Chapter 6 - Beautiful Days

Sylvas looked into the cold, oppressive, and eerie eyes of the man, and without realizing it, he stopped walking. At the same time, beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. He was so frightened that a normal child exposed to such a heavy aura could have had a heart attack. He also silently assumed that the man must be at least a level 3 Rootbinder. "This man doesn't want to kill me… or something like that. Besides, if he wished, he could easily slaughter everyone in the inn. But instead, he's just applying pressure in a way only I can notice. Normally, the best option would be to leave the inn immediately, but that's impossible. I have no excuse, nor can I explain the situation to my family. If things get chaotic, that man might change his mind. My fate is in his hands," he thought, and immediately caught up with his family, trying not to let them notice.

Sylvas and his family entered the room that Kaelan had rented. On the other hand, the place where the mysterious man had been sitting was completely empty, as though no one had ever sat there. Moreover, no one seemed to have sensed his presence. They acted as if no one had ever been there. Sylvas and his family, including Sylvas himself, felt as though whatever had happened earlier had never occurred.

At that moment, all the family members, except for Sylvas, fell into a deep sleep.

The room, despite the harshness of the night, was lit by the pale moonlight seeping in. The moonlight gently passed through the window's edge and softly illuminated the corners of the room, turning everything into silhouettes. The beds were placed in the center of the room, each surrounded by simple, old, yet sturdy wooden frames. The air in the room carried traces of old times, yet also provided a warm sense of peace.

Sylvas's family had settled into the room in an orderly fashion. Elaris and Kaelan slept close to each other. Elaris's head rested on the pillow, while Kaelan's body was turned toward her. Kaelan had tried to sleep close to Elaris, his hands resting comfortably on her waist. Elaris felt his hands and, with the security she gained from him, fell into a peaceful sleep. The pillows were placed almost creating a small dip at the center of the bed. Their mother's golden hair spread across the pillow, and when the light hit it, her hair shimmered like gold, leaving a fresh and vibrant look when she woke.

Kaelan usually slept peacefully, but tonight he was a bit more tense, his face more somber than usual. A few gray strands in his hair showed his age, but still, his face retained an expression of calm reassurance throughout the night. His hands rested on the edges of the pillow, yet it seemed he still enjoyed being close to Elaris.

The room carried an air that allowed everything to move silently, yet the closeness between Sylvas's parents seemed to carry both emotional and physical traces of a bond. This closeness, which gave the room its unique warmth, was so deep that no words could explain it.

Sylvas's older sister Lyra, 18 years old, lay next to their father and mother. Her golden hair almost matched their mother's in brightness. Lyra was usually calm and strong-willed. Her hair spread lightly over her pillow and scattered around her head. Her face, peaceful in sleep, carried a youthful glow, marked by an inner strength that conveyed a sense of safety and naturalness. Lyra slept close to their parents but also had her own space in the room. When she turned her head slightly toward the headboard, her hands rested on the edge of the pillow.

Meanwhile, as Sylvas watched his sister, his unease grew. But he, too, slowly closed his eyes, trying to become part of the family's sleeping rhythm. As he shifted his head from side to side, feeling a bit uneasy and anxious, he tossed and turned in insomnia. However, the soft sound of the wind from outside and the reassuring silence in the room seemed to bring him a sense of calm.

The curtains by the window fluttered slightly as a breeze passed through, and the slight chill of the outside air mixed with the warmth inside, adding a touch of discomfort to the peaceful sleeping environment. Yet, everything in the room exuded such deep serenity that the noise of the outside world felt like it was miles away.

Finally, the entire family, close to one another, fell into a peaceful sleep. Mother, father, sister, and Sylvas — though each was in a different world, they came together in the safety of the family's closeness, all within the same room.

While Sylvas and his family slept peacefully, not far away…

The night was deep and silent. The moon, behind a thin veil of clouds, cast its pale light over the grass, leaving trembling glimmers on it. A light breeze passed over the plains, gently moving the grass without disturbing the silence.

The man appeared in the darkness of the night. He was tall and strong, immediately catching attention. He wore a dark, slightly rough jacket, and a fine scarf fluttered gracefully in the wind. His face was full of sharp features, with a prominent jawline and a stern expression, which stood out even in the darkness.

His eyes glowed with a pale blue, exuding a deep coldness even in the dark. These eyes carried a disturbing silence when one looked into them. His dark brown hair was slightly messy, with a few strands falling onto his forehead.

The man had a presence that carried weight, as if the darkness was gathering around him, with every movement of his reflecting this heaviness. A silent but dominant figure, he stood there like part of the night.

The man began muttering in a threatening tone, and this continued for some time before he vanished into the darkness.

Time passed, and with the first light of dawn, the surroundings slowly began to brighten, and people started to wake from their slumbers.

As the first light of morning touched the walls of the room, the golden daylight filtering through the gaps in the curtains started to illuminate the room as if bidding farewell to the night. The room held the coolness of the morning, and the silence was gradually replaced by the faint chirping of birds. A soft breeze tapped against the window, and the curtains began to dance once again.

Kaelan was the first to wake up, as usual. He opened his eyes slightly, staring blankly for a moment before glancing at Elaris. With a small smile at her peaceful face, he carefully withdrew his hands from her, trying not to disturb her. When he placed his feet on the cold wooden floor, he stretched with a deep breath, then silently walked over to the corner of the room to change.

Elaris must have felt Kaelan move because she stirred slightly. Slowly opening her eyes and glancing around, she woke with a soft stretch. Seeing Kaelan preparing, she smiled and said, "You're early today." Her voice, soft and gentle, seemed to complete the morning's peace.

