Chapter 4: A Stranger Like No Other

Liana's fingers brushed against the stranger's hand as they both reached for the same book.

A strange warmth surged through her body, followed by a brief flash of blue light that disappeared before either of them could react.

She quickly pulled her hand away.

"I'm... I'm sorry," she said, lowering her gaze as she gathered the remaining books.

The young man stared at her in silence. His sapphire-blue eyes were filled with confusion, almost as if he had seen something impossible.

He had felt it too.

That mysterious energy wasn't ordinary.

It was the same energy he had been searching for since arriving in the Human Realm.

Liana finally stood, clutching the books to her chest.

"Thank you for helping me."

Kael nodded politely.

"You dropped these."

His voice was calm and deep, carrying an elegance unlike anyone she had ever met.

She smiled faintly.

"You don't sound like you're from around here."

He hesitated.

"You could say that."

She laughed softly.

"What does that mean?"

For a brief moment, Kael considered telling her the truth.

That he came from a kingdom hidden beyond the stars.

That he was searching for an ancient relic capable of saving two worlds.

Instead, he simply said, "I'm... traveling."

Liana tilted her head.

"Traveling?"

"Yes."

"Well, you must be lost."

Kael looked around at the unfamiliar streets before answering honestly.

"I am."

Her smile widened.

"I knew it."

Before either of them could continue, a loud rumble echoed through the sky.

Dark clouds gathered overhead although the weather had been clear only moments earlier.

Kael's expression changed instantly.

His hand instinctively moved toward the silver pendant hidden beneath his cloak.

It was glowing again.

Not silver.

Red.

His enemies were close.

"Liana..."

She blinked.

"You know my name?"

Kael immediately realized his mistake.

During the brief burst of energy when their hands touched, fragments of information had flowed into his mind.

Her name.

Her face.

A strange feeling he couldn't explain.

"I heard someone call you earlier," he lied.

She nodded slowly, though something about his answer didn't seem convincing.

Just then, a cold wind swept through the street.

People looked around uneasily.

Streetlights flickered.

The cheerful noise of the evening disappeared as if the world itself had fallen silent.

Kael's heartbeat quickened.

"They're here."

"What?"

Without warning, a figure dressed in a black cloak appeared on the rooftop of a nearby building.

Then another.

And another.

Their faces were hidden beneath silver masks, and each carried a weapon that shimmered with dark energy.

The Shadow Hunters.

They had found him much sooner than expected.

One of them leaped gracefully onto the street.

Pedestrians screamed and fled in every direction.

Cars came to a screeching halt.

Within seconds, the once-busy road became almost deserted.

Liana stared in disbelief.

"What... what is happening?"

Kael stepped in front of her.

"Stay behind me."

The leader of the Shadow Hunters laughed.

"So we've finally found you, Your Highness."

Liana looked at Kael in shock.

"Your... Highness?"

Ignoring her surprised expression, Kael fixed his gaze on the enemy.

"You've crossed into the Human Realm."

"Our master gave us no choice."

The hunter slowly drew a long black sword.

"You've become quite troublesome."

Kael removed the silver pendant from around his neck.

Its glow intensified until it transformed into a magnificent sword made entirely of shimmering blue light.

Liana gasped.

Her knees nearly gave way.

"This... this can't be real."

Kael glanced at her briefly.

"I need you to run."

"What about you?"

"I'll catch up."

"But—"

"Please."

Something in his voice made her stop arguing.

She took a hesitant step backward.

The Shadow Hunter smirked.

"You still care about innocent lives."

Kael's grip tightened around his sword.

"They have nothing to do with this."

"They do now."

The hunter charged.

Their swords collided with a deafening crash.

Blue and black energy exploded across the street, shattering nearby windows.

Liana covered her ears.

The force of the impact knocked both fighters backward.

Kael landed lightly before launching himself forward again.

His movements were swift and graceful, every strike carrying the precision of years of royal training.

The Shadow Hunter matched him blow for blow.

Their battle was unlike anything Liana had ever imagined.

It was as though two beings from another world had brought their war into hers.

Another hunter suddenly appeared behind Kael.

Liana's eyes widened.

"Behind you!"

Kael spun just in time to block the surprise attack.

Metal clashed against magical steel.

Even so, the second strike forced him onto one knee.

The third hunter took advantage of the opening.

A blast of dark energy shot toward him.

"No!" Liana shouted instinctively.

Without thinking, she ran forward.

Just as the blast reached Kael, she threw herself between them.

A brilliant blue light erupted from her body.

The dark energy vanished as though it had never existed.

Everyone froze.

Even the Shadow Hunters looked stunned.

Kael stared at Liana in disbelief.

"The Light of Aether..."

The words escaped his lips before he could stop them.

The hunters exchanged nervous glances.

"It can't be..."

"She possesses the ancient power."

"We must report this to Lord Malachar immediately."

Without another word, the three Shadow Hunters disappeared into swirling black mist.

Silence settled over the damaged street.

Kael slowly lowered his sword.

His eyes remained fixed on Liana.

She looked down at her hands.

The mysterious blue glow had already faded.

"I... what just happened?"

Kael knew the answer.

The girl standing before him was no ordinary human.

She was connected to the very secret he had crossed worlds to uncover.

And from that moment on, protecting her became just as important as completing his mission.