Silently, Van and Salome walked side by side beneath the towering castle gate.

  The soft tranquility of Adamer’s broad central street welcomed them, wrapping itself like a soothing veil around Salome’s troubled heart, nearly causing her to doubt her recent memories. Everything felt so unreal, so improbable—like one of those daydreams that leave you shaking your head in disbelief at the absurdity of your own imagination once you wake.

  The dim glow of the radiant pillar behind them cast faint shadows onto the pavement, quietly slipping ahead of the pair. Like a painting frozen in time, the stone city spread out before Salome with its palaces, tall domes, spires, gables, and crowned rooftops. From here, the distant city walls appeared small enough that one could easily overcome them. High above, a stone ceiling blended seamlessly with distant, wavering shadows.

  Salome already missed the deep blue of the real sky. Even the wind had grown dear to her in such a short time, and she longed for its gentle touch.

  “I still can’t believe it,” Van broke their silence. “An actual dragon.” He paused. “But none of the stories ever mentioned them being made of glass…” He looked at Salome. “You know, ever since I met you, I've experienced the most unbelievable things. What are you—some kind of miracle magnet?”

  “Hey, I didn’t choose any of this,” Salome replied weakly. “Besides, you're the reason behind all of this! Without you, we wouldn’t even be here. So if anyone’s a miracle magnet, it’s definitely you.”

  Van shrugged. “Maybe. But I can’t shake the feeling it’s your ship that’s being tossed around by a storm.” He stopped, gazing up at the pillar bathed in golden light. “What do you think it all means? The vision, I mean.”

  “Probably nothing special,” Salome muttered. “Whatever Master Lom sees in me, I don't think I am who he believes I am. It’s probably all just a misunderstanding.”

  “Really? But he’s a dragon, Salome—a dragon, by the pillars! It must mean something! There might really be something going on with the cloud ocean or whatever!" He turned to her, a wide grin spreading on his face. "I think this marks the beginning of something extraordinary.”

  Salome was about to object when, at that moment, a figure emerged from the shadows of a side street, waving at them and taking a few steps closer. As the pillar’s pale glow illuminated the face, Salome recognized Alin with delight. She wore a cloak quite similar to Kiran’s, with the same embroidery on its chest.

  “There you are,” Alin greeted them as they met halfway along the street. “Well, how did your conversation with Master Lom go? Come on, tell me!”

  “Alin, you knew about Master Lom’s… secret?” Salome asked carefully. She didn’t want to accidentally reveal something that might get Alin into trouble, but Alin simply grinned mischievously.

  “Of course, I know. Every Seeker knows our master’s true form. He trusts us just as we trust him.”

  “I knew it! You're a Seeker!” Van exclaimed. “I could tell right away there was something different about you—um, in a good way, of course.”

  Alin laughed behind her hand. “I heard you’ll be leaving this place soon?” she said, clearing her throat.

  “It looks like it,” said Van. “Master Lom tasked us with finding someone he can't look for himself for some reason. An old friend.”

  “Oh, really?” Alin seemed surprised. “What an honor! Master Lom’s old friends are always extraordinary people one rarely encounters! Oh, how I'd love to come along!”

  “Kiran is supposed to come with us,” Van said gloomily. “To be honest, I'd rather call the whole thing off and return home as quickly as possible. There are a few things there I really need to take care of. But then, how am I supposed to refuse a dragon’s request?”

  For a fleeting moment, Salome noticed a shadow pass over Alin’s face. It was brief, but suddenly her smile appeared somehow… dangerous. Alin stayed silent for a while before speaking again.

  “You know, some words are keys to secrets. And some secrets must be carefully guarded.” Her voice was cold and emotionless. Ice-cold. “Van, from now on, I want you to carefully consider what you say, when, and where. You now know this place’s secrets, so take care not to… accidentally reveal them.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Uh… yes, of course,” Van said, taken aback. “Sorry.”

  In the next instant, Alin’s smile regained its usual playful warmth, and she nodded approvingly. “Very good. The same goes for you, Salome.”

  Salome stared at Alin in astonishment. This brief change had caught her completely off guard. Who would have guessed that this girl, shorter than herself by at least a handspan, could seem so intimidating?

  She tried to memorize that smile.

  “So Kiran will be accompanying you…” Alin mused aloud. “That's only logical, since he knows you best. I wonder how he feels about it, though.”

  “Ha! He got angry and ran off when he heard!” Van burst out.

