After several days on the road, the air began to feel saltier. On the horizon, the vast sea came into view. It brought back a memory for Darian—when they had visited Port Vell with Aria. He clenched his fists. A look of determination crossed his face. He kept walking.
Varkas broke the silence.
—We're almost there. We need to get a ship to the Elven Kingdom.
—Yes —Elias replied—. It's essential we stick to the plan. No mistakes.
Kára walked behind them, keeping an eye on the bandits to make sure they kept up.
—Come on! We don't have all day! Move it, we're almost there to turn you in! I'm not cooking for you anymore!
As they reached the entrance to Port Nimbus, seabirds swept overhead in search of food. Fish stalls gave off a sharp, pungent smell that mixed with the salt of the sea. The chatter of merchants and the cries of seagulls filled the air.
Elias adjusted his hood.
—I'll go get the ship tickets. You take the bandits to the guards.
Varkas nodded. He grabbed the rope binding the seven prisoners and pulled.
—Move.
Kára checked her tools.
—I'm going to get supplies. I need a few things to maintain the weapons.
Darian looked between them.
—And what do I do?
—Don't get into trouble —Varkas said with a faint smile.
Kára glanced at him and shook her head.
—You can come with me if you want.
Elias called his owl, which landed on his shoulder.
—Go with Kára. Meet back in two hours.
Kára looked at Darian's two swords.
—What are they like?
Darian looked at her.
—Who? Them? —he gestured to the swords—. Want to meet them?
—Yes. But you're still exhausted from using them, right?
—Yeah. But if they don't fight, it doesn't drain as much mana. Or at least, I think so. —He gave a slight smile—. Alright, let's do it.
They stopped in a quiet corner, away from the market noise. Darian focused. He gave up control.
His posture changed. It became more elegant, almost refined. His eyes turned completely black, with a white pupil glowing at the center. His hair shifted into a pure white, and a soft light emanated from his body. When he spoke, his voice was Darian's—but more composed, more measured.
—Hello… Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lumine. A pleasure.
Kára looked at her, fascinated.
—The pleasure is mine.
—Your presence… is striking —Lumine murmured, observing her with calm curiosity—. Your name is Kára, correct?
—Yes… I'm Kára. Sorry, it's just… your aura is unique. I've never felt anything like it.
—Perhaps… —Lumine said gently—. But you as well… you are not alone. There is someone by your side… someone loyal, isn't there?
—Yes. His name is Kazak'Thur.
Lumine lowered her gaze slightly.
—I see… His power… is intense.
In the inner plane, everything was white. Only one corner remained in darkness: Nox, crouched.
—I want to hunt —said Nox.
Darian looked at him.
—Do you ever think about anything else?
—Yes. About killing. And blood. I love blood.
—Not everything in life is that.
—Oh really? —Nox raised an eyebrow.
—Of course not. Tell me… what would happen if something happened to Lumine?
—I'd die. We are one.
—What do you mean, one?
—We are one. Just like we are with you. If you die, we die. And if we die… —He smiled slightly, revealing his fangs—. You die too. That's how it works.
—I didn't know that.
—Of course you didn't. You're slow.
—I'm not slow!
—Well, now you know. So take good care of us. We're not just tools.
—Alright. Time for Lumine to give me back control.
—See you, Nox. Always a pleasure talking to you —Darian said, clearly uncomfortable.
—The pleasure is mine —Nox replied with a grin.
—It's time to return… —Lumine said calmly.
Kára looked at her.
—I enjoyed talking to you.
—As did I… —Lumine replied softly—. It is… refreshing to find another voice in the silence.
—See you around.
Lumine inclined her head slightly, with a faint, almost incomplete smile.
—If our paths allow… we shall meet again.
Darian returned. He regained control of his body. He was slightly winded, but nothing serious.
Inside him, Nox's voice echoed.
—My turn.
—No. Last time you almost killed me. You're staying put today.
—That's why I say you're slow…
They continued until they reached a shop. A sturdy dwarf woman with sharp eyes ran the place. The exterior was large and somewhat rustic. The wood was old, with a few holes. Inside, the shop was packed with goods: from swords to scrolls. It had everything.
Kára approached and asked the dwarf for sharpening stones, metal polish, cloths, and scrolls for runes.
The dwarf looked at her indifferently.
—Anything else?
—That's all.
—Ten coins.
Kára paid without a word. She took the items and left.
Darian followed her. Something felt off.
—Was it tense in there, or just me?
Kára sighed.
—No. That shop belongs to a rival clan. We used to compete to see who could forge the best weapons and armor. But that ended when my clan was massacred.
—I'm sorry —Darian said, shaken.
—Don't worry. You didn't know. —Kára patted his back—. But I think that clan might have been the one behind it. Just suspicions.
Darian thought for a few seconds. Inside him, Lumine sensed his intent.
—We could look into it once we return from finding Aria.
—Yeah —Nox added—. I like that idea. Plenty to hunt there.
Darian nodded and said to Kára:
—If you want, once we get Aria back, we can look for whoever did that to your clan.
Kára looked at him, surprised.
—Sure. But… why? You just met me. Why would you do that for me?
Darian kept walking and answered naturally:
—It's simple. We're family, right?
He turned and looked her in the eyes.
Kára froze. A small tear rolled down her cheek.
Darian panicked.
—I'm sorry! Did I say something wrong? I didn't mean to—hit me if it makes you feel better!
Kára burst out laughing.
—Don't worry. And yeah… we are family. Come on, the others are waiting.
On the other side of the city, Varkas was handing over the bandits. He approached the guard post. A dwarf with a spear and heavy armor stood at the entrance. Varkas's imposing size drew attention.
—Excuse me —said Varkas.
—Yes? What do you need? —the dwarf replied, looking up.
—I'm here to turn in these bandits. They attacked us on the road. Three died during the fight.
The guard looked over the seven prisoners. Injured, dirty, defeated. His gaze lingered on the leader. He stepped closer, narrowing his eyes.
—Well, well… —he muttered, leaning toward the man with the scarred brow—. Look who we have here.
The leader looked away, silent.
—You know him? —Varkas asked.
—Of course I do —the guard replied, tapping the bandit's cheek with the shaft of his spear—. We've been hunting him for months. He and his crew have been raiding trade routes. Thought they'd moved on.
The leader spat on the ground.
—You didn't catch me. That damned kid and his cursed sword did.
The dwarf guard laughed.
—A kid? With a sword? —He looked at Varkas, incredulous—. Seriously?
—Seriously —Varkas replied calmly—. And not just one. One against ten. And he won.
The guard whistled.
—Well, thank him for me. This bastard owed us plenty. —He slapped the leader on the back—. Alright, inside. There's a cell waiting for you.
The group regrouped at the harbor entrance. Varkas returned from the guard post. Kára and Darian arrived talking. Elias was waiting, owl on his shoulder and a sealed envelope in hand.
—Alright, we're all here —said Elias—. Time to move. I've got the tickets. Found a ship heading that way. It sails in half an hour.
He looked at each of them. Varkas nodded. Kára too. Darian held his gaze, with a determination he hadn't shown in days.
—Are we ready? —Elias asked.
—Yes —they all replied.
The journey to recover Aria finally felt real.