《Heaven's Monarch》


 Chapter 01 - Beautiful day

    With an agile gesture, almost like a reflex conditioned by the thunder tearing through the sky, Colin grabbed the edge of the blanket, pulling it over his head.


    Time seemed to have distorted, merging with the sounds of the storm outside. Hours seemed like minutes, and sleep stubbornly evaded his attempts to hold on.


    His restless body stretched towards the wooden bookcase, his fingers meeting an icy sensation.


    His senses, dulled by sleep¡¯s torpor, barely noticed the touch of his fingers as they grasped the cell phone. The device was as cold as the touch of a specter.


    Slowly and carefully, Colin slid the phone under the covers. Its screen lit up with an almost blinding glow.


    He squinted his eyes and looked at the time.


    5 PM.


    A long yawn escaped his lips. He pulled back the covers with a lazy gesture and sat up in bed, his fingers scratching his tired eye.


    His slender, weary body seemed to defy gravity as he moved away from the bed.


    It was as if ethereal roots were keeping him anchored in that dreamlike world.


    With firm determination, he finally stood up.


    His body, slender and fragile, seemed to defy gravity as he moved away from the bed, leaving behind the seductive embrace of sleep that stubbornly seduced him.


    He navigated the chaos of his room, struggling to move forward as he stumbled over piles of clothes thrown carelessly on the floor, next to plastic bags full of garbage.


    That sight transformed a house after a hurricane into an oasis of order in comparison.


    Colin groped the wall, which was even colder than his cell phone, until he found the light switch.


    The scene revealed by the sudden light was nothing but extreme sloppiness.


    Manga and comic books were scattered across the floor, while empty packets of cookies and snacks blended into the landscape.


    In the background, the computer lay disorganized on the table, surrounded by empty energy cans


    Some cans were half full, others half empty.


    A scene worthy of a health nightmare made even worse by the unbearable smell that permeated the air.


    Even his neighbors had protested against the stench that, like an unwelcome intruder, infiltrated their kitchens, but their concerns were mere distant whispers to Colin.


    In the midst of this pandemonium, Colin faced a small internal battle before mustering the courage to turn the door handle.


    The sharp, drawn-out sound of the door opening was the prologue to his foray into the corridor leading to the kitchen.


    His footsteps were a soft whisper, cushioned by the thick socks that, despite the chaos, still kept his feet safe from the unrelenting cold of the floor.


    Finally, he reached the fridge and opened it with almost reverent care.


    For a few precious seconds, he gazed into the fridge, his eyes scanning the array of gastronomic temptations.


    The energy drinks and bottles of alcohol caught his attention, but he ended up finding a bottle of milk at the bottom.


    Without much ceremony, he shook the carton of milk near his ear, as if hoping to uncover some hidden secret.


    Then he brought the carton to his mouth, turning it over to enjoy the last drops and quench his thirst.


    With a nonchalant gesture, he tossed the empty carton into the wastebasket next to the fridge.


    The garbage, that eternal heap of neglect, was almost overflowing, as if rebelling against its master''s indifference.


    Colin''s neglect had created a welcoming environment for unwanted fauna.


    Mosquitoes buzzed lazily through the air, cockroaches sneaked through the cracks in the kitchen, and daring rats roamed the shadowy corners.


    But Colin remained indifferent.


    That pandemonium was an extension of his inner world, an externalization of his emotional disorder reflected in the bowels of his home.


    His kitchen stood opposite the living room, and as he turned his head slowly, weighted by melancholy, his eyes fell on the floor of the doorway.


    There, tangled in a carpet that had long since lost its original color, lay some letters.


    Did someone write to me?


    Colin struggled with the reluctance that prevented him from facing the pile of accumulated correspondence¡ªa small mountain of problems he would rather avoid.


    He settled unassumingly on the carpet and picked up the first letter.


    It was from the bank, a distressing reminder of the debt that hung over him like a sword of Damocles.


    It was about a reckless loan to finance an ephemeral business that had collapsed in a matter of weeks.


    Colin shrugged, as if the weight of this situation could be eased by his indifference, and put the letter aside with a casual gesture.


    The next letter offered no relief.


    It was yet another eager demand for one of the many debts he had accumulated on his credit cards. It, too, was tossed onto the pile of neglected problems with the same disinterest.


    This repetitive cycle continued for endless minutes until, finally, a singular letter interrupted Colin''s monotonous routine of indifference.


    [Yale University.]


    Just as his eyes fell on the letter''s sender, a bolt of lightning tore through the sky, sending out a blinding flash followed by a deafening bang.


    Colin swallowed hard, a myriad of thoughts swirling in his mind. Although he was usually indifferent to everything, this letter was different.


    With trembling hands, he held the envelope for a moment, studying it before mustering the courage to open it.


    The envelope felt as heavy as his own heart. When it finally gave way, the muffled sound of the broken seal was like a dark omen.


    The paper that emerged contained words that, for Colin, carried the weight of the world.Hypnotized, his eyes fixed on the black lines, he began to read. Each sentence was a stab in his chest, a new blow that deepened his anxiety with every word.


    His breathing became heavy, almost unbearable, and a feeling of dizziness came over him, as if the very air was being sucked out of his lungs.


    When he finished reading, his body felt heavier than ever. It was as if a ton of stones had been deposited on his shoulders.


    ¡°Rejected again. What a surprise¡­¡± he muttered to himself, crumpling the letter in his trembling hands.


    Before getting up, Colin gathered the letters into a pile and threw them into the trash can, pushing them down with his foot.


    Tired of the frustrations of real life, he sought refuge in a virtual world, where he felt stronger, more powerful, and in control of his own destiny ¡ª a place where the rules were shaped by him, not by others.


    He made his way back to his room, switched off the lights, and turned on his computer with a flick of his big toe. Then he settled into his padded chair, pushing aside the energy drink cans, which tumbled across the bedroom floor.


    The blue glow of the computer screen flooded the room.


    ¡°Right, time to relax.¡± He put on his headset and, as usual, entered an online game where he wasted most of his time.


    This was Colin''s escape¡ªa reality shaped by fast food wrappers, empty energy drink cans, and the relentless sound of mouse clicks.


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    Engrossed in the game, Colin allowed himself to get carried away, completely ignoring the passage of time and the responsibilities that awaited him in the real world.


    However, even immersed in this digital universe, he was plagued by a deep emptiness.


    It was as if, no matter how hard he tried, true happiness and personal fulfillment always eluded him. Yet he continued to play, frantically searching for a purpose in his existence in a world that seemed more meaningless every day.


    While playing the game, he was abruptly interrupted by a notification.When he opened it, he realized that one of his friends had invited him to a call. Without hesitation, he accepted the invitation, eager for any kind of connection, even if it was only virtual.


    ¡°Colin?!¡± said one of his friends. ¡°I''ve been waiting to tell you the news!¡±


    Curious, Colin squinted, thinking the moderators had added a new event to the game.


    ¡°What''s new? A weekend event?¡±


    ¡°That''s not it. You know your ex-fianc¨¦e?¡±


    ¡°The one who used to play with us?¡± asked another friend on the call.


    ¡°That''s the one. So, I decided to stalk her and found out she''s getting married to a rich guy!¡±


    Colin pressed his lips together and swallowed hard. It hadn¡¯t even been two months since they had broken up.


    ¡°So what?¡± asked Colin indifferently. ¡°I won¡¯t be crying over a failed relationship.¡±


    ¡°But it''s strange that she¡¯s getting married so quickly,¡± his friend commented. ¡°She was probably already cheating on you. You know how women are¡ªthey never leave a guy without having someone else to fall back on.¡±


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°But are we going to play or not?¡±, Colin snapped, irritated.


    ¡°Of course we are.¡±


    They ventured out for a few matches, but the truth was that Colin wasn¡¯t at his best. His life was more out of control than he¡¯d like to admit.


    Although he had never stopped trying to change, he had considerably reduced the frequency with which he dealt with his problems.


    Instead, he often left them gathering dust, as if hoping they would simply disappear on their own.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sleepy¡±, said Colin, feigning a yawn. ¡°I think I¡¯ll go to sleep¡­¡±


    ¡°Sleep? But you¡¯ve only just arrived.¡±


    ¡°Leave him alone. I bet he¡¯s going to cry over his ex-fianc¨¦e, hehe!¡±


    ¡°Cry?¡± Colin scoffed. ¡°Do you really think one of the strongest wizards in the game would cry? Seriously?¡±


    Colin abruptly left the voice chat, ripping off his headset and slamming it onto the table. A long, heavy sigh escaped his lips. With a slow movement, he rose from his chair and crossed the room to the bathroom opposite.


    The bathroom light flickered as he flipped the switch.


    Leaning over the sink, he faced his own image in the mirror. All he saw was the embodiment of failure¡ªan exhausted face that cried out for a decent night''s sleep and a proper meal.


    ¡°Shit life¡­¡± Colin muttered.


    Colin was a swarthy man, with hair that was always disheveled, displaying a glistening blackness. His light yellow eyes sometimes glinted with a reddish hue under certain lighting.


    He turned on the faucet and watched as the water rushed down the drain, as if carrying away his tangled thoughts.


    A torrent of emotions hit him as he gathered water in his hands and splashed it on his face.


    In the mirror, his reflection showed the traces of water running aggressively down his skin.


    With a decisive gesture, he turned off the tap, grabbed the washcloth hanging on a rack behind him, and dried his face before hanging it back on the rack.


    Back in the bedroom, he placed his hands on his hips and looked at the mess that dominated the space, mirroring the chaos that plagued his life.


    I need to clean it up, but not now.


    The rain, which had fallen with uncontrollable fury, had now slowed dramatically, leaving behind a trail of moisture and renewal.


    The country was in the grip of a severe pandemic, turning daily routines into a challenge.


    Colin was not a man to leave the house often. His forays into the outside world were brief and rare, but valuable¡ªlike balms for his tumultuous soul, moments when he could free himself from the bonds of everyday life and find some clarity as he wandered the damp, deserted streets.


    ¡°I think I need to take a walk.¡±


    Afraid of being suffocated by his own thoughts, Colin moved quietly through the room and put on his black All Stars, already worn out from countless journeys.


    He slipped on his coat, ready to face the harsh weather outside, and picked up the umbrella resting by the door, like a soldier arming himself for battle.


    Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out a surgical mask, carefully fitting it over his face.


    He sighed before turning the door handle and taking that first step out of his solitary refuge.


    The long, black umbrella opened above him.


    Walking leisurely, he felt the icy wind cut across his face and the bushes along the sidewalks rustle in response, releasing golden leaves that fell like autumn¡¯s tears.


    The raindrops dripped lazily from the edge of his umbrella, forming small, glistening puddles that seemed to dance to the rhythm of his steps.


    With each movement, the dangling drops hesitated for a moment before letting go, falling in lazy spirals to the ground.


    It was a scene of melancholy stillness, a solitude shared with the empty city. There, in the midst of the storm and the pandemic, Colin found a strange peace.


    He went to the square, a refuge near his home, where he often went to clear his mind.


    Sometimes he would just sit there, gazing at an imaginary horizon, lost in his daydreams about how to escape from the dark pit in which he found himself.


    Deep down, he knew these plans were fleeting fantasies, mere delusions that distracted him from the harsh disappointments of his reality.


    After being dismissed from his routine job as an administrative assistant, life dealt him a series of brutal blows.


    First, his father left, then his mother, leaving him plunged into loneliness. Soon after, his fianc¨¦e, who had shared his dreams and his pain, left him.


    He now found himself in a deep void, a complete abandonment, left behind by everything and everyone.


    Life had mercilessly knocked him out, and he was there, on the cold ground, waiting for help that never seemed to come.


    He lifted his gaze and saw someone approaching.


    ¡°Colin?¡± called a female voice.


    He looked up and squinted, trying to remember who it was.


    ¡°Hi¡­¡± he finally remembered. ¡°Agatha?¡±


    She nodded.Agatha was a school friend Colin hadn''t seen for a few years.


    Her face radiated youth, framed by short, layered brown hair that brushed against her shoulders. A pair of black tights hugged her legs, gracefully enhancing her figure.


    She wore a pair of red All Stars, comfortably laced on her feet, and a round brown skirt that reached her knees, harmonizing with a plaid wool coat that accentuated her delicate waist.


    Agatha had expressive brown eyes, which sparkled with vivacity, and her lips were adorned with vibrant red lipstick, creating a captivating contrast with her fair skin.


    Balancing elegantly on her right shoulder, she carried a brown leather bag with gold details, which matched her earrings and a wristwatch.


    Her look was a mix of classic style and contemporary touches.


    ¡°How long has it been?¡± she asked excitedly, sitting beside him, her eyes sparkling with joy at seeing him again.


    Colin thought, but couldn''t come up with an exact answer. The years had blurred together in his memory, and he no longer knew when he had last seen her.


    ¡°It''s been a few years, I think¡­¡± he replied in a hesitant voice.


    ¡°I heard about your mother. I¡¯m really sorry¡­¡± she said sincerely, touching his arm lightly. She knew how attached he was to his mother and how painful that loss must have been for him.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ me too,¡± Colin mumbled, looking away. He didn¡¯t want to talk about it, not with her, not at that moment.


