chapter 06 destiny walkers

was beginning to set on the horizon.
Abel, Darius's father, watched silently through the window, his gaze lost in the last golden rays of the day. His expression was serious, full of thoughts.

"How is my son doing...?" He murmured in a low voice, almost as if he were talking to himself. I hope it's okay...

Darius's mother, Sira, quietly walked over and wrapped a warm hug around his back. He rested his head on his shoulder as he spoke tenderly.

"Don't worry, darling. Darius is going to grow up... I know he's barely fourteen, but I have faith in him. I expect a lot from our son. I'm sure he's going to surprise us.

Abel smiled looking at the window, while Sira leaned gently on his shoulder. Time passed slowly as they both enjoyed the scenery.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Abel, confused, got up and went to meet the visitor. When he opened the door, he found a tall man, dressed in a black robe that covered his entire face. Seeing him, Abel thought he was probably a messenger.

"Excuse me, Mr. Abel, but I have a letter from your mother. The man said, his voice deep and monotonous.

Abel was stunned. It was not common to receive letters from his mother, much less in such strange circumstances. The man handed over the letter without saying another word and quickly retreated, closing the door behind him.

Sira, worried, approached Abel.

"Honey, what does the letter say?" It's rare for your mother to send letters.

"I agree with you, Sira. Abel replied as he began to open it. Reading the contents, his face immediately paled. Cold sweat covered his forehead, and a terrified expression came over his features.

"Honey, is something wrong?" Sira asked, alarmed to see her husband's reaction. Silence invaded the entire house. Abel continued to look at the letter, his eyes swept over the words with growing terror. The atmosphere in the room became dense, almost unbreathable.

Finally, Abel looked up and looked at his wife with a pale face.

"This... It can't be—" he murmured, his voice breaking. He didn't seem to believe what he was reading.

"What is happening?" Sira asked, this time in a firm voice, trying to understand what was happening. The tall man in the black robe, who had delivered the letter, was already gone, and the house was left in a deadly silence, broken only by the whispers of the wind.

Abel put the letter away with trembling hands and looked out the window, as if looking for answers on the horizon. His expression showed a mixture of confusion and fear.

Meanwhile, many miles away...

Darius was in the caravan, accompanied by his friends. The journey to the dungeon was long, but the tension between the young people was palpable. Helena, Selene, Tarek, and the others had spent the last couple of hours in silence, each with their thoughts.

Darius, for his part, couldn't stop thinking about what awaited them inside that dungeon. He knew it was a big challenge, an important step on his path as a magician, but the feeling of insecurity invaded him.

"We're almost there," Tarek said, breaking the silence, as he pointed to the dungeon in the distance. A large dark entrance, surrounded by huge rocks and an ominous air that seemed to promise unpredictable challenges.

Selene looked at Darius with a slight smile. Although most magicians preferred to keep their emotional distance, she felt that there was something more between them, something they still couldn't fully understand.

"Are you ready for what lies ahead?" He asked, something in his tone denoting concern and curiosity.

Darius looked at her with a mixture of determination and doubt.

"I'm not sure... But I have to be. I have no choice. He said, before turning to the horizon, as if the answers could magically appear.

In the distance, the entrance to the dungeon became more and more visible, and with it, the destiny of each of us began to be delineated.

The wagon stopped with a faint screeching sound, and the man leading the horses spoke in a firm voice:

"You can get off. I will retire and return within three months, as we agreed in the contract.

I got up while Helena and Selene were the first to descend. Then I looked at Adam, who was still sleeping, and went over to kick him lightly in the side.

"Wake up, you lazy one," I said aloud, in a mocking tone.

Adam sat up suddenly, startled.

"How annoying you are, Darius," he grumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Don't talk nonsense, it's time to come down," I replied firmly.

Adam got up, a little drowsy, and we got out of the wagon. As I looked around, I noticed that everyone already had their things unloaded. The man who had led the horses was soon gone, getting lost in the distance of the road by which we had come.

"It's night, we must set up camp right now," Tarek said seriously, looking at the sky that had already turned a deep blue.

"You're right, and let it be quick, please," Helena added, addressing everyone in that firm tone that always accompanied her.

Liam nodded without a word, while Selene remained silent, her eyes fixed on her surroundings. Always alert.

I relaxed for a moment, and since I was one of the few who didn't carry a lot of stuff, I decided to take the initiative.

"I'll make camp," I said loudly, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Yes, why not?" Adam replied, now much more awake, shrugging his shoulders with a slight smile.

Kael walked up to me and pointed to the terrain in front of us.

"Use earth magic." Make it as simple as possible," he suggested in a calm voice, as if he already knew he could trust me.

