A blinding flash scorched Lixs's vision, stealing his sight in an instant. The world vanished in white, swallowed by light so intense it erased everything.
Consciousness faded as he tumbled through. Only glimpses remained—himself, lying weak, gazing upon a foreign city teeming with silver towers and clock spires. A breathtaking vista, like a hazy dream. Someone approached… then darkness.
When Lixs opened his eyes, his body felt heavy. An unfamiliar wooden ceiling sheltered him, intricate carvings adorning the supporting beams, red brick etched into the walls. He sat up with a gasp, his breath ragged.
"Where… am I?" he murmured.
He turned to the window—and froze. Outside, impossibly tall buildings rose with architecture unlike anything he'd ever seen, lush bamboo forests nestled in courtyards, the beautiful cityscape crafted from silver.
The world felt alien… yet real.
"You're finally awake."
Lixs whipped around. A man stood in the doorway. His hair shimmered silver, his blue eyes sharp as piercing thoughts, and his robe—long, dark, embroidered with faintly glowing symbols—stirred gently despite the stillness of the air.
Lixs took a half-step back, pressing against the wall, his gaze wary.
"Who… are you?" he demanded.
The man moved slowly, settling into a wooden chair near the bed.
"My name is Lheios Arshal. I found you near the Numero Gate. You were lying at the city's edge, your body scorched," he stated, his gaze fixed on Lixs's face.
Lixs looked down at his own body, patched with wounds. He didn't yet realize that one of his arms refused to move.
He tried to recall the events that led to his injuries. But his memories were fragmented, like a vivid dream, though he could still smell the lingering scent.
His eyes narrowed, focusing on Arshal.
"Do I owe you... for saving me?"
At those words, Arshal rose and moved towards the door. Pausing at the threshold, he turned and smiled.
"Not now. But later, after you've recovered… I'll collect my payment."
The sound of the closing door echoed. He was gone, leaving Lixs alone in the house, his injured body heavy and difficult to move. Unable to bear the weight, he finally lay back, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Minutes later, drowsiness crept over him, his eyelids growing heavy. Arshal, who had remained by the door, stepped out of the house.
The next day, he woke and, despite his pain, searched for Arshal, traversing the house with difficulty. His injuries hampered his movements.
He gave up and sat on a chair near the entrance, listening to the rustling bamboo. The soothing sounds emptied his mind, and he drifted off to sleep.
In the afternoon, Lixs awoke to an empty stomach. He rose, heading for the kitchen to find something to eat.
Every step toward the kitchen sent jolts of pain through his leg, turning a short walk into a quiet struggle. He now used a single cane for support. Slowly, he searched for food.
Fortunately, two bowls sat on the table. Lixs approached, checking their contents.
"Thank goodness," he breathed a sigh of relief.
Ten minutes later, the food was gone, his hunger sated.
After a final drink, Lixs went to the sink to wash his dishes.
Returning to his chair outside, his mind wandered back to Arshal's abrupt departure.
"Where did he go?" he wondered, staring blankly ahead.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lixs, still waiting, began to feel uneasy, even a little worried.
But, unfamiliar with the city's layout, he feared getting lost while searching for Arshal. He decided to stay home and wait.
The night air was calm and soothing. Lixs lay down on his bed, yawned, and drifted off to sleep.
The next day, during a quiet afternoon, Lixs finally reunited with his two friends, Zuxsin and Zaresha.
He wanted to question them about the book, to decide whether to keep it or destroy it. Lixs believed the ancient tome was responsible for his displacement to the continent of Cicaxs.
"Zuxsin, you have the book, right?" Lixs asked, his gaze unwavering.
Zuxsin, under Lixs's unblinking stare, visibly trembled.
"Yes," he replied shortly, swallowing hard.
Lixs gestured towards him.
"Let me see it," he murmured, avoiding Zuxsin's eyes.
With trembling hands, Zuxsin handed over the book. His eyes reluctantly left the object that held his knowledge.
"What are you going to do with it?" Zuxsin asked, a low growl in his voice.
After receiving the book, Lixs slowly rose and moved towards a certain spot. His friends, puzzled by his strange behavior, followed.
Arshal stood near the front door, surprised to see the three of them leaving without a word. He noticed two untouched cups.
In the distance, Lixs stood silently, gazing at something. Seeing this, his friends hurried to see what he was doing.
They reached him, looking at his face. His lip trembled as silent tears slid down his cheeks. He stared at the ground, as if hoping it might offer answers.
Zuxsin and Zaresha were bewildered, unsure what caused his distress. In the distance, they heard Arshal's voice.
"So, you're all here." he said, his voice laced with concern.
He approached, startled to see Lixs crying. Misunderstanding the situation, Arshal accused Zuxsin and Zaresha of making Lixs cry.
Feeling unjustly accused, they denied any involvement, unaware of the reason for Lixs's tears.
"Hey! You're looking for trouble?" Zuxsin retorted, his voice rising in indignation.
At that moment, Arshal approached Lixs, gently lifting him into his arms.
"He's sick, it's understandable. And I apologize for accusing you two," he said, turning to the others with a small smile.
Arshal carried Lixs towards the house to rest. Zuxsin and Zaresha followed, concerned for their friend.
The sound of footsteps and the creak of the floorboards announced their arrival. Arshal laid Lixs down, a soft smile playing on his lips as he looked at his face.
Lixs, who had been crying, fell into a deep sleep. Footsteps echoed from the distance, followed by the sounds of worried whispers. Zuxsin and Zaresha entered the room.
Zuxsin raised a finger to her lips. Her eyes met theirs—soft, urgent, asking for silence without a word. They fell silent, understanding her meaning.
Zuxsin then pointed towards the window. Arshal understood the silent communication and went outside.