    An uncomfortable silence crept into their conversation. Agatha, for Colin, was not the friend with whom he would share his deepest secrets and most intimate dreams.


    Even during their school years, when they spent hours together, there was a distance that she was never able to bridge.


    Agatha always saw herself as just a nice colleague, who sometimes made him laugh, but who never touched his heart.


    ¡°I still wear it¡­¡± she said, holding up a pendant that hung around her neck.


    In an unpretentious gesture, Colin had given her the pendant that now hung around her neck.


    It was a gift given without much expectation, one last present before Agatha left town.


    Little did he know back then that the pendant would become a symbol of their lost friendship, a connection to a distant past that he could barely fully understand.


    ¡°It still looks good on you,¡± he said flatly, trying to be polite. He didn¡¯t remember the pendant or the day he gave it to her. To him, it was just another unimportant object that he could have given to anyone else.


    Silence again.


    ¡°I heard you were getting married¡­¡± she said, so quietly it was barely audible.


    ¡°Yeah, I was. But it didn¡¯t work out,¡± he replied bitterly.


    Looking into Colin''s eyes, Agatha felt a tightness in her chest.


    They were eyes she had once known so well, but now they seemed different ¡ª colder, more distant than she remembered.


    The years of distance between them had left their mark, and she could sense that something was deeply wrong with her old friend.


    She wanted to help him, comfort him, hug him. But she didn''t know how to do that without seeming intrusive.


    ¡°Colin¡­ is everything all right?¡± she asked carefully, looking into his eyes with concern.


    He glanced at her sideways and smiled. A fake, forced smile that didn''t reach his eyes.


    ¡°Always worrying about me, you really haven¡¯t changed,¡± he said sarcastically, trying to disguise his pain.


    Colin didn''t want to open up to her, he didn''t want to show his weakness. He preferred to keep up the appearance that everything was fine, even though inside he felt completely empty.


    ¡°It''s just that you seem¡­ different¡­¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°What have you been doing after school?¡± asked Colin, curious.


    Agatha stared off into the distance, shook her head, and shrugged without enthusiasm.


    ¡°Nothing much. I went to university, but it''s currently closed because of the pandemic. But I''ll graduate soon, I hope.¡±


    ¡°That''s great!¡± He looked at the ring on her right hand, surprised. ¡°An engagement ring?¡±


    ¡°Oh, this?¡± Agatha smiled as she stroked the ring, proud. ¡°He''s an amazing man. I think you two would get along well.¡±


    ¡°I''m sure we would.¡± The boy forced a smile, trying to hide his disappointment.


    Agatha''s cell phone rang inside her handbag, and she quickly answered it, anxious.


    ¡°Darling, I''ll be right there,¡± she said affectionately into the phone. ¡°I just ran into a friend from high school, and we stopped to chat. I''ll be home soon¡­ I love you too.¡±


    She returned the cell phone to her purse and stood up, hurrying.


    ¡°Colin, I have to go.¡± She said goodbye with a quick hug.


    ¡°All right, give your fianc¨¦ a hug for me,¡± he said in a friendly voice.


    She faced him again and pursed her lips in concern.


    ¡°Are you sure everything''s all right?¡±


    ¡°Everything''s fine, really,¡± he lied with conviction.


    ¡°Don''t you want my number? You could have dinner with me and my fianc¨¦ sometime¡­¡± she insisted gently.


    Colin shook his head, refusing.


    ¡°Go live your life, you don''t need me,¡± he said with his detached tone.


    The rain started again.The boy stood up and offered his umbrella.


    ¡°Take it, or you''ll catch a cold¡ªmaybe something worse.¡±


    ¡°And you''re going to stand in the rain?¡±


    ¡°Consider it an early wedding present. It''s not much, but I guarantee it''s of enviable quality. It''s best not to underestimate the bizarre promotions in convenience stores.¡± He joked with a wink.


    Deep down, Agatha sensed that Colin was still the same as ever. She just smiled and gratefully picked up the umbrella.


    ¡°Are you sure it''s going to be all right?¡± she asked again, hesitantly.


    ¡°Jeez! Agatha, your worrying is annoying, you know that?¡± he complained in a fake bad mood.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± she grunted, looking away. ¡°Sorry¡­¡±


    Colin touched her on the forehead with his forefinger.


    ¡°See you, Agatha,¡± he said with a melancholy farewell tone.


    Colin turned around and pulled the hood of his sweatshirt up over his eyes.


    ¡°See you later¡­¡± she murmured, watching him walk away.


    In an instant, Colin''s mind cleared. A decision that had been pondered for a long time suddenly crystallized before him. His thoughts, once muddled, now lined up in startling clarity.


    He knew exactly what he needed to do.


    Turning the lonely corner, he headed towards an empty intersection, walking determinedly toward the edge of a bridge.


    With firm steps, he climbed the railing, looking down into the emptiness below.


    The drop seemed endless, with no visible bank nearby. He remembered the days when he had enviable stamina during his school years, when he took part in various physical activities. However, that strength was now only a shadow of what it once was.


    In his current state, he knew he would be unable to swim to shore.


    The drop was too high, and fatigue would probably overwhelm him before he even reached any safety.


    The gentle evening breeze caressed his face as he gazed at the horizon, where the sun was setting majestically. Colin decided that this would be his last sight, so he closed his eyes, removed his mask, and let the wind blow it away, preparing himself for what was to come.


    The boy was plunged into an abyss of self-loathing, feeling like a dead weight, a stain on society. Every day was an arduous internal battle, full of painful conflicts.


    He saw himself as a parasite, a creature who sucked up the energy and resources of others without offering anything in return.


    He understood that society had no place for parasites like him, and this only increased his despair. Over time, Colin began to cling to the little things¡ªthe small pleasures that still managed to bring a glimmer of joy and comfort to his broken heart.


    However, deep down, he knew that he needed to find a greater purpose, something that would give him a genuine reason to live and fight, but he was exhausted from searching for it.


    The only thing he wanted now was for it all to end.


    In a final act of desperation, he closed his eyes and allowed his body to fall into the lake, seeking to end the torment that consumed him.


    Splash!


    As he sank into the dark waters of the lake, a whirlwind of memories invaded his mind. His father, his mother, his ex-fianc¨¦e, his old friend Agatha, and even his virtual friends appeared like ghosts in his mind.


    A flashback hit him like an unexpected punch.


    He saw the image of his mother lying in a hospital bed, a frail shadow of what she had once been. Her body was frail, her hair shaved, and her eyes glassy.


    The doctors had given her the painful verdict that she had no more than a few weeks to live.


    Colin was in that room, sitting in a chair next to the bed, in a state of semi-consciousness, almost dozing off.


    However, the bright light in the room slowly woke him up. He opened his eyes cautiously, and the sight of his mother in that pitiful state almost made him break down in tears, but he remembered the main lesson his father had taught him.


    ¡°If you show weakness, no matter how small, the world will swallow you up. Don''t kid yourself, Colin, they''ll say no, but the world hates weak men.¡±


    His mother coughed, and Colin jumped to his feet. He approached his mother while shouting for a doctor.


    ¡°It''s all right, darling,¡± she said in a hoarse voice, staring into her son''s face.


    ¡°Have you been fighting again?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡­ I¡­ fell,¡± he lied, without looking her in the eye.


    Colin knew she wouldn''t believe him, but he also knew she wouldn''t insist. He didn''t want to worry her any more than he already was, and she knew it was a lie, but she didn''t care.There were more important things to say, things she might never be able to say again.


    His mother took a deep breath and continued.


    ¡°The doctors said I don''t have much time, so we''d better have this conversation soon,¡± she said firmly, without a trace of fear or sadness.


    She wanted to be strong for him, for her beloved son.


    ¡°Wait, Mom, it''s better to be silent, to conserve energy¡­¡± he said in anguish, trying to postpone the inevitable. He didn''t want to hear those words. He didn¡¯t want to accept that his mother was dying.


    ¡°No, Colin, listen to me. I know I may not have been a good mother, and I''ve always been a bit absent because of my illness. Your father was always a bit hard on you, but¡­¡± she started to apologize, but was interrupted by him.


    ¡°You and Dad were the best!¡± he said as he held one of his mother¡¯s hands.


    He could feel her pulse, weak and irregular, and he knew she was in pain. He wanted to ease her pain, but he didn''t know how. At that moment, he could only give her his love and gratitude.


    Colin''s mother smiled and raised her arm, full of tubes, to touch her son''s face, who was trying hard not to burst into tears.


    She felt his skin, warm and soft, and remembered when he was a baby, when he fit in her arms. Her motherly heart was filled with pride and love for that little boy who had become a man.


    ¡°My son¡­ I so wish we had more time. I had so much to tell you, but that''s okay¡­ just know that you''re more special than you realize. So just give it time¡­ don''t live too fast worrying about everything. There will always be a tomorrow, another chance to make things better, another chance to start again. That''s how it was with your father and me. We had to start again from scratch twice, but we didn¡¯t give up. And I had you ¡ª my greatest treasure,¡± she said tenderly, looking into his eyes with a light that seemed to come from another world.


    Colin kissed his mother''s hand and nodded. He listened to her words as if they were sacred advice, a blessing that he would keep forever in his heart.


    He knew she was right, that he had enormous potential and that he could overcome any difficulty.


    Colin just needed to believe in himself and move forward.


    His mother continued:


    ¡°All your father and I wanted was for you to be satisfied with yourself. I hope that in a few years'' time, I hope you become someone you¡¯re proud of. After all, you have my blood and your father¡¯s blood¡­ you are destined for greatness,¡± she said with conviction, giving him a confident and proud smile.


    As if awoken by a rude slap to the face, Colin opened his eyes and found himself submerged in a murky lake, air bubbles escaping his lips in a silent moan.


    A sense of panic overwhelmed him, and he made a frantic effort to reach the surface, but something pulled him inexorably downward, as if the very darkness of the lake had claimed him as its own.


    Colin''s thoughts swirled in a whirlwind. Perhaps it was the memory of his parents'' last wish, still echoing in his mind, or perhaps it was his instinctive, fierce will to fight for his life¡ªsomething deeply rooted in his core.


    But at that moment, none of this seemed to help.


    His thoughts were dissolving. His desperate, almost instinctive struggle to cling to life was futile.


    There, at the bottom of that lake, he was facing the inevitability of his own death.

 Chapter 02 - Fire and Blood.

    Colin''s mind sank into a cold, damp abyss. His strength deserted him, and his body slowly began to surrender to an almost drowsy sensation.


    On the verge of losing consciousness, he was suddenly jolted by a vivid memory of his mother''s face, and his eyes opened abruptly, as if searching for a light above him.


    Air bubbled out of his mouth and, in a desperate act, he fought his way back to the surface, thrashing his arms with all the energy he had left.


    After a relentless fight for his life, Colin finally managed to emerge from the lake, reaching a crumbling stone ledge.


    He emerged, coughing vigorously, expelling the water he had swallowed in his desperate suicide attempt.


    Cough! Cough! Cough!


    Exhausted and shivering, Colin threw himself to the ground, feeling the icy granite beneath his soaked body.


    He violently expelled the water that had flooded his lungs, coughing and gasping for air. His mind was a blur of tangled memories as he struggled to remember what had happened.


    Raising his head with effort, his eyes adjusted to the faint light of the candlesticks that illuminated the crypt.


    His surroundings seemed to have been taken from a nightmare.


    Marble coffins were stacked on granite shelves, meters above the ground.


    The chamber was decorated with statues that oscillated between the angelic and the demonic, emanating an aura of dark strangeness.


    The oval ceiling was shrouded in darkness, releasing a constant shower of dust. The walls pulsed in response to the rhythmic impacts echoing from outside the crypt.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    With eyes frantically scanning his surroundings for a way out, Colin felt a sharp stab of pain in his head.


    The heavy sound of steel boots echoed in the crypt, getting closer with every step. With a restrained grunt, he crawled frantically, seeking refuge behind a concrete pillar.


    There, hidden in the shadows, the boy held his breath as he slyly watched the intruders approach.


    His eyes met those of imposing soldiers wearing shining silver armor, standing out in the sinister gloom of the place.


    ¡°Come on, take everything of value!¡±


    With torches raised, the soldiers approached the ornate chests arranged near the entrance. Their swords came out of their sheaths with a metallic sheen and, in one swift blow, they broke the locks.


    Inside the chests, a dazzling treasure was revealed. Centuries-old golden pieces gleamed in the torchlight, while priceless religious instruments, steeped in history and meaning, rested there like relics untouched by time.


    It was a sight that could leave even the most hardened soldiers stunned at the grandeur of the discovery.


    ¡°These Elven bastards!¡± said one of the soldiers, holding up a gold coin. ¡°How many humans did they kill to get all this?¡±


    ¡°Don''t go touching these things like that!¡± warned another soldier. ¡°Elves are good at making traps.¡±


    Colin looked around and fixed his eyes on an iron chandelier soiled with melted wax. He squinted until he seized it silently.


