡±


    Aria, who had been shaking off the last bits of laughter from Ivan¡¯s humiliation, perked up. "You got money for that?" she asked, crossing her arms. "Because all of the cash I got from Glunko was taken when those bastards captured me."


    Kaiser smirked and tossed her a small bag filled with golden coins. Aria caught it mid-air with one hand, her fingers tightening around the weight of it.


    "Milo gave me enough to get to the capital," Kaiser said, casually flipping another two bags to Ivan and Mia, who both caught them with varying degrees of surprise. "And enough to enjoy the city for a day. So go, have fun. Just don¡¯t burn the place down."


    Aria grinned, jingling the coins. "Hah! I am the fun."


    "That¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of," Kaiser muttered, before jerking his thumb at a nearby building. Above the door, a wooden sign swayed gently in the breeze, engraved with the name The Flowing Current. "I¡¯ll be in there till nightfall. Meet me there when you¡¯re done screwing around."


    Ivan looked from the bag of gold in his hand to Kaiser, then to the pub, then back to Kaiser. His expression twisted with sudden realization. "Wait, wait, wait¡ªso you get to go drinking, and I have to just run around buying useless crap?"


    Kaiser gave him a blank look. "Yes."


    Ivan puffed up his chest. "What if I also wanna go drink?"


    Without hesitation, Kaiser smacked the back of his head. Not too hard, but enough to make Ivan stumble forward slightly, rubbing the sore spot. "Maybe in a few years," Kaiser said, smirking. "For now, go get yourself some apple juice."


    Ivan¡¯s face went pink in an instant. "W-Who said I like apple juice?" he mumbled.


    Aria turned just in time to see the reaction, and her eyes lit up with pure evil. "Ohhh, Ivan likes apple juice~?"


    "I never said that¡ª"


    "Get him a barrel of it, Mia," Kaiser continued, already walking off. "Make sure he has enough to last a lifetime."


    Mia chuckled, grabbing Ivan¡¯s hand before he could protest further. "C¡¯mon, little apple boy. Let¡¯s go spend Kaiser''s money before he regrets it."


    Ivan groaned. "I hate all of you."


    "That¡¯s the spirit," Kaiser said with a grin, before suddenly stepping forward and grabbing Mia and Ivan¡¯s shoulders, his expression darkening slightly.


    "One more thing," he said, voice dropping into something dangerously low. "If you come back without Aria¡­" His eyes gleamed, red and sharp. "I will make you regret being born."


    Ivan swallowed hard. Even Mia, despite her usual composed nature, hesitated under that heavy stare. "Understood?" Kaiser asked, voice flat.


    "Y-Yeah," Ivan muttered. "Crystal clear."


    Kaiser let go and straightened up, his smile returning. "Good. Now go get your damn apple juice."


    Mia tugged on Ivan¡¯s hand, leading him away before he could dig himself into a deeper hole.


    Kaiser took one last look at Ivan and Mia as they walked away, the sight making him shake his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Kids," he muttered under his breath, though there was a hint of fondness in his tone.


    As they disappeared into the crowd, Kaiser turned on his heel and made his way toward the pub. When he reached the entrance, he paused for a moment, tilting his head as he took in the weathered sign swinging above the door. The Flowing Current. The name sounded familiar, though he couldn¡¯t quite place why.


    Kaiser stepped through the entrance, expecting just another dimly lit tavern filled with the usual smell of cheap ale and regret. What he found instead made him stop dead in his tracks.


    The bar was stunning. Three floors high, its open design allowed him to see nearly every corner of the establishment at once. Grand wooden beams supported a vaulted ceiling, from which strings of glowing blue lanterns swayed gently, casting rippling light like reflections on water. A massive glass dome at the very top let in rays of golden sunlight, illuminating the tavern in a warm, inviting glow.


    But the real spectacle? The bar itself.


    Behind the long, polished counter, ten thin, crystal-clear rivers of liquid flowed¡ªsome golden like honey, others deep sapphire, one shimmering silver, and another glowing faintly green. They weaved and intertwined like living veins of alcohol, twisting into mesmerizing patterns before disappearing into small, sculpted spouts.


    Kaiser exhaled sharply. "What the hell is this place¡­?"


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    Before he could take it all in, a loud voice pulled his attention. "Oi, two drinks over here! One Stormcall and one Blood of the Desert!"


