The Beginning

Eight years had passed since that fateful day when Haldan saved me in a cave far from the capital of the Barton kingdom. Now, at eighteen, I felt I was finally ready to move forward. As I organized my belongings, I donned my dark green cloak and black gloves. The sun was rising on the horizon, announcing the dawn. The air was cold and damp, and Haldan remained by my side, holding a cup of hot tea between his hands.

"You really liked your hair this long, down to your shoulders, since you haven't cut it anymore," Haldan commented, approaching me with a smile on his face.

"Actually, I got used to it this way."

"I don't know how you managed to stay with me all this time."

"You know it was necessary. I had to wait for my body to grow to adjust the prosthetics to the right size. Besides, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be alive."

"You don't need to thank me. I'd do it all over again to save you."

Haldan walked to the cave entrance while I adjusted the backpack on my shoulders, preparing for departure.

"Don't blame yourself, master." I placed my hand on his shoulder to reassure him. "Haldan, I've learned a lot from you over the years. I appreciate everything you've done for me."

"Are you finally leaving this kingdom?"

"Before leaving, I need to go somewhere."

"You're going to see that girl? Looks like they've returned to that house. You could have at least sent a letter saying you were alive. Everyone must have been very worried, especially your father."

Hearing about my father, I averted my gaze to the ground, feeling a wave of conflicting emotions.

"I wanted to avoid any attention; those people could have ended up finding us. It was better this way."

"I know you don't like him, but remember, he's your father. Even after everything you told me about him, I believe he loves you. After all, he's looking for you."

"Master, what do you intend to do?"

"I'll do what I've always done best: hide. HAHAHA."

"I understand… I hope we meet again in the future. Farewell!" We shook hands firmly as if sealing a silent pact.

After that, I pulled my hood over my head and started my journey toward Valoria, determined to begin a new chapter in my journey.

After hours of walking, I reached my house. The weathered façade was covered in leaves and signs of abandonment. When I opened the door, a flood of memories enveloped me, bringing back recollections of distant days. The interior was completely desolate, a reflection of the absences that marked those years. I climbed the stairs slowly, each step echoing in the silence until I reached my room.

Upon entering, I went straight to where I used to keep my money, a small box carefully hidden behind some books. To my frustration, it was empty. Someone, at some point, had broken in and taken everything. I let out a heavy sigh, aware that the money would have been quite useful.

With a keen eye, I searched the room, as I wasn't there just for the money. After some time looking, my eyes finally found what I was searching for: The Travels of Sylvain. Who would have thought that what once seemed like just a simple made-up story would turn out to be entirely real? I carefully placed the book in my backpack, certain that it would play a crucial role in the future.

After that, I left my house and began my way toward the capital. However, before leaving, there was one more place I needed to go. So, I headed to Nissa's house, and upon arriving, I knocked gently on the door.

Knock, knock!

Nissa opened the door, her gaze revealing a mix of surprise and caution.

"Who are you?"

She seemed a bit scared, but when I pulled down my hood, her expression quickly transformed into a mix of shock and relief.

"It's me, Saito."

"Saito, is it really you? You're alive! Your father has been looking for you everywhere."

"Is Yuri still here?"

"Yes, come in. She's in the backyard."

I thanked Nissa before entering the house, heading directly to the backyard. There, I found Yuri sitting with her back to me on a simple bench, surrounded by a profusion of flowers that seemed to enhance her serene presence.

"Can I talk to her?"

"You don't even have to ask, go." Before I could walk toward her, Nissa placed a hand on my shoulder. "Wait a moment. I need to tell you something first."

"What happened?"

Nissa took a deep breath before continuing.

"After that incident, Yuri's back wound healed well… But, the blow to her back was very strong. Because of that, she lost almost all mobility in her legs."

I remembered the moment when Yuri shared her greatest dream with me: to travel the world to see all the flowers. Her eyes sparkled with contagious excitement, and a determined smile lit up her face, as if no barrier could stop her from achieving that desire. Now, however, everything seemed so distant, so different, as if that dream had been trapped in an unreachable past.

I approached Yuri, noticing a wheelchair a little ahead. She wore a delicate yellow dress adorned with white details and held a blue flower between her fingers. Despite her fragile and vulnerable appearance, there was an undeniable strength in her, shaped by everything she had faced. Yuri had matured a lot, and her beauty was even more accentuated by her long white hair cascading over her shoulders.

