By the time he reached the massive iron gates of the Middle District, his cloak was drenched, water dripping from his sleeves. The streets were quieter than usual, with only a few lanterns flickering under the eaves of buildings, casting long, wavering shadows across the stone pathways. Pools of water had gathered in the uneven cracks of the street, rippling as the rain continued its relentless assault.
He slipped through the streets, the alleys narrow and winding, filled with the scent of damp stone and the occasional flicker of movement—street rats scurrying through the shadows, the occasional beggar huddled beneath a makeshift canopy of torn cloth. Water gushed from the rooftops, spilling down like miniature waterfalls, and each step sent small splashes upward as his boots met the soaked ground.
Finally, he reached home.
The moment he stepped inside, the warmth of the house contrasted sharply with the chill that clung to his soaked clothes. He pushed his boots off near the entrance, droplets of water pooling at his feet.
Dale, his father, sat at the table, a cup of steaming tea in his hands. His gaze flicked up the moment Zay entered, his sharp eyes locking onto his son with quiet scrutiny.
"Have you been well?" Dale asked, his tone calm but probing. "Renzo told us that you've been off for the past week to stargaze… and now you're thinking of going for higher education. Are you sick again?"
Zay let out a light chuckle, shaking his head. "No, father. I'm not sick at all. It's true I went to stargaze, but nothing more than that. I have no desire to seek higher education currently." His voice was steady, though his body still ached. Without waiting for a reply, he turned toward the corridor and made his way to his room.
The wooden floor creaked slightly under his steps as he opened a chest and began packing—a few sets of clothes, rations, a sheathed dagger, and a waterskin.
Renzo entered the room, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. His eyes scanned the half-packed bag before settling on Zay.
"Are you leaving… like Silver did? Are you becoming an adventurer?"
Zay paused, his fingers gripping the strap of his bag. "I just have a few things I need to do," he admitted. Then, after a brief silence, he added, "Would you like to join me? I think this is an opportunity worth taking."
Renzo raised an eyebrow. "Where exactly are we going?"
"We're crossing the ocean," Zay said as he slung the bag over his shoulder. "Heading to the continent of Quivarem."
Renzo's face twisted with disbelief. "The hell do you mean we're heading to Quivarem? That place has no laws, no rulers—nothing. It's a damn free-for-all. Why would you go there?"
Zay smirked faintly. "There are a few reasons. But after that, I don't know where I'll go. Maybe I'll come back here, or maybe I'll keep going. So, are you in?"
Renzo exhaled, shaking his head before letting a grin spread across his face. "Hell yeah, I'm in."
Before they could continue, the door to the room suddenly slammed open.
Lily stood there, arms crossed, eyes sharp. "I want to join too."
Zay studied her for a moment before nodding. "Then pack your bags. We leave now."
Renzo and Lily hurried to their rooms, throwing together whatever supplies they could. Minutes later, they stood back in Zay's room, bags slung over their shoulders.
Lily started toward the front door, but Zay grabbed her wrist. "Not that way."
She turned to see him walking to the window as he pushed open his bedroom window, rain still pouring outside. Without hesitation, he jumped out, his fresh pair of black boots landing silently on the wet stone below.
Renzo chuckled, following after him. He swung one arm over the window frame and vaulted himself down, landing beside Zay.
Lily groaned. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
She climbed onto the windowsill, braced herself, and leapt. Zay caught her effortlessly, setting her down before motioning for them to follow.
The three of them disappeared into the winding alleyways of the Middle District. The streets were slick, the narrow paths barely illuminated by the dim glow of lanterns swaying in the storm. Rain dripped from the rooftops, forming thin streams that carved paths along the cobblestones, and every turn led them deeper into the maze of the city.
They moved quickly, their footsteps splashing against the puddles forming in the uneven roads. The deeper they went, the fewer people they encountered—only the occasional shadow lingering beneath a broken awning or watching from behind cracked wooden doors.
Finally, they reached the docks.
The ocean stretched before them, black and endless beneath the stormy sky. The waves crashed against the wooden piers, sending sprays of saltwater into the air.
Renzo looked around, squinting through the rain. "So… where's the boat?"
Zay pointed to a small rowboat tied to the dock. It was sturdy, built for four people, the wood still fresh.
"I had this made while I was away," Zay said, tossing his bag into the boat. "For this exact moment."
Renzo exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck before stepping onto the dock and jumping into the boat beside Zay.
Lily hesitated for a moment before carefully lowering herself in. The rain began falling harder now, the downpour merging with the rhythmic crashing of the waves.
Zay grabbed one of the oars, his gaze set on the horizon.
"Let's get going."
Renzo grabbed the other oar.
With that, they began paddling, the small boat cutting through the dark waters, leaving the empire—and everything they knew—behind.
The rain pounded harder against the small rowboat, each drop like a needle against their skin. The ocean had been restless for hours, but now, the once-steady waves turned into violent swells, rocking the boat with an unforgiving force.
Zay tightened his grip on the oar, his jaw set. "Keep rowing. We just have to get past this storm."
Renzo, struggling against the wind, spat out rainwater. "You call this a storm? This is a damn death sentence!"
Lily had part of her robe pulled tightly over her head, trying to shield herself from the wind. "We should turn back!" she shouted over the howling wind. "We're getting thrown around like a damn toy!"
