The next morning arrived, but the storm had not relented. The sky was unnaturally dark, thick with clouds that swallowed the light. Snow fell in violent sheets, and the wind howled like a mourning choir.

  Inside the hut, her father sat mixing potions—drops, elixirs, and bitter brews.

  Rose approached quietly, watching him.

  He looked up. "Ramzi hasn't returned."

  She stepped forward, ready to search for her brother, but her father raised a hand.

  "Sit," he said. "I'll explain the spell—the one that restored the water. I saw how it fascinated you."

  She obeyed.

  "It's not just a spell," he said. "It's science. Chemistry. You must understand it. Water exists in three states—gas, solid, and liquid. The liquid is what we need."

  They studied together for hours. Her mother slept nearby, smiling faintly in her dreams.

  Her father taught her every protective enchantment he knew—spells to preserve life, to shield, to heal. But he avoided offensive magic. He taught only the foundations.

  "This is enough," he said.

  They reached the final book. He closed it.

  Rose smiled and mentioned the strange tome—the one with unreadable symbols and alien script.

  Her father's face changed.

  "That book is not for you," he said coldly. "It's useless."

  Rose stared at him.

  Outside, the sky turned pitch black. The storm intensified. Snow slammed against the walls like fists.

  Suddenly, Rose felt weak. As if something had drained her strength.

  Her father whispered, voice devoid of emotion, "They did it. They destroyed it. The home of the traitors who refused to help us."

  Rose blinked. "Who?"

  He smiled. "They succeeded in destroying the Luminous Tree."

  Her eyes widened. "But... isn't that tree sacred? Isn't it vital to everyone?"

  He shook his head. "Not to us. They hoarded its power. They sent no aid. This is a lesson. And I will teach them more."

  His voice was quiet. Terrifying.

  Rose stood, stunned.

  Her father turned to her. "Go to sleep."

  She didn't move. She walked to the door, paused, and said, "Father... please. I know you do this for us. But don't become a monster. Don't disappear. We need you."

  He said nothing.

  He looked at her mother.

  His eyes filled with fear.

  Rose didn't wait. She ran into the storm, searching for Ramzi.

  She scoured the village, then ventured beyond its borders—until she found the small treehouse her father had built for Ramzi long ago.

  She climbed up.

  Ramzi lay inside, asleep.

  She smiled and sat beside him.

  He opened his eyes. "You came? Why?"

  "I came to bring you home."

  He shook his head. "There's no need."

  Rose frowned. "What do you mean? If you're talking about—"

  Ramzi whispered, voice trembling, "No... it's Mother..."

  Rose's eyes flew open.

  Ashes and Promises

  I looked at my brother, fear tightening in my chest.

  "What do you mean?" I asked. "What happened to Mother? Is she alright?"

  Ramzi's eyes filled with tears.

  "Mother... she ate the meat from the beast you killed," he whispered. "She was poisoned. I saw her coughing blood. She told me not to tell you..."

  "When she learned you were the one who hunted it, she was overjoyed. She took a piece of the meat herself... cooked it... ate it."

  He trembled. "That's why I screamed at Father. He taught you that magic. That poison."

  I collapsed to the floor, eyes wide, body shaking. Tears streamed down my face.

  "I poisoned her..." I whispered. "I killed her..."

  Ramzi wrapped his arms around me, sobbing.

  "She forgives you," he cried. "She told me that. She said, 'Tell Rose I forgive her.' so Please... don't say that."

  I broke down, wailing. I slammed my head against the tree's trunk, blood trickling down my forehead.

  Ramzi grabbed me, held me tight. "She forgives you! She told me to protect you, Rose. Don't do this!"

  Then—screams.

  Footsteps.

  Fire.

  The village was burning.

  But not with ordinary flames.

  Black fire.

  Figures in dark cloaks stood at the edge of the village. One of them spoke, voice echoing like thunder:

  "If this village is what binds you to this wretched place... we will erase it. Burn it. So you can focus on your purpose, old man."

  Then they descended.

  Slaughtering everyone.

  Children. Women. Elders.

  No one was spared.

  My father stepped forward, walking toward them.

  Ramzi held me tighter. "Don't make a sound," he whispered.

