"Look who it is! The cockroach is skirting around the city again!" Said one of the younger gang members and the others snickers.

Erik just kept quiet, he almost remained impassive, aside from his jaw tightening.

Freya sighed. “You guys go ahead with the plan. I’ll catch up.”

"You sure about that, Fee? Leaving ya with this one might be trouble."

“I said I’ll catch up. Now go!” She said with slight annoyance.

The gang members grumbled but made their way into the market. They didn't forget to throw Erik dirty looks and some even spat on the grown. Still, he kept his face expressionless as he watched them go.

When it was just the two of them, he and Freya exchanged a glance before heading toward a side street for a bit of privacy.

When they were alone, both relaxed a little and shared a hug.

“I am sorry I couldn't stay to see you yesterday... what Grade Talent did you Awaken?” she asked, excitement brightening her expression.

Seeing her reaction, a bitter taste rose in Erik’s mouth.

Yet, he also felt a bit touched that it hadn’t even crossed her mind that he might not Awaken a Talent.

“That's alright," he said, then forced a smile and added, "I got a Prominent Talent.”

Erik was proud of himself for keeping his turmoil hidden. Lying to her wasn’t easy, but it only strengthened his resolve. He needed this lie to eventually become the truth.

He’d thought about asking Freya for help as well, but things were even more complicated with her than with Taron, so he decided against it. For now, it was best to keep her in the dark and undertake this alone.

“Yes! I knew it!” She smiled radiantly and hugged him tightly.

“What about you, Fee?” he asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from himself.

She frowned slightly, but then smirked and said proudly, “A Prominent Talent as well.”

“Wow! I’m so happy for you, Fee.” Despite his own situation, he couldn’t help but smile. They had grown up together, and considering everything she had been through, she deserved something good. She deserved to be in control of her life. And getting a Talent with a good Grade would definitely increase her chance to do so.

There were Eight Grades: starting with Ordinary, then Uncommon, Refined, Prominent, Great, Exceptional, Superior and finally Peerless. And if a person actually wanted to achieve something in their life they needed at least a Refined one. With the true elites and those at the top having Prominent or Great ones.

They didn't ask the specifics of their Talents as in normal circumstances it would take each new Rune Bearer, a while to get acquainted with it and actually know what they could do.

“Thank you,” she replied with a somewhat forced smile.

“Erik… let me speak with the others. It might be tough, but I’m sure they’ll come around.” She added this with a hopeful look in her eyes. They had already discussed this... but that was only if Erik had Awakened, as he had hoped.

Bitterness crept back up in him.

“No. I’ve thought about it, but they can’t have their faith in you shaken. They rely on you, and even more so now.” He said this firmly, sounding convincing because he believed it, even if it wasn’t the main reason he refused.

Freya opened her mouth a few times, wearing a troubled expression, but eventually, she said nothing. The silence stretched between them for a moment.

“It’s alright, Fee. Maybe one day we’ll tell them what happened, but it’s not the time yet.”

“Ugh… I just wish they didn’t treat you like this. If they knew what you did for them… what you did for me…” she said bitterly, her voice was full of guilt.

“It’s fine. It doesn’t bother me,” Erik said as lips pursed.

She didn’t seem convinced but played along with it. “So, what now? Are you going straight to the Ulednar? Maybe we can travel together?”

“No, I’m joining the explorer’s guild first. I need the training before I try for the Ulednar. I only have one shot at it. And I’d rather go through the guild, even if that means I’ll have no backing. At least I’ll keep my freedom," he said.

Which was what he had decided on... if everything had gone well.

Then his brain caught up with her last question, "wait... travel together? Where are you going?”

“We’re planning to head to the capital to try our luck. There’s a lot more opportunity there than here.”

“Oh…” They both realized they would likely part ways for a long time.

“When are you leaving?”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“There's a caravan that will be arriving in the city soon and it will leave in a fortnight. We will go with them. I was actually going to see you tonight and ask if you wanted to join us.”

“Right…”

"That reminds me. Word has reached me that a noble scion from one of the major clans has come to the city. Make sure you stay clear of him, you know how they are..." Freya said.

The imagine of the one Erik encountered flashed through his mind.

A noble scion? So he isn't a Rune Bearer, yet.

"By any chance is it the clan with a blue crest with a snow fox?"

"Yes, why? Have you already gotten in trouble with them?" Her voice raised slightly in alarm.

"N-no! Just caught a glimpse of them in the city."

"Oh, alright... my contacts told me that the scion is on some sort of mission that has to do with a Whisper in the area. They scoured the explorer's guild and the library apparently looking for any information about it and also anything to do with the founder of Skulheim."

"Do you know why they were looking into it?"

"No idea..." Freya shook her head.

I should probably ask her about Awakenings inside Whispers? She is the person I know that knows the most about them.

"Maybe he is looking to enter one for a Talent?"

"Are you mocking me? You never believe in those legends before."

She then playfully punched him on the shoulder.

"No-no I would never! But it is strange that a scion will come all the way here looking for some Whisper, maybe there is some truth to it. Have you come across anything about how it happens?"

Freya seemed a little skeptical about his sudden change of mind, but answered nonetheless.

