After bidding farewell to the merchant, Zayne set out towards Ravenhold. The journey was long, but the landscape around him helped distract his mind: green hills stretched across the horizon, while the dusty road bore the marks of continuous carts and travelers passing by. The air carried the scent of damp wood and trampled earth, as the sun slowly began its descent.

  After hours of walking, he finally glimpsed the city in the distance. Tall stone walls stood majestically, with large towers watching over the main entrance. The access road was crowded with people of all kinds: farmers with carts loaded with goods, merchants heatedly discussing prices, adventurers in worn-out armor, and hooded travelers advancing silently.

  Zayne joined the long line forming at the entrance, carefully observing the constant bustle. The city guards meticulously inspected anyone wishing to enter, scrutinizing goods and documents with stern expressions.

  But the calm didn't last long.

  A sudden commotion caught his attention: screams, the clashing of drawn weapons, chaos spreading like a wave. A group of hooded men, far different from ordinary travelers, had burst into the crowd, pushing people aside and looting bags and cargo with speed and precision. The guards reacted immediately, but the bandits were quick and organized, slipping through the crowd and using the general panic to cover their escape.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Zayne clenched his teeth. He could stand by and watch… or he could act.

  Without thinking too much, he stepped decisively towards the group of raiders. One of them, noticing his presence, lunged at him with a dagger in hand. It was in that instant that something strange happened.

  Time seemed to freeze.

  Before his eyes, a vision unfolded. He saw the bandit attacking him, the blade aiming for his side, the way the enemy moved—every detail vivid and clear. It was as if he were observing the future a few seconds ahead.

  Then, everything returned to normal.

  Zayne acted on instinct, shifting his body exactly where the blade wouldn't reach him. With a fluid motion, he grabbed the bandit's wrist and twisted it forcefully, making him drop the weapon. A quick punch to the stomach sent the man crashing to the ground, breathless.

  The other bandits noticed the scene and attacked him simultaneously. Zayne, now aware of this newfound power, managed to dodge the blows with unnatural precision, countering with speed and efficiency. Within minutes, the enemies were subdued, and the guards were finally able to capture them.

  A heavy silence of astonishment fell over the crowd. One of the guard captains approached Zayne, eyeing him with a mix of curiosity and gratitude.

  "You fought well, stranger," the man said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You saved us a lot of trouble. As a token of our gratitude, you may enter without paying the entrance fee."

  Zayne nodded, accepting the gesture. With determined steps, he finally crossed the gates of Ravenhold. Before him unfolded a new world: crowded streets, lively markets, imposing buildings, and voices intertwining in a chaotic urban symphony.

  It was his first true immersion into this unknown world. And he knew it was only the beginning.