The scene unfolds in Eli's tavern, where she is being healed by the magic of the wood elf, while a human sorcerer tends to the ghoul guard. Meanwhile, Joe stands quietly before Eli.

Tears filled Eli’s eyes as she spoke. “After we stole your money, the people we trusted turned against us, betraying us to our enemies. We lost everything, except for your funds. We wandered from place to place until we found a daring thief from the Black Cloud Guild. He agreed to solve our problem for a steep price. With your money and the last of our resources, he kept his word, and we earned our freedom—poor, but alive.”

Joe, speaking with a calmness that cut through the room, replied, “Turning to the Black Cloud Guild, despite your feelings toward them, shows how desperate you were.”

In the background, Foty was chatting with the three ghouls, casually munching on an apple one of them had given her. Eli continued, her voice steady. “And then, can you believe it? A devil-woman with enormous horns—kind, of all things—helped my father and me. She gave us this tavern without asking for a single coin before she disappeared. She didn’t look like a noble, but her calm voice and striking beauty hinted at high birth. Who else would just hand over a tavern out of pity?”

Joe nodded, perhaps understanding more than Eli realized. She continued, “Foty’s father died three years ago. We never knew what illness took him. Despite the money from this tavern, no healer could figure it out—not even a spellcrafter from the sorcerers' kingdom. Foty never got to know her father. We had wealth, but for the first time, it meant nothing.”

The wood elf gently patted Eli's back and offered a soft smile. "Take it easy, Eli. You need to rest for a while now," she said.

Eli nodded, then turned to Joe. "We're struggling with money right now. All of it is going towards taxes or my father's expensive medication. That’s why I couldn’t pay you. Even if he were healthy, we’d still owe you a lot. It’s going to take us a long time to start repaying the stolen funds."

Joe gazed at her, his eyes flickering with a storm of emotions—regret, anger, betrayal, sadness, happiness, and disgust. He was unsure of what to feel. Was he happy about his enemies' misfortunes? Angry about their betrayal? Saddened by the suffering of the less fortunate? Or disgusted by their true nature?

After a brief pause, Joe spoke. "Your daughter has repaid the debt, freeing you from it. But there’s one thing I need to know, and you can save me some time. Where is Cetus, your father?"

Eli met his gaze, her bruised right eye narrowing. "So you can kick the shit out of him?"

Joe’s expression remained cold. "I’m going to find him either way. If you tell me now, it’ll make the chances of me not chopping off his head a bit bigger. So, speak."

Eli hesitated, biting her lip. Just then, Foty approached, her face bright. "Uncle Joe, you want to see my grandpa? I can tell you!"

Joe grinned at her. "Good girl! Where can I find him?"

Foty beamed and began to sing in her angelic voice while dancing and jumping playfully:

"Near the fountain, before the tower so tall,

Where a candy shop stands, inviting all.

Three steps from the ghoul, cleaning

with glee,

Morning or night, a happy sight to see.

Three houses down, an elf baking with care,

And there, in his small home, my grandpa's lair.

Coughing, yet smiling, he waits with a grin,

Three steps from the dwarf with a generous chin."

Joe applauded as Foty took a playful bow. "I enjoyed the song. Are you perhaps a talented girl?" he remarked.

Blushing, Foty leapt joyfully and replied, "I have to remember! I must remember my grandpa so I can visit him!"

Joe gently patted her head. "Thank you," he said softly.

He unzipped his backpack and took something out. Kneeling before her, he placed three golden coins in her small hands. "Thank you for the song. Always strive to be a good girl and remain honest with those who trust you. Aim to excel without boasting, and show respect and kindness, allowing others to either live by your standards or leave you be. Be a loving daughter, and never forget the importance of your mother and father—they are your guiding light."

Foty listened carefully, then accepted the coins and planted a sweet kiss on Joe's forehead. He embraced her and whispered, "Wishing you a wonderful life, Foty."

With that, Joe stood up and exited the tavern, leaving Foty to leap onto Eli with joy, exclaiming, "Mama, I can buy you a cake!"

Eli grinned as she embraced her daughter. Meanwhile, the two humans approached the counter, leaving 12 silver coins before departing. The three ghouls followed suit—one placed a golden coin, another added 5 silver coins, and the last contributed 3 silver coins before they all left.

At the entrance, the humans nodded before departing, while the ghouls called out, "See you in a week, Eli!"

Eli felt a wave of relief and joy—this money would go a long way in easing her financial burdens. The ghoul guard and the elf pitched in to help her clean the tavern, while Foty sat contentedly with her book.

Ten minutes later, the dwarf scholar descended the stairs, rubbing his weary eyes. Surveying the scene of the chaotic tavern being cleaned up, he blinked in confusion and muttered, "Was there a storm through here?"