    Is this a dream? No! I feel cold, my fingers are freezing, and that smell of incense is bothering me. I''m sure it''s not a dream!


    He ducked down and sneaked through the gloom like a taciturn thief until he was near the stairs. The soldiers went to the end of the crypt and roared something as they pointed at a dark well.


    Only one of them stood at the entrance, standing guard.


    ¡°I found you!¡±


    Colin turned his head, startled, feeling his heart race. He hoped they wouldn''t see him, but soon realized that it wasn''t him they were talking to.


    He saw the soldier violently open a chest and pull something out. It was a woman, an Elf, with long blonde hair and pointed ears.


    She was terrified.


    ¡°Get out of there, bitch!¡± the soldier shouted, throwing her to the cold ground.


    The Elf fell face-first to the ground, letting out a muffled groan. She tried to crawl away from the soldier, but he was quicker and punched her in the face.


    Bam!


    Some of her teeth were knocked out with that blow, and blood dripped from her mouth.


    She cried out in pain and fear, begging for mercy.


    ¡°P-Please, ha-have mercy!¡± she stammered, trying to protect herself with her hands raised in front of her face.


    The Elf knew that the soldier would not spare her life, but she still hoped that someone would save her.


    She looked around for any sign of help, but only saw other soldiers and heard screams coming from outside the crypt.


    The soldier grinned from ear to ear and pulled a dagger from his belt. It was a curved, sharp weapon with a bone handle and a metal blade.


    He raised it in the air, making it gleam in the candlelight. He approached the Elf, who cowered in terror.


    Furthermore, he bent over her, holding her hair with one hand and the dagger with the other.


    ¡°Goodbye, pointy-eared bitch!¡± he said cruelly, sliding the dagger across her throat.


    The Elf choked on her own blood and struggled until she finally lay still.


    Her body lay motionless on the ground, eyes open and lifeless.


    The soldier spat on her body.


    Puff!


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    ¡°Fucking Elf!¡± he said, retreating to the back.


    Colin, faced with the horror that was unfolding, didn''t feel the nausea or panic that many would experience when witnessing a brutal murder.


    His survival instinct took over completely.


    His only focus was on escaping the nightmare and, only then, reflecting on his situation and the next steps to take.


    With incredible patience and stealth, he emerged from the shadows and quietly approached the soldier guarding the entrance.


    Gripping the candlestick tightly, Colin found a courage that even he didn''t know he possessed and landed a heavy blow on the head of the soldier, who was distracted by the newly discovered treasures.


    Bam!


    The candlestick that Colin had used as a weapon shattered with a muffled noise when it hit the unsuspecting soldier''s head.


    With agility, Colin grabbed the man''s long hair, preventing him from falling face-first to the ground with a thud.


    Despite the effort, the soldier was considerably heavy, but Colin managed to lay him down relatively gently.


    A deep wound on the guard''s head exposed a gash that was bleeding profusely, but at this point, Colin was far from caring about the wounded soldier''s fate.


    In a hurry, he searched the soldier''s pockets, finding a bloodstained dagger.


    Sorry about that, but it was either me or you.


    As he hurried up the stairs, Colin was confronted with a scene that seemed straight out of a nightmare.


    Cruel soldiers were committing cold-blooded murders, their victims resembling Elves in appearance and desperation.


    Houses were ruthlessly looted, and women were dragged by their hair into dark alleys.


    However, one particularly shocking event captured Colin''s attention: a fireball tore through the night sky, crashing into nearby houses.


    Kaboom!


    The impact resulted in a deafening explosion that made the ground tremble beneath his feet. Colin witnessed fragments of buildings flying chaotically, and the once peaceful village was engulfed in flames.


    The scene was a hellish sight.


    In the middle of the square, charred bodies burned in a massive pyre, and just behind, more elves faced the terrible fate of decapitation.


    The crackling of the fire mixed with the agonized wails of the victims and the desperate screams of children, creating a cacophony of horror that assaulted the senses.


    Colin felt trapped in a nightmare, but the horrifying reality became clear when a loud voice echoed behind him.


    ¡°Dark Elf?!¡± exclaimed the voice, and Colin turned abruptly.


    He found himself facing a massive man, tall and burly, with a threatening appearance. The man''s hands were enormous, with thick fingers gripping a long-handled axe firmly.


    Colin, still shaken by the situation, tried to explain, his voice wavering.


    ¡°Dark Elf? Wait, I''m not¡ª¡±


    But his words were interrupted by the soldier, who, suspicious, took a step back.


    ¡°What is a Dark Elf doing in this part of the continent?¡± asked the soldier, keeping the axe raised, ready to strike.


    Tension was palpable.


    In a flash, Colin dodged the axe that whistled dangerously close to his chest. His shirt tore, but, by a stroke of luck, he escaped unscathed.


    He would have been sliced in half if it hadn''t been for his incredible reflexes at the crucial moment.


    That was close!


    The tall, broad-shouldered brute swung his axe, launching a precise, swift attack from above.


    Colin moved like lightning, dodging at the last second.


    The axe smashed violently into the tiled floor, leaving a permanent scar on the hard surface.


    Clang!


    He''s fast for someone his size. But it''s not just him ¡ª something has changed in me. My body is agile, and I feel strong. Do I have a chance?


    With the dexterity of a predator, Colin grabbed the dagger he had stolen and gripped the handle tightly, keeping his eyes fixed on his opponent.


    The two combatants exchanged tense glances, an aura of anticipation filling the air.


    Colin spun his dagger and launched himself at the brute.


    The soldier, swinging his massive axe, tried to sever Colin''s head, but he deftly dodged, gliding across the tiles like a serpent. In one swift, surgical movement, Colin struck the tendon of his opponent''s right heel.


    Swish!


    Twisting the axe once more, the brute attempted one last blow against Colin, but the loss of strength in his right leg was inevitable.


    With a thud, he fell heavily to the ground, his axe clattering beside him.


    The man raised his head, his eyes full of pain, and saw his opponent approaching calmly, like a predator closing in on its prey.


    ¡°You''d better stay where you are,¡± said Colin, bending down to pick up the handle of the fallen axe.


    The axe was stained with the smell of blood and was surprisingly heavy.


    With a firm blow from his knee, Colin snapped off the axe handle and threw it away. He turned and fled into the forest, running as fast as he could under the moonlight.


    Colin''s only company that night was the moon, whose pale light filtered through the leaves of the trees. The disturbing sounds of flesh being torn echoed in his ears, as if they had been etched in his mind.


    For a moment, as he ran desperately through the dark forest, Colin tried to understand what was happening¡ªhow he had ended up in that hellish world.


    His questions echoed in his mind as he turned away from the terrifying scene, anxious to find some answer, any clue that might give him clarity.


    He immersed himself in thought as he ran, trying to understand the dark nature of that world.


    An intriguing possibility hammered at the back of his mind: Had he entered a parallel universe, accessed only after death?


    It was one of the most plausible conclusions he could think of. After all, there were many theories about what happens after death, but they remained shrouded in mystery.


    The forest that now surrounded him was dense and dark, plunged into absolute darkness. He could barely see an inch in front of him, and the thin branches seemed to reach out like claws to grab him.


    In the darkness, Colin tripped over a thick root and rolled helplessly downhill until he came to a stop next to a river of crystal-clear water.


    The moon shone brightly in the night sky, and its reflection was perfectly projected onto the serene surface of the stream.


    Colin stood up quickly, but before he could react, a violent blow struck his back.


    Bam!


    He rolled over the stones on the bank, feeling the pain spread through his body. Looking back, he saw the soldiers in their silver armor approaching.


    Swords were drawn, and an apprehensive tension hung in the air as the men came across Colin lying on his back on the ground.


    ¡°What''s a Dark Elf doing here?¡± asked one of the soldiers, whose sword quivered in his trembling hands and whose eyes exuded fear and desperation.


    Colin raised a hand, trying to calm the situation.


    ¡°Wait!¡± he said urgently. ¡°I''m not a Dark Elf, I¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish his explanation, one of the men brutally kicked him in the face.


    Bam!


    Pain surged through him, and Colin struggled to get up, but before he could react, another soldier landed a powerful blow to his stomach.


    The kicks continued to rain down on him, hitting his face mercilessly until he could barely move.


    The soldiers stood back, gasping, and looked at Colin with contempt as they gradually regained control.


    ¡°He''s not a Dark Elf, he''s just a Half-Elf,¡± said one of the men, spitting in Colin''s face with disdain.


    His companion drew his sword and raised it threateningly in the air.


    ¡°Why don''t we just kill this freak?¡± he asked, anger evident in his voice.


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± his companion retorted, resting a hand on his wrist. ¡°Dark Elves are worth a fortune in the underworld. Let''s take him with us!¡±


    ¡°That''s right, I forgot!¡± agreed the other, lowering his sword.


    Crouching down, one of the men grabbed Colin by the hair and hoisted him over his shoulder.


    ¡°Are you sure it''s okay to carry him like this?¡± asked his companion, worried.


    ¡°It''s fine. Do you feel any magic coming from him?¡± asked the man carrying Colin.


    His partner shook his head and examined the battered Half-Elf, bruised and apparently harmless.


    ¡°He might know how to suppress his mana like the other mages in the capital.¡±


    ¡°Maybe he''s just weak. Come on, they must have finished with that village,¡± concluded the other, and the soldiers went on their way, carrying Colin, whose fate remained uncertain.


    He found himself in that silent nightmare, carried like a sack of potatoes on the shoulders of a stranger.


    His view was limited to the grass and the feet of the man carrying him. Frustration gnawed at his thoughts, as his mind was empty of escape plans. Exhaustion consumed him, but he stubbornly fought to stay conscious.


    The sounds of crying and the stench of blood hung in the air, churning his stomach.


    He wondered wryly that if he¡¯d had anything left in his stomach, it would¡¯ve come up.


    This can''t be real.


    They finally left the dense vegetation and climbed a ravine, coming upon a horrifying sight: a cage full of prisoners, mostly children and women.


    The soldiers unceremoniously unlocked the cage and brutally threw Colin inside.


    Feeling the icy ground beneath him, Colin, with dazed eyes, caught a glimpse of a comet cutting across the night sky, its streaks of light drawing ephemeral traces amidst the stars.


    The fleeting beauty of that moment was his last sight before succumbing to unconsciousness.

 Chapter 03 - Despair.

    The sun''s rays pierced through the bars of the cage, hurting Colin''s sensitive eyes like needles of light stabbing his retina. His head throbbed in response to the discomfort.


    The sound of the wheels grinding on the axles rang in his ears, making his headache worse.


    When he woke up, he noticed that the Elves who shared the cage with him had moved away, showing more fear of him than they did of the soldiers who had imprisoned them.


    Every movement Colin made was met with pain, a cruel reminder of the beating he had taken.


    He tried to stand up, but a stabbing pain in his ribs drove him backward. His hands gripped the iron bars, and he sighed, trying to contain the turmoil raging inside him.


    His left eye was purple and swollen, his mouth disfigured by the beatings he had suffered, and his body bore several painful abrasions.


    Colin turned his head carefully and caught the eye of one of the coachmen.


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    The coachman turned around with a menacing look on his face.


    ¡°Where are you taking me?¡±


    The answer came in harsh, threatening words.


    ¡°Shut up! Or we''ll use you as an example to that bunch of bastards!¡±


    Tsk.


    As the caravan moved slowly, a cool breeze brought with it the soft scent of wildflowers and freshly cut grass. The merciless sun shone brightly in the blue sky, casting its light on the majestic mountains that seemed to touch the clouds.


    The landscape was breathtaking, a sight that contrasted almost cruelly with his bleak situation.


    But the beauty of nature was soon overshadowed by the screams and cries coming from the other carriages in the caravan.


    Men, women, and children huddled together, some wounded and others with empty, apathetic stares, as if their souls had been stolen.


    It was a bleak scene that Colin couldn''t ignore, even though his own situation was equally dire.


    Pain and suffering marked the tired, wrinkled faces of the prisoners. The shackles that held them captive were pure torture, biting into their delicate skin with every movement of the carriage.


    As the caravan continued, Colin noticed that the road was littered with brutal obstacles: sharp rocks, hidden pitfalls, shallow rivers, and precarious bridges that seemed about to give way at any moment.


    With each bump of the carriage, a sharp pain reverberated in his already bruised ribs. He wondered how the other prisoners, in a similar situation, were enduring this torment.


    Despite his suffering, the surrounding landscape held a striking beauty that contrasted cruelly with the brutality of his situation.


    The false Elf wondered if he would ever be able to contemplate such spectacular scenery again, or if his life would be reduced to the cruel fate of being a prisoner until his last breath.


    Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, seeking temporary refuge from the surrounding chaos.


    Within this diverse group of Elves, there were diverse appearances. Some were tall and slender, while others were shorter and stockier. Hair ranged from blond and curly to dark and straight.


    Elven priests and acolytes wore sacred robes adorned with gold and silver details, bearing elven symbols embroidered on their cloaks.


    Nuns and monks also wore distinctive, earth-toned garments that reflected their devotion and modesty.


