The fire crackled inside the cave, casting warm, flickering shadows along the stone walls. Hakun sat with his back against a jagged boulder, his leg wrapped in bandages made from Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s shadow-treated cloth. Despite the pain, a faint smile lingered on his lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou fight like no man I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d Hakun said, shifting slightly. \u201cNot even back in the Crimson Rebellion days did I see swordwork like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9 sat cross-legged across from him, carefully cleaning the Doth-\u00c9amon Short Sword, its blackened blade still humming faintly with sealed mana. He offered no boast\u2014just a quiet nod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou said you are from Shanda-Wold,\u201d Hakun muttered again, shaking his head. \u201cI only heard that name in legends. Stories told in the barracks about the first people who walked this continent. I thought it was a myth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9 looked up, the firelight dancing in his eyes. \u201cMost believe it is. We prefer it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo why the Black Forest?\u201d Hakun asked. \u201cWhy come here? This place\u2026 it\u2019s no man\u2019s land. Just beasts and bad memories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s eyes scanned the desolate landscape, the jagged peaks stretching into the distance. \u201cAk\u2019val-duun,\u201d he said, the word heavy with meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hakun tilted his head. \u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a rite,\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 replied. \u201cA trial. The Ritual of Proving. Every warrior of the three clans in Shanda-Wold must face it. Alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He leaned forward, letting his hand rest on the hilt of his blade. \u201cMy clan once called this land home\u2014long before the world turned its back on us. I came to walk the paths my ancestors walked\u2026 to feel the land they defended, the shadows they commanded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A breath passed before he added, \u201cI came here not just to survive\u2014but to prove I still belong to that legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hakun raised an eyebrow. \u201cAk\u2019val-duun? That sounds ancient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is,\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 replied. \u201cThe Ritual of Proving. An old tradition of my people. Every warrior of Shanda-Wold must leave the island to prove their strength, wisdom, and discipline. Only then are we recognized as true warriors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re on a trial,\u201d Hakun said slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9 nodded. \u201cWe cannot master the shadows without walking in the light. The world beyond teaches us things the island cannot\u2014pain, mercy, choices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd if you don\u2019t return?\u201d Hakun asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s voice was quiet but resolute. \u201cThen I am not worthy of my clan. Or my name.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hakun stared into the flames for a moment. \u201cYour people don\u2019t make things easy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9 allowed himself a small smile. \u201cEasy is for those who don\u2019t walk with ghosts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fire had burned low, its embers pulsing like the last heartbeats of a dying beast. Hakun leaned closer, the hard edge in his face giving way to something more open\u2014something rarely shown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou saved my life, Shadow Warrior,\u201d Hakun said, his voice rough but steady. \u201cThat\u2019s not something I forget. And because of that, you deserve to know the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s gaze sharpened, the weight of the moment settling heavily between them.
\u201cGo on,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hakun exhaled slowly, his eyes darkening with the gravity of his words. \u201cI was stationed at Fort Sundalo, a fortress that guards Sariyaz from the Unclaimed Lands. It didn\u2019t fall to bandits or rebels; it was the Army of the Undead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9 paused and remained silent, visibly shaken as he processed the weight of Hakun\u2019s revelation. Hakun leaned forward, his voice low. \u201cMy mission is to warn Sariyaz’s ally, the Kingdom of Geldanos. The Army of the Undead is on the move, and if they\u2019re not stopped, no kingdom will be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9 didn\u2019t flinch, but his hand paused on the blade he\u2019d been tending. \u201cYou\u2019re certain?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI watched them breach the gates,\u201d Hakun said. \u201cWatched good men die fighting creatures with hollow eyes and twisted limbs. My captain\u2014Josquin\u2014gave his life to buy us time. Told me to run, to carry word to Geldanos.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere you alone in this mission?\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYorges\u2026 he was with me. We split up to throw them off. His mission is to the capital of Sariyaz\u201d His eyes dropped. \u201cI don\u2019t know if he made it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9 sat in stillness for a long moment, then said, \u201cIf the undead are moving beyond Sundalo, they\u2019ll reach the outer towns soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hakun nodded grimly. \u201cAnd then Geldanos itself. That\u2019s why I have to finish this. Deliver the seal and parchment. Warn the king. Rally what\u2019s left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9 looked into the fire, thoughts racing. \u201cI thought my trial would be one of monsters and mystery. But this\u2026 this is war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hakun looked at him, solemn and sure. \u201cThen you\u2019ve found your great challenge, haven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The words settled heavy between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s grip tightened on his blade. \u201cThen the Ritual of Proving begins in