The day was cloudy, with white clouds intermittently blocking the sunlight. Hiner observed the sky, assessing the likelihood of rain. From the looks of it, it wouldn't be a rainy day. The Wizard felt happy and content, perhaps even proud. His plans were working well, just as expected. Aestus and Orkan were continuing their journey, accompanied by the annoying Mage. They still had no suspicions, completely unaware that they were part of a grand scheme.

The wind suddenly picked up, swaying Hiner's robes. He was tired of wearing disguises and strange clothing. Having to hide, travel alone, and move in the shadows. He had grown accustomed to living inconspicuously, but recent events had disrupted his routine, causing restlessness. Nothing could have prepared him for what was to come, not even his keen mind and fertile imagination. All the privileged information he had gathered consisted of a few names, places, dates... It took a lot of creativity to connect the dots and devise a plan, a schedule for his plans to succeed.

The attack on Silvi, as irresponsible, absurd, and reckless as it was, worked perfectly, both for Baruc and for Hiner, unexpectedly. The house always wins, so Baruc's victory was inevitable and much more apparent. He now controlled all the mines in the region, won the admiration of the Lagomorphs, and instilled fear in any opponent. However, Hiner's gains were much more promising, even if subtle and imperceptible. He needed to know how to play the cards he had been dealt. He ran his hand over his face, feeling some insecurity, something he hadn't felt in years. So many variables were beyond his control, requiring careful anticipation and improvisation.

His greatest challenge would be dealing with his infamy at the right moment. He couldn't, or wouldn't even be able to, remain incognito and hidden forever. Especially now, as his intervention would become increasingly direct and risky. Feeling a panic attack starting, Hiner took a deep breath, holding it momentarily and then exhaling slowly. He repeated this exercise several times, regaining control. His self-assurance was shaken, afraid of what destiny held.

After regaining his composure, Hiner thought more clearly about the days to come. His next appearance would be in Foscor, executing an attack, depending on several factors. How many Minatis could die? Not many, he hoped. Perhaps none, if all went well. He shivered at the memory of what happened in Silvi, which looked more like a display of chaotic powers and destruction. This new attack would be targeted, precise. In fact, he only needed to worry about a single target. He repeated her name in his mind, over and over, concluding with the thought:

"Ah, I hope it will be a memorable encounter, young and naive Hadria."

***

"Is it still far away?" Orkan asked for the third time, being ignored by the other two.

The three friends walked, each at their own pace, almost reaching the western edge of the forest that surrounded Silvi. The temperature was mild, with strong and almost constant winds. Despite the clouds, the day was clear and beautiful. Aestus carried a large brown backpack containing some of Spes' belongings, along with his own. The Mage also had a backpack, but it was smaller and dark green. Orkan was ahead, always having to stop and wait for the other two, who were slower. The hike through the forest was slow, with many uphill sections, causing the journey to start with little progress. The group encountered several Creatures along the way, which were easily defeated, except for a large venomous lizard. They preferred to leave that Creature alone, deviating from its path.

As they passed through a large cluster of trees, they could see a vast field ahead. The sight was fascinating. An extensive lawn stretched as far as the eye could see, with few elevations in the terrain. Several small villages with simple houses and modest plantations could be seen. The road leading to Foscor meandered gently until it disappeared from view, contrasting with the light green grass. Spes stopped where he was, admiring the view and taking in all the beauty of the place. He stood still for a few seconds, his mind racing. Then, he looked back and stared at the forest they had left behind. His long-awaited and promised journey had finally begun. The wind tousled his red hair, making his large ears visible almost all the time.

The feeling was a mixture of freedom and fulfillment. The fear of failure was constant, irritating like a low buzzing that wouldn't leave Spes' mind. However, at this moment, he felt he was on the right path. His destiny wasn't to be trapped in a clinic in Silvi. The world awaited him. And Kairos was vast, full of surprises and challenges that no one could anticipate. A smile appeared on Spes' lips, happy to be moving forward in the company of two people he could already call friends. The last few days before starting the journey had been very rewarding. Aestus had grown very close to Spes, and even Orkan had become more friendly, making jokes and teasing the Mage. The dynamics between them had become natural and fluid, without that awkwardness that lingers between mere acquaintances.

