Crystal of Creation

4. The Runaway

The sun hung low over the village, casting long shadows across the uneven ground as Kael lay on his back, tools scattered beside him. His fingers worked deftly, tightening the last bolts under the steel base of a turret he had been constructing. The vision that had come to him, vague but vivid, had shown him this defensive structure—something modern, something powerful—capable of protecting the village from threats unseen. It was strange to the villagers, this technology, but Kael had become used to their stares and whispers. They didn't understand, but he didn't mind. They had their magic; he had his machines.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Kael sat up, squinting at the nearly completed turret. "That should hold," he muttered, wiping his hands on his worn shirt. His crystal hummed faintly against his chest, always alive with the energy it gave him. He had grown stronger, faster, but he still felt out of place in a world fueled by magic that he could never touch.

As he stretched, the soft crunch of footsteps on the dirt road caught his attention. He turned to see a figure approaching, moving with the hesitancy of someone unfamiliar with the village. A woman, her dark cloak pulled tightly around her, hood up, obscuring her face. Her steps were slow, as if she were both exhausted and uncertain of where to go. She paused at the edge of the village, scanning the small cluster of wooden homes and workshops.

Kael watched her for a moment, curiosity piqued. Visitors were rare, and her presence, so solitary and quiet, stood out.

"Hey," he called out, standing and brushing off the dust from his pants. "You look a bit lost. Need help?"

The woman turned her head toward him, and for a second, their eyes met. She hesitated before slowly lowering her hood, revealing a pale, delicate face framed by dark hair that spilled down her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue, like the ocean before a storm, filled with a quiet intensity.

"I..." she started, her voice soft but clear, as if unsure of herself. "I've been traveling for a while. I need somewhere to stay, just for a few weeks."

Kael noted the weariness in her voice, the way her shoulders slumped just slightly beneath the weight of her cloak. She looked like someone who had been on the move for far too long.

"You're welcome here," Kael said without hesitation, his tone gentle. "Our village isn't much, but we've got shelter and food. You can stay as long as you need."

She blinked, surprised by his kindness. "Thank you. I don't want to be a burden."

Kael smiled warmly. "You won't be. We all look out for each other here." He glanced at the half-finished turret behind him. "I'm Kael, by the way. I, uh... mostly build things around here."

The woman's eyes flicked to the strange contraption, but she didn't comment on it. Instead, she stepped closer, her movements slow and deliberate, as if testing the waters of this unfamiliar place. "I'm Elara," she said softly.

"Nice to meet you, Elara." Kael's smile widened, sensing her discomfort. He gestured toward the village. "Come on, I'll show you around. You look like you could use a meal and some rest."

Elara gave a small nod, grateful but still guarded, and followed him into the heart of the village. As they walked, Kael pointed out the various homes and buildings, explaining the layout of the small settlement. The villagers they passed gave curious glances toward Elara, but they didn't linger, used to strangers passing through on occasion.

"This is the inn," Kael said as they reached a modest building with a thatched roof and wooden beams. "You can stay here for now. The innkeeper, Maren, is a good friend of mine. She'll make sure you're comfortable."

Elara's gaze lingered on the building, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she looked back at Kael, her voice quieter than before. "Why are you helping me? You don't even know me."