Rose looked at Klen, her expression shifting from firm to relief.
Rose:
"Having a thousand gold coins is good...
for us.
But we're on a mission.
We need to free the captives and return quickly."
Klen:
"I'm serious, Lady Rose."
Ruby crossed her arms.
Ruby:
"That'll be one thousand and ten gold coins."
Rose sighed and placed ten coins in Ruby's hand.
Marjan and Amwaj exchanged a look.
Marjan:
"They actually did it..."
Amwaj:
"They really did..."
Ruby shrugged.
Ruby:
"Fine.
But that's—"
Klen:
"Thank you, miss!"
Ruby:
"Whatever..."
They left the circus,
walking through the snowy desert of the Valley of Wonders
toward the village of Lajira.
Rose looked up at the sky—
the volcanic beam piercing the heavens.
Rose:
"Laika is incredible..."
Klen:
"Of course!"
Amwaj watched them quietly.
Suddenly—
a girl appeared in front of them,
holding a sword,
surrounded by a pink aura and swirling rose petals.
Julia:
"So...
you're the ones who freed the slaves we owned.
We're leaving anyway.
We made our profit.
We'll move to another region on this planet.
Come again sometime."
Klen stepped forward proudly.
Klen:
"Yes!
With honor, dedication, and nobility!
All beings deserve equal life and natural freedom!"
Julia stared at him.
Then at Rose.
Julia:
"You...
I've seen you before."
Rose:
"I know."
Julia drew her sword, smiling.
Klen drew his.
Julia's aura sharpened.
Marjan raised his staff.
Rose gripped her staff tightly.
Rose:
"Klen...
she's very strong.
We should avoid fighting her.
We don't have time."
Klen nodded.
But someone appeared behind them—
clothes torn, face covered.
Rose's eyes widened.
Rose:
"Wait...
is that...
Varon?"
Klen:
"Yes.
After the king removed him from duty
for the kidnapping incident with Princess Kasra...
he disappeared."
Varon drew his sword.
Marjan stepped back.
Marjan:
"That aura...
He's with the Black Order!"
Amwaj:
"We're surrounded!"
In an instant—
Julia vanished.
Varon vanished.
Their auras collided mid?air—
a violent shockwave of pink petals and black smoke.
Rose staggered back from the force.
Klen shielded her.
Klen:
"Retreat!"
Varon's voice echoed through the storm.
Varon:
"I found you...
you foolish girl."
Julia laughed.
Julia:
"Still angry about last time?"
Varon blurred forward,
his black aura exploding.
Julia countered with a cyclone of rose petals.
The sky above them was pitch black—
no moon,
no stars,
only the burning gray comet
and the fading blue star.
Rose stared upward.
Rose:
"The sky...
I've never seen it like this..."
Varon roared:
Varon:
"Requiem of Death!"
A wave of black energy surged toward Julia.
Julia spun gracefully.
Julia:
"Dance of Blossoms!"
A pink tornado erupted,
colliding with the attack.
Marjan swallowed hard.
Marjan:
"So this...
this is the power of the outside world...
It's terrifying..."
Amwaj:
"If that hit me...
I'd die instantly..."
Julia smirked.
Julia:
"Try again next time.
Goodbye."
She vanished.
Varon landed, breathing heavily.
Klen stepped forward.
Klen:
"Varon...
Royal guardian of Princess Kasra."
Varon ignored him and walked past.
Rose called out:
Rose:
"For your information...
the princess still wears the bracelet."
Varon froze.
Just for a moment.
Then kept walking.
Klen spoke firmly.
Klen:
"Aurik welcomes you anytime.
King Asser isn't hunting you.
He's grateful you protected her...
for as long as you did."
Varon stopped again.
Barely.
Rose stepped closer.
Rose:
"We're entering the village.
You can wait outside.
We'll buy you a new coat.
You need one."
Amwaj exploded.
Amwaj:
"Are you all insane?!
He's with the Black Order!
He's our enemy!"
Marjan:
"Why help him?"
Rose looked at them calmly.
Rose:
"He's different.
He's one of the reasons Aurik still stands."
Klen nodded.
Klen:
"He has a noble warrior's code.
He doesn't break it.
No matter what."
They entered Lajira.
Doors opened for them—
villagers cheering,
especially after the disappearance of many Red Mist Circus tents.
Rose turned to Klen.
Rose:
"Klen...
please.
Go buy him a coat."
Marjan stepped forward.
Marjan:
"Leave it to me."
Amwaj:
"Marjan?!"
THE VALLEY OF WONDERS — A NEW ALLY
Marjan watched Varon walk away with the coat in hand,
and he spoke with a calm, thoughtful tone.
