Alex's heart raced as he stepped beyond the threshold of his small hut. The air outside was different—crisp, alive with scents he had only imagined. Aurora, draped in a flowing cloth that concealed her entire form, stood beside him. Her face bore intricate patterns etched by magic, a testament to her mystical nature.
Despite the difficulty of each step, Alex followed Aurora. His legs trembled, unaccustomed to movement. But he was determined. The village lay just a mile away—a mere distance for most, but a monumental challenge for him.
Aurora, blind yet surefooted, guided him. Her steps were graceful, as if she danced with the unseen forces of the world. Alex wondered how she managed it. "Were you born blind?" he asked, curiosity tugging at him.
"Yes," Aurora replied, her voice soft as a whisper carried by the wind. "I have never seen a picture, a sunrise, or the faces of those I heal."
Alex marveled at her resilience. "And how did you learn to heal?"
"From my mother," Aurora said. "She recognized my inborn ability—the gift to mend broken bodies and soothe wounded souls. She taught me the ancient arts, passed down through generations."
As they walked, Alex glimpsed the village ahead—the thatched roofs, the bustling market square, and the people who would soon seek Aurora's healing touch. But it wasn't just physical ailments she cured; her magic reached deeper, mending hearts fractured by loss and despair.
"Why do you help others?" Alex asked, his admiration growing.
Aurora paused, her sightless eyes seeking something beyond the visible world. "Because healing is my purpose," she said. "In darkness, I find light. In pain, I find solace. And in every broken soul, I see the potential for renewal."
They reached the village, and Aurora's presence drew curious glances. She moved among the villagers, her hands emitting a gentle glow as she touched foreheads, whispered incantations, and eased suffering. Alex watched, humbled by her selflessness.
"The village was named Silverdale, and approximately 200 families resided there. As Alex discovered, most of the villagers were ordinary people, while the village chief and their family members held considerable power. Interestingly, Silverdale didn't even appear on the map of the Katolis state. Many of the inhabitants lacked knowledge of the year, day, week, month, or time. However, according to Aurora, the village chiefs and a select few individuals were exceptions.
Alex's astonishment grew when they observed the sky. While villagers and books had mentioned four moons in the Veridian, Alex now saw only one in day light. Each moon was associated with a god, but the discrepancy puzzled Alex. Determining the passage of days, weeks, and months in this unique place remained an enigma."
On one side of the village, the village chief and their family resided, while the remaining houses belonged to the common people. Cobblestone roads wound through the village, and the houses were constructed from the same sturdy stone. Roofs were thatched with a hardy grass, providing shelter against the elements. The villagers, mostly common folk, wore plain, faded clothing, devoid of any fashionable flair.
It's as if happiness remains elusive to them, and the village operates outside the bounds of any recognizable laws
The narrow cobblestone streets of Silverdale wound like a secret labyrinth, and as Alex and Aurora stepped into the village center, the air thickened with anticipation. Aurora's heightened senses had detected their unseen pursuer, but Alex's eyes found no one out of the ordinary. That was until a rugged figure emerged from the shadows—a man with a jagged scar across his cheek and a pendant dangling from his neck.
"Miss," he addressed Aurora, his voice gruff yet respectful. "A royal decree has arrived, and the village chief requests your presence."
Aurora hesitated, The village chief rarely summoned anyone, let alone her.
"What does the decree entail?" Alex asked, his curiosity piqued.
The scarred man shifted uncomfortably. "I cannot say, sir. But the chief insists it concerns matters of great importance."
Aurora sighed, "Very well," she said. "Lead the way."
Alex is ready to follow them,person said "It would be better if you hadn't come; the royal decree is not for outsiders." He looked at Alex with disgust.
Alex stood at the crossroads, caught between the disdainful man's words and Aurora's unwavering support.
Aurora's blindness heightened her other senses, allowing her to perceive emotions through the air, like a symphony of unspoken notes. She sensed the man's disgust, even if she couldn't see his twisted expression. "He's not an outsider to me," she asserted, her voice steady.
The healer's guidance was Alex's lifeline in this unfamiliar realm. His unique body, still a mystery to him, required careful navigation. "I'll go, don't worry about it," he assured Aurora. Her concern was genuine, and he appreciated it. His limbs were a puzzle—energy drained quickly, leaving him fatigued after even the simplest tasks.
"Go slow," Aurora cautioned. "Your body will hurt if you push too hard." Her words echoed in his mind as he stepped onto the left road, following the man's instructions. Desolation flanked him, barren land stretching into the distance. No shops, no signs of life—just the whisper of wind through empty spaces.
The road narrowed, walls rising on either side. Alex's unease grew. Then, two figures emerged from the shadows, clad in black. Their faces concealed by magic, they wielded swords—a stark contrast to the peaceful village he'd left behind. ,and Alex's heart raced.
"Boy, where are you going?" The taller of the two, wearing a red mask, demanded. His voice held a dangerous edge.
The tension in Veridian thickened as Alex faced the two ominous figures. Their black attire and concealed faces marked them as something other than ordinary villagers—they wore masks, their eyes hidden behind veils of magic.. Alex's heart raced, and he struggled to maintain composure. This encounter was unlike anything he'd ever experienced.
"I'm going to get some herbs," Alex blurted out, his voice quivering. Fear pulsed through his veins, and he wondered if Aurora had sensed the danger when she'd urged him to be cautious.
The black-clad figure beside the red mask scoffed.
"Who gave you this direction, boy?" The words dripped with menace, and Alex's fear intensified. His heart raced; this was uncharted territory, a dance with danger.
Alex hesitated, then replied, "A man back in the village."
The red-masked figure leaned in, voice low. "Do you have any money?" The red mask person asked, his tone mocking. Alex hesitated, then blurted out, "Yes, I've got 90 coppers." Alex stammered. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. Why were they interested in his meager coins?
"Seriously?" The red mask person seemed baffled. "Are you even a man?" Doubt laced their tone, but there was no time for explanations.
The black-masked companion cut to the chase. "Don't waste time. Let's get this over with—kill him." The words hung like a blade poised to strike.Alex's legs trembled, and his breaths came in shallow gasps. He had no weapon, no defense. Panic surged as the red mask person lunged, stabbing his sword into Alex's abdomen. Pain exploded, The red mask person lunged, sword finding its mark—abdomen, The sword struck again, this time piercing his chest. Alex's vision blurred, and he felt himself falling. The final slash at his neck was swift, and darkness enveloped him.
but something was wrong—the blade didn't draw blood. It was as if Alex's body defied the natural order.
The two assailants left without a second glance. But they missed one crucial detail: Alex's wounds bled nothing. His unique body defied their expectations, and as darkness closed in, he clung to the mystery of Veridian.