  Alin laughed. “Yes, that sounds exactly like him! But don’t worry. Kiran would never refuse our master's request. Plus, it’s a great honor, and he knows it. He'll show up again sooner or later.”

  Salome gazed thoughtfully down the street. “Why is it so hard for him to leave this place?” she asked on a whim.

  Alin placed a finger on her chin and stared into the air. “Hmm. I think he's especially attached to this city. He grew up here, you know?”

  “He was born here?” Salome asked.

  “No, not exactly,” Alin replied. “He came to us when he was very young.” She grimaced slightly at the memory. “A Seeker had found him after his parents died in an… incident.”

  Van turned his head sharply toward her. “What?”

  Alin sighed. "It was tragic. Must have been very traumatic for him—after his arrival, he didn't speak a single word for a very long time. He always kept to himself, and back then I never saw him laugh or cry—or show any kind of emotion at all. He seemed utterly empty." She paused briefly. "I think it was Sileil's care and the warmth from everyone here that saved him back then."

  Salome thought about the serious boy who always seemed to know exactly what to do next. She remembered his arrogant gaze. His cool, measured words. The awkward tenderness with which he'd embraced Sileil. His relaxed laughter, surrounded by children who looked up at him with shining eyes.

  "It took a long time, but his condition gradually improved and he slowly began to thaw," Alin continued. "Once Master Lom recognized his talent as a Seeker and started training him, he eventually regained his voice. From that moment on, this city gradually became his home."

  Alin turned around energetically, strolling toward the side street from which she had emerged earlier. "Come along now, let's return to the inn. I know it's difficult to measure time under the dome, but you've been gone quite a while. I'm sure you'll want to rest."

  Salome glanced at Van, who was looking thoughtfully down at the ground, before following the girl.

  Alin led them roughly the same way through the city they had come before, though Salome couldn't have said for sure if these winding paths were indeed the same or an entirely different route. She didn't understand why they avoided the open streets.

  The three of them walked quietly through the calm twilight, each lost in their own thoughts. Salome wasn't paying much attention to their surroundings, simply letting Alin lead the way. She found it easy to relax around the always-smiling girl who had taken care of her injured ankle.

  She was surprised how quickly her leg had healed—the thin bandage in her boot was really the only reminder left. There was no trace of pain at all.

  Eventually, Salome began to recognize their surroundings. The alley practically spat them out like unwelcome guests onto the street where the inn stood.

  "That was quick," Van remarked, glancing over his shoulder into the half-darkness.

  "The streets of Adamer are mysterious, aren't they?" Alin replied cheerfully. "Come on, hurry! Otherwise, we'll be late."

  "Late for what?" Van asked.

  "For dinner, of course! Did you think Sileil would forget you?" Alin chuckled softly, quickly gliding across the pavement and energetically waving her hand for them to follow.

  It was exactly as she had said.

  When they entered the cozy, smoky common room of the city's only inhabited inn, the tall, horned innkeeper was already waiting for them. After a brief greeting, she immediately disappeared into the kitchen, from where delicious smells wafted enticingly.

  Several of the curse-afflicted elders were gathered as usual in the room, quietly conversing or enjoying their meals at the tables. A few greeted them with a friendly smile or a nod. The fire in the hearth crackled pleasantly, radiating warmth without unnecessarily heating up the room.

  Salome lowered her gaze and greeted those present with a quick nod before swiftly taking a seat next to Van at the counter, while Alin disappeared upstairs.

  At that moment, Sileil returned carrying two steaming bowls of soup, placing them before Salome and Van and wishing them a good appetite. She didn't ask about their conversation with Master Lom, which Salome greatly appreciated. She still felt as if she had just woken from a dream.

  While eating, a deep, peaceful feeling slowly spread within her. It pleased her that they'd waited for them. The room was constantly filled with gentle murmurs and sounds that reminded her she was not alone.

  She began to relax.

  Next to her, Van shifted back and forth on his stool, repeatedly opening his mouth as though wanting to start a conversation with Sileil, yet every time he hesitated, staring thoughtfully down at his spoon instead. It was clear he was struggling to refrain from discussing what had occurred in the castle.

  Sileil watched him with a knowing smile but remained silent. Her attentive eyes suggested she could guess exactly what was going through his mind.

  Salome felt a contented sigh well up within her, and she didn't hold it back. It was strange, but she felt as if she had… come home.

  Suddenly, the sound of footsteps thundered down the stairs. She turned around to see a group of children playfully bursting into the common room, closely followed by someone she had least expected at this moment:

  Sori.