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.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPTR4bzGHi

Khaled struggled not to laugh.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7clISL4WD

"Looks like someone stronger than you finally appeared."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlJ65zDY9g

Abdulrahman barely managed to answer.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf6waXYqVv

"...He's..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFsivArajc

"...not human..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KsbfM6osl

Catalina laughed so hard that tears rolled down her cheeks.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC1bAgv70v

Soon...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLiXmdNrwq

the entire village was laughing together.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3cCq17PZ9

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjqPU3y5D1

Hours later, the celebration finally came to an end.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRj1SQWLjI

The villagers gathered to say goodbye.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvUPmSQ68a

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzSna5GUJ3

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PeDtqa4bW

"Please come back someday."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddU7LmGQxE

Catalina gently stroked her head.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg0C4eKG7G

"I promise."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpYReuKzZQ

Just as she was about to leave...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9Ba4y5cQg

the little girl held onto her clothes even tighter.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yTS2gL75y

"Please..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSav1jpcL9

"Always remember me, big sister."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzahkxFyoJt

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMoFMiWQzv

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3gGKCfxXA

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnOcOt6Po4

The little girl smiled brightly.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIwBLkXAhJ

"I promise..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxWYuQTwcm

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJO0V01Osm

Catalina answered with her usual warm smile.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1OCr1qHQB

"I'll be waiting."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfgoIh1CBa

Khaled and Abdulrahman silently watched the scene.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABb57ziFix

For the first time...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0cPZce7Re

they truly felt like heroes.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbD4V29Qyc

As they disappeared into the forest...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBGcpQ3ZD2

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXqJG0JrnA

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39vZMOmzww

The journey back was much quieter.

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No one spoke at first.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20l573u4Cb

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.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2jpT3SAXK

Khaled stopped walking.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zxtEQ6Fp4

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYUKOpfl6j

He smiled quietly.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIX4AfQHD9

"Leadership..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOrTlil3OG

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSUoOWQGOT

"It's about bringing everyone home safely."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJk4q5DfQS

"That's..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiWhFSSYIR

"...why Grandpa chose you."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpP4qIsyBk

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF08kU7x70W

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.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uLGbRj94M

He smiled at the exhausted expressions on their faces.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9FWsEaUHh

"It seems your mission was a success."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt9OGncqJF

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXxSdeQqIk

The Sage simply listened.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOQOcWAwfj

He never interrupted.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO79u3tE08

Not even once.

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

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Then the Sage entered his house.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMeNCRya7i

Moments later, he returned carrying a much larger map.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6we3ZZQUjE

He spread it across the wooden table.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBpICX7ZVO

"This..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FCFi8X6Xa

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcNnlLVDPY

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOYRkmVBrk

The three immediately leaned closer.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMReLXtkEg6

Their eyes raced across the countless names.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz6sbzbfG6

The Sage pointed toward a massive city.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8aCAO2JRJ

"This is Valor..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF0qZeidup

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthPePFBFsA

Then he pointed toward a vast forest.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs24297Rls

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZRs0Qmvva

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLnBUdP1A6

Next...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkuXQPxi2U

he pointed toward an endless desert.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbtxtWVbAJ

"This is the Ash Desert..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIekYnNtFKd

"An entire civilization vanished here..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufzfZZcWzQ

"...and no one knows why."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT86uMgA5i8

Finally...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUuCERQzWM

his finger rested upon a towering mountain range.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsby0bKdlv

"And here..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bpfAttuip

"...the Mountain of Giants."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8LOo7HQCu

"Even I..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHXJoO8eDN

"...never reached its summit."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoFPSU9fQV

Silence filled the room.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLibl6Qtsps

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUKKTCd2zA

"And over there..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIy2ws0DD4

"...lies the Grand Guild City."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqzA7c46L7

He didn't say another word.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD8xAjQdWK

The three simply stared at it...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUU03Vp3sm

their curiosity growing stronger than ever.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnHDxpOwhZ

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

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The Sage slowly rolled up the map.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OKFE3Rlwr

Then he asked,

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH7BE3kFGk

"Now..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIH4RhlGP7

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RV053UBI1

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCbR8iPone

Silence followed.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7s16LXwEE

Then Abdulrahman answered confidently,

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbYi2fRnrA

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTQ0Pc1GdF

Catalina looked at the white flower she still carried.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ979U2nla1v

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM2nXw6TNb

Finally...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYJK3QcPMf

everyone looked toward Khaled.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLlOG95fmS

He remained silent for several moments.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGA0YfFwVo

Then he slowly raised his head.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuDUqBjUTm

"I want to become a leader..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmsLGNOeRL

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUUmvimcOG

"A leader..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV0LYThaZR

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYWkUhj3K0

He smiled softly.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopSQwJKnVx

"And..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegfu78Jg8n

"I'll uncover the truth about Shadow."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJSStfyyhK

The three looked at one another.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYKC7Wsz7u

Then they all spoke together.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsGcWWkWaD

"We'll discover this world."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKaydcxSXU

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIdThOKQ68

Far away...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGer5ErrYR

Inside the Ice Palace...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2ENzJxhu2

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdOrAnjkGt

He slowly moved the knight piece.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSWcbzuDna

Then he spoke calmly.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uKqNuE2eb

"Radis failed..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBViw2f5W7

Silence followed.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b2VZm9LnL

A cold smile appeared on his face.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlO3X96lqr

"But not because they became stronger."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjetb8kkarf

"It's because..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIp5NnGa0w

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

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnXzvhp8nY

He picked up the king piece.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY6BXweJPN

Then placed it in the center of the board.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3SEWxEvYY

"Before it's too late..."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWiJhR41lK

"...I'll move personally."

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67VpexmUx8

Silence swallowed the palace.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9Up1iXShv

Outside...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx4tU0gMPT

a violent snowstorm slammed against the frozen windows.

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsfJ5JfBBm

To be continued...

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqFUqUYWSt

98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPf8SrKkoF
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsRhqbBILq

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