The artisans were hard at work, molding and shaping the wooden planks that had been harvested into a strong and sturdy structure for the stage in the south district square, as they prepared for the grand event that was to come. But as the day drew on, the heat of the sun became unbearable, causing the artisans to tire quickly. Just as they were making progress, heavy rain began to pour down, forcing them to stop their work. The stage was still only half-finished, and the artisans had hoped to complete it by the afternoon and evening. But now, they could only return to their homes in frustration, forced to wait for the rain to pass before they could continue their work.
Tobias' eyes fluttered open, her vision clouded as she surveyed her surroundings. She found herself in a strange chamber, the unknown walls enclosing her in a cocoon of unfamiliarity. She immediately sat up, her hand going to her neck, and was relieved to find that it had been healed.
With a curious glance, she scanned the room. A window, beckoning her with its presence, was located on the opposite side of the bed. She rose to her feet and approached it, her fingers grasping the latch. As she opened it, the cool night breeze greeted her, and she peered outside to find a quaint little alley, the raindrops cascading down in a symphony of droplets.
As she turned around, her gaze fell upon her bag, lying beneath the bed. She reached for it and felt a sense of familiarity as her fingers brushed against her bracelet, still adorning her right wrist. The bracelet was a mystery to her, its purpose and origins unknown.
Her hand delved into the bag, searching for her coins. But as she rummaged through it, she found herself unsure if all of them were still there or not, for she had never counted the amount. The uncertainty made her uneasy, as she wondered if they had been taken during the attack.
"Rod ... Why would he do that to me? If he just wants to see the coins, I don't mind doing that" Tobias struggled to reconcile the fact that Rod was not the kind-hearted person she had thought him to be. The harsh reality of the world hit her, as she realized that not all people in this land were benevolent. Like when Rod brutally broke her neck with his leg. Despite her understanding, it was still difficult for Tobias to accept such a small thing. Deep down, she wondered about someone she used to know, "Ira. Why would he do such a thing? I never did anything to him, did I?"
"Are you awake?" The man standing at the door was a vision of gallantry. His thick mustache and neatly groomed beard caught her attention. "My name is Albert. You seem to be recovering well." He walked towards her with a tray in hand. "I brought you some milk. Drink it while it's still warm." After her encounter with Rod, Tobias had become more cautious around strangers. She intended to check the milk before drinking it, but as she dipped her finger into the mug, Albert's expression grew dark. "Do you suspect me? I was the one who fed Ephi when she was hungry. Now drink it and don't dirty it with your hands! There are a lot of hungry people out there struggling to get food every day." Hearing Albert mention Ephi's name, Tobias immediately asked "You know Ephi? Is she here, uncle?" But he was silent as she asked.
"My name is Tobias. I am her friend." Despite her introduction, Albert remained silent, his arms folded across his chest. "You and Ephi are both a nuisance. Of course, she's here. She's the one who brought you to my place. If it wasn't for her and that damn money... Now hurry up and drink your milk, and I'll take you to her." The mention of Ephi's name brought a sense of calm to Tobias. "Though Albert may appear intimidating, if he is a friend of Ephi's, then he must be a good person," she thought to herself. She sipped the milk slowly, savoring its unique and invigorating flavor. She wondered what ingredients were used to create such a delicious brew. Tobias made a mental note to ask Albert about the milk for her book.
As Tobias and Albert made their way down the dimly lit hallway, the sound of their footsteps echoed off the walls. The hallway seemed endless, with several doors lining the sides, each one leading to a different destination. But Albert knew exactly where they were headed. He stopped at the end of the hallway, and with a swift motion, he opened the door in front of him.
As they stepped inside, Tobias was greeted by the sight of Ephi, her cheeks full and rosy with a smile. "Tobias!" she exclaimed, her mouth still full of food. "Ephi!" Tobias replied, her heart full of joy as she saw her dear friend.
But Albert, unable to stand the sight of Ephi's ravenous eating habits, quickly made his exit. "Tell me when you're done," he muttered, his stomach turning at the sight.
The room was filled with the aroma of spices and herbs, each dish carefully crafted to perfection. The table was adorned with delicacies from various regions, each one more mouth-watering than the next. Ephi, her cheeks plump with food, sat ravenously devouring plate after plate. Tobias, taking a seat, watched in awe as Ephi indulged in the feast before her. She dared not interrupt her friend's frenzy, content to simply observe the spectacle before her. The room was a symphony of flavors and scents, a true feast for the senses.
