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.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY897I0XN7I

Khaled struggled not to laugh.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixu2QhJao3

"Looks like someone stronger than you finally appeared."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUrf4tQASE

Abdulrahman barely managed to answer.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTgjoxpKtm

"...He's..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHFMxWxfrI

"...not human..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E9UNt5sOO

Catalina laughed so hard that tears rolled down her cheeks.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpB9tqGdHM

Soon...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8aea4x4BL

the entire village was laughing together.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH43WfUtFbh

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOZue5pMU4

Hours later, the celebration finally came to an end.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0XDAf5pa5

The villagers gathered to say goodbye.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cYkYqTDwy

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJqgMoCsI2

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwJoWDLFcy

"Please come back someday."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6UdSH1Gag

Catalina gently stroked her head.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWAsLLLqqW

"I promise."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMpo1e63gy

Just as she was about to leave...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs6o0DYxG2

the little girl held onto her clothes even tighter.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgHXm1uOGv

"Please..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSdX1LP4d7

"Always remember me, big sister."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgeH0n3BpX

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw00u2SaZT

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8YfS0GwXk

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBuX3gmEZz

The little girl smiled brightly.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KdOHFhtRD

"I promise..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDopsQaYJdK

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu74w2JOXl

Catalina answered with her usual warm smile.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVLjpVzXHb

"I'll be waiting."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSptmShaTq

Khaled and Abdulrahman silently watched the scene.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtRwdevSyX

For the first time...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sbo1YVKTG

they truly felt like heroes.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkAkJjjyim

As they disappeared into the forest...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL2wi6pbrw

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCi4U6ekCv

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoSe1VPI6g

The journey back was much quieter.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHINtKNth0c

No one spoke at first.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fIyuHAcCe

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.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW6f05RJFE

Khaled stopped walking.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0aWKCVpQI

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQctoKzgR2E

He smiled quietly.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqjc3GtobO

"Leadership..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wAIPfTfOc

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK61pcncnB3

"It's about bringing everyone home safely."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyXsp3oIcb

"That's..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpqD2jFLUU

"...why Grandpa chose you."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy94M0Mf4Bz

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdMSuw63L8

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.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOPEVHflRB

He smiled at the exhausted expressions on their faces.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZ3LyTz1DB

"It seems your mission was a success."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIZEKoC2uy

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFuWfKTIzX

The Sage simply listened.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj1bc1TMot

He never interrupted.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoizqdffj0m

Not even once.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZoLgHzGQD

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhu1nw9yym

Then the Sage entered his house.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80JzsVmpKz

Moments later, he returned carrying a much larger map.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9nwS5ADTc

He spread it across the wooden table.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuobLfwdcMU

"This..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRWCsrLLcU

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD7DkCWwNI

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJQrws3TUO

The three immediately leaned closer.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fr6qy0TWl

Their eyes raced across the countless names.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6oKet8DNf

The Sage pointed toward a massive city.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCEi2rUqsD

"This is Valor..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQDmowYHlV

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13NXBIhX1a

Then he pointed toward a vast forest.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuP1tQZLkM

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRF6OJ8CYV

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOO35n6JVh

Next...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNaieKhjSI

he pointed toward an endless desert.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJl0HRBfIG

"This is the Ash Desert..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRfGhOiG2a

"An entire civilization vanished here..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyRWcBTwDz

"...and no one knows why."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMsgnq2O2l

Finally...

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his finger rested upon a towering mountain range.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9Dbc6hntl

"And here..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ870GxU0lTl

"...the Mountain of Giants."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUkLvmDIwO

"Even I..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmSy67va7Q

"...never reached its summit."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDYxA0I1a2

Silence filled the room.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarTCjyR39c

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA4YmlEMyU

"And over there..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcfczcgmPx

"...lies the Grand Guild City."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDrnBgusHh

He didn't say another word.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX4TGUxmHm

The three simply stared at it...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRpO6cSIY7

their curiosity growing stronger than ever.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77EFgPmw6N

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEyslezGO1

The Sage slowly rolled up the map.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYjxG8CHjx

Then he asked,

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBh6rbEqyi

"Now..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47R0OwS2w4

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4xLxx3ENu

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa4m22g1Ql

Silence followed.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct7VUiuB5u

Then Abdulrahman answered confidently,

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk9UQYRgbH

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqIj0eDac3

Catalina looked at the white flower she still carried.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38bzEX6wXl

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZlOiNUiOm

Finally...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBhEx0U39b

everyone looked toward Khaled.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPoP6jOpeK

He remained silent for several moments.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkx0nJJ73T

Then he slowly raised his head.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eLFM964dJ

"I want to become a leader..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9J23HGAxy

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3xGBR6A0S

"A leader..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6n4wkbuvw

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHcpfv7sQI

He smiled softly.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaMT2KaWRM

"And..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUztkjVQeNh

"I'll uncover the truth about Shadow."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4pdErB0QY

The three looked at one another.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V1ODFbwtc

Then they all spoke together.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiz3uZo7dc

"We'll discover this world."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb0wKVVtY4

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o5CBqZvjW

Far away...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8bfWo7suH

Inside the Ice Palace...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB2P9BPFM4

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmIuz0GlLH

He slowly moved the knight piece.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhWbZqNcIX

Then he spoke calmly.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4adbWUWNa

"Radis failed..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1P4b5YUL9

Silence followed.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXzudyAhbx

A cold smile appeared on his face.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPpRjvAMbG

"But not because they became stronger."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgXIMw98E3

"It's because..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2RRH7Yv57

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

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4sKzZvxgM

He picked up the king piece.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1sWsiNsfC

Then placed it in the center of the board.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaigAO7ji9

"Before it's too late..."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhM3EUq6uq

"...I'll move personally."

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7wiBIEt9y

Silence swallowed the palace.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0qt3IYItS

Outside...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90JCbiPP1k

a violent snowstorm slammed against the frozen windows.

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nQ5djaVBx

To be continued...

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOBbiXlH28

20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbyb5rGoC7
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJvgPJm0c5

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