Marjan:
"It's a big world... strange, dangerous, beautiful.
If there's a chance to make allies with people like him...
why not?
It's just a coat.
You saw his strength.
We might need him one day."
Amwaj sighed dramatically.
Amwaj:
"You're all insane..."
Marjan only smiled and walked toward the clothing shops.
---
THE GRAVE OF SINEL — ROSE'S PROMISE
Klen placed a hand on Marjan's shoulder as he left.
Klen:
"Thank you, noble, honorable, brilliant young man!"
Then he turned to Rose.
Klen:
"Lady Rose... your father's grave is this way."
They walked through the peaceful village,
guards following respectfully,
villagers living their quiet lives.
One of the guards stepped forward.
Guard:
"So you're Sinel's daughter...
You're welcome here, always.
Your father was a legend.
He shone like a star when we had lost hope.
He saved Mowj...
and gave his life for him.
Please accept our hospitality."
Rose bowed her head slightly.
Rose:
"Thank you."
They opened the gate to the cemetery.
Rose walked slowly until she reached the simple stone.
She knelt.
A faint green glow flickered in her hand—
then faded.
Rose:
"Father...
thank you.
I'm sure...
Mother and Ramzi are proud of us.
I promise...
I'll do everything I can
to redeem your past
and make them remember you
as the hero...
and the father of a hero."
The guards exchanged looks—
then quietly left.
Rose continued, voice trembling.
Rose:
"Aurik is warm...
You sent me there for a reason.
They treat me well.
Don't worry about me.
I know you'd be furious if someone mocked me or hurt me...
as usual.
Please take care of Mother and Ramzi...
Tell them I'm happy."
Tears fell silently onto her hands.
The village was peaceful—
children playing,
people walking,
guards alert but calm.
Klen knelt beside her,
placing a large hand gently on her head.
Klen:
"It's alright.
Your father would be proud.
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
I'm sure of it...
sister."
Rose smiled through her tears.
Rose:
"Look, Father...
I have a brother now.
He's an idiot like Ramzi."
Klen:
"Ha!
A noble and honorable compliment!
To be like Rose's brother!"
Rose stood, bowed to the grave,
and remembered Jamih's words about her father.
She smiled softly.
They left the cemetery.
Rose:
"This village...
you saved it with your body.
I won't let your sacrifice be wasted.
They'll save the boy you died for."
THE VILLAGE RETURNS TO LIFE
Rose and Klen bought rare supplies, food, and healing herbs.
They sat in a small restaurant.
Rose:
"They refused to take any money!
Even this restaurant!
It's annoying...
I don't want to burden anyone!"
Klen:
"You're right!
As a noble, honorable, righteous Red—"
Rose:
"Okay, stop talking."
They stepped outside—
and saw the freed villagers returning home,
embracing their families.
Rose:
"That's good...
Let's go.
We need to return to Aurik."
Klen:
"Alright."
---
VARON'S THANK YOU — IN HIS OWN WAY
Outside the village,
Marjan handed Varon a handmade coat.
Varon stared at it.
Varon (deep voice):
"...Why?"
Marjan:
"They told me you were one of the reasons Aurik grew so strong.
So... here."
Varon looked at the coat again—
then put it on.
Amwaj approached, carrying warm food and travel rations.
Marjan blinked.
Marjan:
"Amwaj?!"
Amwaj:
"Shut up."
She handed the food to Varon.
Amwaj:
"Here.
Take it."
Varon looked at the food—
took it—
and walked away silently.
Then, without turning,
he drew his sword.
Amwaj tensed, gripping her bow.
Marjan smiled.
Marjan:
"He's thanking us...
in his own way."
Amwaj blinked.
Amwaj:
"Oh..."
---
Klen's voice thundered from behind them.
Klen:
"What are you two doing!!?"
Amwaj jumped in shock.
Marjan stepped back, smiling nervously.
Rose:
"Klen!
You scared them!"
Klen:
"Ha!
They must always remain alert—
prepared—
noble—
honorable—
and vigilant!"
Rose:
"Just... stop talking."
Marjan chuckled.
Amwaj sighed.
Rose looked at the two younger fighters.
Rose:
"I saw an interesting academy earlier...
Do you think I could enroll someday?"
Marjan's eyes lit up.
Marjan:
"Why not?
What's your specialization?"
Rose:
"Poisons."
Marjan blinked.
Marjan:
"Fascinating!
Just like your father.
That's extremely rare."
Rose's eyes softened.
Rose:
"Thank you.
It's rare for anyone to compliment poison magic..."
Amwaj:
"Your specialty is... complicated.
