The wind over Vayron Rafael carried a strange weight that morning. Not heavier in force — but heavier in silence.
Akian walked down the narrow cobbled path between houses, the golden mist swirling gently around his boots. Every structure here was carved from pale skyrock, smooth.
Yet today, the peace felt brittle.
He tugged his cloak tighter. Beneath it, the mysterious book rested against his chest like a second heartbeat.
He wasn't sure why he brought it. Maybe part of him hoped he'd find something — some old engraving in the ruins to help him understand the strange script. Maybe he just needed to return to where it all began.
---
He met Jurin near the edge of the garden cliffs — the same spot where they'd stared down into the world below, dreaming of things they were forbidden to speak aloud.
Jurin looked pale. Eyes nervous.
"You heard?" he said without greeting.
Akian nodded. "They're looking for someone."
"They sent Watchers. I saw them questioning the boatmen near the sky canal. And they've sealed the southern ruins."
Akian's stomach sank.
"Do they know?" he asked.
"I don't think so," Jurin replied. "But they're searching."
Akian looked out toward the hanging bridges in the distance, where the southern ruins shimmered faintly behind layers of fog.
"We need to be careful," Jurin added, his voice barely a whisper. "If they find out we were there—"
"They won't," Akian said. But the words felt empty.
---
Meanwhile, within the halls of the Holy Order's inner sanctum, the Watchers moved like shadows — silent, always watching.
Reports had arrived. Someone had entered the southern ruins. The Order could not allow disobedience — not when their rule depended on absolute faith and fear.
The High Seer stood at the altar of stars, a pool of glowing light beneath him. His voice echoed softly.
"There is rot beneath the calm."
He turned to the others.
"We cleanse it before it grows."
---
Akian sat in his room again, turning the pages of the book slowly. Still no answers. Still just symbols and Writings.
But now, every flick of a page felt louder. Every heartbeat heavier.
A soft knock came at the door.
It opened gently.
Eliah stood in the frame, holding a bowl of soup. Her face calm — the way the sky was calm before a storm.
She walked in, set the bowl down, and sat beside him. Her eyes fell to the book, resting closed on the desk.
She didn't touch it this time.
"You were always curious," she said quietly.
Akian looked at her. "Is it that bad?"
She smiled faintly. "In this world… it can be."
He didn't answer. Instead, he watched her, noticing the way her gaze lingered — not on the book, but on the symbol and writing on it.
She stood up to leave, her voice gentle as ever. "Eat before it gets cold."
As she tried to go out the room , Akian grabbed her hand gently.
She was facing the door , Akian couldn't hold it inside anymore.
"Do you know Something about this book... Mom ?" Akian asks.
To be continued...