The Road to the Ruins

The city was still shrouded in darkness when Raymond and Ethan left House Darrow's estate. They moved quickly, avoiding the main streets, taking shadowed alleyways and lesser-known paths to slip away unnoticed.

There was no telling if House Valner had sent more assassins. Raymond wasn't willing to take the risk.

Ethan led the way, his posture tight with tension. "You're sure about this?"

Raymond nodded. "I've never been more sure of anything."

The item he sought—the one he had stumbled upon in past lives—was buried deep in the ruins of an abandoned temple.

A relic of forgotten gods.

And this time, he wasn't leaving without it.

They reached the eastern gates of the city just as the sun began to rise. The guards barely spared them a glance, more interested in the merchants and travelers queueing for departure.

Raymond pulled the hood of his cloak lower, stepping through without hesitation. He knew the roads beyond the city well. The ruined temple lay three days' ride east, beyond the Blackwood Vale.

Ethan adjusted the straps on his saddlebags. "So what exactly are we looking for?"

Raymond hesitated. He knew what the item looked like—a small, unassuming stone carved with unfamiliar markings, a relic of power. But even after seven lifetimes, he still didn't know what it truly was.

All he knew was that it had saved him before.

And it would save him again.

"I'll know it when I see it," Raymond said.

Ethan groaned. "Of course you will."

They rode on.

By the second day of travel, the land had changed. The rolling hills and farmland had given way to dense woodlands. Towering trees cast long shadows over the dirt path, their thick canopies blotting out the sun.

The Blackwood Vale.

Raymond felt unease creep along his spine. This place had history—ancient, bloody history.

The last time he had passed through these woods in another life, he had barely made it out alive.

Ethan must have noticed his silence. "You look like you just swallowed something sour."

Raymond exhaled, scanning the treetops. "Something isn't right."

And then, the forest answered.

A rush of air. The sharp whistle of an arrow.

Raymond yanked the reins—his horse reared just as the arrow embedded itself in the dirt where his head had been.

"Ambush!" Ethan shouted, drawing his sword.

More arrows rained from the trees. Raymond kicked off his saddle, rolling as his horse bolted into the undergrowth. The moment he landed, his sword was in his hands.

Figures emerged from the shadows—cloaked in ragged leather, their faces obscured.

Not ordinary bandits. They moved too precisely, too deliberately.

Raymond's grip tightened. They were waiting for us.

House Valner had found them.

The first attacker lunged.

Raymond met him head-on, his blade flashing in the dim light. Their swords clashed—steel screaming against steel. The bandit was fast, trained, but predictable.

Raymond parried, shifting his weight before twisting into a counter-cut. The edge of his sword bit deep into the man's shoulder.

A second enemy rushed him.

Raymond turned just in time to see the flicker of Aether.

A mage.

The caster whispered an incantation—and suddenly, the earth beneath Raymond's feet shifted.

The ground hardened, twisted, wrapping around his boots, locking him in place.

A binding spell.

Raymond cursed. He could feel the pressure against his legs—like unseen hands gripping him tight.

The mage raised a second hand, fingers crackling with lightning.

Raymond reacted instinctively.

Aether surged through his veins—not his own.

The curse stirred.

You need me.

Raymond didn't fight it this time.

He drew upon the power—and the moment he did, his mind sharpened.

The bindings cracked.

His body moved before the spell was complete.

The lightning bolt flew—missing him by inches.

In three steps, he was on the mage.

The man's eyes widened in shock.

Raymond didn't give him the chance to cast again.

His **sword arced through the air—**and the mage's head fell from his shoulders.

The body collapsed.

The remaining attackers hesitated.

They hadn't expected him to move like that.

And for a moment, neither had he.

The curse laughed softly in his mind.

You see? Strength, unhindered. This is what you could be.

Raymond's fingers clenched around his hilt. He had won.

But at what cost?

The ambush had failed.

The surviving attackers had fled, vanishing into the trees, leaving their dead behind.

Ethan was breathing heavily, a shallow cut along his arm. "That was… unpleasant."

Raymond wiped his blade clean. "It was a warning."

Ethan gave him a sharp look. "Or an invitation."

Raymond didn't respond. He already knew the truth.

House Valner had anticipated his movements. This wasn't just a random attack—it was a test.

How far will he go?

Raymond took a slow breath. He couldn't afford hesitation.

The ruins were close now.

The item—the thing he had relied on in past lives—was waiting for him.

And this time, he was going to find out what it really was.

No matter the cost.