"Sure, I don't have a problem," I replied confidently, as a familiar feeling ran through my body.

I remembered the days when I practiced alone, outside my house, molding walls of stone and earth as mana control exercises. My mother always complimented me with a warm smile on her face... But I also remembered the looks of the neighbors: eyes full of contempt, whispers behind me. When my mother wasn't around, I was teased for being different... for being a magician.

I clenched my fists for a moment, but shook my head and returned to the present. This time, I wouldn't stop. This time, I would make my magic serve more than just practicing alone.

Selene, who had been watching me in silence, noticed me getting lost in thought. He approached gently and took my hand.

"Darius... are you okay?"

I came to myself when I felt his touch. His eyes, full of worry, stared at me.

"It's okay... It's not important," I replied in a calm voice, although inside my mind was a complete mess. Well, I have to get on with this.

At this moment, Liam slowly walked over, frowning with a theatrical expression.

"Sister, don't get so close to Darius... I'm proud, you know?!" Liam protested with an exaggerated air.

Helena walked over, crossing her arms with a mocking smile.

"Liam is right. Leave Selene alone, Darius, and pay attention to me.

"What do you say!?" Selene jumped up, annoyed.

"Don't look down on my sister, even," Liam replied, glancing at her sideways. They both shot each other murderous glances as it seemed that a silent war was being declared.

At that moment, Adam raised his voice loudly.

"Stop the nonsense, you bastards!" We're not here to play! Adam shouted, fed up with the uproar. Darius, you and Helena take care of the camp. The rest of us, we are going to inspect the surroundings.

"That's my captain!" I said with a big smile, proud.

"Stop the jokes, Darius," Adam replied, narrowing his eyes.

Selene, for her part, was furious.

"I'm not going to leave you alone!"

Liam came over with a mischievous smile and tugged at her ear.

"Come on, drama queen.

"Oh, oh, oh! Let go of me, you idiot! Selene complained as the others laughed and walked away.

And so, I was left alone with Helena... which, to be honest, I had no idea if it was good or dangerous.

The cold wind was blowing, while Darius and Helena got to work with the camp. While Helena organized the blankets and lit the fire, Darius quietly observed the surroundings. Something inside him told him that he shouldn't waste time, so he decided to use his magic.

"I'm going to do this quickly," he said with a smile, looking at Helena.

"Quick?" How? Helena asked, without looking up from what she was doing.

Darius raised his hand to the ground, and immediately, a feeling of heaviness filled the air. A soft blue glow emerged around his fingers, and a peculiar sound was heard, as if gravity itself was shifting around him.

"Gravity," he muttered as he focused his energy on the surroundings.

In an instant, stones, branches, and blankets floated towards him, as if an invisible force had caught them. Everything began to levitate, moving quickly and precisely, as if it were organized by an invisible hand. The materials needed for the camp were perfectly accommodated, without Darius having to get up or move a finger more.

"Is that it...?" Helena said, looking surprised, her eyes wide open. Darius' magic was so fast and precise that he couldn't believe his eyes. In less than a blink of an eye, the entire camp was set up, the stones forming a kind of small defensive wall, the blankets spread around the fire and everything in place.

Darius turned to her, with a faint smile.

"Yes, gravity magic. It's not that hard when you know how to control it," he said casually, as if moving all that wasn't impressive.

Helena was silent for a moment, clearly impressed. It wasn't just the speed with which he had done it, but the precision and control. I knew Darius wasn't an ordinary mage, but this... This was something I had never seen.

"No... I didn't know," she finally said, still surprised. That's it... impressive, Darius. I thought you could only do tricks with earth or fire, but this... This is different.

Darius shrugged, trying to re-emphasize the matter.

"Just something I learned in practice. I like to keep a few surprises.

Helena looked at him with a mixture of amazement and something else that she could not identify.

"That... it was much more than a surprise, Darius. If you ever need more than just fire or earth magic, I'm sure I can help you with something. He said, with a slight smile.

Darius raised an eyebrow, but before he could answer, she stepped forward and began to place the last blanket near the fire, as if everything was in order.

"You'd better rest, because things will get more complicated as we go along," he added, in a serious tone.

Darius watches her for a moment, thoughtful, before smiling.

"Okay. But if you ever need me, don't hesitate to ask me. And don't underestimate me next time.

Helena ascended, without saying anything more. As the fire crackled and the night progressed, a strange sense of complicity formed between the two, although neither of them mentioned it aloud.

I began to arrange everyone's things and luggage, while Helena just watched me in silence. It was then that he asked:

"Darius... why did you decide to be a magician?"

I sat down on a log and sighed before answering.

