— Orders from Hambar. I don’t know what’s going through his mind either, but there must be a reason — Bonsai replied, gesturing hesitantly. — I believe that once he returns, he’ll be able to give a clearer explanation for all this.

— I hope so... But is that thing really staying here? — she asked, her disdain unmistakable.

— Well... he asked me to bring the boy here.

— Throw him in the prison. I don’t want him contaminating the furniture — she ordered firmly, pointing toward the door.

— B-but, my lady... — Bonsai murmured, intimidated.

— No “buts.” I’ve had enough of all these problems in the village. What on earth is Hambar thinking, allowing that into our home?! — she protested, visibly upset.

— I’ll take him out then — Bonsai replied, clearly shaken by the sudden change in her demeanor.

As expected, Osley’s house became the center of attention. The elves made no effort to hide their curiosity, trying to find out where the little boy was or decipher the rants of Hambar’s wife.

Bonsai, once again, picked up the natural prison where Beta remained — completely silent, as if in a trance — and slipped out the back of the residence. Despite the crowd, the area was part of the Dinger territory, rich in trees, which the messenger skillfully used to avoid being seen.

— I’m sorry about all this, kid... So young, and already forced to deal with wicked people — Bonsai lamented, moving swiftly with the help of his root powers.

— What are you? — asked the child, gripping the wooden bars with trembling hands, on the verge of collapse.

— So you can speak — Bonsai replied with a hint of relief. — My story goes back to the Great War.

— What are you? — the boy repeated, this time with a more aggressive tone.

— No use getting angry now. You’re not in a condition to do anything — the messenger said, trying to ease the tension. — I don’t want you to get the wrong impression of me, but unfortunately, you’ll have to stay locked up until Hambar authorizes your release.

— I’m not an animal — Beta muttered, spitting the words in disgust.

— No, you’re not — Bonsai replied with a nod. — If you don’t mind me asking... could you tell me what happened during the attack on your village, kid?

His question, however, was met with silence. The child remained quiet, surrounded by trauma and stillness.

Bonsai was not a cruel man, but he often served those who were. And in moments like that, he couldn’t help but question the path his life had taken.

— There’s another boy in that prison. He seems to be about your age, maybe even shares the same pain. He’s quiet, deeply broken... Perhaps you two will understand each other. — His voice softened. — Maybe he’s from your village too — he added, stirring a flicker of interest in the boy.

When they arrived at the detention area used by the local guards, Beta was placed in the same cell as the mysterious boy, under Osley’s strict orders that no one was to touch him.

— Please, do not speak of this to anyone. No one must know this child is here. Is that clear? — Bonsai warned, receiving silent nods from the guards. — Excuse me, I need to return to my post — he said, taking his leave.

— Pfft... Once you lose your authority, I’ll make sure your disgusting race never sets foot in our kingdom again, filthy creature — mocked one of the guards, peering through the bars.

Beta simply stared back with empty eyes. Words no longer reached him. His fingers occasionally touched the parts of his body that had been healed by Eurus, as if seeking confirmation that he was still alive.

On the narrow wooden bed lay the other boy. He was curled up, likely asleep, his face hidden in the shadows.

— Hey, you — Beta called, but received no answer.

As he looked around, Beta felt a chill. It was a grotesque place: moss-covered bars, the floor overtaken by dense grass, large roots snaking along the walls, and an oppressive atmosphere of filth and darkness.

— Soon enough, he’ll get his special treatment... just like that temperamental one over there — mocked the other guard. — Still going to ignore your cellmate, kid?

— You should be happy. You’ll soon share the same suffering.

The boy on the bed only curled up tighter, which made Beta increasingly uneasy. He had no idea what those veiled threats meant — but unease was already tightening in his chest.

★

Upon arriving at the home of the white-core visionary, Hambar stepped inside, looking for her. The house, silent, seemed empty. However, his heart raced in shock when he was startled by his old friend, who had been waiting behind the door just to scare him.

— Are you insane!? — he shouted, pale, clutching his chest.

— I should be the one asking that — she replied casually, heading toward the kitchen. — You shouldn’t barge into an old lady’s house like that, you know? I’ll make us some tea.

— I didn’t come here for tea. I want to hear from your mouth what Eurus just told me.

— Ah, he’s very straightforward, isn’t he? I asked him to be more subtle and not make it so obvious that I was behind all this.

