----Chapter 6----
I opened my eyes and saw the familiar sky, the same azure blue as the first image I remembered when I arrived in this strange world.
I put my arms across my forehead, trying to gather my thoughts, but something felt… off.
For some reason, I barely even noticed that I was holding something in both hands.
Why am I holding the dagger?
And then it hit me.
The blank image I had seen in the void, the one that had felt empty, was the dagger and the coins.Their presence made Zeberu's false world collapse the moment I realized they were part of reality. They became part of the truth the moment I touched them.
So that is how it works.
I forced a smile, letting out a faint, almost forced chuckle.
Then I released both arms and let myself indulge a little more, lying back on the Aethergrass while enjoying the blue sky.
And then I did not notice it at first.
A presence. Right above me.
"Hey, Mister! Are you okay?" a curious voice asked.
My heart jumped. I panicked, caught off guard.
What if she is an enemy? A false character made by Zeberu to deceive me?
I scrambled to stand, and BAM. Our foreheads collided.
I stumbled back, rubbing my forehead. She leaned back, blinking rapidly.
I gazed at her, examining her short crimson hair brushing her shoulders, her emerald eyes, and pale white skin. I stared.
"Hey, Mister! What are you looking at?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her body, defensive.
"No… no… it is not what you think,"
I stammered.
"I am just surprised to see anyone in the middle of the forest. Are you somehow an adventurer? You do not look like one."
She blinked.
"Ah… no! I am not. I am just gathering some medical herbs. Actually, I am an apprentice apothecary in Iskervale town."
I nodded slowly, taking in the basket full of herbs and grasses I had never seen in my entire life.
She also carried a small, cheap-looking knife strapped to her side.
"Yes, you are right. You do not look like an adventurer," I admitted.
"I am sorry about that," I added, scratching the back of my head slightly, giving a quick bow.
"You are a weird guy, sleeping on the Aethergrass in the middle of the forest where monsters lurk. Aren't you afraid?"
Well… I was about to answer when a sudden movement above us caught my attention.
Desil grabbed my arm, pulling me close.
"Stay calm! Do not panic!"
I froze. My mind raced. What is happening?
"Hide!" she hissed, dragging me behind a tree.
From above, a screech echoed through the forest, shaking the branches.
A massive winged creature hovered over us, its wings stirring so much wind that it almost uprooted the trees.
Its talons were long and sharp, its feathers shimmered with dark iridescent colors.
I swallowed, panic rising. What do we do?
Desil's voice was calm but firm.
"Do not move. Let us stay hidden. It cannot see us yet."
I nodded, gripping my dagger tightly.
••••
As we moved cautiously through the forest toward town, I decided to introduce myself.
"I'm Hiroki. Pleasure to meet you."
"Oh, haha, silly me! I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Desil, an apothecary apprentice," she laughed.
"So your name is Hiroki? Kinda a weird name, but sounds fine to me. Also, your clothes… I've never seen anything like them in my entire life. It's like you came from a different world."
Her eyes inspected every detail, even my sneakers. Then I remembered the three unopened chocolate bars in my pocket.
"Here, take this," I handed her one.
Her gaze shifted to the chocolate bar, but she was still fixed on my sneakers like a curious child.
She's funny in a nice way, I thought.
Then she noticed the colorful wrapper. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"What is it?" she asked.
"It's food. Chocolate."
"Cho…co…what?"
"Chocolate! Open it like this."
I demonstrated, tearing the wrapper to reveal the bar.
Her eyes glared at the chocolate as drool threatened to escape.
"Eh… hey, why don't you open yours?"
I asked.
"Hmmm… no! It's precious. If I open it now, I can't brag about it in town," she said, grinning like a child with a new toy.
I broke the remaining bars in half.
"Here, try some. Don't worry, I still have one in my pocket."
"Really!!" she exclaimed, immediately grabbing it, eyes feasting on it before she ate.
Her joy was infectious. For a moment I almost forgot the weight of everything, the dagger and coins.
And now… I'm finally experiencing it for the first time. A moment of normalcy, quiet and unbroken, at least for now.
••••
And then, we finally arrived at the main gate of Iskervale.
It was enormous. Far larger than I had expected for what people called a town.
"Here, Hiroki. You must identify yourself to the guards for them to let you pass," Desil reminded me.
"What!? Do I need one?" Panic rose again.
As we approached, a young boy bumped into me.
"Watch where you are going, mister!" he snapped.
His eyes were as clear as the sky, curly brown hair with freckles on his face. His clothes looked expensive, like he was the son of a nobleman.
The guard's attention shifted to me, narrowing his eyes at my unusual attire.
"What is this…? Your clothes… you do not look like anyone we usually see entering the town."
Oh no… how do I explain this?
Desil quickly stepped forward, adjusting her tone and posture.
"Oh, sir! This is Hiroki. He is under my supervision. He is new to Iskervale and just returned from a long journey outside the forests. He is an apprentice in training, collecting rare ingredients for me."
The guard raised an eyebrow, still suspicious.
"I see. Very well. But keep him close. I will allow entry this time."
"Thank you, sir," Desil said smoothly, giving me a small reassuring nod.
••••
As we both walk inside the town, I suddenly froze when I remember something was missing on my grip.
Wait… my dagger… it's gone!
"Ehhhhhh!!" I shouted.
"Calm down!" Desil grabbed my arm firmly, her voice sharp.
"Hiroki! Keep calm!"
I offer both hands for her to see.
"My dagger… it's gone!"
Then I remember earlier, there was a boy who bumped at me.. the one with freckles in his face the curly hair boy..
Her face immediately changed, turning grim.
"No… not Lord Hemlin," she whispered.
I focused, bringing my index and middle fingers to my eyes, leaving a small gap between them like looking through a crude telescope. Shadows twisted, and the world shifted in my vision. Colors and layers revealed themselves, faint auras flickering over everything.
A green haze bloomed around Desil, sharp and trembling. Fear. She was afraid.
Even her, someone usually so composed… she's scared. This is serious, I thought, my heartbeat quickening.
•••••
And then, somewhere near the plaza in town.
"What is this… a piece of junk!?"
"There you are, Lord Hemlin. I have been looking for you in the entire town," a voice called exhausted and out of breath.
"Ah, it's you, Selvan," the boy hokding the daggers replied with cold voice.
"What is that you are holding, my Lord?" Selvan asked.
"I do not know. I thought it was valuable, but it looks like a piece of junk. Some random guy outside the town gave it to me, but I have lost interest now," Hemlin said, shrugging.
And then the dagger sparked with purple energy.
"Lord Hemlin… Selvan… what is happening?" Selvan asked, voice shaky.
The purple light danced along the blade, twisting like living smoke.
Then the crowd around the plaza froze, the small birds paused like statues mid air..