After Ragnar's words, they echoed in his mind.
—It doesn't matter anymore.
He wasn't there to please anyone; he had a reason that even Ragnar couldn't understand. His mind remained fixed on the same goal: to find the culprit who destroyed his life. The rules of the Order didn't matter, nor did the contemptuous glances of others. They meant nothing.
He just had to walk the path without looking back; his revenge was the only thing keeping him going. Who was responsible? The closer he got to the powerful people of this kingdom, the closer he would be to the truth.
The afternoon passed quickly as he walked through the streets of Valmeria. The city was full of life, and as the sun began to set, Kael moved further and further away from the Order's premises. He didn't want to be trapped within the confines of the barracks; the city was vast, and there were places where he could stay out of sight of others.
He ended up sitting in a park. He didn't feel like sleeping in the Order's quarters. The tranquility of the place where he was surrounded him.
The cold breeze whipped his face as he watched the shadows lengthen around him. Night was falling, and even though his eyelids were growing heavy, his mind remained alert. That night, those people, his parents, the blood on his body—it was as if it had happened yesterday. He couldn't sleep.
A sound interrupted his thoughts. Footsteps could be heard, and Kael was on alert for the worst. A young man with brown hair appeared in front of him. Gale.
—What are you doing here? I followed you when you left the Order,— he asked bluntly.
With a quick glance, he looked away.
—Nothing, really— he replied coldly.
Gale didn't seem offended. He just smiled sidelong and sat down on the bench.
—You know, there are rooms available for newbies — he said, his tone mocking but concerned.
—I don't need a room. I'm not here to be comfortable.— His voice sounded harsher than he had intended, but it was the truth.
Gale let out a small laugh and nodded.
—Well, I warn you that the Order isn't like the streets. Here, you won't get anything for free, not even respect.— His tone became more serious. —If you keep this up, it's going to be harder for you.
He didn't respond. The truth was, he knew that. But he didn't care.
The conversation faded as Gale got up and left without saying another word. And Kael remained there, sitting on the cold bench, staring blankly at the city lights.
The people in the Order, the training, the challenges... all that was just noise. The only thing that mattered was finding what had been left behind. He didn't have time to look the other way. It was only a matter of time before everything came to light.
Hours passed before sleep overtook him, but it was an empty sleep, without rest, without peace. His mind continued to work toward a single purpose. He knew that in the Order he could find immediate answers, and it was also the only place where he could train to become stronger. Every day there was one step closer to discovering the truth.
....
As the sun began to rise on the horizon, Kael rose from the bench, ready to continue.