    As well as Elves and humans, the caravan was home to other races, such as dwarves and orcs, each with their own distinct physical and cultural characteristics, but they were too far for Colin to get a proper look.


    As the caravan moved slowly, a cool breeze brought with it the soft scent of wildflowers and freshly cut grass. The merciless sun shone brightly in the blue sky, casting its light on the majestic mountains that seemed to touch the clouds.


    While observing the diversity of that group, a voice among the prisoners asked:


    ¡°Why did they throw a Dark Elf in here with us?¡±


    Colin turned to face an Elf with a stern countenance, her gaze filled with hatred. A prominent mole marked the right side of her cheek.


    ¡°That''s it again,¡± he thought.


    ¡°I don''t understand,¡± he replied calmly, even though the Elf''s tone was rising.


    ¡°You don''t understand?¡± The Elf raised her voice, making her anger clear. ¡°We wouldn''t be in this situation if it weren''t for you!¡±


    Colin simply shrugged, adopting an expression of indifference that only seemed to increase her irritation.


    ¡°I don''t know what you''re talking about¡­¡±


    Before the Elf could continue her verbal attack, one of the guards slammed his sword into the cage''s railing, producing a loud, high-pitched noise that made everyone inside cringe.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, or I''ll slit your throats, you fucking Elves!¡±


    Faced with the threat of the soldiers of the Empire of Ultan, the Elf, who had been shouting aggressively before, lowered her head and remained silent.


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    The other Elves looked at Colin strangely but chose to remain silent, aware of the consequences of defying the Empire''s soldiers.


    As the carriage continued to move forward, one of the guards turned to his companion holding the reins.


    ¡°Where are we going now?¡± he asked, snorting and spitting beside him.


    The coachman shrugged and shook the reins.


    ¡°We''re going to meet the chief in the village east of here. He''ll decide where we''re headed next.¡±


    ¡°Right. I think he''ll be happy with the slaves we''ve captured; we even have a Dark Elf.¡±


    Over his shoulder, the coachman glanced at Colin, leaning against the railing.


    ¡°The boss will decide what to do with him as soon as we reach our destination.¡±


    ¡ª Four days later ¡ª


    As the caravan followed its merciless trail, Colin realized that hunger and thirst spared no one, neither children nor adults. All the prisoners were suffering, and the situation was bleak.


    Some, visibly weak, could barely stand or walk steadily, staggering along the tortuous path.


    Others had already given up trying to walk, dragging themselves along the ground, their bodies too exhausted to remain upright.


    Dirt was omnipresent, as was the stench¡ªan unbearable mix of decay and sweat. Those who could no longer bear the thirst risked drinking water from streams and puddles, even though they knew it was often contaminated.


    Diseases began to spread, and Colin saw prisoners coughing and sneezing uncontrollably.


    Meanwhile, the soldiers seemed to revel in the suffering of others. They laughed loudly as they ate, drank, and smoked, completely indifferent to the pain and misery of those in their custody.


    At night, the camp turned into a living hell. The Elves were forcibly taken to the soldiers'' tents, where they were subjected to sexual abuse and brutal beatings.


    The screams and moans of the victims echoed throughout the camp, but the soldiers remained completely indifferent to the suffering they were inflicting.


    Colin, for his part, was in a sorry state. His infected wounds gave off a nauseating smell of rot.


    He barely had the strength to move, and the feeling of weakness and malnutrition grew worse with each passing day.


    With each new dawn, the prospect of surviving this journey felt like an almost insurmountable challenge.


    In a gesture of altruism¡ªor perhaps foolishness¡ªColin gave his food to the children and women.


    It was a foolish decision, but he refused to accept the idea of eating something so disgusting.


    With difficulty, he swallowed and drank the foul-tasting water, all just to postpone the inevitable death looming over him.


    [¡­]


    The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when the soldiers launched their attack. This time, it was directed at a sizable village.


    It was a confrontation between two small armies and an unprotected community.


    The attack on the village unfolded in sheer brutality, and Colin was helpless, condemned to be a mere spectator. A sense of frustration ate away at him, watching this spectacle of cruelty without any power to interfere.


    The massacre was so savage that the village became unrecognizable, with flames engulfing houses, barns, and corpses scattered on the ground.


    When the soldiers finally opened the cage, chaos ensued. The prisoners were thrown to the ground, many of them still weak from hunger and inhumane treatment.


    The soldiers seemed to have no regard for the lives of their captives, indiscriminately killing those who couldn¡¯t stand up.


    Colin, despite the unbearable pain, struggled to stand, knowing his survival depended on it. His body felt like it weighed tons, his legs burned, but his determination was unshakable.


    The soldiers then separated him from the group and led him to a tent covered in red cloths. Inside, a large, burly man held a Damascus sword.


    The false Elf was thrown to the ground with such force that he saw stars.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move, Elf!¡± ordered one of the soldiers.


    Without the strength to react, Colin remained slumped, his forehead against the ground. The stout man stood up and approached the boy.


    ¡°A Dark Elf?¡± asked the man, his thick beard and booming voice echoing through the tent. ¡°Is he a spy for the Empire of the South or the West?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a Dark Elf¡ª¡± he tried to explain, but before he could finish his sentence, a violent kick landed on his head.


    ¡°Only speak when the great leader refers to you directly!¡± the soldier¡¯s voice echoed in the tent, followed by a blow that opened another wound on Colin¡¯s head.


    ¡°You, Dark Elf, what is your name?¡± asked the leader.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you want another kick?¡± the other soldier threatened.


    ¡°Colin¡­¡± he muttered, his mouth aching whenever he tried to speak. He knew he had no choice but to follow the men¡¯s orders.


    ¡°You¡¯re a Half-Elf, aren¡¯t you?¡± asked the leader scornfully.


    ¡°I¡¯m a human¡­ like you,¡± the captive tried to explain, his voice weak and pained.


    Even prostrate, offering no threat, Colin became the target of a series of violent kicks from the soldiers who had taken him to the tent.


    ¡°Don¡¯t compare us to you, you freak!¡± one of the soldiers shouted.


    The leader reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black stone, about the size of a marble. He held it in front of Colin''s forehead, who shivered in pain as he was forced to stare at it.


    After a few seconds, the leader put the sphere away and sighed, placing his hands on his hips.


    ¡°Planning to sell it?¡± he asked, his voice now quieter.


    The two men who had led Colin exchanged nervous glances and swallowed.


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± stammered one of them.


    ¡°Well, forget it. This Half-Elf is completely useless.¡± The leader paused dramatically.


    ¡°Why do you say that, sir?¡±


    ¡°He has no magic. Even for a Half-Elf, he should have something. If they sold him, he''d be worth less than a whore''s life.¡± The leader expressed his disdain clearly, casting a contemptuous glance at Colin.


    The heavy silence that dominated the tent was broken when Colin was abruptly thrown outside, landing hard on the muddy ground.


    He tried to get up, but was met with more punches and kicks.


    ¡°Damn, you''re useless!¡± spat one of the soldiers, his patience exhausted.


    When they finished beating him, they dragged him by the hair to a tree, where hanging bodies dangled like grotesque decorations.


    ¡°Let''s put him in the cage and leave him there to starve,¡± said one of the guards, pointing to a cage suspended from the tree.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we just kill him?¡± asked the other, his voice laced with anger.


    ¡°He''s a fucking Dark Elf. He deserves the worst punishment of all!¡± came the reply, dripping with hatred.


    Colin was thrown into the cage, which was soon hoisted up, leaving him hanging beside the corpses that swayed macabrely under the ancient tree.


    Colin¡¯s mind could no longer function properly due to the stabbing pain surging through his battered body. The past few days had been a relentless torment¡ªunlike anything he had endured before.


    He had never been beaten so badly. Not even when surrounded by bullies as a child, nor when his teacher had pushed him to the limits during brutal martial arts training.


    The false Elf swept his gaze across the chaotic scene.


    The soldiers continued their merciless slaughter, committing unspeakable atrocities. Women were raped, children ripped from their families¡ªall happening simultaneously.


    Colin was too exhausted to care. In his weakened state, he could do nothing but watch in silence, his mind clouded with fury.


    He was treated with less dignity than a dog, and this humiliation ignited a rage unlike anything he had ever known.


    His past had been marked by an upbringing rooted in kindness and compassion¡ªvalues his mother had instilled in him since childhood. He had tried to live by them, but ironically, those very ideals had dragged him into an abyss he could rarely escape.


    His hands, raw with hatred, gripped the cold bars of the cage as his eyes scanned the faces of the soldiers, one by one.


    A dark flame flickered in his gaze, and his mind raged with macabre thoughts.


    I''m going to kill you. All of you. I''ll disembowel you, throw your remains to the dogs¡­ to the worms. You will regret this¡ªI swear it!


    A frightening, lopsided smile curved his lips.


    Colin was unwilling to accept death as his fate.


    Fury burned in his chest, and he was determined to fight for his life¡ªwhatever the cost.

 Chapter 04 - Storm.

    Colin''s skinny, dirty feet dangled from a suspended cage, hanging from the twisted branches of a sinister tree.


    The surrounding scenery was macabre and desolate.


    Fires crackled, consuming human and elven corpses, their flames dancing in hellish arcs against the thick smoke. In the adjacent cages, rotting bodies lay, their carcasses serving as a feast for voracious mosquitoes and hungry crows.


    Trapped in the cage, Colin shared his torment with another boy, who seemed around his age. He had long blond hair, but his eyes were empty, lifeless.


    Despite his pitiful state, he was still breathing¡ªthough the putrid stench surrounding him suggested death had been lurking close.


    In his short time in this accursed place, Colin had learned a few things. He had overheard whispered conversations between the guards, revealing that they had been at war for years, perhaps centuries.


    They claimed it was the fault of the Dark Elves, who had lowered something called the veil.


    A stabbing pain twisted the false Elf''s insides, an agony nearly unbearable.


    His situation was so desperate that he would submit to anything to alleviate his suffering.


    If the guards urinated on him, he would drink gratefully. If they covered him in dung, he would devour it without a second thought.


    But the guards preferred a more refined cruelty.


    In front of Colin, a girl¡ªclearly much younger than him¡ªwas sobbing desperately beside the lifeless body of a woman.


    From her grief-stricken expression, Colin guessed she might be mourning her mother or a close relative.


    The girl''s anguished cries reverberated in his head.


    Doesn''t this idiot realize this is pointless?


    They were utterly alone, abandoned by gods and men alike.


    Every silent prayer was nothing more than a desperate cry for a miracle the heavens would never grant.


    After what felt like an eternity of silent struggle, she simply gave up.


    She stood there, motionless, her empty eyes reflecting a shattered soul.


    Meanwhile, the soldiers feasted on a plump ox right in front of Colin, leaving behind only clean bones as evidence of the carnage.


    The young man chained to the tree was strikingly beautiful.


    His long, golden hair resembled that of a maiden, and his delicate features could rival those of royal ladies


    Unfortunately, this beauty became a curse, an invitation for the soldiers to do with him as they pleased.


    No matter how many times he begged for mercy or wished for death, the hell they were living through showed no signs of letting up.


    [¡­]


    Time passed, and the bloody morning gave way to the afternoon.


    The soldiers began to prepare to leave the village.


    Some had already left with the man wielding the damask sword, while others¡ªtoo drunk to go any further¡ªcontinued looting and partying.


    The sky was gradually darkening, a sign that a storm was approaching.


    For Colin, this was an additional stroke of bad luck, as the soldiers didn¡¯t usually leave disposable hostages like him alive.


    He didn¡¯t want to die¡ªnot again¡ªbut he was aware that sometimes death could be preferable to a fate of torture and suffering.


    However, even though he knew he could face unimaginable horrors, the false Elf didn¡¯t want that to be his end, trapped in that cursed cage.


    For some reason unknown even to Colin, anger had left his being.


    His thoughts were jumbled; he was unable to conceive plans for revenge, and his mind was a blur of random, confused images.


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    Time seemed to be running out for him, his strength waning fast.


    However, in a rare stroke of luck, it seemed that the universe had decided to smile on him at that moment.


    An overwhelming storm roared in the skies.


    Loud thunder and furious gusts of wind made it seem as if the apocalypse itself was upon them.


    Before long, a crackling bolt of lightning found its target in one of the nearby houses, setting it ablaze.


    The stunned and disoriented soldiers who remained in the village hastily mounted their horses and galloped off, abandoning the town ¡ª and a few lives ¡ª which, luckily for them, included Colin¡¯s.


    The cage, hanging from the tree like a deadly pendulum, swung wildly under the force of the merciless wind, mixed with sand that cut through the skin like blades.


    It wasn¡¯t long before the branch supporting it gave in to the fury of the storm, and the old padlock, as ancient as the centuries-old tree, finally succumbed to the impact.


    Colin emerged from the shattered cage, his eyes fixed on the hanging corpses that were now falling one by one onto the grass.


    I¡¯ve got to get out of here¡ªand fast!


    His black hair and ragged clothes danced frantically under the fury of nature.


    He pushed on, arms raised to protect his face, each step a battle against the storm, heading towards the barn that rose like a boat on the rough sea.


