The cart carrying Leon creaked along the uneven road, its wooden wheels groaning under the weight of the cargo. In the distance, La’Hara’s towering walls emerged like a jagged crown on the horizon, their gleaming white stone catching the afternoon sun. The city wasn’t just large—it was monumental, its presence commanding the landscape. Beyond the walls, spires and towers stretched toward the heavens, their peaks disappearing into the vast blue sky.
Leon shifted on the cart’s bed, his body stiff and strangely numb. His torso and arms were tightly wrapped in bandages, their rough texture a constant reminder of the injuries he had endured. The pain had subsided into a dull throb, save for his left hand, which occasionally sent sharp, searing jolts up his arm. Each wave of pain made him recoil, clutching at the hand as his breath hitched.
From her place walking beside the cart, the hooded figure glanced at him each time he winced. Her piercing green eyes, glowing faintly beneath her hood, lingered on him with an intensity that made his skin crawl. She said nothing, but her gaze spoke volumes, as though she were silently probing him. When the pain passed, she would look away without uttering a word.
Leon tried to shake off the unease her presence brought, focusing instead on the creaking of the cart and the rhythmic clatter of the horses’ hooves. The sound was steady, grounding, and for a moment, he let himself believe everything was normal.
A gruff voice broke the silence. “I’m glad you’re alive, kid.”
Leon turned his head to see the old merchant at the front of the cart, his weathered face split into a broad smile. His hands gripped the reins loosely, and his posture was relaxed, but his eyes carried a weariness that hadn’t been there before.
“You’re alive,” Leon said, managing a faint smile before wincing again as another jolt of pain shot through his hand.
“Yes,” the merchant replied, chuckling lightly. “One of the horses broke free and dragged me far from the cart that night. Guess it saved my life.”
Leon exhaled softly, relief washing over him. “I’m glad,” he said sincerely.
The merchant’s laughter grew heartier, though it was tinged with something heavier. “Takes more than a monster to do me in.”
Leon leaned back against the cart, letting the relief settle over him like a warm blanket. He had feared the worst, that the merchant had fallen victim to the horrors in the forest. Knowing he was safe felt like a small victory amidst the chaos.
But as Leon’s mind drifted, he realized he was clutching something in his hand. He unfurled his fingers to reveal a piece of ragged cloth, stained with what looked like dried blood. The sight of it brought a sudden rush of emotion—a fleeting image of pale blonde hair and a radiant smile flashing in his mind.
“This…” he murmured, his brow furrowing in confusion. He didn’t remember when he had gotten a hold of it. His thumb brushed over the frayed edges, his heart tightening inexplicably.
“You wouldn’t let it go while I was patching you up,” the hooded woman said, her voice cutting through his thoughts like a blade.
Leon looked toward her, startled. Her expression was as flat as her tone, offering no insight into her thoughts.
“Uhh… I’m sorry to—” Leon began, fumbling for words, but she interrupted him.
“My name is Kayleth,” she said abruptly, her voice steady and direct. “I’m a member of the Mages’ Guild of La’Hara.”
Leon froze. The suddenness of her introduction caught him off guard, and for a moment, he could only stare at her. Her words hung in the air, and he found himself wondering if she had read his thoughts.
Before he could dwell on the thought, a sharp, searing pain tore through his left hand. He recoiled violently, clutching at his wrist as a gasp escaped his lips.
“What—?!”
The pain was unlike anything he’d felt before, an electric shock that radiated through his entire arm. His vision blurred, and for a moment, the world seemed to tilt.
Before he could make sense of what was happening, Kayleth moved. In an instant, she was on the cart, her staff aimed directly at his face. The speed and precision of her movement left him breathless, and her glowing green eyes bore into him with a terrifying intensity.
“What are you?” she demanded, her voice sharp and cold. Her presence was suffocating, the air around her charged with an invisible force that made Leon’s skin crawl.
