A Quiet Walk Through the Fog

Chapter 9: A Quiet Walk Through the Fog

Walking Through the Eternal Dawn

Lucian walked alone, his boots pressing against the smooth stone streets of Alexandria as a thick fog rolled through the city. The perpetual dawn cast a muted golden light over the rooftops, creating long, stretched shadows that seemed almost alive in the mist.

The air smelled of metal and warmth, a strange mix of cold silver and distant cooking fires. It was a scent he had grown used to over the past week—a scent that told him he was somewhere both familiar and alien.

He adjusted the cloak around his shoulders, tucking his hands into the warm fabric. The streets weren't empty, but they weren't crowded either. People walked in hushed tones, their silhouettes moving like ghosts in the fog, some carrying supplies, others sharpening silver weapons at the forges along the side streets.

"Another day in this strange city."

It had been a long day. His meeting with Tigen Foristo had left him with more questions than answers, and Eleanor's lessons were only beginning.

But now, for the first time in a while—he was alone.

And he needed that.

Stopping by the Market

As he passed through one of Alexandria's smaller market districts, his stomach grumbled.

Lucian sighed, rubbing his temple. I should probably buy something before heading home.

The currency system in Alexandria was simple. The Order had given him some silver tokens, which were the equivalent of money within the city. He had been told that, eventually, he'd be expected to earn his own through work.

"A glorified allowance until they decide I'm worth paying."

He wasn't about to complain.

Lucian stopped at a small bread stall, where an older woman with silver-threaded hair was kneading dough behind a stone counter. The air smelled of freshly baked bread, a comforting scent that contrasted with the cold of the city.

She looked up as he approached, her eyes sharp but kind.

"You're the new one," she said, matter-of-factly.

Lucian gave a small, tired smirk. "I've been called worse."

The woman let out a chuckle as she sliced a loaf of dense, dark bread and wrapped it in cloth. "That'll be three tokens."

Lucian handed her the small silver coins, feeling the weight of them in his palm before placing them on the counter.

As he turned to leave, she called after him.

"Eat well, It might be the only thing keeping you sane in this place."

Lucian raised an eyebrow but gave her a nod before walking off.

"Not ominous at all."

-------

Further down the street, a butcher's stall was displaying cuts of salted and preserved meats, their surfaces glistening faintly in the cold air.

The butcher was a broad man with a scar over his cheek, his hands covered in a thin layer of silver dust—probably from the preservation techniques used in Alexandria.

Lucian pointed at a cut of dark venison-like meat, and the butcher wrapped it up without a word.

"Five tokens," the man grunted.

Lucian handed them over.

Before he could walk away, the butcher suddenly asked, "You've got a place to stay, right?"

Lucian blinked, glancing up. "Yeah. Why?"

The butcher shrugged. "there is a new apartment my brother has recently opened up, with a very minimal rent. So i was wondering..."

Lucian frowned slightly but nodded in thanks . "I live in the first apartment you will see after entering the second street from the main road"

Lucian said before heading off.

After twenty minutes of walking

Lucian arrived at his residence, stepping into the quiet, dimly lit interior of the three-story building.

He locked the door behind him, pressing his back against the cool metal for a moment before letting out a slow breath.

'This is my life now.'

He walked toward the small kitchen space on the first floor, setting the bread and meat down on the stone counter. A small silver lantern hung nearby, flickering softly with an eerie but warm glow.

The silence of the house wrapped around him, heavy yet not unwelcome.

Lucian wasn't sure if this place felt like home.

It was given to him. It was functional, comfortable even. But it wasn't his.

'Not yet, anyway.'

-------

Lucian started preparing his meal, slicing the meat into thin portions before heating it over a silver-etched cooking plate that produced heat without flame. The bread rested on the side, waiting to be eaten.

As the scent of cooked meat filled the room, Lucian leaned against the counter, lost in thought.

"My past life..."

