Ready as He'll Ever Be

The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, spilling pale gold across the worn stone walls of Eclipsevane. The guild stirred to life, faint echoes of hurried footsteps and hushed voices filling the quiet halls. Kael sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his boots as he laced them tightly. His hands trembled slightly, though whether from exhaustion or nerves, he wasn't sure.

Three years. Three years of peace, of trying to rebuild himself, and now here he was again, preparing to step into the unknown. His stomach churned at the thought, but he forced himself to push it down. There was no room for hesitation. Not now.

The Crimson Dagger sat on the table beside him, its faint hum a constant reminder of its presence. Kael hadn't been able to rid himself of it, no matter how many times he tried. The blade was a curse, tethered to him in ways he couldn't explain. He had considered leaving it behind, but something in him had rebelled at the thought—a quiet, insistent whisper that reminded him of its usefulness.

Or its inevitability.

He reached for it reluctantly, his fingers brushing against the cool hilt. The hum deepened, vibrating through his hand as if it recognized him. Kael grimaced, sliding the blade into his sleeve with practiced ease. He hated carrying it, but part of him knew he might need it. And if that time came, he'd have no choice but to use it.

"Not if I can help it," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he stood.

The door creaked open, and Merrick stepped inside, his expression a mix of weariness and resolve. "You ready, Kael?"

Kael nodded, though his heart was pounding. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Merrick eyed him for a moment, his gaze lingering on Kael's face as though searching for something. Finally, he sighed and motioned for him to follow. "Come on. Jane's already downstairs. She's been waiting."

Kael's chest tightened at the mention of Jane, but he pushed the feeling aside. He grabbed his pack, slinging it over his shoulder as he stepped into the hallway. The cool morning air brushed against his skin, sharp and bracing, as he followed Merrick through the winding corridors of the guild.

The courtyard was bustling when they arrived. Jane stood near the gates, her arms crossed as she spoke with a few other guild members. She turned as they approached, her expression softening slightly when her eyes met Kael's.

"Finally," she said, her voice carrying a faint note of impatience. "I was starting to think you'd changed your mind."

"Not a chance," Kael replied, his tone light though his stomach churned. He glanced at the small group assembled near the gates—other guild members preparing for their own missions, their faces etched with determination.

Jane studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "You've got everything?"

Kael nodded, adjusting the pack on his shoulder. "Yeah. Ready to go."

Her gaze lingered on him, and for a brief moment, Kael wondered if she could sense the dagger hidden in his sleeve. But she didn't say anything, instead turning her attention to Merrick as he joined them.

"All set?" Merrick asked, his voice steady but laced with tension.

"Let's move," Jane replied, her tone clipped. "We've got a lot of ground to cover."

As they stepped through the gates, the morning sun bathed the world in a soft, golden light. Kael felt the weight of the dagger pressing against his arm, its presence an unspoken reminder of what he carried—not just the blade, but everything it represented.

He glanced back at the guild one last time before focusing on the road ahead. This is my chance to prove something, he thought, the weight of his past pressing down on him. To prove I'm more than what I was.

The trio walked in silence for a while, the sound of their boots crunching against the dirt road the only noise accompanying the morning breeze. The sun climbed higher, casting long shadows over the trees that lined their path. Merrick cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"We need to pick up the pace," he said, his tone serious. "Alsta's a fair distance from here, and I don't want us arriving too late."

Jane glanced over her shoulder. "What are you suggesting? We push through the night?"

"Not exactly." Merrick scratched his chin, his expression thoughtful. "I could use a transportation spell to cover most of the ground. It'll take a lot of energy, but it'll cut the journey down by days."

Kael's eyebrows shot up. "Magic? Like, poof and we're there?" He waved his hands dramatically, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I didn't realize I signed up for the scenic lightning-speed tour."

Jane rolled her eyes. "It's not that simple."

Merrick chuckled. "No, it's not. But it's effective, and we don't have much choice. If this threat is as bad as the reports say, every minute counts."

Kael shrugged, still grinning. "Fine by me. As long as I don't end up inside a tree or something." He paused, glancing between Merrick and Jane. "That isn't a thing that can happen, right?"

Jane raised an eyebrow. "Not unless Merrick's aim is way off."

"Hey," Merrick protested with a mock frown. "I'm more precise than that, thank you very much."

Kael laughed lightly, but the humor in his eyes was short-lived. "Great. Just what I need. A magic chauffeur with a questionable track record." He shot Merrick a playful grin before looking back at the path ahead. "Though, to be fair, I've had worse ways of traveling. You should've seen the time I got launched 845 miles by—" He stopped abruptly, his smile faltering.

Jane stiffened, her eyes narrowing slightly as she turned to face him. "By who?" she asked, her tone casual, though her gaze was anything but.

