Chapter 53

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“NOW, NOW,” I whispered, gently pushing aside the slender tree branch obstructing my view of the city. My eyes fell on the bustling crowd below. It was the same as I remembered—vibrant, chaotic—but now there was an unmistakable surge of joy in the air. Perhaps it was because the Emperor had temporarily contained the monsters lurking beneath the colossal tree?

“Festival! The Founding Festival of the Empire!” a young girl’s voice rang out, clear and bright. She waved a crumpled newspaper above her head, her excitement palpable. “Ha! I wish we could go to the capital,” she sighed wistfully, her eyes shimmering with a mix of longing and delight as she gazed at the vivid illustrations on the paper.

I frowned, my brow knitting in confusion. Can’t they celebrate here? Aren’t they part of the empire, too? It felt unjust, almost cruel, that they were barred from the grand festivities at the heart of the kingdom.

A soft nudge on my shoulder snapped me from my thoughts. Chewy rubbed his furry cheek against me before leaping to the ground and transforming into his larger, more formidable form. Beside him stood Kaelios, his imposing frame barely concealed by the shadows of the forest. Who would’ve thought that this beast—a reptile, of all things—would become my ally? But their presence here risked drawing attention, and I needed to remain inconspicuous while searching for the orb.

Why was the orb even here, of all places?

“Kaelios,” I began, my voice soft but firm, “return to the river and stay hidden. I’ll come find you when I can, and I’ll summon you if I need your help.” I reached up to pat his scaled head. He let out a low, reluctant growl, his glowing eyes dimming with unspoken sorrow, but he obeyed. With a swift, silent motion, he vanished into the darkness.

I turned to Chewy, who stared at me with those big, curious eyes. “And you,” I whispered, leaning close, “back to your cute, small form. We can’t have you scaring the locals.” His ears twitched at my words, and I couldn’t resist a playful boop on his nose. In a flash of light, he shrank down, his form shifting into that of a tiny, unassuming cat. He purred and leaped onto my shoulder, his warmth a comforting presence.

I pulled up my hood, a sly smile tugging at my lips. “Time to investigate, huh, Chewy?” I murmured, rubbing my cheek against his soft fur.

As I stepped out of the forest, the lively hum of the city greeted me like an old friend. The crowd enveloped me, a patchwork of vibrant colors and laughter. Though simpler and smaller than the capital, the city pulsed with life. Despite being excluded from the grandeur of the empire’s central festivities, the people here had created their own celebration. Their joy was defiant, a testament to their resilience. Children ran through the streets, their laughter mingling with the upbeat tunes played by local musicians. Vendors called out cheerfully, their stalls adorned with bright banners and trinkets.

“Skewers!” I whispered excitedly, my eyes lighting up as I spotted a vendor grilling them over an open flame. The savory aroma wafted through the air, stirring memories of simpler times. Oh, how I’d missed this. I hadn’t tasted these in months. My stomach growled in anticipation as I hurried over, eager to relive the familiar flavors of home.

I inhaled deeply, savoring the smoky aroma that wafted from the grill. It was rich, savory, and irresistible. I reached for the small pouch hanging from my belt. Good thing I’d brewed a few elixirs to sell along the way—alchemy might be tricky, but it’s a reliable way to earn some coin when you’re on the road with nothing else. I rummaged through the pouch, pulling out a handful of coins, their weight reassuring in my palm.

“Can I get ten of these?” I asked, my voice low but firm, nodding toward the skewers sizzling on the open flame.

The vendor, an older man with a wiry beard and sharp eyes, looked up from his work. His mouth fell open slightly as he took in my appearance. “Ten? For a skinny girl like you?” he exclaimed, his voice thick with disbelief.

I rolled my eyes. “What can I say? Traveling for a month does wonders for the appetite,” I replied dryly, crossing my arms. Did he expect me to show up looking well-fed and pampered? Hardly.

He chuckled, shaking his head as he took the coins from my outstretched hand. “Fair enough. But don’t blame me if you can’t finish ‘em all.”

I simply smiled, biting back a sharp retort. Patience, Arthemice, patience. My hunger was in no mood for a debate. “Here,” I said, handing him the payment, my tone curt but polite. “And maybe you could cook them a little faster?”

The old man gave a hearty laugh. “Aye, aye, missy. You’ll have your skewers in no time.”

As I waited, the aroma grew more intoxicating. I tapped my foot impatiently, my gaze fixed on the skewers as they turned golden brown, the fat sizzling and crackling deliciously.

Finally, the vendor handed me a bundle wrapped in parchment. “Here you go. Enjoy!”

