Finally, the sun's rays pierced through the dense barrier of clouds over Loumiron, like a golden lens desperately trying to polish a rusted city. The light spilled onto the worn rooftops, in a harsh contrast to the long shadows cast by the despair and anxiety permeating the residents—those who had been torn apart by years of crimes and deep-seated problems.
However, despite the brilliant light, the streets remained entirely empty. The markets and quiet alleys were deserted, where some shops were conspicuously closed.
Most of the inhabitants were gathered in the "86 Ekaina Square" (Loumiron Square) in front of the City Hall. Gendarmes were everywhere, heavily armed, maintaining order around an empty platform waiting for someone to ascend it.
In contrast to the clamorous tension rising in the square, a cold and sterile silence reigned inside Ainliss's hospital room. Here, Nava—the girl who carried the secrets of the clandestine meeting in her memory—sat on a rigid chair. Her eyes were fixed on Ainliss, who lay motionless. Her waiting was not peaceful; she watched for his awakening with an impatient fervor, as if his return to consciousness was the only key to ending the paralysis that had gripped her heart.
In the cold silence of the room, Nava leaned toward the bed and spoke in a faint voice, a whisper struggling against the despair on her face:
"Wake up, please..."
For a moment, there was no response except the sound of the medical equipment. Then, a low voice filled with humor broke the silence. Ainliss gave a muffled laugh, then spoke in a clear, smiling tone:
"I heard you!"
Nava froze in place. Features of shock and genuine wonder appeared on her face. She took a step back and said in a voice that could barely believe what it heard:
"Ainliss! Were you awake this whole time?"
Ainliss smiled, a clear smile despite the fatigue, and said:
"No, I only woke up when I heard your distinctive footsteps. The important thing now... can you remove this ridiculous bandage from my eyes? I see nothing but absolute blackness."
Nava rushed to her feet, relief flooding her astonishment. She carefully removed the bandage covering his eyes. Ainliss quickly raised his palms to cover them, groaning in discomfort:
"Ah! Close the curtains quickly! The light... it's too strong."
Nava went quietly to the window and pulled the curtains with her right hand to block the bright sunlight, softening the illumination and drowning the place in a faint, comfortable darkness for Ainliss.
Ainliss spoke hesitantly, gathering his senses:
"How long have I been in this place, exactly?"
Nava said in a soft voice, devoid of sympathy:
"Four days. And I need a comprehensive report on everything that happened to you, in the finest detail."
Ainliss gave a strained laugh, his body aching:
"I thought for a moment you were only here to check on me."
She began playing with a lock of her jet-black hair, and tension appeared clearly on her face:
"You aren't handsome enough for that, Elf. I am here by the personal order of Lady Eldwen herself."
An expression of clear distaste appeared on Ainliss's face as he tried to move his back:
"That old woman... I'm starting to think she monitors even my dreams."
Nava moved and sat on a nearby wooden chair, calmly crossing her legs:
"Literally, I hate the Trunk of Insight. Fine, let's not waste time. I am going to ask you some questions."
Ainliss nodded his head in agreement. Nava began speaking seriously:
"Does the Emissary emit any suspicious energy or unnatural traces?"
Ainliss answered slowly:
"Speaking of Ethan, he is just a lost, troubled, and terrified child. As for the energy, I never felt it."
She began shaking her leg at a slow and deliberate pace, making a faint sound on the wooden floor of the room, then said:
"What about the criminal? Were you on the verge of revealing his identity?"
Signs of shock rose on Ainliss's face upon hearing her question, remembering the details of that horrific day. He said with a clear tremor in his voice:
"Very much so! In fact, you must prepare yourselves, Nava. There is a high probability that he is not just a killer, but another Emissary who possesses abilities."
Nava began shaking her leg faster, and the clicking of her heel on the wood became quicker, stronger, and more nervous.
"Fine, tell me the exact details now. How did you end up here in the first place?"
Ainliss rose with extreme difficulty from the bed, leaning on the bed's edge:
"Let's walk first. I cannot stand being a prisoner."
Nava moved quickly to him and helped him move, supporting him until he reached his long coat hanging nearby. She opened the door for him, only for the gendarme guards standing outside to be surprised by her sudden presence.
One of them said with feigned astonishment:
"H... how did you get in?"
She looked at him angrily and raised an eyebrow:
"Through the window. Shame on you to be gendarmes and guard nothing but the wind."
Ainliss moved toward the gendarme, ignoring Nava and her dialogue, and asked directly:
"Is Arenwald awake?"
The gendarme nodded then said calmly:
"Yes, sir. He left the hospital three days ago."
Ainliss nodded. He moved with difficulty with Nava toward the main gate of the hospital. He was pushing through his injury, his step heavy and hesitant, while she supported him with a kindness that was not devoid of coldness.
