chapter 21: whispers beneath the surface
the village had settled into a restless silence, but ren's mind refused to quiet. he paced the small clearing outside maya's house, shadows stretching long as the moon climbed higher. the warning from the parchment echoed in his thoughts — whoever was hunting him was closer than he dared admit.
"maya," he called softly, stepping inside where she sat by a flickering candle. "do you think someone's watching us right now?"
she looked up, her eyes reflecting both worry and something softer — concern, maybe even trust. "it wouldn't surprise me," she said. "this world isn't kind to wanderers, especially those who forget their past."
ren clenched his fists. "i don't want to be a wanderer. i want control. i want to remember. i want power — but on my terms."
maya's voice was gentle, "power without understanding can break you."
he laughed bitterly. "maybe that's the point. maybe i have to break first to become something else."
his heart pounded as his mind spun through fragmented memories, flashes of faces and places just beyond reach. pride flared, refusing to accept weakness, but a creeping madness whispered that he was already fracturing — shattered inside.
"you're not alone, you know," maya said, standing to place a hand on his shoulder. "whatever you're fighting, you don't have to do it by yourself."
ren's eyes softened for a moment, then hardened again. "i'll take that help — but don't think for a second i'm letting anyone else stand above me."
the candle flickered, shadows dancing like silent watchers in the dark.
and beneath the surface, something ancient stirred — a presence older than memory itself, waiting for ren to slip.
"this isn't over," ren said quietly, voice barely above a whisper.
"no," maya agreed. "it's only just begun."