The sun was now high in the sky, and the group had been waiting for a good thirty minutes. Samuel, leaning against one of the dojo's wooden pillars, watched the students train in the courtyard. Some were endlessly repeating basic skills, while others worked on their posture or concentration, brows furrowed with effort. The atmosphere was studious, filled with the rhythm of battle cries and the sharp clashing of wooden weapons.
Then, the calm was broken by the soft yet firm voice of the cleaning woman.
"Mr. Samuel? The master wishes to speak with you. Alone."
Samuel nodded, cast one last glance at Helydia, then silently followed the woman through the dojo's halls. They stopped in front of a heavy wooden door, which she gently pushed open before stepping aside.
Inside, Kazan was already waiting, seated behind a large oak desk. He barely looked up.
"Come in. Sit down."
Samuel closed the door behind him and sat without a word.
Kazan let out a faint sigh, interlocked his fingers before him, and locked eyes with the young man.
"You want to know what I know about Aethril. Fine. But what I'm about to tell you — you must not repeat to anyone."
Samuel nodded silently.
Kazan began.
"Forty years ago, the nation nearly fell. Aethril wasn't just a cursed colossus. He was an ancient force — misunderstood, relentless. His footsteps shook the earth, his voice shattered mountains. We fought for days. He wouldn't fall. There were ten of us… ten heroes who stood against him. Some died. Others survived — broken."
He paused, his gaze distant, lost in memories.
"There was Alnor, a knight of steel, unshakable in his faith. Ysera, a mist mage, who could bend reality with a single word. And others still… may their souls rest in peace."
His fists clenched.
"In the end, we succeeded. Aethril fell. His body… evaporated. Disintegrated like ash in the wind. That's what the world believes. But one thing remained."
Samuel already knew what he was about to say.
"His heart."
The master slowly nodded.
"Massive, bluish, still pulsing… as if a part of him refused to die. The royal army arrived quickly. Mages, officers, priests. They confiscated it. And a few days later… we were summoned to the castle."
He paused again, then continued in a deeper tone:
"The king made us swear. A sacred oath, in the presence of the Church and the Throne's Arcanists. Never to speak of the heart. Never to reveal what became of it. Not even to acknowledge its existence."
As Kazan spoke, Samuel hadn't once looked away. He remained motionless, absorbing every word.
"So, from what I'm hearing… you know where it is?" he finally asked.
Kazan straightened slightly in his chair.
"Yes. I know exactly where it is."
A heavy, tense silence followed.
"But I didn't call you here to reveal its location. Only to confirm… that what you're looking for does exist."
Samuel clenched his fists in turn.
"Then what now? What the hell am I supposed to do to get back home if I can't even reach that damn heart?"
Kazan turned away, his eyes drifting toward the window, where the leaves of a tall tree trembled in the breeze.
"That's all I had to say. I'm sorry. But take this advice — as one friend to another: leave this kingdom. Forget the Heart of Aethril. And never come back. It's for your own good… and for the good of those who follow you. Because, in this world Samuel... there are punishments worse than death."
Samuel stood still for a few seconds.
Then, without a word, he rose, walked to the door — and slammed it shut behind him.