If you’ve made it this far, let me take a moment to thank you sincerely. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey so far or, at the very least, found it intriguing.
Your continued trust and interest mean the world, and I’m excited to share what lies ahead.
Happy reading, and thank you for staying with the story.
Chapter 28 - Port Haven
The sky above Helgard began to tint with shades of gray and bluish as Love and Ayperi left the city behind.
The giant Gates of Helgard, which once seemed so imposing and inviolable, were now slowly dissolving into the cold horizon.
Love turned for a moment, her gaze full of melancholy.
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Ayperi floated beside her, dancing with the wind, and commented in a playful tone:
> "It's not that hard to leave a block of ice, don’t you think, little lost one? I mean, it doesn’t seem like we’re leaving behind too many smiles."
Love looked at her with a half-smile, the cold nipping at her cheeks.
> "Maybe they won’t be smiles, but I’ll miss it a bit. It was my first stop, you know? The first place I thought I might be able to stay… even just for a while."
Ayperi slowed her frenetic movement and came closer to her face, her tone unusually serious.
> "Little lost one, the world is too big to stop at the first station. Trust me, there are places that will make you forget this eternal ice."
Love tightened the cloak that Zeydran had given her.
> "Maybe you're right… but I can't help but wonder if I’ll ever find a place that feels truly mine."
As they descended along the path, the pair reached the foot of the Glatius Massif, the main body housing the plateau where Helgard stood, at the center of Frostheim.
The snow-covered peaks gleamed faintly in the dim light of day, and the wind was now gentler.
They stopped in a clearing, surrounded by ancient pines whose branches, bent by the ice, looked like skeletal hands reaching toward the sky.
Ayperi landed on a snow-covered stone and watched Love as she gathered twigs for a small fire.
> "If you don't mind my comment, little lost one, you move with a grace of your own. I mean, for being a fugitive, you're surprisingly composed."
Love laughed softly while her eyes searched for the perfect spot to light the fire.
> "I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or an insult. You’re strange, Ayperi. Sometimes you speak as though you’re much older than you seem."
Ayperi dropped onto her back, watching the sky.
> "Old? Me? Impossible. I'm just a young spirit full of vitality… and maybe a few centuries of experience. But you, little lost one, are really interesting. You have something special. You're strong, even though you don’t realize it yet."
Love stopped moving and looked at her with slightly misty eyes.
> "Sometimes I don’t feel strong. I feel lost. Like I'm a speck of dust in this huge universe."
Ayperi sprang up suddenly, hovering beside her.
> "You're lost, sure. But lost doesn’t mean alone. There's a difference, you know? And I'm here to remind you every time you forget who you are."
The fire began to crackle, warming the air around them.
Love wrapped herself in the cloak and let herself fall next to the flames, her face relaxed but still thoughtful.
> "Thank you, Ayperi. You’re… really special."
Ayperi puffed out her chest theatrically, striking a triumphant pose.
> "Finally, someone who recognizes it! Now, little lost one, I’d say we can enjoy this moment of warmth before facing the mountains. I promise you, with me around, you’ll never be bored."
Love’s laughter rang sweetly in the clearing, as the crackling of the fire and the whisper of the wind blended into the silence.
That night, under the clear sky of Frostheim, the two travelers prepared to face a world larger and more complex than they had ever imagined.
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After several days of walking, finally, the Raven Pass opened before them like a long scar between the snow-covered peaks of the mountains.
The wind howled between the peaks, bringing with it a biting cold that stung the skin and filled the air with a constant lament, like a distant choir.
Each step Love took sank into the snow, her legs moving slowly, a mixture of fatigue and determination, while Ayperi floated lightly beside her, almost immune to the weight of the march.
> "Are you sure you don't want to rest?"
asked the little spirit, tilting its head in a tone that fluctuated between concern and playfulness.
> "Not that I’m tired, of course, but seeing you like this almost hurts..."
Love huffed, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders.
> "Rest where, Ayperi? Here, there's only wind and ice. I can’t stop, not now."
