Pain before pain.

The dirt road stretched endlessly, uneven and jagged with loose stones that dug into Cassian's sore feet. Each step sent sharp pain up his legs, making them feel like they would give out at any moment. He and Dalia trailed at the back of the group because of his slow pace, though from time to time, the man called Jose would slow down as well, always finding an excuse to talk to Dalia.

Cassian ignored him. He focused on putting one foot in front of the other, refusing to show weakness. But exhaustion was creeping in, and no matter how hard he clenched his fists, his body was reaching its limit.

Not yet.

Summoning his strength, he activated his ability. Warmth spread through his limbs, pushing away the pain, restoring his trembling legs. The relief was instant, and though it drained him in other ways, it allowed him to keep moving. The only time they ever stopped was to eat, and even then, the breaks were short.

Dalia had asked him a few times if he wanted a ride, but his pride wouldn't allow it. He wasn't weak. He wouldn't be a burden.

After walking the whole day, the light of the torches the group carried to tell the time had faded to a weak yellow, with tips burning white.

It was time to stop.

The group set up a camp beside the road, lighting several fires that cast light against the shadows of trees. The flames burned with golden light, their edges flickering white at the tips, a sign of the coming darkness. They sat in a loose circle, chewing on dried meat and hard bread. No one complained about the food. They ate because they had to.

Water was the least of their worries both Cassian and Dalia could create it when needed.

As Cassian picked at his meal, a voice called to him from across the fire.

"Hey, Cas, why don't you eat with your uncle?"

Jose.

Cassian didn't even bother looking up. "I don't want to. It's more fun with Dalia."

Jose's jaw tensed, his expression unreadable in the firelight.

"Look at Jose," Hector cut in with his usual mocking tone. "Fighting with a kid just because Dalia takes care of him. Keke."

Laughter rippled through the group.

Dalia exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple. She was surrounded by fools. Still, a small smile tugged at her lips. Cassian had grown attached to her, something she hadn't expected. She had assumed at first that he barely noticed her presence, that he only answered her out of politeness. But maybe he was just shy. Or maybe he was simply quiet.

She liked that about him.

Jose, defeated, fell silent as the teasing continued. He didn't know why, but every time he spoke, he seemed to put himself in a bad spot. Maybe he needed to rethink the way he talked.

As the night stretched on, the flames shifted. The yellow glow faded, and soon, all the fires burned pure white.

That was when the darkness deepened.

The world beyond the fire disappeared into an abyss so black it looked like nothingness itself. The trees, the road, the land—everything beyond the reach of the flames ceased to exist. A silence settled over them, thick and heavy, pressing against their skin.

One by one, their bodies grew tired, their limbs weighed down by an unnatural sleepiness.

Cassian shivered. He knew what came next.

They pulled out their blankets, preparing for the night. Dalia removed her armor before lying down beside Cassian, wrapping an arm around him.

Ezo had warned her that Cassian was a mutant. When the darkness came, the exhaustion in his body would turn into unbearable pain. The least she could do was hold him through it.

"I'm here," she whispered. "Everything will be fine."

She repeated the words softly, again and again, until she finally drifted off.

Cassian, still clutching her, lay awake as the pain took hold. It coursed through his legs like fire, searing and relentless. He bit his lip to keep from making a sound, squeezing his eyes shut.

It felt like forever before it passed. Only then did sleep finally take him.

***

Five days of travel. Five days of exhaustion, pain, and endless walking.

When they finally arrived, Cassian felt like his legs would collapse beneath him.

The settlement was enormous, larger than any place he had ever seen. It stretched out like a city, with towering wooden walls protecting its heart. High above, stone watchtowers loomed, their narrow windows watching everything below. Outside the walls, the land was alive with movement—farmers tending their fields, traders shouting their wares, villagers going about their day as if the rest of the world did not exist.

As they neared the gate, armored soldiers stepped forward. Unlike Lucas's group, who wore simple leather, these men were clad in gleaming plate.

One of the guards, his face hidden behind a helmet, tilted his head.

"Lucas! What took you so long?"

Lucas's voice was rough from days of travel. "Bosque Villa was destroyed. We had to burn the bodies. It took time."

The guard scoffed. "That's what they get for not leaving. Any survivors?"

Lucas glanced at Cassian. "Only one."

The guard followed his gaze, studying Cassian for a moment before shrugging. "I see. Well, hurry up and report to Knight Roberto. The man already talks about you like you're dead. As for the kid drop him off at the barracks. They need new cadets. Maybe he'll be useful."

The group moved forward, entering the settlement's inner district. The difference was stark the streets were cleaner, the houses sturdier.

At a fork in the road, Lucas came to a stop. He turned to Dalia and Jeremy.

"Take Cassian to the barracks. Find Instructor Elias. Tell him to register him as my nephew. He needs a place to stay, and he needs to start training immediately."

Both nodded, guiding Cassian down a separate path.

Jose lingered behind, watching them go with an unreadable expression. He clearly wanted to go with them, but orders were orders.

As the three walked, the surroundings changed. The houses became fewer, replaced by open spaces filled with training yards. Young boys and girls swung wooden swords and spears, their voices filling the air with the sounds of practice.

Cassian drew stares.

He wasn't surprised. He looked nothing like the others. Their skin was gray, their hair black, their eyes dark as the night. Cassian, by contrast, was pale, with white-and-red hair and golden eyes that flickered from place to place like a restless flame.

Dalia, noticing the attention, took his hand again.

She had come to care for him in the past few days. She wanted to protect him. But she knew she wouldn't be able to.

As they reached the instructor's building, Dalia and Jeremy stepped inside with Cassian. A tall man with a sharp face and a scar across his cheek sat behind a wooden desk, sorting through a pile of worn scrolls. His eyes flicked up the moment they entered.

"Instructor Elias," Jeremy began. "Captain Lucas sent us. This boy, Cassian, is to be registered under his name."

Elias leaned back slightly, his gaze settling on Cassian with quiet scrutiny. "Lucas's had family?" he asked, though it was clear he wasn't expecting an answer.

Dalia shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "Those were the captain's orders. He also said to find him a house that can take care of him and begin training immediately."

Elias let out a low hum. "I see. I'll do as told. You can leave him here."

Dalia hesitated.

She knelt in front of Cassian, searching his face. He was silent, staring at the ground, but his hands were gripping the hem of his shirt tightly.

"Little Sian," she said softly, "we'll see each other again soon. I promise I'll visit you once you're settled, okay?"

Cassian finally looked up, golden eyes flickering with something unreadable. His voice was quiet. "You mean it?"

Dalia smiled, reaching out to ruffle his messy white-and-red hair. "Of course. Don't go forgetting about me."

"I won't," he said quickly, gripping her wrist as if that would stop her from leaving.

She let him hold on for a moment before gently pulling her hand away. "Be good, alright? Listen to your instructor."

Jeremy clapped Cassian on the back. "See you soon, Sian. Try not to get into too much trouble."

Cassian watched them turn toward the door, his stomach twisting. He wanted to say something—anything—to make them stay just a little longer. But the words never came.

The door shut behind them.

A long silence followed before Instructor Elias spoke.

"Good. Cassian, like Captain Lucas ordered, we'll start your training right away." He turned and gestured for Cassian to follow. "Let's go meet your companions for the next few years."