The wiry man spat on the ground, his crooked grin replaced by a grimace. "This kid’s a curse, I tell ya. Silent as death itself. No screams, no pleading. Makes my skin crawl."

The bandit leader frowned, the scar on his cheek deepening as he glared at Arlen, who sat motionless under a tree, his hollow gaze fixed somewhere beyond the camp. The ropes around his wrists hung loose, yet he didn’t attempt to flee or resist. It was as if he had accepted his fate—or worse, as if he had orchestrated it.

“Enough,” the leader snapped. “We can’t keep him. That merchant’s waiting, and we need to unload.” He motioned to the man standing a few paces away.

The merchant was a stark contrast to the ragged bandits—a broad-shouldered man with a calculating air. His fine cloak and polished boots hinted at wealth and power, but his sharp eyes betrayed a cold, ruthless heart.

"You’ll take the boy, then?" the leader asked, his tone a mix of demand and desperation.

The merchant studied Arlen for a moment, his expression unreadable. "He’s quiet. Obedient, it seems. Fine, I’ll take him—but don’t expect much coin. A child like this isn’t worth much unless I find the right buyer."

Arlen’s gaze shifted briefly to the merchant, then back to the ground. Not a word escaped his lips.

The deal was struck quickly. The bandits handed Arlen over, their relief palpable. They wanted no part in whatever strange aura surrounded the boy. As the merchant’s men led Arlen to one of the large carriages, the boy walked without resistance, his steps steady and deliberate.

The caravan was a fortress on wheels. Massive carriages loaded with supplies and goods creaked under their weight. Hidden compartments housed slaves—some visible, shackled in the open, others concealed behind false walls. The merchant was no ordinary trader; he was a master at navigating the gray areas of law, smuggling people and goods wherever profit called.

Arlen was placed in one of the hidden compartments, surrounded by a few other slaves. The others looked at him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and fear, but Arlen’s hollow eyes offered no answers. His mind was elsewhere, calculating every movement, every word, every opportunity.

The caravan began its long journey to the Empire, the wheels grinding against the earth as the days turned into weeks. Time passed in a blur for Arlen. He spoke to no one, his thoughts his only companions.

---

Ten days later, far from the merchant’s caravan, Arlen’s family arrived at the capital of the Arcane Kingdom.

Mary clutched her shawl tightly around her shoulders, her face pale and hollow. She moved slowly, as if each step cost her what little strength she had left. She hadn’t been the same since that fateful day when the bandits took Arlen. Her appetite had faded, and even the joy of Theo’s accomplishments couldn’t pierce her sorrow.

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They found lodging in a modest inn, its wooden walls creaking with the wind. The family sat in silence around a small table. John rubbed his temples, his jaw clenched as he tried to mask his frustration. Theo fidgeted, his usual energy dampened by the weight of his mother’s grief. Lena sat with her hands folded, her sharp eyes darting between her parents.

“Mary,” John began, his voice low but firm. “You have to eat something. Weakness won’t help us find him.”

Mary didn’t respond. Her gaze remained fixed on the table, her thoughts far away.

Theo finally spoke, his voice small. “Do you think…he’s okay?”

John’s stern façade cracked for a moment, a flicker of pain crossing his face. “We’ll find him, Theo. We will.”

But even he didn’t sound convinced.

The capital bustled outside their window, its streets alive with merchants, guards, and magic users. Yet, within the inn’s walls, the family felt the weight of their loss. Mary’s grief was a wound that wouldn’t heal, and the others bore its scars in silence.

For Arlen’s family, the journey to the capital was supposed to bring hope, but instead, it deepened their sorrow. Little did they know, the boy they mourned was on his own path, far from their reach, his quiet mind shaping a destiny they could never foresee.

Days had passed since the family arrived at Lino, the grand capital of the Arkan Kingdom. The city, alive with the vibrancy of trade and culture, seemed indifferent to the shadows that loomed over them. The family, fractured by Arlen’s absence, moved through the streets like ghosts, weighed down by sorrow.

John tried to rally them. “We can’t let everything stop. Theo’s evaluation is today, and we owe it to him to at least see it through.”

Mary hesitated, her thin frame trembling as she nodded. Lena, ever observant, remained quiet, her sharp eyes darting between her parents.

The Magic Evaluation Center was a marvel of architecture, its towering spires and shimmering banners proclaiming its importance. Inside, families crowded the waiting hall, their chatter and excitement a sharp contrast to the silence of Theo’s family.

When Theo’s name was called, he practically bounced with excitement, his eyes wide with wonder. “Is this where they find out how strong I’ll be? Like in the stories?” His enthusiasm was contagious, but his family could only offer faint, pained smiles.

Guided into an ornate chamber, Theo stood before a glowing orb, the mage in charge explaining its purpose. “Place your hand on the orb, young one. It will reveal your magical potential.”

Theo’s small hand met the smooth surface, and the orb erupted with light, colors dancing in a mesmerizing display. The mage staggered back, his face pale with shock.

“Wait here,” the mage said, hurrying out. He returned moments later with the center’s director, a man whose composed demeanor quickly gave way to awe as he observed the orb.

Turning to John and Mary, the director’s voice brimmed with excitement. “Your son is extraordinary—a prodigy of the highest order. Such potential is rarely seen.”

Theo, oblivious to the weight of the words, turned to Lena with a grin. “Did you hear that? I’m a prodigy!”

Lena patted his head with a faint smile. “Yeah, Theo. That’s something special.”

The director gestured for the family to follow him to a private lounge, where refreshments were served. “Given Theo’s potential, the kingdom itself wishes to support your family. We have been authorized by the capital to provide a grand house here in Lino for you to reside in. It’s part of an initiative to ensure the brightest talents have a stable and supportive environment.

“In addition,” he continued, “John, we’ve secured a position for you within the city, suited to your skills. And both Theo and Lena will be offered full scholarships to the academy. This is an extraordinary opportunity for your family and for the kingdom.”

John listened intently, but his agreement was subdued. “Thank you,” he said after a pause. “This will help while we continue our search for Arlen. We’ll accept your offer, but only to give us the means to keep looking for our son.”

The director’s excitement dimmed momentarily, though he nodded in understanding. “Of course. We hope this will ease some of your burdens as you move forward.”

The family moved into the house a few days later. It was grander than anything they had ever known, with spacious rooms and a lush garden, but it felt hollow without Arlen. John took up his new position, and Lena and Theo thinking for their futures at the academy.

Yet, even with the kingdom’s generosity, the family’s grief remained. Every evening, Mary sat by the window, her hands clasped together as she gazed into the distance, longing for the boy who had vanished from their lives.

And though they had been given everything, they couldn’t shake the feeling that they had lost everything too.