Elsewhere, Jabir opened his eyes to the familiar sights of the village.
"We're back... We're late."
Jawaher rushed to his side. "Jabir! You're awake. I thought I'd lost you in the desert."
Sylvance rolled her eyes. "Disgusting."
Jabir laughed loudly. "I'm Commander Jabir! You think a snake bite would take me down?"
Sylvance smirked. "It did."
JabirAurik!"
Jawaher smiled. "Let's go!"
Sylvance watched them depart. "Traveling with this ridiculous caravan... They defeated the Assassins in two days. We've been fighting them for years."
A villager approached. "Sylvance, the elder wants to see you."
The Shadows of Oryst — The Juggler’s Warning
Back in the ancient library of Oryst, the air was thick with dust and memory. Shelves towered like crumbling monuments, their scrolls and tomes whispering secrets no one had read in centuries. The stone walls pulsed faintly with old magic, and somewhere deep beneath the floor, the valley stirred.
LedraFuad, her hands trembling slightly as she pressed the warm potion against his neck. The vial hissed softly, its glow dimming as the magic seeped into his skin.
She whispered, barely audible.
Ledra: "You've got this, Fuad. Hold on. Don't die on me now."
Suddenly, a weird, grinding sound echoed from the main entrance.
Ledra stood instantly, her bow drawn, the string taut against her cheek.
Ledra: "Assassins? Beasts?"
The Boy sat calmly on a pile of books, swinging his legs. His eyes glowed faintly.
Boy: "I don't think so... it feels... old."
A battered wooden cart rolled into the dim light. An old man climbed down, clutching his lower back and groaning as his spine popped.
Old Man: "Finally! By the sands, this road gets worse every year!"
He unlatched the back of the cart. Immediately, three large, scruffy dogs burst out, barking happily and scattering into the library, sniffing the ancient scrolls.
Ledra:Vitals... is that you? Please, keep your dogs under control. We have a wounded man here."
Vitals, the old merchant, turned in surprise.
Vitals: "Ledra?! You have guests? Here?"
He squinted at the unconscious Fuad, seeing the swords and the bandages.
Vitals: "Hmm... looks like an Assassin's work. Are you mad, Ledra? Harboring killers?"
Ledra: "No! He is... different. I guess."
Vitals turned his gaze to the small figure sitting on the books.
Vitals: "And you? Never seen you before. A stray?"
The Boy gazed at Vitals, then at the romping dogs. A smile broke across his face.
Boy:Jabir talked about you!"
Vitals blinked, utterly confused.
Vitals: "Juggler? Wait... how in the world do you know who I am? I’m not that famous. And you mentioned Jabir? The wealthy merchant? Do you know him?"
The Boy laughed, shaking his head.
Boy: "No... We just met... in the desert. He gave me water and food. And now we are friends!"
Vitals looked at Ledra, scratching his beard.
Vitals: "Aha... that’s weird. Yet... somehow compelling."
The Boy hopped down, approaching the old man.
Boy: "Can you show me? How to do the trick?"
Vitals:that?"
Vitals grinned. He reached into his coat and pulled out three red balls. With a flick of his wrist, he began to juggle them. They spun in the air, weaving complex patterns. The Boy watched, his glowing eyes wide with childlike wonder.
Vitals: (Smiling) "Well, you're a child after all..."
Then, Vitals noticed the Boy's hand. The palm was sliced open, blood still drying on the skin.
Vitals faltered, almost dropping a ball.
Vitals: "By the stars... boy, are you alright? Your hand!"
Ledra: (Deadpan) "Ah... I told him to give me a drop of blood for the potion. He sliced his palm open like it was nothing. Didn't even flinch."
Vitals: "Ah... Ledra, why do you want the boy's blood? Are you a witch now? I know you read these books, but blood magic?"
Ledra: "Shut up, old man. This boy is not normal. The books say his blood is a catalyst."
Vitals raised his hands in surrender.
Vitals: "Alright, alright! I’m just kidding to smooth the tension. But if he is not normal... what is his story?"
Ledra: "He is something very important. If my expectations are true... he might be the one the Kingdoms were searching for. The Vessel."
Vitals: "Are you sure about that?"
Ledra: "Why?"
Vitals: "I mean... look at him. He is playing fetch with my dogs."
Indeed, the Boy was currently wrestling with a shaggy hound, laughing as it licked his face.
Vitals took a deep breath, his playful demeanor vanishing. He walked over to the fire Ledra had started.