Leon stared at her, wide-eyed and panicked. “What do you mean?” he stammered, his voice trembling.
Her gaze didn’t waver. The magical glow in her eyes seemed to pierce through him, searching for something hidden deep within. Leon had no doubt she would kill him if his answer displeased her.
“W-Wait now!” the merchant interjected, his voice breaking the tense silence. “Let’s all calm down, big sis. He hasn’t done anything suspicious. It’s normal for him to be in pain after all—”
The merchant’s words faltered as Kayleth turned her gaze toward him. Though her expression didn’t change, the air grew heavier, and the merchant quickly turned his attention back to the road, muttering under his breath.
Leon’s heart pounded in his chest as he watched the exchange. Even the unshakable merchant seemed cowed by Kayleth’s presence. She was an enigma—a force that demanded authority and respect without a single word.
“You’ll be coming with me after we reach the city,” Kayleth said, her tone flat and final.
Leon opened his mouth to protest but quickly closed it. Something told him it would be a mistake to argue.
“I… understand,” he said quietly, his voice trembling.
Kayleth’s intense gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she stepped off the cart, returning to her place beside it. Leon let out a shaky breath, his grip tightening on the ragged cloth in his hand.
The walls of La’Hara loomed closer, their grandeur overshadowing everything else. But Leon’s thoughts remained on Kayleth—the weight of her words, her probing gaze, and the unanswered questions swirling in his mind.
Leon sat up straighter, his eyes darting from side to side, taking in the bustling countryside. Neat rows of farmland stretched out in every direction, the vibrant greens of sprouting crops swaying gently in the breeze. Small houses with tiled roofs dotted the landscape, smoke curling lazily from their chimneys. Merchants and travelers meandered along the roadside, some stopping at quaint shops or resting near shaded caravans.
The old merchant at the front of the cart leaned over, his weathered face creasing into a grin as he pointed ahead. “Look there, lad.”
Leon followed his gaze, squinting against the sunlight. His eyes locked onto a massive structure rising far above the city walls. The tower was immense, dwarfing the surrounding buildings, and its uppermost section was crowned with a glass-like dome that shimmered with an ethereal, magical glow.
“Is that…” Leon began, his voice trailing off.
“Indeed,” the merchant replied, his grin widening. “It’s a beacon.”
Leon blinked, his mind struggling to comprehend the sheer scale of it. “So they come in this size as well?”
“Not just size,” the merchant said, leaning back with a chuckle. “This one’s the heart of the city. It’s not like those small ones we carried—this beauty keeps all of La’Hara safe. It also powers the magic tools that keep the city running smoothly, from the glowing streetlights to the water systems.”
Kayleth, walking alongside the cart, glanced briefly at their exchange. Leon caught her gaze lingering on him, her green eyes glowing faintly under her hood. She seemed indifferent to the grandeur of the city or the beacon, her attention fixed instead on the boy in the cart. As always, her expression was inscrutable, her thoughts locked away behind her steely demeanor.
Leon’s awe only grew as the cart neared the south gate of La’Hara. A sprawling hub of activity, the gate was flanked by towering statues of armored knights, their weapons raised as if eternally guarding the city. Merchants and travelers formed a long, winding queue, their carts laden with goods waiting for inspection. Guards in polished steel armor, emblazoned with the kingdom’s crest, moved with swift efficiency, checking papers and cargo with practiced precision.
To Leon’s surprise, their cart bypassed the line entirely. Kayleth strode confidently ahead, her staff in hand, and approached one of the guards stationed by the gate. She produced a badge—or perhaps a document, Leon couldn’t quite tell—and with a single glance at it, the guard stepped aside, waving them through without hesitation.
As they passed under the towering archway of the gate, Leon craned his neck to take in the city beyond. The first sight of La’Hara took his breath away.