And strange."
Rose:
"Yes.
I can release negative toxins that heal, dissolve, or weaken attacks...
and positive toxins that are offensive."
Marjan:
"That's incredible."
Klen:
"As expected of Lady Rose!"
They continued walking toward Aurik.
THE GREEN COMET SQUAD — APPROACHING AURIK
Far away,
Suwan marched toward Aurik,
the elite Green Comet Squad behind him—
the finest healers and purifiers of the Luminous Tribe.
Suwan's eyes narrowed.
Suwan:
"This is bad...
I see smoke inside the walls.
They're under attack!"
He raised his hand.
Suwan:
"Move!
King Asser entrusted us with Aurik's protection!"
Green Comet Squad:
"Ha!!"
Their footsteps shook the snowy desert.
---
Elsewhere in the Valley of Wonders,
the assassins of the hidden enclave
armed themselves,
mounted the valley beasts,
and rode toward Aurik.
Their leader whispered:
Assassin Leader:
"Kras is fighting in Leona...
Jamih is inside the caves...
Aurik is under siege...
We move."
The beasts roared as they charged across the frozen dunes.
The Valley of Wonders
Klen walked at the front, Rose at his side.
Behind them, Amwaj and Marjan scanned the silent horizon, their eyes shifting left and right with every step.
The Valley of Wonders was strange in a way that felt unnatural.
Too quiet.
A cold wind swept from north to south, cutting through the dunes like a whisper of warning.
The sand was coated in a thin, icy layer stretching as far as the eye could see — a desert pretending to be a tundra.
Above them, the burning violet comet glowed alone in the sky, veiled by faint clouds.
Far in the distance, the volcanic beam of Aurik pulsed like a heartbeat.
Even the monsters wandered quietly.
Rose is walking as she seeing klen disappeared in the mist and dust…
Rose raising her hand: Klen? Everyone? Where are you?
Rose looking at her hands: what is going ?
Is it the valley?
A sound coming from behind a familiar one…
Rose looking: huh? Ramzy? couldn’t it be you??
Are you still alive?
What? Ramzy? Plsese!!
Rose tears start to fall as she sees her a brother smile at her
Rose starts to run hugging Ramzy hard while her tears start to fall : I thought you are dead?!
In the same time
Klen is walking seeing roses disappearing in the mist
Klen: miss rose? Hide and seek? You sure about that? The red knight is honorable in these games!
Suddenly a footstep in the sand and snow...
Klen looking: hmmm?
Klen opening his eyes widely underneath the helmet : Father?! the real red knight!
Klen hands began to shake: what are you doing here?!
The red knight was looking at him wearing the same gleaming armor
The red knight: So? You claim to be the red knight? How amusing?
Wearing an armor that you don’t deserve…
Klen: but… this is… I’m trying to…
The Red knight: hoo? Trying? you’re nothing…
Klen Look at the red knight then looking at the snow : you…you’re right..
I’m nothing…
The red knight: Good now strip...
Klen cut him off: not yet… I’m trying to be you until the end…
The Red knight smiling: so … you want to be me? And you’re trying ? huh ?
The red knight laughing outload in the snow
The Red knight: when I was fighting to my last breath while I was holding the lines for the ember king… I was sad…
Klen: Fa…Father …
The Red knight: look at the snow: I was sad because I know you were waiting for me … at the door… Yet at the end I smile knowing you’re going to hold my legacy… seeing you wearing this armor… and that body shape… you’re doing good… son…
Klen hands shakes while he bow, he heads: Father… I mean …The Red Knight…
Klen: I…
Klen rising his head seeing nothing, but dunes coved in the snow…
Behind him Rose hugging Marjan hard while crying
Klen : Miss Rose...?
Amwaj: you two disappeared in the mist and we were searching for you…
Klen: huh? are serious?
Amwaj: be careful of what you saw it’s illusions… This is the Valley of wonders after all
Klen smiles under his helmet: it wasn’t bad after all
Rose still seeing her brother Ramzy while she still hugging him hardly.
Ramzy: its alright… I see you have a friends now huh?
Rose: moving her head: yes … but I miss... you… Brother… I really…
Ramzy: I know… I can see your tears…
Rose: Father…
Ramzy playing with her heir: what about him ?
Rose: he did his best… he isn’t monster…after all… so please forgive him...
Ramzy: idiot…
Rose: huh why?
Ramzy: I know that already…but for now I you want you to be the monster who scared me all the time…
Rose: what do you mean?
Ramzy: I was saying to you a monster yet that the thing that protects you at the end... I’m sorry...
