The Legacy of Kharis

Chapter 8: The Solstice

The walk back to the inn was quiet, with Caius leading the way in his usual, brooding silence. The streets were already empty. By the time we reached the inn, exhaustion had settled into my bones, but the events of the day buzzed in my mind like a storm I couldn't calm.

Inside the inn, Zarek had already taken care of everything, speaking with the innkeeper before we even arrived. The rooms were ready: Cai and Zarek would share one, while I was placed in a smaller room at the end of the hall. I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of isolation as we parted ways. Cai gave a short nod before disappearing into his room, while Zarek lingered outside mine.

I had barely sat down on the edge of the bed when I heard a knock at my door.

"Arin, may I come in?" Zarek's voice was calm but carried a certain urgency.

I opened the door to find him standing there, his expression serious. I stepped aside, allowing him to enter. He didn't sit, instead standing near the window, his gaze thoughtful as he looked outside for a moment. I waited, sensing he had something important to say.

"The solstice is approaching," he began, turning to face me. His tone was low, measured. "You need to be prepared for it."

I frowned slightly. "The solstice?"

He nodded. "During the solstice, magic in the world reaches its peak. For you, without your horns, your mana will become even more unstable. The fluctuations will be dangerous. You must keep a stabilizing potion on you at all times."

His words hit me hard. The solstice, a time of heightened magic—exactly when my powers would be at most volatile. I could already feel how fragile my control was without my horn, and the thought of losing it completely during such a powerful event made my chest tighten.

"I understand," I said quietly. "I'll keep it with me."

Zarek's expression didn't change, but I could tell there was more on his mind. He seemed almost hesitant, which was unusual for him. Finally, he let out a small sigh and spoke again, this time with a weight in his voice I hadn't heard before.

"I need to leave during the solstice," he said, his eyes meeting mine. "I will start searching for Luna around the city and I know, the solstice is the only time I can reach her."

I blinked, surprised. The name sounded distant, yet there was a tenderness in the way Zarek said it that softened his usual stoic demeanor. It was the first time Zarek mentioned his lover's name. Luna, what a beautiful name.

I couldn't believe that this day will arrive. I was speechless.

"You must never—under any circumstances—draw on your power or cast a spell. The moment you do, your mana will become unstable, and anyone nearby will recognize it for what it is. Demon magic stands out... especially here."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his warning settle deep in my chest. The thought of accidentally unleashing my mana, of letting anyone see what I truly was, sent a chill through me. Without my horn, my control was fragile at best. Even a small slip could expose me.

Zarek continued, his voice firm but not unkind. "The power inside you is dangerous in its current state. It'll reveal you as a demon immediately. No matter how desperate things get, you cannot use it. Do you understand?"

I nodded, my throat dry. "I understand."

"Always wear the cloak you used to hide your mana," Zarek instructed, holding it out to me. "It conceals your aura enough that most people won't suspect anything. And here, in Elysoria, you should be safe. There are very few demons who travel outside the Dark Continent, and those who do are cautious. The locals won't be expecting to see one, especially not this far from the border."