A New Beginning

Infovision Report:

"Several attacks on trade caravans have been reported on the northern outskirts of Raj. According to witnesses, the attackers were equipped with technologies indicating unauthorized hybridization of werren systems, violating Article 5 of the criminal code. The spokesperson for the Prime Guard has not yet issued a statement regarding any potential search operation. As a result, tension and concerns about travel safety are rising among merchants. Travelers are therefore advised to stay near oases and carefully plan their routes."

Year 381 of the Werren Awakening, 52nd day of Drydays

Reng, Oasis Karhen Rouz

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TOGETHER WE BUILD EXTRAORDINARY TOMORROWS

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A newly polished sign hung above the entrance to the hall. A stain on the syllable "EXTRA" had altered the slogan into a simple "ORDINARY TOMORROWS." That amused Reng. The oasis council might have hoped that the last storm had brought peace, but the grumbling workers and the smudged sign suggested otherwise.

Reng, on the other hand, welcomed the increase in shifts. It promised greater rewards, which he was saving for his new beginning. Once his request was finally approved, they would come in handy.

The shift he had taken over from Ked was simple. All he had to do was start the conveyor belts that carried waste from the feeding fields onto suspended sieves. There, excess scraps were separated from the clawed larvae. Reng then sorted the larvae by size, discarded the dead ones, and placed the rest onto new feeding plots that had already been prepared by someone before him.

He picked through the pale, writhing bodies, his mind wandering elsewhere. He thought about Ela. About how he hadn't seen her in three hundred and ninety-six days. And tomorrow, it would be one more. It stung that she hadn't waited for him to return from the hunt. But who was he to claim her time? Ela had a family, friends, and duties. He had only this: the farm, the wandering, and a kernal that kept trying to kill him.

His gaze drifted to the shift timer. He had the feeling it had gotten stuck, time stretching unbearably. Frustration welled up inside him—at Ked, who should have been back long ago, and at himself, for letting himself be talked into this again. Why was he still dealing with Ked’s messes?

He straightened up to stretch his back. If he was to endure a few more hours, he needed fresh air. He looked around, but the foreman was nowhere to be seen. He didn’t want to wait. He shut down the sieves and conveyor, emptied the bucket of larvae onto the new feeding ground, and headed for the side exit.

As soon as the night breeze brushed against his face, he took a deep breath. The heavy, sour stench of the farm gave way to fresh air. Reng exhaled and slowly lifted his gaze to the night sky. But when the bright floodlights from the halls blinded him, he decided to find a quieter spot somewhere nearby.

He wandered through the night’s haze, and the farm—unsightly by day—suddenly appeared almost otherworldly in the light of the twin moons. But when he heard hushed voices ahead, he stopped. It wasn’t common for anyone to be lurking around this late. That was suspicious.

So he slipped into the shadow of one of the halls and carefully moved closer to find out who it was.

To his own surprise, he recognized Ked’s voice, and it seemed the boy hadn’t been lying. He really had a meeting. But with whom?

"Remember what you told me? 'I’ll handle it with no sweat, buddy...'" The man's voice mockingly mimicked Ked’s tone. Ked flinched, clearly offended.

"Yeah, but that was back then..." he answered weakly.

"Back then? Admit it—you’ve been lying the whole time!"

"I haven’t! I just... didn’t expect it this soon..." Ked’s voice was losing strength.

The stranger shook his head. "We’ve been talking about this for a long time. You said you could handle it. So do it. Or at least admit you don’t have what it takes."

Reng held his breath. He recognized the second man. They called him Gramps, a nickname he had earned for the gray hair that had marked him since his youth. He had once been a close friend of Noel’s, but these days, Noel rarely spoke of him. His son, however, had clearly gotten involved with Gramps.

"I could do it, but... Ela showed up unexpectedly," Ked admitted. "She’s throwing off my whole plan."

