The sun filtered through Lunaris' busy market square awnings, its golden stripes falling across stalls of rows and multicolored clothing.
James followed Master Oliver, his cape swaying with each stride. The air reeked of fresh bread, spices, and laughter. People moved around them — children running between carts, merchants shouting what they offered, and nobles gliding with quiet pride.
James stopped to observe a cluster of villagers laughing around a fruit stand. Their faces were warm, open, quite the opposite of the nobles of Dravencia.
He smiled weakly. "The people here… they look so kind."
Oliver, at his side, nodded quietly. "They are. The people of Lunaris revere peace and honesty above everything."
James cocked his head, observing as a small boy gave a flower to his mother. "Then you ought to come to Dravencia one day. We're not as icy as you might think."
Oliver smiled quietly. "I've heard. But I suspect your empire's palace would be hardly so quiet as this bazaar."
James smiled. "Perhaps not. But the tea is very good."
They walked some more until Oliver came to a small shop with carved stone decoration in the window.
"Let's come here," Oliver said. "I require something."
They went in, the gentle tinkle of bells announcing their presence.
Inside, the shop was cozy, and the gleam of well-polished gems and rings in glass cases filled the air. The shopkeeper looked up and at once bowed.
"Welcome, Master Oliver," he said with a smile.
Oliver smiled. "Nice to see you. We're searching for a stone today — a ring stone."
The shopkeeper nodded and quickly opened up a tray of handsome stones, each one shining under soft light. "Sure thing. Any particular design preference?"
Oliver glanced at tatJames, who inspected the tray keenly.
A second ticked by. Then James selected a simple pattern — a silver band with a pale blue gemstone at its center. It was lovely and subdued, not showy. But there was something about it… Something peaceful. True.
"This one," he whispered.
Oliver nodded slightly. "We'll take it."
"Fine choice," the shopkeeper smiled. "I'll have it wrapped for you immediately. The price is XXX."
Oliver relinquished the coins with no hesitation. The shopkeeper wrapped the ring in a velvet-covered box and handed it to Oliver, who passed it on directly to James.
"For whomever you'd like to give it to," he said, smiling knowingly.
James held the box, fingers lightly touching the velvet.
He didn't say a word… but in his heart, Sebastian's face appeared to him.
They emerged into sunlight once more.
And somewhere, in the distance, fate had already started to stir.
James's hand grasped the velvet box firmly, his face impassive.
"So," he whispered, "Sebastian's a dark magic user… I want to create something for him. A ring — one that will enable him to control it."
Oliver's eyes opened slightly wider. "That's why you needed the stone?"
James nodded. "Yes. Not only to shield him from others, but to shield him from himself."
Oliver was quiet for a moment, then smiled slightly. "That's a considerate gift. Come then, we'll go back to Dravencia. We have the craftsmen and the masters of enchantment for something like that."
James looked back at the village, the shape of Sebastian's house just visible in the distance. His voice was quieter now.
"I'll give it to him later… when the time is right. But…"
He hesitated.
"…he'll be alone for a while. Will he be alright?"
Oliver placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "He'll be fine. If anything happens… if he loses control, I'll know."
James smiled faintly, relieved.
"Then let's go."
Together, they turned away and walked toward the waiting carriage — the first step in forging a gift that might change everything.
That evening, the wind outside remained quiet, and stars in the sky above Lunaris glimmered like silver dust.
In his room, Sebastian sat down at the edge of his bed, unbuttoning his shirt quietly. As his shirt fell away from his chest, something under his skin started to gleam — a soft, reddish light, a little above his heart. It glowed gently at first… and darker, deeper, until faint ripples of shadow moved under the skin.
He gazed at it, taking slow breaths.
Again… It's spreading.
He pushed his fingers against the glowing mark gently and spoke a healing spell beneath his breath. Light magic — weak and hardly his — crackled through his hand. The red glow faded slightly. Not vanished. Not healed. Just… lessened.
His hand fell.
He reclined back slowly onto the bed, eyes wandering towards the window next to him.
The sky was an open canvas. The stars above twinkled brightly.
But his mind was occupied with something else.
A red sky.
A red moon.
It lingered in his mind like a memory — or a threat. He didn't know which.
Suddenly, he caught his breath as well.
"No… please, not again…"
He sprang up quickly, a cold sweat on his body. He coughed roughly, holding his chest, voice shaking. Then he grasped the glass of water beside his bed and took a deep swallow, attempting to center himself.
The quiet of the room enveloped him.
It's only a dream, he reminded himself.
But even as he settled back into bed, the shadows on his chest still thrummed once more — silent… but still warm.