Zay's eyes narrowed as he kept rowing. "There's no turning back. If we stop now, the waves will capsize us!"
A massive wave suddenly rose before them like a wall of darkness, crashing down with the force of a titan. The impact nearly knocked Zay off the boat, his hands barely managing to hold onto the slick wooden edge.
Renzo cursed loudly. "We're not moving straight anymore! Do you even know where we're going?!"
Zay clenched his teeth, glancing at the sky. "We keep going forward. That's our only choice."
The ocean was merciless, tossing them left and right as if mocking their determination. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the endless expanse of raging water before plunging them into darkness again.
Lily gritted her teeth. "I swear, if we survive this, I'm never stepping on a boat again!"
Zay didn't respond. He just kept rowing. Forward. Forward. Forward.
But none of them realized how far off course they had drifted.
The storm had finally passed, leaving the ocean eerily calm. The once-raging winds had died down, replaced by a heavy mist lingering just above the water.
Zay sat in the boat, eyes half-lidded from exhaustion. His black boots were soaked, his clothes still damp.
Renzo stretched, letting out a loud groan. "I feel like I've been sitting here for years. Please tell me you see land."
Lily, rubbing her tired eyes, suddenly pointed ahead. "There."
A dark silhouette began to emerge from the mist—a vast coastline lined with towering trees. The shore stretched far, a mixture of rocky edges and golden sands leading into a dense forest. Mountains loomed in the background, their peaks piercing through the lingering clouds.
Zay exhaled through his nose, his grip tightening on the oar. "We made it."
Renzo, barely containing his excitement, grabbed the oar and paddled faster. "Finally! I don't even care where we are, as long as I can feel solid ground under my feet!"
The boat scraped against the sand, coming to an abrupt stop. Without hesitation, Renzo jumped out, stumbling slightly before collapsing onto the beach.
Lily stepped out more cautiously, shaking out her damp cloak. "Where are we?"
There wasn't a reply from either of them.
The three of them moved through the thick trees, their boots crunching against fallen leaves and damp soil. The forest was vast, the canopy above allowing only slivers of sunlight through. Birds chirped, insects buzzed, and the scent of wood and damp moss filled the air.
After an hour of trekking, the dense foliage finally gave way to a massive open field. A dirt road cut through the middle, leading toward distant mountains shrouded in mist.
Renzo's face twisted. "I don't think this is Quivarem…"
Before Zay could respond, the sound of wooden wheels creaking reached their ears. They turned to see a caravan rolling down the dirt road, pulled by tired-looking horses. Several hooded figures marched alongside it, keeping a watchful eye on the chained prisoners inside.
Then came the voice.
"Stop talking so much, you damn useless slaves!"
A loud whip cracked, followed by a chorus of pained cries.
Zay's expression darkened. His suspicions were confirmed.
'Damn it… the storm set us off course." His hands clenched into fists. "I had a feeling, but the ocean looks the damn same in this realm.'
Lily gave him a sharp look. "Where are we?"
Zay exhaled, eyes locked on the caravan. "We're on the continent of Milo."
Renzo raised an eyebrow. "What the hell is Milo?"
Zay kept his voice low, explaining as they crouched behind the tree line. "A continent that's famous for slavery, kidnappings, and underground crime."
Renzo's expression darkened. "So, do we leave, or do we stay and handle this?"
Zay didn't answer immediately.
Renzo cracked his knuckles. "I say we beat those bastards' asses and free the slaves. Then we figure out where the hell we actually are."
Lily shrugged. "It's up to you two. I'm just tagging along."
Zay's eyes stayed on the caravan as it rolled down the road.
"Let's follow them. See where they're going. If they head toward the capital, Zenrola, we stay out of it. But if not…" His voice lowered, filled with quiet intensity.
Renzo smirked. "Sounds like a plan."
They followed the caravan for three days, staying hidden within the forests alongside the road. On the third day, the road split into three paths, and the caravan veered far left, away from any major city.
Zay exhaled sharply. "That's all I needed to see. Let's move."
Violet aura crackled around him as he dashed forward.
Renzo grinned wildly as dark red aura ignited around his body, following behind at nearly the same pace.
Lily, staying back, moved, her presence ghostly compared to their direct assault.
The caravan's driver barely had time to react before Zay's foot slammed into his chest, launching him off the carriage. The horses neighed wildly as Zay landed, his gloved hands flashing with sharp blades as he cut the reins loose, forcing the caravan to a grinding halt.
Renzo wasted no time.
"KILL THEM!" A slave trader shouted and lunged at Renzo, but he caught the man's wrist mid-swing and twisted it with brutal force, slamming him into the ground. Without hesitation, he drove his fist into the trader's jaw, knocking him unconscious in one clean hit.
Three more charged at Zay. He swept his leg low, knocking them off balance. One desperately swung a knife at his foot, but Zay's irises flickered gray for an just a second - his movements sharpened, and he kicked the knife away before driving his boot into the attacker's ribs.
Meanwhile, Renzo and Lily moved toward the back of the caravan.
With a single well-placed kick, they shattered the lock on the slave cage. The doors swung open, and within moments, dozens of captives spilled out, their collars still fastened around their necks.