"Your sister?" Gramps rubbed his beard. "If she’s anything like her father, she’ll only make things worse. Can you keep her out of this?"

"She hates me. If she figures out I’m up to something, she’ll do the exact opposite."

"Just like Noel in a skirt," Gramps growled.

"And then there’s Reng. He’s like her shadow."

"That timid drifter?" Gramps smirked. "I’m surprised he hasn’t bolted already, considering how Noel screwed him over."

Ked blinked in confusion.

"You don’t know?" Gramps said, amused. "Noel threw out that pathetic request of Rengs. Wants to keep him stuck here, in place."

Pressed against the wall, Reng heard every word. Gramps' words echoed in his mind. Was he telling the truth? Why would he lie? It seemed Noel had only pretended to support him—only to betray him behind his back without hesitation.

Fury flared in Reng’s chest.

How could he have been so blind?

"Maybe we can use this," Gramps mused. "But whatever happens, you need to get Noel to meet without any witnesses."

"Noel doesn’t want anything to do with you," Ked sighed.

"I know," Gramps nodded. "But I know him well. I’ll convince him. You just do what you promised—or at least don’t get in our way when we take care of it ourselves."

Ked lowered his head. "I’ll figure something out," he mumbled.

"Talk less, act more," Gramps said, disappearing into the shadows. Ked stood still, his face full of pain as he watched him leave.

Reng waited a little longer until Gramps' silhouette vanished into the streets of Karhen Rouz. Then he stepped into the moonlight.

"If I were you, I’d stay out of this. That man will use you and throw you away. That’s what he does."

Ked flinched, startled that someone had been listening.

For a moment, he hesitated, but then he lifted his chin defiantly.

"Since when do you eavesdrop on other people’s conversations?" he snapped, though his voice carried a trace of uncertainty.

"Since I keep cleaning up your messes while you run around with that bastard," Reng shot back.

"Gramps isn’t a bastard!"

"Noel would disagree."

"I don’t care what he thinks," Ked retorted, but his eyes said otherwise.

Reng shook his head. "You’re naive. Gramps has betrayed everyone who ever trusted him. Why do you think you’ll be the exception?"

"Maybe because what my father says isn’t the truth, just slander," Ked hissed, his gaze threatening. "And you believe him because it’s easier than thinking for yourself. You think you have the right to threaten me? When you don’t know anything?"

Reng felt defiance rise within him. Ked expected him to back down, like always.

But not tonight.

He stepped closer and shoved Ked hard.

"Shove your bullshit somewhere else. If you try anything, you’ll pay for it!"

Ked tensed, but he quickly regained his composure.

"You don’t even know what this is about, yet you’re threatening me?" Ked hissed. "You have no idea how hard it is to deal with my father. He doesn’t listen to anyone. But Gramps needs to talk to him. It’s important for all of us."

Reng frowned. "Why?"

"That’s none of your business," Ked refused to answer.

Reng considered his next move for a moment.

"You told Gramps I’d cause trouble," he finally whispered.

"Will you?"

"Maybe… that depends mostly on you," Reng admitted. "But Noel needs to know you’re working with Gramps."

Ked took a step back, his expression tight. For a brief second, Reng thought he might actually convince him not to do something reckless.

Or maybe not…

He didn’t recognize Ked’s intent in time. A solid punch to the face knocked him to the ground, and for a moment, the world spun. He lay there, stunned and caught off guard. The taste of blood in his mouth was strangely sweet. Above him, Ked let out a sharp hiss, followed by a rough curse.

"Shit, that hurts!" he howled, clutching his hand against his body.

Reng forced his vision to focus and noticed Ked’s crooked finger. Despite his own pain, a smug smile flickered across his lips.

Noel had once taught him how to protect his body in a fight. Ked had clearly skipped those lessons.

With effort, Reng pushed himself up. Pain pulsed through his skull, but rage drowned it out.

Ked looked uncertain, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

Reng knew this was his chance.