earnest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvinnu\u00e9 slowly reached into his satchel and pulled free a thick, weather-worn tome bound in black leather\u2014the Creature Compendium of Shanda-Wold<\/em>. The emblem on the cover shimmered faintly in the firelight: an eclipse ringed by ancient runes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He flipped through the pages with swift, practiced fingers until he reached a section marked with faded ink and ash-smudged corners. His voice was calm but edged with concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cListen,\u201d he said, reading aloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Undead, servants of the Death God, once swept the lands like plague winds. Animated by foul mana, they knew neither pain nor mercy. It took the united strength of the Six Kingdoms and the sacrifice of the Shadow Warriors to seal them beyond the Veil of Souls, deep in the Undead Lands. For thousands of years, none have breached that cursed barrier\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s voice trailed off. He looked up, the flickering fire casting shadows beneath his eyes. \u201cThey were supposed to be myths now. Locked away by magic older than the stars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun stared into the flames, his jaw clenched. \u201cThen something\u2019s broken the seal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 closed the compendium with a soft thud. \u201cOr someone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A cold wind whispered through the forest outside the cave, rustling the pandan leaves at the entrance. Neither of them spoke, but both knew\u2014whatever power had awakened the dead would not stop at Fort Sundalo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not unless they stopped it first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun turned to Alvinnu\u00e9, his expression softening. \u201cI\u2026 I owe you my life, Shadow Warrior. If you hadn\u2019t acted when you did, I wouldn\u2019t be here now. I\u2019m impressed\u2014your abilities are beyond what I expected. You move like a shadow yourself, and your skill with that sword\u2026\u201d He nodded, grateful. \u201cI can\u2019t do this alone. I need your help to deliver this message to the capital of Geldanos. It\u2019s too important for me to carry on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 paused for a moment, then spoke quietly. \u201cHelping one deserving of need is part of the Ritual of Proving. I\u2019ll help you, Hakun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun\u2019s eyes filled with relief. \u201cThank you, Alvinnu\u00e9. Truly. You don\u2019t know what this means to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A cold wind whispered through the forest outside the cave, rustling the pandan leaves at the entrance. Neither of them spoke, but both knew\u2014whatever power had awakened the dead would not stop at Fort Sundalo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not unless they stopped it first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 took one last glance at the entrance of the cave before he lay down, drawing his cloak tightly around him for warmth. The stars were barely visible through the canopy of trees, and the only light came from the dying embers of their fire. He couldn’t help but wonder about the road ahead\u2014about the trials that lay before him and Hakun, and what truths they’d uncover along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun\u2019s voice broke the silence. \u201cWe\u2019ll rest here for tonight, I’ll take first watch,\u201d he said, his tone heavy but firm. \u201cTomorrow, we head to Geldanos. The message must reach them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 nodded, his eyes already heavy with the fatigue of the day. He had fought hard, and while the danger of the Amomongo still lingered, it was the threat of something greater that haunted his mind now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll make it,\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 replied quietly, though even to his own ears, it didn\u2019t sound as confident as he hoped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun gave him a grim smile. \u201cWe have to. There\u2019s no other choice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Morning light filtered through the trees, casting golden beams across the clearing at the foot of Mt. Kan-alon. Birds chirped softly in the distance, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and morning dew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 stirred first, rising from his bedroll with practiced ease. The aches of yesterday\u2019s battle still tugged at his limbs, but the calm of the dawn soothed him. He moved to Hakun\u2019s side and knelt, gently pulling back the cloth wrapping the older man’s right leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The wound, though still fresh, was no longer inflamed. The Shadow Salve he\u2019d applied the night before had worked better than expected\u2014the dark blend of herbs and shadow essence had drawn out much of the swelling, and the deep gash had begun to knit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLooks better,\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 murmured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun cracked open an eye and gave a grunt of approval as he sat up. \u201cFeels better too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaving Hakun to rest a little longer, Alvinnu\u00e9 slipped into the edge of the Black Forest. In less than an hour, he returned with two rabbits and a modest haul of forest vegetables\u2014wild carrots, some bitterleaf, and a few firm, bulbous roots he knew were safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back at the fire pit, he cleaned the rabbits, seasoned the meat with a blend of herbs and spices he carried from Shanda-Wold Island\u2014including fragrant pandan leaves\u2014and placed everything to cook over the rekindled fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The aroma soon filled the clearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun sat up straighter, sniffing the air. \u201cBy the gods… that smells better than anything I\u2019ve eaten in weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 allowed himself a small smirk as he stirred the pot. \u201cMy islands know how to cook.