"Caw... Caw..."
The morning sun rose over Ceylon Island; the sky was a brilliant azure, and seagulls cried out, their calls echoing over the water. Yousafer and Yuray shouldered their belongings and stepped out of their wooden hut. They found the village deserted—not a soul was in sight. But both knew exactly where the villagers had gone.
The two young men advanced with steady steps and an unshakable resolve. They knew the path ahead would be grueling, demanding a spirit that few possessed. A single misstep on this road could cost a life, and they were well aware of the stakes.
Minutes later, they reached the shore where their small boat waited. There, they found more than ninety men and women gathered, along with a large crowd of children. On the other side, the revolutionary Nilo and his crew stood watching the two prominent figures.
"That's our leader—you've successfully driven them off the island!" one of Nilo's men boasted.
"Captain, how did you manage it?" another asked in awe.
Nilo cleared his throat and offered a proud, boastful smile. "Who do you think I am? I am the greatest revolutionary of all time! This island is now under my command. How could I allow two nobodies who struck my men to remain? That is why I exiled them."
"That's our leader! He truly cares for us!" one subordinate cheered.
Nilo's mouth stretched into a wide, smug grin as he closed his eyes in satisfaction.
Suddenly, a cold shiver ran down his spine, making the hair on his arms stand up. He snapped his eyes open to find Yousafer staring directly at him. His eyes darted nervously, and his proud smile instantly shifted into a subservient, friendly one as he rubbed his hands together.
Nilo recalled his early morning visit to Yousafer and the Village Chief. It had been decided that he would protect the island for six months before gaining his freedom. In truth, Yousafer didn't care whether Nilo stayed or left; the threat was merely to ensure the island wouldn't be trifled with. He had instilled enough fear that if Nilo did stay, he would be forced to assist the villagers rather than just guard them.
Voices rose from the other side as the islanders gathered to say their goodbyes.
"Yousafer! Yuray! Brother Yuray, Brother Yousafer, we'll miss you! The island will feel empty without you."
"We'll miss those expressions of yours, Yousafer..."
*Ahem, ahem, ahem...*
The Village Chief raised his hand, and silence fell.
"My boys, Yousafer and Yuray, take good care of yourselves. I know you are strong—you aren't like us ordinary folk—but this world is cruel. You must remain vigilant."
"There is one final message your grandfather asked me to deliver when the time for your departure came."
Yousafer showed a flicker of curiosity. "What is the message?"
"Go to the **Kingdom of Ossan**," the old man replied. "To its capital, **Hajar**, located at the far southwestern tip of this continent. Once you arrive, seek out **Goza Lardor**. He will reveal the details of this world to you."
Yousafer pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Understood. Thank you, Grandpa."
The two then approached a woman in her late thirties, dressed in flowing fabrics and a purple hat adorned with a black feather. She was quite beautiful. They bowed. "Thank you for everything, Nanny Catherine."
Catherine smiled, but tears welled up in her brown eyes. She pulled them into a fierce embrace and began to sob, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. Both felt a pang of sadness, especially Yousafer; she had raised him since he was two years old. He was like her own son.
"I... I will miss you... Yousafer... Yuray..." her words came in broken gasps.
A man in his forties placed a hand on her shoulder—her husband. "Catherine, the boys must go."
Catherine let go, her hand dropping as a young boy, who looked much like her, clutched her leg. "Take care of yourselves," she said softly.
They nodded, placed their gear into the boat—which contained a fishing net, two rods, and two small, identical black boxes—and pushed off into the sea.
As they boarded, the Village Chief called out one last time: "Yousafer! This old man doesn't have long to live. I hope you will show me the 'world' you told me about years ago..."
Yousafer gave a thumbs-up. "Don't worry. You will see it, for certain."
"No matter what happens, do not despair," the Chief added. "Know that with **Despair**, there is deliverance."
At the mention of 'Despair,' Yousafer felt a strange sensation, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
They took up the oars and began to row. Two teenagers, largely ignorant of the vast world, were setting out alone. Though unknown today, the day would come when the world would tremble at their presence.