He lunged at Ked, grabbing his shirt, and they slammed against the opposite wall.

"You think you’re better than me?!" Ked snarled as they grappled. He had the weight advantage, but Reng had something else—experience. Unlike Ked, he had been through plenty of street brawls yet.

Reng loosened his grip, throwing Ked off balance, then drove his knee into his shin.

Ked howled in pain as his leg buckled, sending him crashing onto one knee.

Reng didn’t hesitate.

He tackled him, forcing him down onto the rough gravel and pinning him in place.

As he landed the first punch, he realized just how easy it was to get swallowed by his own fury.

Ked fought back desperately, but his movements were losing strength. Reng’s blows, on the other hand, were precise and effective. Each carried a small shard of the countless grievances he had endured from that red-haired boy.

Ked’s cries faded into echoes—until strong hands wrenched Reng off him and hurled him to the ground.

He hit the dirt hard on his back but sprang to his feet instantly, ready to face another attack. But he froze mid-movement when he realized he was staring straight into the foreman’s eyes. The man’s expression promised nothing good.

"Lay another hand on him, and I swear I’ll break your damn bones!" the foreman growled, his tone leaving no room for doubt—he meant every word.

Reng’s rage drained as fast as it had come, leaving behind only the taste of blood in his mouth and the sharp sting of his split lip.

"The damn Tooth-Taker take you both, you little brats! One as bad as the other! While you're rolling in the dirt, the work is at a standstill! Which one of you had the shift today?"

Reng and Ked glanced at each other. Neither spoke, both knowing that any explanation would be pointless.

"Me," Ked finally admitted, lowering his gaze.

"You?" The foreman stepped in so close that Ked could feel his breath. "Then why the hell did I see him there today? And why, by the coiled ones, is neither of you at the line now?"

Ked stayed silent. Reng didn’t feel like explaining anything either. What could he possibly say to calm the foreman down?

"Fine," the foreman growled. "Then both of you can remember this—you’re losing your bonuses, and your shifts are gone too. I’m sure the others will be more than happy to remind you of your place."

"That’s not fair!" Reng snapped. "I wasn’t even supposed to be working today!"

"Exactly," the foreman sneered. Then he nodded at Ked. "You, get back to the line. And you," he jabbed a finger at Reng, "get lost. And tell Noel that if he doesn’t straighten you out, I will. And you won’t like how I do it."

Neither of them argued. Silently, they obeyed.

Ked trudged toward the halls, the foreman barking the occasional sharp word to hurry him along.

Reng stood for a moment, watching their retreating figures. Ked glanced back one last time. The look he gave Reng was a mixture of something close to hatred, disappointment, and fury.

Reng swallowed, his throat suddenly tight.

He knew something had shifted. Not just today—but perhaps long ago. He had simply failed to see it until now.

And that look Ked gave him told him one thing—this wasn’t over.

Not by a long shot.

With heavy steps, Reng turned toward home.

Tomorrow would be hard.

That much he knew.

Noel owed him answers.

***

When he returned home, the house was shrouded in silence and darkness. He exhaled in relief. The last thing he needed right now was explaining why he was covered in blood. He needed to wash up, change, and sleep. The rest could wait.

Exhausted, he dragged himself up to the attic. His movements were sluggish, each step feeling like a battle. He pulled off his bloodied shirt and threw it over the lamp to dim the light. Then he tried to wash away the grime and blood in the small basin. The water was cold against his skin, and his thoughts swirled.

"I was hoping you'd come sooner."

He recognized her voice instantly.

Startled, he turned too quickly, knocking his elbow against the basin. The metal container crashed to the floor with a deafening clang, splashing water onto his feet.

Ela sat on his bed, glowing with amusement in the dim light.

"That was dramatic," she smirked.

Reng was speechless. What in the coiled one's name was she doing here?

"Is someone there? Reng!" Noel’s voice called from downstairs.

"Nothing happened!" Reng blurted. "I tripped. Sorry!"

