Title: Shadow of the Eternal Flame - Chapter 12 : The Beginning Of The Journey

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....................

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Several days had passed since the Sage finished explaining the Laws of the World, and life in Aros Village had become calmer than ever before. The sounds of clashing swords no longer echoed through the training grounds at sunrise. Instead, they were replaced by the laughter of children running between the wooden houses, while the farmers returned to their fields and the carpenters repaired what the previous battles had destroyed.

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Meanwhile, Khaled and Abdulrahman spent their days helping the villagers carry timber and rebuild damaged homes, while Catalina moved from one patient to another, treating the sick and checking on the injured until her warm smile became familiar to every resident of Aros. Before long, everyone had begun calling her "The Healer of Aros."

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....................

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On a bright morning, the three gathered in front of the Sage's house after he had summoned them.

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He stepped outside carrying a small travel bag before smiling at them.

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"I've received a request for help from a small village west of Aros. A strange illness has spread among its people, and they need someone to help them."

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Abdulrahman looked around in confusion.

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"But that's boring. Where are the monsters we're supposed to fight?"

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Catalina frowned at him.

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"The joy of saving lives is far greater than fighting."

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Khaled, still confused by her words, asked,

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"So... when do we leave?"

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The Sage smiled calmly.

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"You are the ones who will be leaving."

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Silence filled the air.

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"We're going... alone?" Khaled asked in surprise.

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The Sage nodded.

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"Yes."

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Catalina tilted her head.

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"Why aren't you coming with us?"

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The old man sighed as he looked toward the horizon.

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"Because another village needs me. A Sage doesn't belong to one village..."

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"...he belongs to everyone who needs him."

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....................

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Then he turned toward the three of them and said more seriously,

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"And there's one more thing."

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They all looked at him.

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"During this mission..."

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"...Catalina will be your leader."

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Silence fell once again.

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Khaled couldn't hide his surprise.

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"Catalina?!"

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The Sage smiled.

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"Yes."

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"But I'm the strongest among us."

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The Sage walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

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"Does strength alone make someone a leader, Khaled?"

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Khaled couldn't answer.

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He simply remained silent.

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Abdulrahman crossed his arms.

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"And what proof do you even have that you're the strongest?"

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Catalina tried to hide the small smile that appeared on her face.

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....................

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A short while later, the three finally left the borders of Aros Village for the first time in a long while.

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The road stretched between rolling green hills, surrounded by towering trees whose branches danced with the gentle breeze. Birds sang overhead while the nearby river flowed peacefully, and golden rays of sunlight slipped through the leaves, painting patches of light across the dirt path.

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Khaled stopped for a brief moment and stared at the breathtaking scenery before him.

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Then he quietly whispered,

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"So..."

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"This is only a tiny part of the world."

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....................

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Catalina walked at the front with the map in her hands, stopping every so often to confirm their direction.

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She wasn't only watching the road.

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She observed the sky...

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the direction of the wind...

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and even the shape of the clouds.

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Meanwhile, Abdulrahman walked behind her with his sword resting across his shoulder.

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"I'm sure we're lost because of your 'genius.'"

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Without stopping, Catalina handed him the map.

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"Then go ahead."

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"You lead us, genius."

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He awkwardly accepted it.

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"Fine."

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"This is easy."

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After nearly an hour of walking...

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Khaled sighed.

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"I'm pretty sure this is the fifth time we've passed this river."

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"Be quiet."

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"I know where I'm going."

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Khaled glanced at the map before smiling.

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"You're holding it upside down."

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Abdulrahman laughed nervously.

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"I was only testing your attention."

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Catalina burst into laughter until tears filled her eyes.

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"Give me that..."

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"...and just follow me."

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Abdulrahman sighed dramatically.

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"Just don't stop every five minutes."

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Catalina answered seriously,

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"Actually..."

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"...we're stopping in five minutes."

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Abdulrahman groaned.

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"Here we go again."

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Khaled couldn't help laughing.

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....................

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Exactly five minutes later...

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Catalina pointed toward the shade of a massive tree.

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"We'll rest here."

