Chapter 17
A New Journey
Einver awoke to the golden light of morning streaming through the window. He had been sleeping in a medium-sized room, on a simple floor mattress.
The window stood wide open, letting in the cool breeze, carrying with it the fragrance of ancient trees and the scattered scent of flowers. The air was crisp and refreshing, filling the chest with life and sharpening the senses.
Einver stood before the window, his crimson eyes glowing like embers that would never fade. The chill of the wind stirred his long hair, making it flow like delicate curtains. He remained still, lost in silence and contemplation for nearly an hour, as though time itself had frozen in that moment.
At last, after a full hour, he slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again, recalling all that old Moon Fai had told him the night before. The elder had revealed many things about this world, its depths of power, and Einver's true position within it. The words of Moon Fai echoed in his mind like distant reverberations, carrying riddles still unsolved.
In that moment, Einver resolved to continue his path—to press forward, to discover this world, and uncover its secrets. He was convinced that his arrival in this place carried with it a hidden reason, that it had not been mere coincidence, nor simply the result of surpassing human limits. That explanation had never felt convincing to him.
He questioned silently:
Why had "the Shadow" granted him another chance at life? Surely there was a deeper truth behind his rebirth.
And what of the Four Kings—where had they come from? How had they reached a level of power so great they could rend the vast earth itself into four separate lands?
At last he pushed aside the restless thoughts clouding his mind, and spoke softly, as though to himself:
"Very well… it's time to depart."
He left his room with steady steps and found that a bath had been prepared especially for him. He washed, cleansing his body of all the fatigue, the strain, the dust and filth of the night before—whether from his battle with Moon Fu, or the exertion and focus that followed.
Afterward, he dressed in new garments Moon Fai had prepared at his request. The attire was simple, yet elegant: a dark black kimono, a black cotton shirt, trousers of the same shade, all draped beneath a loose black cloak and a wide-brimmed straw hat. In this attire, he carried an air of solemn dignity, like a traveler who had stepped out from the pages of an ancient legend.
Once he was dressed, he stepped outside the house to find Moon Fai waiting for him at the door. The old man's smile was warm, touched with both sorrow and hope.
"Are you truly leaving? Why not stay here with us, live in our village, my young friend?"
Einver smiled faintly at the words, moved by the elder's kindness and sincerity.
"There's no need. Thank you for the warm welcome and generous hospitality. But I am a wanderer. My purpose is not to settle, but to journey across this world. Thank you for everything, old one—you received me, taught me about this world, and even gave me these clothes. I'm truly grateful."
Moon Fai looked into Einver's crimson eyes, then sighed, making no further attempt to persuade him. For he knew well that those eyes, that determination, that restless fire burning in Einver's spirit, would never be stilled, never bow, never break.
The elder extended his hand, offering a short sword, slightly smaller than the one Einver already carried. Its blade gleamed white, streaked with beautiful crimson lines that caught the daylight, a work of art in itself. It had been Moon Fai's companion in his youth, but he had no further use for it now. He had never given it to his son or daughter, for one simple reason—neither Moon Fi nor Moon Fu used swords, each having chosen their own weapon. Were it to remain with him, the blade would only rust away, forgotten.
So he entrusted it to Einver, as a companion for his journey.
Einver accepted the sword, his eyes filled with gratitude, and fastened it at his side beside his other blade. Then Moon Fi brought forward a strong horse, prepared for the road. Einver mounted it, and with one last look of farewell to Moon Fai and his son, his heart brimmed with thanks and appreciation.
But before he could depart, someone awaited him at the village gate. It was Moon Fu, her eyes blazing with both fury and determination. Einver drew his horse to a halt and dismounted, speaking to her coolly:
"What do you want?"
Moon Fu met his gaze with a fierce glare. Her voice rang strong:
"I want another duel with you. This time I'll use my full strength, and I will not underestimate you."
Einver's lips curved with a calm smile as he read the mix of fire and frustration in her eyes.
"Not now… perhaps in the future. We are not enemies, to fight every time we meet and tear ourselves apart with needless wounds. Moon Fu… you have a bright future ahead of you. Train hard, break through the higher realms, and when the time comes, we will meet again—one final battle, once and for all. What do you say to that?"
Moon Fu lowered her head for a few seconds, torn in thought, though the flames of anger still churned within her chest. She wanted desperately to fight him now. But when she raised her eyes, she saw her father watching her quietly from afar, his expression calm, as though waiting for her decision.
She hesitated. In truth, she hated Einver completely—not with vengeance, but with pure, bitter dislike. She hated him because he was better than her.
He had arrived only a day ago.
He knew nothing of the foundations of power.
He knew nothing of spiritual energy or innate abilities.
He didn't even know the ranks of strength.
And yet—her father admired him.
Her brother respected him.
And she herself… had been defeated by him.
That was why she hated Einver.
But now, with his words, and her father's quiet gaze upon her, she exhaled softly, with a mix of reluctance and defiance. Her voice carried once more the edge of challenge:
"Very well… we will fight again, in the future. And I will crush you with a defeat you could never imagine. But until then… don't you dare die."
With that, she threw a bow and quiver of arrows toward him, then turned sharply and strode back toward the village.
Einver caught the bow and quiver with a faint smile, slung them across his back, then mounted his horse once more and set off into his new journey.
---
The sky was heavy with black clouds, the wind howling from every direction. Rain poured in torrents over a long, desolate road—one no soul would dare traverse in such ominous weather… save one man.
That man rode his horse like a storm, tearing through the wind and rain with unstoppable force. His figure blurred in the downpour, like twilight light reflected on restless water, like a phantom rising from the depths of hell, racing the gale in pursuit of a fleeing soul.
He rode a stallion black as night, and from afar one might think him Death himself, chasing his prey.
But it was none other than Einver… at the beginning of his new journey.
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