The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over Rovia. In the heart of the palace courtyard, Jack was absorbed in his practice. His SS-class sword shimmered as it cut through the air with unparalleled precision. The sword was a masterpiece, a golden blade that seemed to move with the grace of a dancer and the ferocity of a storm. Over the past three days, Jack had discovered that the sword could be controlled by his will alone, floating and slicing through targets as if guided by an invisible hand.
Jack marveled at the sword's power, watching it cleave through logs, stone, and even iron with ease. Despite his growing proficiency, he knew he was still a novice in the art of swordsmanship. He needed to find a mentor, someone who could teach him to harness the full potential of his new weapon. But for now, his focus was on mastering the basics.
As Jack continued his practice, the air in the courtyard seemed to thrum with energy. The sound of the sword cutting through the air was like music, a symphony of steel and determination. But beneath his focused exterior, a storm of thoughts raged. He couldn't shake the memory of the of the lives he had taken, and the fire he had unleashed.
After training fro hours Jack went to his room. He was wondering about the sword and then someone knocked the door, as he walked towards the door, his heart pounding. When he opened it, he found a messenger from the guild, a young woman with a stern expression.
"The guild master has sent notice to you," she said, her voice clipped and efficient. "You are to report to the guild immediately."
Jack's heart sank. He had feared this moment, but he had hoped it wouldn't come so soon. He thanked the messenger and closed the door, his mind racing. He made his way back to his small room, his steps heavy with dread.
When he looked again at his door, he saw the magical note pinned to it, glowing softly with an eerie light. He snatched it up and read the message, his eyes widening in shock and fear. The guild was summoning him, and he knew this could only mean one thing—they suspected him of Torin's murder.
Jack sat on the edge of his bed, the note crumpled in his fist. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He had killed Torin, but had anyone seen him? He had always suspected that a few people might have seen him that day when he lost control of his power, burned the forest, and killed many people. He had managed to escape, but the guilt had haunted him ever since. For which of his crime, he was asked to report to the guild? What did they find out? He had no answer.
"What if the guild found out about all of my crimes?" Jack whispered to himself, his voice trembling. He tried to think of all the possibilities, all the ways he could have been exposed. His mind flashed through images of the forest fire, the screams of the people he had killed, the look of terror on their faces.
He stood up and began pacing the room, his thoughts racing. "Could there be another witness?" he wondered. "Is there someone I don't know about? Someone who saw me that day?"
The uncertainty gnawed at him, filling him with a deep sense of dread. He knew he couldn't stay in the city. He had to find out what the guild knew and who else was being summoned. But he didn't know anyone in Rovia well enough to trust them. The only place he could think of was the tavern, a bustling hub of gossip and information.
Jack grabbed his cloak and headed out, keeping his head down as he made his way to the tavern. The streets of Rovia were busy, filled with merchants, adventurers, and townsfolk going about their day. Jack moved quickly, his heart pounding in his chest.
When he reached the tavern, the familiar sounds of laughter and clinking mugs greeted him. He pushed through the crowd and found a quiet corner where he could listen to the conversations around him. He ordered a drink, hoping to blend in.
As he sipped his ale, he overheard a group of adventurers talking about the guild's summons. "Did you hear? They're calling in everyone who was around during the wildfire," one of them said.
Jack's heart skipped a beat. He leaned in closer, trying to catch every word.
"Yeah, I heard someone saw the culprit," another adventurer replied. "Apparently, there's a witness who saw everything."
Jack's blood ran cold. He set his mug down, his hands trembling. He had to get out of the city. He couldn't face the guild, not with the weight of his crimes hanging over him. Fear gripped him, a cold, suffocating fear that made it hard to breathe.
He left the tavern in a hurry, his mind set on escaping. It was afternoon, and the city was bathed in the warm glow of the sun. Rovia was surrounded by high walls, with only two main gates—the north gate and the south gate. Jack lived near the south side, so he decided to head for the south gate.
He hurried back to his room, his mind racing. He packed a small bag with food and essentials, then wrapped himself in a cloak, masking his face as much as possible. He couldn't afford to be recognized.
With his heart pounding in his chest, Jack slipped out of his room and made his way through the narrow alleys, sticking to the shadows. The city seemed more ominous than ever, every corner hiding potential threats.
As he approached the south gate, he saw guild members patrolling the area, their eyes sharp and vigilant. Jack's heart sank. The gates were sealed, and there was no way to slip past unnoticed.
He ducked into a nearby alley, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He was trapped. The fear that had been gnawing at him now threatened to overwhelm him. He sank to the ground, his back against the cold stone wall. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut—there was no escape.
Jack's mind raced, searching for a solution, but he found none. The walls of Rovia loomed around him, the guild members' presence a constant reminder of his impending doom. He was trapped, with nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
As the afternoon sun began to set, casting long shadows across the city, Jack remained hidden in the alley, his mind a storm of fear and regret. The weight of his actions pressed down on him, suffocating and relentless. He knew he had to face the guild, but the thought filled him with a dread unlike any he had ever known.
The city of Rovia continued its bustling rhythm, unaware of the turmoil within Jack's heart. The walls that once seemed like a haven now felt like a prison, and the future that once held promise now seemed bleak and uncertain.
Jack closed his eyes, his mind filled with the faces of those he had wronged. He knew he had to face the consequences of his actions, but the fear was overwhelming. As the last light of day faded into the night, Jack remained hidden, his heart heavy with the weight of his guilt and fear.