Every sound seemed amplified: the noise of her boots breaking the icy crust of the snow, the wind whipping the now sparse treetops, the crackling of a distant branch.
It was an austere, white, and gray world that seemed to watch her steps with a judging silence.
As they ventured further into the pass, the daylight began to pale, as though the sun itself hesitated to illuminate the place.
Then, in the distance, Love saw something unusual: a figure standing motionless in the middle of the path, an elegant shadow against the blinding white of the snow.
> "Who’s that?"
Love whispered, stopping suddenly. Ayperi positioned itself in front of her, as if to protect her, but keeping its typical irony.
> "Well, if it's another little spirit, it's really terrible at blending in with the environment. Look how it stands out!"
The figure was tall and slender, wrapped in a dark cloak that fluttered slightly in the wind.
Its posture was impeccable, its bearing elegant.
It was bent over a map it held in gloved hands, as though consulting an ancient secret hidden between these mountains.
It didn’t seem bothered at all by the cold or the effort, as though the weight of the journey didn’t concern it.
As they approached, the details became clearer: the traveler had hair as white as snow, falling softly over his shoulders, and eyes equally pale, almost luminescent, that glowed under the hood hiding the rest of his face.
There was something magnetic and unsettling about him, a beauty that seemed to transcend the ordinary.
> "Greetings, travelers!"
he said suddenly, in a warm and melodious voice that seemed to resonate in contrast to the austere landscape.
He lifted his head, but not enough to fully reveal his face, only showing a thin smile.
> "What a surprise to meet someone in such... an inhospitable place."
Love hesitated, glancing at Ayperi, who seemed amused.
"And who are you?" asked the little spirit, floating in front of him.
> "I don’t see you tired, and you certainly don’t look like an ordinary traveler, apparently, you can even see me.”
The young man laughed, a low and musical sound that almost warmed the air around.
> "Oh, me? Just an explorer, nothing more. My name’s not important, but you can call me… a passing friend."
Love tilted her head, intrigued.
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> "A friend? And what are you doing here, all alone?"
The traveler elegantly folded the map and tucked it under his cloak.
> "I'm trying to find my way, like everyone else, I suppose. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have such… bubbly guidance."
He gestured toward Ayperi, who crossed its arms, as much as a little spirit could do, and responded with a mock indignation.
> "Bubbly? Me? I am the very embodiment of sobriety, sir!"
> "You are definitely unique,"
replied the traveler, before turning back to Love.
> "And you? Where are you headed? This isn’t a place for wanderers."
Love shrugged, trying to avoid giving too much information.
> "We're just passing through. We don’t want trouble."
The traveler nodded slowly, his smile fading.
> "I’m not looking for trouble either, little traveler. But this place... has a strange habit of finding it on its own."
When Love asked him more about himself, the traveler raised a hand in a friendly but firm gesture.
> "It’s not important who I am. What matters more is where you’re going. And for that... maybe I can help you."
With a fluid motion, he pointed to a fork in the path that Love and Ayperi hadn’t noticed.
> "If you want to avoid an unpleasant encounter with... let’s say, anyone, follow this path. It will take you exactly where you need to go."
> "Why are you helping us?"
Love asked, looking at him with eyes full of suspicion.
The traveler wrapped himself in his cloak and prepared to walk in the opposite direction.
> "Why not? Even a mysterious traveler sometimes needs to do a good deed."
He waved his hand and disappeared around the bend, leaving Love and Ayperi with more questions than answers.
Ayperi watched him disappear, then turned to Love.
> "That was strange, little lost one. But... I liked him."
Love smiled slightly, pulling the cloak tighter around her.
> "So did I. Let’s go."
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After leaving the Raven Pass behind, the landscape changed in almost a surreal way.
The majestic mountains, with their snow-covered peaks seeming to touch the sky, dissolved into the distance, giving way to a vast expanse of barren and desolate land.
The Valley of Cinerath, as it was called, opened before them, a bleak landscape that seemed to have been abandoned by time and life itself.
