After leaving the castle, Sutra, ever the enigmatic mage, chose a surprising path. Rejecting the offer of a horse-drawn carriage, he decided that they should travel on foot. Rawa, still absorbing the day's revelations, didn't question the decision. The streets of Triveni, bathed in the soft glow of twilight, were beginning to empty, leaving the two of them to weave through a city winding down into the quiet of the night.
Sutra seemed intent on using this time together wisely. "Letting you stay at the adventurer's guild cottage could be problematic," he mused. "For both you and them. You're still a stranger to this world, and they're unfamiliar with you. So, tonight, you'll sleep at my home."
Rawa, who had been expecting to be treated like an outsider wherever he went, turned his gaze to Sutra. "Why are you helping me?" he asked, suspicion coloring his tone. "Everyone here seems to have their own agenda. I'm not here for anyone's benefit... am I?"
Sutra's pace slowed, and he glanced thoughtfully at the nearby park. "There's a place where I can answer that properly. Come," he said, gesturing for Rawa to follow.
---
The park was serene, its beauty accentuated by the striking blue moon suspended high above. The sky was a tapestry of twinkling stars, but the moon's radiant light outshone them all. They settled on a wooden bench under the glow of the celestial orb, its light casting long, soft shadows. Sutra pointed at the sky, his fingers tracing the edges of the luminescent moon.
"See that?" he began, his voice low and contemplative. "This moon is different from the one you know, isn't it? Bright, powerful, and yet… distant. You're right to be wary. Everyone will try to use you in one way or another. But I'm not going to call you a hero and ask you to save the world."
Rawa turned his head slightly, watching Sutra carefully. The mage's words seemed to resonate with something deep inside him. Memories of betrayal, of trust broken and lost, surfaced unbidden.
Sutra continued, his voice softening. "I understand how you feel. I've been in a similar position once. The world looks different when you're at the center of its expectations, doesn't it? But not everyone betrayed you back then, did they?"
Rawa's gaze dropped, his eyes reflecting the pale light of the moon. "No," he murmured, almost to himself. "There were a few… people who believed in me."
"They're here too, you know," Sutra said gently. "They exist in this world, just born in a different kingdom, a different village… maybe even in the Demon Lands. The faces might be different, but the souls remain. If you meet one of them, you'll know."
Rawa was silent, pondering this strange, ethereal idea. Could it be true? Was there someone out there who shared the same spirit as those he had lost? He wasn't sure if he wanted to believe it or not.
Then Sutra shifted the conversation. "There's something else," he said cautiously. "You may need to be wary of Prince Hima."
Rawa's eyes narrowed. "Why? When we met, he seemed excited but tried to hide it. I could feel his aura shift."
Sutra nodded. "He's the only one who might truly try to protect you from those who would seek to manipulate you. He's strong, and his magic is formidable. But why would he care?" Sutra paused, choosing his words carefully. "It's because Hima is different. His loyalty isn't to power or position — it's to something else entirely. You'll understand when the time comes."
Rawa raised an eyebrow. "So, you won't tell me why?"
"No," Sutra replied simply. "I won't. But you'll see. For now, though, we should head home. You haven't eaten since you arrived at the library, have you?"
Rawa shrugged. "No answer, huh? Fine. I'll go with you."
They stood up and left the park, the moonlight guiding their path as they made their way through the now-silent streets. As they walked, Rawa found himself glancing up at the sky more than once. Something about the stars above and the blue moon felt… familiar. Yet, like everything in this world, it was also strange and unknown.
---
Sutra's home was modest but warm, nestled in a quiet corner of the capital. They reached it in the middle of the night, and Sutra knocked softly on the door. It opened almost immediately, revealing a woman with a kind, yet discerning gaze.
"Iki," Sutra greeted her. "This is Rawa. He's exhausted, and we're in need of dinner."
Iki Ved, Sutra's wife, nodded with a smile. "Dinner is ready," she said, her eyes lingering on Rawa curiously. "Come in, both of you."
As they stepped inside, a young girl with bright eyes darted out from behind her mother. "Who's this, Father?" she asked excitedly.
Before Sutra could answer, Rawa stepped forward, his own eyes softening. Something about this child's energy reminded him of his little cousin back home. "I'll tell you my name," he said with a sudden grin, "if you can answer my question."
The girl's eyes widened. "A challenge? Accepted!" she declared boldly.
"Wow, a kid with this much energy at this hour?" Rawa teased. "All right, here's the question: What is a lunar eclipse?"
He fully expected her to stumble. But without missing a beat, she answered, "A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon. It can only happen during a full moon."
Rawa blinked in surprise. "How…?"
Sutra chuckled. "Yui possesses Telescope and Microscope magic," he explained, pride evident in his voice.
Rawa laughed softly and placed his left hand near his left eye in a playful salute. "All right, I accept my defeat, little scholar. I'm Rawa Vols, the strongest… God."
Yui burst out laughing at his dramatic introduction, and Rawa couldn't help but smile. For the first time since he arrived in this world, he felt a flicker of genuine warmth.
"Okay, everyone," Sutra interrupted gently. "Dinner is ready. Let's eat."
They gathered around the dining table, the small room filled with the comforting sounds of shared laughter and conversation. The meal was simple but delicious, and Rawa found himself relaxing for the first time in a long while.
After they finished eating, Sutra led him to a small guest room. "Rest well, Rawa," Sutra said quietly. "Tomorrow is a new day, and there is much to do."
Rawa nodded, still processing everything that had happened. "Thank you, Sutra. For… everything."
With that, he lay down on the unfamiliar bed. As he stared up at the ceiling, the events of the day swirled in his mind. But as sleep began to claim him, one thought stood out: perhaps, just perhaps, there were people here worth trusting. And maybe, in this strange new world, he could find allies — or even friends — once more.