    As he entered the barn, Colin rested his trembling hands on his knees and gasped deeply, his eyes still focused on the chaos unfolding outside.


    Broken branches, stray stones, and aimless leaves filled the air, creating a symphony of destruction that was, paradoxically, both beautiful and frightening.


    For the first time in his life, the childish fear of storms didn¡¯t affect him. Instead, a sense of relief flooded his being.


    The deafening roar of the world outside was drowned out by what sounded like muffled screams coming from somewhere inside the barn.


    His keen eyes spotted a pickaxe half-buried in the hay, and he gripped it tightly.


    In the background, beyond the stacked bales of hay, there was a small fence separating the barn from the space where the calves were kept.


    ¡°Be quiet, you son of a bitch!¡± the gruff voice of one of the soldiers echoed.


    Sneakily, Colin approached, avoiding any noise that might betray him.


    He soon spotted the same girl who had been crying desperately over a woman¡¯s body, now the victim of an attempted rape.


    Her dress was torn, and her swollen lips were bleeding. The soldier tried to control her, grabbing her arms while his disgusting tongue ran over her face.


    The girl managed to free one of her hands and, with fierce determination, grabbed a horseshoe that was within her reach.


    Bam!


    She landed a blow on the man¡¯s head, but it wasn¡¯t strong enough to stop him.


    ¡°You little shit, what do you think you¡¯re doing, huh?¡± roared the soldier, saliva dripping from his lips as he clenched his fist.


    Without mercy, he landed two brutal blows to the girl¡¯s face.


    Bam! Bam!


    It was as if she had been hit by a tree trunk.


    The blows were devastating, leaving her immobile but still conscious.


    Silent tears flowed from her eyes as she gave up the fight, closing her eyes and pressing her lips together, accepting her terrible fate.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, quiet!¡± The soldier ran his tongue over the girl¡¯s clenched lips with a mischievous look. ¡°Be a good girl, and maybe I¡¯ll leave you alive when I¡¯m done.¡±


    With rough hands, the soldier brutally tore off the rest of the girl¡¯s dress and began to pull down his own pants when a sudden sound broke through the muggy air of the barn.


    When the soldier turned around, a pickaxe went through his neck with a macabre sound.


    Squelch!


    He tumbled to the side, trying in vain to stop the bleeding that gushed from his neck. Colin abruptly withdrew the pickaxe, and the scarlet liquid splashed out like a grotesque fountain.


    ¡°So, it''s you!¡± Colin recognized one of his captors. ¡°You don''t look so brave now, do you?¡±


    With one hand still pressed to his bloodied neck, the man tried to crawl away, but Colin put his foot on his back, preventing him from fleeing.


    ¡°You''re still alive, even after having your neck pierced, hehe! What a stubborn cockroach you are.¡±


    The false elf raised his pickaxe high and drove it into the back of the soldier¡¯s knee, almost tearing it off.


    The soldier, now unable to scream, choked on his own blood.


    Colin smoothed back his hair, inhaling deeply as a wave of ecstasy ran through every fiber of his being. With a wide grin from ear to ear, he struck the man repeatedly in the back with the pickaxe, as if releasing years of frustration and pain with each blow.


    Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!


    He couldn''t hold back the fury that overwhelmed him.


    Even when he realized that the soldier lay lifeless, he continued to strike with his pickaxe until exhaustion overwhelmed him.


    The soldier''s blood had splattered his face, and the ground beneath his feet was saturated red, forming a puddle.


    When he realized what he had done, an emptiness enveloped him. The momentary pleasure he had experienced from the violence faded quickly, giving way to an icy, implacable stare.


    ¡°There, it''s all right now¡­¡±


    As the frightened girl stared at him, Colin leaned his pickaxe on her shoulder and advanced toward her. She backed away in terror, keeping her eyes fixed on her savior, who looked more like a wild beast to her.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± He stared at the blood on his hands.


    Sighing, the false elf turned his back on the girl and headed for a pile of hay in the corner of the barn. He lay down, hugging the bloodstained pickaxe and closing his eyes.


    It had been his first time taking someone¡¯s life, and although he had expected to feel guilt or remorse, none of it came.


    There wasn¡¯t a shred of regret for his actions¡ªjust an emptiness, a feeling that this was the only way to survive in such a merciless world.


    Colin was exhausted. His body ached, and his mind was in complete chaos. The storm was approaching, gaining intensity by the moment, but he refused to move.


    It was as if nature¡¯s fury reflected his own anger, and he had to let it out somehow.


    The barn where he had taken shelter wasn¡¯t the safest place in the world, but it was better than being exposed to the storm.


    The heavy rain hammered the roof, and the gusts of wind made the structure shake.


    ¡°Better wait for the storm to pass¡­¡±


    The world seemed to be falling apart around him, but Colin remained motionless, as if in a trance.


    He knew he needed to calm down, but the turbulence inside him couldn¡¯t be controlled.


    The storm promised to be long and intense, but he would wait until the end¡ªwithout thinking about what would come next.

 Chapter 05 - After the storm.

    Colin couldn''t sleep, mainly because of the stabbing pain of hunger. His stomach ached intensely.


    The storm had subsided, taking the soldiers with it.


    Finally, it was time to look for supplies. He raised his head from the hay, looking around the barn.


    The girl he had met earlier was still motionless, her head between her knees.


    Poor thing, she must be too traumatized to go on, he thought as he gave a few small taps to shake the remaining hay from his clothes.


    From that moment on, he knew that everything would come down to survival.


    With the pickaxe resting on his shoulder, he left the barn.


    The surrounding scene was one of complete destruction. Houses and trees had been turned upside down, but the barn had miraculously remained standing.


    He walked slowly, scanning the wreckage. Corpses of the villagers were scattered around, while a few survivors wandered aimlessly, their faces empty and lost.


    Even though Colin had often been mistaken for a Dark Elf, the broken souls he encountered didn''t seem to care anymore.


    I''d better find something to eat before I pass out from hunger.


    [¡­]


    ¡°Sons of bitches,¡± Colin muttered as he rummaged through boxes in a ruined shack.


    The soldiers had looted all the food.


    He staggered out of the house, one hand resting on the wall and the other clutching his aching abdomen. Fortunately, he found some water in a bucket next to the remains of another hut.


    While the soldiers had dragged him into the cages, he¡¯d noticed a river with running water not far from there, but his thirst couldn''t wait.


    Without a second thought, he drank¡ªonly to taste something bitter and sour.


    It was urine.


    The only reason he didn¡¯t vomit was because there was nothing left in his stomach. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he continued searching for anything that would help him survive.


    Dozens of dead animals lay around the village. They had been there for days, almost completely rotten, but he had no choice.


    Searching through some corpses, he found a dagger clutched in the hand of an old man whose throat had been cut, along with a ring that caught his eye.


    It was gold, with a silver scratch running through the middle.


    Colin carefully removed the ring from the old man¡¯s wrinkled finger and slipped it into his trouser pocket.


    The look on the old man''s face at the moment of death was pleading, as if he had been begging for something.


    Colin stared at the slit throat for a moment before withdrawing his hand and gently closing the old man''s eyes.


    In addition to taking the man''s dagger and ring, he also stripped him of his clothes, as his own were in tatters.


    The man had worn a weather-beaten wool coat with a few dark stains on the sleeves. Although large enough to provide some comfort, the coat was a little tight around Colin¡¯s shoulders and chest.


    His new pair of boots were made of brown leather¡ªworn but well-maintained¡ªand they fit his feet perfectly.


    Colin then made his way to a pigsty and approached one of the already dead pigs. Using the dagger, he cut the animal into pieces and placed them in a bucket.


    He grabbed another empty bucket and filled it with water, planning to wash the meat carefully in the river before devouring it down to the bone.


    Even with little strength, the false Elf was determined to carry the full bucket.


    Why did I have to end up in a place like this? What a piece of shit! I really am a fuck-up!


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    More than ever, Colin needed to be strong. He would have to learn everything about this new world, as if he were playing an online role-playing game¡ªwhere knowing the lore was essential.


    When he reached the river, he saw the same boy who had previously been chained to a tree, now naked, scrubbing himself vigorously in the water.


    His nails almost tore into his own skin as he scrubbed frantically. His gaze was terrifying, and Colin instinctively took a step back, observing him.


    The boy¡¯s long hair covered part of his face, and his arms bore several scratch marks.


    ¡°Another traumatized kid,¡± Colin muttered to himself.


    Unbearably thirsty, Colin, still alert, found a spot on the riverbank. He plunged his head into the water and drank voraciously, desperate to expel the lingering bitter taste of urine from his mouth.


    After quenching his thirst, he wiped his lips with the back of his hand and turned his attention to the pork. Carefully, he began to wash the meat, meticulously removing any traces of rot.


    Small crawling creatures were slowly carried away by the river''s crystal-clear current.


    As he watched his reflection in the water, Colin noticed the marks on his face ¡ª the deep circles under his eyes, and a look that seemed emptier than when he first arrived in this unknown world.


    His gaze shifted back to the boy in the river, who stared at him with an unsettling, almost predatory look.


    He¡¯d better stay where he is.


    However, curiosity and the desire to understand the situation prevailed. Colin decided to get closer and establish some kind of communication.


    Raising his right arm, he addressed the boy calmly:


    ¡°Hey! How are you?¡±


    Of course, he¡¯s not okay, he thought as he watched the boy frown and back away even further.


    After washing the pork, it was time to roast it.


    [¡­]


    The false Elf returned to the ruined village and improvised a spit with a piece of wood, trying out a technique he had seen before.


    Using bricks, he built a makeshift brazier and gathered the few dry branches he could find under crates or covered with tarpaulins. It took time, but with determination, he brought the fire to life.


    With a small stick, he poked at the wood until the flames crackled and the fire in the brazier intensified.


    Placing the meat on the dagger, he held it over the fire, turning it occasionally to ensure it cooked evenly.


    Day was already beginning to give way to night, and Colin knew he couldn''t stay there. The howls of wolves in the distance echoed through the night air, and stars began to dot the dark sky.


    At least tonight, the werewolves won''t be out hunting for food. If there are werewolves here, of course¡­, he thought, keeping his eyes on the blade of his dagger.


    He was sitting in front of a small fire crackling in the corner, the comforting warmth enveloping him as he carefully cooked his pig.


    Suddenly, he noticed footsteps approaching and turned to identify the source.


    It was the girl he had seen in the barn, but now she was unrecognizable¡ªcovered in mud and soot, looking as if she had been caught in a dust and mud storm.


    Her gaze, however, was the most striking feature: it bore a frightening expression, as if she had witnessed the worst horrors imaginable.


    The false Elf, showing a flicker of compassion, pointed with his index finger to the bucket next to him.


    ¡°Hi, are you thirsty? There''s water here, you can take it if you like¡­¡±


    But before he could receive any reply, the girl quickly lunged for the bucket, drinking all the water in one voracious gulp.


    She was so desperate for liquid that it almost looked like she might immerse herself in the bucket if there had been more.


    Colin immediately stood up, taking a cautious step back as he watched her drink, her thirst consuming her.


    After finishing the water, the girl seemed calmer.


    Showing his generosity, he offered her some meat¡ªa piece of loin cut with his improvised dagger.


    The girl''s eyes fixed on Colin with a strange expression.


    After blowing on the meat a few times, she devoured it quickly.


    He couldn''t help but notice how hungry and fragile she seemed, and a feeling of compassion crept over him.


    So he handed her another piece of meat, gently guiding her:


    ¡°Eat slowly. There''s not enough here for two people.¡±


    So she understands me¡­, he thought, observing her carefully.


    The girl''s hair was incredibly black, so dark it seemed to absorb the surrounding light.


    Smooth, silky locks flowed over her shoulders and hips, cascading down to almost touch the ground as she sat.


    Her deep purple eyes sparkled like precious gems in the faint glow of the campfire. Thin, arched eyebrows framed her face, giving her a serious, enigmatic appearance.


    Colin noticed that the girl''s ears were pointed, resembling those of an Elf, and she had two small, almost imperceptible horns on the top of her forehead, hidden beneath her bangs.


    Her skin was of an immaculate pallor, perfect and smooth, without any visible imperfections.


    Her appearance was as beautiful as it was mysterious, making Colin curious about the girl''s origins and story.


    A Tiefling?


    Determined to establish some kind of communication with the mysterious girl, he asked with a fixed gaze:


    ¡°What''s your name?¡±


    The girl''s eyes met his for a moment, but she remained silent, hugging her own legs, trying to cover the torn parts of her dress.


    Without getting an immediate response, he decided to introduce himself.


    ¡°I''m Colin,¡± he said, pausing briefly to watch her as she continued to eat. However, he was once again ignored.


    Respecting her silence and recognizing that she had been through great trauma, Colin chose to let her enjoy the rest of the evening in peace.


    He was aware that it would take time for her to feel comfortable enough to share anything.


    Colin had no intention of pressuring her. In this world, he knew it would be wiser to continue on his own path, trying to survive as best he could.


    He knew that looking after a child ¡ª or anyone ¡ª was not in his immediate plans.