  I froze.

  Footsteps approached.

  Ramzi leaned close. "If he finds us... I want you to jump. From the other side. Run. I'll distract him. I'll follow. Do you understand?"

  I shook my head, refusing.

  He looked at me, voice firm. "No. You will."

  A figure began climbing the tree—slowly, deliberately.

  Ramzi kissed my forehead.

  "Now!" he shouted, and shoved me through the back.

  I tumbled down the slope, snow slicing my skin.

  From the distance, I saw my father.

  He stood among the cloaked figures.

  The village was ash.

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  Ramzi leapt onto the intruder.

  And then—

  I closed my eyes.

  And saw no one.

  Not my father.

  Not my mother.

  Not even Ramzi, who had promised he would follow.

  The Green Comet

  I awoke in a place I did not recognize.

  My body was bruised, torn, aching.

  Where... am I?

  I looked around.

  A desert.

  The heat pressed against my skin. The air shimmered. In the distance, towering mountains loomed—the place where Linovard once stood. My village. Still buried beneath the storm.

  I rose slowly, the sand burning beneath my feet.

  This was the Valley of Wonders.

  Father had told me: if I kept walking, I would reach the Kingdom of Aurik. It was the only hope left. There was nowhere else to go.

  Then my eyes opened wide, and tears returned.

  Ramzi... you promised you'd come back.

  Mother... I'm sorry.

  I cried for an entire day, until night fell.

  Then I wiped my tears, stood, and walked—empty, aimless.

  The Valley of Wonders was a barren wasteland now. The wind stirred the sand like whispers. A terrifying silence hung in the air.

  Who would believe this place was once a forest? That rivers once danced here?

  I kept walking.

  The sky was dark—unnaturally so.

  Then, a green comet streaked across the heavens.

  It was strange. Beautiful. Soothing.

  I walked on, starving, until I saw a village in the distance.

  I ran toward it.

  Children played. Farmers worked the soil.

  Guards stood at the entrance, watching me.

  "Who are you?" one asked. "Identify yourself."

  I looked up, lips cracked, voice dry.

  The guards exchanged glances. One disappeared, then returned with food and water.

  "Here," he said.

  I stared at him, taking the food slowly.

  "Why?" I asked.

  He blinked. "Why? You're starving."

  I ate standing, then whispered, "Thank you. Thank you... truly. What is this village?"

  His face shifted.

  "We are one of the villages of the Luminous Tree."

  My eyes widened.

  Father's words echoed in my mind.

  These were the ones who refused to help us during the war.

  And now... they were saving me.

  I thanked them and continued on, walking slowly.

  Then I found another village.

  But this one was different.

  Screams. Barking. Crying. Fire.

  I climbed a wall and saw men slaughtering the villagers—speaking of "purification."

  I fled.

  Far away.

  The world is suffering everywhere, I thought. It's not just me.

  Then I saw another village, distant, scorched.

  Had that madman burned it too?

  I kept walking.

  Then I saw them.

  People moving strangely, their bodies twitching unnaturally.

  And among them... figures that resembled the ones who stood beside my father.

  I hid.

  Terrified.

  I returned to the burned village and crept into a shattered hut.

  I collapsed.

  Exhausted.

  And dreamed of my mother.

  My father.

  My brother.

  The wind was gentle.

  The sand danced through my hair.

  And the green comet lit the night sky.

  The Gray Flame

  Rose awoke to a strange morning.

  The air was warm. Still. Peaceful.

  She wasn't used to that.

  She stood slowly, surveying the horizon. Villagers moved nearby—but something was off. Their movements were... too smooth. Too synchronized. Unnatural in their normality.

  Then—footsteps.

  She ducked behind a broken wall.

  A young man?

  An old one?

  The youth wore robes resembling those of the Luminous Tree villages. The elder looked like a desert raider. Why were they together? Why had they come here?

  She watched them speak—about a curse. A sickness. They were searching for a cure.

  The boy knelt and placed his hand on the soil.

  Was he healing it?

  Rose leaned closer, listening.

  The villagers... they were under control. Enslaved by outsiders.

  The old man called them The Black Order.

  Rose's breath caught.

