Kael pushed through the bushes, his boots crunching on the dry leaves and twigs beneath him.
His legs were stiff from days of nonstop walking, and his stomach growled from hunger.
He paused for a moment, wiping sweat from his brow, and breathed in the cool air.
As he continued onward, he reached the edge of the forest and was greeted by the sight of a vast wheat farm. Behind it stood an imposing brick wall stretching endlessly in both directions, as far as the eye could see.
Kael stared in astonishment. "I don't remember seeing this on the map," he muttered.
After wandering around the farm for a while, he came upon a wide, yellow brick road that led to a massive gate in the wall, guarded by patrol guards.
The sight of civilization after so long filled him with hope. 'Could this be the capital?'
The thought of rest, food, and the chance of finding his sister made his eyes brighten up.
From the sounds drifting beyond the walls, the town was alive with activity. Unlike the desolate villages Kael had passed before, this settlement was vast and thriving.
The high stone walls were fortified with watchtowers, each manned by vigilant guards armed with polished weapons. The gates stood open, bustling with a steady flow of traders and travelers.
Kael walked toward the town's entrance.
The guards, clad in leather and chainmail, stood watch. One of them, a tall man with a stern expression, stepped forward as Kael approached.
"State your business," the guard demanded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"I'm just a traveler," Kael replied evenly. "Looking for a place to rest."
The guard's eyes narrowed, eyeing Kael from top to bottom before stopping at the faint glow emanating from beneath his sleeves.
"You're a fragment user," the guard said.
Kael gave a slight nod, keeping his expression calm. "It's nothing dangerous. Just... merged with it by accident."
The guard held his gaze for a long moment before finally nodding. "Keep it quiet. We don't need trouble here."
With that, Kael stepped through the gates, the lively sounds of the town enveloping him.
The streets were a flurry of movement, with carts moving along the busy roads and people bustling in every direction.
Merchants called out from their brightly colored stalls and the laughter of children darting through the crowds.
Kael's gaze flickered across the scene, fragments were scattered everywhere—powering machines, enhancing tools, and even some children had merged with them.
"This place is thriving," Kael murmured, his voice filled with wonder. "Four months since the fragments fell into this world, and they've already come this far."
But this was not the capital. No, it wasn't quit big enough and he would have needed to pay an entrance fee at the gate.
He had to find out if Lira had passed through this town, but the bustling streets made the task feel impossible.
He approached a fruit vendor, a woman with a sharp gaze and quick hands who was arranging apples in neat rows.
"Excuse me," Kael said, his tone polite.
The woman glanced up, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you need?"
"I'm looking for someone," Kael said. "A young woman with dark hair, carrying daggers. She might have passed through here recently."
The vendor frowned, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Can't say I've seen anyone like that. But you might try the tavern. Travelers tend to stop there first."
Kael thanked her and moved on, moving through the crowd toward the largest building in the center of town.
His sister was sixteen, not old enough to drink but if they were travelers there then they might have met her
The tavern was a warm and noisy. Conversations filled the air, the clinking of mugs and the occasional burst of laughter creating a lively atmosphere.
Kael approached the barkeeper, a slightly obsessed man with a grizzled beard.
"What'll it be?" the barkeeper asked, wiping a mug with a cloth.
"Just information," Kael said, placing a few copper coins that he had earned in the small villages he passed, on the counter. "I'm looking for someone."
The barkeeper eyed the coins before nodding. "Who?"
"A young woman, dark hair, armed with daggers. She might've come through here recently," Kael said.
The barkeeper scratched his beard, his brow furrowing in thought. "Can't say for sure. But if she had fragments, she'd probably have drawn attention. You might ask around."
Kael thanked him and turned to survey the room. The tavern was packed with all sorts, merchants, hunters, and other casually dressed people.
Kael spent the next few hours asking questions, but every answer was the same—no one had seen Lira.
As the tavern began to empty for the night, Kael stepped outside.
"She's not here," Neo said softly.
"I know," Kael replied, his voice heavy. "But this town is big. There has to be someone who's seen her."
Neo's responded sympathetically. "Rest tonight. You'll think clearer in the morning."
Kael nodded reluctantly, finding a quiet corner to settle for the night. But sleep came slowly, his thoughts consumed by worry for his sister.
The next morning, Kael's search took him to the outskirts of town. Here, the mood was noticeably darker.
The homes were smaller, the streets less crowded, and the people wore bitter expressions.
"What's wrong here?" Kael murmured.
Kael's hand went to his blade instinctively as he continued down the street. He overheard conversations of missing people and strange figures spotted at night.
His steps quickened as he approached a group of villagers huddled near a dilapidated well.
"Excuse me," Kael said with a polite tone. "What's been happening here?"
The villagers exchanged wary glances before an older man stepped forward. "You're not from around here," the man said, with a gruff voice.
"I'm just passing through," Kael said. "But I can help. Tell me what's going on."
The man hesitated before nodding. "Bandits. They've been harassing the outskirts for weeks now. Taking supplies, people... anything they can get their hands on."
"People?" Kael asked.
"Yes, they take the young men and woman to turn them into slaves and for their own entertainment."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Where are they hiding?"
The man shook his head. "We don't know. They come at night, and they're gone by morning. But there's more to it than that. They've got fragment-powered weapons, and they're not afraid to use them. That's why no one's tried to stop them."
"The guards have been busy lately so it's taking time to get them to send a team to come help us." he added.
"This isn't just a town's problem," Neo said in his mind. "There's something big happening here. You should check it out."
Kael nodded. "Then I'll see what I can do."
The villagers looked at him with a mix of hope and skepticism, but Kael didn't wait for their approval.
He turned and headed back toward the town square, his mind already making plans.
—---
Kael stood in the center of the large square, his hand holding the handle of his blade as his mind raced. The town's noise around him was muted under the thought of the bandit threat.
What if one of the girls they took was his sister? The thought haunted him, couldn't live with himself if something like that were to happened to Lira.
Neo's spoke in his mind. "You'll need to act quickly. The longer they operate unchecked, the stronger their grip will become."
Kael tightened his grip. "Then I'll make sure tonight's the last night they threaten anyone."