Chapter 12: New Beginning

Cero slowly opened his eye; the first thing he noticed was the soft creaking of old wood. The ceiling above is low and made of dark beams, some twisted with age and covered in spider webs. Dust dances in the morning light that slips through the cracks in the wooden shutters.

Though his arm muscles ached, he raised it slowly, trembling, and thought to himself:

"I can still remember it clearly—her blood, warm and vivid, clinging to my hands like something I couldn't wash away. Sarah… a hero of Shade Guard, and more than that, the South's finest assassin. I took her life… my first kill."

"They branded me a witchborn. Not because I did anything wrong, but because they suspected my father of witchcraft—without proof. I didn't want to kill her. But my father taught me never to hesitate. And in the end, the world gave me no choice. I had to prove my right to live… by taking someone else's life."

The air was cool and carried the faint scent of smoke, dried herbs, and old straw.

But what truly woke Cero was a loud snort nearby. He blinked, then thought to himself, "The mage who saved me…"

He tried to sit up, but pain shot through his body. Every muscle ached. With a quiet groan, he leaned back against the bed.

The movement must have stirred the mage, because a voice spoke from the other side of the room. "You're finally awake. It's been a day and a half." the mage said, tossing a small healing salve toward him.

Cero caught it and drank without hesitation. "Thank you for saving me." 

The mage raised an eyebrow. "You didn't even check if it was poisoned." 

"I'm immune to poison, and you wouldn't save me just to kill me. But… why did you save me?" Cero replied calmly. 

The mage looked at him for a moment, then said, "Because you're Gabby Magus. That's why."

Cero thought to himself, "He knows my alias. He must be connected to my Father." He asked, "How did you know my name?"

The mage replied, "I can't answer that, not yet. But my name is Jin Claye. I'm from Robert City." 

"Where is that?" Cero asked.

Jin looked out the window for a moment, then he said softly, "Far east of La Magia

Cero tilted his head and asked, "From which County?"

Jin turned back to him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "County of Okstin,"

Cero thought to himself, "Land of Mages. Robert City… probably named after the Hero Robert. Our magic tower's maps must be outdated."

Cero asked, "What are you doing in the South."

Jin replied, "A woman, expressing my love."

"I… need to go, Thanks again for saving me." Cero muttered, gritting his teeth as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. A sharp jolt of pain shot through his body, and he winced, one hand clutching his side. 

"Where are you going?" Jin asked.

Cero eyed him and said, "I cannot tell you."

Jin sighed. "Look, I know you're strong. You killed Sarah—the South's finest assassin. But no matter your reason, you can't win against the Dukedom of the South alone."

Cero paused, he thought, "He's right. The army that invaded our Magic Tower wasn't even the duke's full force. And Commander Darius alone… he's a wall I can't break through yet."

"Come with me to the East," Jin said. "Together, we can grow stronger. We can take down the duke."

Cero shook his head. "That's wishful thinking."

Jin retorted, "I'm a baron in my village, we have land, people, and gold. We can build a force strong enough to fight back."

Cero thought, "A noble… and wealthy with ambition." He asked, "Why are you helping me?"

"Because Duke Ashby won't stop with the South. He'll come for the East next—and then the empire."

Cero's eyes narrowed, "What about the king?"

"The king is sick," Jin said quietly.

Cero asked, "Why?"

Jin looked at him curiously. "Didn't you know, Gabby?"

"I had my circumstances" Cero replied, his voice low.

Jin rosed, time to packed up, "We will depart immediately."

As Jin left the room. 

Cero clenched his jaw as he stared at the wooden floor, hethought to himself:

"Considering my father's age… his drained mana… and the force he faced from the South… I must accept it—he's likely dead."

"I can't even grieve him. Not now. Not while the ones who caused this still breathe."

"Someday… I will hunt down every limb of Duke Ashby. One by one. Every knight, every hero, every loyal dog of the South's Dukedom—they will all feel my vengeance before they fall."

"Even if I'm hated. Even if the world fears me. I am willing to bear the burden."

"Even if I become the villain in the hero's tale… the traitor in their songs."

Cero exhaled as he looked at the dusty ceiling, He thought to himself:

"For now… I must survive. I must become stronger."

"Not an end—but the first step into a new beginning."

He inhaled deeply and fixed his gaze on the door ahead.

"The healing salve is working. I feel better now… It's time to move."

"But I still don't trust Jin. I don't know what his motives is."

Cero pulled his hood. As soon as Cero stepped out of the inn's door. Without a word, Jin tossed something toward him.

Cero caught it with ease. It was a small, firm card—slightly worn at the edges. He turned it over and read:

Name: Gabby Magus

Age: 14

Address: Robert City, Okstin, East of La Magia

Cero narrowed his eyes and thought to himself, "He forged an ID for me."

Jin walked over to the inn's shabby wooden counter. The old innkeeper barely looked up from wiping a mug with a rag. He said, "We are departing. Here's the tip." Placing two gold coins towards the counter.

The innkeeper's eyes flicked to the coins, then to Jin. He grunted, snatched the gold, and muttered, "Sho, sho, get lost. I don't want trouble."

As they stepped out the inn, Gabby asked, "By the way, where are we?"

Jin replied, "We're still at the South, Thorpes town."

Gabby sighed and remained calmed.

As they walked the town were buzzed with life as merchants shouted over one another, colorful fabrics fluttered in the breeze, and the scent of fresh bread, spiced meat, and muddy earth mingled in the air, while townsfolk bustled between stalls, bartering, laughing, and weaving through the chaos like dancers in a well-rehearsed play.

Gabby's stomach gave a low, hungry growl, loud enough for Jin to hear. With a small chuckle, Jin said, "Well, we can't ignore that, can we? Let's find something to eat."