Rain. Heavy drops fell to the ground, leaving dark stains on the gray stones. Kaine stood on top of the hill, cloaked in black, gazing at the city spread out before him. From here, it seemed silent, as if plunged into a deep sleep. Only the distant glow of torches cut through the darkness, like thousands of tiny lights flickering in the night.

“This is your chance, Kaine,” came a familiar voice from behind him.

Kaine turned and saw Dorian standing in the shadow of a tree. In his eyes gleamed that same unreadable, mysterious light.

“What do you want from me this time?” Kaine asked tiredly.

“Your power is growing, but you still don’t see the whole picture,” Dorian replied. “Those who control the light must understand the darkness.”

“You speak in riddles,” Kaine said irritably, brushing him off. “Speak plainly.”

Dorian smiled but didn’t move. Instead, he looked toward the city and said:

“Down there, in that city, is one who seeks you. His name is Rahil, and he knows more about your power than you do. He will be waiting for you at the central square.”

Kaine froze, trying to grasp the meaning of the words. “Why is this Rahil looking for me?” flashed through his mind.

“And what am I supposed to do with this knowledge?” he asked, keeping his eyes on Dorian.

“Find him and learn the truth,” Dorian leaned closer, his face inches from Kaine’s. “Or die trying.”

Those words echoed in Kaine’s head as he descended the hill, heading toward the city. His cloak billowed behind him, and he felt the cold wind creeping through his clothes. The rain intensified, turning the narrow streets into rushing streams of water. In the dim light of the lanterns, Kaine’s figure was almost invisible, blending into the shadows.

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“The central square,” he recalled Dorian’s words. His heart beat loudly, as if sensing the approach of something inevitable.

Reaching the square, Kaine stopped and looked around. There was no one there, except for one man standing by the fountain. He was an older man with long gray hair, dressed in a simple black robe. His eyes were closed, as if in prayer or deep thought.

“You’ve come,” the man said softly, without opening his eyes. “Kaine.”

“Who are you?” Kaine asked, slowly approaching. His hand was ready to grasp the hilt of his blade at any moment.

“My name is Rahil,” the stranger replied, finally opening his eyes. In them, the light of the lanterns was reflected, creating the illusion of flames dancing in the darkness. “And I know about your true power.”

“What do you want from me?” Kaine struggled to keep the tension out of his voice. There was something about this man that was terrifying, yet it drew him in like a flame.

“I am not the one who seeks you, Kaine,” Rahil took a step forward, his figure’s shadow growing more menacing. “You came to me. You seek answers. I can give them, but are you ready to hear them?”

Kaine remained silent, feeling anger flare up inside him. For too long, he had been led in circles, for too long he had searched for meaning in Dorian’s words, in all these visions and riddles. Now he wanted only one thing—the truth.

“Speak!” he shouted, clenching his fists.

“Very well,” Rahil smiled, and at that moment, his eyes shone brightly, reflecting in everything around them. “You carry within you a power capable of destroying this world. A power that was given to you by the god of death. But to wield it, you must conquer your own shadow—the darkness growing inside you.”

“I’ve already fought my shadow!” Kaine protested, recalling the battle on the arena.

“No, that was only the first part,” Rahil gently corrected. “The real battle is yet to come. You are not just a bearer of power. You are the key that will open the gates to the true world.”

Rahil’s words struck Kaine like a wave. He felt his head spinning from all these revelations.

“Why are you telling me this?” he asked quietly, lowering his gaze. “Why me?”

Rahil stepped closer and placed a hand on Kaine’s shoulder.

“Because you are the one who must make the choice. Whether you save this world or destroy it—it’s up to you.”