The memories were there, but they felt distant, hazy. He remembered a different world, one without silver energy, vampires, or creatures of darkness.

He remembered Earth.

The classroom. The principal's office. The countless days spent waiting for something more.

"And now, I have it."

He should have felt grateful.

But instead, all he felt was detached.

He plated the food, sitting at the small wooden table near the window. Outside, the fog had grown thicker, curling against the glass like ghostly fingers.

He took a bite of the warm bread, the texture dense but soft. The meat was rich, salty, slightly gamy—but satisfying.

He ate slowly, thoughtfully.

' I'm alive. I have shelter. I have food. I have a future here.'

So why did he still feel like he was waiting for something?

After finishing his meal, Lucian spent the next few hours reading.

The books in his home were mostly related to silver energy, history, and Alexandria's structure. He skimmed through some passages about the Sanctroum Barrier—the massive protective shield that kept the city safe from external threats.

The text mentioned something unsettling.

"While the Sanctroum Barrier prevents known threats from entering Alexandria, it has been noted that certain... anomalies have bypassed it. Investigation is ongoing."

Lucian frowned, closing the book.

"So even this place isn't perfect."

Tigen had hinted at that earlier.

"Problems that somehow slip past the Sanctroum Barrier."

Whatever those problems were, he had a feeling he'd eventually be dragged into them.

-----

Eventually, Lucian grew tired.

He climbed to the second floor, stepping into the modest but comfortable bedroom. A simple bed, a nightstand, and a window that overlooked the misty streets.

He changed into loose, comfortable clothes, letting out a slow sigh as he sat on the edge of the bed.

The silence was different now.

Not heavy. Not empty.

Just peaceful.

He pulled the blanket over himself, shifting until he found a comfortable position.

The sheets were warm, the mattress firm but relaxing.

"For the first time in a long time... I don't have to run. I don't have to fight."

He closed his eyes.

"I can just sleep."

The fog outside continued to roll through the streets.

But inside—Lucian slept.

And for now, that was enough.

-------------

---

Waking Up to the Sound of Hell

BZZZZT—!

Lucian flinched violently as the loud, shrill ringing of a public school bell jolted him awake.

His first instinct was to curse the existence of alarm clocks.

His second instinct was to remember that he was not in school, infact this area had only one public school for kids of the middle class to attend to.

He groaned, pressing a hand over his face as his mind sluggishly caught up.

"Right. I'm in Nocturnal. No annoying bosses or principals, no works or classes, no office or school lunches that taste like wet paper towels. Just eternal dawn, and the vague possibility of getting stabbed before breakfast."

He rolled onto his side, peeking at the clock mounted on the wall.

9:00 AM.

Lucian sighed. "I'm late, aren't I?"

Not that anyone had told him to show up at a strict time, but something told him Eleanor wouldn't be thrilled if he strolled into training past noon.

Grumbling to himself, he sat up, stretched his arms until his shoulders cracked, and dragged himself out of bed.

---

Lucian trudged into the washroom, splashing cold water on his face before grabbing his toothbrush.

As he brushed his teeth, he stared at his reflection in the silver mirror. His dark hair was messy beyond saving, and his tired eyes looked somewhere between exhausted and mildly done with existence.

"This is the face of a man who doesn't get enough sleep."

After finishing up, he walked to the kitchen, where he reached for a small tin of Silver Cocoa Coffee.

The drink was something unique to Nocturnal—a blend of finely ground silver-infused cocoa beans that gave a light energy boost. It tasted somewhere between dark chocolate and roasted hazelnuts, with a faint metallic aftertaste.

Lucian prepared a hot cup, watching as the silver flecks swirled in the dark liquid before settling. He grabbed a chair at the small dining table and took a slow sip.

"Alright. That's actually good."

The warmth spread through his chest, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to enjoy the quiet.

His thoughts drifted.

How long am I going to stay here?