    Kaiser turned just in time to see the bartender, a short woman with dark hair in a sharp bob-cut casually reaching toward two of the flowing rivers. Without so much as a flick of her wrist, she tapped into their currents, letting the glowing alcohol pour smoothly into two wooden cups. The Stormcall crackled with tiny sparks of blue energy, while the Blood of the Mountain was thick, deep red, with flecks of black grapes floating inside.


    Then, in a motion so effortless it barely seemed like magic, she summoned two glittering butterflies that lifted the drinks into the air with a gentle hum of light. The glowing insects flitted toward the waiting patron, gracefully setting the drinks down in front of him.


    The man who ordered them chuckled, shaking his head. "Still insane to me that you got your hands on those. You do realize those butterflies are some of the strongest weapons in the world, right?"


    The bartender rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. If I could afford anything from Lady Uriel, I wouldn¡¯t be stuck working here. These babies just looks the same."


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes at that name. Lady Uriel. Something to remember.


    The bartender suddenly turned her gaze toward him, eyes lighting up in recognition. A slow smile crept onto her lips. "Well, well," she said, wiping her hands on a cloth. "Now that¡¯s a face I didn¡¯t expect to see. Lord Milo said you¡¯d be coming."


    The moment she spoke, a quiet murmur spread through the bar. People leaned in, whispering. Kaiser ignored it, already used to this kind of attention.


    "He¡¯s waiting for you on the second floor," she continued, nodding toward the staircase. "It¡¯s an honor to host such guests."


    Kaiser gave her a curt nod, then made his way toward the wooden stairs, his boots thudding softly against the polished floor. He could still hear the murmurs behind him, but he tuned them out. Right now, his focus was on Milo. And, more importantly¡­


    Why exactly had Milo asked for him?


    Kaiser climbed the wooden staircase, the murmurs from below fading as he reached the second floor. The air was calmer here, the music and chatter from below muffled but still lively. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on a table tucked away in the farthest corner.


    There, seated comfortably with drinks in hand, were Milo and Regulus.


    They were laughing, their voices deep and unrestrained, the kind of laughter shared between men who had seen too much and yet still found joy in the little things. Their mugs clinked together before they each took a swig of the dark brown liquid inside.


    Kaiser couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Their last conversation had begun with tension, filled with sharp words and hidden tests, but as it progressed, it grew more relaxed, transforming into something he hadn''t anticipated. He found himself growing fond of them, especially Milo. The man was unpredictable, but not in a way that put Kaiser on edge. It was something else. Something almost comforting.


    Milo noticed him first, his grin widening as he slammed his mug onto the table. "Ah-ha! Look who finally decided to join us!"


    Regulus turned, his expression immediately lighting up. "There he is! We were starting to think you''d gotten lost."


    Kaiser smirked, pulling out a chair and settling into it. "Would¡¯ve been hard to miss this place." He gestured vaguely to the spectacle below. "The drinks fly, for fuck¡¯s sake."


    Milo threw his head back with a laugh. "That they do! Bartender! Three more Barkam Ales!"


    From below, the bartender beamed, staring directly at their table despite being an entire floor away. Somehow, she saw them perfectly.


    Less than a minute later, three glowing butterflies fluttered toward them, each carefully carrying a brimming mug of dark ale. The butterflies hovered, then gracefully set the drinks down before vanishing in faint bursts of light.


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow. "Still not over how weird that is."


    Regulus chuckled, lifting his mug. "You¡¯ll get used to it. Barkam is one of the greatest cities in the world, specifically known for its unmatched food and drink. It¡¯s a privilege to taste its ale."


    Milo grinned, taking a deep sip. "A damn fine privilege, wish I could someday go there."


    Kaiser took his own mug, about to drink, when something clicked in his mind. He narrowed his eyes. "Wait¡­ if Barkam is so great, why haven¡¯t you gone there already?¡±


    Milo wiped the foam from his lips and laughed. "Ah. That¡¯s because I can¡¯t."


    "What?"


    Regulus smirked. "Barkam isn¡¯t like Arkhold. It¡¯s not a free city. It¡¯s under the direct rule of the Western Liberatorium, and only its citizens are allowed entry."


    Kaiser stared at them. "That¡¯s stupid."


    "That¡¯s just how it is," Milo shrugged. "Some cities are open to everyone, like Arkhold. Others? They¡¯re on a tight leash. You need specific passes to enter, and some places, like Barkam, don¡¯t even allow outsiders."


    Kaiser was dumbfounded. "And no one has a problem with this?"


    Milo snorted. "Not if you like being alive."


    Regulus leaned back. "It¡¯s how the world works. The Liberatoriums run things."


