At dawn, I quickly got up, packed our belongings, and prepared to leave. I placed Lucian's helmet on Lyra’s head and carried his sword along with the backpack on my back. During the journey to the next village, Lyra couldn’t stop asking questions:

—Where’s Lucian? Where are we going? —

It was understandable. After all, imagine falling asleep and waking up to find the person who was with you gone, and then being hurriedly taken away as if nothing had happened.

We walked for two days until we reached the village. Unfortunately, our food was only enough for three days, and our supplies quickly ran out. I tried to find work, something that would help pay for more food or a trip to our destination, but I found nothing.

On the third day, our food ran out completely. I decided to stop eating so that Lyra could have whatever little we had left. I knew I could endure longer without food. That was when I found work at a tavern. The owner was an elf. Since elves were so despised, there weren’t many customers, and the pay was low, but at least it was enough to keep us fed.

The elf was kind and understood our situation: two orphaned children trying to survive on their own. Although the little money I earned wasn’t enough to afford a trip to Ilmenor, it at least kept us alive. However, at this pace, it would take years to save enough.

Faced with limited options, I debated between two choices: stealing or selling Lucian’s sword and helmet. But the second wasn’t an option. I would never sell his belongings. So, although it wasn’t moral, I leaned toward the first option.

Thanks to my size and the training Lucian had given me, I managed to earn some extra money by stealing from people. I didn’t feel good about it, but I saw no other way. Eight months passed like this, scraping together what little I could.

One day, a group of men who looked like mobsters, between 40 and 45 years old, entered the tavern. I was assigned to serve them. As usual, I tried to steal from them while serving, and I managed to succeed with some of them. But at one point, one of them noticed. He looked directly at me with a terrifying expression that froze me in place. I pretended not to notice and walked away after delivering their food.

When they finished and were about to leave, one of them approached the tavern owner and said he wanted to speak with me. According to him, we were "old acquaintances."My boss, suspecting nothing, allowed me to go with them.

As soon as we left the bar, they dragged me into a dark, cold alley. To make matters worse, it had started to rain.

—Did you really think we wouldn’t notice, huh!? — one of them shouted angrily. —You little bastard! —

They began to beat me. Each blow hurt more than the last. The pain was unbearable, as if they were trying to break me completely.

—Lucian... — I murmured weakly between the punches, as if invoking his name might give me strength.

They kept hitting me until they grew tired. I don’t know how much time passed. When they were done, I couldn’t move. The pain was so overwhelming that I could barely think. I lay on the ground, defeated, wondering how it had come to this.

—This is what I get for being a thief, — I thought bitterly. If I had followed Lucian’s values, maybe none of this would have happened.

But then, I heard a voice in my head. It was strange, almost like my own, but raspier and deeper:

—If you had followed his values, you wouldn’t have made this much money. With this, you’re closer to reaching Ilmenor. —

—But it’s still wrong, — I replied mentally. —Besides, they took all the money I spent eight months saving. —

—Coward, — the voice retorted with disdain.

Tears began to flow from my eyes, mixing with the rain falling on me. Not only had I broken my promise to Lucian, but everything I had done was in vain. Now I was left with no money, no strength, and no hope. How would I get out of this mess? Damn it.

I don’t know how long I lay there on the ground, immobilized by the pain. At some point, I saw feet standing in front of me. The rain stopped falling on me, and I felt a faint warmth replacing the cold that surrounded me.

A pair of hands reached out to me, radiating a warm light that began to heal my wounds. Little by little, the pain faded away. When I felt well enough, I sat up and wiped the tears from my face.

—Are you alright? — a soft voice asked.

—Yes... thank you. — I lifted my gaze to see who it was.

In front of me stood a woman. Her short hair was a shade of orange, and her long, pointed ears resembled those of an animal. There was something strange about her, something I couldn’t quite figure out. I couldn’t determine her age; her face wasn’t entirely visible.

—Kid, let me ask you something. Do you want to be strong? — she suddenly said, her tone catching me off guard.

The question puzzled me, but the way she said it made me feel something unusual, a mix of uncertainty and curiosity.

