PTE

uers. He ducked behind a sturdy tree trunk, holding his breath as he waited for the Gifted warriors to close

me a helpless pawn in the Empire's games. He peered around the tree, watching as one of

lace, his movements silent as he stalked his prey. With a swift, deadly motion, he slit

sudden surge of energy, and his body was lifted off the ground, flying through the air to crash

o stood over him, her eyes blazing with fury. Galen's mind went blank as he scrambled to thin

ossibility of his own demise. He was jolted back to reality when the warrior suddenly lurched forward, four arrows protr

s Gifted elite. But it was a man this time, his features chiseled and imposing. Galen's instincts screamed at him to retreat,

ber of the First File, sworn to serve the Empire, intervene on his behalf? The warrior's intentions were un

But instead of attacking him, the man simply observed him, his eyes taking in Galen's batt

through Galen's body, and he felt his injuries and fatigue begin to ebb away. His breath came easier, his m

" The man smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "My name is

elite warriors, and yet he claimed to have been searching for Galen. The contradiction was jarring, and Galen's mi

id. "But I'm also the one who's been shadowtravelling to find you, Galen." The word "shado

ously at the man. "Come, let's take a walk. I will tell you." Stef

Gift like yours emerges, the Oracle of the Empire takes notice. Immediately." Stefan's eyes seemed to cloud over for a moment, as if recalling an unpleasant memory. "Empero

with the implications. "And how do you find these peop

aveling. It's... difficult to explain, but essentially, i

hy are you helping me, exactly? How do I know yo

ting to help you, Galen. Reasons that have nothing to do with the Empire's interests." He paused, studying Galen's face intently. "Bu

his eyes locking onto Galen's. "I'm not asking for your trust, Galen," h

y, his mind still reeling

ave a great destiny ahead of you, Galen. Something the Empire

ords sank in. The thought of the Empire's agents pursuing him, see

gentle tone. "Until you're ready, you'll need to hide, Galen. Keep t

h over him. He knew that he couldn't stay hidden f

it," he said, his voice urgent. "How am I supposed to get beyond

to let Xanthos go, Galen. As for the Deep... you'll find a way. You'r

r seemed to ripple and distort, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate the

ne in the clearing. The silence that followed was oppressive, weighing heavily on