On an Uncharted Island…

  A young boy sprinted through a dense woods, his bare feet was thudding lightly against the uneven, rocky floor. Despite his labored breathing, he moved swiftly, weaving between the towering trees with practiced ease.

  The island was dominated by steep green mountains, its shores lined with jagged stones where waves crashed relentlessly. A strip of white beach clung to the coastline, caught between the mountains and the sea. The wind swept inland, rattling the trees as it carried the salty tang of the ocean.

  Even with the warm over the island in this midday, damp leaves made the ground slick, but the boy climbed the uneven slopes without hesitation.

  After what felt like an eternity of running, a bamboo fence came into view, marking the edge of a small clearing nestled within the trees. The boy pushed through its wide-open gate into a tiny village of huts, his breath coming in desperate gasps. Before he could even speak, villagers rushed toward him, their concern evident in their hurried steps.

  “The pirates! The pirates!” he finally managed to cry out, his voice breathless and panicked.

  “They’re here! Flee! Flee!” He rushed from hut to hut, raising the alarm.

  From the growing crowd emerged an old man, his bearing calm and deliberate despite the rising fear. His hair was a mass of long, matted strands, and his short beard was streaked with white, giving him a weathered yet dignified appearance. Draped across his powerful frame was a cloth adorned with vibrant geometric patterns, slung over one shoulder and under the other. The sunlight broke through the canopy above, casting a warm glow on the deep onyx of his skin.

  “Tell me exactly what you saw, my boy,” the old man said, his voice steady as he placed reassuring hands on the boy’s trembling shoulders.

  The boy, still gasping for air, stammered,

  “The pirates… they’ll be here…”

  The old man glanced at the murmuring villagers who had gathered around them. Then, turning back to the boy, he asked,

  “How big is their ship? What does their flag look like?”

  But no words came, his throat clogged. His breathing came in rapid gasps, eyes wide with terror.

  “Oboya, organize the village’s evacuation. Sentries, follow me!” the old man commanded, his tone brooking no delay.

  After a hurried trek through the trees, they reached the edge of a sheer mountain cliff, where a young man awaited them.

  “What did you see?” the old man demanded, extending a hand for the spyglass the young man held.

  “It’s a small, two-masted ship,” the young man reported.

  Peering through the spyglass, the old man adjusted its focus, his weathered hands steady against the cool brass surface. The distant ship rocked gently on the waves, a speck on the horizon sharpened into clarity through the lens.

  His breath caught.

  At the bow of the vessel stood two figures. The first was unfamiliar—a younger man, his posture alert and confident. But the second...

  The spyglass trembled slightly in the old man’s grasp.

  It couldn’t be.

  His gaze locked onto the figure, tracing every detail. The slope of the shoulders, the way he carried himself—unmistakable. Yet disbelief gripped the old man, his chest tightening as he struggled to process what he was seeing.

  His jaw clenched, the lines of his face deepening. A faint glint of moisture welled in his eyes, his vision momentarily blurring before he blinked it away. The rawness in his expression betrayed emotions too complex, too tumultuous to name—grief, anger, something like betrayal, and something else he refused to acknowledge.

  The spyglass lowered slowly, almost reluctantly, from his eye. He stood there, unmoving, staring at the ship as if it were a phantom conjured from the depths of his memories. The salt-laden breeze stirred his graying hair, but he did not flinch, his body rigid under the weight of emotions he could not voice.

  For a moment, the world around him seemed to hold its breath. The silence stretched, broken only by the distant crash of waves and the restless stirring of leaves.

  “You… run to the village,” he finally ordered, his voice hoarse and uneven.

  “No need to evacuate.”

  The sentry ran off.

  Afternoon in the Village...

  The setting sun bathed the island in warm silver hues as the villagers watched. Sunny and Zak, with the help of some sentries, carried the unconscious woman’s body on a makeshift bamboo stretcher. Miko followed closely as they walked through the village gate. As the newcomers approached, the villagers parted, questioning eyes fixed on them.

