Spirit World… Venus City…
The city is filled with life, even as the sun dips below the horizon, casting colourful lights over the narrow streets and stone-paved alleys.
Since the last one month Scott Lin has been working as a door guardian in the spirit world.
Scott Lin stood at the gate of the Hanen family estate, his posture straight despite the dull ache in his arms. His hands rest firmly on the hilt of his spear, a weapon he rarely needs but carries as a symbol of his duty.
The bruises and wounds beneath his tunic robe, remnants of the sparring sessions he endures daily with the estate’s guards—a ritual he faces without complaint.
Across the courtyard, Lily moved gracefully through the open-air halls, balancing a silver tray laden with herbal tea and delicate pastries. Her steps are quiet, almost meditative, as she heads toward the inner chambers where the Hanen family princess resides.
It has been over a month since she and Scott found refuge here, blending into the rhythms of the household, far from the wild dangers of the spirit world outside.
“You’re late again, Scott,” Lily whispered softly as she approached him at the gate. Her voice carries the faintest note of concern.
Scott stood like a statue without responding.
“Another fight with Arvan and the others?” Lily asked while observing bruises on Scott’s face.
Scott smiled, rubbing the back of his neck as he shifted his spear to his other hand. “They’re convinced that beating me up every day will somehow make them stronger. I’m doing them a favor.”
Lily raises an eyebrow, eyeing the faint cut above his brow. “It looks like they’re the ones doing you a favor.”
Scott shrugs. “As long as they keep letting me stay in the barracks, I can take a few punches. Also, I’m learning better spells and magic control because of them. I might even become a half-sovereign at this rate.”
In truth, Scott’s persistence has earned him more than bruises. The Hanen family guards, notorious for their rigid hierarchy, have begun to acknowledge him with respectful nods. Even Arvan, the brash young captain of the household guard, no longer dismisses Scott as an outsider.
Scott’s determination carved a small place for him in the estate’s ecosystem, a fragile but growing foothold.
“I still don’t know why you won’t accept one of the guest rooms,” Lily said in a soft tone. “Lord Hanen offered it to you last week. You don’t have to stay with the other guards.”
Scott glances toward the distant garden where the estate’s main quarters rise like a palace of carved jade and marble. “I like the barracks,” he replies simply. “Besides, you know why I’m here. I need to gather outside information and any news related to Kent.”
Lily’s smile falters at the mention of Kent. Her gaze drifts toward the horizon, beyond the city walls, where the desert stretches endlessly. “I know he’s alive… I can feel it.”
Scott steps closer, lowering his voice. “Kent’s tougher than all of us. He’ll make it alive and well in this spirit world.”
A loud ring of distant bells disturbed their conversation. Lily shift the tray in her hands, glancing back toward the family quarters. “I should get this to Lady Hanen before it gets cold. Don’t let Arvan drag you into another fight tonight.”
Scott grins. “No promises.”
As Lily disappears into the grand halls of the estate, Scott leans against the stone wall by the gate, watching the stars slowly pierce through the darkening sky. The spirit world is nothing like the realms above but somehow, they have found a place within it—a fragile sanctuary amid uncertainty.
– – –
Shrine of Eternal Sands…
The soft breeze of the eternal sands whispered through the vast gardens surrounding the Shrine of Eternal Sands.
The shrine is a square shaped rocky structure with vast gardens around. Flowers of unfamiliar shapes and vibrant colors bloomed along the edges.
Kent lay upon the silk bed in the heart of the garden, his eyes half-lidded as he listened to the rustling leaves above.
Even with his powerful aura of healing, the wounds inflicted upon him lingered like stubborn shadows. The soft bandages wrapped around his torso held no power of their own—they were just silent reminders of his current state.
The Crystal Staff of Healing, a gift from the God of Light, could restore him fully with a single pulse of divine energy. But once used, it would vanish, lost forever. Kent had made his decision. Store it for war.
“The Crystal Staff of Healing is too valuable. It can heal any number of people at once. There is no point in wasting it now.” Kent muttered while turning his head.
Jean sat a few feet away, kneeling beside a small fountain of clear water. Her hands moved delicately, cupping the cold liquid. Every now and then, she would glance toward Kent, her gaze filled with worry that she dared not voice.
Kent tried to get up with full force, but couldn’t balance his stature.
“You should rest more, Kent,” Jean finally spoke, her voice soft but persistent. “Even the strongest need time to heal.”
Kent smiled faintly but kept his eyes closed. “I’m not resting? This is the most peace I’ve had in months.”
Jean shook her head, dipping a cloth into the fountain and cleaning it out. She stood and carefully approached, kneeling at his side and gently pressing the cloth against his forehead.
“Peace and stubbornness aren’t the same thing,” she whispered.
“I’m not stubborn.” Kent opened one eye, catching the faintest blush on Jean’s cheeks.
Jean’s lips parted as if to protest, but no words came.
A low growl interrupted the quiet moment. The baby dragon who sat beside him, chewing noisily on a fruit plucked from the garden. Its tail flicked playfully, and it gave Kent a sideways glance as if encouraging him to indulge as well.
Kent laughed softly. “At least someone’s enjoying themselves.”
Jean watched the dragon with a small smile but said nothing.
– Your’s PeterPan