Beyond The Waning Light of Paradise

Chapter 18: A taste of Blood (1)

Rowan's condition finally stabilised after three long days, but he was far from fully recovered. The relief that washed over Silas was tinged with a simmering fury that showed no signs of abating. Rowan remained at Lonestar Manor, too fragile to be moved, and his parents visited him daily, their grief deepening with each passing day.

Silas watched as Rowan's mother, once vibrant and hopeful, withered under the weight of sorrow, her eyes shadowed with despair. Rowan's father, outwardly stoic, struggled to mask his devastation. During one visit, his voice trembled as he whispered to his unconscious son, "Don't worry, son. We'll get justice for this. I promise." Rowan lay still, pale and silent, his face a mask of suffering.

Unable to bear seeing Rowan's father burdened with guilt, Silas leaned in close. "Uncle," he whispered, his voice firm with resolve, "let me handle this. I swear, I'll make them pay a hundredfold for what they've done."

Rowan's father nodded weakly, his expression a mixture of gratitude and fear. "Just don't do anything reckless, Silas." He knew that no amount of complaints or pleas for justice would resolve this matter. He had spent his whole life in Amberheart, so he could guess this much. If they wanted revenge, they had to take measures into their own hands, but he was just an insignificant small-time merchant and had to pin all his hopes on the youth before him.

Silas nodded, his mind already set on a path of vengeance. "I'll be careful," he promised before leaving the room with a burning resolve.

Silas retreated to his room that night, driven by a newfound conviction. He stared at the scar on his neck in the mirror, his eyes cold and determined. The unjustified attack on Rowan had carved away his doubts, leaving only resolve. He traced the scar with his finger and thought, 'The day draws near when I'll need to stain my hands with blood. This time I won't hesitate. I can't, for Rowan's sake and my own.'

He opened one of the drawers and pulled out a small, ornate jar containing the Restoration salve. This was no ordinary salve; it held the promise of transformation and renewal. Silas recalled his vow to Uncle Chen, which now seemed more significant than ever. He had promised himself that once he used the salve to restore the scar on his neck, he would shed his previous self—the self that hesitated and faltered in the face of danger, the self that had endangered not just himself but those he cared about.

It sizzled softly as he applied the cool, gel-like substance to the scar on his neck. The scar faded, and with it, the remnants of his old self—hesitation, doubt, and fear—dissolved.

As the memory of his father's words echoed in his mind—"What is the most important thing in life?"—Silas reaffirmed his truth: his friends. Anyone who dared to harm those he cared about would face his wrath. Rowan's attackers wouldn't just be confronted; they would be obliterated, leaving no trace of their existence.

When Kael entered the room, his expression was severe but calm. "Silas," he began, meeting Silas's intense gaze, "I understand your anger, and I don't doubt your ability or resolve to take revenge for Rowan's sake. But before you take action, you need to be strategic about this."

Silas's eye grew fiercer. "What do you mean? I want to find them and make them pay for what they've done to Rowan. The sooner, the better."

Kael nodded, acknowledging Silas's anger. "I know. That's why I want to help you. I think I know who they are. Do you remember the group of people we saw when we were entering the forest? They seemed nervous and fidgety, almost as if they had been in a fight. As a Soulweaver with a perfect memory, I've etched every detail into my mind. We can find out their identities."

Silas's eyes lit up with fierce bloodlust. "Then let's find them. Now."

Kael held up a hand, urging caution. "We can't at least not yet. If we strike now, we'll be acting on limited information. We might manage to get two or three of them, but the rest will be on high alert. If we get caught, not only will we fail to achieve full retribution, but we'll also bring trouble to the Lonestar Manor. So, we need to plan this carefully."