  As the group passed, murmurs rippled through the gathering—loud whispers of realization and disbelief.

  “It’s the Black Skull!” someone gasped.

  “He’s come back after all these years!”

  “I thought he died at sea!”

  “The Black Skull is alive and well!” another said, delighted.

  A shout cut through the buzz of voices. The villagers parted again, allowing a young man with golden hair, an ivory complexion, and a joyful grin to rush forward.

  “Captain! Captain, you’re alive!” he cried, throwing himself into Sunny’s arms.

  “Hey, Donny! You’ve grown old,” Sunny teased, his laughter full of warmth.

  The villagers erupted in excitement, their doubts vanishing. Greetings came from every direction—handshakes, embraces, and exclamations of joy suddenly filling the air.

  A soft, trembling voice broke through the noise.

  “Uncle Sunny?”

  Sunny turned instantly. A young woman stood there, her skin dark as coffee, glowing in the flickering light of the wood fire the villagers had just started in the middle of the courtyard. Her tear-filled eyes glistened, and her voice carried a sadness so heavy it froze him in place.

  “Anika?” he whispered, barely recognizing the grown woman before him. His legs felt as though they were rooted to the ground. Each step closer to her was like wading through the weight of his own grief.

  “Is that you? You’re a woman now...” His tone was amused, but tinged with something he didn’t want to express.

  Before he could say more, Anika suddenly rushed forward, throwing her arms around him. Her tears streamed freely, her head pressed against Sunny’s broad chest.

  Sunny froze, stunned by the wave of emotions crashing over him. The warmth of her embrace, the sobs against his chest—it all broke something inside him he thought had been sealed away long ago. His throat tightened painfully, and his vision blurred as he fought against the surge of tears threatening to fall.

  For a moment, he remained paralyzed, his arms trembling at his sides. But slowly, as if giving in to the inevitability of it all, he lifted them and wrapped her in a protective hold.

  “Baba said you were dead!” Anika cried, her voice muffled, thick with anguish.

  Sunny’s dark eyes, heavy and glistening, struggled to hold onto a fragile composure, betraying the emotions raging within him. His throat felt raw, words caught in an emotional dam he refused to let break.

  “I’m alive, my daughter... I’m alive. Shhhh,” Sunny finally murmured, forcing the words out as he gently stroked her frizzy hair, his hand shaking slightly. His jaw clenched, his chest heaving with a ragged breath, and despite his iron will, a single tear escaped, tracing a slow, burning path down his cheek. He let it fall, unable to stop it.

  Zak, his arm around Miko’s shoulders, watched from a distance, his expression somber as the raw emotion of the scene enveloped everyone present.

  Their embrace lasted for what seemed like an eternity. Anika, now appeased, appeared joyful, her happiness radiating as she clung to her uncle. The joyful reunion spread throughout the village as Sunny was reintroduced to familiar faces, many of whom had been part of his old crew. Tales of their adventures together—stories of dangers, but also of joy and family—were recounted. Feats of the notorious Captain Black Skull fell from witnesses’ mouths.

  In a hut, the unconscious woman now lay comfortably, her wound already treated with a healer’s remedies. Zak, ever the charmer, blended seamlessly with the villagers, sharing laughs over cups of white wine around the wood fire, which spat thousands of dancing sparks.

  Miko, on the other hand, remained distant. Seated cross-legged on the outskirts of the gathering, his gaze scanned the villagers with quiet intensity. Some children tried to get his attention, but he remained completely unresponsive to their playful attempts, his eyes studying everything around him in slow, deliberate motion.

  Meanwhile, Anika, her spirit buoyed by her uncle’s return, led Sunny by the hand from hut to hut, proudly introducing him to those unfamiliar with him. As they strolled back toward the courtyard, Sunny asked,

  “Where’s your baba been all this time?”

  Anika hesitated, her expression clouding with discomfort.

  “Ah... I see,” Sunny said softly, understanding dawning on him.