The two went out into the streets of Lumeron. The sky was a pale blue, and the city was flooded with a cold morning light. Ainliss noticed that the movement of passersby was sparse and distant, as if the entire city was suffering from trauma. This silence hanging over the place was not peace, but a cautious freezing after the disaster.
The gendarme guards continued to follow them at a reasonable distance. Nava gave a short laugh full of sarcasm, casting a passing glance at the guards:
"Do you really think they are capable of protecting you? After all you saw in the cellar?"
Ainliss's features shifted again, and a look of exhaustion appeared on him. He was trying to ignore Nava's mockery, but something else caught his eye. His gaze fell on a new advertising poster fixed to the wall, carrying a drawing of the criminal's mask with bold text written underneath:
"WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE"
"No," Ainliss answered with extreme coldness, his eyes fixed on the poster as if he saw a ridiculous threat in it. "No."
Ainliss began recounting what had happened to Nava, step by step, as they advanced into the heart of the city. The rhythm was slow and deliberate; every word came out with difficulty, reflecting the damage inflicted upon his memory and body. The atmosphere was cold, and the city of Lumeron seemed as if it held its breath, waiting for the next blow.
As they moved, Ainliss resumed his slow walk with Nava until they reached the city's main square. The square was crowded with people, but this time, someone was ascending the decorated platform. It was a man wearing elegant, short, and carefully styled clothes; his hair was short and a brilliant blonde. He possessed a high charisma that imposed itself on the crowds, and his blue eyes pierced the onlookers with cold confidence.
Nava said calmly:
"I think they are going to announce the new Mayor. This is the perfect timing after the tragedy."
Ainliss nodded then said:
"It's Aman. He was a brilliant road engineer before he got involved in politics, and recently became the right hand of Dolgen(the former Mayor)."
Nava spoke with a clear tone of material appreciation:
"His wealth is obvious. His clothes are the kind that scream influence."
Ainliss spoke, only now noticing Nava's clothes. Her dress was long, white, and decorated with elegant blue patterns that highlighted her quiet beauty.
"Is your wedding today, Nava? You look like a bride."
Nava laughed, the delicate sound of her laughter lost in the light noise of the crowd:
"Every time we meet, you say this. Do I look beautiful?"
Ainliss said, smiling:
"You look wonderful."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Erail called Ainliss's name. Erail was near them accompanied by Engainari, both wearing the official gendarme uniform which looked a bit exhausted.
Ainliss raised his hand, signaling to him, so Erail approached him with fatigue clearly visible on his features.
Ainliss laughed, saying:
"I think you two are in the midst of work, yet here you are wasting time."
Erail said in a serious tone:
"Since you and Arenwald have been gone, we have been drowning in trouble. Everything has become chaotic."
Ainliss asked him, trying to find out if there was anything new in their case:
"What exactly happened?"
Erail spoke, casting glances of tension and caution at Nava:
"Nothing... nothing important. We are just failures in the investigation, as you know."
Engainari, who could not suppress his curiosity, intervened, saying:
"By the way, is this your girlfriend?"
Erail struck Engainari's shoulder and began laughing to lighten the situation, then Nava answered with a forced smile:
"His girlfriend? You could say his lady!"
The four burst into laughter among themselves. Erail joked:
"I didn't think you were that type, Ainliss. This is crazy!"
Ainliss laughed, directing his words to Engainari:
"She is an old friend, Engainari; don't take a bad impression of my character."
Engainari replied while smiling:
"Don't worry, we are only joking."
Suddenly, a sharp and loud voice from the speakers pierced the cheerful dialogue:
"Silence! Please, silence!"
The square quieted suddenly, then everyone's gaze turned to Aman on the platform. Aman spoke again with feigned calmness and confidence:
"Welcome, residents of Lumeron. It is an honor for me to address you today in this beautiful cold atmosphere, despite all we have been through."
(Puddles of water could be seen gathered in some corners of the square, remnants of the heavy rain that fell two days ago, making the air purer but colder).
"Our city and even the villages belonging to us have known many problems and tragedies. Among them are high unemployment rates, low quality of education, in addition to the subject everyone is waiting for: the abundance of crime in our precious land."
"I wanted to tell you today that I have been appointed Mayor of the ancient city of Loumiron by a supreme and direct order from His Majesty King Orosin XV."
(The sounds of clapping began to grow in strength).
"I promise you, dear ones, that I will improve the city. My first act will be to solve the crime problems. Everyone will move safely from now on, just as the Great God commanded us to love and have mercy on one another."
"In conclusion to my speech, I will allow you to ask one question—just agree on it and present it to me."
Erail and Engainari began to laugh very strangely, prompting Ainliss to say:
"Nonsense!"
Nava spoke, looking on with a strange expression:
"May God be with you, Loumirions!. I think you are going to suffer."
Erail and Engainari did not pay attention to their words; they only continued laughing intensely. Ainliss said strangely:
"What's so funny? We want to laugh with you."
