Ji Ao took the wrap-around necklace with reverence, not quite knowing
what to say. But as soon as he put it around his neck, the wraps enveloped the
stones of the necklace, as if guarding and enhancing the stones' energetic essence.
And before he walked away, Lobraw finished:
— And one more thing... Give me back that white stone; I have something
even better for you.
He held up a small, fine leather pouch, fastened with a special knot. Upon
opening it, small shining stones glittered under the morning light.
— This is a Veil of Honor. It replaces the treasure necklace I had given
you. All warriors of the White Forest carry one. It must contain at least three
stones. In battles of honor, the winner can choose the contents of the Veil or
the loser's life. And if the Veil is empty, one can no longer duel for honor.
Keep that in mind.
Ji Ao touched the stones, and when he looked at the small, fine leather
pouch, he was speechless. Somehow, he could read the small symbols written on
the leather: "Commander Lobraw. Honor, Justice, and Bravery, in service of the
Rabbit Kingdom."
— Welcome to the real world, kid. And now you are officially... Zangh
Kao — Lobraw murmured, unaware that yet another great secret had been revealed.
The ten days were drawing to a close. Time ran like fine sand through his
fingers, and the departure through the portal was imminent. The atmosphere in
the tavern was tense, with a touch of farewell in the air. Ji Ao still wondered
if he was ready, while Ruby sharpened her sword blade with distant eyes. Lobraw,
as always, wiped glasses that seemed already too clean, just to have something
to occupy himself with.
It was then, without warning, that the little rabbit who had always been
there, silent, on the other side of the counter next to Lobraw, leaped over the
wooden top with surprising feline grace.
"Aaaah!"
Zangh Kao barely had time to react before catching her in mid-air, a reflex
worthy of a young warrior in training. His body responded before his mind
understood what was happening. And before he could put her back down, she gave
him a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek, leaving the boy blushing like a tomato.
Ruby crossed her arms, one eyebrow arched, clearly unsure what to think.
"What now?"
Lobraw merely smiled with the corner of his mouth. "Looks like you've
made a fan, kid."
Ji Ao, still holding the little rabbit, said in despair: "I don't
want to do this! She's a child!"
The little rabbit rolled her eyes and replied with a petulant tone:
"You're a silly boy. I'm much older than you."
"Say what?!" Zangh Kao retorted, surprised. "I'm 17 years
old exactly! And you're not even 10!"
At that moment, Ruby burst into laughter. One of those she tried to avoid,
but which escaped with gusto. "Hahaha! You really are a fool. For every year
in your world, ten pass here."
Ji Ao blinked, suspicious. "Wait... are you saying that if she's 10
years old... then... she is..."
"100," Ruby completed with a mischievous smile.
Ji Ao's eyes widened. "WHAT?! A HUNDRED YEARS OLD?!" And he
immediately looked at the little rabbit again, now with a mix of respect, fear,
and perhaps a touch of shame.
"And you? How old are you then?!"
Lobraw dropped the glass he was drying and roared with laughter.
"Ahahaha! That was a good one. Ruby, you got caught this time."
Ruby looked away. "That doesn't matter now."
With a sigh, Zangh Kao turned his gaze back to the little rabbit, still
a bit embarrassed. "Alright. But... I don't want to date an old woman either.
Don't forget, I'm only 17."
The tavern erupted in laughter. Even Ruby had to hold her stomach. Lobraw
laughed so hard he had to lean on the counter. The little rabbit, however,
merely smiled, satisfied, and gave Ji Ao a kiss on the nose before elegantly
jumping from his arms and returning to her corner.
"You'll have to grow up a lot yet, little boy," she said over her
shoulder.
Zangh Kao stood still, not knowing where to put his face, while everyone
around continued to laugh. The portal might open soon... but that moment, he
would certainly never forget.
