Chapter 16

The Road to the Past

(The morning sun rises over the castle walls, casting golden light through the mist. Kael and Sun stand at the entrance, their belongings packed and ready for the road ahead.)

(Alden stands with his arms crossed, watching them in silence. Elyse stands beside him, her expression unreadable.)

A Farewell Before the Journey

Kael (grinning slightly): "Looks like this is it."

(Elyse exhales, placing her hands on her hips.)

Elyse: "Just don't go doing anything reckless."

Sun (smirking): "With Kael? Recklessness is guaranteed."

(Kael glares at Sun, who laughs.)

Elyse (scoffing): "You do exist, Sun."

(Sun grins, nudging Kael.)

Sun: "See? Even Elyse admits it."

(But before they can take another step, Kael suddenly stops, his expression shifting.)

Kael (thinking): Liza…

(He hadn't seen her in days. The last time they spoke was at the shop, and after everything that happened, she hadn't appeared since.)

(Without thinking, Kael turns on his heels, ready to rush back inside.)

Kael: "Wait, I—"

(Elyse quickly steps in front of him, blocking his path.)

Elyse: "She won't meet you."

(Kael blinks, surprised.)

Kael: "What?"

Elyse (sighing): "Her father isn't allowing her to go outside since that incident at the shop. He's keeping her inside."

(Kael tenses, a flicker of frustration crossing his face.)

Kael: "Oh… I see."

(Sun raises an eyebrow.)

Sun: "And what makes you think he was going to see her?"

(Kael quickly recovers, smirking.)

Kael: "Pfft, me? Nah, I was actually going to get my blade."

Elyse (narrowing her eyes): "Your blade is here, Kael."

Kael: "Not that one. I meant my old blade—it gives me luck."

(He turns, waving over his shoulder.)

Kael: "I'll be back in five minutes."

(Sun sighs, shaking his head.)

Sun: "Here we go again…"

(Elyse watches him leave, a small, unreadable smile forming on her lips.)

(The road stretches endlessly ahead as Kael and Sun ride side by side, their horses moving at a steady pace. The morning air is crisp, the sky painted in soft hues of orange and blue. The rhythmic sound of hooves against dirt is the only thing breaking the silence.)

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Conversations on the Road

Sun (stretching in his saddle): "Man, it's been a while since we got some proper fresh air. I was getting tired of all the training back there."

Kael (chuckling): "You? Tired of training? That's a first."

Sun (grinning): "Hey, I enjoy training. Just not when Alden's watching like a hawk. Feels like I'm being judged for every little mistake."

Kael: "That's because you are being judged for every little mistake."

(Sun groans dramatically, making Kael smirk. They continue riding, the wind brushing past them. The conversation fades for a while before Sun speaks again.)

Sun: "Still thinking about Liza?"

(Kael's grip on the reins tightens slightly, but he doesn't answer right away.)

Kael: "I just… didn't expect her to disappear like that. I thought she'd at least say goodbye."

Sun (shrugging): "Well, she didn't. You're not the only one carrying burdens, Kael. Everyone has their own battles."

Kael (quietly): "Yeah… I know."

(They ride in silence for a while before deciding to take a break after eight hours of travel. They find a shaded spot near a small stream, letting their horses rest as they eat a quick meal.)

Sun (stretching): "Another ten hours to go, huh?"

Kael: "Give or take."

(After finishing their break, they mount their horses again and continue toward the next village.)

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A Night in the Village

(After another ten hours of travel, they finally arrive at a small village just before sunset. The streets are lively, the smell of food lingering in the air. The two ride toward an inn and dismount, leading their horses to the stable before heading inside.)

Innkeeper (raising an eyebrow): "You two look like you've been riding for days."

Sun (grinning): "Feels like it too."

Kael: "Got any rooms?"

Innkeeper: "Last two available."

Kael (placing some coins down): "We'll take them."

(After dropping off their belongings, they decide to visit a nearby bar. The moment they step inside, an eerie silence falls over the place. Every pair of eyes turns toward them, whispers breaking out across the room.)

Sun (whispering): "Uh… why is everyone staring at us?"

Kael (glancing around): "No idea."

(They approach the counter, ordering beer. The bartender eyes them curiously as he hands over their drinks.)

Bartender: "You two… you're the ones, aren't you?"

Kael (raising an eyebrow): "Huh?"

Bartender (leaning in, lowering his voice): "The ones the (Big Nation's Name) Warlord didn't kill."

(Sun and Kael exchange a glance, realization dawning on them.)

Sun (smirking): "So we're famous now, huh?"

Kael (taking a sip of his drink): "Doesn't feel like it."

(The whispers continue, and despite their exhaustion, both of them feel the weight of eyes watching their every move. After finishing their drinks, they leave the bar and return to the inn, choosing not to dwell on it.)

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Arrival at Kael's Village

(The next morning, they wake early, saddle their horses, and set off. After another ten hours of riding, the landscape begins to change. The once lively roads become desolate, abandoned structures appearing on the horizon.)

Kael (pulling on the reins, slowing his horse): "…It's been years."

Sun (looking around): "So this is it? Your village?"

Kael (nodding slowly): "Yeah. Or at least, what's left of it."

(They dismount, tying their horses near an old fence. The air is heavy with memories as Kael steps forward, scanning the ruins of what was once his home. The two begin searching, moving through the remains of buildings. After a few minutes, Kael stops in front of a partially collapsed house.)

Kael (quietly): "…This is it."

(Sun watches as Kael steps toward the doorway, his fingers brushing against the worn wood. Memories flood his mind—laughter, warmth, a life before everything changed.)

Sun (crossing his arms): "Guess we've got a lot to uncover here."

Kael (clenching his fists): "Yeah… and I'm ready."