The streets were paved with perfectly aligned stone blocks, their surfaces so polished they seemed to gleam underfoot. The buildings were a mix of intricate stonework and vibrant wood carvings, their balconies adorned with hanging flower baskets that added bursts of color to the bustling streets below. Beacon-like structures stood at regular intervals, their soft, soothing light casting a gentle glow that seemed to calm the flow of activity.
The people themselves were unlike anyone Leon had ever encountered. Merchants in richly embroidered garments haggled with armored adventurers. Scholars in flowing robes scurried past, clutching stacks of parchment or peculiar instruments. Their polished appearances and confident strides were a stark contrast to the rugged simplicity of the villagers Leon had grown up around.
His eyes drifted upward, drawn to the four massive towers that stood at each cardinal point of the city. Each was capped with a colossal mana beacon just like the one at the center, yet these were a bit smaller in size, their shapes reflecting that of the small ones Leon had become accustomed to, their faint hum filling the air with a soothing, rhythmic pulse. The sight was awe-inspiring.
“They’re incredible, aren’t they?” the merchant said, noticing Leon’s wide-eyed gaze.
He nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. “They must have taken ages to build.”
“They did,” the merchant replied with a knowing chuckle. “But they’re worth every ounce of effort. These towers don’t just keep La’Hara safe—they protect the entire region. Monsters can’t get too close with these beauties watching over us.”
Leon’s chest tightened at the mention of monsters, his thoughts flashing back to the creature they had encountered in the forest. He couldn’t help but wonder if even that horror would have stood a chance against the beacons’ protective light.
As they moved deeper into the city, Leon noticed the pain in his body had almost completely faded. Only his left hand continued to throb, the sharp pangs occasionally shooting up his arm. Each time, he saw Kayleth’s gaze flick toward him, her green eyes narrowing slightly, as though she were studying him.
Finally, the cart came to a halt near a sprawling structure surrounded by a lush, garden-like plaza.
The Mage’s Guild was unlike any guildhall Leon had ever imagined. Instead of the fortified buildings he had heard tales of, this place was serene and inviting. The gardens were meticulously maintained, with hedges trimmed into elegant patterns and vibrant flowers blooming in every corner. Fountains trickled softly, their waters sparkling under the glow of embedded mana stones. The air carried the faint scent of blossoms, a stark contrast to the bustling chaos of the city outside.
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Royal guards patrolled the perimeter, their presence a quiet but commanding reminder of the guild’s importance. The cart stopped near the entrance, and Leon hesitated for a moment before climbing down. His legs wobbled slightly, but he steadied himself, taking in the sheer beauty of the plaza.
As he turned, his gaze fell to the ragged cloth still clutched in his hand. He stared at it, the memories of the forest flashing through his mind—the blood, the desperation, and the faint hope tied to that small piece of fabric. Slowly, he tied it to the hilt of his sword.
Kayleth’s gaze followed his movements.
Turning to the merchant, Leon bowed deeply. “Thank you,” he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
The old man smiled, though a flicker of something heavier passed through his eyes. “Don’t mention it, lad. Without you, I’d have probably…” He paused, his grin faltering for a moment before he shook his head. “Anyway, take care of yourself.”
Leon watched as the merchant climbed back onto his cart and disappeared into the maze of streets, leaving him standing before the Mage’s Guild.
“Come,” Kayleth said simply, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Leon nodded, gripping his sword tightly as he followed her up the stone path.
Kayleth marched ahead, her movements precise and deliberate, as Leon followed closely behind. Leon glanced around, taking in the mesmerizing beauty, but his attention kept returning to Kayleth. She walked with an ease and confidence that contrasted sharply with his own nervous steps, her mage’s robe billowing slightly with each stride.
At the end of the garden path, a wide staircase rose toward the imposing entrance of the guild. The steps were carved from a single, polished slab of pale stone, their edges sharp and gleaming as if untouched by time.
When they reached the towering double doors, Leon froze, his eyes locking onto the intricate carvings that adorned them. Each panel told a story—vivid, lifelike depictions of a robbed figure traversing fantastical landscapes.