Vitals:AurikLeona."
Ledra: "Thank you... I’m grateful. Did you send my message?"
Vitals: "Yes... but it’s the same story. The message tower was destroyed."
Ledra’s expression crumpled into sadness.
Vitals put a comforting, calloused hand on Ledra's shoulder.
Vitals:ViolaMage Guild now. She is alive."
Ledra’s face lit up with desperate hope.
Ledra: "Really?! She made it in?"
Vitals: "Ah... she is alright. For now. But the Guild is not what it used to be."
Vitals picked up a few ancient books Ledra had stacked near the fire. He leafed through the brittle pages, his voice becoming heavy.
Vitals:AurikKing CaesarLeonaLinovardLeonithraLuther."
Ledra: (Looking down, gripping her bow) "I... I know."
Suddenly, the Boy spoke up. His voice was soft, but it carried an unnatural weight.
Boy:Silva. He should rest now."
Silence fell over the library.
Vitals and Ledra froze. They turned slowly to gaze at the child, surprised and confused.
Vitals: "What did you say, child? Do you know the King of Aurik?"
The Boy blinked, the moment passing. He looked at the dogs, innocent again.
Boy: "Hm? Did I say something?"
Vitals exchanged a worried glance with Ledra.
Vitals: "Ahhh... never mind."
He cleared his throat, trying to break the tension.
Vitals: "Didn't change your mind? About hiding here?"
Vitals started putting the smoked fish on the fire, handing a skewer to Ledra and one to the Boy. The dogs settled around them peacefully, chewing on bones.
Ledra: "No... I’ll stay here. This is my post. Until I find what I'm looking for."
Vitals: "Take care, Ledra. I was hoping you would come with me... the world needs your knowledge, not just your arrows."
Ledra: "Shut up, old man... thank you for the supplies. And the kind words."
The Boy took a bite of the hot fish, smiling brightly at Vitals.
Boy: "Yes... he is a kind old man... I can feel his heart. It's warm. Like the sun."
Vitals blinked, taken aback by the genuine praise.
Vitals: "Well... that... is a strange thing to say. But thank you, child."
Ledra: (Smirking) "Told you. He's weird."
Vitals finished his meal and whistled for his dogs. They bounded back into the cart.
Boy: (Waving) "Take care! I want to see you again! I’m going to Aurik!"
Vitals: (Waving back) "Of course! Why not? Maybe I'll teach you to juggle next time!"
He climbed into the driver's seat, picking up the reins. But before he snapped them, he leaned down, his voice dropping to a whisper.
Vitals: "Ledra... be careful."
Ledra: "Hm?"
Vitals:them nearby. Shadows in the dunes. I clashed with one of their scouts a few miles back and managed to lose him in the sandstorm. But they are close. And they are looking for something."
Ledra’s face hardened. She glanced at the Boy.
Ledra: "Alright. Thank you, Vitals."
·
Boy:
Vitals didn't answer. He slapped the reins, and the horses pulled the cart away, disappearing into the dusty light of the library entrance.
---
The air in the library grew colder, sharper. Outside, the creatures of the valley stirred—drawn by the scent of fresh blood and the echo of ancient spells. The wind carried their hunger into the ruins.
The Boy stood nearby, watching Fuad recover. His eyes were wide, not with fear, but with a strange, confusing guilt.
Boy: "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you... You tried to kill me, but I shouldn't have..."
Ledra glanced at him, her voice sharp as she bandaged Fuad.
Ledra: "You're insane. Just quiet down."
Fuad groaned, his voice raw as consciousness returned.
Fuad: "I'm... hungry..."
Ledra rummaged through the satchel Vitals had left, fingers brushing against dried fruit, salted meat, and wrapped herbs.
Ledra: "Your Syndicate must care about you more than I thought. Look at all this food... they even wrapped your neck with treated cloths."
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
The Boy didn't react. His face was unreadable, distant.
Ledra frowned, her voice softening.
Ledra:you don't get hungry for food. You bit him. Just... stay there. Please."
She handed Fuad a strip of dried meat and checked the wound again. The potion had begun to work—his skin was no longer burning, and the black veins around the bite had faded to a bruised gray.
Ledra: "Yes! It's working!"
Fuad ate slowly, his hands trembling, each bite restoring a little more strength. His eyes cleared. His breathing steadied.
Then, the Boy turned sharply toward the entrance.
A shadow moved against the moonlight.
