The hunter's voice cut through the silence like a blade, cold and mocking. "You think your little tricks will save you? You're nothing but a rat in a cage, boy. And sooner or later, I'll catch you." His words carried the weight of certainty, as if Kaelen's fate was already sealed.
Kaelen pressed himself further into the shadows, his heart pounding in his chest. The man's threats echoed in his mind—experimentation, death, the stripping away of everything he had fought so hard to protect. He couldn't let that happen. Not now. Not ever.
Desperation clawed at him, but it also fueled his determination. Slowly, he began to weave sounds around the alley, trying to grab the hunter's attention away from his real position. A faint rustling came from one direction, followed by the distant creak of boots on cobblestone. But the hunter didn't fall for it—not even for a second.
"Nice try," the man sneered, stepping closer. "But did you really think I wouldn't see through that?" He drew a pair of gleaming daggers from his belt, their sharp edges catching the dim light of dawn. "I've sought knowledge in the Ocean too, boy. Insights into improving my senses... techniques for quick kills..." The daggers flashed as he threw them with pinpoint accuracy toward Kaelen's last known hiding spot. They struck harmlessly against the crates, but the message was clear—the hunter wasn't playing games.
Panic surged through Kaelen, but he forced himself to focus. There had to be a way out. Closing his eyes, he delved deep into the Ocean of Insight once more, searching desperately for anything that could help him escape this dire situation. As fragments of knowledge swirled around him, he remembered something crucial—the hunter's heightened sense of smell. If Kaelen wanted to evade him, he needed to address all the senses, not just sight and sound.
And then, it hit him. In the golden expanse of the Ocean, Kaelen found what he sought: control over sound, perception, and even scent. With newfound clarity, he willed the shadows around him to shift and twist, forming the silhouette of a man—a figure cloaked in darkness, standing at the far end of the alley. The illusion was so convincing that even Kaelen felt a shiver run down his spine.
The hunter paused mid-step, his gaze narrowing as he took in the shadowy figure. "Who's there?" he demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.
The illusion spoke, its voice deep and commanding. "Back off. This kid is mine. Stay out of my business."
For a moment, the hunter hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his face. How could this be? Had the boy truly had a backer all along? Or was this just another trick, another layer of deception?
But Kaelen wasn't done yet. Pushing further, he manipulated the surroundings, plunging the alley into deeper darkness. Crows cawed ominously overhead, their cries echoing off the walls. Shadows danced and shifted, creating an atmosphere of unease. The hunter glanced around nervously, his confidence wavering.
"What have you done?" the man growled, his voice tinged with fear. "What kind of power did you gain in the Ocean?"
The seeds of doubt and fear planted by Kaelen's illusions were taking root, gnawing at the hunter's resolve. Though he tried to fight it, the uncertainty crept in, whispering doubts about whether he was truly dealing with just a child.
"I'll get you eventually," the hunter spat, backing away slowly. "This isn't over, boy. Mark my words."
As the man disappeared into the distance, Kaelen allowed himself a shaky breath. He had done it—he had escaped, if only for now. But he knew better than to linger. Grabbing his meager belongings, he slipped back to his hideout, gathering everything he needed for the journey ahead. The city was cursed, filled with dangers he no longer wished to face.
His destination was set: the capital. There, amidst the bustling crowds and towering structures, he hoped to find safety—and perhaps, a chance to start anew. Hailing a carriage, Kaelen climbed aboard, casting one final glance at the city behind him. It was time to leave the past where it belonged.
And as the carriage rolled forward, Kaelen steeled himself for whatever lay ahead, knowing that the Ocean of Insight would always be both his greatest ally and his most dangerous burden.