A Road Bathed in Gold
The warm sunset pours over the horizon, its golden light brushing across tall grass that sways gently with the evening wind. The road feels calm… too calm, as if the world itself is holding its breath.
Shammroy walks at the front, his presence quiet yet heavy. Behind him, Querion, Kaizer, Ferin, follow the trail.
Ferin confused curiosity,
"I last remember… we were fighting Bernetter, right?"
Shammroy doesn't answer. His footsteps never slow.
As they enter the village, something strange happens.
People are greeting with the respect . Shopkeepers bow. Children whisper. Elders nod with deep respect.
Kaizer confused,
"What happened? Why is everyone treating you like you've lived here for years?"
Shammroy calm,
"They're just showing hospitality."
Querion uneasy,
" What ! It doesn't make sense at all. We slept, we woke up… and everything feels different. Tell us, what happened after we slept ?."
Shammroy casual,
"Right… I forgot to say. There's a group in this village, here called them as Elite Warriors. And also I saw a group another group too but I didn't know them? They're the ones who healed you all."
Kaizer and Querion exchange glances. Something still doesn't add up.
Then Ferin casually hooks a thumb behind them showing the restaurant.
Ferin cheerful,
"Hey, we can have this discussion later.For now food first. That's our top priority.,okay!"
Querion agreeing,
"Yeah! For once, you said something meaningful."
Ferin playful kicked at his butt.
They walk into the restaurant.
The Hero They Recognized
The doorbell rings softly.
The receptionist turns to greet the customers — and freezes.
Her eyes widen. Her breath catches.
Receptionist overwhelmed,
"Oh my god… you're the one….. You really came… oh my god…"
Shammroy forces a small, awkward smile.
Inside his mind, his thoughts are sharp and irritated.
He only fixed a broken place… yet they look at him like a legend.
Receptionist , questioning,
" Could I know the names, please?"
Shamm roy respectful,
" Of course! I , Shamm roy and they were my crew Querion,Kaizer,Ferin."
He sighs.
Shammroy polite,
"Is there a table for us?"
Receptionist eager,
"Of course, sir! Right this way. Please sit — we'll serve you the best and special dishes we have."
Shammroy slight bow,
"That would be my pleasure."
They sit.
The air feels warm. Too warm.
A Name That Echoes
Ferin lazily grabs the newspaper on the table, flipping through pages out of boredom.
Then he freezes.
He stares at the headline.
Ferin reading slowly,
"The Valkerio Academy announces its rising prodigy… a student who earned a framed position among the Great Portraits and claims that this position isn't be that much easier. Everyone now addresses him as… the Great Sensor, 'Seyokthai.'"
Silence.
Ferin lifts his eyes toward Shammroy.
Ferin careful curiosity,
"That name… it sounds like yours. Are you two related?"
Shammroy's expression sharpens instantly.
Shammroy irritated,
"What? Did you forget already? I told you — he's my brother."
Querion shocked,
"WHAT?! Since when did you have a brother?"
Kaizer, shamm roy, ferin give a awful expression.
Querion rectifying,
" I mean…. Why don't you tell us?"
Shammroy firm,
"Don't you remember? The cliff. The one we met first."
Querion's eyes widen slowly.
Querion realization , nodding,
"…Yeah. Now I remember."
Ferin sighs, leaning back.
Ferin accepting,
"Alright."
Kaizer's stomach suddenly growls loudly.
Kaizer dramatic suffering,
"Seriously… when are they bringing the food?"
Shammroy amused calm,
"They're preparing special dishes for us. Be patient."
Kaizer groans but sits back.
Then—
A hand slams onto the table.
Two Forces Meet
Everyone slowly raises their heads.
Terion stands there, his hand still wrapped in bandages, his posture relaxed, his smile charming.
Terion friendly confidence,
"Can we join the party?"
Shammroy saw the group behind him and recognised.
Querion opens his mouth to refuse.
But Shammroy speaks first.
Shammroy gentle smile,
"Sure."
Terion sits.
The air shifts.
A quiet tension forms — not hostile, not friendly — something in between.
Terion leans slightly forward.
Terion curious admiration,
"You fight differently. Calm… controlled… precise. How do control you're power — I mean it flow like water from you're body. "
Shammroy casual,
"It just my style."
Terion smiling wider,
"That's what makes it impressive."
Around them, reactions differ.
Elvein watches Shammroy closely.
Elvein soft admiration,
"He looks good… the way he speaks, the way he holds himself… everything. Where do he learn all this from?"
Across the table, Aseri, Roven, Querion, and Ferin exchange sharp glances like rival factions in a comedy battle.
Aseri low voice,
"Why does he look like he's stealing attention without trying?"
Ferin mock serious,
"Why are they seeing like this? Is they somekin—"
His gaze turned towards querion , who is watching them more awkwardly
Querion competitive , to ferin,
"Don't get distracted."
Roven says nothing. His gaze never leaves Shammroy.
Meanwhile, Kaizer remains completely focused on his food.
Kaizer mouth full, peaceful,
"This is the best food and best day of my life."
The Door That Ruined Everything
They finish their meal.
They pay.
They stand to leave.
Then—
The restaurant door slams open.
The atmosphere fractures.
The Mayyen clan's secretary steps inside, surrounded by guards. Behind him stands a young noble boy — eyes filled with arrogance.
The room goes silent.
The boy's gaze lands on them and starts mocking ,
"Hey old man, why do you bring me here? This place belongs to slums."
And start mocking the people in the restaurant and also the receptionist.
It lingers too long.
His expression twists into something unpleasant.
He steps closer to receptionist , smiling inappropriately.
The group stiffens.
The secretary raises a hand.
Secretary cold authority,
" Do not step forward. Do not speak."
Terion clenches his fist.
Terion angry,
"Why ? and you Watch your tone."
The boy scoffs.
Boy arrogant,
"How dare you talk to me like that?"
He steps closer and strikes Terion's wounded arm.
Then smirks.
Boy condescending,
"Know your place. Learn how to speak to nobles."
Back whispers,
Ferin about step forward but his fist was stopped by roven.
Roven warning,
"This kid is from 'Mayyen clan' the noble clan on this village."
Querion , recklessly,
" So what !?"
Roven,
" So what? What do you saying ? the mayyen clan has a power behind them although the head of the clan , the boys father is— Phosperisus."
Querion, Ferin exchanged glances as they knew these name and whisper,
" This man….."
Kaizer , eyes widen, whisper,
" Phosperisus….. mostly known as 'The Everflame King'"
Everyone holds back.
They recognize the Mayyen insignia.
They know the power behind it.
Everyone… except one.
Shammroy steps forward slowly.
A small smile forms on his lips.
A Smile That Terrified the Room
Shammroy polite calm,
"Apologies… for my friend's poor manners toward a noble."
For a split second, no one understands him.
Then—
Shammroy's hand moves.
In one smooth motion, he lifts the boy off the ground by the throat.
Not violently.
Not chaotically.
Just effortlessly.
The room freezes.
Shammroy's eyes are cold.
Shammroy soft, chilling,
"So… this is how I'm supposed to speak to nobles , better than him right?"
He smirks.
No one breathes.
Not the guards.
Not the secretary.
Not the boy.
The sunset outside fades completely.
And only silence remains.