    Kaiser raised his drink close to his lips. ¡°Yeah, I know that much. Five of them, right? Eastern, Western, Southern, Northern, and the First. The big ruling powers.¡±


    Milo grinned. ¡°Oh? You do know something.¡±


    Kaiser shot him a dry look, putting the cup down on the table, remembering he learned that from Glunko. ¡°I¡¯m not completely ignorant, but I still don¡¯t know the basics.¡±


    Regulus set his mug down, shaking his head. "I keep forgetting you are not from this world. Alright, listen up. There are five Liberatoriums¡ªEastern, Western, Southern, Northern, and the First. That much you already know."


    Milo leaned in, tapping his fingers against the wooden table. "The world is divided between them. Most cities¡ªlike Arkhold¡ªare free cities, meaning anyone can enter. But the controlled cities are different. They require strict passes. And then, there are cities like Barkam, where only their own people are allowed in."


    Kaiser absorbed the information, his brow furrowed. "I was told this world was ruled by a single king. That there were no more kingdoms."


    Milo smirked. "You¡¯re not wrong. The ruler of the First Liberatorium is the King of the World. But do you really think one man could run everything alone?" He shook his head. "That¡¯s where the Liberatoriums come in. Each one has been in power for over five hundred years, managing their own share of the world. The King may rule, but the real power is spread between them."


    Milo leaned in, tapping the table. ¡°The First Liberatorium sits at the top. The rest¡ªEastern, Western, Southern, and Northern¡ªmanage their own territories, but in the end, everything leads back to the First.¡±


    Regulus nodded. ¡°The King rules from the Central Palace, but he doesn¡¯t handle day-to-day governance. That¡¯s why the Liberatoriums exist. Each one controls its domain with full authority. Their leaders have ruled for the past five hundred years without change.¡±


    Kaiser exhaled through his nose. ¡°That long, huh?¡±


    Milo chuckled. ¡°And they¡¯re not going anywhere.¡±


    Kaiser rested an elbow on the table, tapping his fingers against his mug. ¡°Those people in charge of the Liberatoriums¡­ What more can you tell me about them?¡±


    Milo and Regulus exchanged glances, a brief silence passing between them.


    Regulus exhaled, swirling the ale in his mug. ¡°They¡¯re¡­ mysteries.¡±


    Kaiser frowned. ¡°Mysteries?¡±


    Milo leaned forward, voice lowering slightly. ¡°They¡¯re not just rulers. They¡¯re entities. Six out of ten haven¡¯t been seen in over two hundred years. The rest? They only appear when absolutely necessary, and even then, barely.¡±


    Regulus nodded. ¡°You don¡¯t just meet them. They exist above the world, pulling the strings, and if you do see one of them¡­¡± He let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Either you¡¯re one of the most influential people alive¡­ or you¡¯re about to die.¡±


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow. ¡°That bad, huh?¡±


    Milo took a slow sip of his drink. ¡°Their presence alone changes the course of history. When they move, the world shifts. The only reason you and I can sit here drinking Barkam Ale is because none of them have decided otherwise.¡±


    Regulus leaned back in his chair, stretching with a satisfied groan. ¡°Enough politics. I didn¡¯t invite you to a pub to talk about the bureaucratic nightmares of the world.¡±


    Milo smirked, swirling the last of his drink in his mug. ¡°For once, I actually agree with him.¡± He downed the rest in one go, then set the cup down with a solid clink. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about something else, like Aria. She got any family near Arkhold? Somewhere she¡¯d want to go live?¡±


    Kaiser raised an eyebrow, then let out a sharp laugh. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re not getting her that easily. She made it very clear that she¡¯s coming with me.¡±


    Milo sighed, rubbing his temple. ¡°I had a feeling she would say that. But you do realize the capital isn¡¯t some peaceful backwater town, right? Especially The Southern Liberatorium. That place eats people alive. It¡¯s one of the most dangerous places in the world.¡±


    Kaiser leaned back in his chair, shrugging. ¡°She knows that better then me.¡±


    Milo studied him for a moment before shaking his head. ¡°And those two? The twins? You¡¯re bringing them along too?¡±


    Kaiser nodded. ¡°Yeah. Ivan and Mia are coming.¡±


    Regulus exhaled sharply through his nose, unimpressed. ¡°They¡¯re just following you because you saved them.¡±


    Kaiser smirked. ¡°And? That¡¯s their choice. I¡¯m not forcing them to stay. They can leave whenever they want.¡± He added, ¡°Only thing I am doing is making sure Ivan learns how to fight. The world¡¯s too dangerous for him to be this useless.¡±


    Milo chuckled, shaking his head as he swirled the drink in his hand. ¡°I don¡¯t know about that.¡± He shot Kaiser a lazy grin. ¡°You¡¯re strong, sure, but your fighting style?¡± He jabbed a finger in Kaiser¡¯s direction. ¡°That can¡¯t be taught.¡±


    Kaiser raised a brow, his smirk never fading. ¡°Oh? And why¡¯s that?¡±


    Milo leaned forward, resting an elbow on the table. ¡°Because your strength doesn¡¯t come from technique. It comes from your regeneration.¡±


    A beat of silence.