He heard Noel’s bedroom door close again, and the tension eased.

He turned back to Ela. She only leaned on her elbows, as if this was all just another casual amusement.

Reng let out a deep breath. He grabbed his dirty shirt, wiped the wet floor with it, and wrung it back into the basin.

That was the end of his washing for tonight.

"You're angry," Ela observed. Her voice was quiet but clear.

Reng flinched.

She stepped closer, barefoot, wearing a robe that barely held together. She smelled of anak and smoke—undeniable evidence she had come straight from one of those wild parties. She had loved them back when she still lived here.

And apparently, she still did.

"You shouldn’t be here," he muttered, turning away.

But it was too late. Her eyes were already on his face. She narrowed them.

"What happened to you?"

Ignoring his protests, she reached out and brushed her fingers against his cheek.

He flinched away.

He didn’t want her touching him.

He didn’t want her pity.

"So, what happened?" she pressed.

"Nothing," he said flatly.

"This isn’t nothing." Her voice was laced with both reproach and concern.

Reng said nothing at first. But he knew Ela could wait him out all night if she wanted to.

He gave in.

"I ran into an idiot who had nothing better to do than pick a fight. Happy now?"

Ela silently pushed him closer to the lamp. The light exposed every injury on his face. She frowned, pursing her lips in disapproval.

"Sit down and wait," she ordered. Before he could protest, she was gone.

Resigned, he sank onto the hard mattress. When she returned, she carried a bowl of water and a tin of tojas balm. She set them on the table beside the bed and, before he could say anything, straddled his lap. Her robe slipped open slightly, and his mouth went dry.

"You’re naked," he stated.

She smiled.

"You noticed. So your eyesight is fine, at least."

Before he could respond, she started tending to his face, gently wiping away the dirt and dried blood. Reng winced now and then. Ela was not particularly delicate.

Each swipe of the cloth stung down to the bone.

"I know, I’m bad at this," she sighed. "But someone has to put you back together, right? And do you have anyone else who will?"

When he flinched for the third time, she showed no mercy and rubbed the balm into his wounds. Tears welled in his eyes, but the sharp pain quickly faded, replaced by an unsettling numbness. He scowled.

"You’re like a little boy," she scolded playfully.

"And you’re the worst tormentor I know," he muttered.

"I know." She laughed softly. Then she studied him with interest. "So? Does the other guy look worse, at least?"

"Guaranteed," he grumbled, picturing Ked limping back to his shift.

Tomorrow would be tough. Noel wasn’t stupid—he would figure out what happened. And this definitely wouldn’t help the conversation they had coming.

Ela watched him closely. Her eyes searched for something beyond what he was willing to say. She was worried. And he could feel her hesitation. He suspected she had imagined their reunion differently. Just like he had.

"Did something happen that I should know about?" she asked quietly.

Reng debated whether to tell her everything he had overheard. The words burned on his tongue. But every time he drew breath to speak, he realized how little he actually knew. All he had were guesses, fragments of conversation, and too many questions. Ela deserved more than uncertain theories. He decided to stay silent. He had to talk to Noel first. Find out the truth.

With a sigh, he finally said, "You being here is a risk. For both of us."

Ela tilted her head slightly. Her expression softened, but disappointment flickered in her eyes.

"Do you want to be alone?" she asked quietly.

He knew he should nod.

Send her away.

Protect them both from whatever came next.

But he couldn’t. He shook his head instead and pulled her closer.

He did it carefully, as if afraid she might vanish at his touch.

He breathed her in—that same familiar scent from her coat, now mixed with the spicy aroma of anak and smoke. It was hard to believe she was real. That if he opened his eyes, he wouldn’t be alone again.

"Did you miss me?" she asked, her lips curving into a small smile.

"A little," he lied.

It was the most transparent lie he could have told. Her soft laugh hit him deeper than he wanted to admit.