    He carefully set up his makeshift bed, using his old clothes and a few stones. Lying down with his hands behind his head, he gazed up at the vast starry sky above him.


    At last, he was about to have the peaceful night''s sleep he had long longed for, surrounded by corpses, accompanied by the sounds of crows and worms.

 Chapter 06 - New life (1/2).

    The harsh croaking of the crows, feasting on the corpses of the villagers, interrupted Colin''s sleep, which until then had been one of the best he''d had in days.


    He stretched lazily, popping his shoulders and arms, while his still-sleepy eyes adjusted to the early morning light.


    When he looked over, there she was¡ªthe girl from the barn¡ªsound asleep on the other side of the fire, looking like an innocent, peaceful child.


    Colin watched her for a moment, his thoughts oscillating between the idea of leaving her behind and the realization that, in the current state of that hellish world, she needed help.


    I should just let it go, but the brat requires help. Okay, I''ll just help her with that, and then we''ll go our separate ways.


    Deciding to act, the false elf stood up and scared away the crows that were feasting on the body of a boy, a corpse similar in size and age to hers.


    ¡°Shoo! Shoo! Get out of here!¡±


    Without hesitation, he handled the boy''s body with no subtlety, abruptly turning him over as if the weight of death were trivial.


    Without ceremony, his nimble hands stripped the corpse of its clothes, tossing them toward the girl, who now stared at him with a perplexed expression.


    The last week since his arrival in that unforgiving world had hardened his heart.


    In normal circumstances, he might have felt compassion for the boy''s inert body, but now, in an environment where survival was the only priority, clothes were nothing more than a luxury.


    ¡°Put these on if you want to survive,¡± Colin declared bluntly, pointing to the clothes he had torn from the corpse.


    His gaze was serious.


    ¡°Wars aren''t usually kind to children, let alone girls like you. If you look like a boy, you''ll avoid a lot of trouble¡ªat least until you find someone you can trust.¡±


    The girl stared at the clothes on the ground for a moment, seemingly not fully understanding the situation. Her eyes, full of doubt and mistrust, shifted to her savior.


    Colin turned around and crossed his arms, giving the girl some privacy to change.


    Silence hung in the air, broken only by the sound of the wind rustling through the rubble.


    Then there was the sound of fabric tearing and the soft rustle of cloth against skin¡ªuntil everything went quiet again.


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    Colin turned around, finding the girl now dressed like a boy.


    Without a trace of hesitation, the false elf placed his hand on his waist and pulled out his dagger, its blade gleaming briefly in the sunlight that was beginning to seep through the clouds.


    The girl took a step back, her eyes wide, her body tense with fear.


    Colin deftly spun the dagger by its handle before throwing it to the ground at her feet.


    With a simple gesture of his index finger, he pointed at the girl¡¯s hair, clearly indicating what he expected her to do.


    ¡°You need to cut your hair too. It''s too long. But don''t cut it so short that your ears and horns show.¡±


    She pursed her lips and nodded.


    Determined, she gathered her hair into a makeshift ponytail and, with the sharp dagger, cut the strands, leaving them scattered across the grass like remnants of her past.


    As Colin watched her, a wave of melancholy washed over him, his thoughts drifting to memories of his mother.


    The image of her, once adorned with long hair before her illness, emerged like a faint shadow. It was as if the world was cruelly forcing them to abandon fragments of their former selves.


    In a silent gesture, Colin raised his hand, asking for the dagger back. The girl cautiously approached him and, just as Colin reached out to retrieve the blade, she closed her eyes and turned her face away.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Gently, he picked up the dagger, his eyes meeting hers.


    The surrounding atmosphere was heavy with desolation. The village was completely devastated. The people who had once lived there were now nothing more than scattered corpses¡ªand Colin saw them as just that: corpses.


    Facing the girl, he scratched the back of his head.


    Even though they''re corpses, thought Colin, I believe they deserve to be buried with dignity¡­ that''s what I''d want them to do for me. So be it. This will be the first and last time I help someone who''s already dead.


    [¡­]


    For most of the morning, he dug dozens of shallow graves with the farming tools he found around the village.


    Then he began to drag the bodies, one by one, to the growing mound of corpses. Among the bodies he moved, he didn''t see anyone with horns like the girl watching him.


    He crouched next to a body near a tree where someone had been hanged, grabbed the corpse by the bloody collar of its shirt, and dragged it to the grave.


    It was a toothless old man, and the crows had already begun to devour his flesh, though he was still partially whole.


    The second corpse that Colin carried was that of a girl, younger than the one who was watching everything from a corner.


    The girl stood still, simply observing as he did all the heavy lifting.


    ¡°Aren''t you going to give me a hand?¡± he asked, tossing another body into the grave. ¡°You knew these people, didn''t you?¡±


    She remained silent.


    ¡°Listen, girl, I know you''re sick over what happened here, but I''m dead tired. I don''t know if I can bury everyone before nightfall. Do you want me to leave them here? To be eaten by crows, rats, and all kinds of bugs?¡±


    Colin turned his head, looking at the woman he assumed was the girl''s mother, lying still beside her.


    ¡°Do you want to leave her here as rat food?¡±


    The girl turned her head and looked at the dead woman''s peaceful face. Her lips began to tremble, and tears welled up in her eyes, shining like crystals.


    She bit her lip hard and held back the tears. Then, with newfound determination, she stood up.


    ¡°So, are you going to help me?¡± he asked, his gaze softening with pity.


    She nodded and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt, drying the tears that kept falling.


    ¡°Then come on, we''ve got a lot to do.¡±


    She hurried over to him.

 Chapter 07 - New life (2/2).

    The little girl struggled to lift the bodies, her hands barely able to hold them, but she continued to do her best.


    Together, they managed to bury all the villagers before nightfall, leaving just one more body to be buried.


    When it came to picking up the corpse of the girl''s mother, she hesitated for a few moments.


    Her countenance remained downcast, and the tears running down her pale skin said much about how she felt. Even in a world like that, where death was a constant companion, children were still just children.


    They placed her mother''s body carefully in the grave, crossed her arms, and smoothed her hair, offering her one last gesture of respect and dignity.


    Colin hadn''t had the chance to bury his own mother, and it brought back painful memories of a distant past.


    By some miracle, he had survived and been thrown into another world, a place even more merciless than the one he had come from.


    Perhaps this was a punishment, a test, or even a fresh start in a strange and hostile purgatory, but he was determined to face it all head-on.


    The girl held on to his shirt as long as she could.


    With his foot, Colin searched through the wreckage for a piece of wood and picked it up, acting with the practicality of someone used to improvising.


    He then took a small piece of rope and made a rudimentary cross, nailing it to the makeshift grave as a final tribute to those who rested there.


    ¡°Do you want to say something?¡± he asked as he stood up, looking at the girl who remained silent, her sadness reflected in her eyes.


    Stifling a sob, he raised his voice, trying to find words that might offer some consolation.


    Colin had never been good at speeches, but at that moment, he made a sincere effort.


    ¡°You¡¯ve lived in your own way. I hope you don¡¯t regret it. I hope you can rest in peace and find the tranquility you deserve. May the Gods welcome you with love and guide you to a new journey where you can find joy and prosperity. May your memories be preserved.¡±


    He glanced at the girl, recognizing the pain in her eyes.


    ¡°And may your stories be told to inspire future generations. Rest in peace¡­¡±


    Taking a deep breath, he turned away, walking over to a bucket of water where he washed his dirt-stained hands.


    He also wiped his sweaty face, allowing himself a brief moment of pause after the arduous task they had completed.


    However, the girl couldn¡¯t hold back her tears. She remained there, standing before that improvised grave, completely devastated.


    Kneeling down, she cried loudly, almost screaming, releasing the pain that had been stored in her chest.


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    Even for someone like Colin, used to the pain caused by loss, it was painful to watch. He walked over to the girl and stood beside her.


    Then he took a long look at the dozens of bodies he had buried, reflective and thoughtful.


    ¡°You¡¯ll need to be strong now<i>¡±</i> Colin whispered, his words laden with compassion. ¡°You¡¯ll be forced to grow up faster than other children¡­ In short, goodbye and good luck ¡ªyou¡¯ll need it.¡±


    With that, Colin turned and walked away, leaving the girl with her feelings and memories, while he himself prepared to face the unknown that awaited him in this merciless world.


    With the grim duty of burying the dead completed, the false elf fixed his eyes on the desolate horizon.


    An aura of melancholy and contemplation hung in the air as his wet fingers traced his face.


    A light breeze blew, laden with distant murmurs¡ªtraces of sounds that echoed through the post-apocalyptic landscape.


    In the rhythm of this brief pause, he reflected on his next steps.


    ¡°Right, I just need to get out of here. Then I''ll decide where to go.¡±


    So he left the desolate village, abandoning the bodies and the dark memories behind.


    [¡­]


    He looked over his shoulder and noticed that the same girl he had met in the barn was following him, struggling to keep up with his fast pace.


    Carrying all those bodies had been no easy task, and Colin was exhausted, but he was in a hurry.


    He frowned when he realized the girl was still following him, and impatience began to grow inside him.


    He wasn¡¯t interested in being her protector, especially since he didn¡¯t have a survival manual for that hostile and unpredictable world.


    Furthermore, he didn¡¯t want to take care of her because he knew it was too dangerous to be near him, given the scenarios he had witnessed so far.


    Leaving the village, he followed the clay road that stretched out before him.


    As he walked, the surrounding landscape unfolded in spectacular natural beauty: green valleys, magnificent forests, and mountains that seemed to touch the clouds.


    Even in the midst of everything that had happened, he couldn¡¯t help but admire the grandeur of the nature that surrounded him.


    As his eyes roamed over the landscape, he spotted a huge castle in the distance.


    His mind warned him: It must be some hostile kingdom. I''d better not go that way¡­ or maybe¡­


    Colin walked a little further, each step more impatient than the last, until he finally stopped and turned around, facing the girl who was following him, clearly exhausted.


    The little girl was completely soaked, her clothes clinging to her body, and she was breathing heavily, as if she had used up all her strength.


    If she kept struggling like that, she would soon faint.


    He couldn¡¯t understand why she insisted on following him. His patience was at its limit, and he needed answers.


    ¡°Why are you following me?¡± he asked, his piercing eyes fixed on hers.


    However, the girl remained silent, her energy seemingly drained as she struggled to catch her breath.


    He approached her, his imposing presence causing the girl a certain fear, but she didn¡¯t back down.


    ¡°You can¡¯t come with me. It¡¯s too dangerous. Turn around, get out of here while you can!¡± he said, but the girl remained silent, just wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.


    Colin grew angry.


    He had nothing to do with what was going to happen to that girl, but something inside him wouldn¡¯t let him just leave her there.


    Suddenly, he heard the sound of horses coming from the road.


    Damn it!


    He grabbed her arm and pulled her into the bushes, throwing himself to the ground, hidden by the tall grass.


    They stayed still while a cart passed by.


    The sound of heavy boots, horses¡¯ hooves, and men laughing filled the air.


    They waited until the sounds faded into the distance before standing up.


    ¡°We have to avoid the roads,¡± he said. ¡°Do you know where we are?¡±


    She shook her head, saying no.


    Damn it, girl, won¡¯t you open your mouth?


    She looked away nervously.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ never mind.¡±


    Colin moved further away from the road, and she followed him like a puppy trailing after its owner.


    What a drag. I¡¯m so tired, I can¡¯t even get rid of her.


    Near a tree, he suddenly stopped and stared at her.


    ¡°If you¡¯re going to keep following me, I want you to do what I say. Got it?¡±


    She nodded nervously.


    ¡°All right. Let¡¯s go. I need to find somewhere to sleep.¡±

 Chapter 08 - Mishap in the cave

    Colin knelt down next to a pile of stones and dry grass that he had skillfully stacked. He created a circle of stones around the grass, forming a small clearing to house the fire.


    With a concentrated gaze, he struck the stones against each other, sparks falling onto the dry grass.


    The cozy warmth of the flames quickly enveloped the grass. Watching the fire with a satisfied smile, Colin contemplated the flames dancing in mesmerizing patterns.


    After a while, he lay back on the ground, staring up at the starry sky. Feeling an unexpected inner peace, he lost himself in the vastness of the cosmos. The stars twinkled above him, forming a celestial landscape that seemed to dispel all the worries of the world.


    As the false elf admired the stars, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that the girl was also lying nearby, watching the sky in the same way. Occasionally, he noticed her glancing at him.


    Deep down, the girl was seeking reassurance that Colin wouldn¡¯t abandon her. Despite their peculiar connection, he had saved her and was, in some way, still keeping her alive.


    To the sound of crackling flames and chirping crickets, they eventually fell asleep.


    [¡­]


    The girl woke up to the first rays of sunlight filtering through the treetops.


    She stretched lazily, yawning as she adjusted her body. A delicious scent in the air made her jump to her feet.


    Her savior was standing by the fire, where a rabbit was being expertly roasted over the crackling flames. The animal¡¯s skin was turning a crispy golden color, and the irresistible aroma made her mouth water.