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the food was ready, they ate beneath the dappled sunlight, the quiet morning broken only by the sound of chewing and the occasional satisfied grunt from Hakun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re wasted on the battlefield,\u201d Hakun said between mouthfuls, licking his fingers. \u201cShould\u2019ve opened a tavern instead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 chuckled softly. \u201cMaybe one day. Shadow Warrior by training. Chef by heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After breakfast, Alvinnu\u00e9 knelt beside Hakun once more, carefully binding a splint to the older man\u2019s leg with leather strips and cloth. The forest was calm, but both of them knew that calm in these lands could be deceiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere,\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 said, tightening the final knot. \u201cYou should be able to move more easily now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun shifted his weight onto the leg, testing it with a low grunt. \u201cStill hurts, but… better.\u201d He looked up at Alvinnu\u00e9 with a nod of thanks. \u201cYou\u2019re good with your hands. First cooking, now field medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 gave a modest shrug, standing and slinging his pack over his shoulder. \u201cWhen you travel alone as long as I have, you learn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They gathered their things in silence, the quiet hum of the forest their only company. Once ready, Hakun pulled a weathered map from his satchel and spread it on a flat stone nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe can follow the river and skirt the Black Forest, and through Zorim Fields,\u201d Hakun suggested, tracing a long route with his finger. \u201cTakes two days longer, but it’s safer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 studied the path, then shook his head. \u201cToo long. The message won\u2019t wait.\u201d He pointed toward the Black Forest’s jagged outline. \u201cIf we move through the forest, we can be at the capital in half the time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun frowned, eyes narrowing at the dark swath of trees. \u201cThat forest\u2019s crawling with beasts… and worse. If something finds us, I can\u2019t outrun it\u2014not like this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s gaze stayed firm. \u201cI know. That\u2019s why we won\u2019t be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He stepped closer to Hakun, his voice dropping low. \u201cI have a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without another word, Alvinnu\u00e9 closed his eyes and breathed in slowly. A moment later, his form began to shimmer. Shadows from the nearby trees stretched unnaturally toward them, twisting like tendrils, wrapping around his body\u2014then Hakun\u2019s\u2014until the two of them were no more than a subtle shimmer in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The forest hushed around them. Birds didn\u2019t stir. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun blinked, looking down at his hands, then around. \u201cWhat in the name of the Saints…?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are unseen,\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s voice whispered beside him. \u201cThis is Shadowblend<\/em>. As long as we move with care, no creature will sense us\u2014not even the cursed ones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a long moment, Hakun said nothing. Then he gave a low, impressed whistle. \u201cNo wonder you walk alone. You\u2019ve got ghosts in your blood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 gave a quiet smirk. \u201cI walk with shadows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun nodded slowly, the spark of hope flickering in his eyes for the first time in days. \u201cAlright. Through the Black Forest it is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And with that, they stepped into the gloom, swallowed by the woods\u2014ghosts on a mission to save a kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For two days, the shadows were their cloak and silence their ally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 led the way with quiet precision, his eyes scanning every ridge, root, and rustle. Hakun followed closely, careful with his steps and ever-watchful of the darkened treeline. There were moments\u2014too many\u2014when monstrous forms stirred in the underbrush or distant growls echoed through the trees, but none saw them. None smelled them. Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s Shadowblend, sharpened instincts, and uncanny tracking kept them hidden, like whispers on the wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By the third dawn, the light broke differently through the trees\u2014softer, warmer, more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They had made it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dense woods gave way to rolling hills and sun-dappled fields. In the distance, the faint outline of a wooden watchtower rose above the treeline\u2014Geldanos land at last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun breathed deep, as if shedding a weight. \u201cWe\u2019re in,\u201d he said, pulling the crumpled map from his satchel. \u201cThere\u2019s a town not far from here\u2014Linden. Small place, but it has stables and carriages. I can continue to the capital from there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 stood still for a long moment, his eyes fixed not on the map, but the Black Forest behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll take you to the edge,\u201d he said. \u201cMake sure you get transport. But I won\u2019t enter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun looked up, surprised. \u201cWhy not? You\u2019ve earned some rest. Real food. A bed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 shook his head. \u201cI was advised not to linger in towns. My presence… draws questions. And eyes. I walk a path few understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The old soldier\u2019s expression softened. \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A quiet beat passed between them. Wind stirred the grass. A hawk circled overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re a strange one, lad,\u201d Hakun said, a faint smile tugging at the edge of his mouth. \u201cBut you\u2019ve got a good heart. The capital will never know who really saved it\u2014but I will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 offered a nod, his eyes calm, though a shadow of something\u2014regret? duty?