Darel approached quietly.
"Liven… you'll leave at midnight," he said softly.
Liven nodded, his voice heavy and broken.
"Alright," he whispered. Inside him, a hollow emptiness lingered. Could this be the last time I see Darel? he wondered.
Darel handed him a small bag.
"I prepared some food for you. You'll need it along the way."
"Thank you," Liven replied. Then he stretched out on the mat in the corner, trying to rest before a farewell he almost didn't want to face.
Time passed. Darel gently touched Liven's shoulder.
"Wake up, child. It's time."
Liven opened his eyes.
"What time is it?"
"2:30…"
He took a deep breath, steeling himself, and walked toward the door. Standing in front of Darel, he hugged him suddenly.
"Be careful," Darel said.
Without thinking, Liven whispered, "Okay… father."
Darel blinked, surprised, but his eyes welled up instantly.
"May your path be clear," he said softly.
---
Liven merged into the night. He followed the underground route Darel had drawn on a map.
When I get there… should I show strength or act ordinary? he thought. I'll decide once I arrive.
Halfway through the journey, exhaustion overtook him.
I'll rest a bit. And my stomach… it's hungry.
He sat under a tree. He ate the food Darel had given him and closed his eyes. No sooner had he drifted off than the Devil's voice echoed:
> "Liven… be ready to see those you wish you hadn't. Tonight… I will enjoy myself immensely!"
Liven jolted awake. Dawn had come. What does this devil mean? he wondered, but there was no time to linger. He got up and continued his journey.
---
At the city gates, two guards stopped him.
"And who are you?" one asked.
"My name is Liven," he replied. The guard glanced at his hair and let him pass. Liven hesitated, suspicious, but kept moving.
Then… he froze.
The men he saw… were the ones who had killed his mother and taken his father. It was as if they had been searching for him.
Memories of the past flashed before his eyes:
> "Please… don't… I'm begging you…"
"Run, Riven! You must survive!"
Liven's eyes narrowed. Time seemed to halt. He grabbed the two men and dragged them into a back alley. The fury within him was ready to erupt.
"Finally… my revenge on that cursed village begins…" he said, laughing maniacally.
---
The Devil appeared again.
> "Your new eye power… the ability to command and force obedience. Lucky you, boy. The power of the gods flows within you…"
Liven laughed, his chest burning with exhilaration.
"This… this is the power I wanted…"
The darkness around him seemed to pulse, feeding his strength. For the first time, he felt that raw, terrible potential surge through him—a gift and a curse entwined.