The next day arrived without mercy.
Silverline City, Basil's farmhouse stood quiet under the pale morning light, the kind that made even familiar land feel uncertain.
A man rushed into the courtyard, breath uneven, eyes wide with panic.
"Where is Linn?" he shouted.
From beside the weapons rack, Linn stepped out calmly, wiping his hands on a cloth. "What is it? You act like the world is ending just because the master is out of town."
"It is about the master," the man said, voice shaking.
Linn's eyes sharpened. "What about him?"
"His car left from Star Harbor airport. On the way, the vehicle met with an accident. But when the driver came to his senses, there was no one inside the car. No master. Nobody. Nothing. The driver is terrified."
For the first time, Linn's expression cracked. Panic flickered across his face, raw and real.
Then, slowly, something settled in his eyes. Understanding.
He exhaled. "Do not worry."
The man blinked. "What?"
