Aziel walked through the hallway, aged stone walls rough beneath flickering lanternlight. The flames cast long, wavering shadows across the floor, while wooden beams overhead creaked softly under their own weight.
Faded tapestries clung to the walls, their colors dulled with time, hinting at a forgotten grandeur. The cobbled floor was uneven, worn smooth by the countless footsteps.
He wore a fitted black tunic under a leather coat, the sleeves snug at his wrist and reinforced with stitching for movement. A high collar framed his neck, and soft boots laced tightly to his calves.
A belt with small pouches held his tools. A black hood could be pulled over his short black hair to conceal his head when needed.
It has been a month since I started working here.
The world is not like I thought it was…
The world is full of mysteries and strange forces people have failed to understand for the past two thousand years.
The people who saved me are known as Watchers and their organization is called Equinox.
People can use their imagination to wield a mysterious power with no limit.
This power is called Manifex. But it is not that simple.
Some lose themselves in their imagination, lose control, and fall into Mindfall. People like that are known as Mindreavers.
There is still so much I don't know about this world… but I will figure it out.
He reached a door at the end of hallway.
"May I Enter?" Aziel asked.
"Enter." A voice replied from behind the door.
Aziel took a long breath and entered the door.
Behind a wooden table, Darian sat in his chair, hand resting lightly on its surface.
In front of the table stood the girl who had been saved alongside Aziel.
Aziel walked straight toward them, a serious expression on his face. He almost stumbled but caught himself just in time.
As Aziel stood along the girl in front of Darian.
"At last, the decision about you have been made, Aziel." Darian said, resting his hand on the table.
Aziel took a deep breath, his hand trembling slightly.
"As we all know you have fallen in Mindfall." Darian said, "and no one in history has ever been able to control it."
"And your powers are even more unknown that we have never seen for the past two thousand years." Darian continued.
"You know what I am trying to say right."
"So, the higher-ups have decided to…," Darian said, with a pause, "…execute you."
For Aziel the whole world seemed to freeze. His legs trembling slightly.
"What are you saying, Captain?" The girl said, slamming her hand on the table.
"Let me finish first," Darian said with calm voice.
"The execution has been stopped," Darian continued.
"Why?" Aziel said confusion tightening his chest.
"I killed a lot of people," Aziel whispered to himself.
"And you know I don't know how I could even get myself out of this Mindfall."
"There is no way they would let me live, don't give me false hope."
The girl slapped him across the face.
Aziel looked up and saw tears welling in her eyes. Before he could say anything, she ran out of the room.
Aziel glanced back at Darian.
"uff." Darian said, exhaling sharply.
"This generation… what am I going to do with them? Not even listening to the whole thing."
"Aziel, listen." Darian said while stepping up from his chair and moving toward the window.
"Your execution was stopped due to the request of Ninja."
"Ninja?" Aziel repeated, astonished
"Yes, he hopes great things from you," Darian said, glaring back at him, "don't disappoint him."
Aziel bowed deeply as a sign of gratitude.
"I will." He said and turned to leave the room.
Behind him, Darian picked up his cane, muttering to himself,
"I hope everything goes well."
As he left the room, the girl was still standing outside, waiting for him. Her eyes were red, tears still clinging to them.
"What happened then?" she asked.
Aziel looked at her.
"I won't be executed."
Her face lit up instantly
"That's great." She said with joy.
"So, let's go," She continued, wiping her tears. "We also need to get ready. Our work going to be hard."
As they passed through the hallway.
Aziel thought-
Her name is Emilia Visal.
She is my childhood friend, even though I don't remember much of the the past after the incident.
But I can feel it she is not lying.
Both of us are now going to work as Watchers under captain Darian.
And at last, they exited the building.
Outside, the sun shone brightly over the market, washing the street in warm light people moved in steady steam between wooden stalls, voices overlapping as merchants called out their wares. Coins clinked, bargains were struck.
This is city named Tuglis.
I arrived here with captain Darian.
This is the last border city known to the people who don't know about our world.
But the real world begins beyond this place.
And someday… I will cross this boarder.
So, I can finally control my powers.
"Let's go. We will be late." Emilia said.
Aziel nodded with a small smile.
Then they both hurried toward a horse-drawn carriage waiting by the door. The dark horse stamped the ground impatiently, leather reins creaking as the driver steadied it. The carriage itself was wooden and enclosed, its sides enforced with iron bands and small lanterns hanging near the door.
They climbed inside and settled onto the cushioned seats as the door shut behind them.
With a sharp tug of rein the carriage rolled forward.
After a while.
They reached a large house standing apart from the others. Its stone exterior was aged but well-kept, with tall, shuttered windows and a sloped roof of dark tiles. A narrow path led t the heavy wooden door.
They knocked together, the sound dull against the thick wooden door. After a brief pause, it creaked open.
A man stood behind the door.
He had long hair that fell over his eyes and ears, unkempt and neglected.
He wore a loose, faded tunic with worn leather belt, and baggy trousers tucked into scuffed boots. A tattered cloak hung from his shoulders, draped carelessly.
Oh yes, a lazy looser…, Aziel thought.
That were Aziel's first impression.
"Who are you?" the man asked lazily.
"We will be living here from now on." Emilia said.
"Oh, you are the new guys." He said.
"Nice to meet you." He said and continued.
"My name is Azik Tolren."
And they they exchanged greetings, and Azik showed them around the house.
The house was simple, built mostly of oak, with two floors.
The upper floor was for girls, the lower floor was for boys.
Hmm this is not that bad, Aziel thought as he looked around
I wonder if they will give us nice food.
Suddenly, Emilia leaned close to his face.
"Hey! what are you doing? help me move my stuff in the room."
"You only have one bag," Aziel replied. "Do it yourself."
Emilia puffed her cheeks and punched him straight in the stomach.
"O-okey, okey I will help." Aziel said quickly.
As he lifted her bag, he sighed inwardly
Do I really have to live with this princess?
What does she even think I am… her servant?
But Aziel knew that this happiness wouldn't long if he didn't face the truth.
If he doesn't do anything about his Mindfall.