    Colin noticed her hungry expression and, with a friendly look, offered her a piece of the freshly roasted rabbit. He didn¡¯t say a word, but the gesture was clear.


    The girl took the piece of rabbit, feeling the warmth of the meat in her hands. Taking a bite, she immediately savored the juiciness and rich flavor.


    The rabbit was perfectly cooked. A satisfied smile lit up her face, and she waved in thanks.


    ¡°The castle is on the other side of the mountain. We¡¯ll go there,¡± Colin said. ¡°If it¡¯s a city, we¡¯ll split up¡ªeach going our own way, understand? We¡¯ll find someone to look after you.¡±


    Sadness flickered in her eyes, but she said nothing.


    [¡­]


    After satisfying their hunger, they got up and prepared to move on. They put out the fire with earth and headed for the roadside.


    With their senses alert, they walked through the tall forest, wary of anyone who might appear.


    After almost two hours, no sign of life had appeared¡ªnot a single soul. Colin, determined, crossed the road, focusing on the castle in the distance.


    Luck smiled on them when they came across a stream. They quenched their thirst with fresh water and took the opportunity to fill their canteen.


    Washing his face as well, Colin stood up, determined.


    ¡°We need to keep going; the castle is near.¡±


    <b>[¡­]</b>


    After days of crossing the forest, they finally began to see signs of civilization. The terrain varied from vast, dry, barren plains to dense forests filled with tall, dark trees.


    Exhausted, Colin sat down on a rock, observing his surroundings.


    The grass was low, and the nearly empty canteen reflected the scarcity of water. The girl also sat down next to him, wiping the sweat from her forehead.


    She avoided speaking, afraid of causing trouble, but remained there, watching him, waiting for some guidance.


    ¡°Will we ever reach this castle? We¡¯re running out of food, water¡­ and there¡¯s no sign of life in this damn land.¡±


    He stood up.


    ¡°Can you go on?¡±


    Pushing back a lock of her hair, she nodded.


    <b>[¡­]</b>


    They marched for a few more hours until the sun disappeared behind the mountains.


    With a sidelong glance, Colin noticed how exhausted the girl was.


    Her steps were slow, and she occasionally closed her eyes, almost falling asleep on her feet.


    He stopped abruptly. Inattentively, the girl bumped into him, following his gaze.


    ¡°A cave. Let¡¯s go there.¡±


    Heading for the nearest tree, Colin broke off a branch, tore part of his shirt sleeve, grabbed the chipped stones from his old rucksack, and sparked the cloth into flames.


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    With the improvised torch in hand, they moved further inside.


    Startled, the girl instinctively grabbed Colin¡¯s hand. He stared at her without saying a word.


    Together, they went deeper into the cave, the oppressive darkness growing heavier with each step.


    The silence was broken only by the echo of their footsteps, intensifying the sense of isolation.


    The darkness was so dense that even the light seemed afraid to penetrate its depths. Colin moved forward cautiously, each step accompanied by an unnerving feeling that something lurked in the shadows.


    ¡°Something¡¯s wrong.¡± His hands began to sweat, his heart pounding harder.


    The tension reached its peak when a nauseating stench hit his nostrils.


    ¡°Crap! What is that smell?¡±


    Something lurked in the depths. Before Colin could advance, the girl tightened her grip on his hand, shaking her head, her eyes wide with dread.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I just want to take a look.¡±


    Colin approached, and there, in the dark recesses of the cave, lay the forgotten remains of other people, abandoned in the shadows.


    Around the corpses, a collection of rudimentary weapons was scattered¡ªswords, shields, and spears.


    Letting go of the girl¡¯s hand, he stepped closer, examining the weapons. Some were rusty; others were so sharp they seemed to have been left there recently.


    ¡°It looks like this place is some creature¡¯s nest. Let¡¯s grab some weapons and get out of here before it comes back.¡±


    A shiver ran through the girl as she looked back.


    Sinister eyes emerged from the darkness, glowing like embers, piercing through the shadows.


    She tapped Colin on the shoulder, and he turned just as a huge bear with a scarred face lunged toward them.


    Acting on instinct, the false elf grabbed the girl and leapt away.


    The torch fell nearby, casting a flickering light over the macabre scene.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    Colin stood up slowly, taking cautious steps backward.


    ¡°Listen, when it charges, you run for the exit, got it?¡±


    ¡°But what about you?¡± she asked¡ªfor the first time.


    ¡°I''ll be fine, just do as I say!¡±


    Terrified, she nodded.


    The bear advanced slowly toward them, the flickering torchlight revealing its menacing figure. Then it attacked.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    The girl ran to one side and Colin to the other. The bear hesitated, undecided about whom to pursue, but chose to advance on Colin when it saw him pick up a spear from the pile of corpses.


    A deafening roar echoed through the bowels of the cave, marking the beast¡¯s imposing charge.


    Rising on its hind legs, the creature towered over Colin, who stood firm with the spear raised, determined to confront his formidable opponent.


    However, the bear¡¯s overwhelming strength became clear when, with a single swipe of its paw, it shattered the spear, thwarting Colin¡¯s initial defense.


    ¡°Shit!¡± he cursed, rolling deftly to the side and surprisingly grabbing a shield.


    But the bear¡¯s reaction was merciless. With a sinister snap, it crushed the shield, its claws tearing a deep gash into Colin¡¯s arms and slamming him brutally to the ground.


    Furious, the bear lunged forward, but the false elf, though wounded, managed to scramble to his feet just in time to grab a sword.


    ¡°Here it comes!¡±


    The creature opened its jaws wide, but with fearless precision, Colin sidestepped the attack and drove his blade into the beast¡¯s eye, unleashing a furious, ear-piercing roar.


    Roaaar!


    The bear¡¯s retaliation was swift. With a violent swipe, it sent Colin crashing against the cave wall.


    Bam!


    Bloodied and staggering, Colin didn¡¯t give in. Crawling, he tried to escape while the bear writhed in pain.


    ¡°Damn it! I¡¯ve got to get out of here before that demon kills me!¡±


    But the bear wasn¡¯t done.


    Furious, it advanced slowly toward its prey, its growl echoing off the stone walls.


    Colin grabbed a rusty sword from the pile and pointed it at the bear.


    Even in agony, a defiant smile crept onto his face.


    With a sharp sting of pain in his arm and blood dripping from his wounds, Colin¡¯s fearless gaze met the beast¡¯s. His steady breathing contrasted with the surrounding chaos.


    Without realizing it, he found himself smiling.


    ¡°Come on, you bastard!¡±


    The bear, driven by uncontrollable rage, charged again. Colin prepared to deflect, but a sudden sharp pain in his ribs made him falter. The bear struck him with a powerful blow, sending him flying even farther.


    Bam!


    Now with more wounds, Colin struggled to get up, every fiber of his body screaming in pain.


    Breathing heavily, he gripped his sword tightly, determined to stand his ground.


    The bear approached slowly, its saliva dripping onto the cave floor.


    Fueled by a mixture of courage and sheer survival instinct, Colin stood up and braced himself as the beast closed in.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    Bending his knees, he leapt over the bear and delivered a powerful blow with his sword. The blade sliced into the side of the bear¡¯s neck, eliciting another roar of pain.


    ¡°I did it!¡±


    But as soon as his feet hit the ground, the bear¡¯s paw struck his shoulder, sending him crashing against the wall again.


    Bam!


    ¡°Hell!¡±


    He grabbed the sword, holding it defensively, just before the bear lunged.


    The creature shattered the blade with its powerful jaws, and Colin stumbled backward, running a few steps before his legs gave out and he collapsed.


    Disgrace!


    At that moment, time seemed to slow as the bear¡¯s teeth closed in.


    ¡°Am I going to¡­ die?¡±


    Squelch!


    The sharp tip of a spear pierced the exact spot where Colin had wounded the bear earlier.


    Emerging from the shadows, the girl¡ªher eyes filled with tears¡ªseized the precise moment to thrust the spear deep into the beast¡¯s neck.


    The bear roared, momentarily stunned by the surprise attack.


    The girl fell to the ground, breathless, while the bear thrashed in agony, shaking its massive body from side to side.


    Gathering his strength, Colin stood up and lifted the girl by the arm, moving quickly away from the stunned bear.


    They reached the pile of corpses, and Colin picked up the sharpest sword his eyes could find.


    Before moving on, he locked eyes with his savior.


    ¡°Thank you¡­ now stay here. Let me handle this!¡±


    She swallowed hard and nodded, her sparkling eyes filled with both fear and determination.


    ¡°This is my chance to end it!¡±


    The bear, already losing a lot of blood and visibly tired, stopped its desperate thrashing when its single eye met Colin¡¯s fierce gaze.


    The false elf¡¯s hands tingled, and as if time had frozen once again, he saw sparks emanating from his fingertips.


    ¡°Is that¡­ magic?¡±


    Woosh!


    Colin ducked, dodging the bear¡¯s massive paw. In one agile movement, he leapt to the side, slashing a deep gash into the creature¡¯s shoulder.


    Swish!


    ¡°Am I stronger?¡±


    He dodged again, slashing the beast once more, warm blood splattering across his face.


    ¡°I can win!¡±


    With a final surge of strength, Colin delivered a decisive blow, the sword slicing through the air with a deadly ring.


    The bear¡¯s neck gushed blood¡ªa crimson cascade signaling victory.


    The colossal creature staggered, its agonizing roars echoing through the bowels of the cave before collapsing into a deep, eerie silence.


    Exhausted, Colin let the sword slip from his fingers, succumbing to the ground. He sat, breath ragged, contemplating the magnitude of his conquest.


    The silence was broken only by the faint echo of the bear¡¯s last dying moan.


    With tears welling in her eyes and lips trembling, the girl stared at her savior¡¯s tired, haggard expression.


    Without hesitation, she ran to him, her footsteps echoing across the cavern floor. She knelt beside him and threw herself into his arms, wrapping him in a firm embrace. Colin winced, feeling a sharp pain shoot through his ribcage.


    ¡°Hey, hey, take it easy¡­¡± he murmured, gritting his teeth.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± she pulled back quickly, wiping the corner of her eyes.


    ¡°When I tell you to run, don¡¯t disobey me again. Understand?¡±


    Colin forced a faint smile.


    ¡°But¡­ I¡¯m glad you came back. Otherwise, I¡¯d be dead. Thank you.¡±


    Sniffling, she hugged him again, holding him tightly as if he were her anchor in an ocean of fear. She cried softly into his shoulder, and Colin gently stroked her back.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right now¡­ there¡¯s no need to cry.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re badly hurt¡­¡± she said, pulling back to look into his eyes. ¡°We need to find something to stop the bleeding!¡±


    Without waiting for a response, she ran to the torch, lifting it high as she searched the cave for anything that could be used as first aid.


    ¡°I just need a break¡­¡±


    Exhausted, Colin lay back on the cold floor and closed his eyes, his body succumbing to the overwhelming fatigue.

 Chapter 09 - The griffin.

    The gray light of dawn was beginning to seep through the openings in the cave, painting the space with a pale hue. Colin¡¯s exhausted body lay on the rocky ground, while the girl was dedicated to the task of caring for her companion.


    With dexterity, she improvised a pillow using her backpack, providing a minimal level of comfort to her unconscious friend.


    Her eyes, heavy with sleeplessness, moved carefully, examining the false elf¡¯s wounds.


    Cautiously, she cleaned the injuries, applied makeshift bandages, and did her best to ease her fallen companion¡¯s discomfort.


    When she had finished, she sat there, watching Colin sleep.


    It was agonizing not knowing what the next step would be.


    She had spent days following him, and it was always Colin who hunted and knew where to go.


    Without him, she felt lost.


    [¡­]


    As night gave way to day, the girl remained vigilant, devoted to her mission of care.


    Sitting next to her savior, she resisted the fatigue weighing on her shoulders, fighting the sleep that tried to envelop her.


    Even in the face of exhaustion, she stood up.


    I need to get some food and water before Mr. Colin wakes up.


    Picking up a dagger from the pile of bodies and grabbing her canteen, she decided to face the outside world once again.


    With cautious steps, she left the cave, venturing into unfamiliar terrain.


    The first task was clear: find water and something to satisfy her hunger.


    Although terrified, she pressed on, her mind calculating the safest route to take.


    [¡­]


    She advanced through the rugged landscape, her hands still trembling, senses on high alert.


    Amid the silence of nature, her eyes caught the swift movement of a rabbit darting through the shadows.


    Her heart raced, and her trembling hands instinctively reached for the dagger.


    Can I¡­?


    Calm down. I have to be able to repay what Mr. Colin did for me!


    She approached the rabbit, apologizing in her mind, then lunged at the animal, clenching her eyes shut as her dagger tore through its torso.


    It¡¯s softer than the bear. The meat must be much better, too.


    With a skill born of necessity, she tied the rabbit to her shoulders with a makeshift vine. However, she had barely begun moving west when a peculiar sound broke through the air: the gentle murmur of running water.


    Her heart pounded with hope at the possibility of finding the vital resource she so desperately sought.


    There, past the trees!


