Chapter 22 – Silver
A group of hyenas rode across the sun-baked plains, each mounted atop a snarling, wild beast they had raised themselves. They were not known for skill, but for sheer numbers—and for their cowardly ways in battle. Yet the Law of the Elves had granted them certain advantages. Even weak tribes, they said, had a role in maintaining balance. Some of these "advantages" came in the form of minor authority, soul powers, or skills—but that only made them more chaotic, more arrogant, and more resentful of those truly skilled. Any hyena who showed promise, or awakened a power of their own, was secretly undermined or eliminated.
A skinny hyena with black-tipped ears and a dagger in hand sneered. "I can't believe those dumb elves actually gave us this law. Look at all the spoils we've got! Hahaha!"
Another shouted from behind, "All thanks to the boss—and that human mage! At first, I thought he was useless… but now…"
A fat hyena riding a larger beast grinned. "We were being attacked by other villages while we pretended to hunt on their land."
"Because you were idiots," snapped another. "It's only thanks to the mage's plan that we're still inside the law. Hahaha!"
A rebel grunt echoed, "Still… according to the law? That's a new one. I guess all that loot finally got your brains working."
In the center of the group rode their leader—broad, muscular, silent. His eyes narrowed, lost in thought.
At first, it was great, he thought. The human mage helped us… but now he's using us. I wanted to change this tribe, start a new era. Instead, we just follow orders. Why?
—A Memory—
Murad stood before him, red hair bright in the sunlight, muscles taut, and his mighty axe resting on his shoulder. Before him crouched the strongest of the wild hyenas, trembling.
"You can start a new era in your village," Murad said firmly. "Use your skills. Use the wild hyenas you've raised. But if you attack my people again… you'll face my axe."
He didn't care about the Law of the Elves, and Murad was known to investigate deeply. Back then, he had even been the village chief—a fact that only worsened the tension when Halfad became chief afterward.
Arif had been there too. In that moment, everything had become clear.
—Back to the Present—
"We'll reach the village soon," one hyena said, snapping the boss from his thoughts.
The village was in ruins.
Houses leaned at odd angles, some crumbled entirely. People looked exhausted and defeated; nothing had been rebuilt. Only a few crooked tents flapped in the wind, haphazardly patched together—but somehow, that very madness sparked fleeting smiles. A strange, raw hope—or perhaps sheer madness.
As the hyenas approached, their voices rose in triumph.
"We'll eat well today!"
"We brought new goods!"
Children ran toward them, eyes wide with excitement. "Goods! Toys! More stolen toys!"
"We stole a lot, thanks to the mage boss!" bragged one of the riders.
A hyena woman stepped forward, calm amid the chaos. "We can't make or buy it all. But it's great—we stole it. Take whatever you want, however you can."
"But you should thank the elves too!" a child giggled.
The muscular leader watched as goods were unloaded. I thought I could change this place… make it better… but some things never change. Let the world handle itself.
Then, chaos erupted.
Children dove for the supplies—bread, dried fruit, wooden toys. Screams and shouts filled the air. Two boys wrestled over a shiny spoon. A girl fell, scraping her knee, crying as others rushed past.
"That's mine!" one shouted.
"No, I saw it first!" another yelled.
Yet everyone watched with a strange, almost approving amusement. More children pushed, shoved, hoarded, or wept.
Then—calm.
A boy stepped forward through the chaos. Kind face, short brown hair, soft brown eyes. His smile was gentle. He wore adventurer's clothing and a sleeved robe, a book tucked under his arm.
He knelt and picked up the fallen wooden toy, handing it to the crying girl. "It's okay," he said warmly. "Take whatever you want. No one will stop you. Stand, walk, and get what you need. No need to overthink."
The others froze, mesmerized by his presence.
"He's so nice," whispered one child.
"He always knows what to do," added another.
Gradually, the children began bringing their stolen goods to him. The boy distributed the food and toys fairly, like a natural leader. The chaos softened, replaced by laughter and delight.
Silver watched from the sidelines, a faint smile on his lips. He hadn't stopped the chaos—he had redirected it. Pure madness, finding joy in madness.
He approached the boy. "Are you happy?"
"Yes!" the child beamed. "I can do whatever I want and eat whatever I like. I've never been this happy, Mister Mage!"
"My name is Silver," he replied. "But I like being called Mage."
Then he raised his voice. "Everyone! Do whatever you want! What can stop you? Nothing matters more than your happiness, your life, and always remember—yourself, yourself, and yourself again!"
The hyena group, returning from their ride, found him speaking to the children.
"You're back. Just like before. Everything go well?" Silver asked.
"Of course," the muscular boss grunted. "Nothing happened."
"Good job, Houlin," Silver said.
Houlin narrowed his eyes. That crazy mage… impossible to figure out.
A thought struck him: if Arif were here, he would notice soon enough. Murad and Halfad would come crashing down on them.
The boy Silver had spoken to looked up at him with pure admiration, as if he were a divine being.
Silver smiled back.
No one could know the true meaning behind that smile.