"The liege of wishes?" Havasu repeated, clearly puzzled.

"Yes..." the woman confirmed quietly.

Aster leaned in close to Havasu and whispered, "Ruler, do you really believe her? It sounds like a foolish trick to me."

Havasu nodded slightly, then turned back to the woman. "Let me ask you again—where is this 'liege of wishes'?"

"I can’t tell you that," she replied, her voice firm.

"And why not?" Havasu pressed.

"Just... I can’t," she insisted, her tone growing strained.

Aster scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "Everything you’ve said... it's just an excuse to cover up your crimes. If anything, it makes you selfish. You're nothing more than a killer using hollow justifications."

The woman's fists clenched, her voice trembling with rage. "I am not selfish!" she shouted, her composure cracking. "I did it because I had to... because it was the only way to get what I want."

"And what is it you want so badly?" Aster pressed, eyes cold and unyielding. "What could possibly justify the blood on your hands?"

Her anger fading into something almost fragile. "I... I want to bring her back," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Someone I loved... someone I lost. The liege promised me that wish, and it’s the only way."

Aster chuckled darkly. "And we're supposed to believe that?" His tone was laced with sarcasm.

Zander, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "Maybe... maybe she’s telling the truth."

Aster turned on him with a harsh glare. "Don’t be so foolish, Zander," he snapped. "You should never trust the words of someone who’s killed in cold blood."

"But," Zander countered, his voice steady, "what if it’s not that simple? People do desperate things for reasons we don’t understand."

Aster scoffed. "Desperation doesn’t justify murder. It only proves she’s willing to trample over others to get what she wants."

Havasus said "Enough talk. Take her to the cell. I'll decide what to do with her later."

Aster: "Right away, my ruler." He lifts the woman in the white robe and carries her to the cell within the palace.

Leo remarks, "You know, you didn’t even ask for her name."

Havasu narrows his eyes. "What purpose would her name serve in this situation?"

Leo stood in silence.

Havasu sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine, fine. I’ll ask her when I have the chance. In any case, thank you both for your help."

Zander nodded, offering a casual smile. "No problem."

Havasu smirked. "As a reward, I have something waiting for you outside. Go take a look."

Zander and Leo exchanged curious glances before rushing out of the palace. Their eyes widened in delight as they saw two beautiful, caramel-colored steeds waiting for them, their coats gleaming under the sun.

"Our camels!" Zander shouted with excitement, practically bouncing on his heels. Both of them hurried forward, hands eagerly running over the animals' soft fur.

Leo grinned, patting his camel’s neck. "Sturdy and strong... just what we need."

Zander leaned against his camel, already forming a bond. "I’ll name mine Sage," he announced proudly.

Leo stroked his camel’s nose. “I guess I’ll name it Serenity. It means calmness... something we could use more of,” he added with a chuckle.

As they admired their new companions, Aster emerged from the palace, a look of relief on his face. “Thank you both. With the killer finally captured, the city can rest easy again.”

“You’re welcome, Aster,” Zander replied.

Aster began to walk away but paused, turning back with a furrowed brow. “Zander, when we were fighting that monster, I saw you in that form, carrying Leon back to the city. Where did you take him?”

Zander rubbed the back of his neck, thinking. “Oh, right. My clone was the one running back to the city with him. The guards saw he was hurt and took him to a healing temple.”

Aster’s eyes narrowed. “Healing temple? You mean the medical temple to the north of the city?”

“Yeah, that’s the one, I think,” Zander replied, shrugging. “At least, I hope so.”

Aster sighed in relief, but there was still a hint of concern in his eyes. “I’ll make sure he’s receiving proper care. Thank you again, Zander. I owe you both.”

With that, Aster turned on his heel, heading toward the temple to check on Leon’s condition.

Leon lay on the bed, bandages wrapped around his wounds. His face was pale, but his eyes brightened when Aster walked through the door.

“Aster, you're here,” Leon said, his voice weak but filled with relief.