Love walked with uncertain steps, the icy wind whipping her face like invisible blades.
Each breath was a whisper condensed in the cold air, while she tightened the cloak around herself.
The ground beneath her feet was hard, cracked by deep crevices that snaked like veins on dying skin.
Each step raised a faint gray dust that the wind quickly scattered.
> "This place... is so strange,"
murmured Love, her gaze wandering over the barren hills and the few withered plants that resisted the grip of the cold.
Beside her, Ayperi floated with its usual faint glow.
> "Little lost one," it said in a tone almost amused, "this is not a land for optimists. Everything here speaks of endurance, of stubbornness. There’s no obvious beauty, but there is strength. Look closely."
Love lifted her gaze. In the distance, skeletal shapes of trees, now bare, stood out against the gray sky, their roots exposed and twisted like hands reaching for something they would never reach.
Here and there, blackened stones and ancient remnants of broken walls emerged from the ground, signs of a past that seemed to have been swallowed by the earth itself.
> "Who lived here?" Love asked, clutching her hands to her chest to warm them.
> "None of them you should care about,"
replied Ayperi, its voice a mix of sarcasm and melancholy.
> "Or at least, none who left anything alive behind. This place wasn’t made for remembrance, but for oblivion."
As they walked, the silence grew oppressive.
The only sound was the whistle of the wind passing through the cracks in the rocks and the rustling of their shoes on the dry earth.
Love stopped to observe a small bush, its leaves covered in frost.
She bent down to touch it, but the bush crumbled at the slightest touch, turning to dust.
> "It’s as if everything here is dying..." she whispered, a lump in her throat.
> "Not everything,"
replied Ayperi, landing in front of her with an encouraging smile.
> "You’re here, aren’t you? And as long as something walks in this valley, it’s not completely devoid of life."
They continued walking, and soon signs of human resistance appeared: a half-collapsed wooden cabin, a small abandoned field, and a flock of thin sheep desperately grazing on frozen tufts of grass.
The shepherd, wrapped in a tattered cloak, watched them from a distance with empty eyes, then turned and disappeared behind a hill.
> "How do they live here?"
Love asked, shaken by the poverty surrounding her.
> "They must have their reasons," said Ayperi, lowering its voice. "You know, little lost one, not everyone is allowed freedom."
Love nodded slowly, her eyes still wandering over the barren landscape and the remnants of a forgotten past.
She resumed walking, her step more decisive, while Ayperi floated beside her.
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After several days of walking, finally, Love and Ayperi entered Port Haven just before sunset.
The city revealed itself as a tangle of narrow streets, dilapidated buildings, and the smell of salt that permeated the air.
The sky above them was streaked with orange and purple, and the lanterns began to light up, casting a flickering glow on the cobbled streets.
Love looked around with attentive eyes, but a growing unease in her chest.
The inhabitants of Port Haven, wrapped in worn cloaks, passed her by with fleeting glances, some more curious than others.
The city was lively, but it didn’t convey a sense of welcome.
The shouts of merchants closing their stalls mixed with the clatter of dishes from the taverns, while sailors and fishermen crowded the ports, engaged in heated discussions.
> "Quite an interesting place, don’t you think?" whispered Ayperi, floating beside her, invisible to everyone’s eyes. "It smells like fish, alcohol, and... despair."
Love shot it a sideways glance, trying to suppress a smile. "You’re not helping, you know?"
> "I’m just saying what I see," the spirit replied with a mischievous grin. "And look at that guy over there... he looks like he stepped out of an adventure novel.
>
> Do you think he’ll tell us stories of faraway seas?"
>
>
Love shook her head, ignoring its jokes, but couldn’t help but share its apprehension.
They continued walking until they reached a large tavern, whose windows were illuminated by a warm, welcoming light.
Above the entrance, an old wooden sign read "The Broken Seagull." Despite its shabby appearance, it seemed like the ideal place to ask for information.