In one, the figure stood atop a mountain, conjuring a storm that split the heavens. In another, flames swirled around their feet. Yet, as Leon’s eyes traveled downward, the once heroic scenes grew ominous. A shadowy figure began to emerge, distant at first, but growing closer with each panel. By the final carving, the shadow loomed directly behind the regal figure, claw-like hands outstretched and ready to ensnare.
A chill ran down Leon’s spine. “What does it mean?” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Kayleth paused, casting him a sidelong glance. “It’s not your concern,” she said flatly, her tone offering no room for further questions. She raised her hands, murmuring words in a language Leon didn’t recognize. Light shimmered briefly between her palms before spreading across the door’s surface.
With a groan of ancient wood and stone, the doors began to open, revealing a grandeur that left Leon breathless.
The lobby of the Mage’s Guild was unlike anything Leon had ever seen. The polished stone floor gleamed beneath his boots, reflecting the soft glow of floating mana lights that hovered near the ceiling like ethereal fireflies. Luxurious rugs and ornate furniture filled the space, each piece meticulously crafted from dark woods and accented with gold inlays.
At the center of the room stood a grand desk, perfectly aligned with the main staircase that split into two sweeping flights leading to the upper levels. Above the staircase, a massive chandelier spun lazily in the air.
Above the staircase, a massive chandelier spun lazily in the air, suspended by nothing [https://img.wattpad.com/7f90b14a009c3a8935be22a04413d5357184ba32/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5559465a6f5443664b3374316b513d3d2d313530313736333434332e313830666265376161353132303862653834333036363630333332332e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
“What’s this, what’s this?”
The high-pitched voice snapped Leon’s attention to the desk. A small girl stood atop an oversized chair, her arms spread theatrically as she looked at Kayleth.
Her delicate features were framed by pale blue hair that shimmered like moonlight, cascading down her back. Her dress was equally extravagant, adorned with lace and gemstones that sparkled in the ambient light. Her green eyes glowed faintly as they locked onto Kayleth, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
Leon tensed as her gaze briefly flicked toward him. For a moment, her eyes glowed brighter, and he could feel —a faint pressure, like a whisper at the edge of his mind—before she turned back to Kayleth.
“Why is big sis back so fast?” the girl asked in a sing-song tone, her arms crossing as she pouted dramatically.
“I need you to call the guild master,” Kayleth said immediately, her tone as flat as ever.
The girl tilted her head, her grin widening. “Not even a hello before making demands? Kay never changes,” she teased, wagging a finger playfully.
“This is important,” Kayleth replied, her voice sharp but calm. “Call the guild master.”
The girl huffed, puffing out her cheeks like a petulant child. “Uhuuu, no ‘please’ or ‘how are you today, Lucille?’ You’re so boring, Kay!”
Leon watched the exchange with growing confusion. Kayleth, who had been an immovable force in every interaction he had witnessed, seemed to tolerate the girl’s antics in a way that caught him off guard.
“Lucille,” Kayleth said again, her tone gaining an edge of impatience.
Lucille’s playful demeanor vanished instantly. Her green eyes narrowed, and her smile disappeared as she leaned forward slightly.
“So,” Lucille said, her voice calm and measured, “why have you returned so fast?”
“Like I said,” Kayleth replied, “I have found an anomaly.”
Leon couldn’t help but stare at Lucille, his thoughts racing. Despite her childlike appearance, her sudden change in attitude and composure was unnerving. She couldn’t be older than Lyra, yet there was an authority about her that seemed out of place.
A sharp pain surged through Leon’s left arm, and he winced. The movement caught both Kayleth and Lucille’s attention.
For a tense moment, both sets of glowing green eyes locked onto him, their gazes intense and unrelenting. Leon froze under the weight of their scrutiny, the pain in his arm subsiding as suddenly as it had come.
