Riven had never felt fear like this before.
The burning in his left eye, the whispers in his mind — it all made him feel as if the world itself was watching him.
Darel placed a hand on his shoulder. His voice was calm, steady.
"Come on, son. You need rest."
"Don't call me son, old man," Riven snapped, trying to sound cold.
But the word struck deep. It reminded him of something — of someone.
His father's voice. That same gentle tone.
They lay down for the night. The small cabin was silent except for the soft crackle of the dying fire.
Riven turned toward the wall, his hand clutching his chest. The shadows danced across his face, hiding the tears that slid down his cheeks.
"Mother… Father…" he whispered. "Please don't leave me… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… I miss you…"
His words trembled in the dark, fading into broken breaths.
Darel stirred from his sleep. He heard the sobs, quiet and painful. He walked over, sat by Riven's bed, and gently brushed a hand through the boy's silver hair.
For a moment, he saw his younger self — lonely, trembling, desperate for comfort.
"It's alright," Darel murmured softly, almost like a lullaby. "You're safe here."
Riven didn't respond. His breathing slowed. Sleep took him — not peaceful, but deep enough to keep the pain away for a while.
The night passed. Outside, the moon gave way to a cold dawn. Mist rolled through the trees like pale ghosts.
Then—
Thud! Crash!
A shout echoed from outside. "Take that! You bastard!"
Riven shot up, his heart pounding. "Again…?!"
His left eye burned, glowing faintly beneath the bandage. Heat coursed through his body — wild, untamed.
He stumbled to his feet, every nerve on fire. "No… not now… please not now…"
The screams outside grew louder. Something heavy struck the door.
BANG!
Riven ripped the bandage from his eye, light flaring violently in the dark room.
He rushed to the door, yanked it open—
And froze.
His face went pale.
The scene before him wasn't a simple fight… it was chaos — blood on the ground, smoke rising, villagers shouting in terror.
"What… what is this…?"
His voice trembled. His left eye flared once more, reflecting flames that shouldn't exist.
Somewhere, deep within his mind, a familiar voice laughed.
"Good morning, Riven… Did you miss me?"