0026. A Vow Beyond Chains

The sunlight streamed through the worn curtains of the second floor, casting a warm golden hue over the modest living space. The air was thick with unspoken tension as Nile sat on the edge of a wooden stool, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. Across from him, Lyra stood near the table, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her apron. Arin leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his sharp eyes fixed on Nile, unreadable but wary.

For a moment, silence reigned, broken only by the faint hum of the bustling town outside and the occasional creak of the old floorboards beneath their feet. Nile's throat felt dry, but he forced himself to take a deep breath, steadying his resolve.

"I… I want to talk about something important," he began, his voice quiet but firm.

Arin straightened slightly, his guarded expression shifting to one of curiosity. Lyra paused her fidgeting, her gaze locking onto Nile, her nervousness mingled with confusion.

"I know what it means to be alone," Nile continued, his eyes fixed on his clasped hands. His voice was soft, but each word carried the weight of his emotions. "I grew up in a village where people didn't understand me. They called me names, treated me like I didn't belong. My mother, my sister, Uncle James, Jessica… they were the only ones who cared about me. But outside of them… it felt like I was invisible. Or worse… like I wasn't even human."

Lyra's breath hitched, her eyes widening. Her hands slowly clenched the edge of her apron. Arin's jaw tightened, though he stayed silent, his gaze boring into Nile with quiet intensity.

"Now, I've learned things that have shaken everything I thought I knew," Nile continued, his voice gaining strength. "My sister and Frost… the two people I trusted the most after my mother… they feel like strangers to me now. And then, I met you two."

Nile lifted his gaze to look at Lyra and Arin, his eyes earnest. "Before I even got to know you, I somehow became your master."

Lyra's lips parted as if she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. Arin's hands curled into fists at his sides, his knuckles white.

"I don't want that," Nile said, his tone resolute. "I don't want to be your master. I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything. What I want… is to be your friend."

The words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity. Lyra's lips trembled, and her wide eyes darted to Arin, who stood frozen, his guarded exterior cracking ever so slightly.

"I know what Maya said," Nile continued, his voice dropping to a softer tone. "She said power changes people. Maybe she's right. Maybe it's already starting to change me. But that's why I've decided to do something about it. To make sure it doesn't."

Arin's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about, Nile?"

Nile stood, his shoulders squared. "I'm going to take a Dao Oath."

Lyra gasped, and Arin stepped forward, his face clouded with alarm. "Master—no, Nile—you can't be serious! A Dao Oath isn't something you take lightly. Do you even know the consequences?"

"I do," Nile said firmly, cutting him off. "I do because this isn't just about you. It's about me. I don't want to become someone I hate. I don't want to lose myself to the power I have. This is the only way I can make sure of that."

Lyra's mind raced, her chest tightening. Why would he do this for us? No one's ever treated us like this before. We're just slaves, aren't we? That's what we've always been. But he… he doesn't see us that way. He sees us as people. As equals.

Arin's thoughts churned. This boy… he doesn't even understand what he's doing, does he? Taking a Dao Oath isn't something you do on a whim. But he's so sincere. He really means it. He's willing to risk everything… just to make sure we're treated with respect. I thought I understood people, but this… this is different.

Nile raised his hand, his palm open as if reaching for the heavens. His voice was steady as he spoke the words of the Dao Oath, each syllable resonating with a weight that seemed to shake the very air around them.

"I, Nile, swear on my Dao that I will never treat Arin and Lyra as slaves. I will honor them as my friends, my equals, for as long as we walk this path together."

A sudden, oppressive pressure filled the room, making Lyra stumble back and Arin's breath hitch. The very air seemed to shimmer, heavy with an unseen force as the heavens acknowledged Nile's vow.

Jessica felt the oppressive wave of heavenly pressure as she ascended the stairs. Her heart leaped in alarm, knowing immediately that something monumental had just occurred. Without hesitation, she stormed up, her footsteps pounding against the wooden stairs.

Bursting into the room, Jessica's fiery gaze swept across the scene. Lyra sat hunched over on the floor near the corner, her shoulders shaking as muffled sobs escaped her trembling form. Arin remained leaning against the wall, his head now bowed, and his clenched fists trembled at his sides. Both siblings were visibly shaken, their faces pale and their breaths uneven.

Jessica's confusion mounted as her sharp eyes locked onto Nile, who was standing in the center of the room. His hand was still raised in the air from his recent oath, his face a mask of solemn determination. The air around him felt charged with the remnants of heavenly power, making the entire scene feel surreal.

"What did you do this time?" Jessica growled, her voice like the crack of thunder as she stormed toward Nile. Her fiery aura blazed with intensity, and her piercing gaze drilled into him.

Nile instinctively stepped back, his heart pounding as he met her glare. The wooden stool he had been sitting on earlier wobbled slightly as he brushed against it. Memories of her last "lesson" resurfaced, making him wince internally. But he swallowed his fear, standing his ground this time. He had made his choice, and there was no going back.

"Jessica, please," Nile began, his voice steady despite the tremble in his hands. "Let me explain."

Jessica crossed her arms, her jaw tightening as she glared down at him. "You'd better have a good reason for whatever reckless thing you just did."

"I do," Nile replied, locking eyes with her. "But I need you to listen first."

Her gaze narrowed, but something in his tone gave her pause. Slowly, her anger ebbed, replaced by a simmering curiosity. She took a step back, her arms still crossed defensively. "Fine. Start talking."

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