The sun peeked timidly through the rubble of the old abandoned house as Krau stood up, adjusting the rickety armor he had stolen from the duke.
The shadows of night had dissipated, but tension still hung heavy in the air.
A few steps away, Liria was awake, sitting against the wall, wrapped in the worn cloak Krau had thrown her the night before.
Her eyes fixed on him, unwavering.
"I'll go with you."
Krau glanced at her sideways as he adjusted the buckle on his belt.
"No. Go back where you belong. This isn't for you."
Liria didn't blink.
"It's my mission. Master Corvus sent me with you."
Krau sighed.
"Then disobey. You'll be better off."
But she didn't give in.
She walked up to him.
"If you're going to hunt that madman, I'm coming with you."
Krau didn't respond immediately. He just picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
Liria took a step forward.
"I'm not a helpless novice."
Krau snorted softly.
"Then what were you last night?"
"Different. I was attacked treacherously."
Silence fell for a moment.
Krau shrugged and walked through the door without waiting for a reply.
Liria followed him without hesitation.
Hours later, among the crowded streets...
The hustle and bustle of the city made the journey more difficult.
The voices of merchants filled the air, children ran between the stalls.
But Krau kept walking.
At his side, Liria kept pace, her expression calm.
"Hey," she said suddenly, "since I'm your companion... we could take a break."
Krau didn't even turn his head.
"You're not my companion."
"How cruel... And here I am, faithfully following you."
Krau exhaled in annoyance.
"What do you want?"
"Clothes. So I don't have to keep walking around half-naked in your old cloak."
Krau blinked.
"And how is that my problem?"
Liria smiled mischievously.
"If you don't accompany me, I'll say you forced me to walk like this. And I'll scream."
Krau stopped for the first time in the entire journey.
He looked at her silently.
"You can't be serious."
Liria raised an eyebrow.
"Who do you think they'll believe, the beautiful, outraged novice or the gloomy, exhausted man?"
Krau closed his eyes in frustration.
"Damn it."
Liria smiled triumphantly.
"So we'll go buy clothes. Good, good..."
Krau sighed, resigned.
"What kind of novice are you..."
Later, after getting the clothes...
"You have your clothes now. Now go."
Liria stretched contentedly.
"I never said I was leaving."
Krau massaged his temple, exhausted.
Liria took a coin out of her pocket.
"Let's make a deal. If it's heads, I'll go with you. If it's tails, I'll leave."
Krau looked at her in disbelief.
"A coin will decide my company?"
"It's fair, isn't it?"
He exhaled.
"Fine. Heads."
Liria smiled and tossed the coin into the air.
It spun.
It landed in her palm.
Tails.
Liria smiled smugly.
"Tails. I win."
Krau muttered under his breath.
"You've got beginner's luck."
What he didn't notice was that the coin had tails on both sides.
Liria hid the truth, putting the coin in her bag as they continued on their way.
As evening fell, near a stream...
The fire crackled slowly as Krau sharpened his sword.
Liria watched him silently.
"What about the letter I gave you?" she finally asked.
Krau took the crumpled paper out of his bag.
He held it for a few seconds.
Liria waited silently.
He looked at it one last time...
And threw it into the fire.
Liria blinked, surprised.
"What did it say?"
Krau kicked the log, stoking the flames.
"I don't know. I didn't read it."
Silence returned.
The fire devoured the paper until only ashes remained.
That same night, far away...
The walls of Molvar burned under a moonless sky.
The creatures of dust ravaged the streets, reducing everything to ashes and screams.
Amidst the chaos...
A warrior remained standing.
His armor cracked, his cloak in tatters.
His sword trembled in his hands.
But his faith kept him standing.
He ran.
The villain watched him calmly.
The blade was aimed straight at his chest.
And then...
A scream.
A little girl.
Calling for her mother.
The warrior turned his head, just for a second.
Just one second.
But it was enough.
The beasts caught up with him.
His sword fell to the ground with a dull thud.
The villain advanced slowly.
"The Goddess Kise will welcome you with open arms."
The creatures surrounded him, devoured him.
His body sank into the shadows.
And then...
Nothing.
Only ashes.
Molvar no longer had protectors.
The villain kept walking, letting the flames light his way.