Eternal Happiness

wd's deafening roar poured out after them, a chaotic blend of cheers and jeers that echoed across the bustling city s

oked suspiciously well-worn. The mingling scents of roasted meat, fresh bread, and unwashed bodies created an overwhelming assault on the sense

faces in the crowd, ever watchful for signs of pursuit. Behind him, Lion's imposing frame parted the t

e Coliseum's latest fight. "Then they go home and act like they're better than others, the city p

ere irrelevant. His focus was on the plan, on what next,every detail carefully calculated, every variable acc

the quieter hum of life in the city's outskirts. Their destination came into view: a modest hot

-

ht of

arth, and the faint scent of lavender filled the air. The polished wooden floors creaked softly

with a polite nod. "Second floor, last roo

posite walls. A round table occupied the center of the room, accompanied by two worn chair

a sigh, kicking off his boots and stretching out

he table, leaning over to trace the faded ink lines with his fingers. His sharp eyes narrow

rest?" Lion asked,

ing up. His focus was unwavering, his mi

reak of the bed as Lion shifted. Then the door creaked ope

ople," Halfy announced,

didn't look up. "And here's

He flopped into one of the chairs by the table, pr

-

e

you'll be the distraction. Tomorrow, your job is to draw

. "Easy. All I have to do is show m

ering under his br

r the knights' barracks. Start a fight-not too serious.

"And if no kni

e predictable. They finish their patrols near t

ded we w

pping to a steely calm. "I'll set the

m fell

s grin faltering. "Are you insan

e knights will rush to the forest, leaving the city vulnerable.

d what's your endgame? Wh

orward, his eyes

-

uth Ab

Fysi, both Halfy a

y murmured. "Every seeker dreams of it, but

it for centuries. They believe Fysi is the key to absolute contro

"And you want

y everything. The Sages aren't the only ones after it. Every major faction, from the Academy to the

his grin replaced by a rare serio

't just a power-it's a weapon. In the wrong hands, it could rewrite the

-

ts' Stran

it is. But this won't be easy. If

s interrupted. "They've been acting s

and that's our best and perfect shot, lately they are not using their

wned. "S

ation didn't sit right with him. A nagging thought lingered at the back of h

w," he said. "Tonight, we rest. W

' you mean just you and me. Halfy, c

winging his legs

ind a proper p

him. "The place doesn't matter. For now, smalle

ned but sa

e finished. "Tomorrow, w

one

d him, carrying with it the muffled hum of the city settling into its quieter hours. He adjusted his coa

ughtful expression. His gaze wandered aimlessly over the darkened stor

h, shoving his hands into his pockets. "He a

strange behavior far too quickly. He hadn't even brought it up until the plan was la

fy said to himself. "We've been together long enough for me

verything had to rest on his shoulders, that every risk was his to bear alone. Ha

keeping quiet," Halfy murmured. "

The faint aroma of stale bread lingered in the air, a reminder of the simple, predictable lives most peo

d Anazitis more than anyone seemed determ

night. "You're so focused on the plan, on Fysi, on doing it all yours

as he'd told Lion, but he knew sleep wouldn't come easily. Not when the weight of Anazitis' burden felt like it was slowly becoming his own, halfy already thinkin