Kael cleared his throat, quickly backtracking. "By, uh, a catapult. You know, standard medieval misadventures. Nothing like flying lessons from siege equipment to give you a new perspective on life."

Jane didn't look convinced, her sharp eyes studying him as if searching for something. "Right," she said slowly. "A catapult."

Merrick, oblivious to the growing tension, clapped his hands together. "Enough banter. If we're doing this, let's get it over with. Jane, you'll need to help stabilize the spell. Kael, just stand still and try not to think too hard about it."

Kael raised his hands in surrender. "Got it. No overthinking. Just standing here like a good, obedient magic experiment."

Jane shot him another glance, her suspicion growing with every passing moment. There was something about Kael—his words, his demeanor—that didn't sit right with her. The more he spoke, the more he reminded her of someone she couldn't quite place. And the fact that he had brushed off her question so quickly only made her more certain he was hiding something.

Merrick began to chant, his voice low and steady as he traced glowing runes in the air. Jane stepped closer, her hands moving in sync with his to channel the energy. The air around them thickened, humming with power, and Kael felt the hairs on his arms stand on end.

"Just don't forget to aim away from the trees," Kael quipped, though his grin was tight. The hum of magic was unsettling, and despite his joking tone, his stomach churned.

The runes blazed brighter, and the ground beneath them shimmered. Kael glanced at Jane one last time, catching her watching him out of the corner of her eye. Her expression was unreadable, but her suspicion was clear.

Before he could say anything else, the spell activated, and the world around them dissolved into a blur of light and sound.

The world reassembled itself in a flash of light and a jarring lurch that left Kael feeling like his stomach had been turned inside out. The shimmering glow of the spell faded, leaving the three of them standing in the middle of a grassy plain, the cool wind brushing against their faces.

Kael swayed unsteadily, clutching his knees as his vision spun. "Okay," he gasped, his voice strained. "That was… that was worse than the catapult."

Jane snorted, her lips curling into a smirk. "What's the matter? I thought you liked 'scenic lightning-speed tours.'"

Merrick chuckled, patting Kael on the back a little harder than necessary. "You'll get used to it. First time's always rough."

Kael shot them both a glare, though it lacked any real heat. "Sure. If by 'rough,' you mean my insides trying to escape my body." He straightened slowly, only to double over again as another wave of nausea hit him. "You know, I think I'll stick to walking next time."

Merrick and Jane exchanged amused glances, their laughter light and unrestrained as Kael stumbled a few steps away and emptied the contents of his stomach onto the grass.

"Glad to see my suffering is so entertaining," Kael muttered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I don't have much experience with magic, okay? It's not exactly a thing where I'm from."

Jane raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "And where are you from, Kael?"

Kael hesitated for a fraction of a second before shrugging nonchalantly. "Oh, you know, a little place far, far away. Definitely not big on teleportation spells there."

Merrick, sensing the tension, clapped his hands together to break the moment. "Alright, enough teasing. We've got company to prepare for."

Kael perked up, grateful for the distraction. "Company?"

"Hunters from the Ariants guild," Merrick explained, his tone turning more serious. "They've been tracking this northern force for a while now, and Elara arranged for them to meet us here. They're good—reliable."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "And you trust them?"

Merrick nodded firmly. "They're some of the best. You'll see."

Before Kael could press further, the distant sound of footsteps reached his ears. He turned, squinting against the bright sunlight, and spotted two figures approaching from the horizon. As they drew closer, their appearances came into focus: a tall woman with sharp features and flowing robes, and a broad-shouldered man with an awkward but earnest grin plastered across his face.

The woman reached them first, her strides confident and measured. Her piercing green eyes swept over the group, lingering on Kael for just a moment before turning to Merrick. "You must be Merrick," she said, her voice smooth and commanding. "I'm Aria."

Merrick extended a hand, which she shook firmly. "Good to finally meet you, Aria. And this?" He gestured toward the man lagging slightly behind.

"That's Thorne," Aria said with a small, exasperated sigh. "He's… well, he's Thorne."

Thorne jogged up to them, his grin widening as he threw an arm around Aria's shoulders. "What she means is, I'm the brains of this operation."

Aria rolled her eyes, shrugging him off. "And I'm the one who keeps you from getting us killed."

Kael watched the exchange with a faint smile, his earlier nausea forgotten in the face of their dynamic. There was something about Thorne's carefree energy that reminded him of simpler times—times he wasn't sure he wanted to remember.

Thorne turned his attention to Kael, his gaze sweeping over him curiously. "And who's this? New recruit?"

"Kael," Merrick said, introducing him. "He's with us for this mission."

Thorne extended a hand, his grip firm and enthusiastic. "Nice to meet ya, Kael. Don't worry—I'll keep you alive."

Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "Appreciate that. Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

"Don't jinx it," Aria muttered, though her lips twitched in a faint smile. "We've got a long way to go."