"You’ve always been a terrible liar," she whispered, running her fingers over his shoulders.

Her touch was slow, searching, as if looking for the boy she once knew.

"You’ve changed. You’re different since the last time I saw you. More grown-up."

"And you’re still the same," he replied quietly.

For the first time that day, he smiled.

He pulled her closer until their bodies touched.

He pressed his lips to hers—then winced in pain.

She chuckled at his reaction and kissed him again, softer this time, avoiding his wounds. She pressed against him, her back arching in a motion that was both natural and deliberately inviting.

Reng hesitated.

"Here? Now?" he asked softly.

Ela smiled again, spreading her arms.

"Father’s asleep. And that annoying kid who calls himself my brother is still working on the farm. So if not now, when?"

It was a challenge that sent a tremor through his doubts. He smiled. She always got what she wanted. And he knew it. He felt her reading him, pulling at the strings she knew better than he did.

And yet…

He didn’t care.

She was his weakness.

His only certainty in this gray world.

"You know what’s fascinating about you?" he murmured. "That you’re always exactly where I don’t expect you to be?"

Ela laughed softly: "And yet, you never tell me to leave."

"I just... can’t get you out of my head," he admitted, unable to meet her eyes.

For a moment, she stilled. Uncertainty flickered in her gaze—so quick he almost missed it. Then it was gone. She smiled.

"I know," she whispered.

And then she pulled him into her.

***

Ked limped through the dimly lit street, his face contorted with pain. Every misstep on his bruised leg was met with a sharp hiss. His right hand was pressed tightly against his body, swollen and stiff from the impact with Reng’s jaw. When he tried to move his middle finger, a stabbing pain shot all the way up to his elbow. He clenched his teeth.

The worst part was knowing that most of his injuries were his own fault.

The only silver lining was that the foreman had shown unexpected mercy, sending Ked home much earlier than making him suffer at the conveyor belt.

Now he trudged toward home, step by step, his mind forming plans on how to fulfill the promise he had made to Gramps.

He wanted to. He really did.

But the situation had gotten complicated, and not in a small part because of Reng.

How was it that the bastard had such a talent for making everything worse? Maybe it was the way he had acted today—like no rules applied to him anymore. Maybe it was that look in his eyes. The look of someone who knew where he belonged.

Ked had never known that.

He sighed.

As he quietly opened the door, he decided that the best course of action was to do nothing.

Gramps hadn’t trusted him anyway—and had made that abundantly clear. He surely had a backup plan, something he had emphasized multiple times during their last conversation. For Ked, that only meant one thing. Nothing in his life was going to change. He would still be Ked—Noel’s useless, redheaded failure of a son. Nothing more.

He shut the door behind him as quietly as he had learned to after countless night shifts. Tonight, it worked in his favor. He had no desire to listen to his father’s complaints about stomping and shuffling feet. Maybe that was why he didn’t notice Ela’s presence until the last moment.

She was standing on the staircase leading to the attic.

For a moment, he froze, pressing himself against the wall. He heard her whispering, soft replies, and quiet, muffled laughter. Then, unmistakably, the sound of a kiss in farewell. Ela hurried down the stairs and disappeared into her bedroom.

Ked remained perfectly still, barely breathing.

From the attic, he heard Reng’s footsteps. Then a long, weary sigh as he collapsed into bed. The house returned to silence, disturbed only by their father’s occasional snoring.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, a smile crept onto Ked’s lips.

A secret unfolding behind everyone’s backs.

A story with the power to turn everything upside down.

And the fact that he had stumbled upon it now…

That changed things.

Significantly.

Suddenly, his own pain didn’t matter anymore. Maybe this was the leverage he needed. Something he could use. Something that could finally make him more than just the boy no one took seriously. Now, he just had to figure out how.

For the first time all day, he felt like he had a real advantage.

Not yet.

Not immediately.

But soon. And with that thought, he limped off to his room to get a good night’s sleep for the important day ahead.