In the middle of the day, Sith trudged through the scorching desert that stretched past the horizon. He went without food or sleep for three days and nights.

  His eyelids were heavy, his stomach was rumbling, and his throat was so dry that he felt a sharp sting whenever he swallowed.

  Luckily, whenever his muscles and fat broke down, his regeneration would restore them, but even that was nearing its limits.

  As the exhaustion caught up to him, he face planted on the hot sand.

  “Not yet. I can still keep going. I can still…” He said as he tried pushing himself off the ground, but his body wouldn’t budge.

  “C’mon, get up. If I don’t make it, I’ll never get to see Uncle Ei.”

  He thought of his uncle, the sound of his funny accent returning as his mind drifted back to his parting message.

  “Shishi (Sith), I’m proud that you’ve managed to learn the fundamentals of Ether. With that, you’ll be shtrong enough to take down mosht enemies, but Ether requires an unbreakable heart or else you’ll be as weak as the day I met you. Once your heart is shtrong enough, I’ll take you with me on an adventure.”

  As the thought faded, Sith’s heart burned with frustration.

  Slamming his fist on the sand, he shouted.

  “I am strong!”

  A blue aura—his ether surrounded him, pumping his muscles with strength.

  “RAAAAAHH!!!” He screamed as he struggled to his feet. His breath came in gasps.

  Grabbing the fragment of the Mijrāh from his pocket, it flickered a yellow light.

  As he stared off into the horizon, the corners of his lips stretched.

  “I’m close. Just a little bit more and I’ll be there.”

  Kicking off the ground, he raced through the desert, leaving a cloudy trail of sand. His messy black hair danced in the wind.

  ‘Uncle Ei, I’ll show you what I’m made of.’

  ***

  While Sith struggled across the desert, life in Strife Village continued as usual. The smell of roasted meat permeated the streets as vendors shouted across the bustling streets.

  At the center of the road, Saul Apethes, a handsome cleric, walked through the crowded street, which was lined with mudbrick houses. The people stepped aside and bowed as Saul passed.

  He was draped in a white robe, with a black sash around his waist, and a turban over his head. He wore circular glasses, and around his neck was a golden necklace shaped like a smiling moon.

  The people of Strife village were desert elves. They had long, pointy ears and brown skin, with the sole exception of Saul, who had pale skin.

  As Saul walked, he saw a striking woman standing in front of a stall. Perhaps she was buying something. Whatever the case, she caught his eye.

  He waved his hand as he approached.

  “Tara!”

  Tara turned her head. As she saw Saul, her eyes sparkled; she couldn’t help but smile. She lowered her head.

  “Good Master, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “It seems fate has brought us together.”

  “It seems so.”

  “Would you care to walk with me?”

  “Of course.”

  As the two walked on the street, they passed by pedestrians and horsemen.

  Tara opened her mouth.

  “Ever since you’ve come to this village, you’ve been a big help. You’ve been a great spiritual leader, and you’ve done great work dealing with criminals.” Tara lowered her voice. “Now if only we could get rid of that Eyosa.”

  “Don’t worry about him, he’ll be apprehended soon. Our prayers to the Maharisa have brought us peace, so as long as we keep praying, Eyosa the mad will be dealt with.”

  The two turned, entering an empty alleyway.

  Tara continued.

  “That’s excellent news. It’s nice to feel safe because of you.”

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Saul stopped in the middle of the alleyway. His lips curling.

  He could hear Tara’s words.

  “Good Master, is there something wrong?”

  He pushed Tara against the wall.

  “Your beauty is like distilled water free from imperfection. A fine gem such as yourself is most deserving of my blessings.”

  He brought his lips to kiss her neck.

  “Wait!” She said.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Tara’s eyes flicked side to side, her cheeks flushed red.

  “I’m married.”

  “Why is that a problem?”

  “Good Master, isn’t this adultery?”

  “Why of course not?” Saul said, grabbing the woman’s chin. “ Tara, a woman like you deserves to be treated like a queen. Once I pour my blessings into you, the people will begin to see you as an angel. You and your husband shall give birth to children who will bring honor to your family. Is that not what you want?”

  “Yes…”

  “Then say it, I won’t give it to you unless you beg.”

  “Good Master, I beg you, please give me your blessings.”

  A dastardly smile spread across Saul’s lips.

  “Very well, then close your eyes.”

