Countless scratches and cracks covered Ser's pale looking body with blood resting on the edges of some.
Liana's face slowly turned pale as her finger traced one of the cuts.
"Now, lie on your stomach." She said softly.
Servus turned over on the bed. Long, jagged cracks spread outward from a circular mark.
After looking for a brief moment.
"It's. It's a Lichtenburg mark." Liana murmured under her breath.
"A Lichten... what?" Servus asked, confusion in his tone.
"A Lichtenburg mark." She repeated.
"It's a mark that is received only by those who have been struck by lightning." She continued, pausing for a brief moment.
"It seems you are one of those unfortunate ones... and that's likely the reason for your memory loss, Ser." She said softly.
There were many other cuts and scratches across his back, but the Lichtenburg mark seemed to outshine the other as Liana's finger slowly traced it's branching lines.
She studied it for a while before speaking.
"Now, you can lie on your back."
Servus obeyed, turning over once again.
***
A few days passed.
The door creaked open as Ser walked in. Liana stood before a wooden cabin, washing her hands with water.
Ser wore a plain white shirt and ragged brown trousers.
"I'm ready." He said.
"You said, you'd take me to the town for something."
"Yes." Liana replied as she moved to the door and opened it.
"Let's go."
Layers of gray mist covered the sky. The large jagged dark cliffs like the island's dark crown spread near the unusually long ridge covered in dark green layer of grass, where the house was rested.
Ser stepped outside the door followed by Liana. Below the cliff stretched a forest, half swallowed by gray, dark mist and shadowed.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go." Liana said leading the way down the cliff, towards the forest.
As they entered the forest, their vision was clouded by the mist. Liana raised her right hand.
Tiny glowing particles gathered above her open palm, slowly forming a circle. From within the radiance, fire bloomed, illuminating the surrounding.
Ser stood in awe as confusion clouded his mind.
"W-what... How did you do that, Miss Lia?" Ser asked, his voice trembling in disbelief.
Liana turned to face Ser, and smiled as she said.
"You will find out soon enough. For now, just focus on walking."
Ser nodded, his mind still tangled in confusion and curiosity.
Ser was having some difficulty walking due to the injuries sustained in his body.
Liana noticed and slowed her pace, gesturing for him to take his time.
After some time the forest seemed to grew thinner than before. Slowly, with each step forward, the trees seemed to fade as a path formed.
Far ahead, The jagged long walls of concrete stood a few hundred meters away from them, stretching across the land.
There was a large red-stoned gate at the middle with the word "Valka" carved deep on its surface.
Two guards stood at the entrance, clad in metal armor and holding long spears.
As they approached the gate, one of the guard spotted Ser and barked at him.
"Who are you?! I have never seen you here before. Show me your tag!"
Ser, froze in confusion as to the man's command.
"He does not have one. He is a drifter."
Liana answered calmly.
"A drifter?" The other guard questioned, raising a brow.
"Then, he will need to be registered now. Come on!"
Liana nodded and motioned Ser to follow her.
As they walked inside, near the wall there was a building of wood.
The guard gestured for them to enter the building. Liana took the lead and Ser followed close behind.
Inside was a dark and damp room filled with stacks of paper, and a single wooden table sat at the center, with an elderly man sitting behind it.
There were papers resting on the table. Lamps hanging from the ceiling illuminated the room.
The man had white hair, his face covered in wrinkles. He seemed old but had a fairly build body.
"Hmm... Liana?" He said noticing them. "It's been a while."
"Hello, Damse." Liana greeted with a faint smile.
"Hello, sir" Ser followed.
"Ah, Hello." Noticing Ser, he continued.
"Who might this young man be?"
"His name is Servus. As for who he is, hmm..., just think of him as my son" She replied with a smile.
Damse coughed in surprise, and Ser stood speechless, his mind reeling at her thoughts.
"Well, okay. Then, I will not pry further. I assume you are here for his registration?" Damse asked, maintaining his composure.
Liana nodded.
"So, what was your name again?" Damse asked.
"Servus." Ser replied.
"Servus? What a strange name. How old are you?"
"8 years, I think." Ser replied.
"I see. Race?"
Ser twitched his brows in confusion and glanced at Liana.
"Human." Liana answered for him.
"Okay..." he murmured.
He slowly closed his eyes and lifted both his arms. Between his palms, tiny, glowing particles gathered illuminating the room with soft light. Slowly, a rectangle thin slab formed from it as the particles began to merge.
Ser, watched in awe.
When the light faded, Damse took hold of the newly formed white slab and handed it to Ser.
"Here is your tag." He said.
Ser took hold of the slab. His name, race, and a seal was inscribed on it. At the top, it said 'Valka'.
"Keep it safe." Liana said, glancing at him.
After the registration, they continued down the path toward the town.
Concrete and wooden buildings lined the street unevenly, giving the town a rugged charm. The air buzzed with chatter and movement, merchants calling out, children running past and the distant clanking of metals.
"Welcome to Valka, Ser. You may be wondering why I brought you all the way here, aren't you?" Liana said, glancing at Ser.
"Yes, I am." Ser replied in a gentle tone.
"It has to do something with you, Ser. " She said after a brief pause.
Ser said nothing, his footsteps slow and uncertain as they disappeared deeper into the bustling streets.