    Then Kaiser threw his head back and laughed, loud and full. He slammed a hand against the table, making Regulus¡¯s mug almost fall over. ¡°Obviously! That¡¯s how you¡¯re supposed to fight! You take advantage of your strengths. That¡¯s the most basic rule of combat. What, am I supposed to ignore my own abilities?¡±


    Milo smirked but didn¡¯t back down. ¡°I get it. A fight¡¯s a fight¡ªyou use every advantage you¡¯ve got. But if you¡¯re planning to teach that boy, you might need to rethink your approach.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s grin dipped slightly, his head tilting. ¡°And what approach is that?¡±


    Milo sipped his drink, watching him over the rim. ¡°You¡¯re a powerhouse, Kaiser. Anyone with a brain can see that. You throw yourself into a fight, let yourself get torn apart, then come out on top because your body lets you.¡± He set his mug down with a soft clink. ¡°That¡¯s not something you can pass on.¡±


    Kaiser narrowed his eyes slightly.


    Milo continued, unfazed. ¡°Ivan¡¯s got potential, but he¡¯s not you. He can¡¯t afford to take a sword through the chest just to land a hit. He needs skill. He needs control. And frankly?¡± He leaned back, stretching his arms. ¡°You¡¯re not exactly a refined fighter.¡±


    Kaiser scoffed, crossing his arms. ¡°Oh? And who do you think is better suited for the job?¡±


    Milo smirked. ¡°I dunno. Maybe someone who doesn¡¯t fight like an immortal lunatic?¡± he said, pointing at himself


    Regulus snorted into his drink.


    Kaiser exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head. ¡°I could argue, but I won¡¯t bully an old man while he¡¯s drunk.¡±


    Milo grinned. ¡°You¡¯re all talk, kid.¡±


    Kaiser¡¯s smirk sharpened. ¡°Alright then.¡± He leaned forward, his eyes glinting. ¡°Before I leave for the capital tomorrow, I challenge you to a fight with wooden swords. First strike to a vital point wins.¡±


    Milo raised a brow, considering it for a moment. Then he rolled his shoulders, exhaling through his nose. ¡°Hah. Fine. But don¡¯t come crying when I knock you on your ass.¡±


    Regulus, watching the exchange like a spectator at a festival, chuckled and raised his mug. ¡°Oh, this I have to see.¡±


    Kaiser leaned back, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Good. You can take notes on how to burry an old man alive.¡±


    Milo huffed. ¡°Cocky brat.¡±


    Kaiser grinned. ¡°Drunk old man.¡±


    Regulus sighed, swirling the last of his drink before downing it in one smooth motion. Then he set his mug down and gave both of them a dry look.


    "Alright, alright, save the flirting for tomorrow," he said, waving a hand. "I''ll bring the swords. Gods know if I leave it to you two, one of you will show up with an actual weapon just to prove a point."


    Kaiser smirked. "Sounds like something Milo would do."


    Milo raised a brow. "Kid, I could beat you with and without a weapon."


    Regulus snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Now quit puffing your chests at each other. Kaiser, try the damn ale before you get so caught up in your pride that you forget why I dragged your ass here in the first place." He nudged one of the untouched mugs toward him.


    Kaiser eyed the dark amber liquid. It had a thick, foamy head. He picked up the mug and took a cautious sip, then his entire body froze.


    A slow blink. A pause. And then¡­


    "Oh my god."


    Milo raised a brow as Kaiser¡¯s expression morphed into pure, unfiltered bliss. The man gripped the mug like it was a holy artifact, staring at it with a reverence most men reserved for seeing the love of their life for the first time.


    "This is¡ªthis is divine," Kaiser gasped. He took another sip, his eyes fluttering shut as if he were ascending. "This isn''t ale. This is liquid perfection. This is a gift from the gods themselves. If the afterlife doesn¡¯t have this, I don¡¯t want to go."