Abell froze for a moment, taking a glance over at Hugo.

  Hugo sat at a corner table in the common room, a half-empty glass of water in front of him. His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp.

  Shit.

  "Hello, Bel," Hugo said calmly.

  Abell walked over slowly. There was no point in hiding now.

  Hugo looked him over—the dirt on his clothes, the scrapes on his hands, the way he held his left shoulder.

  "Seems like you had an eventful day, huh?" Hugo teased.

  "Yeah, something like that."

  "But, I recall telling you not to leave the inn," Hugo said, still calm.

  "I know, but I was bored."

  Hugo took a sip from his glass, then set it down carefully. "Where did you go?"

  "I just explored the city. And ended up in a fight."

  "I leave you alone for five hours, and you already got into some trouble." Hugo sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Want to tell me what happened, or should I guess?"

  Abell hesitated.

  "It’s nothing really, I got caught up in some trouble, that’s all."

  Hugo studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "Come on. Let's get food."

  "What?"

  "You heard me." Hugo stood. "I’m hungry, and I'd rather eat somewhere else than this depressing inn.”

  The cranky old lady at the front desk scoffed, ready to argue, but Hugo gave her a chilling glare.

  “Come on, Abell, Hugo said, already walking. “There’s a nice tavern around this area.”

  Abell couldn't help but wonder why Hugo seemed so tense, but he dismissed it and followed.

  They walked through the main district in silence. The moon glistened, casting long shadows across the stone streets. Guards still patrolled every corner they passed, despite the streets being empty

  Hugo led them to a small restaurant tucked between two larger buildings. The sign above the door read The Silent Corner in faded paint.

  Inside was warmer. A few patrons sat scattered at wooden tables. Some enjoying conversation over food. The smell of roasted meat and vegetables filled the air.

  Hugo found a table near the back and sat down. Abell followed.

  A server appeared almost immediately. "What can I get you?"

  "Two plates of the roasted duskhen meal," Hugo said, sliding some coins across the table. "Also wine for me and water for the kid."

  The server nodded.

  “Duskhen?” Abell asked.

  “Yes, it’s quite the delicacy in Hallion,” the waiter said, “They only hatch at dusk, supposedly they can absorb trace Luminous energy, making the meat richer.”

  Animals absorbing energy?

  Hugo smiled as the waiter headed off, and he turned his attention to Abell. Abell sat stiffly, still waiting for some type of scolding.

  Hugo leaned back in his chair, watching him. "Relax, you're not in trouble."

  "I'm not?"

  "No." Hugo's tone was tired. "I already expected you to leave. What kid wouldn’t explore a new place when they come from a small province?"

  Abell didn't know what to say to that.

  “I would like you to be careful, though. I don’t want Keeko after me if you get hurt or go missing.” Hugo said.

  The server returned with two plates ofroasted duskhen, potatoes, and bread. Simple but well-made.

  Hugo picked up his fork. "Eat up, I bet you're hungry."

  Abell hadn't realized how hungry he was until the food was in front of him. The duskhen was seasoned properly, with a unique, shocking his tastebuds. While the potatoes melted in his mouth.

  These are way better than those overpriced skewers.

  After a few minutes, Hugo spoke.

  "So what do you think of Hallion so far?"

  Abell looked up from his plate. "It's different."

  "Different how?"

  "Compared to Iridius, there’s so much going on, but it feels…" Abell paused. "Weird."

  Hugo raised an eyebrow. "Weird?"

  "Yeah. The main districts are clean with guards everywhere, people shopping, and kids playing." Abell frowned. "But it feels like people are on edge.”

  Hugo widened as he listened. “Color me impressed, Abell. Most people wouldn’t notice that, especially after their first time.”

  “Everything here feels off, nothing like home. Abell said. “The guards don’t even feel like people. It feels like they're watching your every move.”

  Hugo let out a slight chuckle. "That's because you are."

  "What?"

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  "Cedris Benedict runs this city. He’s the head of the Benedict family." Hugo took another bite. "He's obsessed with order and control.”

  "That's why there are guards on every corner?"

  "Exactly. There are even some guards you can’t see. Hugo's tone turned dry. "And to be fair, it works; Hallion hasn't fallen to Malignants like other places. But his methods..."

  "Are creepy?"

  "I was going to say heavy-handed, but yeah." Hugo smiled slightly. "Creepy works too."

  Abell thought about the guards he'd seen. "If he keeps people safe from Malignants, doesn’t it mean he’s a good guy then?"

  "Depends on who you ask."

  “What about you?” Abell asked.

  Hugo paused, looking around the tavern. “What I think doesn’t matter now, does it. As long as people are safe, I’m happy.”

  “If you say so,” Abell said

  They ate in silence for a moment.

  "So where exactly did you go today?" Hugo asked. "You obviously look beat up."

  Abell hesitated. "The lower quarters."

  Hugo stopped chewing. He swallowed, then set down his fork. "The lower quarters."

  "Yeah."

  Hugo rubbed his face. "Of course. I’d expect nothing less from my pupil. Why wouldn't you explore the roughest part of Hallion?"

  "Relax, I didn't plan to. I just kept walking and ended up at the stairs—"

  "And you went down them."

  "...Yeah."

  Hugo shook his head. "Well, what happened down there?"

  Abell explained—the confrontation in the alley, stepping in, realizing the collector was the actual problem, the six men chasing them, Gaius using his Lux to escape.

  Hugo listened without interrupting, his expression growing more serious as the story went on.

  When Abell finished, Hugo was quiet for a moment.

