Ethan's gaze drifted, unfocused, as if his mind were still trying to catch up with what was happening. He didn't have a good explanation for the situation—not even for himself. So instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small, finely crafted wooden box. With a soft click, he opened it.
The mont the lid lifted, the contents spilled out in a gentle cascade, scattering across the ground around him.
Tiny trinkets—delicate, intricate, and gleaming with charm. Each one was a miniature marvel, designed with such care and whimsy that they seed to hum with allure. Especially to the two girls standing before him.
"I'm just a traveling rchant," Ethan said calmly, watching their reactions. "Passing through, looking to trade. These are my wares. If anything catches your eye, feel free to take a look."
Despite the raw power radiating from the two girls, there was still sothing unmistakably innocent about them. They didn't question his story. Not even a flicker of suspicion crossed their faces. Their eyes, however, lit up the mont they saw the trinkets.
They crouched down, skirts brushing the ground, and began sifting through the little treasures with childlike fascination.
The items were clearly designed to appeal—glittering charms, tiny chanical puzzles, delicate jewelry that shimred like stardust. It was as if soone had distilled every girlish fancy into a box and handed it to them.
One of the girls held up a small pendant, its gem catching the light. She looked up at Ethan with a bright smile. "Your things are really pretty. I think my mistress would love them. Would you co with us?"
The question caught Ethan off guard.
Before he could answer—
A sudden surge of energy burst from the girls, enveloping him in a pulse of raw power.
With a flick of their wrists, the air tore open like paper, and the world around him twisted.
In the blink of an eye, Ethan found himself standing inside a palace.
Not just any palace—this one looked like it had been plucked straight from a dream. The walls shimred with pink gemstones, the floors glead like polished moonlight, and every surface sparkled with opulence. It was overwhelming, almost surreal.
Ethan looked up—
And there she was.
Kaelira.
His stomach dropped.
He'd seen her fight before. Once. That was enough. The mory of her power still haunted him—terrifying, absolute, like a storm given form.
Now, she sat on a throne carved from rose quartz and obsidian, her gaze fixed coldly on him.
One of the girls stepped forward, her voice soft but eager. "He's a rchant, Your Majesty. He brought all these lovely things. If you like them, maybe we could keep him?"
Ethan's heart pounded. He had no intention of staying here. Not for a second longer than he had to. If there was any chance to escape, he'd take it.
But Kaelira's expression darkened.
She tapped the armrest of her throne, her voice low and sharp. "Is this really what you're doing right now? Playing gas? Do you have any idea what's happening out there?"
Her tone cracked like a whip.
"Sol'Rakka is facing a threat unlike anything we've seen. And you two are wasting ti with trinkets?"
The girls flinched, visibly startled. They dropped to their knees, heads bowed, murmuring apologies in a rush of panic.
Clearly, Kaelira had a soft spot for them—but even that had limits.
She waved them off with a flick of her hand. "Go."
They scrambled to their feet and hurried out, leaving Ethan alone in the vast, glittering hall.
Then Kaelira turned her full attention on him.
The air seed to freeze.
"Who are you, really?" she asked, her voice like ice. "Just a rchant? Wandering into Sol'Rakka by accident?"
Her eyes locked onto his, sharp and unrelenting.
"I can feel the power in you. And not just any power—there's a trace of Sky Citadel in your aura. Faint, but unmistakable."
She leaned forward slightly, her gaze narrowing.
"Are you one of their remnants?"
Panic surged through Ethan.
He knew she could sense it. The energy clinging to him wasn't sothing he could hide—not from her. During the fall of Sky Citadel, he'd absorbed so of the ambient power left behind. It had soaked into him, beco part of him.
He shook his head quickly, voice cracking with urgency. "Your Majesty, I swear—I have no ties to Sky Citadel! I'm just a trader. I've passed through their territory a few tis, sold so goods—"
"One of their lords liked what I brought," he added, grasping for anything that might sound plausible. "They gave a bit of power in return. I didn't even know what it was at the ti…"
Kaelira's expression softened—just slightly. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, as if Ethan's explanation had amused her more than it had convinced her.
"Oh? Is that so?" she murmured with a quiet chuckle, then reached into her robes and pulled out a blood-red gemstone. With a casual flick, she tossed it to him.
"These little trinkets of yours are amusing," she said, her tone laced with mild impatience, though it quickly shifted to sothing lighter. "Sol'Rakka's never seen anything quite like them."
She gestured toward the gem now in his hand. "Consider that a token of appreciation."
Then her voice dropped into sothing more deliberate. "And I have a task for you. Complete it, and I'll reward you with far more."
Ethan exhaled, tension bleeding from his shoulders. He stepped forward quickly, bowing his head with practiced humility. "Your Majesty, Desert Queen, whatever you need—I'll see it done. No matter the risk."
Kaelira seed pleased with his eagerness. She nodded once, then reached beside her throne and handed him a small pouch, pressing it into his palm.
"Go to Erald Castle," she said. "Keep up the rchant act. Deliver your goods, ask your questions, and report back to ."
Ethan froze.
Erald Castle?
His mind reeled. That was his territory.
Before he could speak, Kaelira's eyes narrowed slightly, as if she'd already read the hesitation in his face.
"Relax," she said. "I'm not asking for anything complicated. Just keep your ears open. I know you can handle it."
She paused, then added, her voice dipping into sothing darker, more enticing, "But if you bring sothing truly valuable… I'll give you power. Real power."
Ethan's heart thudded in his chest. The offer was sudden, and dangerous—but tempting.
He forced himself to nod, steadying his breath. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll do everything I can to bring back what you need."
He hesitated, then added, "But… if I may—these jewels are generous, but they won't keep alive out there. I'm a rchant, not a warrior. If I'm going to be walking into danger, I'll need sothing more… practical."
Kaelira let out a low laugh, her eyes glinting with sothing like approval.
She reached for a pale pink orb resting beside her and pressed it gently to his shoulder.
"This is a Sol'Rakkan power bead," she said. "It'll boost your strength for a short ti—enough to get you out of trouble, if you're smart about it."
The mont it touched him, Ethan felt a cool rush surge through his body. His fatigue vanished, replaced by a sharp, clean energy that made his limbs feel lighter, his senses clearer.
He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Desert Queen."
Gratitude swelled in his chest, but he didn't linger. He turned and made his way out of the palace, keeping his pace steady until he reached the edge of Sol'Rakka's desert.
Only then did he stop.
He dropped to a crouch in the sand, breathing hard, sweat beading at his brow despite the cool power still humming in his veins.
He activated his system, scanning the area. No signs of pursuit. No hidden eyes.
Only then did he let out a long breath.
"So… the Desert Queen of Sol'Rakka might be powerful," he muttered, "but she's not as cautious as she thinks."
He shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
"Otherwise, she wouldn't have swallowed that story so easily."
Without wasting another second, he gathered his focus and tore open a spatial rift, stepping through before the desert wind could erase his footprints.
...
User Comments
0 comments from readers