Back in the forest behind the mountains, where Mihon and his companions were far from the city.
"Have we not arrived yet, Amis?" asked Youray.
Amis replied with impatience, "You're annoying me. I told you it's close!"
"What's with that arrogant face, you scoundrel?" said Youray mockingly.
After a few moments of walking, they reached a place where they stopped and looked ahead... There, in the air, appeared a small ship, very similar to the one Lilar used.
In this world, there were many means of transportation, among them the "train" and the "cloud ships."
"So... this is our ship from now on," said Mihon.
Amis smiled, "Yes. Although it's small, it gets the job done. It can travel long distances—if there's no wind."
The Mute was gazing at the ship with sparkling eyes, a soft smile forming on her lips.
"Did you like it, O Mute?" Amis asked her.
She nodded her head as if to say "yes."
Youray asked her, "Is this your first time seeing one?"
She nodded again in affirmation.
Youray suddenly spoke, caution overtaking him:
"We need to hurry and get out of here. We don't know what awaits us if we stay too long."
Amis replied, "You're right. Let's go."
Mihon climbed first using the wooden ladder, followed by Amis, then Youray, and finally the Mute.
At the front of the ship, Amis stood and grabbed the helm. Then the ship began to rise into the air: three meters… four… five… until it reached seventeen meters, and stopped ascending. Mihon and Youray opened the sails, and with the strong winds at this altitude, the ship surged swiftly toward the west.
The "Cloud Ship" or "Sky Ship" — as people called it — was a masterpiece from the ancients. It didn't only sail on water, but flew above land as well. A mystery that scientists have not yet been able to decipher… and how the ancients built it remains a miracle that fills the mind with wonder.
At the Gates of Randor
Reno and Blue ran stood with their soldiers, eight hours having passed since Mihon and his companions exited through the secret gate.
Reno asked, "Did you catch any of them?"
Blue ran replied, "No, but I captured one of their accomplices. We'll wait for the 'Commander' to arrive before deciding what to do."
Then his eyes fell on the soldiers, and he asked, "What were you doing outside the city?"
One of them answered, "Lieutenant, we all lost consciousness… for an unknown reason."
Blue ran stared at them with contempt: "Pathetic… It seems we need to intensify training."
Another soldier spoke up, "Sir, before we lost consciousness, we received news about the 'Demon of Humans'… The report said he left the city four days before the festival, and the entire Hunter Guild — even their leader — moved to chase him."
Blue ran began to think:
"So that's why we didn't see the Rebel Hunters at the festival… They were chasing that mad rebel."
In the City…
People began waking from their slumber, one after another, after the city had seemed like a graveyard. A day had passed, and now life returned to the alleys.
Everyone was asking the same question: What happened?
Above the High Mountain Peaks…
A massive ship was soaring through the sky, large enough to fit twenty of Lilar's and Mihon's ships. On board, a girl with red hair cascading over her shoulders sat on a luxurious chair, a table full of food before her, and seven people gathered around her.
The girl was Dorana — and those around her were her followers.
One of the girls in the group asked, "Are you sure he's the one you're looking for?"
Dorana smiled confidently, "Yes, it's him."
Another asked, "Will you tell us who he is? And how he's related to your family?"
Dorana said, "That young man… His name is Mihon. His full name is: Mihon, son of Ariander."
Silence fell. Shock struck them all.
"What? How? That insane family has another son? We've never heard of them having a boy that age!"
Dorana smiled and said:
"You know nothing about that family…
Would you like to hear his story?"
"Yes!" they all replied.
Aboard Mihon's Ship
They were sitting on the floor, contemplating the skull and the device that contained the information about the concrete. The device was projecting red rays onto a white sheet, where strange symbols appeared.
"Youray… can you understand these texts?" Mihon asked.
"Wait a moment," said Youray, beginning to stare at the paper. Though his eyes were closed, it seemed as if he could see.
After a brief silence, he opened his mouth and read:
First Text:
"You may hold power, but you cannot keep it.
Today is yours — tomorrow belongs to another."
Second Text:
"Your cherished authority…
One day, I will destroy it.
We shall not both live in this world."
Third Text:
"Laughter… laughter… ha ha ha ha ha!
Can you read it? Can you grasp it?
You cannot — this is the language of freedom.
You may look upon it, but you cannot comprehend it.
You cannot perceive what lies within.
A slave does not know the path to freedom…
That's what you were — and that's how you'll die.
You may keep this 'curse' as your legacy…
For your legacy will be the cause of your ruin,
and the ruin of your kingdom.
This curse will remain in your bloodline
until everything collapses…
All who follow your path… shall share the same fate.
This… is my will."
Youray stopped.
Mihon asked him, "Is that everything?"
Youray replied, "No… there are strange words, outside the message."
Then he said softly:
"O Sun-born… I see you...
Ha ha ha ha ha… laughing… laughing… laughing."