Sylvas, on the other hand, buried his face in the pillow like a child who didn't want to wake up, mumbling as his mother's sweet voice tried to coax him. "Come on, sleepyhead, we need to get going," she said, gently stroking his hair. With her warm touch, he slowly opened his eyes, calming down and reluctantly sitting up with a sleepy expression.

Lyra, however, was less patient than the others. Her eyes snapped open, and she quickly sat up, yawning. "Is everyone ready? Let's go already," she said energetically, her tone a little rushed. Though her excitement irritated Sylvas slightly, it also added some liveliness to the family. She quickly gathered her hair and turned to the mirror, taking just a few seconds to get herself ready.

The family gathered their belongings, checked that the room was tidy one last time, and began to leave. The inn's corridors were empty and silent at this early hour. A few customers sat in the breakfast hall, preparing bread slices with hot tea or coffee.

Kaelan gave a brief thanks to the innkeeper, and Elaris directed the children outside. As they stepped out of the inn, the fresh morning air filled their lungs. The dew on the plains sparkled in the sunlight. The soft morning breeze stirred Elaris's hair, and Sylvas couldn't help but lose himself in the sight.

Kaelan prepared the carriage for the journey, and the family took a short break. Sylvas drifted into thought, feeling like he had forgotten something or someone important. However, the peaceful atmosphere of the morning allowed these thoughts to fade away. Lyra, laughing softly, nudged Sylvas's shoulder and said, "Come on, stop daydreaming. We're leaving!"

And the family, under the morning sun, was ready to set off on their journey, with both normal and strange encounters waiting for them along the way, including parts of dead monsters, limbs, and many other odd occurrences. Despite these bad memories, they collected valuable experiences and beautiful memories.

On the fifth day, they stopped slowly. Kaelan took the initiative and cautiously approached the monster parts. "These were recently killed, probably less than a day ago. But the strange thing is, the killer probably killed for sport. Another strange thing is, even though these creatures were killed less than a day ago, this blood should have attracted other monsters," he spoke, gazing over the endless, lush green plains.

As the others discussed the situation, Sylvas's unease grew. "There's something gnawing at me for days, but no matter how much I think about it, I can't figure it out. That man… who was he really?"

Sylvas and his family quickly gathered their things and continued their journey. Time passed, and eventually, they arrived at Rivergate City.

As Sylvas and his family passed through the large stone gate and stepped into the city, the grandeur of Rivergate fully revealed itself. The city captivated visitors not only with its size but also with its orderliness and vibrancy.

"Rivergate City: The Center of Water and Trade truly lives up to its name," Sylvas murmured.

Rivergate was built on both sides of a large river. The eastern and western parts of the city were connected by bridges that stretched along the river. These bridges were not only passageways but also architectural marvels. Each bridge was adorned with skillfully carved stone railings and sculptures. The sculptures paid homage to the city's history and the power of the river.

In the center of the city, a vast square served as the heart of trade and social life. From this square, streets and avenues radiated outward in an orderly fashion, leading to various parts of the city. Each street was dedicated to a particular profession or social class, such as the craftsmen's quarter, the merchants' district, and the palace area where the elite resided.

The busiest part of the city, the Trade Square, was bustling with people. It was filled with shops and stalls covered with colorful awnings. The strong scent of spices mingled with the sweet aroma of fresh fruit, and the melodies of street musicians echoed through the air.

In the center of the square stood a massive stone fountain. Atop it was a statue of a river god. The god represented the flowing water with two streams of water flowing from his hands, forming the fountain's main source. People took water from the fountain, throwing small coins in honor of the god's blessings.

One of the most eye-catching shops among the many in the square was a store selling jewels and enchanted stones. The stones in the display glittered in the daylight, taking on a thousand different colors. As Sylvas passed by, he couldn't help but look at the stones, a sense of unease rising within him.

The River Path was another key area in the city that pumped life into its heart. This path ran along the river's edge, a wide cobblestone trail lined with shops and inns catering to traders and travelers arriving by water.

The docks along the river were always busy. Large trading ships, carrying exotic goods, docked regularly. Wooden crates and sacks were unloaded from the ships by porters, while merchants inspected the goods and accountants kept the records. Fishermen lined up with their smaller boats, ready to sell the fish they had caught early that morning.

As Sylvas passed the docks, he gazed at the river's powerful current and the reflection of the sky in its clear waters. The river was both a source of life for the city and the heartbeat of its trade.

As the family ventured further into the city, they arrived in a district filled with wood and stone craftsmanship. The Craftsmen's Quarter was alive with the work of skilled hands. The sounds of blacksmiths hammering iron, the scent of sawdust from carpenters, and the rhythmic noise of tailors cutting fabric filled the air.

In front of the blacksmith shops, swords, axes, and armor were displayed. Sylvas's father, Kaelan, paused for a moment to examine a piece of armor. He touched the metal, running his fingers over its surface. "The craftsmanship is quite good," he said, but then quickly rejoined his family.

At the eastern edge of the city, perched atop a hill, stood the impressive building of the Aetherion Guild. The area surrounding the guild was quieter than the rest of the city. As they approached, intricate carved patterns on the stone walls surrounding the building became noticeable. These designs depicted intertwined tree branches, roots, and leaves.

In front of the building, a wide courtyard stretched out. In the center of the courtyard stood a structure said to belong to the Moonstone Glass. This was a place where the guild welcomed not only the powerful but also those with mysteries hidden within their souls.