Aster gave a small smile, crossing his arms. “Leon, it's good to see you’re still hanging in there.”

Leon chuckled softly, though it turned into a wince. “Yeah, me too. Figured I’d be a goner this time. So... what happened to that killer?”

Aster's expression darkened slightly. “We’ve captured her. She’s locked up in a cell now.”

Leon nodded slowly, a flicker of relief in his eyes. “Good... the city can finally breathe again.”

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

He squinted at Aster, concern written on his tired face. “Aster, you look... upset.”

Aster quickly shook his head. “No, I’m not upset.”

“You are,” Leon insisted, trying to sit up despite the pain. “I can see it—your face is dark, and you don’t look all that great.”

Aster’s shoulders slumped, and he turned his gaze to the floor. “I... I know. It's just...” He hesitated, clenching his fists. “Seeing you like this... it makes me feel helpless. I wish I was stronger.”

“Stronger?” Leon raised an eyebrow, wincing a bit from his injuries.

“Yeah,” Aster admitted. “If I was stronger, I could’ve taken down that monster on my own. You wouldn’t be lying here, hurt like this. I wouldn’t have had to rely on Zander... and maybe you’d still be alright.”

Leon couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound soft but genuine. “Damn, Aster... that’s really something. You always come off as this tough, unbreakable guy. I never thought I’d see you like this—being... vulnerable.”

Aster looked away, his jaw clenched tight. “I’m only human, Leon,” he muttered. “I just don’t show it often.”

Leon smiled weakly, his voice softer now. “Well, for what it’s worth... it’s good to know you actually care. But don’t beat yourself up over it. You did your best.”

The door creaked open, and Zander and Leo stepped inside.

Leon’s eyes widened slightly. “Zander, Leo... you’re here.”

Aster turned to them, his brow furrowed in confusion. “I thought you two had left.”

Zander tilted his head, puzzled. “Why would you think that?”

Aster shrugged, glancing away. “I mean... you both got your reward. I figured you’d take it and move on.”

Zander smiled lightly. “Oh, no. We’re planning on sticking around for a while.”

Leo stepped forward with a grin. “Yeah, I could use a bit of a break after that fight earlier. I’ve earned some rest... and this city isn’t half bad once it’s not under attack.”

Aster couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, relief washing over his face. “I’m glad to hear that. We could use a few extra hands around here, especially now.”

Zander moves to the other side of the bed. "How are your wounds, Leon?"

"They still hurt," Leon replies, wincing slightly. "But I can feel myself getting a bit stronger after a while.”

Leo noticed a peculiar bell sitting next to Leon. He picked it up curiously. “What’s this little thing?”

“That’s just a bell, Leo,” Zander said, raising an eyebrow. “Hey, Leon, can we ring it?”

“No, hand it back,” Leon responded firmly.

Reluctantly, Leo returned the bell to him. “Why not? What’s so special about it?”

Leon cradled the bell carefully. “This is a very sacred item, passed down to me by my father. It’s called the Zahabiya Bell.”

“What’s it do?” Leo asked, intrigued.

“The bell grants me immunity to any type of powerful wind,” Leon explained. “But it comes with a downside—it has a cooldown period.”

“A cooldown?” Zander repeated, puzzled.

Leon nodded. “Yes. Once I ring it, I have to wait for it to recharge before I can use its power again.”

Zander and Leo stood quietly, listening to Leon’s explanation. After a moment, Leon licked his dry lips, a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

“Hey, could you guys get me some water? I’m feeling a bit parched,” he asked.

“Got it,” Zander replied. He quickly created a clone, who nodded and dashed off to fetch water for Leon.

Leo furrowed his brow in confusion. “How do you even do that?”

“Do what?” Zander asked, tilting his head.

“Ordering your clone around like that,” Leo clarified.

“Oh, that? Well, he’s... me,” Zander replied with a shrug.

“As in...?” Leo pressed, still not quite understanding.

Leo’s eyes widened as he processed Zander’s explanation. “Wait, so you’re telling me that when you make a clone, it’s you—but just in a different body?”

