Kyle pushed open the heavy wooden door and entered the dimly lit tavern, where the smell of burned wood and old ale filled the air.
A few faces turned at their tables, watching him with curious eyes, but no one tried to approach.
He walked toward the counter, carrying the three pouches of money he had taken from the warriors.
He took a deep breath and said in a calm but firm voice:
— "Do you have a room I could stay in? And also… some food. It's been a long time since I last ate."
The innkeeper, a middle-aged man with a wrinkled face who clearly knew the hardships of the city, smiled.
— "Yes, we have an empty room. I'll prepare something for you to eat."
Kyle placed most of the money he had collected from the warriors on the counter.
The innkeeper didn't seem disturbed, taking the coins calmly and nodding:
— "Everything will be ready in a few minutes."
Kyle sat on the wooden bench, feeling the weight of the day melt away in his body.
Gravebound rested beside him, covered in dust and grime, yet solid in his hand.
Umbrax, the black cat, perched on the counter across from him, watching every movement with intelligent eyes.
He had no idea what awaited him in this city, but one thing was clear:
He would need food, shelter, and quiet to plan his next move.
---
After a few minutes, the innkeeper returned with a hot plate.
The smell of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the tavern, making Kyle shiver from hunger.
He sat and ate slowly, each bite reminding him how much his body had been drained over the past days.
Gravebound gleamed in the dim light beside him, and Umbrax watched cautiously, noting every movement around them.
When he finished eating, he thanked the innkeeper briefly.
He rose and walked toward the room assigned to him.
He closed the door behind him and looked at the modest wooden bed.
He sat on the edge, taking a deep breath, feeling the weight of all the events gathering in his mind.
As he tried to relax, a sudden memory from the past came to him.
He remembered his grandfather speaking when he was young about the sect's book he had grown up with—a book full of secrets, knowledge, and even warnings about the world of Morium.
— "If you ever want to understand your power… and the power of Morium," his grandfather had said, "this book will be your guide."
Kyle closed his eyes for a moment, thinking.
Should he go search for it?
Could it contain ways to develop his Morium awareness, or secrets that might help him survive in this strange city?
The decision wasn't easy, but he felt it clearly:
This book… might be the key to understanding the power awakening inside him, and perhaps the way to stay ahead of his enemies, whether in the city or beyond.
He opened his eyes and gripped Gravebound tightly, then looked at Umbrax:
— "Maybe it's time to search for something greater… something that could make us stronger."
The black cat looked at him with intelligent eyes, as if to say:
"Let's begin the journey, Master."
Kyle stood, ready to move, and began planning his next step in a world he had never known before—but now he felt he was no longer alone… and that anything was possible if he knew how to use his strength and wisdom.