  “I’m sorry... If you know where he is, please tell me.”

  Anika looked uneasy, her voice quiet.

  “In the cemetery, behind the village.”

  Sunny nodded, his face heavy with discreet grief.

  “Stay with my friends. I’ll be back with your baba soon,” he said before disappearing between the huts.

  In the Cemetery...

  Sunny walked through the night, his path illuminated by a full moon. The village’s noises faded behind him as he advanced, not entirely sure of the direction. His boots thudded on the soil, crushing dead leaves, their sounds mixing with the chirping of crickets.

  “Now you dress like town’s people...” said a lone man sitting on a dead tree trunk beneath a tree, his back turned to Sunny.

  “My brother! Happy to see you keeping in shape,” Sunny said, approaching closer, his steps growing heavier.

  Sunny looked around and noticed many sticks planted in the ground. Hanging from each one were various objects—bracelets made of metal, pearls, or straw. Others bore necklaces of different materials, and even pieces of clothing.

  Each stick clearly marked a grave, the objects belonging to the deceased.

  Sunny knelt at his brother’s side, just behind him, his heart filled with bitterness. He opened his palms and offered prayers to the dead.

  Anika’s father had remained motionless, showing no particular emotion for the last few moments. But now, he was visibly filled with anger. After Sunny finished his prayer, he placed a hand on his brother’s bare shoulder, but the old man remained still, reluctant.

  “I’m sorry... my brother...” Sunny said bitterly.

  The old man, already in tears, forced the words out of his mouth.

  “You left yourself for dead for twelve years,” he said, his voice full of exasperation.

  “I was—“ Sunny began, but he was interrupted.

  “Most of these men buried here were loyal to you!” the old man said, his heart holding no hint of sadness—only anger.

  For a brief moment, he fell silent, reminiscing, before finally revealing, “I went back that day, midway... Before we reached the ship’s last known spot, we started noticing wooden splinters floating everywhere. At first, there was hope. But when I saw the stern going under, it turned into mourning.”

  Sunny’s tears came unbidden as guilt washed over him.

  “I won’t ask you to forgive me, brother, because... the past can never be erased,” Sunny declared, his tears falling freely, just as his brother’s did.

  “I didn’t come back for that. I know the burden... the grief your heart has carried all these years...” Sunny confessed, his brother’s anger beginning to subside.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  “After the battle in the Blue Sea... and the weight of Aniha’s death pressing on me, I was devastated—lost without an anchor,” he continued.

  “I saw our ship capsize from the impact of the cannons before I lost consciousness... I woke up on an unfamiliar shore with a severed leg.”

  At these last words, his brother shook his head, and instead of anger, his face filled with empathy.

  “It was a miracle! The blood had stopped flowing, so I managed to survive a few days before spotting the first ship passing close to shore,” Sunny recalled.

  For the first time since they met, the old man turned his head towards him.

  “You’re quite a survivor!” he said, his gaze now visible.

  “Oh, by all the ancestors! You’ve gotten old, brother!” Sunny shouted, unable to ignore the wrinkles on his brother’s face.

  “Just because you shave off all the hair on your head doesn’t mean you’re still young, idiot. Come here!” he said with a sense of humor, pulling Sunny into his arms.

  The brother smiled, his anger toward Sunny now completely gone, replaced only by joy—joy at having found his brother, whom he had given up hope of ever seeing again in the flesh.

  The hug was strong and lasting, as Sunny breathed in his brother’s scent, delighted.

  “So you gave up your dreams because of this?” His brother broke the embrace, pointing with his chin at Sunny’s leg. Sunny moved his right leg slightly to indicate the handicap.

  “No! I’m still chasing the dream—“ Sunny was quickly interrupted.

  “So you came back to look for a crew!” the old man said, a hint of enthusiasm in his voice.

  “No! I’ve come for another problem,” Sunny replied.

  “Is it as bad as that?” his brother asked eagerly.

  “That’s not a matter for the dead. Let’s return home.”