  She watched as they mounted valley beasts—twisted creatures bred for silence and speed. They tethered them nearby, hidden from view.

  She had a plan.

  She would steal one.

  She could reach Aurik.

  She crept forward, step by cautious step.

  Then—she felt it.

  A presence.

  A gaze.

  She turned.

  The old man was staring at her.

  Unblinking.

  The boy tugged his sleeve. "Uncle, let's go."

  The man nodded. "Let's."

  Had he seen her?

  Why hadn't he acted?

  He could have killed her in seconds.

  Her heart pounded. Sweat beaded on her brow. She trembled.

  Once they were gone, she emerged.

  She approached the soil.

  A strange seed had been planted. The boy had made it grow—fast.

  They seemed... kind.

  Rose raised her hands toward the sapling.

  She summoned her father's magic.

  A green aura of poison enveloped her fingers.

  She touched the trunk.

  The tree pulsed—grew—flourished.

  She smiled.

  "We're even now," she whispered. "I'll take one of your beasts. You'll return to find your tree thriving."

  She mounted one of the creatures—its body grotesque, its eyes hollow.

  But it was calm.

  It let her ride.

  She sped off, wind slicing past her.

  Villagers turned.

  They saw her.

  They ran toward her.

  She clutched the beast's reins.

  It galloped faster.

  Then—a figure from the Black Order appeared ahead.

  She braced for impact.

  But he vanished.

  Just like that.

  She continued.

  Then—the beast collapsed.

  Blood poured from its throat.

  Rose gasped.

  Killed... that fast?

  She hadn't even seen it.

  She fell.

  The villagers chased her.

  She ran.

  Then—a man appeared.

  Cloaked in black.

  Gray fire danced around his blade.

  He turned.

  And slaughtered the villagers behind her.

  Heads fell.

  Bodies dropped.

  Blood soaked the sand.

  He turned to her.

  "Well, well," he said, voice cold. "A lost woman?"

  The Gray Flame and the Green Comet

  He advanced toward me, sword dripping with blood, surrounded by swirling gray fire that licked the air and scorched the sand.

  I was trapped.

  He moved slowly, deliberately.

  I couldn't breathe.

  Should I fight?

  Run?

  Surrender?

  I stammered, voice trembling, "What do you want from me?"

  Riz smirked. "A lost little girl... They told me someone escaped. From Linovard. Burned to ash. Looks like I've found her."

  His voice confirmed it—he was one of the Black Order. Just as the old man had warned.

  I stepped back, heart racing.

  Riz: "Would you like to join your father? Cleansing the remaining villages? There are still a few left. He'd be thrilled to have you."

  I stood frozen, tears streaming down my cheeks.

  "Stay away from me, you monster! My father would never do that!"

  Riz tilted his head. "Brave, are we? Come here..."

  He vanished.

  Then reappeared—grabbing me by the hair.

  "Let go of me!" I screamed. "You're insane!"

  "I'll show you what your father's doing now..."

  He dragged me through the sand until we reached a massive village.

  Riz pointed with his blade. "This is Lajira. The last village standing."

  "Look."

  I opened my eyes.

  The villagers were attacking each other.

  "Beautiful, isn't it?" Riz said. "We made this happen. Your father helped. They're infected. Obedient. Why not obey too?"

  He pointed again. "There. That's your father."

  I saw him.

  Walking through the chaos.

  A brutal battle.

  Then—a glowing arrow shot from the center of the village.

  Riz's face twisted. "Damn... the librarian."

  I closed my eyes.

  Focused.

  A green aura of poison surged around me.

  Riz: "Trying to escape?"

  "Leave me alone!"

  He hurled me into the sand.

  His sword flared with gray fire, forming a ring around me.

  Then—a voice.

  Cold. Familiar.

  "Leave her."

  Riz turned. "Oh? You came to save your daughter?"

  Senil: "There's no gain in saving her. Or killing her. Let her be."

  I looked at my father—his face pale, his body worn.

  Tears fell onto the sand.

  The gray fire vanished.

  Senil stepped forward, voice slow and quiet. "You're close to Aurik."

  "Shut up!" I cried. "Why are you doing this?"

  Riz laughed. "A touching reunion. So full of love."