The silence stretched, thick and heavy, before both women seemed to relax.
Lucille let out a sigh, leaning back in her chair. “I understand,” she said, her voice casual once more. “Unfortunately, the guild master is currently attending to official business at the royal palace. He should return in three days if everything goes as planned.”
Kayleth’s expression didn’t change, but her shoulders stiffened slightly. “Understood,” she said curtly.
Lucille smirked, her playfulness returning in full force. “So, in the meantime…”
“You,” Kayleth said, cutting her off and turning her gaze to Leon. “Follow.”
Lucille watched as they ascended the stairs, her grin widening. “Kay never changes,” she called out with a mocking pout, waving them off.
Leon hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Lucille. Her mischievous grin was back, but her glowing eyes betrayed an intelligence that unsettled him.
He quickly turned back, hurrying to catch up with Kayleth. The sense of unease that lingered from their interaction stayed with him as they climbed the staircase, the opulence of the guild fading into the background of his racing thoughts.
As instructed, Leon followed Kayleth up to the second floor of the building. Her face remained inexpressive as usual, but something about her posture seemed more at ease, almost as if she were in familiar territory.
She stopped abruptly in front of a door and turned toward him.
“You can use this room for now. Get some rest,” she said, her tone flat and efficient.
From the small bag on her hip, she produced a neatly folded set of clothes. Leon’s eyes widened slightly in amazement.
“It must be one of those mage things,” he thought, marveling as she handed him the clothes.
“You can take a bath on the third floor. Afterward, change into these.”
Without another word, she turned and left, leaving Leon standing awkwardly at the door.
When he stepped inside, he froze for a moment. The room was far larger than anything he had ever lived in. The polished wooden furniture and the soft, neatly made bed seemed almost extravagant. Approaching the window, he saw the city bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, the streets below coming alive with the light of small crystals.
Setting his bag on the table, Leon pulled out his sword. The cloth tied around its hilt caught his attention immediately. For a moment, he simply stared at it, the memory of the forest flashing in his mind—the creature, the bloodstained rag, and Lyra’s faint smile.
“Is it hers?” The thought lingered. He wanted to believe she was safe, just as he had planned, but doubt clawed at him. He gently touched the cloth, his fingers brushing the worn fabric.
“I need to know,” he whispered. “If she’s okay… that’s all.”
He placed the sword on the table, the weight of it somehow comforting. Shaking his head, he turned toward the door, determination pushing back the doubt.
“One step at a time,” he muttered to himself. “For now, I need to focus on getting through this.”
Leon followed Kayleth’s instructions to the third floor, the mage’s quiet but commanding presence still lingering in his thoughts. The hallways were eerily empty, the building silent as if no one else occupied its grand space. Eventually, he found the bathroom.
The sight took his breath away. A vast, pool-like bath dominated the room, its surface shimmering with gentle ripples. Steam rose lazily, carrying a soothing warmth, while glowing stones embedded in the walls provided soft, ambient light. Windows on one side opened to a stunning view of the illuminated garden below.
Leon dipped into the heated water, sighing as the warmth enveloped him. For the first time since his journey began, he felt truly relaxed. His muscles loosened, and the aches from the forest encounter seemed to melt away, replaced by a soothing calm that spread through his entire body.
As he leaned back against the edge of the pool, his eyes wandered to the bandages wrapped around his arms and hands. They were still slightly damp from the journey, the edges frayed from wear. Curiosity tugged at him. He flexed his fingers cautiously, noticing how the pain that had plagued him earlier was now almost nonexistent.
Furrowing his brow, Leon began to carefully unravel the bandages, starting at his wrist. The soaked fabric clung stubbornly to his skin, but he peeled it away bit by bit until the injuries beneath were fully exposed.
His breath caught.