  Both laughed as they walked away from the cemetery, leaving behind an unprecedented silence.

  On the way, the two exchanged stories of their adventures during each other’s absence. Sunny told him all about his new companions, from the beginning to the present day.

  Back, between the huts, not far from the main courtyard...

  “You’ve created a beautiful creature,” Sunny observed, looking at Anika, joyful as she danced amidst some villagers around the wood fire. Her frizzy charcoal curls, tied back with a red headband, glistened in the firelight.

  “Yes, my brother. Our ancestors listened to my prayers—and I think yours too,” Sunny’s brother said, glancing at Miko, who sat away from the gathering, his face warmed by the flames.

  “I think this is your second chance,” the old man stated.

  “I don’t know if it’s a punishment or a chance for redemption... Either way, past mistakes can’t be erased,” Sunny admitted, lost in thought.

  His brother continued, “We all need peace of mind... I think you’ll find yours by reuniting this young boy with his family.”

  Sunny’s face suddenly darkened, his eyes glistening as he looked in Miko’s direction.

  “I had a dream at sea yesterday… I was sitting next to a bed. In the bed was the boy, very sick. And then, suddenly...” He paused, his eyes heavy.

  “What happened next?” his brother asked, looking straight at him.

  “Aniha... Aniha was there! She came into the hut to join us. She was alive and well!” he said with difficulty, his eyes wet.

  His brother patted his shoulder in consolation.

  “You see, dreams are revelations from our ancestors, warning us of our fears and desires. Aniha will have peace on their side, and all she would wish is for you to find peace on this side too,” his brother declared.

  Zak sat on a stool, a container of white wine in his hand. He observed the atmosphere, the villagers mood at this late hour. He took a sip, and his inner monologue rose.

  Are we going to address the elephant in the room? What? Really? You’re hanging out with pirates— You mean harmless and hospitable villagers? You know very well these people are barbarians—dangerous criminals. We hunt them, not sip their— Please stop that! Sunny helped us, remember? Did he? He lied to us about who he is... The thing is, you didn’t even suspect it.

  Zak shifted on the stool, his eyes wandering.

  There he is! The old man beside him... His brother? Of course, he is! The resemblance is striking. It’s like he’s walking with a much older version of himself—with hair, for sure. Haha... But seriously, there’s something different about him. Like a man trying to forgive himself for something. He’s not like the people we hunt. And it shouldn’t even be me saying this... You’re the one who always sees the best in people. The thing I don’t understand is how you can be so at ease knowing who they are! They know who I am but still welcomed me— Did they?

  Zak noticed some villagers watching him warily. For the first time, he saw fear in some of their eyes. He stood up, stepping away from the gathering.

  His eyes landed on a hut.

  The woman. I completely forgot about her!

  He headed toward the hut.

  As he reached the hut, he stood in the doorway, his frame outlined against the dim interior. His eyes adjusted to the gloom, settling on the woman’s still form lying on a mat.

  Is she still breathing…? I hope so...

  His eyes lingered on her, then a sudden motion—a twitch of her fingers—caught his attention.

  She’s waking!

  He stepped inside with quick strides and knelt beside her. He hesitated for a moment before reaching out.

  “Hey,” he called, his voice low.

  No response. The woman’s face remained slack, her breathing unchanged.

  And again, another twitch! Zak instinctively took her hand in his and called out.

  “Hey, can you hear me?” he urged, a bit louder.

  Still nothing. Her palm was clammy, her body slightly feverish.

  Then, suddenly, the tension drained from her hand, and her muscles went slack.

  Zak panicked and rushed outside.

  From their spot, Sunny and his brother saw the hunter’s urgent demeanor as he exited the hut.

  “The woman... something is wrong with her!” Sunny’s brother guessed as they rushed toward the hut.

  Just as they arrived, unexpectedly, the woman was standing in the doorway, looking confused as the men appeared before her. She offered an amicable smile, one arm supporting her weight while the other rested on her chest, near her wound.

  Sunny’s brother rushed toward her, concerned.