    However, as she approached the comforting sound, her steps came to an abrupt halt.


    Between the trees, she saw a grim scene: burly men armed with swords had set up a rudimentary camp.


    Women and children were trapped in cages, vulnerable like helpless prey. Panic seized her, and she hid in the shadows, watching the scene with wide eyes.


    Are they Ultan soldiers?


    The largest of them¡ªa tall man with long hair¡ªwas sharpening his sword on a rock, while other members of the camp prepared goat meat over a crude fire.


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


    There¡¯s no way I can help them all. I¡¯d better get water somewhere else.


    But as she thought about leaving, her eyes caught sight of one of the men approaching a cage, grabbing a woman by the hair, and throwing her roughly inside.


    He adjusted his pants and stepped aside, allowing other girls to comfort the shaken woman.


    Shit¡­


    Okay. If I¡¯m going to do this, I need to be smart!


    [¡­]


    With her heart still heavy from the shocking scenes at the camp, the girl hurried back to the cave, her concern for Colin lingering in the back of her mind.


    When she arrived, she found him still unconscious but showing signs of stability. A wave of relief flooded her chest.


    ¡°Thank the gods¡­¡± she murmured, kneeling beside her friend. ¡°Sir¡­ there are some people trapped nearby¡­ I know I should stay away, but they¡­ I have to help them. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be right back!¡±


    Determined to use all available resources, she grabbed Colin¡¯s not-so-heavy sword and began to dismember the downed bear.


    The contact with the animal¡¯s entrails made her stomach turn, but she forced herself to continue, ignoring the churning in her gut until she finally vomited.


    ¡°Shit¡­ I don¡¯t have time for this.¡±


    Raising the sword again, each cut was calculated, and she gradually grew accustomed to the coldness of the task.


    At dusk, with parts of the bear in hand, she approached the camp where the women and children were being held.


    With dexterity, she placed the animal parts near the camp, a strategy designed to attract the wolves that roamed the wilderness.


    ¡°There. Now just wait.¡±


    Climbing a nearby tree, the girl watched intently, waiting for nature¡¯s response to the bait she had laid.


    ¡°Come on¡­ come out¡­¡±


    However, something beyond her expectations began to manifest.


    The piercing cry of a powerful eagle broke the silence of the night, echoing through the forest. Then came the loud, majestic flapping of wings, resounding in the darkness.


    ¡°What the hell was that?¡± muttered one of the men from the camp, stepping out of his tent.


    The roar of wings was an omen of something greater, something beyond their comprehension.


    The tension in the air grew thick when, suddenly, the figure of a majestic griffin emerged from the shadows, its wings spreading wide in an awe-inspiring spectacle.


    ¡°What the hell!¡±


    The creature¡¯s cry echoed again, now closer.


    ¡°Wake up, you bastards! It¡¯s a fucking griffin!¡±


    In one swift motion, the creature snatched one of the men and flung him high into the air, letting him crash to the ground with a sickening thud.


    The horses, still tethered to their posts, reared and jerked, panicked by the chaos.


    ¡°Shit!¡± whispered the girl.


    She quickly climbed down from the tree and crept through the undergrowth toward the cages. The people inside were terrified, their wide eyes reflecting fear and confusion.


    Taking advantage of the camp¡¯s confusion, she emerged from the shadows.


    ¡°Stay back¡ªI¡¯ve come to help!¡±


    Using the handle of her dagger, she broke the rusty padlock.


    The women, clutching their children, wasted no time and began running toward the horses and carriages, desperate for freedom.


    ¡°The hostages are getting away! Get the damn hostages!¡±


    She broke another lock, but one of the soldiers grabbed her from behind, throwing her to the ground.


    ¡°You bitch! Is this your fucking fault?¡±


    He raised his sword, but a woman grabbed his arm, followed by another who helped knock him to the ground.


    With a scream, the girl charged forward, stabbing the man in the throat.


    The women released him and ran toward the horses.


    Carriages and more carriages stampeded away, disappearing into the darkness.


    The griffin continued to tear the soldiers apart with its claws and massive beak. Torches fell near the tents, setting them ablaze.


    ¡°Damn! The gunpowder, the bloody gunpowder!¡±


    One of the men ran toward a trunk near the tent, but the griffin swooped down, snatching him up before he could reach it, shaking him violently from side to side.


    The creature grabbed another soldier with its sharp talons, beating its wings and spreading the fire even further.


    The flames reached the gunpowder. The girl¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Damn!¡±


    Boom!


    An explosion ripped through the camp, shrapnel tearing into the griffin and the remaining soldiers, dismembering them.


    The shockwave flung the girl across the ground, her head slamming hard against the earth.


    [¡­]


    With a jolt, the girl awoke. Her eyes opened to a scene of utter destruction¡ªa camp reduced to ashes in an apocalyptic landscape.


    Small fires crackled, casting dancing shadows over the smoking wreckage. The wails of dying men echoed in the air, a haunting chorus of despair.


    ¡°My head¡­¡±


    She stood up slowly, her body aching, and walked across the ruined field.


    She passed what was left of the griffin¡ªhalf its body torn to shreds.


    Stepping over corpses with faces frozen in agony, she rummaged through the wreckage, eventually finding a half-buried canteen.


    With the urgency of someone searching for treasure, she dug it out and sighed in relief at the metallic sheen of the object.


    Approaching the river, she washed her face, the cold water soothing her accumulated anguish.


    Gazing at her reflection in the calm waters, she sighed softly.


    The gentle murmur of the river felt like a distant echo of comfort, as if nature itself was trying to heal the wounds left by that dark night.


    ¡°Right¡­ time to go back.¡±


    [¡­]


    Back in the cave, the girl stumbled upon Colin, now awake and conscious.


    Their gazes met in a moment heavy with unspoken meaning¡ªa silent exchange that transcended words.


    ¡°Mr. Colin!¡±


    She ran toward him, throwing herself into his arms.


    ¡°Take it easy, I haven¡¯t recovered yet, hehe!¡± he chuckled, wincing slightly.


    Noticing she was covered in blood and soot, he frowned. ¡°What happened to you?¡±


    She smiled faintly and held up the canteen.


    ¡°I went to get some water! Do you want some?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    With an insatiable thirst, Colin drank every drop from the canteen in one go.


    ¡°How long was I asleep?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I think three days¡­¡±


    ¡°Got it¡­ hey, girl, we¡¯ve been together for a while now, right? Can you tell me your name?¡±


    She hesitated for a brief moment, then smiled softly.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ Safira. My name is Safira.¡±

 Chapter 10 - Getting to know.

    With his mind made up, Colin approached Bastiat¡¯s group, accompanied by Safira, who followed him closely. It would be interesting to join the trio¡ªperhaps he could learn a thing or two.


    ¡°Guys, this elf has come to help us. He¡¯s accompanied by the boy!¡±


    Bastiat announced loudly, drawing the attention of the other three adventurers sitting at a table in the corner of the tavern.


    The place was bustling with people, the sounds of conversation, laughter, and music blending into a lively hum.


    Elara, the cleric, smiled warmly, stood up, and extended her hand to greet Colin.


    ¡°Welcome! I¡¯m Elara, the group¡¯s cleric.¡±


    Kaldor, the swordsman, nodded without getting up. He had a mug of wine in hand and seemed relaxed.


    Darian, the archer, smiled and gave a friendly wave. He was leaning casually against the wall, his bow and quiver resting beside him.


    ¡°I¡¯m Kaldor, the warrior. If you need someone to take a few hits for you, I¡¯m your guy!¡± he joked, taking a sip of his wine.


    ¡°And I¡¯m Darian, the archer. Looks like we¡¯ve gained two new companions for the mission!¡± he added, his tone light with curiosity.


    Colin shook Elara¡¯s hand firmly and nodded to Kaldor and Darian. He felt a bit nervous but tried not to show it.


    ¡°I¡¯m Colin, and this is¡­¡±


    ¡°Safira,¡± the girl replied softly, avoiding eye contact as she stayed close behind Colin.


    The group was surprised to realize the ¡°boy¡± was actually a girl, but Bastiat, not wanting to spoil the mood, continued cheerfully.


    ¡°We¡¯re looking forward to working together. Why don¡¯t you sit down? I¡¯ll ask the tavern keeper for more glasses and his best roast!¡± he said, tapping the table with enthusiasm.


    He gestured to the tavern keeper, who quickly brought four more glasses and a plate of roast beef with fresh bread.


    Colin and Safira sat down at the table, next to Elara and Darian.


    Bastiat took the seat at the head of the table, pouring wine for everyone.


    Raising his glass, he proposed a toast.


    ¡°To our new alliance!¡±


    Everyone joined in the toast, their glasses clinking together.


    ¡°So, Colin,¡± Elara said, picking up the conversation. ¡°Which clan of the Dark Elves do you come from?¡±


    ¡°None,¡± Colin replied curtly.


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    He didn¡¯t want to dwell on it, and he hoped she wouldn¡¯t press further.


    ¡°A family without parentage?¡± commented Kaldor, impressed. ¡°That¡¯s something you don¡¯t see every day. You must have an interesting story to tell.¡±


    ¡°Where are you heading?¡± asked Elara, changing the subject. ¡°You don¡¯t look like you¡¯re from around here. Just passing through, like us, right?¡±


    Colin crossed his arms.


    ¡°Anywhere that has money.¡±


    It was too early to trust these strangers, and he didn¡¯t want to get too involved with them.


    Kaldor raised his glass in a casual toast.


    ¡°Now that¡¯s the spirit. Money makes the world go round, and we know that better than anyone,¡± he said with a mischievous smile.


    ¡°You look young. Why don¡¯t you come to the capital with us?¡± suggested Elara in a sympathetic tone. ¡°There are plenty of opportunities there for someone like you. You could even study at the university if you wanted to.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯d be interested in something like that,¡± Darian interjected, his expression serious. ¡°It¡¯s far away¡ªand dangerous to get there.¡±


    The conversation piqued Colin¡¯s interest. He had never thought of going to the capital, but now curiosity stirred within him.


    ¡°Why? What¡¯s there?¡± he asked, glancing at Darian.


    ¡°The university,¡± Kaldor replied, banging his glass on the table with enthusiasm. ¡°It¡¯s the place to learn everything¡ªmagic, science, history, art, you name it. If you join, you can even start your own guild. And one day, you might work for the emperor himself. People would kill for an opportunity like that,¡± he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement.


    Bastiat returned with more wine, settling back at the table. He listened to Kaldor¡¯s words and nodded in agreement.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he said, handing a glass to Colin. ¡°We¡¯ll gather some money and head there. The empire is full of bastards, but they pay well. You should come with us. Maybe you¡¯ll discover some hidden talent, eh?¡± he added with a wink.


    ¡°Yeah, who knows.¡±


    The group continued drinking and sharing stories, talking about their future plans and past missions. They spoke of their hometown with passion, reminiscing about their childhoods.


    Colin and Safira remained mostly silent, just listening. They ate the roast the tavern keeper had brought, and when they had finished their food and drink, they headed straight to the inn.


    They passed the innkeeper, climbed the stairs, and reached the room. It was a simple space with partitions dividing it into smaller sections, each with several beds.


    ¡°You can stay here. There¡¯s a bed, though it¡¯s small¡ªit should fit both of you.¡±


    Bastiat slid the door shut, leaving them alone. Colin picked up one of the pillows and tossed it onto the floor.


    ¡°You can have the bed. I¡¯ll sleep on the floor.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Colin¡­ am I a burden to you?¡±


    Colin stared at her for a few seconds.


    ¡°Yeah. Once we¡¯ve done a few jobs and I get paid, I¡¯ll give you some money¡ªand then you¡¯re on your own.¡±


    Her eyes filled with tears, and she lay down on the bed, turning her back to him.


    Colin adjusted the pillow on the floor and lay down, staring at the wooden ceiling, listening to Safira¡¯s soft sobs.


    It¡¯ll be better this way, girl.


    [¡­]


    Morning came softly, and Colin awoke in the modest room of the inn.


    He got up and quietly opened the bedroom door, allowing the light of dawn to spill into the corridor.


    With careful steps, he explored his surroundings, observing the still-sleeping inn.


    As he approached the kitchen, the aroma of fresh bread awakened his senses.


    At a nearby table, he found a basket of freshly baked bread and a bottle of coffee.


    A letter lay next to it, written in handwriting Colin didn¡¯t recognize.


    Curious, Colin picked up the letter, examining its contents carefully.


    The words were elegant, but he couldn¡¯t understand their meaning.


    I wonder what it says¡­


    Safira had woken up, staring at him with the same frightened look on her face.


    ¡°There¡¯s bread and coffee. Looks like they left it for us.¡±


    He walked over to Safira and handed her the letter.


    ¡°What does it say?¡±


    She read it for a few moments, her brow furrowing slightly.


    ¡°They¡¯re southwest of here¡­ I think they¡¯re training.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    He sat down at the table.


    ¡°Do you trust them?¡±


    She thought for a few seconds.


    ¡°I think so¡­ What about you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. When we¡¯ve finished our coffee, we¡¯ll go find them.¡±