Look at you … you have something from your name… Rose… and beautiful but with Thorns… and that’s what makes me smile rose…
Rose her tears falling freely: No don’t say that its alright… I’m happy to see you..
Ramzy starts to drift away slowly…
Rose trying to grip him: wait… where are you going? No please…
Ramzy waving: Rose….just promise me that you enjoy your life… I don’t want anything but this
Rose looking at Ramzy drifting away seeing two figures behind him : wait…? Mother? Father?
They are smiling?! Why?
Rose mother shouting: this is my daughter! She is keeping up!
Senil (Roses father) : smiles softly
Rose running in the snow and mist: Wait I want to come with you! As they vanish in the mist…
Rose her tears falls hugging her family and mist again as she open her eyes :seeing Marjan face red shaking: rose… rose…!?
Amwaj standing hand crossed: she is suffering as the red knight… the valley of wonders is playing tricks on them… unlike us.. we are used to seeing these things…and that’s what makes us powerful…
Rose seeing Marjan face as she hugging him…with low voice : I’m sorry…
Marjan shaking : no! No! its alright! I’m good I…I…mean! I’m …
Rose putting her head in Marjan chest : just stay like that… for a while…
Merjan resting his body in the snow putting his trampling hands on rose head slowly…
While Amwaj smirks looking at his face
Merjan: so… what did you saw? This valley sometimes...show you…memories…
Illusions...and…
Rose: my brother… My family… they were waving and smiling at me…
Marjan cradling rose hair: I.. I see… this…is…
Rose wiping her tears and standing up looking at Marjan face close.
Marjan face turns red: the valley of wonders …huh?
Rose stops walking towards Klen where he is talking to Amwaj returning back to Marjan smiling thank you…
Marjan: ah… you’re welcome…
·
---
Rose walked backward as she spoke to Amwaj and Marjan, her cloak brushing the frozen sand.
Rose: "So... from the village of Lajira, hm? This is my first time befriending someone from the Tribe of the Luminous Tree."
Marjan glanced at her.
Marjan: "Friends...?"
Amwaj nodded.
Amwaj: "Yes. We didn't expect friendship either — and certainly not freeing your entire circus in the process. We expected a fight... or a dramatic escape."
Klen burst into loud laughter.
Klen: "Hahaha! Of course! We are honor?bound to—"
A strange sound echoed from behind the dunes.
Klen froze mid?step, head snapping toward the noise.
Rose felt it too; she turned sharply to face forward again.
Klen: "Did you hear that, Miss Rose?"
Rose: "Yes... something's moving behind those ruins. I'm sure of it."
Amwaj drew her sword, advancing slowly.
Marjan stepped back, hand raised defensively.
Amwaj: "We must be careful... this is the Valley of Wonders. We can't predict wh—"
She didn't finish.
Klen and Rose suddenly sprinted forward.
Amwaj: "HAAA?!"
Marjan (shocked): "They're running toward the sound?!"
Amwaj: "You two—!"
Marjan started running, Amwaj right behind him.
Ahead, they could hear Klen and Rose shouting as they raced across the frozen dunes.
Rose: "I won't let you win! Victory is mine — even if it kills me!"
Klen's heavy armored strides kicked snow and sand straight into Marjan and Amwaj's faces.
Klen: "As expected from Miss Rose — noble, honorable, fiercely competitive!"
Rose flicked her hand, releasing a spell that melted the snow beneath Klen's feet.
The ground turned slick.
Klen: "Wha—?! You noble, unfair, cheating lady—!!"
He slipped violently, sliding straight toward Amwaj and Marjan.
Amwaj: "Marjan! Incoming!!"
Marjan: "HAA—!!"
Klen's massive armored body crashed into both of them.
Klen: "Argh! Curse you, Miss Rose and your noble tricks!"
Marjan: "My back..."
Amwaj: "What was that?!"
Klen pushed himself up, breathing heavily.
Amwaj brushed snow off her face, glaring.
Amwaj: "You! What exactly are you trying to do, Red Knight?!"
Before she could finish, Marjan leapt onto Klen's back, using him as a springboard.
He shot upward, wind exploding beneath him in a sudden burst.
A violent gust blasted Amwaj, burying her in snow and sand.
Amwaj (muffled): "Curse you idiots!"
Marjan screamed as he soared — eyes squeezed shut — then opened them to a breathtaking sight.
Silva.
A vast, silent desert blanketed in snow.
Behind him, the village of Lajira nestled between the dunes.
Ahead, endless white sands... and the faint silhouette of Aurik rising on the horizon.
He looked down.
Marjan: "Look! There she is — she's running!"
Klen's eyes sharpened.
Klen: "Target acquired — the noble objective!"