  “My sister, you shouldn’t be standing...” he said.

  “What happened?” the woman asked, confusion on her face. She shifted slightly and winced as pain shot through her chest.

  “Come on and seat first.” Sunny’s brother said offering her support.

  “I need to go to the toilet,” she said.

  Zak had returned with some villagers, and as they saw the woman standing, they were all confused. Zak stared at her with a questioning expression.

  A moment passed before, the women reappeared followed of Sunny’s brother and a village woman.

  “Here, take a seat,” he said, guiding her to a stool.

  The woman became the center of attention as villagers gathered around.

  “Hoos, hoos! She needs air,” Sunny’s brother called out, dispersing the crowd.

  Sunny knelt beside the woman.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked, looking straight into her eyes.

  “I’ll survive,” she replied, adjusting herself on the stool, wincing from the pain in her chest.

  Zak stood nearby, arms crossed, observing her.

  She’s really beautiful without her muffler... Please don’t tell me you’re already in love with her. Admit it, she’s a marvel especially the spark in her eyes when she puts on her muffler... What? You looked into her eyes? She risked her life for you— Hold on, what are you talking about? We don’t even know her real intentions... Who she is... What she was doing in that room that night... And besides, she veils her face. Hiding one’s identity is the first sign of mischievousness... Me, I’m wondering how she stopped bullets. Do you think she’s a master of cold weapons?Taebitians are skilled in all martial arts, but I’ve never seen one stop bullets in any way...

  Anika crouched near the woman, smiling warmly.

  “Hi, my name is Anika—“

  “The big guy’s daughter?” the Specter guessed, prompting a chuckle from Sunny and his brother.

  “Sorry, I was just guessing,” the woman said, slightly embarrassed.

  “No, no, don’t make it a problem,” Sunny’s brother said, amused.

  “This is my daughter, and the big guy is her second dad,” he added. The group laughed, even the woman smiling slightly.

  She turned to Anika.

  “My name’s Leen,” she introduced herself.

  Anika’s eyes lit up.

  “You must be starving. Let me bring you a meal!” she said excitedly before rushing off.

  Sunny’s brother turned to Zak.

  “My name’s Baka. Thank you for trusting my brother here.” he said, patting Sunny’s shoulder uninterrupted.

  “He already told me everything... the kid will be safe with us.” He reassured.

  Sunny nodded in agreement.

  Zak smiled.

  “Thank you for the hospitality... Your people are kind. I appreciate your help,” he said.

  Baka quickly called for attention and invited everyone to gather around the wood fire.

  In the center, near the fire, the embers glowed a deep red as the flames danced. A warm, reddish hue illuminated every face. Anika’s father, standing in the villagers’ attention, smiled happily and demanded silence. Then, he motioned for Sunny to join him.

  His voice carried out,

  “I know you’ve all already seen him... but most of you don’t know him—maybe not even by name.”

  The villagers buzzed.

  “This is my brother, Sunny… lost at sea,” Baka said, his eyes gleaming with emotion as he placed an arm around his brother’s shoulders. He continued,

  “But our ancestors showed him the way back home!”

  The villagers cheered.

  A group of newcomers arrived—four old men followed by some younger ones, visibly returning from the fields, carrying various tools.

  “Abako… Kom… Bob… Yuela… You’re all getting old in here!” Sunny exclaimed in surprise at the newcomers.

  One of them opened his eyes wide in shock.

  “Sunny? Is that you?” he asked, rushing to him, touching him all over as if confirming his existence. Holding Sunny’s head in his palms, tears welled up in his eyes as he scrutinized him, searching for something.

  “Are you real, or am I dying?” he asked, his voice trembling.

  “Yes, it’s me, Abako! Your little brother, in the flesh!” Sunny reassured him, trying to comfort him.

  “I thought I would never see you again in my lifetime… but to the ancestors side… they brought you back… they showed you home…” Abako sobbed, overwhelmed.

