As he stared at the Pillar through his window, a hand pressed onto his chest, Rhenu tried to steady his breathing.
"Was that really a dr..."
Before he could finish, a voice rang up from the street, slicing through the morning air.
"Rhenu! Hey! Are you seriously zoning out again? The bell's already rung!"
He blinked, the Pillar's shadow lingering in his mind. Glancing down, he spotted Rhena, arms waving, foot already tapping in mock impatience.
"If you're late one more time, I'm leaving without you!"
He flinched, snapping out of his trance. The city of Ierlyan was waking up, the morning rush growing louder with every heartbeat. The comfort of the Pillar faded into urgency.
"Coming!" he called, voice cracking.
Turning from the window, he forced his hands to stop trembling. He'd have to hurry.
Stumbling in a rush, Rhenu jumped into his uniform, almost wearing it backwards. He quickly grabbed the pendant his mother had given him as a parting gift, along with his bag stuffed with books. He ran a comb through his hair and dashed down the stairs to meet Rhena.
He lived above a blacksmith's shop, run by none other than Old Man Braum.
Old Man Braum had been blacksmithing for around twenty years and had mended Rhenu's equipment since he'd first moved in.
Rhenu burst through the front door, panting.
"I'm so sorry, Rhena," he managed between breaths, hunched over with his hands on his knees.
"I wasn't going to leave until you came out anyway, geez," Rhena replied, running her hand through her hair and looking away.
"Where's your sword, Rhenu?" shouted Old Man Braum, who seemed to be hammering away at new gear behind the counter.
"Oh no, let me go ge—" Rhenu started, preparing to dash back upstairs, but Old Man Braum cut him off.
"You'll be in even more trouble if you do. Here, take this spare one." The old man tossed a sword that had been lying beside him.
"And don't you dare come back with it in pieces again," Old Man Braum called out with a laugh.
"I won't! But if I do, you can charge Rhena for it. It's all her fault anyway," Rhenu shot back, grinning.
Old Man Braum's laughter boomed even louder as Rhena delivered a swift kick to Rhenu's knee with her shoe.
"Hurry up, jerk, or I really won't wait next time," Rhena huffed, eyes rolling.
"And here I am worrying about you…" Rhena whispered as she started walking towards the Academy.
"Wait, I'm sorry Rhena. Braum wouldn't have charged you. I was only joking!" Rhenu yelled as he ran to catch up to Rhena.
"Make sure you buy her a treat. That always seems to work on women!" Old Man Braum yelled, smiling, as Rhenu caught up to Rhena.
Rhena's voice jolted him back.
"Look over there! That new shop just opened. They say it has really good cake." She flashed a cheeky grin.
"Rhenu, buy me one and maybe I'll forgive you for earlier." Her mouth was practically watering as she stared at the display, already facing the shop instead of the Academy. The fact that they were late seemed completely forgotten.
They wove through the morning crowds on one of Ierlyan's busiest streets. The city was built like a layered cake, each ring stacked above the next, the radius shrinking as you went higher. The wealthiest and most powerful lived at the top, closest to the Pillar, which was said to be the source of the city's mana. That was why the Academy held pride of place on the highest layer, just beneath the shadow of the chains.
But it wasn't only the world above that mattered. Rhenu knew stories of the underground, a mirror city beneath their feet, crowded and bustling, but separated from the surface by thick barriers and strict laws. The closer you were to the Pillar, the more magic there was, and the people below were never allowed as close as those above. Some said the underground held darker secrets and forbidden items, which sometimes prompted raids from the elite guards when rumors spread too far.
Rhena caught him staring at the shop, her eyes sparkling with hope.
"Come on! Just one little cake. Please?"
Rhenu rolled his eyes.
"Are you sure you need more cake after last week?"
He tried to keep his voice light, but the truth was, he didn't have enough coin to spare.
"Maybe you should take better care of Old Man Braum's swords, then you'd have a little extra money to spend," Rhena said, pouting at him to convince him.
Rhenu opened his pouch. There were just enough coins to get by for the whole week before his next allowance. He let out a deep sigh.
"If I don't get lunch for the next two days, or even three, maybe I'll make it through," he muttered, half to himself.
Rhena, hearing his mumbling, slipped her arm between his right arm and his side, nearly making him drop all his coins.