Love pushed the door hesitantly, and a wave of noise and warmth hit her.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with loud voices, laughter, and the clinking of glasses.
The room was crowded with rough-looking men, many of whom seemed to be sailors.
Some played cards at a table in the corner, while others eagerly drank large mugs of dark beer.
Ayperi observed everything with curiosity, floating near the ceiling.
> "Ah, the charm of human chaos," it commented. "You know, if they saw me, they'd probably think they’re too drunk."
Love moved between the tables, drawing a few curious glances, but no one said anything.
She stopped at the counter, where a burly, bearded man was drying a glass with a worn cloth.
His dark eyes settled on her with interest.
> "New around here," he said in a deep but friendly voice. "What can I do for you, girl?"
> Love hesitated for a moment, then replied: "I’m looking for a sailor. Someone willing to take me to Port Fidelis."
The man raised an eyebrow and gestured toward a table in the corner.
> "Try Kael, Kael Vargan. He’s the one for you. A bit gruff, but he knows his stuff."
Love followed the direction of his gaze and saw a man sitting alone, a glass in his hand.
He was wrapped in a heavy black cloak, with short, tousled hair framing a face marked by time and the sea salt. His eyes, a deep gray, seemed to be staring at something invisible beyond the glass.
Ayperi floated next to her.
> "Oh, he looks interesting. I like him already."
> "Shut up,"
murmured Love, approaching the table with hesitant steps.
Kael looked up as she approached, his scrutinizing gaze. "Need something, girl?" he asked, his voice hoarse but not hostile.
Love nodded.
> "I was told you could take me to Port Fidelis."
Kael studied her for a long moment, then gestured to the chair across from him.
> "Sit down, let’s talk."
Love sat down, while Ayperi perched invisibly on the back of the chair next to her.
Love sat facing Kael, nervously clasping her hands in her lap.
Her eyes scrutinized the sailor, trying to figure out if he was the right person to trust.
Kael, in the meantime, observed her calmly, the half-empty glass still in his hand.
> "You don’t look like the type to wander into ports for no reason,"
Kael said with his hoarse voice, leaving the glass on the table with a dry sound.
> "Port Fidelis isn’t a place for those looking for a vacation. What’s driving you so far?"
Love hesitated, the weight of her situation pressing down on her.
Ayperi, invisible, whispered behind her:
> "Tell him the truth, little lost one. He might surprise you."
Kael raised an eyebrow, his eyes briefly landing on Ayperi’s figure.
> "You know talking to the air might make you seem strange, right?"
he said with a half-smile.
Love stiffened, her heart leaping into her throat.
> "Wait… you can see him?"
Kael tilted his head, staring at Ayperi with a curious gaze.
> "Of course I can see him. A little spirit, huh? It’s not the first time I’ve met one, but I admit, it’s rare."
Ayperi, taken by surprise, blinked a couple of times before turning to Love with a mischievous smile.
> "Well, little lost one, looks like you’re not the only one who can see me."
> "Does this change anything?"
Love asked with a whisper, studying Kael’s face for signs of hostility.
Kael shrugged.
> "Not really. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from traveling, it’s that the strange eventually becomes normal. And a little spirit following you is just another curious detail."
> "But tell me, girl, who or what’s chasing you?"
Taking a deep breath, Love met Kael’s gaze.
> "I’m on the run," she confessed in a faint voice. "Someone is looking for me… someone named Aton."
The name made Kael flinch, but the sailor kept an impassive expression.
> "Aton," he repeated, the name slipping from his lips like a hiss. "If it’s him looking for you, you’re in deep trouble."
> "I know," replied Love, her gaze lowering to the table. "But I can’t stop. I need to reach Port Fidelis. It’s the only place I might find someone willing to help me."
Kael leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.
His mind wandered, memories of a time when he too had been on the run resurfacing.
He saw himself, younger, more reckless, with eyes full of fear and hope.
> "Once, I ran to save myself,"
Kael admitted, his voice softer.