As the group settled into introductions and prepared to move forward, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that the road ahead was about to become far more complicated. And the Crimson Dagger, still hidden in his sleeve, hummed softly, as if it agreed.

The group moved at a steady pace, the sun now climbing higher in the sky, its warmth beating down on the grassy plain. Aria led the way, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of trouble, while Merrick walked beside her, discussing strategy in low, steady tones. Jane walked a few paces behind them, chiming in occasionally, her voice calm but thoughtful.

Kael lagged slightly behind, his gaze fixed on the path ahead but his thoughts far away. He had no place in their conversation, and that was fine. I'm just a liability, he thought bitterly. They've got their plans, their strategies. I'm just the extra baggage they have to drag along.

Aria's voice carried over the breeze, clear and confident as she spoke about the latest reports from the north. "Their movements have been erratic. It's hard to pinpoint their exact numbers, but the scouts agree—this force isn't just some random bandits."

"Magic users?" Merrick asked, his tone laced with concern.

Aria nodded. "Highly likely. And if they're organized, it's even worse. We're not dealing with amateurs."

Jane frowned, her steps slowing slightly. "Do we have any idea who's leading them?"

Aria hesitated, glancing at Thorne, who was uncharacteristically quiet. "There are whispers," she said carefully. "But nothing solid. Whoever it is, they're powerful enough to rally a force this size."

Kael's chest tightened as he listened. The mention of magic users and an organized force felt like a blade twisting in his gut. He could feel the weight of the Crimson Dagger against his sleeve, its hum faint but insistent, a reminder of its presence.

Behind Aria and Merrick, Thorne trudged along with a slight grin on his face. "Doesn't matter who they are," he said, his voice breaking the tension. "We'll knock 'em down like we always do."

Aria shot him a look. "It's not that simple, Thorne. This isn't just another hunt."

"Yeah, yeah," Thorne said with a shrug. "But we've got each other, don't we? That's what counts."

Kael's heart sank as he listened to them. It wasn't long ago that he'd been part of a group like this, a team that fought together, laughed together, and trusted each other. Seeing Thorne and Aria again, after all this time, was like staring through a window at a life he could never return to.

They don't even recognize me, he thought, his chest tightening. Maybe that's for the best.

The memories of those first days at Eclipsevane came rushing back—Thorne's relentless humor, Aria's sharp wit, the way they had fought side by side during the guild trials. He remembered the bridge, the laughter they had shared before it all went wrong. Before Berethia. Before everything fell apart.

Kael clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms as he forced the memories back. There was no point dwelling on the past. He wasn't Changra anymore. He wasn't the person they had known.

The group's conversation continued ahead of him, their voices blending into a low murmur that he barely registered. He kept his distance, his gaze fixed on the horizon, though his heart ached with every step.

I've got a new name, a new life. That's what I wanted, right?

But as he walked, the sight of Thorne and Aria laughing with Merrick and Jane left him feeling hollow, the weight of what he had lost pressing down on him like a stone.

The group trudged along the grassy plain, the sun now casting long shadows as it began its slow descent. Aria and Merrick continued their conversation up ahead, their voices low but steady. Jane, walking beside Thorne, seemed more reserved, her gaze occasionally drifting toward Kael, who lingered at the back of the group.

Thorne broke the silence, his cheerful tone cutting through the tension. "So, Jane," he said, adjusting the straps of his pack, "how's the search for ol' Changra going?"

Kael froze mid-step, his heart lurching in his chest. His pulse quickened, and the hum of the Crimson Dagger seemed to grow louder, though he wasn't sure if that was real or just his imagination.

Jane's expression darkened slightly, her pace faltering before she recovered. "It's… not going well," she admitted, her voice quiet. "It's been years, and there's been no sign of him."

Thorne shrugged, his tone light but tinged with a hint of genuine concern. "Well, maybe that's a good thing. No news is better than bad news, right?"

Jane didn't answer immediately, her gaze fixed on the ground as she walked. "I don't know," she said finally. "Sometimes it feels like he's… gone. Like I'm chasing a shadow."

Kael bit the inside of his cheek, forcing himself to keep walking as his thoughts raced. They're still looking for me. After all this time.

Thorne, oblivious to Kael's internal turmoil, chuckled softly. "Changra's a tough one. If anyone can survive out there, it's him. Probably holed up somewhere, living like a king and laughing at us for worrying."

Jane's lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Maybe. Or maybe he's…" Her voice trailed off, and she shook her head. "Never mind."

Kael's stomach churned as he listened, the weight of their words pressing down on him. They think I'm still out there, still alive. He glanced at Jane, her expression a mixture of sadness and determination, and his chest tightened. They don't know what I've done. They don't know what I've become.

The group fell into silence again, the only sounds the crunch of their boots against the dirt and the faint rustle of the wind through the grass. Kael kept his head down, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. The name Changra hung in the air like a ghost, haunting him with every step.