"Don't worry, I'll pay for your lunches, or maybe even make you some, if you want," she said, dragging him toward the shop.
She was in a state of bliss, humming and grinning at the thought of making him lunch for the next couple of days.
Rhena wasn't a stranger to money and lived on the highest layer of the city, yet she always seemed happier when Rhenu bought something for her.
With no way out, Rhenu let himself be dragged into the newly opened shop. Rhena pushed open the door with her free hand and they both stepped inside.
The shop was filled with all kinds of people. Demi-humans from the land of Qikyzail crowded around the counters, while a fox-eared merchant haggled with the baker in a language Rhenu didn't recognize. Elves from the forests of Sylvelve lingered near the front, their elegant robes brushing the floor. The warm scent of pastries and sweet glaze drifted through the air, wrapping around them like a spell.
Rhena inhaled deeply, a subtle but unmistakable smile spreading across her face. She was clearly delighted.
"Guess everyone loves the new shop already," Rhenu said, his eyes wide with surprise as he glanced at her. Seeing her smile made the place somehow feel a whole lot warmer.
Rhena walked toward the counter to look at the pastries. Unable to decide, she asked,
"Which one do you think I should get, Rhenu?"
Before Rhenu could answer, an elven girl next to Rhena, who seemed new to Ierlyan, interrupted. She wore a small crown and spoke with an air of authority.
"Do try the date cake with caramel sauce. It is truly magnificent," she said.
Her dress and bearing marked her as someone important. Rhenu couldn't help but stare at her crown, wondering, "Is she important?" Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed two elven swordsmen watching him and Rhena closely. Instinctively, he rested a hand on the sword at his waist, ready for anything.
Meanwhile, Rhena was too busy chatting with the elven girl to notice Rhenu's tension.
"Really? I never thought about trying that one," Rhena said, pointing at the date cake.
"It's a taste to die for. You simply must try it. I'll get two, one for each of us," the elven girl replied, antsy for Rhena to have a bite.
"No, it's totally fine! I have Rhenu to pay for it," Rhena protested, unwilling to give up her plan to make Rhenu owe her.
"It's no trouble at all. I insist," the elven girl said, smiling at both Rhenu and Rhena.
Before Rhena could stop her, the elven girl had already ordered.
"Two date cakes, please," she told the demi-human worker.
Rhena, her plan thoroughly foiled, muttered a soft, disappointed "Thank you…" as she looked down, her face tinged with sadness.
"By the way, I never got your name," Rhena asked as she lifted her head.
"I'm so sorry, I should have told you from the start. My name is Stylene. I believe you must be Rhena, and you must be Rhenu." She pointed at them both, getting their names right.
"How did you know our names? And you speak Aristolic? Do all elves speak it too?" Rhena blurted out, her curiosity overcoming her manners.
Almost immediately, she caught herself and bowed.
"Sorry for all the questions…"
"It's alright," Stylene replied, waving for Rhena to lift her head.
"I heard you both mention each other's names earlier. Not all elves speak your language, but I've learned Aristolic since I was a child."
"Also, may I ask, are you two related? Your names are very similar."
"No, we're not. We were named after the two heroes Rhena and Rhenu, who both came from the second level of Ierlyan. I've known Rhena since we were kids. She's my childhood friend," Rhenu said, still distracted by the swordsmen on either side.
Rhena mumbled something under her breath, head down. Neither of them quite caught it.
"Oh, that's beautiful. I'm named after the greatest wind elven mage, Stylene," Stylene said, smiling.
"Were you raised in Ierlyan or Sylvelve? Your way of speaking is much more formal for regular conversation," Rhenu questioned Stylene, turning his attention toward her, interest mixing cautiously with curiosity.
"I'm surprised you noticed. I'm new to Ierlyan, I still have a lot to see and explore," Stylene replied, her formal tone softening as she became comfortable speaking with Rhenu.
Rhena began to feel a connection forming between Stylene and Rhenu, a subtle discomfort twisting in her chest.
"Are you familiar with our language, Syvel'nea?" Stylene asked, her voice regaining its usual grace.
"We know a little, since we learn it at the Academy, but our main language is Aristolic," Rhena answered, quickly reclaiming Rhenu's attention.
"Oh, may I ask what Ac—"
"Your two date cakes are ready," the demi-human worker announced, cutting Stylene off.