Shortly after, the laughter ceased and the farewell atmosphere returned. A
large number of inhabitants accompanied them to the entrance of the sacred
cavern. The firm footsteps echoed among ancient trees, as if the forest itself
accompanied the march in silence. Even though she was still weakened by her loss
of strength, Ruby noticed that the respect for her had grown among the
inhabitants — largely because of the arrival of the young Zangh Kao and his
determination to train to the limit.
But, as they approached the cavern, something unexpected happened.
A group of creatures emerged before the entrance. They were tall, strong,
armed with swords and shields. They had a humanoid body, but a lupine face, firm
hind legs like claws, long and fierce tails. Their eyes shone red. They were not
guardians. They were predators... wild Wolf-humans.
Without hesitation, Ruby drew her sword in a fluid and fast movement. In
her other hand, a dagger appeared — no one saw where she took it from. The sheen
of the blade silenced the people. That dagger... everyone knew it. It was only
unsheathed when Ruby was willing to take lives.
— This is not about honor — she said, facing the wolves. — If they
threaten my friends, I will see no reason for mercy.
But before she could take a step, a hand gently touched her shoulder.
— You don't need to tire yourself out before your time, Ribh — Lobraw
said, with a surprisingly firm voice. — You are about to cross a temporal
journey. Leave this to me. I think, even old, I can still handle a few pups.
With that, he withdrew his sword. It was curved, wide, large, and heavy.
The kind of blade that demands more than strength — it demands mastery.
And then, the combat began.
Lobraw's movements were dense like rocks, forcing the adversaries to
retreat with every blow. With each strike, the ground trembled, the Wolf-humans
retreated. One of them had his arm cut off — a clean, precise attack. The second
Wolf-human tried to use brute force, but then Lobraw changed the rhythm. His
movements became fluid, in unpredictable zigzags. He was fast, deadly, like a
hidden current in calm waters.
Minutes later, the four were on the ground, groaning. Disarmed. Defeated.
And none of them possessed the Veil of Honor — the small leather pouch
containing the challenge stones. According to the laws of the White Forest, when
one challenges someone without carrying the Veil, and is defeated... they become
the winner's slave. Forever.
Zangh Kao was speechless. Ruby was too.
She looked closely at the weapons of those fallen Wolf-humans. She
recognized the symbols engraved on the blades. They were part of an ancient
capture squad — one of the most feared of its time. And even she, with all her
former glory, would have had difficulty defeating them.
— He defeated them... as if they were pups — Ruby whispered to herself.
It was then that it clicked. All this time, she had underestimated
Lobraw. She always thought he appeared inferior due to limitation... when, in
fact, it was humility.
While everyone around burst into applause and cries of admiration, Ruby
just lowered her head. Ashamed, perhaps. Or just reflective.
— Come on, kid — she said, calling Zangh Kao discreetly. — We have a
mission to fulfill.
Zangh Kao, amidst the crowd that still whispered in amazement at the
victory, remained motionless, staring intently at the man whom, until then, he
judged to be just a tavern keeper. Lobraw.
Why did that old man cause him so much affection? Why did his soul seem
restless before what he had witnessed? The movements, the precision, the way he
changed from force to speed as if it were an ancient dance... It was more than
technique. It was wisdom. It was instinct.
Zangh Kao thought to himself: If I asked... would he teach me to fight
like that?
One day, perhaps. But for now, time was running out.
As they walked towards the cavern entrance, Zangh Kao approached Ruby and,
trying to disguise his anxiety, asked:
— Do you think things will be very different on the other side?
She didn't look at him, only replied:
— Don't forget... only one day has passed there. — She paused briefly and
added, in a lower voice: — But you won't be able to talk about what happened
here.
Zangh Kao nodded, but his heart beat faster. The air in the cavern was
dense, as if time whispered in his ears. He tried to calm himself, but suddenly
the thought came: Will I become weak when crossing?
Before he even finished the thought, the world around him began to blur.
His body heated up. Then cooled down. And then...
Nothing.
He disappeared.