Darel approached quietly.
"Liven… you'll leave at midnight," he said.
Liven nodded.
"Alright," he replied, his voice tired and broken. There was an emptiness inside him. Is this the last time I'll ever see Darel? he wondered.
Darel handed him a small bag.
"I packed you some food. You'll need it on the road."
"Thank you," said Liven. Then he lay down on the cushion in the corner and dozed off. A farewell he didn't want to wake up to was drawing near.
Time passed. Darel gently touched Liven's shoulder.
"Wake up, son, it's time," he said.
Liven opened his eyes. "What time is it?"
"2:30…"
Liven took a deep breath, got ready, and walked to the door. He stopped in front of Darel and suddenly hugged him.
"Be careful," said Darel.
As they embraced, Liven whispered unintentionally, "Alright… father."
Darel was startled, but his eyes welled up at the same time.
"May your path be clear," he said.
---
Liven slipped into the night, following the underground route map Darel had drawn.
When I arrive… should I present myself as strong, or just as an ordinary one? No matter… I'll decide there.
Halfway through the journey, he grew tired.
I'll rest a little. I'm hungry too.
He sat under a tree, ate the food Darel had given him, then closed his eyes. As soon as he fell asleep… the demon's voice echoed.
> "Liven… be ready to see the ones you never wished to see. Tonight… I'll enjoy myself greatly!"
Liven woke up with a start. It was morning.
What did that demon mean? he wondered, but there was no time. He got up and continued on his way.
---
At the city gate, two guards stood watch.
"And who are you?" one of them asked.
"My name is Liven," he replied. The guard looked at his hair, then allowed him to pass. Liven felt suspicious but kept walking.
Then… he froze in place.
The men he saw…
They were the ones who had killed his mother and taken his father. As if they had been searching for him.
The past replayed in his mind:
> "Please, don't… I beg you…"
"Run, Riven! You have to live!"
Liven's eyes narrowed. Time seemed to stop. He grabbed the two men and dragged them into a back alley. The fury inside him was ready to erupt.
"At last… my revenge on that cursed village begins…" he said, and burst into manic laughter.
---
The demon appeared again.
> "Your new eye power… the ability to command and force obedience. Lucky you, brat. The power of the gods flows within you…"
Liven laughed.
"This is the power I wanted…"
---