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ggled to process the weight of Stefan's words. He was on the run, pursued by the Empire's agents,

h the idea of loosening it. But he knew better. Stefan had warned him tha

Xanthos and Archivist Orion. They were likely captives of the Empir

take down the Empire that had taken them. He swore to himself, his voice barely above a whisper, "I'll free them. I'll find a way, no matter

the murder of his parents, and the capture of his friends had ignited a fire within him that burned hotter with each pa

t supposedly led to the Rebel Kindred. He knew that finding them would be a long sh

him, refusing to come. His mind was a maelstrom of emotions, his thoughts ra

ally began to droop. His breathing slowed, and his thoughts grew cloudy, as he drifted off into a

ocities and his own thirst for revenge warring for dominance. He was haunted by the

heart was racing, and his breathing was labored. He looked around, dis

quiet, except for a faint rustling sound coming from the corner. He turned his attention to t

rchment, he saw that it was a crude map, seemingly hand-drawn. The map appeared to be a sectio

and what did the markings mean? He knew that he had to decipher the map's secret

d it into his pocket. He knew that he had a long and perilous journey

likelihood of encountering slavers this far from the Empire was low, caution had become his guiding principle. With a clearer sense of direction, he quickened his pace

ate as he walked, his mind preoccupied with the need to replenish his provisions. His food wouldn't

is gaze fell upon a disturbing scene. Tied up men and women, their faces etched with the struggles of captivity, were scattered throughout

ilent prayer to the Twelve echoed in his mind: Let none of these slavers have seen me. The plea was st

nd. He was surrounded, and the slavers had him in their sights. He sl

step closer to Galen. One of them, a burly man with a thick beard, spoke in a voi

here? A Gifted. You're a long way

reveal. But before he could respond, a

harm him. I wa

e emerging from the trees. Galen's heart sank as he recognized the sy

h a scar above his left eyebrow, appr

peror Alyaz will pay a hefty price for a Gifted

self be taken captive, not now, when he was so close to finding the Reb

escaping from. Clutching the dampener, he knew his options had dwindled to one: freedom or a fate worse than death. Wit

th instinctive ease, his eyes blazing orange as his powers burst forth unbridled. The air

ery aura that danced across his skin without leaving a mark. His clothes remained untouched, as if the fire was an extension of his being

The fire danced across his arms, a fierce orange glow that seemed to pulse with hi

aos, his face twisted in a snarl. "You're a mo

a blast of flame shot toward Ryker, sending him stumbling back

to flee, but his feet felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot. The f

lled over their head. "Galen, come on!" they shouted,

urring. Who was this person, and why were they helping him

es grew fainter. Galen's rescuer finally stopped, p

like a waterfall of night, and her piercing emerald eyes sparkled with warmth. The intricate, curved blades at

wrap his mind around the fact that a legendary warrior f

she said, her voice husky and confident. "And you, boy, are quite the

He shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs. "It's just that I...I've nev

to be your first," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of mischief. "Now, tell

ed as he asked, "How

ng with amusement. "I'll tell you

they walked, Galen recounted his tale of woe, telling Lysandra about the First File's ambush on his camp, and how

inished, she let out a soft sigh. "Few have ever escaped the Emp

bout to reveal something. But before she could spe

anged the subject. "Your bracelet is glowing blue,"

glanced at his wrist, only to find

mind racing with questions. "How...how did this get back on my wr

s scanning the surrounding forest. "Must have been a lucky coincidenc

e remembered taking off the dampener before unleashing his powers, and he was cer

But her expression was serene, her smile back in place. "Sh

hing about her demeanor put him at ease, and he decided to let the mat

he also sensed that she was trying to protect him, though from what, he had no idea. The mystery su