Vael looked around, quickly realizing he was in the slums. The familiar, filthy alleyways and broken-down shacks told him exactly where he was. With a quick assessment, he oriented himself and muttered,
"I need to check on Elira… I haven't given her medicine, and I don't even know how long I've been gone."
Without wasting another second, he bolted toward the small hut where he had been living. His heart pounded—not from exhaustion, but from worry.
Soon, the rundown shack appeared before him, its wooden walls damp and rotting. He pushed the door open with force.
"Elira?" Vael called out, stepping inside.
The stench of mold and decay filled the tiny space. It was dark, damp, and unkempt—just as it had always been. But something felt wrong. There were no signs of recent activity. The blankets were untouched, the air undisturbed, as if no one had been here for a long time.
His chest tightened. Something wasn't right.
Vael quickly searched the room, overturning every rag and tattered piece of furniture. His frustration boiled over, and with a sharp growl, he slammed his fist against the flimsy wooden table, shattering the pot sitting on top of it.
"Fuck! Where is she?" he gritted his teeth, trying to force his thoughts into order. "Did she get kidnapped? No… she's sick. She wouldn't be worth anything to them."
As his mind raced, a voice suddenly spoke from behind.
"...Vael?"
The old, raspy voice sent a jolt through him. He spun around, his eyes locking onto a familiar figure—Old Man Hue. The elderly man, who most just called 'Old Man,' stood there with a look of shock.
"It really is you…" Hue murmured in disbelief. "Where have you been? I thought those brutes had captured you! I haven't seen you for days!"
Vael let out a breath, steadying himself. "I was captured. But I managed to escape. More importantly—where's Elira?" His voice was sharp, demanding an immediate answer.
The old man's face fell, and he shook his head. "I don't know. She just… disappeared. One day she was here, and the next, she was gone."
Vael clenched his fists, his frustration mounting.
"But I do know this," Old Man Hue continued. "You're lucky to even be standing here. The Black Hounds are at war with another faction right now."
Vael scoffed. "Hmph. That explains why my escape was so easy. The chaos worked in my favor."
A war between factions… it made sense. He had suspected something had tipped the scales in his favor, and now he had confirmation.
"Young man," Old Man Hue said, his voice laced with concern, "you need to flee. The Black Hounds won't just let their escaped prisoners roam free. They'll hunt you down."
"I can't, Old Man Hue," Vael replied firmly. "I need to check if Elira was taken. If there's even a chance she was kidnapped, I have to find her."
The old man's expression turned grim. "What?" he muttered, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Are you mad? You're practically walking into their hands! If you go back there, you won't make it out alive."
Vael met the old man's gaze with unwavering determination. "I still have to try."
Hue let out a frustrated sigh. "Young man… listen to me. There are many people in this world. It's better to leave while you still can." His voice was almost pleading now.
Vael shook his head. "I need to go, old man. Wish me luck."
Turning away, he reentered the hut, grabbing whatever supplies he could find. A dull dagger. Some leftover rations. Nothing much, but it would have to do.
He knew the risk. He knew how dangerous this was. But so what?
*Without risk, there is no reward.*
And more than that… Elira was the only person he had left. He couldn't just abandon her.
As he stepped out, Old Man Hue was still standing there, watching him with a heavy expression.
"You're really set on this?" the old man asked, his eyes searching for any hesitation.
"Yes," Vael replied without a second thought.
The old man opened his mouth, then closed it again. Finally, after a long sigh, he reached behind him and pulled out an axe. It was old and worn, the wood faded from years of use, but the blade still held its edge.
"This is the last thing I can give you," Hue said, handing it over. "I hope it helps."
Vael took the weapon without a word. He wasn't the sentimental type, but he knew this was the old man's way of showing he cared.
With a silent nod, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness.
Hue watched him go, sighing once more.
"Foolish boy…" he muttered. "Don't go and die on me now."