I emerged from the void, and the weight of Nytheria’s domain still pressed against my mind. Space, time, and gravity had bent in unnatural ways back there, but here the world felt completely different. The air smelled fresh, carrying the scent of grass and earth. The sun hung low, casting long shadows across rolling hills.

  Ahead, a small village came into view. Smoke drifted from chimneys, and laughter echoed through the streets. Children ran past, chasing each other with sticks and balls, their joy completely unrestrained.

  I kept my gaze forward, letting my presence go unnoticed. The village seemed peaceful, almost untouched by the conflicts I had left behind.

  Armed guards appeared from the corners of the streets, spears raised but steady. Their movements were deliberate and disciplined, alert but not immediately hostile.

  “State your name and your purpose,” one of them said, stepping toward me. His voice was measured.

  “I’m a traveler,” I replied evenly. “I don’t intend to cause any harm.”

  They studied me in silence, weighing every movement. After a tense pause, the spears lowered slightly. Not trust, just restraint.

  “Very well,” the guard said. “But don’t cause trouble.”

  Before I could respond, a small hand grabbed mine and tugged hard.

  “Hey! Come on!”

  I looked down to see a boy, no older than twelve, grinning up at me.

  “You’re new, right?” he asked. “Then I’ll show you the village!”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  His excitement was unfiltered, pure, so different from the careful restraint of the guards.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, letting him pull me along.

  “You’ll see!” he said, bounding ahead. “You have to try the food. It’s really good.”

  We passed open market stalls and cobblestone streets until he led me to a small food stand. The smell of grilled meat and warm spices filled the air. The boy dug into his pouch and bought me a meat stick, pressing it into my hand like it was a treasure.

  “Thanks, I suppose,” I muttered.

  “You’re welcome, sir!” His eyes sparkled. “Eat it!”

  I took a bite. The flavor was rich and smoky, perfectly seasoned, catching me off guard.

  “This isn’t half bad,” I admitted.

  He grinned. “Ha! Knew you’d love it.”

  “I never got your name,” I said.

  “My name? Kyle,” he replied.

  I nodded as he tugged me toward the open fields, where the sun painted the hills in gold.

  So they do have football here. I thought it was only back home.

  “You play ball?” he asked, grabbing a ball off the ground.

  “Yeah, I used to,” I said.

  He smirked. “Bet I could beat you, old man.”

  “I’m only twenty-five,” I said.

  “Don’t care,” he replied.

  “Fine,” I said. “One goal. That’s it.”

  “You’re on!”

  Moments later—

  “Wow,” Kyle laughed. “You missed the net completely.”

  “I told you I haven’t played in a long time,” I replied.

  “Yeah, yeah. That’s your only excuse.”

  This kid has a talent for getting under people’s skin.

  “Come on,” he said suddenly. “I wanna show you something.”

  I followed him without thinking.

  He led me to a quiet cliff overlooking the horizon. The view stretched endlessly, sky and land bleeding into each other.

  “Beautiful, right?” he said, legs dangling over the edge.

  I nodded.

  “I come here when things get too loud,” he said. “Helps me breathe.”

  “I see,” I replied. “An escape.”

  Then I felt it.

  A presence.

  Before I could react, she was there.

  Horikita.

  Kyle flinched back. “Who, who are you?”

  “Why are you here, Horikita?” I asked, my voice tightening.

  “I heard about you,” she said. “That you’re a vessel. Is it true?”

  So it spread that fast.

  “You should go home,” she said to Kyle. “Now.”

  “You don’t get to tell me what to do,” he snapped back.

  His confidence was reckless.

  Kyle stepped in front of me.

  “Look,” he said, forcing bravado into his voice, “I don’t know who you are, but you seem like bad news. So how about you leave us alone?”

  Horikita’s gaze sharpened.

  “Tone it down,” she said. “Or I’ll make you.”

  She took a step forward.

  Kyle stiffened. Fear finally creeping in.

  “That’s enough,” I said. “What do you want?”

  Horikita met my eyes.

  “I’m here to bring you back.”

  My vision narrowed.

  “And if I refuse?”

  Steel flashed.

  Her blade pressed lightly against my neck, cold and precise.

  “It’ll be in your best interest,” she said calmly, “not to find out.”