Day 183 Year 895 of the New Calendar (past)
It was a rainy night, pouring cats and dogs. The wind howled as if determined to sweep away everything in its path. On the cliff beside the sea stood a small house, tall and unwavering even amid the storm. A dim light flickered from within, casting a warm glow that contrasted with the darkness outside.
The house was surrounded by lush grass, with a dense forest looming in the distance. From the shadows of the trees emerged a figure, wrapped in a rag that barely covered them. In one hand, the person clutched a basket large enough to hold several kilos of fruit, its contents hidden from view.
The man approached the house, his footsteps muffled by the rain-soaked ground. He set the basket down at the front door and then dashed toward the cliff's edge. Kneeling, he looked up at the tumultuous sky, as if seeking forgiveness.
In a sudden motion, he let himself fall into the depths below, swallowed by the raging sea.
The basket he had left remained there until morning, when the storm finally calmed and a ray of sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating the world in a warm, golden glow. The door of the house creaked open, and an old man stepped out, his weathered face etched with lines of time.
The old man looked at the destruction caused by last night's storm, he took a step and felt his leg touch something, he looked below, and to his surprise it was a basket covered in rags, inside the basket lay a small child, perhaps just a few months old. The infant's face was flushed with fever, and his cries pierced the morning air—loud and heart-wrenching, echoing like the thunder that had roared just hours before.
But then, the child stopped crying as if he was distracted by something. The child's gaze caught on the old man's long, white beard, and with a gurgle of delight, he reached out, tugging at the wiry strands as if they were the most enchanting toys in the world. Laughter erupted from the tiny mouth, bright and infectious, banishing the remnants of sorrow that lingered in the air.
The child's eyes sparkled like sapphires, gleaming with an otherworldly light that captivated the old man. At that moment, he felt a warmth spread through him, a flicker of joy igniting against the backdrop of the storm's aftermath.
With a tender smile, he scooped the child into his arms, cradling him gently as he turned and carried him inside the house, closing the door behind them.
Day 108 Year 927 of the New Calendar (present)
After the footsteps faded away, she let out a sigh of relief and released me from her grip. I shot her a surprised, angry look. "That was barbarous of you to barge into my room like that!"
She met my gaze with a tired expression. "I just wanted a little help. You should be thanking me for saving your life."
For a moment, I was taken aback, confusion washing over me. "First of all, you were the one who knocked on my door for help! And you led all those men with dangerous auras right to me. Now you have the audacity to ask me to thank you?"
As I spoke, I slowly advanced toward her, my frustration palpable. "You should be the one thanking me, understood?"
She rolled her eyes, annoyance evident on her face. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." With that, she plopped down onto the sofa beside her, crossing her arms defiantly.
I walked toward her, intent on inspecting her injuries. As I approached, she looked up at me with a mix of suspicion and apprehension, as if I were about to cause her more harm. "I'm just going to check your injuries; no need to be on guard," I assured her gently.
I settled onto the sofa beside her, taking her hand to examine the cuts and bruises that marred her skin. "Did they do this to you?" I asked, meeting her gaze. She nodded, and I sensed her reluctance to share more. I decided not to push—getting involved in something messy was the last thing I wanted, though I had no idea how deep I was already in trouble.
As I pondered my next move, I made a gesture in midair, mimicking the act of drawing. Her suspicion deepened, and I could see a flicker of caution in her eyes. Suddenly, a green light erupted, and intricate spell patterns shimmered into view. Her wariness shifted to a mix of fascination and fear. I held her hand to reassure her, and the spell began to hover above her head, bathing her in a bright green glow.
To my relief, I watched as her injuries began to heal, color returning to her cheeks. A surge of energy radiated through her, and she looked revitalized, as if a weight had been lifted. I let go of her hand and stood, walking toward the jug of water perched on the table near a warm, inviting lamp.
I poured water into a glass and offered it to her. She accepted it cautiously, inspecting the liquid for any signs of foul play. I couldn't help but chuckle. "I don't have the habit of poisoning people, don't worry."
Her lips curled into a tentative smile as she took a sip, and I settled into an armchair, watching her drink. "If you want to freshen up, feel free to use the shower," I suggested.
She eyed me with renewed suspicion. "I hope you aren't trying to pull any funny business."
I laughed at her skepticism, waving my hands in mock innocence. "I promise, no funny business. You have my word."
Though she still seemed wary, the thought of a hot shower tempted her. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded in agreement. I stood and walked to the almira, retrieving a soft white towel and a plush white robe.
Handing them to her, I said, "Here you go." She took them with a grateful but cautious nod and disappeared into the bathroom.
As the sound of water started to run, I leaned back in my chair, relieved and a little amused by the turn of events. I closed my eyes for a bit and thought to myself, what happened today and about her, Who is she? why were they chasing after her? What had she done?
Why did she knock only on my door? Was that merely a coincidence.
I smile as I open my eyes and mumble, "Who are you?".
to be continued.....