\u2014passed behind them. \u201cThat\u2019s enough for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They stood at the crest of the hill, the roofs of Linden visible below, smoke curling from chimneys in thin, peaceful streams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun leaned on his walking stick, carved roughly from a branch they\u2019d found two days ago. His leg, though better, still trembled with each step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll take you as far as the gate,\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 said, eyes forward. \u201cMake sure you get inside. Then I return to the forest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun didn\u2019t answer right away. Instead, he studied the horizon, the way the golden light touched the tips of the town\u2019s buildings. Then he said, quietly, \u201cYou keep doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 turned to him. \u201cDoing what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDrawing a line. Just enough to help. Just enough to keep from being seen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The young warrior was silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun exhaled. \u201cBack in Sariyaz, when I was still a green recruit, we had a traveler come through. Wore robes like flames. Spoke like thunder. People were afraid of him\u2014he was strange, foreign. We whispered about curses. Some wanted him gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He chuckled, the sound low and a little bitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know what changed it? A roof. Some storm rolled through and caved in old Miraya\u2019s hut. While the rest of us muttered in corners, the foreigner\u2014he climbed up in the rain, barefoot, and fixed it. No words. No show. Just\u2026 helped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun looked Alvinnu\u00e9 in the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNext morning, kids were bringing him fruit. By nightfall, he was dancing in the square.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 frowned, arms crossed. \u201cI\u2019m not here to dance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know,\u201d Hakun said gently. \u201cBut maybe you\u2019re here to fix something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He let that hang in the air before continuing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou keep saying people wouldn\u2019t understand you. And maybe they won\u2019t. But if you vanish into the trees every time you help someone, how will the world ever learn<\/em> what your people stand for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 looked away, the breeze rustling his cloak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun took a slow breath. \u201cCome into Linden with me. Just walk through the gate. Let them see you for what you are. A man who walks in shadows\u2014but doesn\u2019t run from the light.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A long silence followed. Then Alvinnu\u00e9 nodded\u2014just once, and barely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll walk with you,\u201d he said softly. \u201cBut no dancing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun laughed, the sound hoarse but warm. \u201cFair enough, Shadow Warrior. Fair enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The gates of Linden creaked open, flanked by two wooden watchtowers manned by sleepy guards with crooked spears. As Hakun limped forward, Alvinnu\u00e9 kept close, his hood drawn tightly around his face. The guards eyed them warily at first, but Hakun raised the seal of Sariyaz. The elder of the two squinted, then waved them through with a grunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKeep your trouble outside the tavern,\u201d he muttered. \u201cAnd no blades in the market.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They passed under the stone archway into the heart of the town. The air was filled with the smells of fresh bread, sizzling meat, and burning wood. The streets were alive with people\u2014men and women haggling in the market, children darting between stalls, farmers bringing in goods from the surrounding fields. But what caught Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s attention the most was the way they all looked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone had pale skin, their features sharp and fair. Eyes, bright blue like the sky on a summer day, and hair like gold spun into the sun. They moved with an air of confidence, carrying themselves with a kind of ease Alvinnu\u00e9 had never known. The women\u2019s delicate silks swayed in the breeze, and the men\u2019s clothing was perfectly tailored, while Alvinnu\u00e9 stood out like a shadow in his worn leather armor, his skin dark from the sun, his obsidian eyes foreign among the sea of blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders, trying to disappear into the crowd, but it was no use. The glances were subtle\u2014quick, curious stares\u2014but they didn\u2019t go unnoticed. He was different here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun\u2019s limp was getting heavier now, and Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s attention snapped back to him. He caught the eye of a nearby shopkeeper, a woman with golden hair and sapphire eyes who was selling fruit from a cart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre you a shadow-dancer?\u201d she asked, her voice full of wonder. Her gaze shifted to Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s cloak, to the short sword at his side, and then back to his dark eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 tensed, suddenly feeling even more out of place. \u201cI\u2026 no,\u201d he muttered, feeling his throat tighten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe means fighter,\u201d Hakun said with a grin. \u201cFrom stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The woman raised her brows. \u201cOh, you\u2019re not<\/em> one? You look like one. Like those who step out of the shadows and protect lost kings, the ones from Da\u2019s old tales.