Zander nodded, his expression calm as if explaining a simple fact. “Yeah. It’s like creating a second me. The clone doesn’t just mimic my actions—it’s a real extension of me. It can think on its own, make decisions, and carry out tasks as if I were doing them myself.”

Aster leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. “So, does that mean you could technically create... hundreds of you?”

Zander smirked, his tone casual. “Yeah, I’ve used it in many of my battles. Crazy thing is, I don’t feel weaker when I use them, but even stronger.”

Leo’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Stronger? How does that even work?”

Zander shrugged, a slight grin on his face. “I don’t fully understand it either, but when I create a clone, it's like I’m sharing my energy with them, and somehow, it amplifies my power. I can take on more without feeling drained. It’s like... a flow, I guess.”

“Who taught you all this?” Leon asked, his voice full of curiosity.

“My master, Zen, the Monk of the Four Cardinal Directions,” Zander replied.

“The Monk of the Four Cardinal Directions!” Leon and Aster exclaimed in unison, their eyes wide with surprise.

“Who is this monk?” Leo asked, leaning in with interest.

“He is a sacred monk who was preserved in death for centuries,” Leon explained, his voice calm but reverent. “He even went toe-to-toe with one of the gods. I believe his name was Vatrolius, God of Fire.”

Aster nodded, his expression serious. “Zen was a legend. He fought Vatrolius in a battle that shook the heavens. They say Zen’s power was unmatched, and the gods themselves feared him. But in the end, he chose to transcend the world and live in solitude, locked away in eternal rest... until now.

"Wow, I did not know all that about Master Zen," Zander thought within his mind, his brow furrowing as his thoughts danced upon the revelation.

"Where is he now, Zander?" said Aster

Zander scratches his head. "He’s upon a great mountain. But I don't really remember which mountain.?”

Moments passed and the clone rushed back into the room, holding a cup of water. “Got it,” he said, handing it to Leon.

Leon took a deep sip, his eyes widening in surprise. Suddenly, he sprang out of bed with newfound energy.

“Whoa, Leon! Take it easy!” Aster exclaimed, startled by the sudden burst of strength.

“I... I don’t know what just happened,” Leon said, looking at his hands in disbelief. “I feel incredible!”

"Clone, where did you get this water?" Zander inquired.

The clone, with a casual shrug, answered, "That Barto guy... he’s outside, selling it in the city."

Aster raised an eyebrow, his voice thick with disbelief. "Barto, the water carrier? What kind of water does he have that’s worth your attention?"

Leon grinned, his energy evident as he flexed his arms. "I don’t know, but whatever it is, I feel fantastic."

Leo tilted his head, a thought bubbling to the surface. "I wonder what that water tastes like. It seems to have some kind of... effect."

Zander chimed in, a playful glint in his eyes. "Yeah, we’ve had his water before. It tasted incredible, like nothing you’ve ever tried."

The clone grinned, its eyes gleaming with mischief. "I can get more if you want," it offered nonchalantly.

Zander raised an eyebrow, his tone curious yet slightly reproachful. "How did you get it anyway, Clone?"

"I stole it," the clone replied, unfazed.

"Without getting caught? That's impressive," Zander remarked, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

Aster shook his head, his voice stern. "You know stealing is prohibited in the city, right?"

Zander’s expression dropped slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his face. But then, in a matter-of-fact tone, Aster said, "But I honestly don’t care. I’ve stolen before. Right, Leon?"

Leon nodded, his grin widening. "Yeah, me too. Stole right from the ruler’s vault once." He chuckled, remembering the thrill. "Got away clean, too."

"Have you ever stolen anything, Leo?" Zander asked, eyes narrowing with curiosity.

Leo let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "Yes," he said, patting the massive blade on his back. "I took this sword from a corpse. It wasn't using it anymore, so I figured, why let it go to waste?"

Zander blinked three times, taken aback, then nodded slowly. "That... that's actually pretty cool," he admitted.