CHAPTER eleven — The Man by the Fire

The forest was cold that night—cold in a way that seeped into the bones rather than the skin. Moonlight filtered through the trees like silver threads, and the wind carried the distant howls of demons.
Ivan sat alone beside a small fire, staring into the flames until they blurred.His body still hurt from the demon’s attack.His heart hurt even more.
Elen’s last smile—full of love and sorrow—wouldn’t leave his mind.
He whispered into the flames:
“Elen… wait for me. I’ll come for you. No matter what.”
A twig snapped.
Ivan’s hand flew to his sword.Someone was approaching. Quietly. Too quietly.
He stood, eyes narrowing.
Out of the darkness stepped a man wearing a long, dark cloak. His hood shadowed most of his face, but Ivan could still see his confident posture—and the faint glint of wisdom or danger in his eyes.
The stranger stopped at the edge of the firelight.
“Relax,” he said calmly. “If I intended harm, your throat would be open already.”
Ivan didn’t lower his sword.
“Who are you?”
The man didn’t answer. Instead, he walked over to the fire and sat down like he owned the place.
Ivan’s grip tightened.
“Don’t come closer.”
The stranger chuckled softly.“You’re jumpy. Understandable.”
He warmed his hands over the flames.
“It’s colder tonight than usual. The forest tends to do that when it senses fate shifting.”
Ivan blinked. “Fate…?”
The man tilted his head.
“You’re Ivan, correct?”
Ivan’s heartbeat stopped.
“How do you know my name?”
The stranger didn’t look at him.Instead, he casually poked at the fire with a stick.
“Because you’re the husband of Eleonora Riedmann.”
Ivan’s entire body froze.
No one here should know that name.No human village ever heard it.Only Elen.Only the envoys.
He stepped back, sword trembling.
“…Who are you? Tell me.”
The man finally looked up—eyes sharp and unreadable.
“Someone who knows more about you than you know about yourself.”
Ivan swallowed, fear mixing with anger.
“Are you… from the Upper World?”
The stranger smirked.
“I’ve walked many worlds. That’s all you need to know.”
Ivan felt a chill run down his spine.
“Why did you come here? What do you want?”
The man shrugged, leaning back casually.
“Coincidence. I happened to pass by your fire.”
Ivan scowled.
“No one walks into a cursed forest by coincidence.”
The stranger smiled, amused.
“Well, you did.”
…He had a point. Ivan looked away, jaw tight.
The man studied him for a long moment.
“You seek the Upper World,” he said finally.
Ivan’s heart jumped. “You… knew?”
“You seek power. Answers. A way to survive long enough to stand beside her.”
Ivan’s throat tightened.
“How—how do you know any of this?”
The stranger ignored the question.
“Tell me, Ivan. Why do you want to reach her?”
Ivan stared at the ground.
“…Because she’s my wife. Because I promised.”
“That’s duty,” the stranger said. “What about your heart?”
Ivan clenched his fists.
“…Because I love her. More than my own life.”
The stranger nodded slowly, as if confirming something.
“Good. Strength born from love is harder to break.”
He stood, brushing dirt from his cloak.
“I can guide you, Ivan.”
Ivan’s eyes widened.
“You… you can help me reach the Upper World?”
The man laughed quietly.
“No. Not yet. You would die the moment you touch the Gate.”
Ivan’s stomach twisted. He remembered the spectral hands rejecting him, throwing him away like a broken doll.
The man continued:
“You’re weak. Too weak. Your body can’t endure Upper World energy. Your soul isn’t strong enough. Your lifespan is too short.”
Every word was a stab to the heart. Ivan looked down at his shaking hands.
“So what do I do…?”
The stranger pointed toward the far mountains—dark silhouettes beneath the moon.
“There is a place. A trial. Humans call it the Trial of the Resonant Veil.”
Ivan frowned.
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“You wouldn’t. Few survive it long enough to speak of it.”
Ivan’s pulse quickened.
“…Why are you telling me this?”
The stranger’s voice softened, almost pitying.
“Because Elen… is not safe where she is.”
Ivan froze.
The man continued quietly:
“There are forces far worse than the demon who killed you. And they are watching her closely.”
Ivan’s heart stopped.
“Tell me what happened! Tell me—”
The man raised his hand sharply.
“Survive the trial. Then I will answer everything.”
Ivan’s breath trembled with desperation.
“Please! Just tell me—”
The stranger’s cloak lifted as he turned away.
“You want the truth? Earn it.”
He stepped into the shadows—
—And vanished, as if swallowed by the night itself.
Ivan stood alone, staring at the empty darkness.
The fire crackled beside him, weak and dying.
He looked at the mountains the stranger pointed toward.
“The Trial of the Resonant Veil…”
His fists tightened.
His voice broke, but his eyes burned with determination.
“Elen… I’m coming. I will survive anything. I swear it.”
And with the moon hanging over him like a silent witness,
Ivan began walking toward the trial that would break or remake him.