"Seriously now. Are we there yet?" Orkan asked again, interrupting Spes' daydreams.

"Yes, to tell you the truth," Spes replied cheerfully, amused by the astonished look on Orkan's face.

"Wow, I thought it would be farther," Orkan said, with an embarrassed smile, scratching his neck. "I was just messing with you."

"Do you see that ranch, with that little cute fence over there?" Spes asked, pointing to a small farm not too far away, near a shining pond. "That's where we're going to get our means of transportation."

"I can't believe I'm going to ride my first lebreton!" Aestus exclaimed, doing a restrained and subtle dance, swinging his arms close to his body.

The lebretons were an extremely rare exception among the Creatures, being completely peaceful and having a strong affinity with all races on the planet. They resembled very large rabbits, usually much bigger than an adult humanoid, but could also be found in smaller sizes. Their extremely soft fur allowed them to be ridden without a saddle, providing a comfortable mount. As Creatures, they didn't have common biological needs like regular animals; they possessed high strength and vigor, capable of traveling for hours without getting tired. Creatures didn't require food, although many of them ate plants, animals, and even people, and the reasons behind this behavior were still unknown. Since the early days of civilizations, people used lebretons as a means of faster transportation.

After the technological revolution caused by Baruc, the use of motorized vehicles powered by crystals had increased rapidly. However, it wasn't a very popular option, as the prices were still high, limiting them to the elite. Another option was trains, but those were mainly limited to cities closely connected to the capital. As a result, the use of lebretons remained quite common for short journeys. A significant advantage of using this means of transportation was that Creatures didn't attack other Creatures. Hence, it was possible to undertake long journeys without worrying about difficult battles or unexpected dangers, as the Creatures encountered along the way would leave the lebretons and their riders in peace.

The three young men were heading towards a local lebreton farm, responsible for helping travelers find a lebreton and taking care of those who already had companions. These Creatures, after forming a strong bond with their companions, could be summoned at any time, anywhere. However, the response to the call depended on the Creature's will, varying according to the degree of affinity with its companion and the circumstances of fate. Lebretons didn't handle danger and chaos very well, preferring to stay away from battles, so they weren't commonly used to escape an ambush or in the middle of a fight, for example.

The walk was quick and pleasant, with few interruptions for battles due to the relatively small number of Creatures in the area. As a result, the group arrived at their destination soon enough, reaching a beautiful stone-paved road that led to the lebreton farm. The entrance was adorned with a rustic and massive pergola covered in a lush vine with many purple flowers. Further ahead, there was a large two-story building where the owners of the farm lived and took care of business. It was painted in a light beige color, contrasting with the dark brown beams and roofs. The windows were large, all with colorful flower boxes. To the left of the entrance, a bit further ahead, there was a small office where customer records were kept. Continuing straight, there was a small fountain to the right, always filled with birds bathing in the crystal-clear water, and further ahead, the front door of the house. On the opposite side of the office, there was a large brown stable, connected to a fenced pasture.

One of the owners was kneeling, fixing a part of the fence that had collapsed, steadying a piece of wood with her left hand and hammering a nail with her right. She was a very strong Humanoid woman with short brown hair and rosy cheeks. She wore blue overalls and a red and black checkered shirt, appearing both durable and comfortable. Spes directed the group towards her, who hadn't noticed their presence yet. The day was very favorable for outdoor work, with the sun not too strong and the temperature quite pleasant. As they entered her field of view, she promptly stood up, removed two nails from her mouth, and greeted them:

"Hey, Spes! Came to see your lebreton?" She said with a powerful and loud voice, extending her hand to the Mage. Her face was quite red with drops of sweat on her forehead, but her expression was cheerful and welcoming.

"Hi, Brini! Yes, but I also need two new lebretons for my friends. This is Aestus and Orkan," he added, making the proper introductions. "We have a looong journey ahead of us."

