Many hours ticked by, but these thoughts didn't let up. "Don't you have any dreams?" "Why didn't you make a wish?" Questions like these kept buzzing in my mind. But seriously, should I really be bothered by that? I'm not some 15-year-old who's got life all figured out. I'm just trying to navigate this world with what little I know. My main focus? Getting stronger. And to do that, I've got to give it everything I've got.

Lately, those dreams, that warm feeling, and that voice – they're all getting more familiar, clearer, and stronger. But how do I know what's up with that? And why is all this coming up now? Was it always there?

"Can't sleep either, Najin?"

Kida's wrapped up in a blanket, looking at me.

"Yeah, it was getting too hot under the covers. What about you?"

"Got a ton on my mind, you know? Wondering what the heck I'll be doing ten years down the line. Will I actually reach my goals or fulfill my dreams?"

"Chill, Kida. You're gonna make it. Just focus on the here and now. The future can wait."

Everyone's got their problems. Some folks have it rougher than others, but a problem's still a problem. Step by step, we'll figure it out, one piece at a time.

"We should probably head to the next town. Going through here is a recipe for trouble."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll go wake up Chitanda."

Now, this city we're in ain't your run-of-the-mill kind. It's a big deal, with Fetheh as its capital. In a world full of magic, Aerios stands out as this awesome blend of magic and civilization.

Picture streets that light up with glowing plants, fancy buildings made of crystal that actually live, and waterways that pulse with magical energy. And right smack in the middle is the Radiant Spire, this massive tower of magic that lights up everything around it. People here are all about studying magic and making cool art, using magic in their daily lives, and putting on a show in the sky once night hits.

The sun's out, a breeze is blowing, and the weather's just perfect. Trees are rustling, and there's a path ahead through the forest leading straight to where we need to go. On the way, we meet all sorts of creatures – goblins, golems, even orcs. Orcs are a real pain, golems are chill as long as you don't start anything, and goblins? Well, they're sneaky little troublemakers. They travel in packs and won't quit until they nab you or get taken out.

You can scare 'em off, but it takes some skill. Still, we managed it without much fuss. We ain't looking for fights, just staying clear of trouble.

"Man, oh man, would you look at the sheer size of this city. It's like... a city on steroids."

"You know, Chitanda, this place pulls in more tourists than you can shake a stick at, from all around the four corners of the world..."

"Maybe so, but I can't get over just how massive it is."

And when I say massive, I'm not kidding. Everything about this place screams extravagance, like it's got an endless supply of resources tucked away somewhere.

"We better lock down a roof over our heads for the next couple of days unless we're aiming to experience the city from a park bench."

"Speaking of priorities, I vote we quell the rumbling in our stomachs first, don't you think?" Kida chimed in.

"You catch that scent in the air? Something's sizzling on the other side of that bridge."

No doubt about it, there's a cozy little snack joint over yonder. The closer we get, the more tantalizing the aroma becomes. And at the entrance stands this old-timer, waving us over.

"Hey hey, you little adventurers!" the old man hailed.

"How 'bout you do an old coot like me a favor and grab a bite at my humble establishment?

Can't hurt to try."

Even though he's playing it cool, I'm betting the food is out of this world.

"We were actually scouting for a place to chow down, and something cozy sounds just about perfect.“

"Ha ha ha, now ain't you folks just a pair of sweethearts. thank you so much, thank you so much!"

Truth be told, I was taken aback. It definitely stands out, not fitting in with the rest of the city's architecture, which is exactly what makes it so charming. I'm guessing the inside is all warm and inviting, decked out with more furniture than you can shake a stick at. The atmosphere's just right, and I can practically feel the tranquility settling in.

"So, kind stranger, what tickles your fancy?" came a voice that was pure allure.

"If you know the person's name, use it. And if not, just ask!" the old man interjected, but I was too engrossed in her striking gray-white eyes to pay much heed.

Standing right before me was a woman whose beauty was truly impressive, and there was this intriguing aura about her that just pulled you in. Her hair, a stunning white-gray shade, flowed down her back like a graceful cascade of silver threads. In the light, it shimmered as though the moon itself had cast its glow upon it. The color was so unique, really catching your eye in contrast to what you normally see.

Her eyes, mirroring the white-gray of her hair, were the real showstoppers. They held this captivating depth, like windows into a world you've never seen before. As they sparkled with a certain intensity, it left me both fascinated and a tad bit awestruck, not gonna lie.

Then there was her nose, delicate and perfectly shaped, fitting her face like a piece of an intricate puzzle. It wasn't trying too hard to stand out, but it definitely added to her overall beauty in a subtle yet striking way. And her body? Well, it exuded this elegant grace that you couldn't ignore. Her breasts were just the right size, blending harmoniously with her figure. She was around 160 cm tall, and somehow, that seemed to enhance her natural allure, making it a part of her charm rather than something forced.

But when she started speaking, that's when everything changed. Her voice, oh man, it was like a magnet. Each word she uttered seemed to have this magnetic pull, and they carried this weight that made you listen closely. Her voice had this soothing quality, but at the same time, it was so captivating, like there was an underlying melody in every sentence.