Ledra froze.
Ledra: "Oh no... I think they heard me? Or is it the Old Man coming back?"
The Boy didn't blink. His pupils dilated.
Boy: "Go. Find a safe place."
Ledra didn't argue. She grabbed their supplies, slung Fuad's arm over her shoulder, and slipped into the shadows between the towering shelves.
Behind them, the stone groaned. Something heavy was coming.
A figure stepped into the library, his silhouette framed by the fractured moonlight spilling through the broken dome. Dust swirled around his heavy boots like ash. His eyes—black pits with a burning red core—locked instantly onto the Boy.
Figure: "Ah... there you are. I've finally found you, little vessel."
The Boy didn't blink. His breath slowed. His fingers curled into claws.
Figure: (Hissing) "You have magical madness in your eyes. Those eyes... must be crushed before they see too much."
The Boy's body shifted. His pupils turned Ocean Blue—deep, ancient, and unnatural. Fangs emerged from his gums. His muscles tensed, ready to snap.
The intruder laughed, a sound like grinding stones.
Figure: "Yes! That's it! The corrupted power awakens!"
He drew a longsword embedded with gemstones—each one pulsing with a different hue, like trapped souls screaming in silence.
He chanted, the words vibrating the air:
Figure:"Tovas, Blas, Joni Ashar... Jithem Wahid!"
The blade shimmered—not with light, but with . It remembered every life it had taken.
He lunged.
The Boy charged like a storm, ready to tear—
Fuad intercepted the strike.
His poisoned blade caught the enchanted steel, sending a shower of sparks into the dark. The air cracked from the impact.
Ledra grabbed the Boy by the collar, dragging him back toward the shadows.
Boy: "What are you doing?! Let me fight!"
Ledra: "You fool! He knows you! He might know how to kill you!"
Fuad fought fiercely, his movements sharp and desperate despite his injuries. He parried a heavy blow, gritting his teeth.
Fuad: "I can't believe I'm protecting the boy I once wanted to sell... Life has a twisted sense of humor."
The creature laughed again, pressing the attack.
Figure: "A pathetic human defends him? How amusing!"
Fuad growled, his eyes narrowing.
Fuad: "I'll take that insult personally. We Assassins have purged this land of your kind before. You won't be the last."
The figure grinned, stepping back to admire his prey.
Figure:Batalos."
Fuad blinked, holding his defensive stance.
Fuad: "Batalos? What is that? A demon name?"
Batalos:Black OrderSilvaAurik became a haven for the exiled."
He pointed his gem-encrusted sword at the Boy.
Batalos:King Caesarinsect into his meal. That was enough to collapse an entire world from the inside out."
Fuad stared, stunned. The King hadn't vanished. He had been eaten from within.
The boy's breathing quickened.
Ledra's grip tightened.
Batalos turned toward them.
"I came for him. Not you. Hand him over, and you'll see the sun tomorrow."
Fuad didn't move.
His blade lowered slightly.
Then-
"Very well. Let's see what you've got, human."
Batalos raised his staff.
"Joni Ashar... Jithem Wahid..."
A strange force began to swirl around them—like wind made of whispers, like gravity bending sideways.
The library groaned.
Books fell.
The walls pulsed.
And the boy's eyes—still ocean blue—began to glow.
The Duel Beneath the Dust — Where Blood Meets Destiny
Fuad's grip tightened around his poisoned dagger, his knuckles turning white. His breath was shallow, rattling in his chest. Fresh blood seeped through the torn fabric at his side, staining the bandages Ledra had just applied, but his stance remained firm—like a dying candle flame refusing to be snuffed out by the wind.
His eyes locked onto the nightmare standing before him.
Fuad: "I'll take your insult personally, you arrogant freak. We Assassins have swept this valley clean of your kind before. You won't be the first to vanish in the sands."
The creature laughed, a sound that echoed through the ancient halls like a curse remembered from a bad dream.
Batalos:Batalos."
Fuad narrowed his eyes, shifting his weight to his good leg.
Fuad: "Batalos? What kind of name is that?"
Batalos:Black Order."
Batalos stepped forward, the gems on his sword pulsing in time with his heartbeat.
Batalos:SilvaAurik became a haven for the exiled and the losers... like you."
He sneered, looking at the library ruins.
Batalos:King Caesarparasitic insect into his meal. That was all it took to collapse an entire civilization from the inside out."
