Back in Cell Village, Cordelia held Goneril in her arms. The young girl had fallen asleep, exhausted from her illness and pain. Cordelia had been standing in line for over three hours, but finally, their turn was near.
When the healer, or "Kazi," called number 87, relief flooded Cordelia's face. The man wore a red tunic with white trousers and sand-worn loafers.
"Please, my lord, check my daughter," Cordelia pleaded, worry etched into every line of her face.
The Kazi gestured toward a carpet on the floor. "Lay your daughter down. I will examine her, but you must agree to follow my three rules, or I won't proceed. Is that clear?"
"I will follow any rules you set," Cordelia replied, her voice tense with urgency.
The Kazi simply nodded.
---
Meanwhile, in Pegasus, Beta had been hauling bags for hours and had managed to earn 100 copper coins. He overheard rumors about the Sphinix Kingdom, where something significant was set to occur in the next week.
Unbeknownst to him, a man named Absyrtys had been following him closely, watching his every move. Absyrtys was well-known in Mauritania, a kingdom neighboring Sphinix, Euro, and Arena. It was a land now without a clear ruler, as the island of Omraina's political power had shifted two years prior when Mauritania was divided by the "Company Ruler."
Absyrtys' mind wandered as he followed Beta. He had lost everything two years ago when Mauritania fractured. Once a brilliant inventor, his family had been killed during the Fourth War against Euro. Barely escaping, he was captured by Sphinix knights during the Sixth War and subjected to their cruel experiments. In their lab, Absyrtys had been fused with a triangular fragment. Its top glowed a bright yellow, while the bottom was a deep, dark red—a mix of fire and heat. Though he was meant to gain an Animal fragment, fate gave him fire instead.
One day, the lab was attacked by King Moro. In the chaos, Absyrtys managed to escape. He ran until he collapsed, where a kind woman found him and helped him recover. Now, he was a free man once more, with a fragment burning within him.
---
Back in Pegasus, Beta returned to his rented room, deep in thought. He had learned that the Sphinix Kingdom was hiring workers, and he planned to make the journey to their lands, hoping to secure a more stable future for his family. Beta didn't notice that Absyrtys had taken to the sky, using his fire ability to silently follow.
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In Cell Village, the Kazi completed Goneril's examination. He recommended that she eat healthier food and rest in a clean environment, then handed Cordelia a small pouch of medicine. "This will cost you one gold coin," he informed her.
Cordelia reached into her bag, relieved that she had two gold coins and twenty copper on hand. She paid without hesitation, ready to do whatever it took for her daughter.
The Kazi then spoke gravely. "Your daughter needs a blood transfusion. I will require one liter of blood, but due to the risks, the cost could reach five gold coins. Are you willing to do this?"
Without a second thought, Cordelia agreed, her resolve firm. She sat still as the Kazi drew her blood, her mind solely on Goneril's well-being. Ten minutes later, weakened but determined, she took her daughters and began the long walk home.
The Kazi, named Auof Baou, watched them go. He was a member of the Firdel Craft Association, which operated under the Sphinix Kingdom's control but had influence throughout the Eastern Kepler territories. His dream was to one day become the head of the association, a dream fueled by ambition and the hope of a better future.
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Next chapter coming next week.
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chapter 4 : New friend ||
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