Eli smiled and replied, "Just another typical day at the Thieves' Tavern."

After a lengthy journey, Joe found himself standing before the grand entrance to the capital of Renolva. The night wrapped the city in darkness, with only the flickering glow of the guards' lanterns illuminating the scene. Massive stone walls towered before him, thick and imposing, offering formidable protection. Guards patrolled the ramparts, their elevated position giving them a clear view of the surroundings. The walls were so broad that three guards could walk side by side without difficulty.

The gate was made of sturdy steel, its surface etched with intricate magical inscriptions. Should the chains fail, the sorcerers had the power to manipulate the doors, opening or closing them at will. Besides the main entrance on the southern side where Joe stood, there was another gate to the north of the capital.

Even in the dead of night, Joe could recall the city's vastness. It was as he remembered—grand and intimidating, dwarfing Daekrahm city at three times its size. Ten towers dotted different sections of the city, each serving as a watch post. Though small, housing only two guards each, the towers provided an extensive view of the city from above—a harrowing duty for those with a fear of heights.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The capital also housed three larger guard posts strategically placed throughout the city. These were much bigger than those in other cities, holding a significant number of guards due to the capital’s importance as the king's main residence.

The capital also serves as the face of the Renolva kingdom, much like other capitals that play a vital political role in representing their respective realms. Like the demons, who were caught off guard by the witches' assault on their kingdom yet managed to keep their capital unscathed.

Both Renolva's people and neighbouring kingdoms recognized the demons' remarkable resilience in repelling such a fierce attack. This underscores the capital's critical importance in the broader political landscape, acting as a symbol of strength and endurance of the kingdom and its people.

Renolva’s capital was a bustling hub, with numerous streets packed with merchants, shops, two universities, and people hurrying about their daily routines. The streets were a melting pot of races—beastmen, lizardmen, elves, dwarves, ghouls, wizards, witches, and adventurers, each absorbed in their own world. A drunk fighter once joked that it was a city known for good wine and the variety of lives it held.

Joe paused briefly, calming his breath before approaching the guards at a nearby post. "Greetings, my friends," he said, his voice steady. "Who's in charge of the entry fees here?"

One of the guards nodded. "That would be me, sir. Please, follow me."

With that, Joe entered the capital. Despite the late hour, the city buzzed with activity. He made his way toward the eastern part of the city, heading for one of the ten towers near a fountain.

Upon reaching it, Joe glanced at the fountain, then murmured to himself as he spotted a nearby candy shop. "Just as Foty said—clever girl. This is the only tower with a fountain nearby." His gaze lingered on the fountain. *The fountain came first, and then they built the towers, demolishing homes in the process. But this fountain stayed, treasured by the people as the one Salina, the hero, drank from before battle.*

He approached the fountain, its water sparkling in the moonlight, clear and pristine. Joe sighed. "In the end, it’s just a fountain."

Moving on, he walked past the candy shop, where a ghoul sat inside, happily absorbed in a book. Continuing further, Joe passed three houses and noticed a bakery. Even at this late hour, a young elf was chatting with a customer, offering them beautifully crafted bread.

Joe paused as he reached a small house. Memories flooded his mind, sharp and overwhelming. He could see Cetus in his thoughts, holding a dagger in one hand while embracing Eli with the other, both of them smiling at him. Joe's face in the memory remained unreadable.

After a deep breath, Joe stepped up to the door and knocked. The silence that followed felt heavy, his emotions conflicted as he waited for an answer.

Finally, the door creaked open, revealing an old man. Joe stared at him, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and hesitation as he spoke, "Cetus?"

The old man, his head crowned with white hair, bore two prominent scars—one over his left eye, the other on his forehead. His mouth was missing several teeth, and his face bore the unmistakable marks of illness and age. His frail arms and hands seemed even more fragile for a man of his years. He squinted at Joe and spoke in a voice tinged with exhaustion, "Is... that you... Joe?"

Joe stared at Cetus in silence, watching as the old man slowly extended his right hand to gently touch Joe’s shoulders and face. Just by looking, Joe realized that Cetus was blind, his sight lost long ago. Tears welled up in Cetus's eyes, and with a voice heavy with sorrow, he whispered, "Look at what’s become of me... I’m so sorry... Please, forgive me... SON! I can’t bear this any longer!"

Cetus held Joe’s face in both hands, while Joe gripped his shoulders, speaking softly, "Cetus, let’s go inside. It’s cold out here, and you need to rest."

Still holding Cetus's left shoulder, Joe guided him inside the house. Together, they slowly made their way toward Cetus's room. Tears streamed down Cetus's face, while Joe glanced around the aging house, noting its unstable walls and the cramped kitchen that seemed suited for just one person. The walls were adorned with drawings of Cetus and Eli, reminders of Foty's regular visits to her grandfather.