Fuad's breath caught. The weight of Batalos's words sank deep—sharper than any blade. The King wasn't missing. He was consumed.
Batalos:Key to our salvation."
He pointed a clawed finger toward the shadows where Ledra crouched, dragging the Boy back.
Batalos: "I have no quarrel with you, human. Hand him over, and I'll let you see the sunrise."
Fuad didn't move.
His blade lowered slightly, as if considering the offer.
Then, with a defiant exhale, he raised it again, pointing the tip at Batalos's heart.
Batalos: (Sighing) "Very well. Let's see what a dying dog can do."
He raised his Gem-Sword, chanting in a tongue that made the stone floor vibrate.
Batalos:"Tovas... Blas... Joni Ashar... Jithem Wahid
The air cracked.
A surge of dark energy erupted around him—swirling like a storm of shadows and gray flame. The walls groaned. Wooden shelves collapsed under the pressure. Ancient books flew into the air like birds startled from sleep.
Fuad braced himself. The ground trembled. The air thickened with magic—it felt like breathing through ash.
Batalos: "Die!"
Batalos lunged.
Fuad met him mid-strike.
Steel clashed with enchanted crystal. The poisoned dagger hissed as it scraped against Batalos's heavy blade. Sparks flew, illuminating their faces—one determined, one manic.
Fuad twisted, ducked under a horizontal slash, and countered—slashing at Batalos's shoulder.
He tore the General's cloak, drawing a thin line of black blood.
Batalos: (Grinning) "Hoh? You're faster than I expected for a corpse."
Fuad: "I'm full of surprises."
Batalos: "But not fast enough."
Batalos spun, his sword glowing red. He didn't cut; he released a shockwave of force from the blade.
It struck Fuad in his wounded side.
Fuad staggered back, crashing into a stone pillar. Blood dripped anew onto the dusty floor. He gasped, vision blurring.
Ledra: (From the shadows) "No—Fuad!"
The Boy stirred in her grip.
His eyes glowed Ocean Blue once more, cutting through the gloom. Fangs bared. Muscles tensed, shredding the sleeves of his tunic. The air around him began to drop in temperature.
Ledra whispered, clutching his arm, her voice trembling with terror.
Ledra: "Not yet... you're not ready... run!"
But the Boy shook her off. He stepped forward into the light.
His voice was quiet. Final. And it didn't sound like a child anymore.
Boy: "I am ready, come here fat uncle."
The Elder's Request
Sylvance entered the glowing chamber of the Elder. The walls hummed with the light of the roots, casting long, soft shadows.
"What does she want now?" Sylvance muttered to herself, dusting off her armor.
The Elder sat on her woven mat, smiling warmly.
Elder: "Ah, Sylvance. You return bearing the banner of victory. The village is proud. Families have been reunited. Thanks to you—and the caravan."
Sylvance bowed low.
Sylvance: "Thank you, Grandmother. Your trust made it possible. And the caravan... I never imagined they'd negotiate with the Leader of the Assassins and live to tell the tale."
The Elder chuckled, a dry, raspy sound.
Elder: "That's what merchants do best—talk and bargain until the blade is sheathed."
Sylvance: "You're right."
The Elder leaned forward, her expression growing serious.
Elder: "Is there something you wish to share? About the outsiders?"
Sylvance hesitated. She thought of Jabir's recklessness, Jawaher's sharp eyes.
Sylvance: "No... nothing."
The Elder's eyes twinkled with a knowing light.
Elder: "Then I have a request you cannot refuse."
Sylvance blinked.
Sylvance: "That sounds more like a command."
Elder:Aurik safely."
Sylvance's heart twisted. She took a step back.
Sylvance: "Leave the village? I was born here. I swore to the Great Tree I'd protect this place, like my parents before me."
Elder: "I know. But we've been isolated for too long. The roots of the Great Tree go deep, but they do not move. The world is vast, Sylvance. We must send someone to learn—to connect. You are that someone."
Sylvance: "Why me? Why not the healers or the scholars? I am just a guard."
The Elder's voice softened, full of affection.
Elder: "I trust no one more than you. You're strong. Smart. Brave. No one else would accept this mission. It's nearly impossible."
Sylvance looked down at her hands.
Sylvance: "And who will protect the village?"
Elder: "You freed the prisoners. They were warriors once. They'll stand guard again. My decision is made."
The Elder rose slowly, her steps fragile, leaning on her staff. She placed a withered hand on Sylvance's head.