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The three sat beneath the tree while Catalina handed each of them a bottle of water.

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Khaled looked at her curiously.

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"How did you know we'd need a break now?"

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She smiled.

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"A leader doesn't wait until the team is exhausted."

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Silence followed.

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For the first time...

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Khaled truly began thinking about the Sage's words.

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And for the first time...

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he saw his grandfather reflected in Catalina.

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....................

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After resting, they continued their journey until they reached a fork in the road.

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One path was wide and well-paved.

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The other disappeared into a dense forest.

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Abdulrahman confidently pointed forward.

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"The wide road will be faster."

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Catalina didn't move.

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Instead, she looked toward the sky...

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then at the treetops...

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then back at the map.

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"We're taking the forest path."

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Khaled frowned.

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"But it's longer."

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She calmly replied,

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"In less than an hour..."

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"...the other road will become a swamp."

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Abdulrahman wasn't convinced.

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Still, he followed her.

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....................

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Almost exactly one hour later...

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Dark clouds covered the sky.

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Heavy rain poured down.

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The three looked toward the main road in the distance.

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It had become nothing more than a sea of mud.

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Khaled turned toward Catalina.

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For the first time since the journey began...

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he smiled.

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"Now I understand..."

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"Grandpa didn't choose her because she's the strongest..."

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"...he chose her because she sees what we don't."

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....................

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Shortly before sunset...

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A small village finally appeared between the trees.

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Simple wooden houses stood quietly beneath columns of smoke rising from their chimneys, while fields surrounded the village from every direction.

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It wasn't a wealthy village.

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Yet everything about it felt warm.

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As soon as the villagers noticed them, people gathered near the entrance.

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Worry filled every face.

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But the moment they noticed Catalina's medical bag...

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hope returned to their eyes.

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....................

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Catalina immediately began treating the sick.

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Khaled gathered medicinal herbs from the nearby forest.

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Abdulrahman boiled water, prepared supplies, and lit the fires.

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None of them fought that day.

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Yet each of them fulfilled their role with complete dedication.

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As the hours passed...

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children began playing again.

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Pain slowly disappeared from the patients' faces.

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Smiles spread throughout the village.

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Khaled felt something he had never experienced before.

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Saving people...

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could be just as wonderful as defeating enemies.

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....................

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As night fell, the villagers lit torches across the central square and held a humble celebration in honor of their guests.

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The village chief bowed respectfully toward Catalina.

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"Please accept this humble celebration as our gift to you."

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Catalina smiled.

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A faint blush appeared across her cheeks.

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Traditional music filled the square.

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Children ran between the wooden tables while the scent of fresh bread and warm food filled the evening air.

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A little girl approached Catalina shyly and handed her a white flower.

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"Thank you..."

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"...for saving my mother."

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Catalina knelt beside her and accepted the flower, nearly holding back tears.

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Khaled quietly watched everything.

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His heart felt lighter than ever before.

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....................

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The four sat around a large wooden table prepared by the villagers.

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The food was simple.

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Yet the warmth surrounding it made it feel like a royal banquet.

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Everyone laughed together while children ran around swinging wooden swords, pretending to be Khaled and Abdulrahman.

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One child defeated all his friends before climbing onto a wooden crate and shouting proudly,

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"I'll defeat the Ice King one day!"

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The entire square burst into laughter.

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Khaled walked over and gently patted the boy's head.

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"But don't forget..."

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"Protect your friends first."

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"Never leave them behind."

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The boy smiled proudly.

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"Yes, sir!"

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....................

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Nearby, Catalina sat surrounded by women and children, teaching them how to use medicinal herbs to treat fever and simple wounds.

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She didn't speak like a proud healer.

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She spoke like an older sister.

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She listened before speaking.

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She smiled before giving advice.

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Everyone admired and respected her.

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An elderly villager quietly muttered,

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"The Sage truly raised this girl well."

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Khaled silently watched everything unfold.

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He couldn't stop comparing her to his grandfather.

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The same calmness.

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The same way of speaking.

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The same ability to earn everyone's trust without ever raising her voice.

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....................

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Abdulrahman approached while carrying an enormous piece of bread.