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 blinked, caught off guard by her sincerity. \u201cI just walk where I\u2019m needed,\u201d he replied quietly, his voice low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The woman smiled brightly. \u201cThat\u2019s what they always say in the stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Alvinnu\u00e9 didn\u2019t smile back. He stood there for a moment longer than he should have, feeling the weight of his difference. The cool, calm exterior he wore didn\u2019t feel so sturdy anymore. It was hard to blend into the crowd when everything about you screamed that you didn\u2019t belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun watched him, his eyes softening with understanding. \u201cYou\u2019ll get used to it,\u201d he said, gruff but kind. \u201cThe world\u2019s bigger than you know. It has a lot of eyes. But if you want to be seen, you\u2019ve got to let<\/em> them see you. Even if it\u2019s uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 said nothing, but his gaze drifted across the street again, taking in the faces of the people around him. They didn\u2019t stare, but they noticed. A group of children darted past, laughing, their faces gleaming with youth and joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As they moved slowly down the cobbled street, Hakun leaned heavily on a walking stick Alvinnu\u00e9 had fashioned from a sturdy branch. The pain in his leg was dulled now, thanks to the salve and splint, but every step still reminded him of the urgency of their mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He approached a middle-aged man stacking crates outside a bakery. The man wore a flour-dusted apron and had a friendly, weathered face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExcuse me, friend,\u201d Hakun called, raising a hand in greeting. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t happen to know how we might get transport to the capital, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man paused, brushing flour off his hands. \u201cCapital, eh? You\u2019ll want to talk to one of the carriage drivers,\u201d he said with a nod. \u201cThey handle most of the travel between towns these days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhere can we find them?\u201d Hakun asked, already anticipating the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCarriage station\u2019s just north of the town gates,\u201d the man replied. \u201cBut if you\u2019re looking now<\/em>, they\u2019re likely not there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh?\u201d Hakun tilted his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man chuckled. \u201cBy this time of day? Routes are finished. They\u2019re probably down at the tavern\u2014The Gentle Mare<\/em>\u2014having a drink or two. Maybe three.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun let out a hearty laugh. \u201cFigures! Drivers do the real traveling and still find time to enjoy the day, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWouldn\u2019t blame \u2019em,\u201d the man grinned. \u201cThey see more of the kingdom than most nobles ever will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMuch appreciated,\u201d Hakun said, giving a small wave. \u201cWe\u2019ll try our luck at the inn, then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As they turned toward the inn, Hakun glanced at Alvinnu\u00e9 and gave a half-smirk. \u201cLooks like you\u2019ll be stepping into your first Geldanian tavern, shadow-walker. Hope your cloak can handle the smell of ale and wet boots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 said nothing, but the corner of his mouth twitched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The door of The Gentle Mare<\/em> creaked open, letting in a streak of daylight and a gust of wind that carried the scent of road dust and wild herbs. Alvinnu\u00e9 stepped inside behind Hakun, his cloak drawn close, eyes scanning the room beneath the shadow of his hood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tavern buzzed with the low hum of conversation, clinking mugs, and the occasional thump of a boot against the wooden floor. But as the two entered, the noise died abruptly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every pair of eyes turned toward them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He felt his breath catch in his throat. The weight of the stares pressed on his shoulders like stones. The pale faces, the golden hair, the blue eyes\u2026 everything about them was so different. He could feel it\u2014his dark cloak, his obsidian eyes, the runes on his armor. He didn\u2019t belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a heartbeat, it was as if time itself had halted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, as suddenly as it had stopped, the tavern stirred again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People turned back to their drinks, resumed their games of dice, their conversations. A bard strummed a soft tune in the corner. Laughter erupted from a table of merchants near the hearth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun chuckled softly and leaned in close. \u201cTaverns like this,\u201d he said, \u201csee all kinds. Travelers. Mercenaries. Pilgrims. Traders. It\u2019s nothing new to them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 exhaled slowly, tension easing from his shoulders. He followed Hakun deeper into the tavern, still feeling the remnants of his unease\u2014but also something else. A step toward the world beyond Shanda-Wold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun scanned the tavern and spotted a group of men near the hearth\u2014one of them wore a driver\u2019s coat and carried the smug grin of a man who\u2019d seen a hundred roads. He turned to Alvinnu\u00e9 and said, \u201cSit over there and wait for me, lad. I\u2019ll speak to the drivers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 nodded, unsure, and made his way to a corner table with a view of the room. He sat stiffly, hands resting on the wood, his eyes drifting toward the rowdy group a few tables away. They were playing some kind of card game, coins scattered like fallen leaves across the table. Laughter burst from them every few seconds\u2014boisterous, unrestrained, a little too loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s fingers curled slightly. The sound reminded him of waves crashing on rock\u2014unpredictable and loud. He kept watching, unsure why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly, one of the players\u2014a man with tousled