  As he brought his lips close to hers, he heard footsteps clicking on the ground. Turning his head, he saw a young teenager aiming his gun.

  Upon closer inspection, he immediately recognized him. It was Eyosa the mad.

  Tara shouted.

  Saul rolled his eyes.

  ‘Are you serious!’

  “Saul! Your days of tyranny are over. Leave this village immediately.” Eyosa said.

  “Eyosa, put the gun down! Do you not realize that bloodshed will lead to more bloodshed? Why not talk things out like adults? I’m sure we can arrive at peace.”

  “Quiet! You’re using your ability on me.” Eyosa said, grabbing his head. He slowly began lowering the gun.

  “Good boy. Now, Eyosa, it’s important you recognize that I wish not to harm you; I merely desire to help. Now open your heart to me, and I shall guide you to the light.”

  “No!” Eyosa shouted, firing his gun. He shot bullets made of ether, flying randomly, punching holes through walls and the sand.

  Finally, a guard slowly approached with a club in hand and swung, knocking Eyosa out. As his body crumpled, Saul smiled.

  ‘Good, now that that’s over, I can finally retur—’

  His thoughts paused as he saw the woman’s body shaking, her eyes widened in shock.

  ‘Damn it!’

  He had planned on getting intimate with her, but that expression made it clear that she’d be in no condition for that type of fun.

  His eyes narrowed as he stared at the guard.

  “Take him away.”

  “Yes, Good Master, we’ll be sure to execute him immediately.”

  “No, I want you to beat him slowly and then kill him.”

  “Yes, sir. And one more thing. We’ve recently imprisoned a sorcerer. We plan on executing her soon.”

  “Her? You mean the sorcerer is a woman?”

  “Yes.”

  “Pause her execution, I’d like to ‘investigate’ something.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The guard left the alleyway with Eyosa’s body on his shoulder.

  As Saul was about to leave, the woman grabbed his robe.

  “What?” Saul said.

  “I’m afraid, I don’t want to be alone.”

  “I am very busy at the moment. Your home is close by; besides, it's still broad daylight, I’m sure you can make it home on your own.”

  “Please, it’d make me feel safe.”

  “Shut up!” Saul said with a stern expression.

  The woman let go, her eyes welling with tears as Saul walked away, his brows furrowed.

  ‘That annoying harlot, who does she think she is?’

  ***

  Saul walked to the prison, a large yellow building surrounded by a wooden fence. As he walked inside, he passed many jail cells until he arrived at one with a woman with what seemed like some sort of golden artifact around her neck.

  It was a young, beautiful girl with brown skin and wine-red hair. She wore a witch's gown and hat.

  ‘She’s even more beautiful than Tara.’

  As he approached her cell, he saw the golden artifact around her neck. It began to shine a golden glow,

  ‘Saul’s eyes widened.

  ‘Is that a fragment of the ’Mijrāh? What is she doing with that?’

  ***

  The sun had begun its descent, and the day began to blend into the night. A wide smile played on Sith’s lips as he saw Strife Village at a distance.

  As he arrived at the entrance, he placed his hands on the fence; his chest was heaving.

  His mind felt foggy. Under his eyes, he had thick bags. He found himself drifting in and out of sleep. He walked like a drunkard stumbling on his steps.

  Catching himself, he shook his head.

  ‘It’s not safe to fall asleep yet.’ He thought as he remembered Cassius’ words about there being bad people in this village.

  ‘I don’t have time to sleep. I need to look for the Fragment.’

  A scream tore through the air, catching Sith’s attention.

  Turning his head, Sith saw a teenage boy tied to the wooden fence being pummeled with wooden batons by a group of men wearing armor.

  The boy’s body was marred with purple marks and blood.

  With a swing of the baton, Sith saw a tooth fly out of the boy’s mouth along with blood.

  Sith didn’t waste a second; he jumped in between them.

  “Huh, what the hell?” One of the men said.

  “It’s a kid.” Another responded. “A human kid.”

  “Leave him alone, you bullies.”

  “Kid, I don’t know where you came from, but meeting us was the worst mistake of your life.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  Sith threw a punch, but the blow seemed to have no effect on his enemy.

  ‘What’s going on?’

  He tried charging up his Ether.

  A blue aura lit like a small match but vanished as soon as it came.

  Then, his eyes widened in realization.

  ‘I burnt through all my ether, on my way to this village.’

  ‘I’m powerless.’