— But why can’t I see you? I only hear your voice…

  — I’m very small. You can only see my glow.

  Kyeske felt a faint surge of energy above his head. He looked up — a tiny glowing thing was swirling in the air.

  — Heh… You really are tiny…

  — Thanks for the compliment, the voice replied sarcastically. My name is Ragnar. And yes, I can hear your thoughts.

  Kyeske frowned, but before he could respond, a rustle echoed from afar. He jumped to his feet and turned sharply.

  A creature appeared from behind the trees — it resembled a wolf but was larger than a horse, with fur marked by ominous violet patterns pulsing with light.

  — Another possessed one…

  The wolf lunged forward.

  Kyeske dodged back just in time, throwing off his bag and drawing his sword.

  — That won’t help you, Ragnar said calmly.

  — What?

  Kyeske barely had time to turn before the beast closed the distance in a single leap.

  — Damn it!

  He swung his sword — but at the moment of impact, the blade shattered in two. The next second, the wolf’s jaws clamped onto his arm.

  Pain shot through his body like fire.

  — Strong!

  — That’s why! Let me take over!

  Kyeske gritted his teeth. He didn’t know how much he could trust Ragnar… but he had no choice.

  — Do whatever it takes!

  Instantly, his eyes lit up with an icy glow.

  Kyeske grabbed the wolf’s jaws, lifted it with one powerful motion, and slammed it into the ground. A dull thud shook the earth. Shards of ice exploded around him, piercing the creature’s body — through the heart, the skull.

  The beast twitched… then went still.

  Kyeske breathed heavily, regaining control.

  — Damn… Why was that thing so strong?!

  — They reinforce their bodies just like you. Their skin becomes tougher, and their strength and endurance multiply, Ragnar explained calmly. That Silh wasn’t weak either.

  Kyeske looked at his arm, blood slowly trickling from the wound.

  — Just my arm…

  — Give it to me.

  The tiny glowing creature floated closer and gently wrapped his wound in a cold mist. Ice formed around the injury, numbing the pain.

  Kyeske moved his arm.

  — You can do that too?

  — I can do a lot of things, Ragnar said proudly.

  — Then why are you helping me?

  — Well… for some reason, I’m bound to you. I can’t move more than a meter away.

  Kyeske frowned.

  — Interesting…

  — Also…

  — What now?

  — Your food’s burning.

  — WHAT?!

  Kyeske darted back to the fire. Remembering the meal he’d left cooking, he frantically grabbed the pot.

  This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

  Ragnar chuckled quietly.

  Walking along the grove, Kyeske soon spotted a village ahead.

  — This must be the one he mentioned… Better get closer.

  He slowed down, hiding in the shadows of the trees. In the distance, figures moved — men in woolen jackets with a crest on their sleeves.

  Kyeske clenched his fists, anger boiling within him.

  — Do you have a plan? Ragnar’s voice asked.

  — Go in and kill.

  — Of course you do… Don’t you want to at least—

  But Kyeske had already burst forward.

  — Damn it…

  Two guards at the gate noticed him.

  — Hey! Who are you?!

  Kyeske didn’t respond. He raised his hand, forming four ice shards, and with a single sharp thought, sent them flying.

  The needles pierced the guards’ eyes. They screamed and collapsed.

  Kyeske rushed in and, without stopping, decapitated both.

  — You’re insane, Ragnar snorted.

  — Shut up.

  From the other side of the fence, a voice called out:

  — What’s that noise? Everything okay?

  The gate cracked open. Two men peeked outside, eyes landing on the bloodied bodies.

  — What the hell is going on?!

  One turned to his partner.

  — Hey, what’s wro—

  The man was clutching his throat, a thin icicle lodged deep in his neck.

  Turning around, the marauder met Kyeske’s gaze.

  A flash of steel — and the sword drove through his chest.

  He dropped, gasping:

  — We’ve got an intrud—

  A bell rang out, cutting through the air.

  — Here we go, Ragnar smirked.

  — You could’ve just gone in and killed them all, like you said. Why the performance?

  — They might have powers like mine.

  — So you do have a drop of caution…

  Kyeske said nothing. Taking a deeper breath, he stepped into the village, slicing down every foe in his path.

  Bodies dropped one by one. Blood soaked into the snow.

  — That all of them?

  Kyeske wiped his blade against a cloak.

  — Just this building left.

  He looked up at the massive structure in the village’s center.

  Something important was inside. He could feel it.

