"Ah… damn it… I've even started seeing that devil in my dreams."
Riven suddenly leapt from his bed. The room was silent. Darel was nowhere to be seen.
"I feel… something strange… did something happen?" he muttered, panic rising in his chest.
He ran outside, eyes darting left and right, but saw no one. Just as he was about to turn, a faint sound came from the back of the garden. Instinctively, he moved toward it.
Darel was there, kneeling in the corner of the garden, fumbling with some herbs or tools.
"Shh! Old man, what are you doing there?" Riven called out sharply.
Darel startled, then turned with a calm smile.
"Ah, Riven… nothing at all."
But then his expression turned serious.
"We need to talk. Come inside."
Riven frowned but, after a moment, nodded and followed him into the house.
"Sit," Darel instructed.
Riven sank into a chair, unease growing heavier in his chest. Darel took a deep breath.
"Riven, I'll be direct. You must leave this city."
Riven shot up, eyes wide in disbelief.
"What?! What nonsense are you saying now?!"
Darel's gaze was steady, unwavering.
"You… are cursed. And this place is no longer safe for you. One day, they will find you. And… they will execute you."
Riven's hands began to tremble.
"No… this is my home! I can't just leave you here!"
Darel stood, placing a firm hand on Riven's shoulder.
"We will meet again, child. But you must go. And… you will no longer be called Riven. Your new name… will be Levin."
Riven's throat tightened.
"Levin…?"
Darel continued, his voice calm yet resolute.
"You will go to Vellan city. There is a guild there—the Nail of Gaçe. Others like you… cursed ones… are there as well."
At that moment, a dark echo stirred within Riven. The voice of the Devil slithered through his mind:
"Hah! Even the place he'll send you to… Levin."
Riven sank to the floor, holding his head in his hands.
"Fine… I'll go…" he whispered, tears streaking down his face.
"Farewell… Darel."
Darel knelt beside him, his hand resting gently on Riven's shoulder.
"May your path be clear… Levin."
The air felt heavy, charged with silent promises and the weight of destiny. Outside, the wind rustled through the garden, but inside, a quiet determination began to take root in Levin's heart—a fire kindled in shadows, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
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