Gillian's mind reeled as he stumbled through the village, Pato's guidance was the only thing keeping him upright and sane.
The system's words echoed through his mind: "Seek out Klarissa Flyndo."
"Who is Klarissa?," Gillian asked, his voice shaking.
Pato's expression turned grim. "She is a skilled archer rumoured to possess knowledge of the ancient world. But be warned she's not one to trust easily".
As the reached the village edge, Gillian's vision became blurry and the world around him dissolved, replaced by a vivid image:
A woman with piercing green eyes and raven black hair stood atop a windswept cliff, Klarissa.
"Gillian!," Pato's voice pulled him out of the trance he just experienced.
Gillian gasped, disoriented. "What... what just happened?"
Parto's eyes narrowed to a slit. " The system is showing you visions of what is about to happen. You are connected to Klarissa somehow."
Gillian's thoughts swirled. " Connected you say, how? In what way?"
Pato's expression softened. " You will have to ask Klarissa yourself, lad."
As they set out, Gillian's emotions churned. Fear, excitement and uncertainty wrestled within him.
"What if I am not ready for this?," Gillian asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Pato halted in his tracks and turned towards Gillian. "If only you know the powers you wield. You were born ready."
A look of uncertainty flashed across his face. "Well, I am not sure about this. I know I wanted a taste of adventure but certainly not this. This is way more than I imagined."
"Too late to turn back. As we speak, some people are on our tracks. Aiming to lay hold of what you possess."
Gillian could not believe his ears. "What people?"
Pato dragged him closer and whispered. "We better get going. You'll understand better as time goes on."
As they approached the nearby town of Ackercia. Gillian's heart pounded as he thought about what Pato said earlier. They passed a house, the windows illuminated the flickering flames of candle light.
"What if Klarissa doesn't want to help me?"
Pato's lips curled up in a reassuring grin. " Leave that to me. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve".
Gillian followed Pato into a tavern bubbling with the happy sounds of merriment and the air was filled with the smell of liquor and tobacco. Pato scanned the tavern and moved towards an empty table with Gillian walking closely behind him.
They both pulled back chairs which scraped against the cold hard floor. When they sat down, a young woman approached their table. "Hello gentlemen. What do you care for?"
Pato leaned forward. "Get me ginger ale."
"Same," Gillian said when the young woman turned her gaze towards him. After that, she quickly retreated to the counter to get their orders.
The waitress brought their order. He was glad that he had something to quench his thirst. As he was about to take a sip from the cup, his hand froze.
He spotted a woman with raven- black hair, her features matched the woman he was shown in his visions. Their eyes met and the world froze. Instantly he knew she was Klarissa Flyndo.
Gillian whispered as he dropped the cup on the table. " I think I found her." He gipped Pato's hands tightly as his eyes bulged in surprise.
Klarissa's who sat few tables away from theirs narrowed her eyes which flashed with warning. Right from the moment they stepped into the tavern, she knew who he was instantly. She has been waiting for this day.
Pato followed the direction of Gillian's gaze and air rushed out of his lungs when he saw her.
Klarissa got up and walked slowly towards their table, then she stood before them. " Gillian Rolthier, I've been expecting you," she said.
Gillian was startled. "How did you know my name?"
She drew one of the chais back and sat down. "That's beside the point. You came in search of me, I suppose."
"I saw you in my vision. Standing above a city."
"And what does it mean?," she asked.
Gillians Shrugged. "I don't know but I felt connected to it".
Klarissa's eyes searched his as if seeking something. She said finally. "Be warned Gillian the truth comes with a price".
Pato leaned forward, his voice low. "Klarissa, we need your help. Gillian is awakening, he needs direction. To be guided so that he won't fall into the wrong hands".
Klarissa gazed at Pato. "You know what is at stake".
Pato nodded. " The balance of power. The systems return... it's not just about Gillian .
Klarissa leaned in, her voice barely audible." The ancient world's secrets are hidden. But with the system's return, those secrets are vulnerable. You are now a target.
Gillian's skin prickled. "For who?"
Klarissa's eyes locked onto Pato's. " Those who will stop at nothing to claim the ancient world power to achieve their selfish gains."
Suddenly, the tavern's atmosphere shifted and the patrons began to murmur, their faces uneasy as if expecting something dangerous.
Pato tapped Gillian on his.shoulder. " I don't like the feeling I'm getting. We need to leave this place immediately. Quickly, they stood up and walked outside.
They heard the heavy sound of footsteps approaching towards them.
The night's air was heavy with tension. " What now?," Gillian asked.
Klarissa's eyes hardened with resolve. "I think your awakening has attracted the bad guys. We need to run!"
With that, she took off into the darkness. Pato and Gillian close behind.
As they vanished into the night, a figure watched from the Shadows.
"The hunt begins," the figure whispered.
Gillian's breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to keep up with Klarissa. Pato flanked him, his eyes scanning the darkness.
"How far?," Gillian panted.
"Far enough to lose them. We need to split up," she said as they stopped in front of a dilapidated building.
"Split up? No way, the…," Gillian's voice trailed off when suddenly, shouts echoed and torchlight flickered in the distance.
Pato nodded and Klarissa took off and Pato dragged Gillian into a room and they quickly closed the door to stay hidden.
"Klarissa is trying to protect you. You are the key to unlocking the ancient world's secrets," Pato said.