Scar of Mizilia

After they departed, a gang of four members—who looked like they didn’t belong in the village—approached Luzie's house.

One of them asked, “Kento, do you think she’s here?”

“She’s already far ahead of us,” Kento replied. “But it’s not gonna last.”

He raised his hand. “Rearrange.”

It was one of his abilities, allowing him to manipulate and reconfigure Lyth magic traces.

By channeling it, he analyzed and retraced any Lyth used in the area. Ashes around them stirred, reassembling into the form of a letter—written to Yenza.

“Before leaving, she wrote a letter to someone else. Think it’s for him?” Kento mused.

“I don’t think so. He’s dead. I can still feel his lifeless body.”

“That’s enough. Don’t mock the dead.”

The others laughed. Kento opened the letter and began reading.

His expression shifted.

It said:

"You children have a long way to find me. Good luck with that."

Suddenly, the letters transformed into mystical symbols. Kento tossed the letter away and shouted, “Get out of the house.”

The gang vanished instantly.

A moment later, the house exploded. The blast was so powerful that its shockwaves rippled through the entire village.

They reappeared atop the bell tower, gazing over the village.

Kento murmured, “We have to finish it soon.”

Using his Lyth, he sent a transmission. An evil smile crept across his face.

“Hey, Lutwel... I have a job for you...”

».».»....

“Should we kill him? No one knows. Should we do it?” Lan asked.

Yenza stared at the vast ocean as the ship faded into the horizon.

“Look what you’ve done, big head.”

“It’s because of you we’re here,” Yuke snapped.

“Ooh, that’s why we’re here?” Lan retorted, drawing his katana.

“Don’t get violent here,” Yuke warned. “If we work together, we can figure it out.”

Yenza asked, “Together? Where are your friends? Did they leave you?”

“You go your path, and we go ours.”

Yuke pleaded, “Don’t say that. Not now. This place is dangerous. I’ll be of great use... I know this place well.”

He added quietly, “If you still want to exclude me, then go.”

“Let’s get going. It’s getting late,” Lan muttered.

“Not that fast!” Luke shouted.

Yenza said, “We agreed. You can come with us. But if you try anything funny...”

“How could I?” Luke replied.

In his mind: Damn these guys... with my Lyth, I can’t survive alone if anything happens. There’s no choice. I need them.

Lan pointed to a narrow trail. “There’s a straight path here. You said you know this place? Then where does it lead?”

“It’s called Mizilia Scar,” Luke explained.

“Mizilia Scar? Sounds weird,” Yenza muttered.

“It’s a crater,” Luke clarified.

Lan paused. “Why are we going to a crater?”

“So you guys really don’t know anything,” Luke chuckled.

Yenza and Lan exchanged amused looks.

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell you.”

“It’s a large impact crater. People live inside it—the Mizili people.”

“Inside the crater?” Yenza asked.

“Yes.”

“How big is it?” Lan questioned.

“Much bigger than I can describe. Keep walking—you’ll see.”

».».».»....

They approached the crater.

† As he stepped past the final ridge, the land opened in a silent gasp... an enormous crater sprawled beneath him, easily five times the size of his village. From end to end, it was a scar on the earth so vast it could have swallowed every house, every path, every memory of home... and still had space to breathe.

Yenza turned to Lan. “What could’ve caused it?”

“We can research that later,” Yuke replied.

Eventually, they reached the crater’s entrance—a massive opening that led inward. Oddly, there were no guards or protective measures.

Yenza frowned. I think it’s more than just a safe place.

As they entered, several carriages rolled past them.

Lan observed, “Several carriages... someone important is coming?”

Their stomachs growled.

“Take us to a market stall,” Yenza groaned.

“Don’t worry—I know the best place,” Yuke assured.

He led them to an inn. They ate and prepared to move again, but Yenza was interrupted by a man with long white hair.

“Looks like you’re new here.”

“Yes, we’re new. Anything you need?” Lan asked.

The man introduced himself. “I’m Kairen.”

They returned the introduction.

“I approached you because I have an offer. I saw your gun—it’s called Lyzen, right?”

“Yes,” Yenza nodded.

“I’m recruiting members for my guild.”

“You’re new?” Lan inquired.

“Yes. I’ve asked many, but they turned me down. They think a new guild has no worth. There are many top guilds out there... I can’t blame them.”

“What’s your plan? How will things work?” Yuke asked.

“We travel across the continent on missions assigned by the Euxler family,” Kairen explained.

Yuke looked stunned. “You’re kidding. The noble Euxler family? The continent’s rulers?”

“How did they accept you?” Yuke added suspiciously.

Kairen sighed. “That hurts. I used to work with them—not as a guild, but within the family. Then... things happened. Now, here I am.”

He paused. “So I’m waiting for your answer.”

“That’s really great,” Lan commented.

“So... are we the first members?” Yenza asked.

“Yep.”

“Then we’re all in,” Yuke declared.

Lan and Yenza exchanged surprised looks. “You were supposed to leave after reaching Mizilia Scar, remember?”

“Don’t say that, man. We’ve come a long way.”

They all laughed. In just a short time, they had become close.

“You can rest at the nearest inn for today,” Kairen said. “By morning, we meet here.”

».».».»....

As they headed to the inn, a grand carriage arrived at a towering building—one only nobles could enter.

“Many nobles attend here in disguise to discuss their problems,” Kairen explained. “It’s called Eux Citadel.”

The carriage door opened. A beautiful woman stepped out, draped in a flowing black dress. Her long black hair shimmered in the torchlight.

Lan stared.

“Don’t fall for the beauty,” Yenza warned.

“Why not?” Yuke asked.

Kairen’s eyes held a shadow of guilt as he watched her. It was clear he knew something the others didn’t.

“Yenza’s right. Don’t fall for the beauty,” he echoed.

As she entered the citadel, she paused, scanning the crowd. Her eyes met Lan’s. She smiled and waved before disappearing inside.

On her hand was a symbol—the mark of her noble house.

Kairen glanced at Yenza, noticing his shallow breathing.

“You okay?” he asked.

“She’s from Solzen,” Yenza murmured.

“I thought you were new here?”

“Yes, we are,” Yenza answered flatly, hiding his reaction. “There are... rumors.”

Kairen gave a quiet laugh. “Rumors? That’s funny. People fear Solzen so much, they’re even scared to whisper about it.”

Yenza said nothing.

Lan and Yuke turned. “We’ll meet tomorrow.”

Before parting, Kairen said to Lan:

“Beauty has always been the finest disguise for lies.”

.................. ★ .................