Yuri turned her head, observing me for a few moments as if trying to decipher my identity. Her eyes showed a mix of curiosity and doubt until, finally, they widened in surprise as she recognized me.

"Saito, is that you!?"

"Yes, I see you still love flowers."

"I will never abandon them." She gave a slight smile while smelling the blue flower in her hands. "You've grown so much, and I'm so glad you're alive! Where have you been all this time?"

"I was handling some things outside the capital, so I couldn't come."

"You could have at least sent a letter to say you were okay!"

"Sorry…"

"Come, sit here." She gently patted the bench beside her, inviting me warmly to join her.

I took a step forward and sat to her left.

"After that day, I was really afraid I would never see you again."

Hearing that, I felt a tightness in my chest. I never wanted to worry her, but I had no other choice.

"As you must have noticed, since that day, I can only move using this wheelchair." Yuri lowered her head while holding onto the chair in front of her with one hand, her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you that day."

"It's not your fault; you couldn't have faced those bandits alone."

"I'll make them pay for everything they did to you!"

Upon hearing my words, Yuri let out a deep sigh and observed me in silence for a few moments.

"You know, you've changed a lot over these years."

"I guess that's normal; after all, I was just a child before."

"It's not that. Your eyes… they're different. They've lost the light they had when we first met. It's like happiness isn't there anymore." Yuri lowered her head and clenched her fists over her legs. "You're going after the bandits? Even knowing that revenge only brings more pain and suffering!"

Upon hearing that, a whirlwind of emotions overtook me. Part of me recognized she was right, but another part, more intense and unyielding, refused to let the culprits go unpunished. Moreover, there was something greater at stake, something I could no longer ignore. I struggled to keep a neutral expression, but the internal conflict was impossible to disguise.

She looked at me for a moment, her pleading gaze desperately seeking some hope in my eyes.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Yes."

Yuri lowered her head once more, bringing her hands together as she took a deep breath, as if gathering the courage to continue.

"If I asked you to stay, would you?"

I remained silent for a few moments, trying to find the right words to respond.

"I can't do that. I still have important things to resolve."

Yuri's shoulders began to tremble slightly as she struggled to hold back her tears. Her breathing became irregular, and an expression of deep sorrow took over her face.

"I need to go. It was good to see you again." I stood up, determined to walk toward the exit of Nissa's house.

I noticed Yuri extending her arm in an attempt to stop me, but her fingers only lightly grazed my sleeve before she gave up.

"Why can't you stay? You just show up out of nowhere, as if nothing happened, and now you're leaving again! Is all of this just for revenge? YOU'RE GOING TO END UP DYING!"

"It's not just revenge," I murmured to myself as I pulled my hood up, trying to conceal the conflicting emotions overflowing within me.

I knew Yuri was worried about me, but I needed to follow my purpose. I couldn't share it with her at that moment, as it would only increase her concerns.

As I approached Nissa, she quickly positioned herself in front of me, with a firm and determined expression.

"Where are you going? Your father has been looking for you for a long time. At least wait for him to return."

"I don't have time for that. Now he'll know I'm alive, isn't that enough?"

"You're as stubborn as he is." She sighed, stepping past me and approaching Yuri, wrapping her in a comforting embrace. Her eyes remained fixed on me as I slowly walked away.

I left Nissa's house and headed toward the capital. Soon, I spotted a young woman walking in my direction, carrying some bags. She wore a simple outfit, and her short hair swayed gently in the breeze. As I got closer, I recognized her as the same girl from that day, the one who brought Yuri when she was injured. Although she had grown and changed, her features remained unmistakable.

She was probably Nissa's daughter, recognizable by her red hair. However, those black eyes carried an unsettling familiarity, though I couldn't pinpoint where I had seen them before. She passed by me, observing me in silence as I walked away. I continued my journey without looking back.

Now, there was nothing left to do in this kingdom. My main objective was to reach the northern central capital, called Arkanis. According to my master, it was the best place to gather information about the Corrupted. It would be a long journey: first, I would have to cross the sea to reach the kingdom of Oastein; then, travel to the capital, Namark, where I could find transport to the nearest village of the Eternal Night Forest. That was the only path to reach the northern lands. My master had given me a large map, which would make it easier to find the right route.

