The crowd roared as the dust settled on the training ground.
The opponent lay motionless, broken — almost dead — yet still breathing by some miracle.
Ravon rested his axe on his shoulder, staring coldly at the defeated fighter.
"He should have known better than to challenge you," he muttered.
But Thermo… he didn't celebrate.
He stood there, shaking — not from fear, but from the fire swirling inside him.
Ravon leaned down and whispered:
"Leave him. He's finished. Let's go."
They turned their backs and walked away, leaving the man broken on the ground — a corpse the world might soon forget.
Whether he truly died or not… that was a story for a later time.
They left the arena and followed the road leading north.
Fields stretched wide, wind brushing gently through the grass as a village slowly came into view — small houses, wooden fences, smoke rising from chimneys.
It was the gateway to the Great Market City: Neva.
The moment Thermo arrived, life surrounded him — merchants shouting, livestock bleating, children running barefoot across the street.
Thermo blinked in surprise.
He had never seen so many people outside a fight.
Ravon smirked.
"Welcome to your first step into the real world."
They headed through the village square toward a large signboard painted in gold:
NEVA — The City Where Dreams Trade Hands
But before they could move farther, a familiar voice called out:
"Thermo?!"
Thermo froze.
Teva — the girl he met earlier — rushed toward him, eyes wide with surprise.
"You're alive!" she said, breathless. "I thought… after the fight—"
"I'm okay," Thermo replied quietly, avoiding her gaze.
Ravon stepped aside with a knowing look.
"Go. Take a break. You earned it."
Teva smiled softly and grabbed Thermo's hand.
"Come with me. There's a place I want to show you."
She led him through the village paths until they reached a small garden tucked behind the houses — a peaceful place full of blooming flowers and whispering leaves.
Thermo sat on a wooden bench.
His bones trembled with exhaustion.
Teva sat beside him, staring gently.
"You and that man… Ravon… what is your relationship?"
Thermo hesitated… then answered:
"He saved me."
"From what?"
He looked at the cold-white spark flickering within his fingers.
"…From myself."
Teva's expression softened.
No judgment. No fear.
"Then stay alive," she said. "Please. You deserve peace too."
Thermo looked around — the quiet wind, soft sunlight, the warmth of another person's concern.
For the first time in a long while…
He felt safe.
Just for a moment.
Ravon waited near the entrance of a large inn — torches lit the doorway, and the smell of fresh bread drifted out.
He crossed his arms when Thermo approached.
"Done resting?" he asked.
Thermo nodded.
"Good," Ravon replied. "We enter Neva tomorrow. And then… your real journey begins."
Thermo glanced back at the garden… and at Teva still watching him.
He didn't know why… but his chest felt warmer than the flame.
Maybe life held more than pain and battles.
Maybe.