Chapter 1
Nils
I watch the girl with white hair as she steps out of the building with the sign that reads "Medical University." Of all the words, the only one I recognize is "university"—the name humans give to buildings where they learn.
The blonde smiles, waving goodbye to one of her friends, but I see the shadows under her eyes. Her eyes are sad, despite her attempts to hide it behind laughter.
As soon as her friends disappear around the corner, her smile fades. She closes her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, as if gathering strength before a battle.
I understand her.
My inner demons perk up, licking their lips at the sight of her suffering. I can see right through her. I know what she feels.
I don't pity her at all.
Suffering and tears are for the weak.
But the blonde takes another deep breath, and her clear eyes open wide. Not a single tear falls down her cheeks, and for that, I respect her even more.
She’s holding on, despite what awaits her at home.
A memory from the past flashes before my eyes: people in gray robes burst into my house, shouting:
"Where are they?! Bring them here!"
They don’t notice the small eight-year-old boy hiding under the table after hearing the loud noises. Silent tears stream down his face as his father and mother are dragged into the living room, where the table is.
His mother’s screams echo in his head as his father struggles to reach his wife.
But he has no chance. The strangers force them both to their knees.
“You are sentenced to death for treason,” one of the men declares. They don’t allow a single last word. A spell is cast, followed by a white flash, and the woman’s body collapses onto the floor like a heavy sack.
The boy under the table sobs, and his father finds his eyes in the last second. Then his eyes roll back, and the man follows his wife, falling lifeless to the floor.
And the boy still remembers that there was no fear in his father’s eyes. Only steadfast resolve.
I shake off the memory and move to follow the girl, who has already disappeared behind one of the tall buildings. She’s strong.
She will face the fate that awaits her.
She has no choice, because I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. And today, I’ll get one step closer to my goal.