blond hair and flushed cheeks\u2014stood up so abruptly that his chair nearly toppled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I lost again<\/em>? This must be rigged!” he shouted, voice indignant, though not without humor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The others laughed, not unkindly. One patted him on the shoulder. \u201cGo home, Aelric. You\u2019re out of coin and out of luck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grumbling, the man turned\u2014and his eyes met Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Time stilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric narrowed his gaze, squinting slightly, like trying to place a face he’d never seen before. Then, slowly, with the confident stride of someone who had never feared a room\u2019s attention, he began walking toward Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s breath caught. He sat up straighter. His cloak shifted slightly as his posture stiffened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What do I do? What does he want?<\/p>\n\n\n\n He resisted the instinct to fade into the shadows. This wasn\u2019t the forest. This was something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Human contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric stopped at Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s table, one eyebrow slightly raised, his head tilting with a flicker of fascination. At around 27 human years, Aelric\u2019s features were sharper\u2014aristocratic, confident, yet there was something earnest in his gaze. His blonde hair framed a strong face, and his striking blue eyes held a quiet intensity. His build was strong and well-muscled, and there was no denying the dashing, attractive presence he exuded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re not from around here,\u201d Aelric said, not as an accusation, but as a simple truth wrapped in intrigue. His voice was smooth, clear, and carried that effortless authority of someone born into command. Then, almost as an afterthought, he added with a small smile, \u201cI\u2019m Aelric, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 opened his mouth. Aelric\u2019s lips curled slightly, not quite a smirk, but amused all the same. \u201cI figured. You looked like you were studying the room like a battlefield.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2026 I was not studying,\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 replied, his voice quiet, strained, like someone trying to force his words through a narrow tunnel. \u201cJust\u2026 watching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight,\u201d Aelric said, pulling out the chair opposite him and sitting without asking. \u201cWatching. You have the eyes of someone who sees everything but says very little.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 blinked. \u201cI\u2014uh\u2014I don\u2019t say nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, a glimmer of mischief in his blue eyes. \u201cDidn\u2019t say you said nothing. Just little. Big difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a brief moment, Alvinnu\u00e9 looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole. But then he glanced up, and some spark flickered behind those obsidian eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI say when I have something to say.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric grinned, pleased. \u201cGood. I like people who wait before they speak. They usually mean it when they do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s eyes glimmered with curiosity, though there was something carefully measured in the way he studied Alvinnu\u00e9, as if he were weighing each word, each movement. There was a certain ease in his posture\u2014relaxed yet sharp, as though he had mastered the art of reading people, even without saying much at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re far from home, then. Where is home for someone like you?\u201d Aelric\u2019s voice was smooth, but his tone held that subtle weight of someone testing the waters, as if he already suspected Alvinnu\u00e9 had something he wasn\u2019t saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 hesitated. He wanted to say more, but the words seemed to get tangled up in his mind. He\u2019d never been good at speaking his origins aloud\u2014too many questions followed, too many expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShanda-Wold Island,\u201d he finally said, his voice a little quieter. \u201cIt\u2019s far\u2026 hidden, in a way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s gaze sharpened. \u201cHidden, you say? Sounds like an interesting place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is.\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s eyes drifted briefly to his hands, still lingering from the awkwardness of the conversation. \u201cNot many outsiders\u2026 go there. People like me\u2026 we don\u2019t usually leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The weight of his words hung in the air, and for a moment, Aelric seemed to soften just slightly. He leaned back in his chair, his tone shifting to something more reflective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI understand,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cSome places are better left to themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 glanced at him. There was something about the way Aelric spoke that made him feel a little more at ease, though the man\u2019s true intentions were still hidden behind his words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo you have family there?\u201d Aelric asked, his eyes watching Alvinnu\u00e9 intently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 stiffened, the question probing too close to something he hadn\u2019t spoken of in a long time. \u201cI… do. But I am not… with them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of understanding. \u201cA difficult thing, I imagine. To be away from family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The conversation hung there for a moment, quiet but meaningful. Alvinnu\u00e9 wasn\u2019t sure why he felt like he could talk to Aelric, but there was a certain warmth in the man\u2019s curiosity\u2014genuine, yet veiled behind a layer of mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 said at last, his voice softer now, \u201cmaybe that\u2019s why I\u2019m here. To see what\u2019s beyond what I know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric nodded slowly, almost imperceptibly. \u201cThe world outside can be… overwhelming, but it\u2019s full of surprises. Good ones, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s mind buzzed with the weight of the conversation, and for the first time since entering the town, he felt like the world wasn\u2019t as intimidating. But something in Aelric\u2019s words made him cautious. The man was still a mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat about you?