  Senil looked at me. "Walk that path. You'll reach Aurik. Find shelter. Hide for two days. We'll finish the siege. It's dangerous to wander now."

  Riz vanished—like smoke extinguished.

  My father looked at me.

  Smiled.

  A terrifying smile.

  He tossed a small pouch toward me.

  I flinched. "What is this?"

  Senil, already walking away: "It's what your mother and I saved. We wanted to send you and Ramzi to Aurik."

  His voice faded.

  He disappeared.

  I lay in the sand, tears falling.

  Then I stood.

  And hid.

  Among the broken walls of Lajira.

  I closed my eyes.

  Hungry.

  Thirsty.

  Exhausted.

  Then—battle cries.

  I opened my eyes.

  Peered through a crack in the stone.

  The same boy stood in the center of the village.

  He held something.

  A strange heart.

  Everyone fought to protect him.

  A brutal war.

  Above them, the green comet blazed across the sky—

  brighter than ever.

  And then—

  everything changed.

  "Velina..."

  The stranger whispered the name with sorrow, her voice barely audible.

  Lainas stepped onto the deck, weapon in hand.

  "Qaws?"

  Qaws lowered his blade.

  The girl collapsed, her hands bound.

  He sheathed his dagger.

  "She climbed aboard from the water. No warning. No sound. Just... appeared."

  Lainas frowned.

  "What? How?"

  "I don't know. She claims she's a guardian. From the House of Felina."

  Lainas blinked.

  "Felina? The legendary sea nymph? She aided Leonithra in the old wars..."

  The girl opened her eyes, still bound.

  "You... you know her?"

  Lainas studied her face.

  "You're... one of hers? You don't resemble her."

  The girl's voice rose, indignant.

  "What's that supposed to mean?

  We can shift forms as we please!

  I came here to see what you intend—if you seek to plunder the ocean's treasures or spill blood, I will—"

  Qaws interrupted, calm and firm.

  "We don't seek bloodshed.

  We don't seek theft."

  "Look at you," she snapped.

  "You're an assassin."

  Qaws shrugged.

  "That's true... to a degree. But—"

  "But what?"

  "If we were here to kill and steal... you'd already be dead."

  "Kill me? I dare you!"

  Lainas raised his hands.

  "Enough. I don't see you as a threat. So—"

  "So unbind me," she growled.

  "Or I'll drown you all."

  Qaws tilted his head.

  "You're strange. You want us to free you... so you can kill us? Are you mad?"

  Lainas stepped forward.

  "Miss Nawal... we're here to fight the Black Order.

  In our own way.

  We don't seek the secrets of the sea.

  We don't want its riches.

  We don't want blood."

  Nawal paused, her brows lifting.

  "You... fight the Black Order?"

  Qaws nodded.

  "We thought you were one of them.

  We found a ghost ship.

  Pirates—slaughtered."

  "What?" Nawal gasped.

  "Yes," Lainas said quietly.

  Nawal's voice trembled.

  "There's a man... claims to be from Leonithra.

  The High Commander.

  He and his soldiers kill pirates without mercy.

  When the pirates turned against the Black Order... he turned against them.

  We tried to stop him.

  But he wouldn't listen.

  My mother is furious.

  And when she's angry... the waves rise.

  The ocean grows unstable."

  Lainas frowned.

  "Unstable?"

  "It may seem calm now... but..."

  Qaws narrowed his eyes.

  "Luthor, then."

  Nawal's eyes flashed.

  "You know him? Is he your ally?"

  "No," Qaws said.

  "He's wanted.

  We intend to meet him.

  Speak with him.

  Convince him to stop."

  Lainas glanced at Qaws, then turned to Nawal.

  "Miss Nawal... what do you want? Why did you climb aboard?"

  She sighed.

  "Honestly? I was tired of swimming.

  I escaped the Black Order.

  I needed rest."

  A small boat drifted quietly toward the pirate isles.

  Qaws looked to Lainas.

  "We need to move. We must reach the pirates."

  He turned toward the helm.

  Nawal called out.

  "Aren't you going to unbind me?"

  Qaws didn't look back.

  "Now? No."

  Lainas offered a quiet apology.

  "For everyone's safety."