The morning sun crept through the gaps in the inn's window, reflecting right onto my face. The stinging warmth forced my eyes open slowly.
"Ugh..." I stretched my stiff body. Staring at the ceiling, I let out a long sigh. Yesterday, Uncle Jack and I had truly gone wild, eating and drinking like there was no tomorrow.
I smiled faintly while massaging my throbbing head. "I need to get up," I muttered to myself. After showering and getting ready, I headed down to the lobby. I saw Uncle Jack already sitting there, looking bright and refreshed as if nothing had happened last night.
"Hey, Draven! How was your sleep, eh?" he shouted loudly.
"Uncle... how can you be up this early when you drank the most last night?" I asked in disbelief.
Jack chuckled with pride. "Drinks like those are nothing to me! Come on, as I promised, today we're touring Luxora to our heart's content. Look, the weather is beautiful!"
We stepped out of the inn. "So, where are we going, Uncle?"
Jack paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, I'm not quite sure myself. How about we taste every street food this city has to offer?"
I smirked, curving the corner of my lips to tease him. "Wait, didn't we eat until we nearly exploded yesterday, Uncle?"
Without a word, Jack pulled me into a firm side-hug. "Oh, hush! Just come along, kid! You need to eat a lot so you can grow up fast and become a strong Awakener!"
The day was filled with laughter. We wandered through the charming corners of Luxora, but behind my smile, my mind was fixed on only one thing: Tonight. I had to carry out my plan tonight. We were scheduled to head back to the village tomorrow morning; I couldn't let this chance slip away.
Mid-walk, Jack suddenly asked in a serious yet warm tone. "Draven, when you become an Awakener, what kind of person do you want to be?"
I stopped in my tracks. I stared at the bustling streets of Luxora, then answered slowly but firmly. "I... I want to be an Awakener whose very presence makes the people around me feel safe."
Jack went silent for a moment, seeing my seriousness, then he chuckled softly. "In that case, you'll have to be the protector of my bakery later, okay? Hahahaha!" He took a deep breath, gazing at the city skyline. "I'll always support your dream, Draven. I can't wait to see the day you achieve it."
Jack's gaze was so pure—the look of a father proud of his son. My chest tightened with emotion. "Thank you, Uncle. I won't let you down," I replied with the most sincere smile I could give.
Evening arrived. Upon returning to the inn, I grew quiet and lost in thought, finalizing the assassination plan. "Uncle," I called out softly.
"What is it, Draven?"
"Could I borrow a little bit of money? There's something I want to buy."
Jack looked at me for a second, then without asking any questions, he reached into his pocket and handed me a fistful of coins. "Here, take it. No need to pay me back," he said with a laugh. "Looks like you haven't had enough fun yet, eh? Enjoy your last night here; we leave at dawn."
"Thank you, Uncle. I'm heading out now."
I hurried toward a weapon shop I had scouted out yesterday. As soon as I entered, the scent of iron and gun oil greeted me.
"Sir," I called out to the shopkeeper. "Do you have a knife suitable for adventuring? I need something properly sized, but with extraordinary sharpness."
The merchant showed me several pieces from his collection. I chose a dagger with a darkened blade so it wouldn't reflect light in the dark of night. Once the transaction was done, I gripped the hilt of the knife beneath my cloak. My grip tightened, my eyes staring intensely toward the Central Church visible in the distance.
Tonight... I will change destiny.
Thunder roared across the sky as the wind began to howl. I stood before the magnificent cathedral, clutching the crucifix in my pocket while trying to steady my erratic breathing.
Stay calm, Draven, I told myself. He's only fifteen. No matter how strong he is, I am a forty-year-old man with years of combat experience from my previous life. I have to believe in myself.
Just as I was about to step forward, the heavy church doors creaked open. Creeeeeak...
A young boy emerged from the shadows. Nathaniel. He looked at me and smiled. "Oh, it's you from yesterday. Have you come to pray?"
I froze for a moment, swallowing hard against my dry throat. "Yeah... I just wanted to see the cathedral's atmosphere at night. I have to head back to my village tomorrow morning, so I wanted to see this place one last time."
"Is that so? It's a pity you have to leave so soon," Nathaniel replied softly. "Please, go inside if you'd like to look around. I must excuse myself for a moment."
As Nathaniel prepared to walk past me, my instincts screamed. This is my chance.
"Wait!" I blurted out spontaneously.
Nathaniel stopped and turned, his clear blue eyes looking at me inquisitively. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Wh-where are you going?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"The Priest asked me to run some errands for the church."
"In that case... mind if I tag along?"
Nathaniel went silent. He scrutinized me from head to toe with a flat, unreadable expression. "Didn't you want to see the cathedral at night?"
"Ah, that... I can do that later after accompanying you. Besides, I wanted to walk around the city for a bit," I replied, wiping the cold sweat from my forehead. Damn it, why am I sweating this much when the wind is blowing this hard?
Nathaniel didn't object. "Very well, I don't mind. Let us go together."
We walked side by side through the beginning drizzle. Nathaniel walked with a calm grace, while I felt as if I were treading on nails.
"You seem to be someone who sweats easily, don't you?" Nathaniel remarked suddenly without looking at me. "The weather is freezing, and the wind is strong. Yet you look... agitated."
"Hahaha, yeah... I'm just like this when I lack sleep," I made a hollow excuse. "Anyway, how old are you?"
"Fifteen. And you?"
"Twenty," I answered sharply.
"Only a five-year difference, then," he said with a smile.
We kept walking. Whether by chance or design, Nathaniel led me through narrow alleys, far from the city's hustle and bustle. The streets grew quieter, leaving only the sound of raindrops and our echoing footsteps.
"How long have you been at that church?" I asked again, fishing for information.
"I came to this church when I was thirteen," he answered flatly.
My heart hammered so hard my ears began to ring. Thirteen. That was it. The exact same year as the village massacre.
"Oh, by the way," Nathaniel stopped for a moment, letting me walk slightly ahead of him. "If I may ask, where exactly did you find that crucifix? The precise location."
I tensed up. "On... the road in my village. I picked it up because the design was striking."
"Oh, I see," he whispered.
We reached a dark, silent dead end. Nathaniel walked in front of me, his back turned. This was it. My hand slowly crept inside my cloak, tightly gripping the hilt of the dagger I had just bought. I waited for the perfect moment to drive it into his neck. The universe seemed to be on my side; he had led me to this desolate place himself.
I took a breath, ready to lung.
However, just before I could pull out the blade, Nathaniel stopped in his tracks. A gust of wind blew past, fluttering his white cloak. Without turning around, he spoke in a voice so calm it was enough to turn my blood to ice.
"It would be wise... to abandon your intent to kill me."