As I continued to look at her, I found myself drawn to her in a way that went beyond just her looks. It was like this mix of self-assuredness and mystery that she exuded. Yes, her striking beauty was hard to ignore, but it was really her presence, that intangible quality she carried, that truly captured me. In that moment, I had this realization that she was more than a mere visual spectacle—she was an enigma, a puzzle waiting to be unraveled.

"Najin? Najin? Hey Najin!" Boom, someone gave me a hearty shove from behind, snapping me out of my reverie.

"What in the world, again!" I exclaimed, my voice unintentionally louder than expected, my cheeks turning a shade redder from the sudden attention.

"We've been trying to talk to you for ages, and there you are, staring at her like she's the eighth wonder of the world. Are you head over heels or what?" Chitanda asked, an amused glint in her eyes.

Head over heels? Wait, where did that even come from? I was just caught off guard by the unexpected prod.

"And if I am? Got a problem with it? Well..."

My retort was cut short by a well-aimed blow landing on the top of my head, as if punctuating Chitanda's statement.

"Say that again, I double dare you."

The impact was as precise as a bullseye shot.

"Hehe, seriously? You're a real piece of work," the striking girl giggled.

"Hey, how about some meaty grub? That should snap him out of it," Kida suggested, grinning mischievously.

A few minutes later, when our food finally arrived and we all started digging in, I couldn't help but steal glances at her. There was something oddly familiar about her, though I struggled to place where I'd seen that captivating smile before...

"Najin, seriously? You're still at it? How many facepalms do you need?"

"Cut me some slack, alright? I'm human, not a robot!"

Just then, Old Grandpa shuffled over, shooting me a knowing look, like he held a secret meant just for me.

"Don't count yourself out, kid. She's into quirky types, and guess what? No one else has the guts to even get close to her. Best of luck, young one."

My spirits lifted. I held my ground. My heart? Dancing the Macarena. My lies? Crumbling like a house of cards. My brain? Taking a coffee break.

"That'll be eight silver coins for the bill."

"I'll do you one better and slap down a gold coin. Keep the change. We're planning to hang around a while; just got back from a trip," Chitanda declared with a friendly smile.

"Ah, got it! Follow me, then!" With a burst of energy, the waiter led the way.

As I ascended the stairs, it felt like I was delicately pressing piano keys with my feet, each step creating a distinct melodic note. The walls surrounding me wore the marks of neglect, coated in dirt and grime. Strangely, though, the worn appearance of the surroundings didn't faze me much; I had grown accustomed to it over time. 

Upon entering the rooms, a striking contrast emerged. They were impeccably clean, each furnished with a bed that beckoned with promises of comfort, a window that offered a connection to the outside world, and a table accompanied by a chair, suggesting potential moments of quiet contemplation.

"Thanks, everyone. I'll catch up again tomorrow. Have a good night."

With that, we dispersed to our respective rooms, seeking rest after a long day.

Exhausted, I muttered to myself, "This bed looks so inviting." And with that, sleep claimed me swiftly.

"Najin," a voice called out.

"Najin..." the voice persisted, this time carrying a weight of urgency.

"Why are you fleeing from your problems..."

“Avoidance won't solve anything..."

"Confront your actions."

"Make amends for your wrongs!"

"You're nothing but a monster..."

In an instant, I jolted upright, my body drenched in sweat.

Again, a dream? Seriously, not again. But the voice – it wasn't singular; it was a chorus of furious voices overlapping in a haunting symphony. It sent shivers down my spine, leaving an eerie feeling that lingered even as I awoke fully.

The room wrapped me up in total darkness. Even though the window was open, the sun hadn't clocked in yet, so it was smack in the middle of the night.

I muttered, "A glass of water sounds kinda perfect right now," and shuffled my way out of the room.

Taking each step down the stairs, I sauntered into the dining room and that's when it hit me – this weird sensation, like eyes boring holes into my back. Spine-tingling, you know?

So I announced.

"Alright, whoever's playing hide and seek, consider yourself found."

Out of the blue, just a hop and a skip behind me, that girl who'd been giving me those intense, borderline creepy looks showed up. Yep, that girl.

She flashed a grin and quipped.

"You got me…haha, not that I was really hiding, but when I saw you coming down, I got a bit curious..."

“Curious about what?"

With a casual shrug, she spilled the beans.

"What's the deal with staying up so late?"

I mean, seriously, who has marathon conversations at this ungodly hour?

“Speaking of burning the midnight oil, what's your deal? Nightmares or something else keeping you wide awake?"

She smirked knowingly.

"Kinda sorta nightmares, but to be honest, I was just super thirsty and needed a drink real bad."

While listening to her, I maneuvered the water dispenser like a pro: glass in, glass out - mission hydration accomplished!

"Ah, that hits the spot! Totally worth the effort, don't you think?”

And then it hit me, the fact that I hadn't even asked her name yet. Should've kicked things off with that, duh...

"Hey, just so I know, what's your name?"

Right as I finished asking, she locked eyes with me, like she was staring into my soul. Caught me totally off guard, sent a shiver down my spine.

"Hey, you there?" I ventured, trying to snap her out of whatever trance she was in.

Then she threw me this curvebally

"So, when did your eyes start glowing red?"

"Red eyes..." I echoed, equal parts bewildered and intrigued.

This whole conversation just took a wild turn I hadn't seen coming.

This can’t be…!!!