The dim light of a flickering candle cast long shadows on the stone walls of the small inn room. Umbra sat at a worn wooden table, an ancient-looking book open in front of him. Selene, seated across from him, watched as he carefully penned the final words on a new page, the quill in his hand moving with precision and purpose.
"Is that the second book?" Selene asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity.
"Yes," Umbra replied without looking up. "This one holds the secrets of my journey and the powers I've unlocked. It's more than just a story—it's a map for those who will come after me."
Selene leaned closer, peering at the symbols and writings that filled the pages. "But you're leaving out key details again, aren't you?"
Umbra smirked, finally lifting his gaze to meet hers. "Of course. The truth isn't meant to be handed over so easily. Whoever seeks it must earn it by piecing together the books."
Selene nodded slowly, understanding the weight of his words. "And this book—what's its purpose?"
"It's a guide for those who walk the path I've tread," Umbra explained. "It's for those who seek power, knowledge, and understanding of the worlds. But it also serves as a warning. Some things are better left hidden."
As they spoke, the door to the room creaked open, and a gruff-looking man stepped in. He was large, with a face scarred by years of battles and eyes that burned with arrogance.
"We don't take kindly to strangers who think they can just hide away and plot in our town," the man growled, eyeing the book in Umbra's hand. "What're you writing, boy? Some kind of spell?"
Umbra slowly closed the book, placing it gently on the table. He stood up, his movements calm and measured. "Just writing my story. Care to be a part of it?"
The man snorted, clearly unimpressed. "I don't know who you think you are, but around here, we settle things with our fists."
Umbra smiled faintly. "Is that so?"
The man lunged at Umbra, his massive fist aiming for Umbra's face. But Umbra moved like a shadow, slipping out of the way with effortless grace. He countered with a swift, precise strike to the man's side, sending him crashing into the wall.
Before the man could recover, Umbra grabbed him by the collar, lifting him off his feet with ease. "I don't have time for petty fights," he said coolly. "But since you insist..."
With a flick of his wrist, Umbra tossed the man across the room, sending him sprawling over a table that shattered under his weight. The other patrons in the bar, who had been watching with interest, suddenly backed away, realizing they were dealing with someone far beyond their understanding.
Selene watched in awe, seeing a side of Umbra that was both terrifying and mesmerizing. He seemed to move with the confidence of someone who had seen and conquered countless battles, yet there was an underlying restraint in his actions—as if he was holding back an immense power.
The man struggled to his feet, glaring at Umbra with fury in his eyes. But before he could make another move, Umbra raised a hand, and the air around them seemed to ripple with energy. The man froze in place, his body trembling as if an invisible force was holding him down.
"I suggest you leave," Umbra said, his voice low and dangerous. "Before I decide to stop holding back."
The man's eyes widened in fear, and he quickly scrambled out of the bar, the door slamming shut behind him.
The room fell silent, everyone staring at Umbra in stunned silence. Selene finally broke the tension with a small smile. "Well, that was... impressive."
Umbra sat back down, picking up the book as if nothing had happened. "Let's finish this up. We have a lot to do before we leave for the next planet."
Selene nodded, still processing what she had just witnessed. As she sat down beside him, she couldn't help but feel that their journey was only just beginning—and that whatever awaited them on the next planet would be even more challenging.
Umbra's cool demeanor and effortless strength left no doubt in her mind that he was prepared for whatever came next. But there was something else—a sense that he was slowly revealing his true self, piece by piece, through the stories he wrote and the battles he fought.
And as she watched him work, she knew that the story they were writing together was far from over.