—Yes... how do you know? —

—For no particular reason, — she replied, though her tone grew more serious. —Let me propose something to you. —

—What is it? — I asked, trying to hide my confusion.

—Let’s shake hands, how about that? —

—For what? — I replied, wary but intrigued.

—Less talk, more action. Tell me, yes or no? — she insisted.

Although I hesitated, something in her tone conveyed trust. Unsure but determined, I took her hand and gave it a shake.

At that moment, her body vanished. Only her clothes remained, falling to the ground with a soft rustle. From them emerged what appeared to be a small animal.

—What are you? — I asked, alarmed.

—A spirit, in the form of a tanuki, — it replied calmly.

—What? —

—Look, I never told you the details of the deal. From now on, if you increase your strength or power, it will grow a hundred times more than normal. For example, if your power increases from 1 to 10, with the deal it won’t be 10, but 100. That will make you much stronger. —

—And why did you turn into a tanuki? — I asked, still baffled.

—Because it’s very difficult to maintain my human form while the deal is active. —

Nothing made sense. Everything was so sudden. A spirit? A tanuki? What even is a tanuki? And how was my power supposed to increase? None of it added up.

—I’m sure you have a lot of questions, Zein, but for now, you should head home. —

—How do you know my name? —

—Through the pact. Come on, go back to the tavern and have someone check you over. My healing magic isn’t very strong. —

The small tanuki gently nudged me with its tiny body, insisting that I move. In the end, I left the alley, still dazed by what had just happened. The tanuki hid inside my clothes.

When I arrived at the tavern, the owner dropped everything he was holding the moment he saw me and rushed over. His concern was palpable—he was truly a kind-hearted man.

—You need to rest! — he said firmly, not taking no for an answer.

He made me stay and rest, providing us with food and lodging for free while I recovered. During that time, the tanuki, who introduced herself as Kio, answered many of my questions. She explained how the pact worked: with her help, my power would grow exponentially, but it would still depend on my efforts. She also promised to help me reach Ilmenor. I wasn’t sure how she planned to do that, but I decided to trust her.

Kio also got along really well with Lyra. They spent most of their time playing together, which seemed to cheer Lyra up after everything we’d been through.

When I went back to work, I noticed something different: for the first time, the tavern was full. The lively, bustling atmosphere was a complete turnaround.

—Is this your doing, Kio? — I asked, glancing at the tanuki tucked away in my belongings.

She didn’t respond with words. Instead, she crossed her tiny arms and gave me a proud smile.

I couldn’t waste any time, so I got to work immediately. With the tavern so busy, the income improved significantly. For the first time in a long while, it felt like we were making real progress.

It took us about six months to gather the money we needed. Fortunately, we also found someone willing to take us to Ilmenor for a reasonable price. It took two more months of searching, but at last, we’d done it.

I couldn’t believe it.

—Kio... — I said while packing our things for the journey.

—Yeah? — she replied in her usual carefree tone.

—Thank you so much. —

—Don’t mention it, — she said, smiling from ear to ear.

Kio seemed radiant. Though her constant jokes and comments could be annoying at times, I couldn’t deny that her help had been invaluable.

Before we departed, the owner of the tavern—the kind-hearted elf who had taken us in—gifted us some supplies for the road. It was a generous gesture we wouldn’t forget.

Now, standing before the road ahead, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. Four months of travel to Ilmenor felt like an eternity. I had no idea what we would do upon arriving, nor what we would find there, but that didn’t matter. Reaching this point was already an accomplishment.

With Lyra and Kio by my side, I took the first step toward that uncertain future.

The journey was a nightmare; it hadn’t been like this when I traveled with Lucian. Bandits constantly tried to ambush us, and the storms and extreme temperatures nearly killed me. The trip was so long that by the time we were close to arriving, I turned 10, and Lyra turned 5. Even so, the surroundings were warm and beautiful. The leaves were a lush green, and the sky was a vibrant blue. Plus, the caravan we traveled with was lively, and the people were kind to us.

Fanning myself in an attempt to combat the heat, I struck up a conversation with Kio, who looked like she was wilting under the blazing sun.

—Aren’t you hot with all that fur? —

—You have no idea. —

—Hey, why don’t you turn into a human—or at least a half-human form? —

—I already told you I can’t. Didn’t you listen when I explained it to you?"