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"What are you thinking about?"

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Khaled answered without taking his eyes off Catalina.

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"I'm just watching her."

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Abdulrahman glanced over before shrugging.

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"I'm watching the food."

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He immediately began eating...

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until an old man sat beside him.

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The old man smiled confidently.

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"Would you like to challenge our village's eating champion?"

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Abdulrahman's eyes widened.

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"You have an eating champion too?"

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The old man pointed toward a seventy-year-old elder calmly sitting before a mountain of food.

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The elder smiled.

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"Begin."

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....................

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Several minutes later...

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Abdulrahman leaned against the wall, completely exhausted.

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Meanwhile...

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the old man calmly ordered his sixth plate.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUh9p12xbG

Khaled struggled not to laugh.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgulzffL07D

"Looks like someone stronger than you finally appeared."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOohBtZmyq

Abdulrahman barely managed to answer.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T0YYDeEmW

"...He's..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNulLLb9O91

"...not human..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmon1XM6XJ

Catalina laughed so hard that tears rolled down her cheeks.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWNqFDmOrg

Soon...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvGdHTnUzz

the entire village was laughing together.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn4MF1Yqhy

....................

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKLvEj8Tps

Hours later, the celebration finally came to an end.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kOWd2iOvR

The villagers gathered to say goodbye.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DlCLKukzZ

Children followed the group all the way to the village entrance, waving enthusiastically.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JQxsuSrHz

The little girl who had given Catalina the flower tightly grabbed her sleeve.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClV18mHF41

"Please come back someday."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gJGhrtM0m

Catalina gently stroked her head.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8wVecNDrJ

"I promise."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNQhHWXeRl

Just as she was about to leave...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWykJu7Cnv

the little girl held onto her clothes even tighter.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzTJhbHTHa

"Please..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzy676Ek01

"Always remember me, big sister."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIWwQeNMIu

Catalina hid the tears forming in her eyes before holding up the white flower.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfzGY9w5PU

"As long as I still have this flower..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfJBZ0LB0f

"...I'll never forget you."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4SGUQcA4O

The little girl smiled brightly.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbQ00k68jD

"I promise..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFDXS2Tx74

"I'll become someone like you one day."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNie8C668R

Catalina answered with her usual warm smile.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZPSKI8y1G

"I'll be waiting."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XRF4KMI9Y

Khaled and Abdulrahman silently watched the scene.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56JXWkcOr8

For the first time...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFjquepyRl

they truly felt like heroes.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3brG39Nlv

As they disappeared into the forest...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FnVqBdWzE

the villagers continued waving until they were completely out of sight.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHijSzHZPr

....................

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNERJnbvMKT

The journey back was much quieter.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxVYAXPskq

No one spoke at first.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJjWE21iOD

The sky had turned a beautiful shade of orange as the sun slowly disappeared behind the distant mountains, reflecting across the river like a sea of gold.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHhFXLU7Kf

Khaled stopped walking.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0QJdGwbPi

He looked toward Catalina, who was still making sure everyone was safe before continuing.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWScRiS0pdi

He smiled quietly.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZmpCgCxlj

"Leadership..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VNOYUNJ7u

"...isn't about walking in front."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl8OZfr9mX

"It's about bringing everyone home safely."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fMU4YBqqP

"That's..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2dq63Ycz3

"...why Grandpa chose you."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzesOyCrI4

....................

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb2tu4bpau

When they finally returned to Aros Village, the Sage was already waiting outside his house, as though he had known exactly when they would arrive.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuy8pzbx5H

He smiled at the exhausted expressions on their faces.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDN2qOaqxk

"It seems your mission was a success."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavc7qpGE9w

The three excitedly told him everything that had happened, from the moment they departed until the celebration in the village.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHuNDvULct

The Sage simply listened.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAug9pnyNYd

He never interrupted.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTry1g4Y0oG

Not even once.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J2vN6RfnV

....................

