Anir lay in bed, drifting between sleep and consciousness, his mind still buzzing from the events of the day. But as the night deepened, he fell into a heavy sleep, his thoughts quieting at last.
Suddenly, he awoke, his heart pounding. He heard footsteps—soft but unmistakable—approaching his door. It was strange. His senses had never been this sharp before; he realized with a chill that he wouldn't have heard footsteps even if he were awake, let alone asleep.
Anir silently crept toward the door, pressing his ear against it. A voice, low and mocking, seeped through: "A neighbor, you say… Who would believe that?" The footsteps stopped just outside his door. "I know you're in there, Anir Asterio."
His heart skipped. The door, which he'd locked himself, creaked open, revealing a man cloaked in shadow. A tall, middle-aged man with sharp, handsome features, black hair, and a dark robe, just like the one Anir had seen earlier.
"Who are you?" Anir demanded, his voice low but steady.
The man offered a faint smile. "I am Ebdo. Ebdo Samed." The name felt strange, almost out of place, enough for Anir to guess that this man was not from his world.
Anir's eyes narrowed. "What do you want from me? First, it was my father… now I'm next?"
Ebdo's smile widened. "Calm down, I'm not here to kill you. Quite the opposite, actually. I'm… a friend of your father's. Didn't he ever tell you about me?"
Anir's face hardened. "No. Your name wasn't mentioned in his diary."
Ebdo chuckled softly, a hint of sadness in his expression. "A diary, huh? What a way to pass on secrets. Well, it's disappointing he didn't mention me, but that's Vratra for you."
Anir eyed him warily. "If you're not here to kill me, then why are you here?"
Ebdo's gaze softened. "I owe your father a favor—a big one. He asked me to find you and train you when… if… he ever passed. I didn't think it would actually happen. Your father was strong, stronger than anyone I've ever known. I was shocked to hear of his death."
Anir's anger softened, but his suspicion remained. He wasn't ready to let his guard down. Yet he felt a strange pull in this man's presence, as though Ebdo might hold answers he had been seeking.
For the next hour, the two talked, with Ebdo explaining more about his father's history, his connections, and even the enemies he had made in the other world. Anir listened intently, absorbing every word as Ebdo shared stories of their world—one filled with magic, strange creatures, and powerful adversaries.
Finally, Ebdo extended an offer. "I have a place nearby where you can stay, if you want. It'll be safer, and I can train you more easily. If you'd prefer to keep your distance, though, you're welcome to come by each night to train."
Anir hesitated. As much as Ebdo's words resonated with him, trust didn't come so easily. "I… I'll visit for training, but I'll stay here."
Ebdo nodded, respecting the decision without argument. "Very well, Anir. I'll see you tomorrow night." With a slight bow, he turned and slipped back into the shadows, disappearing as suddenly as he'd arrived.
Anir stood there in the silence, processing everything, until exhaustion caught up with him. He locked the door again and returned to bed, his mind spinning with thoughts of his father, the mysterious other world, and the training that lay ahead.