I went to the docks of Valoria and purchased a passage to the kingdom of Oastein. After much negotiation with the captain, I secured a good price in exchange for helping load the ship's cargo. My master had only given me a small amount of money, and I had been counting on the money I had at home, but since it was gone, I now had to save as much as possible.

✧༺⚔༻✧

After ten days of sailing, I finally arrived in the kingdom of Oastein. Fortunately, we didn't encounter any storms that could have delayed us. I fulfilled my part of the deal, helping unload the cargo in exchange for the discounted fare. As I finished organizing the crates in a corner, I overheard two men talking nearby.

"I'm telling you the truth. I heard rumors in Namark about something that happened in a tavern in the south. They say someone showed up there, claiming to have seen with their own eyes a person with a power unlike anything they'd ever seen, something that shouldn't exist."

"Haha. And you believe that? The southern part of the capital is the worst place, filled with lunatics. You'll see, it was just another one of them."

Hearing this, I was slightly surprised, wondering if this person had seen an Elementalist or a Mystic. Driven by curiosity, I approached the two men, extending my hand with two cruzeiros.

"Could you tell me exactly where this tavern is?"

The two exchanged glances, and one of them smirked as he took the coins.

"I wouldn't recommend going there, but it's not hard to find. There's only one tavern in the southern part of the capital, near the walls."

"I see. Thank you."

Taking advantage of the available cargo transport, I managed to get a ride in a wagon. About an hour later, I arrived in Namark. Despite being larger than Valoria, the poverty here was much more evident, a result of the scarcity of fertile lands. My master had mentioned that, in the kingdom's southeast, most lands were dry, and the few existing villages survived thanks to supplies provided by the capital and fishing, in the case of those near the sea.

As I walked through the city's dark alleys, in the most degraded and violent area inhabited by society's outcasts, I made my way to a small tavern. Its surprisingly well-kept and clean façade stood out amidst the decaying environment around it.

Upon entering the tavern, I was immediately enveloped by the dimly lit atmosphere, illuminated by strategically placed lanterns. The wooden floor creaked under my feet, and the air was thick with the strong smell of tobacco and aged beer. I felt curious gazes and heard whispers from the patrons. I walked up to the counter, where a man with black hair streaked with white stood with his back to me, calmly and meticulously cleaning bottles.

"What would you like to order?"

I removed the hood covering my face, settled onto one of the barstools, and fixed my gaze directly on him.

"I heard you have information about someone who claimed to have seen strange things. Is that true?"

"That depends on how much you're willing to pay."

I reached into my cloak and pulled out a pouch containing ten cruzeiros, placing it firmly on the counter. As I did, I noticed three men at a nearby table murmuring among themselves while casting furtive glances in my direction.

"Is this enough to pay for the information?"

The bartender turned around, picked up the pouch of coins, and shook it to feel the weight. Then, he locked eyes with me, his gaze cautious and assessing.

"In a village not far from here, called Hasol, with a huge church in the center, there are rumors about someone who is different. They say he's capable of using something that shouldn't exist."

I was intrigued by his words, feeling my curiosity grow as I leaned an arm on the counter.

"What can this person use?"

The bartender stepped closer, his expression turning more serious.

"Magic!"

Magic? Could it be an Elementalist? My heart raced at the possibility.

"A few days ago, a man came here talking about this person. He said he saw him using magic with his own eyes. When he told the story, everyone laughed and even beat him up, calling him crazy. But I can tell when someone is telling the truth. He was confident in every word, and it was clear in his eyes."

I pulled my journal from one of the pockets of my fitted fabric vest and carefully noted down the information the bartender had given me.

"Thank you for the information." I stood up to leave the tavern.

As I turned, the sound of a glass hitting the counter made me pause. I glanced back at the bartender, attentive to what he had to say.

"You'd better be careful! You're a traveler, aren't you? These alleys are very dangerous at night; things happen here that you could never imagine. I recommend staying at the inn nearby. When the sun rises, you can leave safely."

"Alright, thanks."

As soon as I stepped outside, I came across a terrible scene: a tall man was throwing another man out of a nearby establishment, shouting furiously at him.

"If you don't have money, don't come here! Get lost!"

I walked past the man lying on the ground, trying to avoid getting involved, but he grabbed my cloak firmly. When I turned to face him, I noticed his eyes had been slashed, leaving him completely blind. He stared at me for a moment before speaking, as if he could see me despite his mutilated eyes.

"Don't believe his lies! Why did I believe him?" The man fell silent for a few seconds. "Nothing is as it seems." He picked up his cane, stood up, and disappeared into the darkness of the night.

