Chapter Nine

The night air was thick with the whispers of the forest, yet Solene heard nothing beyond the pounding of her own heart. She remained curled against the base of the tree, her body aching, her mind restless. But she couldn't stay here forever. She had to move before the kingdom's forces found her.

Back in the Kingdom, the streets buzzed with murmurs of the mysterious hollow girl who had defied all expectations. The nobles who had witnessed the arena battle spread the tale like wildfire. The king's men were already searching, spreading across the kingdom in pursuit of the girl who had survived the impossible.

Solene on the other hand with no choice had to move forward, she decided to return to the one place she had sworn never to return to the town of the Commons. It was where she had come from before she had found a way to escape and start anew.

After a day of painful and tormenting travel, she finally reached the outskirts of the Commons. The sight before her was just as she remembered, if not worse. The town was in ruins. The streets were lined with makeshift homes made of scrap materials, barely standing against the harsh winds. The air reeked of filth and decay, and the people thin, weary, and hopeless, moved about with lifeless expressions. Some sat against the broken walls, eyes vacant, while children, barely clothed, scavenged for food in the dirt. It was a place forgotten by the kingdom, left to rot while the nobles flourished.

As Solene walked through the town, she felt the weight of many stares on her. Whispers spread among the people, their gazes filled with suspicion and curiosity. They recognized her, perhaps not by name, but by the unfamiliarity of her presence.

Her vision blurred, and suddenly, dizziness overtook her. She stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her. Just as she was about to hit the ground, a strong hand caught her.

"Hey..." a voice called, but before she could register anything more, everything went dark.

Solene's eyes fluttered open, the weight of exhaustion still pressing on her body. The ceiling above her was rough but sturdy, unlike the flimsy wooden planks she was used to in the Commons. The bed beneath her was softer than anything she'd ever laid on before, far from luxurious, but still a step above the raggedy cots she had slept on most of her life.

She slowly pushed herself up, her body protesting with every movement. Pain throbbed through her limbs, a cruel reminder of everything she had endured. Her mind struggled to piece together where she was and how she had gotten there. The last thing she remembered was stumbling through the Commons, her vision swimming, the weight of exhaustion and hunger crushing her until she had collapsed.

She turned her head, taking in the small space. It was a shack, but it was far better maintained than most houses in the Commons. The walls were patched up, the air inside was dry and warm, and there was a single wooden chair beside the bed. A thin, tattered curtain covered the only window, swaying slightly with the breeze that slipped through the cracks. It wasn't much, but to Solene, it was the most comfortable place she had ever been.

Before she could gather her thoughts, the door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside.

The man who entered was tall, with a lean but sturdy build. His dark hair was tousled, strands falling over sharp, tired eyes that carried struggles. His face bore a few faded scars, hints of a life hardened by struggle. Despite the roughness, there was a calmness about him, something steady and unreadable.

He carried a small wooden tray with a bowl of something steaming. His gaze met Solene's as he stepped closer, setting the tray down on the chair beside her.

"You're awake," he said, his voice deep but not unkind. "Took you long enough."

Solene swallowed, her throat dry. She watched him warily, unsure if she should speak. The man leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"I'm Kain," he continued. "Found you passed out in the street. You're lucky I got to you before someone else did."

He didn't elaborate on what that meant, but Solene could guess. The Commons were ruthless to each other. They only thought about themselves. She shifted slightly, still unsure of his intentions.

"Who… who are you?" she finally managed to ask, her voice hoarse.

Kain exhaled, as if debating how much to say. "Just someone trying to survive, like everyone else here." His gaze flickered to the untouched bowl on the tray. "Eat. You look like you haven't had a proper meal in days."

Solene hesitated but reached for the bowl, the warmth of it soothing against her fingers. She didn't trust him, she didn't trust anyone, but right now, she had little choice.

 She grabbed the bowl and started eating, shoveling the food into her mouth with desperate hunger. The taste barely registered warm, slightly bland, but it was the best thing she'd had in days. She didn't care.

Kain chuckled, shaking his head as he watched her. "Damn. Slow down before you choke."

Solene barely glanced at him, too focused on finishing every last drop. Only when the bowl was empty did she finally sit back, breathing heavily. She felt a little more alive, but the weight of exhaustion still clung to her.

Kain leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "You looked like death when I found you. I'd ask what happened, but I'm guessing you're not the talkative type."

Solene tensed. She had no reason to trust this man. She didn't even know why he had helped her.

When she didn't answer, Kain exhaled and gave a small shrug. "Fine. You don't have to tell me anything. I'll talk instead."

He glanced at the window, as if remembering something far away. "I wasn't born here in the Commons. I lived in the High Ring. Served as a warrior."

Solene's gaze flickered to him. The High Ring? That meant he had lived among the elites, those who ruled over the city with power and magic. But now, he was here, in the filth of the Commons.

Kain continued, his voice steady but carrying an edge of bitterness. "I wasn't a Hollow, but I had power once. Magic of my own. Then one day, it was taken from me."

Solene's grip on the empty bowl tightened. "Taken?" Powers could be taken from people?

Kain's jaw clenched. "Stripped from me. By the king himself I was one of his most loyal warriors."

Silence settled between them. Solene didn't need to ask why. She already knew what kind of ruler Malrik Draven was. looking at the condition of her people and the way he ruled, she wasn't surprised.

"I was exiled," Kain said simply. "Thrown into the dirt like I was nothing. And now, I'm just another ghost wandering the Commons, trying to survive."

He looked at her again, his sharp eyes studying her carefully. "So… whatever mess you're in, I'm guessing we're not so different."

Solene didn't know what to say. For the first time, she wondered if she had found someone who might actually understand.