When they reached the bed, Joe carefully helped Cetus sit down comfortably, then took a seat on an old chair across from him.

Joe reached into his backpack, pulled out a piece of cloth, and handed it to Cetus to wipe his tear-streaked face. In a gentle voice, he remarked, "To fall from the days when you were known as the Black Phantom... life is strange and unpredictable, isn’t it?"

Cetus said nothing, but nodded as memories of the past flooded his mind, recalling the highs, the lows, and the many adventures he had lived.

Cetus had once been a strong and powerful thief, capable of taking on any difficult mission or navigating the toughest paths. His strength and confidence had been unmatched. But now, as he reflected on his younger self, he was filled with a deep sadness—perhaps not just mourning the loss of his former strength, but also grappling with regret over the choices he'd made along the way.

Joe interrupted Cetus's thoughts, his voice calm but firm. "I came here today seeking revenge, but as tempting as it was, I believe what you've been through is punishment enough. Wouldn't you agree, Cetus?"

Cetus nodded, his gaze dropping to the bed. "And Eli? Did you harm her?" he asked quietly.

Joe turned to him and replied, "Eli's tough. A few bruises won't stop her from doing what she needs to."

Joe smiled faintly as Cetus let out a weak chuckle, which quickly turned into a fit of coughing. Joe gently patted his back, offering comfort. "Take it easy, old man. I'm not going anywhere."

After a few rough coughs, Cetus adjusted his posture and apologized, "Sorry, son. I’m a shadow of the man I used to be."

Joe observed him thoughtfully. "I'm not sure this medicine is doing much for you."

Cetus gave a slow nod. "It helps with the pain that keeps me awake most nights."

Joe's curiosity deepened. "Most nights? What about the others?"

With a heavy sigh, Cetus turned to face Joe, his expression full of regret. "I spend those nights haunted by 'what-ifs.' What if I had stayed by your side? What if I hadn’t run when you needed me? Why did I abandon the one person, other than my daughter, who cared for me like a father? Regret is a cruel companion, Joe. It preys on us when we’re most vulnerable. Don’t let it consume you—you're a kind soul."

Joe met Cetus’s gaze, and though Cetus could no longer see him, his words were clear and direct. "I’ve heard the stories about your battle with the ghouls, your name, your reputation. They say you’ve done good, Joe. People talk about your kindness, even in this world full of men like me."

Joe nodded, absorbing Cetus's words not just with his ears but with his heart. His voice was heavy with regret as he admitted, "But I can’t shake the guilt. My heart always aches. For the young ghoul I killed in Daekrahm City, for striking Eli, for breaking the White Fang’s knee… I feel guilt for all of it, Cetus. Even when it’s bad people, it still weighs on me. What can I do?"

Cetus nodded solemnly, his frail hands gripping Joe’s shoulders. "May you find better answers than I did, for a kind soul like yours," he said softly. "And may the world be kinder to you, for you’ve shown kindness to it."

The next morning, Joe prepared eggs, filling the room with the warm, savoury scent. He set a small goblet of honey and a plate of eggs on the table.

Afterwards, Joe helped Cetus to the table, where they sat together, eating and talking.

Cetus, between bites, remarked, "And you tried to kill the priest?"

Joe chuckled, "Yory did. I just wanted to strangle him!"

They shared a laugh, continuing to exchange stories as they finished their meal. When it was over, Joe helped Cetus back to his bed, making sure he was comfortable. Cetus looked at Joe with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, son. What will you do now, Joe? Now that you're in the capital?"

Joe fell silent for a moment, considering his response. "I’ll reunite with my father... reconnect with my family. Life is short, Cetus, and the next battle could be my last. I need to make sure I leave no words unspoken and no regrets behind."

Cetus nodded in understanding. Joe stood, ready to leave, and offered his farewell. "Cetus, I say goodbye to you. May time treat you kindly, my old friend."

Cetus grasped Joe’s hands one last time. "Thank you, son. For everything."

With a soft smile, Joe slung his backpack over his shoulder and stepped out of the house, closing the door gently behind him as he set off toward his next destination.

Inside, Cetus shifted on the bed, hoping to catch some sleep before Eli and Foty visited later that day. A smile crept across his face at the thought of their reunion.

But then, something unexpected happened. He sensed an unfamiliar weight atop his covers. Sitting up slowly, Cetus reached out and felt around until his hands brushed against a small bag. With practised fingers, he opened it and began to explore its contents.

Inside were silver coins—and thirty gold coins. Though he was blind, Cetus had long learned to distinguish the differences between gold, silver, and copper by the subtle markings each bore.

Lowering the bag, Cetus brought his trembling hands to his face as tears began to fall. In a frail voice, he whispered, "Bless you and all those like you, Kind Soul... Joe, my son!"