The air inside the house was tense, heavy with the smell of blood.
Dusk pressed a clean cloth over the owl's wound, applying firm, steady pressure. His hands trembled, but he didn't stop— not even for a breath. He remembered a slum boy from Lightrest City once doing the same when his leg had been cut. It was simple but worked better than panic.
After a few minutes, Hoot's breathing steadied. The little owl's eyelids fluttered, then sank into sleep.
Dusk exhaled deeply, relief flooding through him. "He's still alive."
Dawn clutched her small hands together, eyes glistening. "Hoot will be okay, right?"
"He'll be fine," Dusk said softly. "Just take care of him, okay? Brother's going to see if he can help Mr. Lock."
Dawn looked frightened, but she nodded with determination.
Before leaving, Dusk crouched beside his bed and reached under the wooden frame. His fingers brushed against a familiar object. He pulled it out—a small knife, its blade dull but dependable— and tucked it under his shirt. Then he paused and looked at two other things beneath the bed. He took them too.
Then he stepped into the night.
He had no plan. No weapon strong enough to matter. But his resolve was firm.
Lock might be a sorcerer. But he had helped them —given them guidance, money and a chance to learn. Even if Lock had used him, Dusk still remembered his lessons: that the world was larger than the well he lived in.
He couldn't just do nothing.
"Let's think," Dusk murmured, walking quickly down the empty street. "Mr. Lock probably went to Lightfall Mountain for the treasure. But if even a sorcerer got hurt there… what can I possibly do?"
His mind spun with possibilities. Should I go to the church? he thought— but quickly shook his head. The church would burn a sorcerer like Lock alive. And they might also burn him too.
"No... I'll go to Seid," he decided aloud. "He'll help."
The streets still buzzed faintly with life—vendors packing up, horses clopping by, laughter spilling from taverns. As he turned toward Seid's district, a familiar voice called out.
"Dusk!"
He turned. "Woofy?"
The wolf-eared boy trotted up, tail twitching excitedly. "Hehe, guess what? I earned five fins today! Easy work! Too easy for someone like me."
Dusk couldn't help smiling slightly. "That's great. I was just heading to meet Uncle Seid."
"Ah, Boss Seid's not around," Woofy said with a shrug. "He went to another area today. I even gave the commission to his wife, but she asked me to stay all night and 'play.'" His ears twitched awkwardly. "I don't know why, but I felt like if I stayed, I'd lose something, so I ran! Hahaha!"
Dusk blinked. Lose something?
Five years later, Woofy would remember that moment and curse himself forever.
"I didn't even feel that kind of danger when I was in Lightfall Mountain!" Woofy bragged again, puffing his chest out.
"Lightfall Mountain?" Dusk's heart skipped. He grabbed Woofy's shoulder. "You went there?"
"Yeah," Woofy said proudly, wagging his tail. "I guided a few men up the trail today. Easy stuff! My hearing's good, I can dodge wild beasts. I'm the best guide around."
Dusk's pulse quickened. "Woofy... take me there."
"Huh? What? It's already night," Woofy said, confused. "Why would you—"
"I'll pay you ten fins," Dusk interrupted. "And you don't need to pay commission to anyone."
Woofy's eyes lit up like lanterns. "Deal!"
"Do you have any weapons?" Dusk asked, lowering his voice.
---
Ten minutes later, the two boys stood at the edge of the Lightfall Crossroad. The moon hung high, pale and distant, while the forest ahead stretched dark and silent.
Both had small knives hidden beneath their clothes.
The mountain loomed before them—not a dense forest, but an endless spread of slanted ridges, winding paths, and tall, crooked trees whose roots clawed through the rock. Mist coiled at the foothills like ghostly fingers.
"You know the way, right?" Dusk asked.
"Of course," Woofy said, adjusting his small satchel. "I'll take you through the safe path. Just stay close. Oh—and lots of bugs at night. We can use lemongrass to keep them away."
He pointed to a cluster of tall green plants, and the two boys crushed and rubbed them onto their arms and necks. The sharp citrus scent filled the air.
Woofy wrinkled his nose. "Ugh, I hate this smell."
Dusk smiled faintly. "Better than bug bites."
The wolf-boy's ears twitched constantly as they walked. He listened to the wind, the rustle of leaves, the distant chirps. Whenever he twitched one ear, they turned—taking winding paths, circling trees, and avoiding strange sounds. Dusk had no idea how many times they'd looped back, but not once did they encounter a wild beast.
After more than an hour, they reached a clearing where the mountain dipped inward, forming a vast crater-like basin surrounded by towering cliffs.
"This is it," Woofy said, stretching his arms. "They paid me here and went in on their own. Just… don't tell Boss I brought you."
"I won't," Dusk promised. Then he looked toward the crater. A faint light flickered somewhere deep below.
"Woofy… stay here and watch the path. I'll check ahead."
Woofy hesitated, but nodded.
---
The crater's edge was steep, dotted with dead trees and sharp stones. Dusk descended carefully, holding up his oil lamp to light the way.
Unseen by him, two figures were already inside.
"That kid…" Robert gritted his teeth, blood dripping down his forehead. His sword lay shattered beside him.
Lock sat nearby, leaning against a rock. His coat was torn, his face bruised, his usual smirk replaced by weary frustration. Both men were trapped within a glowing circular barrier, faintly shimmering with golden runes.
"Such a good kid," Lock muttered, his tone half amused, half pained. "And now he's walking right into this mess."
Robert scowled. "Tch. If Gust hadn't triggered the damn trap, I'd have gutted you by now."
"Hah," Lock chuckled weakly. "You tried to strike me first, remember? The moment you swung, the barrier activated and trapped us both. Now even sound can't escape."
He tilted his head back, eyes tracing the faint blue glow above. "No wonder that witch waited so long. She was awaiting for the Blue Moon. But she got caught before she could– huh" he sighed.
Robert spat blood. "Damn it. That useless Gust ran off deeper inside the mountain."
Lock gave a lazy shrug. "If he did, he's probably dead already or he already got the treasure."
Then, something small scurried across the rocky ground— a flash of silver darting toward the barrier. A faint clink, clink echoed as the tiny rat-shaped charm slammed its metallic head against the shimmering wall again and again.
Lock blinked. "This is…"
He lifted his gaze—and there, above the crater's edge, stood Dusk. The oil lamp in his hand cast a golden halo around him. On the back of his palm, faint glowing inscriptions pulsed softly—remnants of the same magic Lock had once taught him.
The sorcerer's eyes widened.
A slow, incredulous smile spread across his bloodied face. "Heh… so fate really is unpredictable."