Brini greeted the two young men with a handshake that was a bit firmer than necessary, while wiping the sweat from her face with her other hand. She was a straightforward and sincere person, sometimes seeming a bit rough. Some people didn't get along with her manner, but Spes knew that Aestus would like her.

"Pleasure to meet you both," she said with a smile, looking the two guys up and down. "You are quite strong," she added, looking at Aestus with approval. "A Guardian?"

"No, a Knight. And he's a Rogue," Aestus replied, pointing to Orkan next.

She looked at Orkan, seemingly judging him, hesitant. He felt a little uncomfortable, but he was used to this reaction. Then, out of nowhere, she said:

"It would be better if you were a Shadow Warrior with this team setup you've got, but it's a tough Class to find, right? So I guess, as it is, it works. Are you managing well without a Wizard?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"We're going to Foscor to see if we can find one there," Aestus replied, a bit embarrassed by Brini's reaction. "There must be some brave and adventurous Hunter among the Wizards."

Brini burst into a hearty laugh, looking around, expecting the others to join in. When she realized only she was laughing and that it wasn't a joke, she stopped and asked:

"Wait, are you guys serious?"

"Yes," Orkan replied, a bit impatient. "Isn't it full of Wizards there?"

"It's full of Minatis," Brini replied, emphasizing the word "Minatis," "which, as a result, are mostly Wizards. But they're not big on hunts and battles. They only think about money, work, trade... those kinds of things. Good luck finding one who wants to join you."

Aestus shrugged with disappointment, while Orkan looked at Spes, raising his eyebrows. The Lagomorph wasn't fazed and continued the conversation as if nothing had happened.

"Oh, we'll figure that out when we get there," he said with a carefree smile. "So, do you have any lebretons available?"

"You'll have to talk to Hilda," Brini said, putting one hand on her hip while tossing the hammer into the air with the other. "She's the one in charge of that part of the business, I mostly handle maintenance and care for the furry boys. She should be in the office now," she pointed in the direction of the door near the fountain, "go check it out."

The boys thanked her and promptly headed to where they were directed. Aestus knocked on the door and entered the office. It was a spacious room with white walls and wooden panels on the lower half. All the furniture was rustic, appearing to have been carefully and lovingly handmade. In the right corner near the door, there were two large brown leather sofas separated by a small coffee table with a vase of red flowers. In the opposite corner, facing the door, stood a long L-shaped table where a blonde Lagomorph with distinct short, layered hair was sitting. She was plump, with prominent cheeks and beautiful honey-colored eyes. She wore a loose white shirt and black trousers, with simple black shoes.

The Lagomorph stood up upon seeing the group enter, her warm smile growing even wider when she saw Spes. He rushed over to her, hugging her and swaying from side to side. They greeted each other and talked briefly, while the other two remained standing at the entrance, surveying the room. Spes quickly noticed his lack of manners and said:

"Oh, Hilda, let me introduce you to my friends. This is Orkan, and this is Aestus," he said, pointing to each one respectively. Then he turned to the two boys and continued, "And this is Hilda, the owner of the lebreton ranch, the best in Kairos."

"That's very kind of you, Spes!" she replied, blushing slightly, her voice calm, and a discreet smile on her face. "And I'm not the only owner, am I? I believe you met the other owner outside, right? My wife, Brini."

Upon hearing this, Aestus couldn't hide his expression of surprise and disapproval. "Brini and Hilda are married?" he thought. "But that's absurd. A Humanoid and a Lagomorph, that's not right." Aestus remained silent while Orkan greeted her and then nudged the Knight with his elbow. He composed himself and just nodded.

Interspecies relationships were frowned upon in Kairos, not accepted by many. It was an extremely taboo subject that wasn't widely discussed. The laws allowed for marriage between different species, but many still disagreed, discriminating against and even attacking people in such relationships. Aestus, with his predetermined view of the world, still had difficulty accepting these diversities. Orkan, having experienced prejudice himself, could empathize with these individuals, not seeing much of a problem with it.

"Pleased to meet you both," Hilda said, still smiling but more reserved now. She had noticed Aestus's reaction. "Welcome! And the attack on Silvi, huh? Were you guys there?"