The golden hues of the setting sun painted the sky as they settled into a quiet clearing, the land stretching endlessly around them. A gentle breeze rustled the tall grass, and the rhythmic chirping of crickets filled the air, blending with the distant murmur of flowing water. Atlas and Drogo lay curled nearby, their wings twitching occasionally as they rested from the day's journey. They had spent the past few hours exploring—crossing rivers, climbing hills, and marveling at breathtaking landscapes that felt worlds apart from the home they had left behind. For the first time in a long while, they allowed themselves simply to exist, free from urgency, fear, and pursuit.
Just as Starfania let her body relax against the cool earth, a sudden shift in the air sent a chill down her spine. The wind stilled. Silence fell—sharp and absolute—snuffing out crickets' song as if it had never been there. The surrounding shadows stretched unnaturally, bending and folding toward a single point before them. And then–she appeared. Cantina. Cloaked in blue, flowing robes, she materialized as though the shadows themselves had given her form. Her presence was commanding, otherworldly. The firelight flickered wildly in response, casting eerie shapes across her sharp features. Her piercing gaze locked onto Starfania, and though they had crossed paths before, this was the first time she stood before all of them.
" Starfania…and friends," Cantina said. Her voice carried like an echo through the clearing, laced with an authority that sent a shiver down their spines. " It seems that you've made it."
Aeron and Violet rubbed their eyes in disbelief, as if expecting the vision to vanish. Starfania, however, smiled.
" Well," she said warmly, " it's good to see you too, Cantina."
Cantina folded her arms and began pacing the edge of the clearing, surveying the landscapes with measured interest. Violet and Aeron leaned closer to Starfania whispering urgently.
" Is that Cantina—the one you've been talking about?" Violet asked. Starfania nodded, her smile widening. " Yes. That's her."
Cantina paused beside a cluster of vibrant wildflowers, their color vivid against the rolling hills. She inhaled deeply as if savoring the moment.
" She seems…different," Violet whispered, her voice tinged with awe.
" Different how?" Aeron asked, raising an eyebrow. Starfania considered it. " Stronger, maybe. Like she's seen things—and survived them."
They watched as Cantina continued her quiet inspection, her presence radiating confidence and an unsettling sense of knowing.
" I can't wait to hear her stories," Violet murmured. " It feels like she has so much to share."
Aeron nodded. " People like that usually do."
Cantina suddenly turned, her sharp gaze landing on Aeron and Violet.
" Rewound merchants," she said casually. " Travelers across Avalon. Sellers of rare artifacts. Survivors of more than you let on."
Both of them stiffened. Drogo crept closer, head lowered, sniffing the strange woman cautiously. Violet and Aeron exchanged a look before slowly turning to Starfania—You weren't kidding. She knows everything. Starfania mouthed back, I know. The anticipation thickened as Cantina finally returned to them. She sighed dramatically, folding her arms.
" Alright, fine. I suppose a proper introduction is in order," she said, clearly unimpressed with the formality. " The name is Cantina. " You've heard of me through Starfania—but today, I'm just a messenger from my boss. "
A mischievous smirk tugged at her lips. " And before you ask—no, I'm not telling you who that is. But lucky for you, I'm here to help."
She lifted a hand, and in a seamless motion, a book materialized from thin air, glowing faintly in the dim light. As she handed it to Starfania, the moment her fingers brushed the cover, a strange warmth pulsed through her palm. Intricate symbols adorned the surface, shifting subtly, as if alive.
" Everything you need to know is inside," Cantina said, her tone balancing amusement and warning. " Use it wisely."
Starfania nodded, gripping the book. " Thank you."
Cantina took a step back, then paused—clicking her tongue as if remembering something important. " Oh—right. Whenever you're looking for an answer, think. It'll appear."
Aeron crossed his arms, unimpressed. " And we're just supposed to trust you?"
Cantina fixed him with a knowing look.
" Trust is earned. But sometimes, survival requires a leap." She tilted her head. " Besides, I just handed you an enchanted book that could save your lives. That's got to count for something."
The fire cracked softly between them, shadows dancing once more—no longer hostile, but watchful. And deep within the pages of the book Starfania held, destiny quietly stirred. Cantina's gaze softened—just a fraction—before she turned her attention back to Starfania. The firelight caught the sharp lines of her face, shadows dancing like secrets she had no intention of sharing.
" Besides," Cantina added lightly, tapping the book once with her fingers, " if I wanted you harmed, I wouldn't have bothered showing up at all."
Drogo huffed softly, circling her once more before settling beside Atlas.
Atlas, for his part, watched Cantina with ancient, unreadable eyes—recognition passing between them. Starfania exhaled slowly, the weight of the book settling into her arms—and into her fate.
" So," Violet said at last, breaking the tension, " you just…appear, drop cryptic knowledge, hand us a magical book, and disappear?"
" Pretty much," Cantina replied cheerfully. " I'm very efficient."
Aeron snorted despite himself. " That's one word for it."
Cantina smirked, then stepped backward. The shadows behind her began to stretch again, curling like smoke drawn toward a single point.
" One more thing," she said, her tone sharpening just enough to cut through the calm. " You're not as alone as you think. But you are being watched—by forces far less friendly than me."
Starfania's fingers tightened around the book. " The Castle Keeper."
Cantina's smile returned, slow and dangerous. " See? You're learning already."
With that, the shadows folded inward. The fire crackled once—hard—and then Cantina was gone, as if she had never stood there at all. For a long moment, no one spoke. Violet was the first to breathe again.
" Okay," she said weakly. " I officially miss being chased by guards. That made more sense."
Aeron rubbed the back of his neck, eyes still fixed on the space Cantina had vanished from. " She wasn't lying. About any of it."