—Honestly? No. —

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—Fine, I’ll explain it again. And you better listen this time, Lyra. —

—Alright, — Lyra said, her voice lethargic from the heat.

Kio cleared her throat before beginning:

—Listen, first of all, I’m a spirit. In my human form, I might look like I’m around 18 or 20 years old, but in reality, I’m older than that elder up front. —

An elderly man, likely in his 80s, turned to glance at us, thinking we were talking about him. We just smiled at him and continued our conversation.

—So, you’re a granny,v I teased.

—I am NOT!" she replied, clearly offended. —As I was saying, being a spirit, I can make pacts with certain people. Not just anyone—only a select few, and you happen to be one of them. The pact prevents me from using my human form unless the person I’ve made the pact with surpasses my strength, which I don’t think is likely, — she added proudly.

—Can you just get to the point? — Lyra said flatly.

—Fine. As a spirit, I can make pacts with people. These pacts allow the person to increase their power at a much greater rate. For example, if they normally grow stronger by x1, with a pact, it could be x10 or even x100, depending on the agreement.—

—And what’s the deal you have with me? — I asked.

—The x100 pact. That prevents me from transforming into my human form, which is my purest and most powerful state, unless you surpass my strength. Got it now? —

—Yeah, — Lyra replied. —But you’re still old. —

—You little brat! —

Kio pounced on Lyra, and the two started to play. A smile spread across my face. Despite everything, I managed to keep going. Thank you, Lucian. Thank you, Meliora, for everything. I hope things stay this lively.

After a long journey, we finally arrived at Ilmenor. It was nighttime, but the place was magical in every sense. Although the entrance was guarded, and we weren’t allowed to enter, the view from the outside was breathtaking. At the center stood a collection of large, white, brilliantly lit buildings. The trees were much taller than ordinary ones, and the soldiers wore gleaming white, elegant armor. Of course, they were all elves.

The rest of the caravan was allowed in, but we weren’t.

—Why won’t you let us through? — I asked.

—New policies, kid. Sorry.v

Ignoring my warning to stay hidden, Kio interrupted the conversation.

—Sure, my name is Zein, Zein Ravenscroft." I pointed to my side. "This is Lyra, my little sister. —

—Hi, — Lyra greeted shyly.

—And the raging raccoon over here is Kio. —

—Hey, don’t call me a raccoon, much less a raging one! — Kio shouted, offended.

The girl jumped down from the tree with surprising agility and ran toward Kio, hugging her tightly.

—Oh, how cute! A raccoon! —

—Let me go, you brat! And I’m not a raccoon, I’m a tanuki! —

—By the way, my name is Kiomi, Kiomi Valandil, — she said, still enthusiastically hugging Kio.

My mind froze for a moment. Valandil? I immediately recognized the surname. Apparently, Kio noticed it too, because she suddenly stopped struggling.

—Well, shall we go inside? It’s freezing out here, — Kiomi suggested casually.

We gathered our things and followed the elf. Surprisingly, the guards let us pass without any trouble, although they stopped Kio, sparking another round of struggling. Thanks for your sacrifice, I thought with a smile as we walked.

The streets were beautifully lit, and everything around us was breathtaking. The houses glowed with warm tones, and the people, with their long ears and immaculate clothing, seemed full of energy and joy.

—Come on, I’ll take you to my house, — Kiomi said, walking ahead with a cheerful step.

—Alright, — I replied, though I wasn’t entirely sure if I could trust her.

We hadn’t been given a specific name or address as a reference. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much choice but to follow this girl. As we walked, Kio finally gave up and stopped struggling with the guards.

—Aren’t we there yet? — I asked, a bit impatient.

—Nope. —

—Where is your house? — I inquired, trying to hide my frustration.

She raised one hand, pointing to the massive building dominating the center of the village, the most luxurious and beautiful of them all.

—Y-you… live there? — I asked, wide-eyed.

—Yes, why? — she responded casually.

—No reason... — I murmured, still amazed.

—Dad! — Kiomi suddenly shouted, waving her hand.