Although I didn't fully understand the meaning behind the man's words, I decided to write them down in my journal. I couldn't quite explain why, but something in his tone and expression compelled me to do so.

A few steps later, I realized I was being followed. As I walked through a dark alley, I heard footsteps echoing both behind and in front of me. I stopped immediately, alert, carefully assessing the situation.

"Lost? This is our turf. If you want to pass through safely, you'll have to hand over everything you've got," said a man in a rough, menacing voice as he slowly approached from behind me.

The two bandits in front of me began to laugh and stepped closer. When the moonlight illuminated their faces, I recognized them as the same men I had seen in the tavern earlier.

With my left hand, I made a swift movement with my fingers and pulled back my hood, gazing at them with an unshakable calm.

"If you want to see the sunrise, I suggest you take a step back and walk away."

My words only fueled the bandits' anger, making them visibly enraged.

"You talk a lot for someone who's about to die."

I remained silent, motionless. The bandit behind me pulled a knife from his belt, twirling it in his hand. In the next instant, he aimed it at me, but before he could strike, he collapsed to the ground, letting out a scream of agonizing pain.

"AAAARGH! My fingers!"

Looking at his hand, he realized that three of his fingers, the ones gripping the knife, had been severed.

"Bastard! What did you do?!"

The bandits in front of me were visibly terrified at the sight, while I remained still, not moving a single muscle.

One of them raised a knife in my direction, the metal gleaming under the moonlight. I kept my expression calm and unwavering.

"W-what did you do?" His voice trembled with fear, laced with dread and uncertainty.

I started walking slowly, passing by the two frozen in place by terror. Their eyes were wide, hands shaking, and sweat dripped from their foreheads, revealing the overwhelming fear that gripped them.

"If you don't want to die, don't move an inch."

The first one behind me turned and ran away, overcome with panic.

"Hey, you bastard, don't run!" As the other tried to move after shouting, he made a subtle motion—but immediately felt a sharp cut across his face. Fear consumed him, unable to comprehend what was happening, while the remaining bandit stood by, equally paralyzed with terror.

✧༺⚔༻✧

Five years earlier, on a sunny morning, Haldan stepped out of the cave and found me training martial arts. I was shirtless, sweating, and breathing heavily.

"It's incredible how quickly you've adapted to these prosthetics."

I smiled as I looked at my mechanical arm and leg. Haldan had created these prosthetics for me, and they were so comfortable and natural that I hardly noticed they weren't part of my body.

"It's all thanks to you. They're incredible, they feel like they've always been part of me. Your craftsmanship is unmatched, Haldan."

"I'm glad the procedure worked. You endured a lot of pain during the process, but once I finish the permanent prosthetics, they'll be even better than these."

"I don't even know how to thank you."

"I've already told you to stop with that, it was my fault too. Putting that aside, to face the Corrupted, you're going to need a weapon. You mentioned that you've trained in fencing, so I believe a sword would be the best choice."

"Actually, I've been thinking about a weapon for a while and wanted to ask if you'd be able to create it for me."

I described my idea for a weapon to Haldan while recalling the moment I had taken a strand of Yuri's hair from her house.

"Interesting… very interesting. It might work if I make a few adjustments. No, I'm sure it will work with these changes. You'll be able to use it effectively!" He stroked his beard with a thoughtful smile.

✧༺⚔༻✧

Back in the present, I took a few steps ahead of the bandits, turning my back on them. I clenched the fist of my left arm and quickly raised it in front of me.

"My weapon is steel wire!"

The deafening sound of steel wires being pulled reverberated through the alley, echoing like an inescapable warning. At the same time, the wires surrounding the bandits delivered precise cuts across their bodies, inflicting only superficial wounds, enough to instill sheer terror. They stood frozen, trembling with fear, their eyes widened in horror.

After that, I pulled my hood back up and said, "If you don't want to die, stay still until sunrise."

I left the area, aware that I couldn't linger for too long, as it would surely attract the attention of other enemies. To avoid further trouble, I stayed at a nearby inn, which offered a free meal as part of the lodging. This helped me save some money.

With the first rays of daylight, I rose to the cold morning air and the light mist that covered the city. Hasol was only a few kilometers from Namark, so I decided to travel on foot. Even though it strayed slightly from my original route, I considered it wiser to investigate personally.