Erail said with tears of laughter on his face:
"He told me it won't be long before Aman becomes as fat as Dolgen."
The features of Ainliss and Nava shifted, then he said:
"You two are ridiculous."
Nava nodded her head, signaling her agreement with Ainliss.
While the four were exchanging conversation, the crowd whispered among themselves about what the question should be. After minutes, everyone fell silent and one man stepped forward. The gendarme soldiers took notice of him while Aman moved to the microphone, which was an audio receiver equipped with purple crystals.
Aman spoke:
"Very well, sir, please come up here."
The man moved quietly, and the gendarme men moved with him, watching him closely. He ascended the wooden stairs then turned hesitantly toward Aman.
Aman said, smiling:
"You honor us, sir. You can ask your question now. Do not hesitate!"
The man, who appeared from his clothes and condition to be of the proletarian class, moved to the audio receiver then spoke in a hesitant voice. All eyes turned toward the man standing in the middle of the stage. His body was trembling—not from fear, but from the sheer boiling rage he had suppressed for years.
He raised his voice to pierce the marble silence of the palace, a voice that the walls of Elgharth were not accustomed to hearing:
"I do not speak for myself, but on behalf of every soul hanging between poverty and oblivion in this world! We do not have questions to throw in your faces; we have demands... rights you have stripped from us and wrapped in false promises. I do not care about my fate, nor the chains that will wrap around my neck after these words of mine... but listen to me well: if you do not do your job and grant this people their dignity, you will find no people to exercise your rule upon... you will find a revolution that consumes everything in its path."
The voice stopped suddenly, but its echo continued to resonate like the drumbeats of war. An absolute silence prevailed for seconds, in which the air turned into an unbearable weight. Signs of astonishment were etched on the faces of those present—even Aman himself, who was used to reading the minds of men, felt an unexpected sting in the man's tone; this cry was a "crack" in the wall of his prestige.
As the noise began to rise like crashing waves in the hall, Aman remained steady in his place, his features as if carved from the cold ice of Elonia. Nothing moved but the glint in his eyes, which grew sharper. Aman cleared his throat with a deadly coldness, and in a calm, steady voice, stripped of any emotion, he said:
"Thank you, sir... your message has been received with a clarity that exceeds your expectations. Now... you may step down."
Aman approached the microphone and said in response to the man:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Everything the man said is true. You lived in suffering under the rule of the former Mayor, and I have reports stating that he was stealing from the city's treasury to fund his grand projects."
"Yes! Those nightclubs and luxury hotels—you thought he was contributing to the city's welfare, but he built his wealth from your pockets. His death was nothing but a message from the Great God—not a punishment, but a warning to every authority that practices oppression and injustice against its people!"
"Ladies and gentlemen! I will conclude this meeting with my first decision. For the first time in all of Arthera, on my first day of coronation, Loumiron's weekly market will be improved with the goal of competing with other markets. Additionally, a high-quality elementary school will be constructed in the southeast of the city. All of this is from my own personal funds. I want you to believe in me! Give me your trust, for I shall not betray it as long as I live. Let Loumiron rise again!"
An absolute silence prevailed for a single second, as if the entire city held its breath. Then suddenly... the crowd exploded with thunderous applause that shook the foundations of the hall, and shouts of his name rose in a tide of enthusiasm resembling hysteria.
Ainliss watched the scene in amazement, his eyes reflecting the glow of the burning torches:
"His tone... his tone is very powerful! I have never heard a voice with such firmness before."
Erail nodded, shock still etched on his pale features:
"His speech is revolutionary to a frightening extent... I think he is sincere, and that is what makes him dangerous."
In the far side of the city, where heavy stillness resided, Arenwald was immersed in a struggle of another kind, sitting across from Ethan in front of a wooden chessboard with worn edges.
"Checkmate!"
Ethan said it with a calm smile that did not reach his cold eyes. Arenwald's hand froze in the air, and he stared at the board in shock:
"What... how? When did you get here?"
Ethan laughed softly, pointing his finger at the ivory piece:
"You didn't notice the bishop hiding in the corner. I executed the camouflage well while you were busy attacking from the center."
"What is the name of this defense again?" Arenwald asked in wonder, trying to grasp the sudden defeat.
Ethan replied while rearranging the pieces slowly and skillfully, as if planning something bigger than just a game:
"It's the Sicilian Defense... Dragon Variation."
Ethan leaned his body over the table and laughed at Arenwald mischievously, then snatched the "King" piece from the board and put it in his pocket, saying:
"I beat you for the third time, which means you owe me twenty Eblums! Come on, bring out the money; I want to go to the market."
Arenwald laughed lightly as he pulled out the coin pouch, while the echo of the revolutionary cheers coming from afar mixed with Ethan's enthusiastic laughter.
—End of Chapter—