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZeDLXKMKB

Then the Sage entered his house.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbttwFu82vi

Moments later, he returned carrying a much larger map.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL9ULYc3Dp

He spread it across the wooden table.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnXIpTKT0S

"This..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP4YbnBw3i

"...isn't a map of the world."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6EGgVMPAK

"It's only a map of the places I managed to visit during my lifetime."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBdNwX9Hke

The three immediately leaned closer.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvhqLBjDKv

Their eyes raced across the countless names.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQExudRxw2w

The Sage pointed toward a massive city.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFfmAQtBM1

"This is Valor..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3HmYcUDbU

"...the greatest trading city on the continent."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmn8TG1spf

Then he pointed toward a vast forest.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1llWAVAGmG

"And this is the Forest of Elora..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY4ak2VLmB

"They say anyone who reaches its deepest heart never returns the same."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qVIrTLUjH

Next...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAMC7KTnAH

he pointed toward an endless desert.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MGT1atQdm

"This is the Ash Desert..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf2ukozTod

"An entire civilization vanished here..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjUAzBxy7M

"...and no one knows why."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj2FmWhUsg

Finally...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumXbteMp4f

his finger rested upon a towering mountain range.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVJstuTOgc

"And here..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dfK7jCYh0

"...the Mountain of Giants."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ4Pkcv9gt

"Even I..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgEILcFqnx

"...never reached its summit."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaxnOa3UmQ

Silence filled the room.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXce1ZKRjH4

Then his finger moved toward a tiny point near the edge of the map.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HiVa3DrrH

"And over there..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1AQp0EHBx

"...lies the Grand Guild City."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjHmW2vWEd

He didn't say another word.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPMT5OziHs

The three simply stared at it...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjlJdhNQg6

their curiosity growing stronger than ever.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTsG6GrYnh

....................

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3fccfXv8G

The Sage slowly rolled up the map.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNLIVwOxMH

Then he asked,

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQZqlY7XbE

"Now..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSndv5vAZ1U

"After seeing only a tiny piece of this world..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFOC0iA1LE

"...what is each of your dreams?"

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIhUqTh1Y4

Silence followed.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fLb3npeOe

Then Abdulrahman answered confidently,

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrYp99SjHE

"I'll restore my tribe's name to the glory it had during the reign of the First Fire King."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgqX7i3VD7

Catalina looked at the white flower she still carried.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtz6LSOR2M

"I'll become the greatest healer in the world."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG2YqXCY3U

Finally...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGY3KjULCb

everyone looked toward Khaled.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6wxbj5P2U

He remained silent for several moments.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl22vNGJF4

Then he slowly raised his head.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ncLK0UFZF

"I want to become a leader..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvAIHxtIIa

"...a leader capable of protecting everyone who walks beside him."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI1OUhjKSl

"A leader..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yDX8xNvMd

"...who never sacrifices anyone for victory."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudIudOiCa3

He smiled softly.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlyrLAMPC4

"And..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEOSQro80F

"I'll uncover the truth about Shadow."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGj8yV39Nr

The three looked at one another.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAWnLQXYcz

Then they all spoke together.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrC1ogRXIJ

"We'll discover this world."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3P9ey155E

....................

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5wyRcKuZw

Far away...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkP8K3dcBz

Inside the Ice Palace...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGvdIGdp4x

The Ice King sat alone before a chessboard carved entirely from ice.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0i2hSYHst

He slowly moved the knight piece.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn9xnCXJjg

Then he spoke calmly.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kmD323ion

"Radis failed..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqYMtscgeH

Silence followed.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdnVJcuT2L

A cold smile appeared on his face.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiNTVcA3n4

"But not because they became stronger."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8Y6E2eTNd

"It's because..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotOeYoMlKk

"...I never expected them to grow this quickly."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Or1FNZsr

He picked up the king piece.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cZZV6eDhD

Then placed it in the center of the board.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRgkh0CRKF

"Before it's too late..."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoInWRDQhYs

"...I'll move personally."

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVzVut0x84

Silence swallowed the palace.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2McHDulfg

Outside...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHASaX1UI9z

a violent snowstorm slammed against the frozen windows.

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahkWaK7tz3

To be continued...

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoDV1VGOA0

21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d0rJXPpZE
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5xMKzBKW6

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