He dropped toward Rose like a falling boulder.
Rose: "Klen! No! You idiot—!"
Marjan laughed wildly as he fell with him.
Marjan: "HAAAAA!!"
---
Amwaj brushed the snow and sand off herself once more, exasperated.
Amwaj: "You lunatics! I can't believe Marjan has become one of you... He was the most sensible person I knew!"
She took a step forward—then froze.
A sound.
Behind her.
Slowly, she turned.
Twisted, deformed creatures were circling her from the rear, their silhouettes warped by the icy haze.
Amwaj drew her sword, voice trembling.
Amwaj: "By the Luminous Tree... I never learned how to deal with the beasts of this valley. But theoretically... we're supposed to be their friends..."
The creatures growled—low, hostile, hungry.
Amwaj stepped back, heart pounding. Behind her loomed a massive dune, coated in snow—the same dune Klen had crashed behind.
And then—
KRAAASH!
Klen slammed down from above, sending snow and sand exploding in every direction.
Rose shielded her face.
Rose: "Klen! For the love of—what kind of landing was that?! Are you a meteor or what?!"
Klen's muffled laughter came from beneath the snow, his head buried.
Klen (muffled): "It is one of the Red Chick's signature techniques! I call it... the Crimson Dramatic Descent!"
Rose (wincing): "Just—stop talking."
Marjan opened his eyes, still laughing—only to find Rose's face inches from his.
He froze.
His cheeks flushed red.
Marjan: "I—uh—let me just—stand up—"
A scream cut through the cold air.
Amwaj.
Marjan: "Amwaj!"
Rose shot to her feet, Klen right behind her. They climbed the dune and looked down.
Amwaj was surrounded.
Rose glanced at Klein with a sly smile.
Rose: "Crimson Dramatic Descent, hm?"
Klen straightened, heroic.
Klen: "Miss Rose... you truly are noble, honorable, magnificent—and appreciative of the Red Knight's abilities!"
Rose grabbed him by the arm.
Together, they leapt.
Amwaj looked up, horrified.
Amwaj: "What—?!"
Marjan watched from above as they plummeted.
Rose flicked her hand, releasing a burst of green dust.
Rose: "Ha!"
Klen crashed down in front of Amwaj, shaking the ground.
Amwaj fell backward, terrified.
Amwaj: "You two! Are you trying to crush me?! I could've handled them alone!"
Rose slid off Klen's back, brushing her hair aside.
Rose: "Alone? Don't kid yourself. Everyone needs help."
Klen inspected the beasts—now lying peacefully in the snow.
Klen: "Miss Rose... well done. You merely put them to sleep."
Rose: "Yes... but they'll wake in a few minutes. We should move quickly."
Amwaj sheathed her sword, still shaken.
Amwaj: "You didn't kill them?"
Rose: "Why would I? They did nothing wrong. They're acting on instinct... and they hadn't harmed you yet."
Amwaj hesitated, then nodded and followed them.
As they walked, she glanced back at the sleeping creatures.
Up on the dune, Marjan heard something behind him.
He turned.
A figure—twisted, crawling on all fours—drooling, covered in wounds.
Marjan stumbled backward.
Marjan: "You...? Wait... I've seen you before. At the circus..."
The creature—Shadi—stared silently, inching closer.
Marjan retreated—
—and bumped into something solid.
He turned to find Klein and Rose standing behind him, both staring at the creature.
Rose: "Are you alright?"
Marjan: "Y-yes... he just startled me."
Rose narrowed her eyes.
Rose: "That sound... this is what we were tracking."
She sighed.
Rose: "And here I was hoping it was a golden?clawed wolf."
Klen: "Better luck next time, Miss Rose."
Amwaj caught up, eyeing the creature.
Amwaj: "What about this boy? Do we leave him? Or put him to sleep and move on?"
Rose studied him carefully.
Rose: "Alright..."
She turned to Klen.
Rose: "Cover his eyes. Ask him if he can see the light."
Klen stepped forward and wrapped a cloth over the creature's eyes.
Shadi struggled, but Klen's grip was unbreakable.
Marjan swallowed nervously.
Marjan: "I... didn't expect you to grab him like that..."
Amwaj: "What exactly are you planning?"
Rose stepped closer.
Rose: "Can you see anything?"
Klen held the creature firmly.
Klen: "Answer her, noble, kind, misunderstood young man of the wild—"
Rose: "Klen!"
The creature spoke—rough, strained.
Shadi: "No... I cannot..."
Amwaj gasped.
Amwaj: "He—he can speak!"
Marjan stepped forward instinctively.
Amwaj: "Marjan?!"
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