"Hmm... I never managed to find out what triggers the process and many of the details are obscure." She said with a frown, but then an enthusiastic spark danced its way into her eyes.

"However all the accounts say that it begins immediately upon entry. Then there is period where the Talent runes gather essence and slowly take full form. But to complete the process a person has to actually leave the Whisper." She pursed her lips and her face became thoughtful. "Aside from this I couldn't find anything else about what happens. The rest just seems like complete hearsay."

I hope it's not an issue that I am doing it alone. If it's the entry point of a Whisper, it should be safe.

"Maybe the noble knows more about it, but it still seems crazy to me. Why would anyone do it?" he said, trying to mask his newfound curiosity.

She rolled her eyes, "I told you before. This is the way to Awaken the best Talents."

"Then maybe you should have attempted it," Erik joked with her.

"Y-yeah..." Freya shifted uncomfortably.

Then an awkward silence stretched on between them.

She sighed, then added with a smile, “Well, I know you, and I know you won’t stay here for long. So when you make it to the capital, promise me you’ll come find me before you get into trouble.”

“Of course. Don’t get into trouble, Fee.”

She laughed. “Can’t make that promise.”

She looked like she wanted to say more but hesitated.

Erik wasn’t sure what it was, but he told himself that if he survived, he would ask her about it. For now, he had to go—he needed to get some rest because tomorrow would be a long day.

“I have to go. I still haven’t seen the old man, and I promised to give him the good news as soon as I could,” he said, making up a fake reason to leave, already feeling pressed for time.

“Sure, take care, Erik.”

“You too, Fee.”

They hugged once more before parting ways.

Although he wasn't planning on it, surpassingly Erik was glad that he saw Freya. This might have been his last time to do so...

He headed straight home to pack the rest of his provisions and anything else he might need. By the time he finished, the sun had set. His headache had been intensifying throughout the day, but rushing in the middle of the night was not a good idea. He decided he would enter the Whisper first thing in the morning.

Since it was still early, he decided to actually visit old man Dvalin, and made his way to his house in the graveyard. A gentle night breeze cooled his skin, and moonlight illuminated his path as he wove between the graves along the familiar route.

Erik arrived at a log cabin that looked as though it might fall apart any day, yet it had far more runes on it than any other building in the city, maybe just as many as the explorer's guild. And incense burners hung from every support beam of the roof.

The young man always thought it had more character than any other place. It also gave him a sense of security. The old man had taken extensive measures to keep his place safe.

Erik knocked on the door, and waited quite a while before Dvalin finally appeared. He was taken aback by how tired and disheveled the old man looked, even more so than usual. His long grey beard and hair were unkempt, dark circles hung under his eyes, and his clothes were dirty, carrying a noticeable smell.

“Hey, old man. I came by to check on you and let you know that I got a Prominent Talent… are you alright?”

Dvalin stared at Erik, as if trying to pierce his very soul. He looked both very surprised and oddly angry?

Probably annoyed I didn’t come by yesterday, Erik thought.

“Yes, my boy… all good. Congratulations.” The old man's voice was calm, he paused before adding, “Do you want to come in?”

“Thank you, but I can't tonight… I’m actually really tired, and I have a lot of training to start with tomorrow. I am going to be spending the next few days in the guild.”

Silence settled between them, stretching a bit longer than usual. It made Erik uncomfortable for some reason. But he assumed the fault lay with him, and that his ordeals had put him on edge.

I hope he doesn't notice...

The old man just stared at Erik, as if wrestling with some decision. This unnerved him even more, since he’d never seen Dvalin in such a state. Although the old man was usually eccentric, this was a bit much even for him.

“Are you sure everything is alright?” Erik asked again.

Dvalin waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t overwork yourself. That would be a rookie mistake... are you sure you don’t want to come in? I made loa bird stew.”

Erik felt his vulture rune pulse slightly, and pulled his sleeve down. “No, thank you. But I’ll come back the first chance I get.”

The old man's expression then eased and become impassive, "alright... make sure that you do. Don't forget me lad."

Turning to leave, Erik waved goodbye, his steps a little hurried. Dvalin stood in the doorway, watching until the young man was out of sight.

The trip back to the cabin was quick.

As soon as Erik crossed the threshold of his own doorway, he fell to his knees, overtaken by an intense headache accompanied by a stabbing pain in his chest. Then a ringing in his ears making him completely oblivious to his surroundings. It was as if someone had slapped him over the ears.

By the time it subsided, he was wheezing hard, and sweat dripped into his eyes. Even as the pain dulled, it remained stronger than before.

I’m running out of time.

His sense of urgency grew, but he hesitated, a small part of him feeling reluctant as to what he had to do tomorrow. Despite his exhaustion and desperation to enter the Whisper, a part of him clung to the day. He didn't want it to end. Dreading the moment he’d actually have to do embark on this endeavor.

Sighing, he looked up and saw that he had subconsciously materialized the little vulture. It was perched on the headboard of his bed, watching him. It cawed quietly, as if encouraging him.

He had avoided his parent's figurines because he did not want to face them yet. Not without a Talent. So he focused entirely on his bed.

With effort, Erik crawled to it and collapsed, falling into a dreamless sleep with his cloths on.