"Oh, thank you," Stylene replied, turning her attention to the cakes.
The two swordsmen who had been keeping an eye on Rhenu and Rhena approached. One grabbed the first cake, the other handed the second to Rhena. Unbeknownst to them, one of the swordsmen had already paid while they were talking.
"It was lovely talking to both of you, Rhenu and Rhena. I'd love to chat more, but I must be going. I usually come here around this time, perhaps we'll meet again soon," Stylene said, as her guards gently reminded her of her schedule.
"Of course, Stylene. I'll try to be here too. Thank you so much for the cake," Rhena replied with a bow.
As she finished, she jabbed Rhenu with her elbow.
Rhenu snapped out of his daze, shaking his head, and bowed as well.
"Yeah, thank you for the cakes, and for saving my allowance, Styleve…"
He stopped, realizing he'd mispronounced her name, too distracted by the swordsmen to focus.
Stylene giggled, her hand over her mouth.
"No one's ever gotten my name wrong before," she said, her attention lingering on Rhenu in a way Rhena didn't like.
Rhena quickly took Rhenu by the arm, suddenly irritated without quite knowing why. She didn't particularly like the way Stylene was looking at him.
"Well, hopefully we'll meet again soon," she called back to Stylene, heading for the door, a faint expression of jealousy crossing her face.
Still giggling softly, Stylene waved.
"I hope so too, Rhena and Rhenu."
She looked fondly after them as they left.
Once outside, Rhena managed to pull them both back onto the street, leaving Stylene inside.
The Pillar had stood in Ierlyan since ancient times, older than the city, older than any memory or record. It was something people grew up with, so present that it faded into the background. Rhenu had passed it a thousand times, hardly ever giving it a second thought.
But today, as the chains caught the light and the shadow fell just so, something felt different. The Pillar pressed on his mind, heavy and strange, as if it wanted him to remember something he never knew.
He shook himself, quickening his pace to match Rhena's.
"Why does it feel so… wrong today?" he muttered.
Rhena glanced sideways at him, concern flickering in her eyes.
"You seem off today. Are you feeling okay?"
He managed a smile.
"Just didn't sleep well, that's all. I just kept remembering your face."
He added a small laugh, trying to break the tension.
Rhena looked away, cheeks tinged red.
"Guess I don't have to worry then," she said quietly.
"Do you think there's more to the Pill—" Rhenu began, before a stranger in a black coat bumped into him.
The man's face was hidden, his posture and movement radiating the poise of a master swordsman. His black, fitted pants and the long coat sweeping to his calves looked unlike anything Rhenu had seen in Ierlyan. He towered over Rhenu, silent and cool.
As their shoulders brushed, a handful of scrolls slipped from the man's grip, scattering across the street.
"I'm so sorry, let me get those for you!" Rhenu blurted, crouching to gather the fallen scrolls.
"My apologies for the trouble," Rhena added, bowing her head politely.
"It's fine," the man replied, his voice calm and deep.
As Rhenu handed back the scrolls, Rhena knelt beside him, whispering,
"Do you want me to come over and make sure you're getting enough sleep?"
"I wouldn't sleep at all if you were there. You'd have me cleaning every corner of my room before I'd get any rest," Rhenu joked, picturing the chaos.
Just as Rhenu reached for the last scroll, the man bent down beside him, voice low.
"This one has been tainted. Hold on to it, and dispose of it for me, will you?"
Rhenu paused, confusion flickering across his face.
"Tainted? What does that even mean?"
He nodded hesitantly.
"Sure. Sorry again about the mess."
When he looked up, the man had vanished, along with all but the last scroll. The street was busy as ever, but the stranger was nowhere to be seen.
Rhenu stood frozen, staring blankly at the spot where the man had just been. His pulse quickened as unease crept through him.
What just happened?
Rhenu thought to himself.
"What's wrong, Rhenu?" Rhena asked, peering at his worried face.
"Where did that man go?" Rhenu scanned the crowd, bewildered.
Rhena shrugged.
"He probably just picked up his things and left. Come on, we're late already!"
Unable to explain what had happened, Rhenu tucked the tainted scroll into his bag. Maybe it was just the lack of sleep.
But as they hurried on, a shiver ran down his spine.