They watched Ceylon Island recede. With every meter, memories flooded back:
*"Yousafer, you idiot!" "Yousafer, come here!" "Yuray, you lanky fool!" "Yousafer, where are you?" "What's with that face, Yousafer? Hahaha, you rascal!"*
Yousafer stared at the island, then turned his back. *The time for peace is over,* he thought. *Now, the work begins.*
As the boat drifted further away, disappearing from the islanders' view, the young boy holding Catherine's leg spoke up: "We'll miss them so much, Mom..."
The woman bent down, stroking his hair. "They will return one day... do not worry."
***
"Yousafer," Yuray said after they had rowed for a while. "I forgot to ask—didn't you feel something strange about that revolutionary?"
"Yes. I sensed he was **Possessed**."
"But it's odd... why didn't he use his **Germ**?" Yuray wondered.
A look of realization crossed Yousafer's face. "What did I tell you when we were heading out to meet them?"
"You said you were going to thrash them so badly their mothers wouldn't recognize them. But your attitude changed the moment we arrived."
Yuray paused. "I didn't understand it then, and I even forgot to tell you he was Possessed."
A moment of silence passed, then Yousafer burst into laughter. "Hahaha! He actually tricked us. He manipulated my way of thinking."
A small smile touched Yuray's lips. "The bastard... his ability is impressive."
Back on the island, Nilo stood on his ship. "We need to leave, quickly! They'll figure it out eventually, and my ability is limited by distance."
*Those fools went West, so we'll head East,* Nilo thought. "Set sail for the East! Let's go make some people hate me!"
"But Captain, you said we'd stay for months. Why the change of heart?"
"What? Are you questioning my orders?!"
"No, Captain! We'll follow you anywhere! Even to hell!"
Nilo grumbled to himself, *You idiots... you'll be the death of me one day. Because of you, I nearly died.*
*If not for my Germ, and if I hadn't altered his thinking in time, we would have been annihilated. If that brat was at the **Third or even Second Cut of the Vein**, my ability likely wouldn't have worked. It seems he's still at the **First Cut**.*
*But his power is bizarre... that chain, those eyes... it felt terrifying. I got out alive this time. It won't be long until I reach the **Second Level of the Germ**. When I meet him again, if he's still at the First Cut... I'll tear him apart!*
Nilo laughed loudly. "No one can best the Great Nilo!"
Back at the shore, the Chief remarked, "They're leaving."
"It's better they leave and not disturb us; since they are gone, they likely won't return to this island. I suspect that was Yousafer's plan all along."
***
An hour into their journey, Yousafer took one of the small black boxes and placed it on the water's surface before continuing to row. Only Yousafer and Yuray knew the reason for this. By now, they had changed their clothes.
Another hour passed, the waves slapping against the boat, before they encountered a massive warship. A black flag fluttered in the sky, bearing a **red inverted hexagram** flanked by two infinity symbols. The ship was swarming with soldiers.
Many soldiers looked down from the deck. After observing them for a while, one soldier pointed and shouted, "Halt! Where are you from? What is your business here?"
Yousafer looked up. "What? Can't we just sail and catch some fish?"
The soldier eyed the small boat, seeing only fish, two rods, and a net. "Do you have a permit to fish in these waters?"
"Do we need a permit to catch a few fish?" Yousafer shot back.
"Names?" the soldier barked.
Yousafer's face twisted into a bizarre, contorted expression. "I am Yousafer. This is Yuray."
The soldiers exchanged glances, unsettled by Yousafer's look. Yuray just smiled silently.
"What is wrong with this fool?" the soldier muttered. Then he shouted, "Wait!"
He turned and hurried across the wooden deck, his black boots thudding against the planks. The warship was imposing—pitch-black sails, tangled rigging, and rows of cannons peering through small portholes.
The soldier entered a cabin filled with books and documents. Two square white candles lit a table. He ignored the table and went to a shelf, pulling out a medium-sized book. He flipped through the pages, each containing three portraits with personal details.
Minutes later, he returned to the bow. "Hey, you two!"
"You may go. But if we catch you in this sector again without a permit, don't blame anyone but yourselves!"
Yousafer tilted his head and smirked. "So, can we leave now?"
The soldier waved them off. "Begone."
Yousafer and Yuray took up their oars again. High above on the crow's nest, two figures watched the small boat as it drifted away into the horizon.
**End of Chapter**