— Since we can skip the pleasantries, tell me: what’s so special about that boy that he can end the drought? — he asked, watching her take two cups from the cupboard.

May was an elf who had reached the pinnacle of evolution, acquiring her white perception core at the age of two hundred. Her ability had been widely used to prevent catastrophes within elven society. Despite having the appearance of a young girl just entering adolescence, she was an astounding nine hundred and ten years old.

Her hair had a translucent green hue, with darker roots and pale ends. Her pupils were a deep green, contrasting with lighter irises like vast, blooming fields. Her pale, delicate skin was accented by rosy cheeks.

Unlike others, May had nearly transparent greenish wings, though they had become useless after achieving the white core. She wore a coat the same shade as her hair, with a star in the center, and a white skirt tied with a large bow in the back. Her socks went past her knees, and her green boots were simple.

— You know very well the limitations I have when it comes to seeing one year into the future — she said, lighting the stove.

— And what’s wrong with knowing what he’ll do? If you know, then just say it!

— Hambar, things will happen as they must. Just train the boy and send him there before the year ends.

— But...

— Your hesitation only shows how stubborn you still are — she observed, noticing his unrest. — No... it’s not just that. You don’t want to end the drought because you also know what caused it, don’t you?

— What can a boy that size possibly do against what’s in there?

— The entrance only accommodates children. The only way to kill that monster is through him.

— Still, even if he’s human...

— Do you think I’m doing this out of prejudice? On the contrary. That boy is more important than he seems.

— Why?

— To begin with, even though I can only see a year into the future, I saw that he solves the problem... and survives. With that in mind, we can use him not just to end the drought, but to boost your reputation and solve other issues as well.

— I don’t believe he can do it... Didn’t Eurus tell you? His village was completely destroyed by monsters. He was the only survivor... — he fell silent suddenly, as if a revelation had just hit him.

— You finally understand, don’t you?

— Yes...

— Good. Now, do me a favor and find someone skilled enough to train him.

While Osley pondered who would be worthy of that mission, in the prison, the mysterious child was finally beginning to show interest in getting to know Beta.

— How did you end up here? — he asked, still with his back turned.

— Huh? Oh... My village was attacked by monsters. I... don’t want to talk about it...

— What’s your name?

— Beta.

— And your last name?

— I don’t have one.

— I see — he replied, with a surprisingly cheerful tone, strange as it sounded.

— And you?

— My name’s Railan. I was kicked out of my house and ended up captured by them.

— Oh... — Beta muttered, though he had expected to hear something worse.

— How old are you?

— Ten. And you?

— Eleven...

— LET GO OF ME! — screams came from outside the prison, putting both of them on alert.

— Go see what’s going on — ordered one of the guards.

But there was no need. The screams came from L1nk, accompanied by Milo, both being escorted by the elite force toward the cell entrance.

— What happened?! — asked one of the guards, visibly concerned.

— These brats were near the area where the water shortage is happening — Terra replied, slamming L1nk against the bars, frightening the boys inside the cell.

— YOU GORILLA! — L1nk shouted, seeing the fury written on her face.

— Milo, you too? I’m disappointed. I told you not to hang out with L1nk — Bell scolded, gently releasing him.

— You’ve got to be kidding! You know what the problem is, and you’ve done nothing for months. Why?

— That’s none of your business, brat — Terra responded arrogantly.

— I tried to avoid it, but I’m calling your parents. This can’t continue — Bell warned.

— W-WAIT! Bell, please don’t do that! — Milo begged, clinging to her waist.

— No, Milo! We’ve given you too many chances already. Why can’t you be more like Endo, Niarbow, Toriel, and Kumi? — she said, gently pushing him away.

— Hold on... who are those? — Terra asked, approaching the bars.

— We found one of them five days ago, and the other arrived today. We have strict orders from Osley not to touch them — the guard explained.

— And why?

— We don’t know.

— Is Hambar’s new hobby capturing children and locking them in prison? — she asked, casting a threatening look at the two boys.

— Let it go, Terra. We need to get back to our posts before another curious kid like L1nk tries to break into the restricted area — said Bell, heading for the exit.

— Don’t think we’ll forget to speak with your parents! — Terra warned, laughing as she walked away.

— Water shortage... — Beta murmured.