  "A Lux user down in the lower quarters," Hugo said finally. "That's rare."

  "Why?"

  "Because most people with Luxes end up leaving for better opportunities. Working for wealthy families or trying to be a luminary… They don't stay in slums." Hugo paused. "This Gaius kid... what's his situation?"

  "I don’t really care, but he seems strong, though." Abell smirked.

  . "Of course, that's what you care about.”Hugo smiled, “Well, whoever he is, he seems like a kid with good character.

  “Good character? He’s more rude than anything,” Abell scoffed.

  “Do you think you could beat him?” Hugo asked.

  Abell paused for a moment, “Of course, there’s no way I’d lose.

  Hugo laughed. "Good, you represent me now, I can’t have you losing to some random kid."

  "You’re really enjoying this teaching stuff." Abell pouted.

  “Of course I am.

  They continued eating with some light banter filling the dull moments.

  When they left the restaurant, the streets were darker. Fewer people were outside while more guards were out patrolling..

  Abell noticed Hugo was less talkative than before, but he brushed it off.

  Back inside the inn, the common room was quiet. Only a few patrons sat at tables, nursing drinks.

  Hugo headed for the stairs. He paused and turned back.

  "On second thought, you should probably take a bath. You reek."

  Abell smelled himself, letting out a disgusted scowl. "Yeah, you’re probably right."

  "I'll wait for you up here," Hugo said, gesturing to the second-floor landing. "Don't take forever."

  Abell headed to the small washroom down the hall. The water was lukewarm at best, but it was enough to scrub off the dirt and grime. His shoulder still ached where the thug had grabbed him, but the bruises were already fading.

  He dried off and changed into clean clothes, feeling somewhat human again.

  When he came back out, Hugo was leaning against the wall near the stairs, waiting.

  "Better?" Hugo asked.

  "Yeah."

  They climbed to the second floor together. Hugo stopped at his door.

  "Get some rest. Something tells me you'll have another rough day tomorrow."

  Abell almost smiled. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

  Hugo shook his head but smiled slightly. "Nothing, don’t worry. Goodnight, Abell."

  "Night." Abell nodded.

  They went into their separate rooms.

  Abell closed his door and leaned against it for a moment.

  He seems more tired than usual. I guess whatever he was doing today took a lot out of him.

  Abell stood at his window, looking out at the courtyard behind the inn.

  It was late now. Most of the city had gone quiet.

  Then he saw her.

  A girl, maybe his age, sitting cross-legged in the small courtyard. Long black hair flowed down her back, tied loosely with a simple ribbon. Her eyes were closed. Completely still.

  She was meditating.

  A guard stood nearby, wearing armor with an unfamiliar crest.

  Abell watched for a moment. The girl didn't move. She remained completely still. Her breathing was controlled, and her body emitted a faint glow.

  Is that Resonance?

  After several seconds, her eyes opened slowly. She stood in one smooth motion, with grace.

  She said something to the guard, and they walked away together, disappearing into the night.

  Abell stood there for a moment longer, staring at the empty courtyard. He turned from the window and collapsed onto his bed.

  His body still ached. But his mind wouldn't stop.

  Gaius. Cedris. The lower quarters.

  He closed his eyes.

  Tomorrow, he'll probably take it easy. He thought.

  Probably.

  Meanwhile, in Hugo’s room.

  Hugo closed the door to his room and let out a long breath.

  The act was exhausting sometimes.

  He walked to his pack and pulled out a small crystal, no bigger than his palm. It glowed faintly in the dim light, pulsing with a soft blue luminescence.

  He set it on the desk and channeled a small amount of Lux into it.

  The crystal's glow intensified. A voice crackled through.

  "Commander Hugo."

  "Kiara," Hugo said, sitting down. "Good timing."

  "You sound tired, sir."

  "Long day." He glanced at the door and windows, making sure they were locked. "Cedris is more paranoid than usual. He won't let me out of his sight."

  “Sir Cedris is very cunning. He probably already knows why you're there. Kiara sighed.

  Hugo frowned. "Yes, most likely he knows something. The strange aura you detected is coming from somewhere inside the city, but I can't pinpoint the exact location. This is all so boring.”

  There was a pause on the other end.

  "That's... problematic," Kiara said. "The readings are getting stronger. Whatever's causing it, it's not natural."

  "I know." Hugo leaned back in his chair. "But Cedris runs this city like a fortress. Everything is monitored. If I start poking around too obviously, he'll know and cause more trouble for us."

  "How about Sir Adrian?"

  "He’s not in the city right now." Hugo's jaw tightened. "Won’t be back until the day after tomorrow."

  "Then we need another approach immediately, sir."

  Hugo glanced toward the wall separating his room from Abell's.

  "Honestly, Kiara? I have a feeling whatever's being hidden, we'll be uncovered soon."

  "What makes you say that?"

  Hugo almost smiled. "Just a hunch."

  "Your hunches tend to be wrong, sir,” she sighed.

  "Eh, no, this time I’d bet my salary for a week on this one."

  “A member of the clarion shouldn’t be gambling with his subordinate, sir.”

  “Always the professional one, Kiara.” Hugo chuckled.

  The crystal's glow began to fade. "I’ll call back when I have more information on my end. Commander Hugo, be careful. If Cedris suspects you're here for more than courtesy..."

  "I know."

  The crystal went dark.

  Hugo sat in silence for a moment, staring at the small object on his desk.

  Then he tucked it back into his pocket and lay down on his bed.

  He closed his eyes, already planning his next move.