Morning came slowly to Virella.
A pale light stretched across the horizon, pushing away the last traces of night. The sea reflected it faintly—calm on the surface, hiding everything beneath.
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But the city—
Was already awake.
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"…He disappeared after that…"
"…No one knows where he went…"
"…You're telling me a kid took the blade and just walked away?"
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The rumors hadn't stopped.
They had grown.
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Now, they weren't just whispers.
They were discussions.
Arguments.
Speculation.
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"Some say he's a hunter…"
"No… hunters don't move like that…"
"…Then what is he?"
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No one had an answer.
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At the edge of the port—
Far from the crowded center—
Thalren stood alone.
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Facing the sea.
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Silent.
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The black sheath rested at his side.
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Still.
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But not inactive.
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A faint pulse lingered within it.
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Weaker than before.
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But present.
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His eyes remained fixed on the horizon.
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"…Not yet…"
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The words returned.
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Faint.
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But clearer than before.
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He didn't respond.
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Didn't question it.
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Only acknowledged.
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Behind him—
Footsteps approached.
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Steady.
Controlled.
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Not hiding.
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"…You chose a quiet place."
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Thalren didn't turn.
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"…You followed me again."
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"…We told you," the voice replied calmly.
"…we're observing."
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A brief pause.
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"…And now?"
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"…Now we talk."
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Silence.
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Then—
Thalren turned.
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The three hunters stood there.
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Same as before.
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Calm.
But alert.
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Their eyes moved briefly to the sword.
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Then back to him.
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"…You move fast," one of them said.
"…Most people would be hiding by now."
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"…I'm not most people."
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A short pause.
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"…That's clear."
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The leader stepped forward slightly.
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"…We'll keep this simple."
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No hostility.
No arrogance.
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Just intent.
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"…That sword—"
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"…is mine."
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Thalren cut him off.
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The words were calm.
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Final.
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The hunters didn't react immediately.
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"…We're not here to take it," the leader replied.
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"…Then leave."
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A brief silence.
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"…You don't trust easily."
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"…There's no reason to."
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Another pause.
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The wind shifted slightly.
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"…Fair."
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The leader exhaled slowly.
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"…Then listen."
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His tone changed.
Slightly heavier.
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"…That blade isn't just a weapon."
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"…I know."
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"…No," he said.
"…You don't."
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Silence.
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"…It's been there for years."
"…Many tried to take it."
"…Some strong enough to break ships with their hands."
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A pause.
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"…None succeeded."
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Thalren said nothing.
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"…Until you."
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The weight of those words lingered.
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"…So?" Thalren replied.
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The hunters exchanged a glance.
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"…So," the leader continued,
"…people will come."
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"…Let them."
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"…Not just anyone."
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A pause.
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"…Those who understand what that sword means."
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Silence.
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"…And what does it mean?" Thalren asked.
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The leader held his gaze.
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"…It means something has chosen you."
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A faint breeze passed between them.
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"…And that something…"
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A slight pause.
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"…is not small."
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Silence followed.
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Thalren's expression didn't change.
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"…Then it doesn't matter."
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The second hunter frowned slightly.
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"…You keep saying that."
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"…Because it doesn't."
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A longer silence this time.
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The leader studied him carefully.
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"…You're either fearless…"
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A pause.
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"…or you don't understand the danger."
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No reply.
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The wind shifted again.
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"…Fine," the leader said.
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"…We won't force this."
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He stepped back slightly.
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"…But we're not your enemies."
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Thalren didn't respond.
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"…And if things escalate…"
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A brief pause.
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"…you'll need more than silence."
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Silence lingered.
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Then—
Thalren turned.
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"…If it comes to that…"
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A step forward.
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"…I'll deal with it."
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He walked past them.
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Unstopped.
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Unbothered.
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The hunters didn't move.
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They watched.
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"…He really believes that," one muttered.
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"…No," the leader replied quietly.
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"…He doesn't believe."
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A pause.
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"…He's decided."
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Silence.
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"…That's worse."
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Far from them—
Thalren continued walking.
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The city slowly came back into view.
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More people now.
More movement.
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But something had changed.
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Eyes followed him more openly.
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Not just curiosity now.
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Recognition.
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"…That's him…"
"…The one from yesterday…"
"…Look at the sword…"
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No one approached.
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But no one ignored him either.
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The space around him widened slightly.
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Unspoken.
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Unnatural.
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A distance people didn't cross.
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Thalren walked through it.
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Calm.
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Uninterested.
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Until—
A presence stopped him.
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Not physical.
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Not visible.
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But real.
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His steps slowed.
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The air shifted.
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Heavy.
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Different.
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He stopped.
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For a moment—
Nothing happened.
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Then—
The sheath pulsed.
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Stronger than before.
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A sharp reaction.
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Not violent.
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But urgent.
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Thalren's hand moved slightly.
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"…So it's here."
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His eyes lifted.
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Scanning.
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People moved normally.
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Nothing obvious.
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But something was wrong.
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Hidden.
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Watching.
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A faint sound.
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Behind him.
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A step.
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Too quiet.
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Too controlled.
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Thalren turned.
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And saw him.
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A man.
Standing still.
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Not dressed like a hunter.
Not like a civilian.
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Something in between.
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But his presence—
Was different.
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Sharp.
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Focused.
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Dangerous.
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Their eyes met.
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Silence.
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The man smiled slightly.
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"…So you're the one."
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No movement.
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No tension.
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Just recognition.
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Thalren said nothing.
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"…Interesting," the man continued.
"…You're not what I expected."
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A pause.
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"…Leave."
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The word was simple.
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But firm.
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The man chuckled lightly.
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"…You really think you can say that to me?"
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Silence.
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The air grew heavier.
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Not like before.
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This was different.
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More direct.
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More intentional.
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Thalren's gaze didn't change.
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"…I'm not done yet."
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The words were quiet.
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But absolute.
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The man's smile faded slightly.
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"…Good."
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A step forward.
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"…Then let's see how long that lasts."
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The tension snapped.
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And in that moment—
Something had begun.