A man began approaching, accompanied by a young woman who seemed to be his servant. At first glance, the man reminded me of Lucian, though there was something different about him. His demeanor was dignified, but his expression bore the marks of weariness. His hair was starting to turn gray, reflecting the years and the weight of life.

—Sweetheart! We’ve been looking for you. What are you doing out here? — the man asked, a mix of relief and reprimand in his voice.

—I went for a walk and met some kids who are now my friends— Kiomi said enthusiastically, pointing at us.

—Hello, — I greeted with a slight bow.

—Nice to meet you, — added Lyra.

The man’s gaze dropped to Kio, who was still in Kiomi’s arms.

—And that tanuki you’re holding? — he asked curiously.

—She’s with them, — Kiomi replied.

To my surprise, Kio magically snapped out of her apparent lethargy when she heard herself correctly called "tanuki" instead of "raccoon." She looked happier than I had seen her in a long time.

—Thank you for taking care of my daughter and ensuring she didn’t get hurt, — the man said, his voice warm and serene. —Come on, Kiomi, go with Eryndra. —

—Alright... — Kiomi replied, her tone reflecting a hint of sadness at saying goodbye. However, before leaving, she turned to us and gave us a smile.

—And leave the tanuki with them, — the man added with a slight smile.

Kiomi carefully released Kio, who returned to us with a satisfied huff.

—Well, thank you for looking after my daughter. My name is Thailon Valandil; it’s a pleasure to meet you, — the man said, inclining his head slightly.

—P-pleased to mee— I began to respond, but Kio cut me off brusquely.

—Excuse me, are you Meliora Valandil's husband and Lucian Bellamy's friend? — Kio asked with unusual intensity.

The man tensed slightly at the mention of those names.

—Yes, how do you know them? — he replied, a mix of caution and surprise in his voice.

I had recognized his surname from the start, but now that he had confirmed it, my heart raced. I interrupted the conversation before Kio could press further.

—Excuse me... are you really Meliora's husband? — I asked, trying to maintain my composure.

—My name is Zein, Zein Ravenscroft. —

—Ravenscroft? — Thailon repeated, visibly surprised. "If that's the case, where is Lucian? —

My chest tightened at his question. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him directly, not while looking him in the eye, and especially not when I still had to explain what had happened to his wife. Noticing my unease, Kio stepped in before I could respond.

—Sir, if you don’t mind, we’d prefer to talk about this somewhere else. It’s freezing out here, and we need to warm up. —

—Right, of course. Follow me.v

He led us toward the largest building in the city. The walk was long, but I couldn’t help admiring how beautiful everything around us was. The lights, the intricate architecture, the colors—it all looked like something out of a fairy tale. Still, my mind was too preoccupied, searching for the right words to explain what had happened.

Kio, noticing my anxiety, placed her paw on my shoulder and murmured, —Don’t worry, I’ll tell him what happened. You don’t have to carry this burden alone. —

I silently thanked her for her support. As we walked, Lyra, exhausted, ended up falling asleep. When we reached the building, Thailon offered us his hospitality. I carefully placed Lyra on one of the elegant couches, making sure she was comfortable.

—Well?" Thailon asked, looking at us seriously. "What happened? —

Kio was the first to speak:

—It’s not easy to say, but your wife... —

—My wife, I already know," Thailon interrupted with a grave voice. "I received the news a while ago. Lucian sent me a letter just under two years ago, saying they were on their way here. I didn’t think it would take them this long. —

Hearing that, I relaxed slightly. I wouldn’t have to explain about Meliora, but there was still something equally important to tell him. I took a deep breath before speaking.

—Lucian... he’s dead. About a year ago, more or less, he was killed in a border town of Kirche. —

As I spoke, I pulled out the sword and helmet Lucian had given me before his death.

—He told me to keep these. They’re practically the last things left of him. —

Thailon took the sword and helmet carefully, examining them in silence.

—I see... it must have been a tough journey for you, — he said, lifting his gaze to mine. Though sadness was in his eyes, there was also warmth. —You know? They always spoke about you in their letters. They held you in high regard, you meant a lot to them. Here, we’ll take care of you, don’t worry. —

His words, filled with sincerity and comfort, made me feel something strange. A calm I hadn’t experienced in years filled my chest. For a moment, all the weight I had been carrying seemed to fade away.