> "I had a past I couldn’t let catch up to me. I understand what it means to always look behind you, wondering if someone’s hunting you."
Love raised her gaze, surprised by his sincerity.
> "Then you understand... you understand how important it is for me to leave. I don’t have much time, Kael. Please."
Kael studied her for a long time, his hardened expression softening imperceptibly. Then he nodded slowly.
> "Alright, girl. I’ll take you to Port Fidelis. But know that the sea is never kind to those in a hurry."
A sigh of relief illuminated Love’s face.
> "Thank you... truly."
Kael stood up, grabbing his cloak and gesturing toward the door.
> "Gather your things and meet me at the dock at dawn. We’ll set sail when the wind is favorable."
Love stood up as well, her heart finally a little lighter.
> "I don’t know how to thank you," she murmured.
Kael gave her an inquisitive glance, but his lips curved into a faint smile.
> "Make it through alive, girl. The sea doesn’t forgive, but neither does those who chase you."
As Love left the tavern with Ayperi, Kael’s figure remained a thoughtful shadow amidst the tumult of the Broken Seagull.
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The sky above Port Haven was now a tumult of dark, threatening clouds.
The rain began to fall in thin sheets, carried by gusts of wind that howled through the wooden houses and narrow streets of the port city.
Love and Ayperi walked briskly toward the dock, with Kael ahead of them, pointing to the Fury of the North, his imposing ship, anchored near the end of the port.
> "That’s my girl, Fury of the north" said Kael, gesturing proudly at the ship. "Strong as an ox and fast as the wind. Don’t worry, it’ll get you safely to Port Fidelis."
As they reached the dock, Kael began giving orders to his crew.
> "Prepare the sails! Load the provisions! I want us ready to sail in an hour."
Love watched the scene with a mix of relief and apprehension.
The rain was intensifying, and the sea began to ripple.
Ayperi floated beside her, casting worried glances toward the horizon.
> "You know, little lost one, something tells me this day is about to get a lot more interesting than we thought."
A young deckhand, soaked with rain, ran toward Kael, gasping for breath.
> "Captain! Captain! They’ve spotted an emissary... an emissary from Earth is in town! He’s at the central market with some men. They’re looking for someone, a woman, they say."
Kael stiffened. Love’s eyes widened, and her heart leaped into her throat.
> "An emissary?" she murmured, instinctively gripping the cloak around her. "It must be Aton…"
Kael turned toward her, looking at her seriously.
Ayperi floated nervously in front of Love’s face.
> "I told you, little lost one! Trouble everywhere you step. Now we have to run!"
Kael didn’t waste a second.
> "Hey, you! Move those sails! We don’t have an hour, we’ve got minutes!"
he shouted to his men, who began running frantically across the deck of the Fury of the North.
Love hurried toward the ship with Ayperi, as Kael continued giving orders.
The waves were crashing against the dock with increasing force, and the rain had turned into a liquid wall that made it hard to see clearly.
On the other side of the dock, an imposing figure made its way through the crowd.
Aton moved slowly but decisively, his cold eyes scanning every face.
His black cloak was soaked, but it seemed to be part of the storm itself, an extension of his menacing presence.
The soldiers following him moved swiftly, pushing anyone out of their way.
Love threw one last glance behind her.
> "We can’t get caught,"
she said, her voice trembling to Kael, who pushed her toward the ship.
> "We won’t," Kael replied decisively. "Not if I can help it."
The gangplank was raised as soon as Love boarded, and Kael immediately took the helm, shouting to his men to release the moorings.
A soldier from Aton reached the dock, but the ship pulled away just in time.
With a sudden push of wind, the Fury of the North pulled away from the port, as a flash of lightning illuminated the furious face of the emissary.
From the ship’s deck, Ayperi turned toward Love.
> "You know, little lost one, if I make it through this, I swear I’ll ask for a raise. Oh, wait, I’m not paid..."
Love ignored it, her eyes fixed on the horizon as the Fury of the North faced the fury of the sea.
Thank You for Reading!
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Teo