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Chapter 3 - scarred path: 3-After the Shadow

The wind in the marketplace still carried the acrid scent of scorched fabric. Thin streams of smoke rose from the wreckage of the stalls, and the ashes hanging in the air seemed too timid to fall.

Servet was seated at the edge of an overturned table. Leaning forward, he fiddled with a small pebble lodged in his shoe, his fingers wrapped in bandages. His left arm hung heavily; every now and then, he drew his hand back and rubbed it gently. It clearly hurt—but he didn't dwell on it.

A short distance away, Iskra was bent over, hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. The spark on her shoulder kept shifting, like a small creature unsure of where to settle.

Servet looked up.

"So... the water nation's sorcerers are chasing you over some magic stone. The peace is broken. You're doing the whole diplomat thing.

And while I was wrestling with shadow-guy, we burned the bread you had on your list."

Iskra raised her head. Her lips parted.

"That bread was rock-hard anyway."

Servet shrugged.

"Good, then."

He groaned as he got to his feet.

"So which way now?" he asked.

Iskra gathered her thoughts. She kept it short.

"I need to reach the Great Kaan. But after that attack… it's clear I'm no longer alone. The shadow ones are watching."

Servet turned his head slightly. His voice came like wind cutting through smoke:

"Sounds like you folks back home are having a blast."

Iskra stood upright and brushed the dust from her clothes.

"Servet... this is serious. If Kjo and Infernus go to war, it won't stop with our nations. This place will get pulled in too."

Servet nodded. His eyes dropped to the ground, but didn't linger there long.

Then he stood tall, straightening his back.

"Let's go," he said simply.

Iskra touched the spark on her shoulder with the tips of her fingers. It flickered softly under the warmth of her hand, like a brief glow of reassurance.

Quietly, Servet murmured:

"Walking's kind of nice...

Especially when someone walks beside you."

He slowed his pace to match hers.

They began to walk side by side.

As they passed through the smoke, their silhouettes faded behind them.

There was silence—

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