He wasn't in a rush to leave. But part of him knew that Alexandria was not permanent.

Something in his gut told him this was just the beginning.

Lucian exhaled, finishing his drink before heading back to wash up.

---

After drying his face and fixing his hair (or at least making it look slightly less disastrous), Lucian grabbed the black shirt and pants he had been wearing most days. Over it, he threw on his silver-lined cloak, the fabric light but sturdy.

As he fastened the clasp around his neck, he glanced at his reflection one last time.

"Not bad. Could use more sleep, though."

---

After grabbing a quick breakfast of roasted bread and salted meat, Lucian washed the dishes, grabbed his silver tokens, and stepped outside.

The fog was thicker than usual, swirling lazily through the streets. The golden hues of the eternal dawn barely filtered through, casting soft, elongated shadows on the smooth stone roads.

Lucian locked his door and started his walk.

As he passed the small market stalls, he nodded toward a few familiar faces. A merchant selling silver ornaments, a blacksmith sharpening a short silver dagger, and even the old woman from the bread stall.

"Morning, outsider," she called.

Lucian smirked. "Still calling me that?"

She chuckled. "Until you start feeling like one of us."

Lucian continued down the road, his pace unhurried.

He could have taken a carriage—small, rune-powered vehicles that moved through the city at a decent speed. But using one for such a short trip felt like a waste of money.

'Besides, it's not like I'm in a rush to get stabbed during training.'

After about thirty minutes of walking, he reached the entrance of the Silver Order outpost.

The guards at the gate barely glanced at him, already familiar with his face. He stepped inside, stretching his shoulders as he made his way toward the reception area.

---

As he entered, he saw Reze behind the reception desk, flipping through a stack of papers with a look of complete boredom.

She glanced up at him, raising an eyebrow. "You're here earlier than I expected."

Lucian smirked. "You expected me to be late?"

She smirked back. "No. I expected you to not show up at all."

Lucian chuckled. "Tempting, but captain Eleanor would probably hunt me down."

Reze snorted. "Fair point." She stretched, then pointed toward the back hallways. "Your teacher is probably in the Investigation Team's main office. You know where that is?"

Lucian nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."

Reze waved him off. "Good luck not dying."

Lucian grinned. "I'll try my best."

---

Lucian made his way through the long corridors of the outpost, passing various officers and researchers who barely acknowledged him. Eventually, he reached the Investigation Team's main room—a large chamber lined with bookshelves, silver-detailed maps, and scattered reports.

He knocked once before stepping inside.

Eleanor was leaning back in her chair, staring up at the ceiling while drinking from a cup of Silver Cocoa Coffee. A plate of mint biscuits rested on the table beside her.

Lucian cleared his throat. "Busy, I see."

Eleanor blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. She glanced at him, then blinked slightly.

"Morning," she said, setting down her cup.

Lucian nodded. "Morning."

Eleanor gestured toward a nearby chair. "Give me ten minutes to finish my coffee. Either pick a book or take a walk."

Lucian thought for a moment before sitting in the chair opposite her.

"I think I'll just sit here and be annoying."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow. "Fair enough."

Lucian leaned back. "So, how many years have you served as Captain of the Investigation Team?"

Eleanor took a slow sip of her coffee before answering.

"Seventeen years."

Lucian whistled. "That's… a long time."

Eleanor nodded. "Long enough to see a lot of things go wrong."

Lucian tilted his head. "Like what?"

Eleanor didn't answer immediately. She stirred her coffee, watching the silver swirls mix into the dark liquid.

Then, finally, she said, "That's something you'll find out soon enough."

Lucian frowned. "You and Tigen both keep saying that."

Eleanor smirked. "Because it's true."

Lucian exhaled. Of course, no straight answers.

But that was fine.

For now, he was content to sit there, drink coffee, and wait.

Because something told him that soon enough, he wouldn't have the luxury of peace anymore.

---

End of Chapter 9