  Baka, with the help of the other elders, comforted Abako. Soon, his grief transformed into joy, and he broke into a bright capella, joined by the villagers in a lively choir.

  The atmosphere around the fire remained convivial as the villagers shared food, and white wine flowed in bamboo mugs. Sunny, alongside the elders, seemed to share a deep bond, their past filled with tales of adventure and achievements.

  Zak sat a little apart from the gathering, visibly lost in thought. His gaze discreetly lingered on Leen, who lay in a lounge chair outside the lively atmosphere.

  ...I don’t know... You made two shots. If she had really missed one bullet, she would’ve been dead. And the infection seems older than four days. You’re right, it must have happened before we met... or maybe after— Watch out, she’s moving… toward us!

  “Hey.” Leen’s voice pulled Zak from his thoughts.

  “Hey…” Zak greeted, a bit uneasy.

  A brief silence followed as they both watched the lively ambiance around the fire, where Sunny was visibly enjoying himself among the villagers.

  Finally, Zak turned his attention to the woman standing near him. After a quick glance, he broke the silence,

  “You look good for someone who just came back to life.”

  “Yeah? About that… Thank you for saving me,” Leen said, showing her gratitude.

  “What? No, I did nothing… Sunny saved you.” Zak corrected quickly.

  Leen’s lips parted slightly as if to say something, but she remained silent. The moment grew tense.

  Her eyes then spotted Miko,

  “Alright, see you…” Leen said as she glanced at Zak’s drink before starting to walk away.

  Zak watched her carefully.

  “Actually, I have one question… What are you? Some kind of martial arts master?” he asked.

  Leen turned back toward him. Instead of answering, she reached for Zak’s drink.

  “Can I have this?” she asked, taking the bamboo mug from his hand.

  Zak observed as she emptied the mug in one go. She caught her breath.

  “I’m just a woman with twin swords,” she finally said, sitting on the ground.

  “I mean… how can you stop bullets? Jump onto a rooftop like that?” Zak asked, his curiosity evident. A subtle gleam flashed across Leen’s face.

  “My father is a great martial arts master,” she informed him.

  “I’ve never seen anyone do that before,” Zak admitted.

  “I’ve never been shot by someone before,” Leen responded with a friendly smile.

  Zak frowned. The woman nodded.

  “Really? I was wondering when you got shot…” he said, genuinely curious.

  Leen furrowed her brows with a smile, looking into Zak’s eyes.

  “I thought you stopped them all—” Zak said, feigning astonishment.

  His pride swelled discreetly.

  “You were cruel to shoot four bullets at a woman,” Leen said, her tone not condemning.

  Zak frowned.

  “Wait, what? I fired four shots?” He struggled to recall the scene from that night as the woman, smiling, confirmed it.

  “How the hell were you so fast?” Leen questioned, her expression carrying astonishment and a trace of admiration as a brief silence settled between them.

  Zak caught the woman’s face, still holding a smile. He stared for a moment before revealing,

  “I just wanted to stop you, not kill you,” he confided with a subtle smile.

  “Ah, really? The hole in my chest says otherwise.” She chuckled.

  Their eyes met and both laughed.

  Leen’s attention suddenly shifted to Miko and the children playing joyfully nearby.

  “So… you’re leaving the boy here?” she asked, her question dampening the lighthearted mood.

  “I can’t find a better place,” Zak said, now also watching Miko.

  Leen suddenly fell silent, her gaze lost in the sympathetic and carefree atmosphere of the villagers.

  “I wish I could be like them... free of any haunting memories... live for love... for family...” she spoke up.

  Zak had been discreetly studying her face, and for the first time, he noticed her black eyes. He quickly looked away as Leen turned her attention to him.

  “I can’t stay here,” Zak said, looking away.

  “Why?” she asked, scrutinizing every detail of his face.

  “I don’t like feeling secure,” Zak informed her coldly.

  Leen shifted her attention back to Miko.

  “I don’t know why you feel that way... but I think everyone wants peace at some point in their life. I think he’ll be safe here,” she said as she stood.

