-It was nighttime; the trees creaked in the wind, while nocturnal animals greeted the moon. I couldn't sleep, looking at the starry sky where several lights of different shades watched us from a distance. I decided to get up and get off the wagon. The starry sky wasn't dark, and the moon let us see enough. Looking towards the lake, I noticed a small campfire. Walking towards the light, several fireflies appeared in sight and, as if the stars were coming down, they seemed to dance. Without realizing it, I had arrived at the campfire.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, it's young Varyst."
-Dayan and Reed were sitting on a log next to the fire; it seemed that they had been assigned to be the guards. Dayan seemed to be upset, although Reed seemed to be more excited.
"I asked you what you came to do here, answer!"
"Don't pay attention to him, he's been in a bad mood all day."
"And what would you know, demon?"
"See…"
"Shut up!"
-Dayan stood up and walked not far away to a stone to lie down, while Reed invited me to sit next to him. Accepting his proposal, I sat down; an awkward silence surrounded the atmosphere.
-What did Dayan mean when he referred to Reed as a "Demon"? Most of the inhabitants of the 4th layer are of different races, and only one was the demons; however, they were massacred by the heroes of the story.
-Maybe, because most of the races helped the demons in the fight with the heroes, they were considered of the same category? Even so, this was because almost no one knew that there were other kingdoms in the 4th layer. To be exact, there are 22 kingdoms, but 6 of the strongest kings were eliminated in the war.
-So, what race does Reed belong to? There's not much known about other layers. I don't think I should think about that. Before I could question my thoughts further, Reed spoke calmly.
"So you couldn't sleep well?"
"Yeah, I feel a bit uneasy after seeing that thing."
-I was nervous, trying to divert my gaze, I looked at where the fight was. How was a monster tamed? These aren't supposed to leave the 3rd layer. I turned to look at Reed, maybe he knows more.
"Do you know what that thing is and how it got here?"
"I'm sure someone smart like you knows the answer."
-Looking at Dayan, Reed threw out his words and although Dayan had his back turned, I thought he wasn't listening to us, but his answer was clear.
"That's decadent."
-She seemed to know about, she was excited, it was something new.
"Oh, so you know how a creature from the 3rd layer got here?"
"Isn't it obvious! Look at the guy next to me."
-Looking at Reed, I continued my excitement. True, that creature was from the 3rd layer, but Reed is the 4th, two layers below. He was so friendly that I forgot that races from the 4th layer are frowned upon. Reed just smiled as he looked at the fire.
"Reed, how come you're here?"
-Stunned in the fire, he sighed pointing at the sky.
"Use a breach."
-I remember hearing the tale about breaches. My mother used to read it to me when I was scared. "The Book of Stars" mentions everything about the 1st layer. I remember my mother's soft voice reciting the first fragment.
[In this world there is an unbreakable rule, everyone can drill down to hell, but anyone who covets to break through the sky will be doomed to fail.]
-In other words, anyone can dig down; However, to go up to the surface this becomes impossible. The stones become indestructible by a mysterious force, but I think I remember another fragment that said.
[That is why the tunnels to the lower layers are guarded, by the servants of god. However, there is a possibility that the world will tremble and gaps will open between the layers, but finding them is difficult and dangerous, but not impossible, so...]
-I looked at Reed. Why would someone risk going up to the 3rd layer? It is desolate and in ruins, and in addition, only monsters live there, and in the other layers it is less precious. What drove you to go up? I stopped to think about my words, however, there was only one answer.
"Why are you here?"
-A silence had formed between us, dense and expectant. His lips seemed to contain his words, but breaking the stillness he only spoke.
"I have to deliver a message."
"What message?"
-At my question, Dayan turned around to listen better. It seemed that she didn't even know. We both watched attentively as the young man thought about whether it was a good idea to say the message. His lips moved and his calm smile disappeared.
"The new kings started a civil war throughout the 4th layer, we request the refuge of our people."
-Such a message left us speechless, an awkward silence surrounded the atmosphere. He always seemed to smile, but he must be the most worried about getting to the capital quickly; his family and friends are in danger. The silence didn't last long, Reed quickly changed the subject.
ema with a smile again.
"The stars up here are so beautiful."
"I have to go."
-I got up and went back to the wagon. I couldn't keep looking at him, I understood why he was like that, pretending to be happy when you're sad, taking it easy when you're desperate. Who could be like that? If he ran to the capital to ask for help he would easily be thrown out. He's building relationships so that he has people on his side, however, he's slow. How long has it been since he left home.....
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-The next morning, everyone was packing their luggage to leave again for the capital. Thomas was telling my mother about his dream of being a knight, Alan was with my father, who was chatting with other travelers while he seemed to be more attentive to Dayan who was sharpening his sword in the distance. For my part, I didn't want to get off the wagon, the conversation the night before had been very...
"Hello."
-Behind me a person leaned on the wagon. I couldn't turn around, it was the same cheerful voice... While Reed with a soft look looked at the others he began to speak
"You know, I once met one of the heroes. Although it may not seem like it, I'm older than you think, but they still consider me a child."
"...."
-I didn't know what to say, what was he trying to get at? So I just waited in silence.
"The hero I met wasn't very different from you; he always carried a book on his waist like the one you're carrying, only his spoke of a world so incredible that you'd think it was a lie."
"He loved to investigate, he didn't eat, and you almost always found him among books, he really didn't care about it... but above all he always smiled. He had fresh green hair like trees and it was always tangled like roots."
-Her tone of voice became more and more sincere and cheerful, although it contained some sadness.
"Our meeting could be called a miracle, in a war where you can't trust anyone, he extended his hand to whoever needed it, without looking at your past or future…"
"The last time I saw him, he made me a promise that he kept until….."
-Her voice stopped as she looked towards the forest; "chsk" I heard a click. She soon regained her spirits and continued speaking.
"I also promised something, so I must keep it, do you understand?"
"The promises you make in the future I hope you don't break them."
-I felt sorry listening to her story; my eyes could only focus on my feet, my hands kept fidgeting. I wanted to say something, but I didn't know what the right words were.
"2 Months."
-What does she mean?
"It's been 2 months since I left my home; I will finally see the king of Calix."
"So it won't be long."
-I see, he noticed what I feel and is trying to calm me down, because he thinks I'll reveal his identity, but I would never do that.
-With a slightly strong tone, I said: "I will keep my promise, you don't have to worry," turning to see him, he was no longer behind me. I looked around, but he wasn't there... even when I wanted to get off, my father and Alan were already back, and the caravan had already started.
-Every now and then I looked for Reed from the wagon, but I didn't see him, so hours and hours passed, until a large clearing full of golden, green, red crops, every color imaginable could be seen. A sudden gust of wind blew my hair; the black scarf that covered me waved in the mountain breeze, letting me feel the sun.
-Soon, a golden city with blue roofs could be seen in the distance, with large crystalline points that were actually lagoons that fed the whole city, formed by the waterfalls of the walls that protected the capital, also known as Calixto's tears...