As the carriage moved forward, the once-frozen snow slowly melted, leaving behind a muddy, uneven road. The horse strained against the weight of the carriage, pulling it with a slow, steady rhythm. Two weeks had passed since Vani overheard Sylas and Varik's secret conversation in the woods, and still, he hadn't brought himself to share what he had learned with Darius—or anyone else. The weight of that knowledge sat heavily on his chest, but the uncertainty of how to act, or even what to do with it, kept him silent. He didn't trust himself to speak.
Every morning, as dawn broke over the horizon, Vani and Elsera trained under Darius's watchful gaze. But even the intense training couldn't quiet the storm inside him. The fear, the confusion, the gnawing emptiness—it all grew stronger with each passing day. The feeling of something deep inside him missing was becoming unbearable, more profound than anything he had ever experienced. He struggled to find a sense of purpose, and each attempt to focus on a goal left him feeling more lost, more adrift. The harder he tried to grasp for something—anything—the more everything felt meaningless. It was as if his entire existence had been reduced to a collection of hollow thoughts and actions.
The days blurred together, a series of monotonous repetitions. He couldn't escape the weight of his own thoughts, nor the suffocating sense of being trapped in his own mind. Even the brief moments of clarity, the moments where he might have found some semblance of purpose, slipped through his fingers before he could act on them.
The carriage creaked and groaned as it rolled forward, and soon the tall, imposing walls of Blackmere City appeared on the horizon, their dark silhouette cutting through the grey sky. The sight of the city's massive gates, looming in the distance, marked the end of their journey. But for Vani, it felt like just another reminder of how little he had figured out.
When they arrived at the towering gates of Blackmere City, the carriage slowed to a halt. Two soldiers stationed at the entrance stepped forward, eyeing the travelers with practiced scrutiny.
One of the soldiers spoke, his voice firm. "State your purpose for entering Blackmere."
Elsera gracefully dismounted from the carriage and, with a calm yet authoritative gesture, raised her hand to reveal the mark etched onto her skin. The sigil was unmistakable, a symbol of power and distinction that only a few possessed. She looked toward the soldiers, her voice steady.
"We've come to meet with Lord Darius Evernigh," she explained. "The people accompanying me are simply traveling with me on this journey."
As soon as the soldiers saw the mark, recognition flashed across their faces. Without hesitation, they stepped aside, their stiff demeanor softening at once. They knew who she was, and the weight of that mark was enough to clear their way.
The carriage moved forward once more, and as they passed the gates, Rowan leaned back, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"It's always so nice," he remarked, "whenever we visit cities like this. We never have to go through the usual controls. Elsera just shows her mark, and everything's handled. No hassle."
Vani's mind wandered, but his eyes were fixed ahead. The ease with which Elsera moved through the world, her connections and authority so effortlessly asserted, only highlighted how lost and uncertain he felt. While others acted with confidence, he remained in the dark, trying to find his own path.
As they passed through the towering gates of Blackmere City, the carriage continued on its way through the bustling streets. The sounds of the city's life filled the air—footsteps, voices, and the distant hum of commerce. Rohan, still looking at Elsera, broke the silence.
"So, when are you planning to meet with Lord Darius Evernigh lady Elsera?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Elsera turned to him with a measured look, her voice steady.
"I'm planning to meet with him in four days," she answered. "We've got time before then."
Meanwhile, at the back of the carriage, Vani was lost in his own thoughts, as distant as ever. The emptiness inside him had only grown with time, and the weight of his emotions pressed on him relentlessly. His mind wandered, trying to find meaning in a world that felt increasingly hollow.
At the front of the carriage, Darius had been observing Vani with a quiet intensity. The younger man's demeanor had changed noticeably, and Darius could see the struggle etched on his face. Vani looked like he was about to break.
"Vani," Darius called out, his voice calm but commanding. "Are you busy? Come here for a moment."
Vani, shaken from his thoughts, looked up at Darius, uncertain of the request but obedient. Without saying a word, he moved to the front and sat next to Darius.
Darius didn't waste any time.
"Did something happen?" he asked, his voice quiet but concerned. "You've been troubled ever since we met you. It's obvious something's on your mind."
Vani gave a hollow smile, a faint glimmer of exhaustion in his eyes.
"I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind lately," he replied, his voice devoid of conviction. The emptiness inside him was something he couldn't explain, even to himself.
Darius studied him for a moment longer, his gaze assessing. Then, with a sudden movement, he reached out to take the reins from Lioren, who had been holding them steady.
"Lioren," Darius said, his voice steady, "Let's swap places for a moment."
Lioren, momentarily confused, hesitated before relinquishing the reins to Darius. As the two swapped positions, Darius turned to Vani and motioned toward the open space beside him.
"Come on," he said, "Let's have a chat."
Vani didn't seem particularly enthusiastic about the idea, but he knew there was little choice. He moved outside the carriage, the cold air hitting his skin as he positioned himself beside Darius, his fingers crossed together in front of him, his gaze fixed downward. He didn't want to look ahead, not at the city, not at anything. His mind was too heavy with confusion and uncertainty.
Vani asked, "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Darius studied him for a moment before answering. "You know, when I look at you right now, it reminds me of my past self."
Vani frowned slightly. "How so?"
Darius exhaled, his gaze distant. "There was a time when I had no hope. No matter what I did, the future felt empty—like there was nothing worth moving forward for. I was on the brink of despair, convinced that nothing had meaning anymore." He paused, then looked directly at Vani. "And when I see you now, I can tell you're feeling something similar."
Vani said nothing, but his troubled expression gave him away.
Darius continued, his voice steady. "I don't know exactly what's weighing on you, but I do know this—just do whatever you want. You don't have to be tied to the past. You don't have to live by anyone else's expectations. Just keep moving, in whatever way feels right to you. Eventually, you'll find something worth chasing. Life isn't just about surviving—it's meant to be lived."
But will anything ever change? It doesn't feel like it…
Vani's voice was quiet when he finally spoke. "Did that work for you?"
Darius hesitated, looking slightly troubled by the question.
"Honestly… my life turned around when I found someone I thought I'd lost forever. But it wasn't just that. Elsera helped me a lot, and somehow, I ended up feeling lucky."
Well, you were about to get executed, so I'd say you were more than lucky...
Vani's expression didn't shift. "I don't think it'll work for me the same way it did for you."
The only person I cared about was my mother. And she's gone.
Darius didn't argue. Instead, he simply said, "It doesn't have to be the same way. No matter what path you choose, eventually, you'll find some kind of light.
But for now…" He gestured ahead.
"You've never been to a big city before, right? Lift your head. Look around. You can think about your problems later."
Vani hesitated, then did as Darius suggested. He lifted his gaze. But even as he looked ahead, the weight inside him remained.