Veiled Shadows

Chapter 4 - Scars and powers

The night went by peaceful without anything happening and when the sun started to rise Lily got up and looked for something to eat and drink. She found a clear stream only a few minutes away and picked some berrys on the way back. 

She tested her powers and felt the warmth of the sun on her skin shining through the leafs. She put some berrys on a big leaf and waited for Devian to wake up. 

While waiting, she looked at him a little closer, he had darkish brown, nearly black hair and pale skin. A few freckles on his cheek and thin pale lips. 

The scratches on his face combined with old scars, one being very close next to his eye from his cheekbone up to his hairline. Lily wondered where this scar had come from but said to herself that she wouldn't ask him without permission. 

She looked down his body and at day he looked even more skinny like he hadn't eaten for weeks. His arms were thin but weirdly muscular. Lily didn't think much of it, he probably just had to do hard work when he was with his family. 

She wondered how old he was, if he had powers like she did and if so, what these were. She decided to ask him for his age when he woke up. And as if he could hear her thoughts, he slowly opened his eyes and yawned. 

"Good morning" Lily smiled at him and waited for him to get up."Good morning" Devian muttered, still looking tired and rubbing his eyes to get them used to the sunlight. "Ouch" he touched one of the scratches.

"I got you something to eat and nearby is a stream of clear water to drink and clean your wounds." Devian looked at her, wondering why she was nice to him but nodded and ate the berries. After that Lily showed him the way to the nearby stream.

"How old are you, if I may ask?" she said carefully while watching him clean himself. He stood still for a second and then looked at her. "I'm 19." she nodded."So have you..." "No" he responded immediately. "No, I don't have any powers." Lily nodded again.

Lily respected Devian's response, understanding that not everyone possessed magical abilities. She didn't press any further, sensing that he might have his own reasons for not having powers. Despite the lack of shared abilities, their alliance remained intact, as their common goal to bring an end to the darkness united them.

As they finished cleaning up and returned to the campsite, Lily noticed that Devian's wounds appeared to be healing well. She was grateful that they had found each other in this vast and dangerous world, for their companionship provided a sense of strength and support.

With their immediate needs met, Lily and Devian began discussing their next course of action. They knew they had to devise a plan to rescue Devian's little brother and put an end to the King of Darkness's reign. Lily shared her knowledge of the enemy's kingdom and the potential dangers they would face, while Devian provided insight into the castle's layout and the potential vulnerabilities within.

Together, they formulated a strategy—a delicate balance between Lily's light-based powers and Devian's knowledge of the enemy's defenses. They decided to infiltrate the castle under the cover of darkness, relying on stealth and cunning to navigate the treacherous halls.

As they made their way towards the enemy kingdom, their bond grew stronger with each step. They shared stories of their pasts, their hopes for the future, and their determination to overcome the obstacles that lay before them. Lily found solace in Devian's presence, knowing that she no longer had to face this daunting task alone.

The castle loomed in the distance, its imposing silhouette a stark reminder of the challenges that awaited them. Lily's heart raced with a mix of anticipation and fear, but she drew strength from the unwavering support of her newfound companion.

Hand in hand, Lily and Devian stepped forward, ready to face whatever trials awaited them within the dark walls of the enemy's domain. Together, they would fight for justice, for the ones they had lost, and for the light that burned within them both.