  Kyeske pointed at a small house in the corner of the village.

  — That building is left.

  He slowly walked up to the door and, as he reached for the handle, froze.

  Ragnar hovered behind him.

  — Why did you stop?

  Kyeske didn’t answer. He stood still, as if he'd hit a wall. His throat went dry. He hadn't expected this—not those faces, not that kind of pain. Something clenched inside his chest.

  Inside the dimly lit room, emaciated women and children huddled on the floor. Their eyes were empty—devoid of fear, filled only with numbness and pain. They looked like the living dead.

  Ragnar floated beside him in silence. Even he, usually sarcastic and cold, paused for a moment.

  One of the women gently laid a child down on a pile of hay, rose slowly, and walked toward Kyeske.

  — It's... my turn now... — she said with a hoarse, exhausted voice.

  Kyeske frowned.

  — What do you mean?

  — Isn't that... why you came?

  She dropped to her knees, clenched her teeth, and could no longer hold back her tears.

  — I barely have any strength left... I can’t feed my baby anymore… Please, give us food! Our children are going to die!

  Kyeske slowly knelt down in front of her.

  — It’s all right, ma’am. I’m not your enemy.

  The woman hesitated.

  — I... don't understand...

  Kyeske wiped his bloody clothes with his hand.

  — See this blood? — he said calmly, but there was fury in his voice. — It’s the blood of the bastards who did this to you. It’s over now.

  He gave her a faint smile.

  The woman covered her mouth with her hand and broke down in tears.

  Afterward, Kyeske led everyone outside, found the supply storage, and handed out food.

  Ragnar circled above him.

  — You smiled.

  Kyeske glanced at him.

  — Did I?

  — You pictured your mother standing in front of you, didn’t you?

  — Don’t talk nonsense. And it’s none of your business.

  — I see…

  As the women and children ate, Kyeske stood in silence, eyes fixed on a single point. Moments ago, he had ruthlessly cut down a dozen enemies. Now, in front of him, were those he couldn’t protect with words. Only with his blade. Only with his actions.

  — There are no men left here, — he said quietly. — They won’t survive on their own.

  — What are you going to do?

  — …I know what I have to do.

  A young woman came out of the house and called for him. Entering, Kyeske saw the women and children kneeling, their heads bowed.

  — What’s this..?

  — You saved us! Thank you!

  They said it in unison, and their voices were full of genuine gratitude.

  Kyeske tensed.

  — You shouldn’t thank me… An old man showed me this village.

  — Elder Kei?

  — I don’t know his name…

  — What happened to him?

  Kyeske clenched his fist and lowered his head for a moment. A memory he tried to bury surged back: how his hand didn’t tremble, how the sword came down. The old man hadn’t even resisted.

  — Unfortunately… he and his family were killed.

  A bitter tightness filled his chest.

  But he couldn’t talk about it.

  The woman looked at Kyeske with gratitude, but there was still doubt in her eyes.

  — So that’s how it is… What’s your name?

  — Yaso.

  She nodded, as if memorizing the name.

  — The men were killed, — her voice trembled. — Only the old men were left… and us. They protected us… almost all of them died. Only he… he alone… but even he was taken from us…

  Kyeske looked away.

  — They had four horses left. We’ll load the carts, and I’ll take you to another village.

  The woman froze.

  — But…

  — I’m sorry. That’s all I can do for you.

  — No… What are you saying… we can’t ask for something like that…

  — We’ll leave at dawn. Rest.

  Kyeske turned and started walking towards the exit. The woman bowed low to his back.

  A quiet voice came from behind him.

  — Kyeske, I didn’t think you were so talkative.

  — I have a tongue. And when needed, I use it.

  — You haven’t slept for a couple of days. Don’t you plan to rest?

  — Someone has to protect them.

  Ragnar flew closer, observing Kyeske’s face.

  — That’s not it, is it?

  — It’s none of your business.

  Jumping onto the roof of one of the buildings, Kyeske sat down, staring at the sky.

  — This rift... it’s mesmerizing, isn’t it?

  Ragnar’s voice suddenly sounded calm.

  — Yeah… — Kyeske squinted, gazing at the gaping hole in the sky. It feels like it’s going to suck me in…

  Ragnar hovered nearby.

  — Why are you hiding your name?

  — Most likely, they know who I am. And I don’t want them to know I’m still alive.

  — I understand…

  — Now let me rest.

  Kyeske lay on his back, staring at the night sky. A few hours later, he passed out.