— What is it? — asked Railan, finally revealing his face.

He had long hair and brown eyes. His skin was pale, and he wore a black winter coat, shorts that were unusual by Beta's standards, and a pair of equally odd-looking sneakers. As Beta fixed his gaze on the boy, he felt a certain discomfort—Railan kept looking away.

— Your clothes... Are you from some noble family?

— Well...

— Hey, you two! — the guard shouted at L1nk and Milo, who were trying to sneak out of the cell, diverting the boys' attention.

— Why were you thinking about the water shortage?

— I was nearby when the forest guardian was speaking with an old man. They talked about the shortage, a monster responsible for deaths inside, politics... that kind of stuff.

— And why were they talking about that with you?

— They weren’t talking to me, exactly. I just happened to be there. But it seems they plan to use me to bring the water back.

— So that’s it — the guard said, laughing.

— To think Hambar felt sorry for you... You’re dead, kid! — the other one threatened.

— And why would I be?

— You’ll find out when you’re sent to that place.

— Do you know something? — Beta asked Railan.

— I know about the water shortage, but not what’s causing it.

— I guess we’ll have to wait — Beta replied, leaning against the cracked wall.

— Aren’t you scared? — Railan asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

— I have nothing to lose.

— Hm...

Along the trails of the “forest” in the Dinger territory, toward the location of the crisis in Scolli, Bell and Terra were walking and discussing the imprisoned boys. They didn’t realize that Terrra was nearby, listening from the bushes.

— So you’re trying to deceive us, huh? — he whispered with a malicious smile, hidden in the undergrowth.

[Mother Earth's Ears]

— Forget it. They're just lost kids. They won’t do anything to them — Bell said.

— Won’t they? Didn’t you see the bruises on the long-haired boy’s face?

— Probably from before.

— Yeah right. Those boys will end up dead.

— But Hambar himself ordered that the youngest one not be harmed.

— At the very least, they’ll suffer emotionally.

— Let it go, Terra. Focus on the mission. We have to resume our watch over the shortage area.

— So they already know where the problem is, maybe even what it is, and they’re doing nothing? Seems like it wasn’t in vain that I followed them — Terrra thought.

In the prison, while waiting for something to happen after his last conversation, Beta was surprised by Terrra’s arrival, who ordered the release of both him and Railan. According to him, after some council discussions, it was decided that the two boys would be sent to resolve the water crisis in Scolli.

Beta, having some idea of what awaited him, showed no surprise or resistance. Railan, however, reacted poorly. While the short-haired boy accepted without protest, the long-haired one fought with all his might.

Beta didn’t understand his companion’s desperation. It was just a mission to solve the water shortage — nothing that should cause such a reaction. But Railan’s resistance worked: he managed to escape, sprinting toward the forest.

— CATCH HIM! — Terrra roared in fury.

[Faithful Chains]

Using his attribute, Terrra summoned earthen chains from the ground, binding Beta tightly to prevent any attempt to escape, while the others chased after the runaway.

[Territorial Location]

Placing both palms on the ground, Terrra focused, trying to track the boy through the vibrations in the soil by accessing his lower core. But something unexpected happened. Terrra couldn’t sense anything at all.

— How is this possible...? — he muttered in disbelief. — Is that boy really that powerful?

Still stunned, he ordered:

— Take him to Bell and Terra immediately. I’ll deal with that brat myself.

[Earth Pillar]

With a slight stomp of his boot, Terrra raised a pillar beneath his feet, lifting himself high into the air using his attribute. It was an effective way to search for the fugitive. However, once again, he encountered a problem: the dense forest canopy and the darkening sky as night approached.

— Damn it... — he muttered, descending to the ground. — You won’t escape me.

Even with all the boy’s advantages — invisibility, untraceability, and silent movement — he was still in elven territory.

— What’s going to happen to him? — Beta asked anxiously as the guards led him away.

— Doesn’t matter — one of them replied arrogantly. — Whatever Terrra does to him, it won’t change your fate: a reunion in the burning fire of hell.

After the cruel statement, he kicked Beta hard in the back, knocking him down. Then he grabbed him by the neck and forced him to stand up.

Everything was going according to plan. If Terrra found Railan before Hambar did, it would only be a matter of time before Hambar’s influence in the council—and perhaps even his leadership—crumbled.