\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 asked before he could stop himself. \u201cAre you… from here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s eyes twinkled with amusement, but there was a quiet wariness that flashed behind them. \u201cI\u2019m just a traveler, like you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 wasn\u2019t sure if Aelric was being completely honest, but something about his confidence made him want to believe it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun\u2019s voice broke the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlvinnu\u00e9,\u201d Hakun called from across the room, his leg carefully braced as he hobbled toward them. \u201cI\u2019ve found transport. The driver will take us to the capital tonight. We leave as soon as we’re ready. But,\u201d he added with a sly grin, \u201cdon\u2019t think I didn\u2019t see you chatting with the man over here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s eyes widened in surprise. \u201cAt night? I can\u2019t believe you managed to find someone willing to travel at this hour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun gave a knowing, almost imperceptible smile. \u201cSometimes, you have to be persuasive. I had to deliver an urgent message to the capital.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s curiosity flickered, but his skepticism remained. \u201cUrgent message, you say? What could possibly be so important to send someone out at night, especially on these roads?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without a word, Hakun reached into his cloak and pulled out a parchment sealed with a deep crimson wax. The unmistakable Sariyaz Seal shone ominously in the dim light. Hakun extended it toward Aelric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The moment Aelric laid eyes on the seal, his entire demeanor shifted. His body went rigid, his eyes darkened, and for a brief moment, the jovial air around him evaporated. His face became a mask of focused intensity, as if something heavy had just fallen onto his shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His voice was quiet, but urgent. \u201cThat seal\u2026 it\u2019s from Sariyaz. You\u2019re one of their soldiers, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun\u2019s expression hardened, his tired eyes betraying the gravity of his mission. \u201c Hakun, soldier of Fort Sundalo. Retiring soon. But this message\u2026\u201d He paused, his voice lowering with the weight of his responsibility. \u201cThis message cannot wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric stood up straighter, his gaze narrowing with sudden understanding. The casual air that had lingered around him dissolved completely, replaced by an almost predatory intensity. He glanced at the parchment once more, his thoughts clearly racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA soldier of Sariyaz, carrying a sealed message in the dead of night\u2026\u201d Aelric muttered, his tone colder now. \u201cThis isn\u2019t just some routine delivery, is it? What are you carrying, Hakun? What\u2019s so dangerous that it requires a soldier of your caliber to be involved?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The words hung in the air, charged with tension. Aelric\u2019s gaze never left Hakun, his expression now a carefully masked combination of intrigue and concern. The weight of the moment pressed down on both of them, and the jovial atmosphere of the tavern felt miles away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric nodded slowly. \u201cThen allow me to propose something.\u201d His gaze drifted briefly to Alvinnu\u00e9\u2014still silent, still tense\u2014and then back to Hakun. \u201cTraveling at night is dangerous. Even more so when you carry something as important as that seal\u2026 and when one of your legs isn\u2019t quite what it used to be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun narrowed his eyes, not in offense, but in interest. \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know these roads,\u201d Aelric said. \u201cBetter than most. I know how to spot trouble before it arrives and how to talk my way out of it if steel doesn\u2019t work.\u201d He rested a hand lightly on the hilt of his dagger. \u201cI can offer you both an extra set of eyes\u2026 and an extra blade, if it comes to that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 glanced up at him, wary but unsure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen the way folks looked at him when he walked in here,\u201d Aelric added gently, gesturing toward Alvinnu\u00e9. \u201cHe\u2019s not from here. That\u2019s not a weakness\u2014but it is something others might take advantage of. I can help him navigate that. Help both of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun tilted his head. \u201cYou offering protection? Out of kindness?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric smiled faintly. \u201cLet\u2019s just say\u2026 I have my reasons. And I don\u2019t much like sleeping in a town that feels like it\u2019s holding its breath.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a silence, weighted but not uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then Hakun grunted, the sound halfway between a laugh and a sigh. \u201cYou\u2019ve got a silver tongue, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric gave a mock bow. \u201cComes in handy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a long pause, Hakun nodded once. \u201cFine. You can ride with us. But don\u2019t expect a warm bed or a quiet road.