Elder: "It's alright. I know you can do this."
Sylvance whispered, her voice trembling.
Sylvance: "I'll go. But promise me I'll see you again."
The Elder laughed softly.
Elder: "I can't promise that. My time is short, child. But I'll try—just as you will."
Sylvance turned to leave, wiping her eyes.
The Elder watched her go, her smile fading into a look of longing.
Elder: (Whispering to the empty room) "Live. Learn. See the world. We've hidden here for too long, knowing only farming and magic. I always dreamed of leaving... but no one ever told me to go. Now I'm old. So I send my most precious treasure to fulfill that dream. Sylvance... take care of yourself, my child."
The Road to Aurik
The caravan gathered once more beneath the bruised purple sky, the wind carrying the scent of dust and distant rain. Camels groaned under the weight of supplies, wheels creaked, and the desert whispered its ancient warnings.
JabirLajm's enchanted serpent still pulsed faintly beneath his skin.
But his voice was strong, booming across the dunes.
Jabir:Kingdom of Aurik—we're going to buy the boy!"
The words hung in the air like a challenge.
Jawaher, standing beside the fire pit where the last embers still glowed, raised an eyebrow. She kicked sand over the coals.
Jawaher: "I never imagined I'd walk into a slave market to purchase a human... or rather, a 'strange creature' as you call him."
She turned to Jabir, her voice quieter now.
Jawaher: "Are you sure about this, Jabir?"
Jabir blinked, caught off guard by her tone.
Jabir: "Sure about what?"
Jawaher: "The boy. What if he belongs to a lost family? What if he fell from a caravan or was stolen? Buying him... it feels wrong."
There was a pause. The kind that stretches too long in the silence of the desert.
Jabir's eyes hardened, losing their usual mirth.
Jabir: "Doesn't matter. In this desert, whoever finds something first owns it. That is the law of the sands. If we don't buy him, someone worse will."
Jawaher looked away, her jaw clenched.
Jawaher: "Fine. You win the war for the boy. Do as you wish."
But her voice trembled slightly. Not with fear—but with something older. Regret, maybe. Or memory.
The caravan began to move, bidding farewell to the villagers who had cheered them for their rescue of the captives. Children waved. Elders bowed. But Jawaher didn't wave back. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon.
Then—
Sylvance ran to the front of the line, panting, her arms full of gear. Her cloak was torn from the previous battle, her boots dusty, but her eyes burned with purpose.
Sylvance: "Wait! I've... I've decided to come with you."
Jabir grinned, throwing his arms wide.
Jabir: "New guests! Welcome! I'm Jabir, the greatest merchant in the sands, and this is—"
Sylvance: "Shut up, you idiot."
The words hit like a slap. Jabir blinked, mouth open, then laughed awkwardly, scratching his neck.
Jawaher muttered under her breath, shaking her head.
Jawaher: "First a vampire... now a Forest Spirit and a charming merchant with no brain. I don't know if we'll survive this journey."
Sylvance's face fell. Her voice softened, realizing she had snapped.
Sylvance: "I didn't mean to intrude... or be rude. I'm sorry..."
She looked down, clutching her gear tighter. The wind tugged at her hair.
Jabir raised a hand, his tone shifting to something more professional.
Jabir: "It's fine, Jawaher. Let her come. She'll be useful—she knows the terrain, the dangers, and the paths better than any map. She's an asset."
Jawaher sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. She looked at Sylvance.
Jawaher: "Alright. Welcome aboard, Sylvance. Just keep him out of trouble."
Sylvance nodded, eyes still downcast.
Jabir laughed, louder this time, trying to shake off the weight in the air.
Jabir:To Aurik!"
The caravan rolled forward, wheels carving new lines into the sand. But behind the laughter, behind the cheers, something lingered—unspoken.
They were heading toward a kingdom on the brink of collapse, to buy a boy who might destroy them all.
The Wrath of Silva
The Ruins of Oryst — Where Magic Breaks
In the shattered heart of Oryst, the air pulsed with ancient magic—wild, unstable, and angry. The walls of the ruined library trembled, books whispering warnings in forgotten tongues. Dust hung like fog. The silence before the storm.
Batalos snarled, his voice low and venomous as he gathered dark energy into his staff.
Batalos: "You filthy human... this is your final warning. Look around you. The magic here will consume you before I even strike."
Fuad raised his blade, blood still drying on his skin, his stance unwavering.
