Kaelen woke up as the first light of dawn came through the cracks in his hideout. Today was the day he had been waiting for. With the coins and food he gathered last night, he was ready to leave this city behind. A new life waited for him in a bigger city where no one would know him or remember the orphan boy who lived by thievery. He hadn't decided on a name for his destination yet—maybe Veylport, a large coastal town known for trade and anonymity. There, he could start over.
He slipped out of his hideout and headed toward a bakery near the edge of town. His stomach growled at the thought of fresh bread, something to help him on his journey. He moved quietly, staying in the shadows like always, but today felt different. Every step seemed heavier, every sound sharper. The vision from the Ocean was still in his mind, reminding him of the danger that might be out there.
As Kaelen turned into an alley leading to the bakery, a voice stopped him. "Looking for breakfast, brat?"
Kaelen froze, his heart pounding. Standing at the end of the alley was the man from the vision—the scarred hunter with cold eyes. This wasn't a coincidence. This man had been waiting for him.
Without thinking, Kaelen ran. His instincts told him to flee, and he listened. As he darted down the narrow alleys, he used the knowledge from the Ocean to create illusions to distract his pursuer. He made the sound of laughter echo down another street, stretched the length of an alley to mislead, and moved shadows to create quick movements in the corners of the hunter's vision. But none of it worked.
The man followed without trouble, his footsteps steady and unrelenting. When Kaelen looked back, the hunter smirked and said, "Your tricks won't work on me, boy. I've spent years seeking knowledge in the Ocean specifically to hunt down pests like you."
Kaelen's heart sank. If what the man said was true, then this wasn't just any seeker—it was someone who had spent their life tracking others who used the Ocean's gifts. Desperation pushed Kaelen's legs harder as he weaved through the streets, using civilians as distractions whenever possible. He shoved past startled pedestrians, ducked under hanging laundry, and jumped over crates, all while trying to think of a way out.
At one point, he created an illusion of himself running in the opposite direction, hoping to confuse the hunter. But the man saw right through it, his voice cutting through the chaos. "You can't hide forever, boy. The Ocean doesn't protect cowards."
Panic gripped Kaelen's throat, but he forced himself to keep moving. He couldn't let fear slow him down—not now. Finally, after what felt like hours of relentless pursuit, Kaelen saw a large, abandoned alley ahead. Its entrance was partly blocked by a pile of crates, making it less noticeable to passersby. It was his best chance.
With a burst of speed, Kaelen slipped into the alley and hid behind a stack of crates, pressing himself against the wall. His breath came in short gasps, sweat dripping down his face. For a moment, the only sounds were his own heartbeat and the distant noise of the city. Had he lost him?
Then, faintly, he heard it—the slow, deliberate footsteps of the hunter entering the same alley. Kaelen held his breath, praying the man wouldn't find him. The silence stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity. Somewhere deep inside, Kaelen hoped the Ocean would give him another insight, some piece of knowledge to change the situation. But for now, all he could do was wait.
And hope.