The rumors didn't slow down.
They multiplied.
---
"…A kid pulled it out…"
"…No, not just that—he knocked someone out…"
"…Bare hands…"
"…You're lying…"
---
"I saw it."
---
Silence followed.
---
"…Then it's true…"
---
Across Virella—
Markets.
Docks.
Alleys.
---
One thing was being repeated.
---
"The cursed blade… has been taken."
---
And along with it—
A new name.
---
"…Thalren…"
---
Some said it carefully.
Others laughed.
Some didn't believe it at all.
---
But no one ignored it.
---
Meanwhile—
Thalren walked.
---
Away from the crowded center.
Toward quieter streets.
---
The noise faded behind him.
But not completely.
---
It followed.
In fragments.
In whispers.
---
His pace didn't change.
---
The black sheath rested at his side.
---
Silent.
---
But not empty.
---
His hand brushed against it once.
---
Cold.
---
A faint pulse answered.
---
He stopped.
---
Just for a moment.
---
"…You again."
---
No response.
---
Only stillness.
---
Then—
The feeling vanished.
---
As if it had never been there.
---
Thalren continued walking.
---
Ahead—
The street narrowed.
Less people.
Less movement.
---
Until—
Someone stepped into his path.
---
"…So it's you."
---
Thalren stopped.
---
Three figures stood before him.
---
Different from before.
---
Not hunters.
---
These ones carried something else.
---
Intent.
---
"…The one who took it," one of them said.
---
Their eyes moved to the sword.
---
Greed.
---
Clear.
Unhidden.
---
"…You caused quite a stir."
---
No response.
---
"…Hand it over."
---
Silence.
---
"…We're asking nicely."
---
A step forward.
---
"…Don't make it difficult."
---
Thalren's gaze remained steady.
---
"…No."
---
The answer was simple.
---
Flat.
---
For a moment—
Nothing moved.
---
Then—
They attacked.
---
Fast.
---
Not amateurs.
---
Coordinated.
---
One from the front.
Two from the sides.
---
Thalren didn't move immediately.
---
A breath.
---
Then—
He shifted.
---
The first strike missed.
---
A hand caught the second.
---
A twist.
---
A crack.
---
A sharp kick—
Sent the third backward.
---
No wasted movement.
---
No hesitation.
---
Just precision.
---
The first attacker rushed again—
Desperate.
---
Thalren stepped forward.
---
A single strike.
---
Clean.
---
The man dropped.
---
Silence returned.
---
The other two hesitated.
---
Fear replacing confidence.
---
"…What… are you…"
---
Thalren didn't answer.
---
He stepped forward once.
---
They stepped back.
---
Then ran.
---
Fast.
---
Desperate to leave.
---
The street emptied again.
---
Only one thing remained—
Stillness.
---
Thalren stood there.
---
Unbothered.
---
Then—
A voice.
---
"…You attract trouble quickly."
---
He turned.
---
The hunters again.
---
Watching.
---
Observing.
---
"…You followed me."
---
"…We were already here," one replied.
---
A pause.
---
"…Those weren't random," another added.
"…Word spreads fast."
---
"…Faster than you think."
---
Silence.
---
The leader stepped forward slightly.
---
"…You don't understand what you've stepped into."
---
"…Then explain."
---
A brief pause.
---
"…That sword…"
He glanced at it.
---
"…It doesn't just bring power."
---
"…It brings attention."
---
Thalren's expression didn't change.
---
"…Good."
---
A moment of silence followed.
---
The hunters exchanged a look.
---
"…You're not afraid of it," one said.
---
"…No."
---
"…Or you just don't understand it yet."
---
No reply.
---
The leader watched him carefully.
---
"…Names are starting to move again."
---
A pause.
---
"…Old ones."
---
Thalren's eyes shifted slightly.
---
"…Meaning?"
---
The leader held his gaze.
---
"…Aleron Veyr."
---
Silence.
---
The air changed.
Just slightly.
---
"…Where did you hear that name?"
---
The question came immediately.
---
Sharp.
---
But controlled.
---
The hunters noticed.
---
"…So you do know it."
---
No answer.
---
The leader didn't push further.
---
"…Then listen carefully."
---
A step closer.
---
"…If that name is connected to you…"
---
A pause.
---
"…Then what's coming next won't be small."
---
Silence.
---
Thalren turned.
---
"…Then it doesn't matter."
---
"…It does," the hunter replied.
---
But Thalren didn't stop.
---
"…I'm not done yet."
---
His voice was calm.
---
Certain.
---
He walked away.
---
The hunters watched him go.
---
"…That look…"
One of them muttered.
---
"…Yeah…"
---
The leader exhaled slowly.
---
"…It's the same."
---
Far away—
Beyond the port—
Beyond the noise—
---
The sea moved.
---
Quietly.
---
Unseen.
---
And something—
Deep below—
Shifted.