Invitation

"I think the Mage is not in this world."

Haku looked surprised at Zel. "Why would you think that?"

"It's hard to explain. The Mage and I are the two poles of this world. I know when he will no longer exist. Didn't you notice the unusual things that are happening? More phantoms, more infected animals—not just in the wild, but near our town and home. Disasters. Rising water, earthquakes."

Haku shrugged off what she had heard and, in a slightly uncertain voice, as if she were convincing herself, began to speak, "If you thought you could show up here without any evidence, claiming some lie, you are sorely mistaken. You should be glad I haven't killed you yet."

"I'm not lying."

"But you can't back it up."

"That’s why I would like to invite you to the Ivory Concord. To meet the prophet in person." Zel slid over an invitation with the words 'You are invited' in thin, cursive letters. Haku, without even glancing at it, crumpled the thick paper.

"You think I care about a piece of paper? I can go anywhere and whenever I want to."

Zel smiled, as if he didn't quite believe her, but he let it go. "Excellent, now for my questions."

The oni raised her hand. "Ah-ah, the prophet first."

Ren shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. He didn't feel like he should be there and listening. He slowly sidled over to the door and grabbed the doorknob. He accidentally pushed it down and fell out of the door, sprawling on the floor. The armored soldiers looked down at him with wide eyes, and the negotiators in the room turned to the sudden noise.

"How long has he been standing there?" the black-haired man pointed at Ren.

Ren was instructed to pack a few things he wanted to take in a satchel, but he had nothing. For a while, he just walked around the room unsure, when his eyes landed on an unknown folded piece of clothing on the bed. He unfolded it, and a letter fell out. A gift from Ebony Vow residence. The letter seemed less fancy than the elves'. It felt warmer and more like home, while the Ivory was artificial and lifeless. Maybe he was just biased.

He put the soft satin clothes on his table before going to bed for the long journey.

The next early morning, he tried on the new clothes. He put on the sleeveless black top, which seemed ideal for the heat of the Ebony Vow, and the slightly loose black pants that tapered at the ankle, making him feel like a ninja. He draped a deep green shoulder scarf over his left shoulder, which draped across his chest, then carefully fastened it at his waist with a belt. It kept slipping off his other shoulder, so he left it as it was. Small gold threads ran along the edge of the fabric, gleaming subtly with every movement. The cut fit his body perfectly yet left room for movement, as if it were made specifically for warriors. He slipped into his worn sneakers and, holding his hoodie, went down to the main entrance.

Haku's face brightened when she saw him. She wore similar pants and a long-sleeved black top with sleeves that billowed around her wrists. A black-and-white elastic band was under her armpit, which he couldn't decide whether was just a decoration or had some practical use. Her indispensable black combat boots stood unshaken on the ground. She tied a simple brown satchel to the hilt of her sword, ready to drag it for miles.

"And why is this coming?" Zel asked.

"I'm responsible for him. So, he's coming with us. You're quite a mood-killer, Bel."

Haku looked over Ren, and it was as if her earlier irritation had disappeared. She pointed at herself and the boy. "You look good! How funny that we look similar and you—" she pointed at Zel, "—and he has the same name."

Zel raised his eyebrow. "Really?"

Ren shook his head, "No. I'm Ren." He turned to Haku. "You've got a terrible memory for names."

Haku shrugged her shoulders, and they set off.

The road was hot and long, like walking through a desert, just without the sand. After they left the capital city, they didn't see houses or people. Before them was only the endless road and a few scattered flowers. Haku checked each of them. If she found one interesting enough, she would squat down and tear it off to stuff it into her satchel.

"I didn't know you liked flowers," Ren spoke up.

"I told you I know a little about alchemy. It's a hobby for me."

Other than that conversation, the journey was quiet. Zel and his soldiers went ahead, and Ren and Haku were behind them. The girl said it was safer this way, and if the Ivory tried anything, it would be simpler to lunge her weapon forward to kill them.

After several hours of non-stop trudging, when the sun was already setting, Zel stopped and whispered something to the guards, who moved away and unpacked from their heavy bags.

"We'll camp here. We're close to the forest now."

"I don't need rest. I'll go exterminate monsters while you guys have a tea party." Haku had already started to move on, but she stopped at the sound of her stomach rumbling.

Zel extended his hand as if inviting her for a hug, which did not happen. "We have food, too."

They sat around the fire, roasted white meat and vegetables, skewered on a thin stick above the flames. When the food touched Ren's tongue, his eyes widened. The orc's food was also delicious, but this was on a completely different level. It was as if the flavors were dancing on his taste buds. He tried to hold back his admiration so as not to offend the girl, but it was hard.

"So, Ren, what exactly are you?" Zel bit off a piece of meat with his teeth and chewed it thoroughly.

Haku answered with a full mouth, "A human."

"I appreciate your chivalry, speaking on behalf of your pet, but I didn't ask you."

"Then maybe don't talk to him. I didn't bring him for your entertainment."

"Didn't you? Perhaps for yours?" He took a sip from his wooden cup, which contained some red liquid that turned out to be wine.

Ren felt uncomfortable; his heart hurt again like yesterday. It was a little bit sharper now, but he didn't want to interrupt the conversation, so he just suffered in silence, sometimes breathing quicker.

After the feast, Zel and his soldiers laid out a blanket and a quilt, which was more for show since a blanket wasn't needed in the heat.

Ren plopped down on the hard ground, away from the others, feeling so tired that if he closed his eyes, he would never open them again.

Haku squatted down beside him.

"I'll stand guard. We'll leave as soon as the sun rises. With or without them." She leaned closer to the boy and lowered her voice. "And don't say anything about who you are or where you came from. Especially not about your power. Even if you feel like you're on the verge of death, you can't do anything, got it?"

Ren nodded. But he didn't think he could control his power in a life-or-death situation.

He bundled his hoodie under his head, and for a while, he just watched the girl, who was sitting cross-legged with her back to him next to the still-burning fire. He didn't know what she was thinking, but she motionlessly stared into the darkness. Ren closed his eyes for a moment and fell asleep.