Then, sleep began to take over.

—Zein... Zein! —

Kio’s voice was the last thing I heard before I passed out, overwhelmed by the accumulated exhaustion of the past years.

When I woke up again, I found myself in a bed. It had been years since I’d slept in one, and the comfort felt almost unreal. Beside me, Kiomi was sleeping deeply with Kio cuddled in her arms, while in another nearby bed, Lyra rested peacefully, breathing softly. For the first time in a long while, I felt at peace. We had finally reached a safe place.

Kio was the first to wake up.

—Finally awake, sleepyhead!" she exclaimed as she wriggled out of Kiomi’s arms.

—Why so worked up? — I asked, confused.

—What do you mean, why? You slept for three whole days! —

—What?! — I exclaimed, incredulously.

Apparently, the accumulated stress of the past years had taken its toll on me. Despite the surprise, I felt renewed, as if the weight I had been carrying had lightened a little.

The following days were spent exploring the place and getting to know the people who had welcomed us. Kiomi quickly became a good friend, always cheerful and enthusiastic, while Thailon, though reserved, proved to be a trustworthy and kind person.

However, not everything was perfect. Every time I went outside, some elven children would start teasing me. They made fun of my normal ears and my white hair, which contrasted with theirs. The insults, though I tried to ignore them, affected me deeply. I often found myself retreating into Lucian’s helmet, seeking a sense of protection.

But I wasn’t alone. Lyra, always brave, would defend me without hesitation.

One afternoon, while we were eating outdoors and watching the sunset, Lyra looked at me seriously and asked:

—Hey, why don’t you defend yourself? —

—Because... I just can’t, — I lowered my gaze, feeling incapable.

—Hmm, well, I’ll protect you. — She stood up decisively, balancing on a branch with such confidence that she seemed unafraid of falling. —I’ll protect you forever, is that okay? —

Her words filled me with a warmth I hadn’t felt in years. Knowing that someone cared for me so much made me happy, but at the same time, I couldn’t ignore the frustration of not being able to return that feeling.

—Alright, — I finally replied, looking up at her. —But I’m going to get stronger, stronger than you, so I can protect you back. —

Lyra smiled and jumped down from the branch to fist-bump mine. We both laughed, feeling invincible for a moment.

The next day, I made a decision. I searched for Thailon, who, for someone who was the chief of a village, always seemed to have free time. I found him sitting in the backyard of his home, enjoying the peacefulness of the day.

—Hey, Thailon... —

—What’s up, kid? — Thailon asked, watching me attentively.

—I need a favor, — I replied, trying to sound determined.

—You want me to train you, don’t you? —

—How did you know? —

—In one of the letters, Lucian mentioned that you wanted to get stronger to protect the ones you love. He told me that you had already started training. To be honest, if you hadn’t asked, I would have forced you myself. He said you had a lot of potential. —

—Did he really say that...? — I tried to continue, but he didn’t let me. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of me, pointing a sword at me. Instinctively, I curled up, hugging myself into a defensive posture.

—That’s where we start, — he said, letting out a disapproving sigh. —You’re too scared. You have the strength, but not the will. —

His eyes grew serious, and his tone firm.

—I’ll train you, boy. I’ll train your mind, your body, everything about you. You’ll become someone so strong that, when you look at your future self, you won’t recognize yourself. Are you ready? —

—Y... Yes! —

—I’m pretty strict with my training. Are you ready?! —

—Yes, sir! — I replied with all the determination I could muster.

From that day on, the years that followed were different. Peace reigned in our new life, though it wasn’t without its challenges. My relationship with Kiomi strengthened to the point where we became best friends. Kio, for his part, became a key part of our mischiefs and moments of rest.

However, not everything was easy. Lyra’s illness began to show signs of progression, which forced her into constant bed rest. We all took turns caring for her, and although her smile still lit up our days, the worry was always there.

Despite it all, I didn’t let it stop me. I trained hard with Thailon, spent afternoons caring for Lyra, and shared moments with Kiomi and Kio. That routine marked my life for the next ten years... years that turned me into someone completely different.