It might have seemed like an innocent, obligatory sentence I had to serve, but deep down, we both knew—it wouldn't be that simple.
The streets stretched longer and longer, as if the city itself was trying to prolong the inevitable. Elis walked me through every alley and square, but my stomach tightened with every step. We had never walked together in such silence before. I knew we were reaching the end.
When we finally stopped, Elis took a deep breath.
"Take care of yourself," she said quietly. "I'll visit as soon as I can."
I nodded, but no words came out. I just looked at her, trying to memorize every tiny detail of her face—her playful smile, her annoyingly perfect features.
The moment was broken by approaching footsteps.
The arrogant woman arrived, flanked by two figures in dark clothing. She didn't even glance at Elis—her sharp eyes were on me.
"Well, well! Here's our little uncultured guest!" she sneered. "Time to go. Our academy is not a charity inn."
"Says the one dressed like a homeless person," Elis muttered quietly beside me, just loud enough for me to hear.
Needless to say, my inner voice was howling with laughter.
Elis hugged me tightly one last time, then whispered in my ear:
– Don't forget who you are, Red. Bite, fight! Be the Avarka I sometimes feared.
Then she let me go.
My steps merged into the hustle and bustle of the city. As we walked, the streets grew wider, and the crowd gradually thinned. We were heading toward the far side of the city, towards an elevated area, over which a massive building loomed. The words froze in me when I looked at it, as if it was a divine miracle. Yet, there was a kind of end-of-the-world atmosphere, which I seemed to find in everything here. It didn't take me long to guess – it had to be the ruler's building. But that wasn't where we were headed.
My eyes were caught by another, closer building. Its robust, ancient stone walls rose darkly above its surroundings, as though it were preparing for battle itself. The gate was massive, with wings that opened toward us, adorned with old symbols at its edges. The space around it wasn't empty – black-clad figures moved everywhere with military discipline.
As we approached, the inner courtyard became visible. Rows of training platforms lined up side by side, and men and women alike trained with weapons and bare hands. The air vibrated with concentration and unshakable determination.
And then I felt it.
A chill ran down my neck, but it was different from the one on the stairs; this was something deeper, bone-chilling.
Someone was watching.
Not just the dark-clad figures, not just the trainers. Another gaze, hidden but sharper than any other.
They knew I was here.
And I knew this was only the beginning.