Seeing the face of Tobias who was watching her while eating, Ephi felt tactless. After swallowing, she said, "Why are you silent, Tobias? Come eat with me." Tobias who heard the invitation saw some food around her. There are already a lot of empty plates piled up neatly. "Do you mind, Ephi? Aren't you still hungry?" Ephi who was drinking spouted out the water. Ephi didn't expect Tobias to say that.
Place the mug slowly. "This much food won't fill my stomach, Tobias. I'd rather eat it with you than eat it alone. Because the result is the same. But at least, I won't be eating alone when my friend is hungry. Let's not be full together." Tobias found something else to write about in her book. But this time, she wasn't going to take the book right away. She decided to remember it and write it down another time.
"Oh, so it's like that! Thank you, Ephi." Tobias took the food she was interested in. Holding a spoon and eating it slowly and carefully. Ephi thought, "Is Tobias all right? She never talks or asks about what Bell did. Or maybe she forgot about it?" But, seeing Tobias' delighted face, Ephi didn't want to ask. On the other hand, while looking at a spoonful of food, Tobias also remembered what happened at the restaurant earlier. About Orwell and also Albalbel's sudden appearance.
As Tobias gazed upon the figure before her, her eyes came into focus and she knew without a doubt that it was her dear friend Ephi. She had saved her and now it was Tobias's turn to repay the favor. She knew not how to do it, but she would find a way. For now, she would stand by her side and help in any way she could. The incident with Albalbel was but a mere misunderstanding, she knew that those who were friends with Ephi must be of good character.
The guards of the South Gate were struck with horror as they laid eyes upon the lifeless form of Grandmother Wilson. Her aged form was found by a merchant, discovered amidst the winding paths of the forest as he journeyed toward Antemur.
The merchant who had discovered her, Lord Merchant, knew her well, for they hailed from the same village. He begged to take her body back to her family, but the guards insisted on bringing her to the security unit headquarters for inspection.
The guards who had changed shifts with their comrades remembered the old woman's cart they had checked that morning. Grandmother Wilson was a familiar sight in Antemur, arriving in the morning and returning to the village the next day. They wondered what could have caused her to leave in the middle of the night, and where her husband could be.
After much debate, an agreement was reached that Lord Merchant could take her body to her family after the inspection was complete. The merchant lord was also temporarily detained as he was the only person involved at this time. A guard was dispatched to inform Mr. Devin Finales, the recipient of the old woman's apples, of the tragic news.
Amid the commotion, a mysterious figure emerged, her fingers ablaze with fiery blue threads. She expertly tossed them towards the top of the wall, securing them firmly before climbing up with ease.
A puff of smoke escaped her lips as she reached the top, her face obscured by bandages. The drizzle made the night chill, but her warm body stood tall in her cloak. Her white eyes, unaccustomed to the bright city lights, were filled with wonder as she surveyed the scene below.
"If the gods were truly almighty, wouldn't they grant my wish? But if only I had met... " Her hands, wrapped in bandages, reached out to catch the raindrops. "The sky weeps sorrowfully because of my presence. Oh gods, whatever you may be, grant this shattered human's wish. I am willing to give anything, for no one has ever wanted me." She whispered, her voice filled with longing and despair.
The moon's light cascaded through the enormous window, illuminating Albalbel as he savored his cup of coffee. He tilted his head, basking in the ethereal glow of the lunar beams. The warm aroma of the brew wafted through the room, creating a serene ambiance as he lost himself in thought. It was as if he was transported to a realm beyond the mortal world, where the only thing that mattered was the present moment. The light of the moon seemed to dance around him, and he felt a sense of peace wash over him. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, relishing in the tranquility of the moment.
With agile movements, she leaped from rooftop to rooftop, her feet barely touching the tiles before she was off again. Traversing the city this way was far quicker than using the crowded streets below. But despite her swift movements, her mind was troubled by thoughts of an acquaintance who had gone missing. Rod had been sent a letter with instructions to meet her at the city wall, but he had failed to appear.
With a flick of her finger, a thread of ethereal blue energy shot forth from her fingertips, connecting to a distant location. However, she set it up a little differently by making it invisible within twenty meters before approaching the location. That way, the person being tracked will not notice it. She use these threads to track those she sought.
The thread led directly to where Rod's body lay, yet something felt off to her. The letter connected to the thread was still and unmoving. Was he sleeping, or had he discarded the letter altogether? The thought filled her with a sense of unease, and she quickened her pace, her cloak fluttering behind her as she raced toward the location.