The cuts and gashes he had braced himself to see were gone. In their place, faint, silvery scars traced the paths of his wounds, barely visible unless the light caught them just right. The skin looked new, untouched by infection or lingering pain, as though the injuries had been healed days—if not weeks—ago.
“What…?” he murmured, turning his arm to inspect it further. His gaze traveled to his palm, where the shard of the beacon had dug into his skin during the battle. A scar remained there, but it was different from the others. It shimmered faintly, the faintest hue of bluish-white, and the skin around it was slightly darker.
Leon pressed his thumb against the scar, half expecting a surge of pain. Instead, there was only a strange, muted sensation—a tingling warmth that radiated outward, faint but undeniable. He stared at his hand, his thoughts racing.
“This must be her magic,” he whispered to himself, his voice tinged with awe.
Leon frowned, his fingers brushing over the scarred lines on his arms. The memory of the fight flashed in his mind—the shard, the creature, and the strange force that had surged through him. He clenched his fist, his gaze returning to the scar on his palm.
“Why does this one feel… different?”
Shaking his head, he lowered his hand into the water, watching the ripples spread outward. The soothing warmth of the bath eased his tension, but the questions remained, lingering like shadows in the corners of his mind.
“This must be what royalty feels like,” he muttered to himself, leaning back against the edge of the bath.
“Not quite,” came an unexpected, energetic voice.
Leon jolted upright, splashing water as he turned toward the source. A young man with a cheerful grin entered the room and approached the bath. He was tall and lean, with fiery red hair and striking green eyes, an air of casual confidence radiating from him.
“I’m Oryn,” the man said, sliding into the bath and settling across from Leon. “Oryn Fenhall.”
Leon stared at him, momentarily unsure of how to respond. After a beat, he managed, “Uh… I’m Leon. I don’t have a family name.”
Oryn studied him for a moment, his gaze sharp but friendly. “That’s alright, Leon. Around here, family names don’t carry much weight anyways.”
The words put Leon somewhat at ease, though he couldn’t help but remain curious about the stranger. Oryn seemed comfortable, but his energy stood in stark contrast to the stillness of the building.
“I heard Kayleth dragged someone in,” Oryn continued, leaning back with a casual grin. “She’s not exactly known for her patience with strangers. You must’ve made quite the impression.”
Leon gave a small shrug. “I don’t think I impressed her if I’m being completely honest.”
Oryn chuckled softly but didn’t press. Instead, his expression grew more serious as his gaze dropped to Leon’s arms. The scars from the forest fight were faint but still visible.
“So,” Oryn said, his tone shifting, “what happened to you?”
Leon hesitated, glancing down at his own arms. He explained as best as he could.
As the conversation continued, Oryn’s attention shifted, his curiosity sharpening as Leon recounted his experience.
“The thing that attacked us… it really left me in a bad state,” Leon admitted, his voice steady but tinged with lingering unease. “I’m glad Kayleth was there to help. If she hadn’t healed me, I don’t think I would’ve made it.”
Oryn’s eyebrows shot up, and he leaned forward slightly. “Kayleth? Are you sure about that?”
Leon blinked, confused by the question. “Who else could it have been?”
“Kayleth can’t use healing magic,” Oryn said, his voice calm but insistent. “She’s brilliant with elemental spells, but healing isn’t something she’s capable of.”
Leon’s confusion deepened. If it hadn’t been Kayleth, then who—or what—had healed him? The memory of the battle in the forest resurfaced, along with the faint, glowing sensation that had coursed through his body during the fight.
Oryn watched him closely, as though trying to piece something together. Finally, he leaned back with a thoughtful expression.
“Leon,” he said after a pause, “come find me in the morning. There’s something I’d like to confirm.”
Without waiting for a response, Oryn stood and exited the bath, leaving Leon alone with his thoughts.
As he sank deeper into the water, Leon’s mind replayed the conversation. Kayleth’s gaze, Oryn’s curiosity, and the strange circumstances of his survival all blended together in a web of uncertainty..