  Before walking away, she added, “I’m going to talk with him.”

  “What’s his name again?” Leen asked, a few steps away from Zak.

  “Miko,” the hunter responded shortly, watching her go.

  Zak watched as Leen approached Miko and took a seat on the ground beside him.

  Miko didn’t react to the woman sitting next to him. His head remained still, his gaze fixed on the gathering. His attention shifted from one person to another as he scrutinized them.

  “Hey, Miko,” Leen called, but the boy didn’t move, his head remaining in its old position.

  “You haven’t moved an inch since you sat here,” she continued, trying to draw him into a conversation.

  “You know, I used to be like you too... In fact, I’m still like that. I like walking alone, doing things on my own, and I especially don’t like it when there are too many people around...” she said, still facing silence and inattention from the young boy.

  She sighed but didn’t give up.

  “What do you think of these peopl—”

  She was suddenly interrupted.

  “You’re hurt. You need to rest. Rest will facilitate rapid healing,” Miko said without shifting his gaze.

  “Ah, I see! I appreciate your concern for me,” Leen said warmly, but her eyes held interest—perhaps even a hidden intention.

  “I have a little problem I’d like you to help me with,” she added.

  Miko’s eyes sparked with curiosity, his face brightening for the first time since Leen had sat beside him.

  “What’s your problem?” he asked eagerly.

  Zak, still seated on his stool, discreetly observing Leen and Miko while also watching the village children. He saw how joyful, how amused, and how safe they were. It’s the best place for him, he argued with his inner monologue.

  ...he’ll be safe here. Besides, the village is in the middle of nowhere—far from The Duke’s eyes. Look at him, he’s not even interacting with the other children. It’d be a bad idea to leave him here— Among pirates, you’re going to say? It’s not like there’s another way. Of course, there’s always another way... You just want to get rid of him, and you know this place won’t be safe for him.

  A feeling of grief and empathy crept up on Zak.

  What do you want me to do? Sit here and babysit him? I’ve got things to finish. I was in Verghertown for my bounty, which, by the way, is still waiting for me. Tomorrow at dawn, we have to find a way to get back to the town.

  Meanwhile, Leen continued trying to extract information from Miko.

  “I’m looking for a book. Big, small—I have no idea. Maybe it’s titled The Seventh Book of Knowledge, and I have a feeling you may have already seen it once,” she said.

  “It’s not a problem! You want information. I don’t have your book,” Miko replied dismissively.

  “No, you don’t. Miko, I didn’t say you have it, but maybe you’ve come into contact with it over the last few days,” she clarified, watching as the boy withdrew into himself.

  “Maybe it’s the book you used to make your drawings in the basement room?” she asked, pointing at Miko’s ink-stained fingers.

  Suddenly, the boy curled up and started sobbing.

  “Miko hide! Miko hide! He is coming! Miko...” he repeated, his panic escalating into a full-blown breakdown.

  Everyone was alerted. Zak rose abruptly from his seat, while Sunny rushed toward them, his brother close behind.

  As soon as Sunny knelt beside Miko, the young boy jumped into his arms, holding him tightly and crying. Sunny looked at Leen, his gaze both questioning and condemning.

  Zak knelt down beside them, locking eyes with Miko.

  Zak, you can’t abandon him. I don’t really have a choice, and besides, you saw it yourself. He didn’t jump into my arms—he ran straight to the bartender, even though I literally saved his life. He already feels safe with him, so— He’s looking at you, and all I see is gratitude. Don’t be sentimental!

  Miko, having calmed down, pulled away from Sunny’s embrace, his eyes fixed on Zak.

  Unwillingly, the bounty hunter placed a hand on the boy’s back.

  ...even if I take him to Beligram, I can’t take on the responsibility of a parent. I’m a hunter!

  The villagers dispersed at Sunny’s brother’s request. He moved closer and looked Miko in the eyes.

  “Hey my child, are you hungry?”

  [email protected]