I wasted no time. Tearing into the first skewer, I let out a blissful sigh as the juicy, smoky meat hit my tongue. The flavors exploded in my mouth, a perfect blend of savory and charred goodness.

“Ah, perfection,” I muttered, savoring each bite. Chewy, perched on my shoulder in his tiny cat form, leaned closer, sniffing curiously. His emerald eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Alright, alright,” I said, laughing softly. I pulled off a small piece of meat and held it up to him. “Here you go.”

He eagerly took the offering, purring loudly as he chewed. “You’re spoiled, you know that?” I teased, scratching behind his ear. He responded with a happy flick of his tail.

With my hunger momentarily sated, I continued walking through the lively streets. I alternated between munching on skewers and feeding small bits to Chewy, who was clearly enjoying himself. We wandered through the vibrant market, blending into the crowd, my hood casting a shadow over my face. But for the first time in weeks, I felt a sense of normalcy—a rare and fleeting moment of peace in the midst of my chaotic journey.

I paused mid-step, my senses suddenly on high alert. A strange prickling sensation crept down my spine, the unmistakable feeling of being watched. My eyes darted over the bustling streets, scanning every face, every shadow. Nothing. Just the usual chaos of festival-goers, laughter, and merchants hawking their wares.

Maybe I’m just imagining things.

But the weight of that unseen gaze didn’t lift. It clung to me like a second skin, persistent and unnerving. Chewy’s ears twitched, his little body tensing on my shoulder. He felt it too.

So I’m not hallucinating after all.

I resumed walking, this time more deliberately, weaving through the crowd as though I hadn’t noticed a thing. My heart raced, but I kept my expression neutral, even amused, as if I was simply enjoying the festivities. I ducked into a narrow alleyway, its dim light casting long shadows against the stone walls. The perfect place to test my theory.

Sure enough, the presence followed. Silent. Careful. But not careful enough.

I turned into another alley, this one even narrower, its path winding like a serpent. A faint smirk played on my lips as I led my shadow into my carefully laid trap.

I stepped into the center and stopped, my back to the entrance. Chewy leapt down from my shoulder, his tiny form landing gracefully on a nearby barrel, his green eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“Chewy, stay,” I murmured softly. He gave a low, almost imperceptible growl of agreement.

The sound of footsteps, nearly imperceptible but there, reached my ears. Slowly, I turned to face the figure emerging from the shadows. He wore a dark cloak, the hood pulled low to obscure his face. He stopped a few paces away, silent and unmoving.

I let out a low chuckle, the sound echoing in the quiet courtyard. “Following a lady through dark alleys? How scandalous,” I said, my tone dripping with mock sweetness. “Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?”

The figure remained silent, his hidden face giving nothing away. His stillness was almost unsettling, but I refused to show even a hint of unease.

“No response? How rude.” I took a step closer, my smile twisting into something darker. “But you see, I’m not the type to let rudeness slide. And I don’t appreciate being stalked.”

My hand drifted to my side, brushing against the fabric of my cloak.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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A faint pulse of energy rippled through the air. In an instant, twin daggers materialized in my hands, their sleek blades gleaming under the pale light. Without hesitation, I whirled around, my movements swift and deadly.

The first dagger flew, its edge slicing through the air before embedding itself in the wall behind the cloaked figure. The second followed, pinning the opposite side.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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Before he could react, I closed the distance between us, my dagger pressed firmly against his neck.

The figure staggered back, the cold stone meeting his spine. His hooded head tilted slightly, but he didn’t move beyond that.

“Caught you,” I said, my voice low, a dangerous edge to my tone. My ginger eyes burned with intensity as I leaned in closer. “Now, let’s not waste each other’s time. Who are you, and why are you following me?”

No response. The figure’s breathing remained steady, unnervingly calm for someone with three daggers poised to end him.

“Silent type, are we?” I murmured, my lips curving into a cold smile. “I don’t mind, but I should warn you—I’m not particularly patient.”

The dagger pressed closer, enough to draw a thin line of red on his skin. Still, he didn’t flinch. His hands, concealed beneath his cloak, slowly rose—not in surrender, but to his hood.

My eyes narrowed. “Careful,” I warned. “One wrong move, and this will end poorly for you.”

He ignored the threat, his movements deliberate. As his hands gripped the edge of his hood, the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips—a silent challenge.

With a smooth motion, he pulled the hood back.

Dark blue hair framed a familiar face, and sharp emerald eyes met mine, glinting with quiet amusement.

“Sebastian?!” I hissed, my grip on the dagger faltering for the first time.

He said nothing, his smirk deepening as if this entire encounter had played out exactly as he’d expected.

fin.