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s smile widened, but there was something in his eyes\u2014sharp and watchful\u2014that said he was already expecting that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t dream of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The deal struck, Hakun rose stiffly from the bench, wincing as he adjusted his weight onto his good leg. \u201cWe leave in ten minutes. Get whatever you need. Meet us by the stable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric gave a sharp nod, but before turning to go, he looked once more at Alvinnu\u00e9. Their eyes met\u2014one guarded, the other burning with a curious determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 shifted uneasily under the weight of it. There was something about Aelric\u2014something hard to pin down. He wasn\u2019t just some clever wanderer looking for a safer road. He moved like someone used to danger, someone who had learned to wear his charm like armor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, Alvinnu\u00e9 said nothing. He simply rose, adjusting the leather straps of his swordbelt, and followed Hakun toward the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric rushed through the night along Linden’s cobblestones, his boots striking the pavement with a rhythmic echo. The town was eerily quiet now, the once-bustling streets left in silence as the shops shut their doors and the last few lanterns flickered faintly. It was a stark contrast to the bright and jovial atmosphere that had filled the town earlier in the day. The buzz of travelers, laughter in taverns, and the lively bartering in the market\u2014now all gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The inn\u2019s wooden door creaked as Aelric entered, the faint smell of stale ale and the lingering scent of firewood mixing in the air. The receptionist, Brovert, looked up from his desk with a surprised expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, well, Aelric,\u201d Brovert said, his voice tinged with amusement. \u201cWhat’s this? Not your usual self tonight? Haven’t seen you lose your shirt in the gambling pit. Is something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric gave a slight shake of his head, brushing off the comment. \u201cI\u2019m leaving tonight, Brovert.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brovert\u2019s eyebrows rose, but his knowing gaze softened. \u201cAh, I see. Off on another one of your ‘adventures,’ are you? Don\u2019t forget your manners this time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric said nothing more, merely offering a brief nod before heading up the stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He entered his room, the door closing behind him with a soft click. The flickering glow from the nearby window cast dim shadows against the stone walls. Aelric moved quickly, gathering his belongings into a rucksack with practiced efficiency. His hands moved over the items, as if going through a well-rehearsed routine\u2014picking up the necessities, tightening straps, ensuring nothing was left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He reached for a leather cuirass, worn and weathered by years of use. The feel of the hardened material against his fingers brought a momentary sense of familiarity, a reminder of countless travels and battles fought in the name of survival. The cloak followed\u2014heavy, dark, and perfect for blending into the shadows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, Aelric moved to the nightstand, taking a small iron key from his belt. He slid it into the lock with a practiced twist, opening the drawer. Inside, bundled neatly in fine linen, was an object he had not seen in years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He pulled it out, unwrapping the delicate cloth carefully, revealing a badge\u2014a piece of gold that gleamed in the dim light. The lion’s head emblem stood proud at the center, the blue shield with green fields a symbol of something far away, far removed from this moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric paused, the badge heavy in his hands. He stared at it for a long time, his thoughts drifting back to another time, another place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It had been many years since he last looked at this badge, since he had last seen the capital of Geldanos. It had been even longer since he had laid eyes on the Castle of Geldanos, the home he had once known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His mind wandered back to Hakun, to Alvinnu\u00e9, and to the message from Sariyaz. The weight of that message, the urgency of the task ahead\u2014it weighed on him, pulling him in a direction he wasn\u2019t sure he wanted to go. But something gnawed at the edges of his thoughts, a feeling that had settled in his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Years of travel, years of honing instincts had taught him when something was amiss. And right now, his gut was telling him to act. To help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric let out a slow breath, tucking the badge into a hidden pocket inside his cloak. His hand moved to the chest at the foot of the bed, unlocking it with another practiced motion. He reached inside and pulled out his sword\u2014the one that had been with him through countless journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Berunding,” Aelric whispered softly, greeting the weapon with a touch that was both reverent and familiar. \u201cLooks like you\u2019ll be needed once more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sword gleamed in the moonlight that filtered through the window, its blade sharp and ready, as if it too knew its purpose was not yet fulfilled. With one last glance at his room, Aelric slung the rucksack over his shoulder, secured Berunding at his side, and left the room with determination in his step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The road ahead was uncertain, but Aelric had always been good at making decisions in the face of uncertainty. He would help. He had to.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The fire crackled inside the cave, casting warm, flickering shadows along the stone walls. Hakun<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[133],"class_list":["post-2872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-alvinnue"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2872","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2872"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3555,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2872\/revisions\/3555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\n\n\n
Closed it.
Then opened it again.
\u201cAlvinnu\u00e9. I… I mean\u2014no. I\u2019m not. From here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n