Fuad: "I've had enough of your speeches. Let's finish this, Batalos. Or are you too afraid to fight without your tricks?"
Batalos's voice dropped to a growl, his red eyes glowing with fury.
Batalos: "You mock me? You mock a General of the Black Order?"
He raised his sword, chanting a spell that twisted the gravity in the room.
Batalos:"Andola... Salvadolas!"
The air crackled. The walls groaned under the pressure. Shadows lengthened into claws.
But before the spell could land—
A bolt of White Lightning tore from the clear night sky, splitting the library's dome above. It didn't strike the ground; it struck Batalos square in the chest.
The impact hurled him across the stone floor like a ragdoll. His body smoked. His robes burned. His staff shattered into a thousand useless splinters.
Fuad staggered back, shielding his eyes from the blinding flash.
Fuad: "By the beast of Sanarx... what was that?!"
Ledra gasped, peering from the shadows, her voice barely a whisper.
Ledra:ether."
The Boy blinked, confused, looking around.
Boy: "What? Where? I didn't see anything."
Fuad turned to Ledra, stunned.
Fuad: "What just happened? Did you do that?"
Ledra's voice trembled with realization.
Ledra:Silva itself struck him down."
Fuad's breath caught.
Fuad: "What?!"
Ledra: "I told you—the planet has grown tired of this corrupted magic. It purged him like a virus."
Fuad muttered, half to himself, connecting the dots.
Fuad:Lajm was exempt... because the planet kills anyone else who tries it."
Ledra turned to the Boy, her eyes narrowing.
Ledra:you."
Fuad collapsed to his knees, the adrenaline fading, the weight of survival pressing down on him.
Fuad: "Doesn't matter. We're alive... somehow."
The Boy walked past them, looking up at the hole in the dome. The clouds parted, revealing a canvas of shimmering stars.
Boy: (Whispering) "Thank you, Silva. I'll never forget this."
Ledra blinked.
Ledra: "He's... thanking the planet?"
Fuad groaned, struggling to his feet.
Fuad: "Alright, you little freak... what's your story? Are you talking to the planet now? Is the dirt your friend too?"
Ledra sighed, shaking her head.
Ledra: "It's no use asking him. He doesn't remember anything. Not even his name."
Fuad touched his neck. His fingers met smooth skin.
No blood. No wound. No pain.
Fuad: "Wait... the bleeding stopped. The bite marks... they're gone!"
He turned to Ledra, gripping her hands with genuine gratitude.
Fuad: "Thank you, Ledra. You saved my life. I'll never forget this debt."
Ledra blushed, pulling her hands away gently.
Ledra: "It's nothing. The Boy helped a lot. It was his blood."
The Boy looked at Fuad, his eyes returning to their normal color.
Boy: "I'm sorry for biting you. But if you try to hurt me again... I'll do it again."
Fuad laughed, a loud, barking sound of relief.
Fuad: "You little brat! You thank me and threaten me in the same breath? You'll make a fine Assassin one day."
Ledra giggled.
Ledra: "You two are... fascinating. A killer and a mystery."
Fuad gathered his things and bowed slightly to the Ranger.
Fuad: "Sorry for barging into your library and bringing a monster with us. You've kept it well."
Ledra handed him a satchel.
Ledra: "Here's your gear. I added some medical books and maps. Just in case."
Fuad scratched his head, grinning sheepishly.
Fuad: "I told you—I can't read..."
Ledra smiled, pointing at the child.
Ledra: "This Boy can. I trust he'll help you navigate the words."
Fuad turned to the Boy.
Fuad: "Who are you, really?"
The Boy stared silently. The silence held, heavy with unanswered questions.
Fuad shrugged.
Fuad:Aurik has in store for us."
Ledra handed him a small, folded note sealed with green wax.
Ledra:Viola."
Fuad took the note, tucking it into his vest.
Fuad: "Of course. Consider it done."
Ledra whispered, stepping back into the gloom.
Ledra: "Safe travels. Don't come back here. The next time the planet strikes, it might not miss you."
She vanished into the shadows of the library, blending perfectly with the darkness.
Fuad sighed, adjusting his pack.
Fuad: "Guess I won't say 'see you again'..."
The Boy stepped forward, looking toward the horizon. His eyes flashed Ocean Blue for a split second.
Boy: "Let's go. I want to see Aurik."
Fuad chuckled, patting the Boy on the head.
Fuad: "Alright, alright. Let's go, kid. The desert is waiting."