—My mother, as a child, told me what the world was like before, through my grandmother's stories. He told me about how magicians were losing prestige in society. I remember very well... He says that fruits have not been around for more than fifty years since they appeared.

Helena sat down next to me, saying nothing more, as if she didn't want to interrupt my thoughts.

—And did that motivate you? He asked in a soft voice, almost like a whisper.

I nodded, looking at the fire dancing in front of us.

"Yes. Since I was a child I wanted to change that reality. Being a magician is not just casting spells... it is to show that we still have a place in this world, even if many have forgotten it. But I'm not going to lie to you, it hasn't been easy. Sometimes I feel like everyone expects me to fail just because I don't have a sword in my hand... or a fruit in the stomach.

Helena lowered her gaze. His expression had changed. She was no longer the usual defiant girl, but someone who really listened.

"You're stronger than you look, Darius," he said suddenly. And... Believe it or not, I'm glad to be here with you.

I turned to her, surprised by her words. Helena avoided my gaze, clearly ashamed that she had said that.

"I'm glad too, Helena," I replied with a sincere smile.

The silence returned, but this time it was different. Warm. Comfortable.

And even though none of us said it out loud, I knew that something between us had begun to change.

At that moment, Helena, unintentionally, touched my hand as she tried to lean on the trunk. I got nervous when I felt the unexpected touch.

"Helena," I murmured.

She looked up, attentive to my call.

"Tell me, Darius?"

I felt a lump form in my throat, but I didn't care. I clenched my fists decisively and spoke to him from the depths.

"I don't care what has to happen. I'll pay the price if it means becoming the best magician in this world.

Helena did not hesitate for a second. His eyes reflected a mixture of pride and serenity.

"I know that, Darius," he replied with a soft smile. That's why I'm here.

That's when we heard footsteps approaching. The others were beginning to return from their inspection. The silence we had shared was broken, but something invisible remained between us.

Adam was the first to appear among the trees, stretching out his arms as if he had carried the world.

"Nothing strange so far," he commented in a relaxed tone. Although we heard strange noises near the entrance of the dungeon. They could be beasts.

Liam came behind, his arms crossed.

"It's an unexplored area. We should not be overconfident, and even less so at night.

Tarek nodded firmly, and Selene, though silent, was frowning. She seemed more tense than usual.

"And you?" Tarek asked, looking at Helena and me as he put his backpack on the floor. Ready here?

"Yes," I replied quickly. The camp is armed and the fire is burning. We can rest in shifts tonight.

"Good job," Selene said in a neutral tone, though I noticed she avoided looking directly at me.

Helena got up without saying anything more and took a few steps away. Maybe to think, or maybe to let everything go back to normal. But nothing would be the same as before.

Kael put his spear down next to his makeshift sack and shot a glance at the sky.

"Tomorrow will be a long day. Rest.

Little by little everyone settled around the fire. Between sacks, backpacks and blankets, the first camp on the frontier of the unknown had been erected.

I sat by the fire, hugging my knees. I didn't know if what was coming would be glory, death or something I didn't yet understand... But for the first time, I didn't feel alone on that path.

The fire sparkled quietly while the others settled into their places. I sat quietly, watching the flames dance in front of me. I thought of Helena's words, of Selene's gaze... and in everything that was yet to come.

Suddenly, I felt a presence beside me. I turned my head and saw Liam sitting next to me, with a long sigh, as if he was deciding if it was worth saying what was on his mind.

"Don't get excited, I'm just resting," she said, crossing her arms as she stared at the fire, as if avoiding looking directly at me.

I smiled slightly.

"I didn't say anything.

A few seconds passed in silence, until he spoke again.

"My sister... He doesn't usually trust anyone so easily. And you... I don't know what you have, but it gained you a little space.

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, surprised by his more serious tone.

"I don't plan to hurt him, if that's what you're worried about," I said honestly.

"I know," he admitted, shrugging his shoulders. But still... If you ever do, I'll be the first to know. And the first to do something about it.

I laughed softly, not out of mockery, but because deep down, I understood his position.

"You're a good brother, Liam.

"Don't flatter me, you idiot. I'm just being clear," he replied, though his tone was less aggressive than usual.

We looked at the fire again. We weren't friends yet, but that night, for a moment, Liam and I put our differences aside. There was respect. And that, in this world, was already a lot.

I got up. "Well, I'll go to sleep. "Goodbye, Liam," I said firmly.

Liam didn't turn around, he just replied:
"Don't say goodbye to me, you idiot. I don't consider you anything...

I ignored it. I didn't want to face him. We weren't friends yet, but we were... a friendly rivalry.

I lay down where I had prepared my bed and covered myself. I closed my eyes and stopped thinking.
It was only one day.