How is that possible?

Mr. Alex abruptly said, "You should get some rest, Maxilin. I'll have someone bring some food over for you." I nodded slightly, not feeling like talking.

"Dad, I want to have my breakfast with Maxilin," Elizabeth chimed in unexpectedly. I glanced at her, surprised by her insistence. Mr. Alex smiled warmly at her and responded, "Maxilin isn't feeling well, honey. We'll eat lunch together later, no problem."

Elizabeth's eyes lingered on me, full of sympathy. I forced a smile in return, though I wasn't sure how to handle kids. I've never been good at it. Still, I couldn't figure out why this kid seemed to like being around me so much. Mr. Alex picked her up gently, carrying her toward the door. I caught a glimpse of disappointment on her face as they left.

I sat there in silence, gripping my sword. What happened last night... it was far from normal. Something was wrong, not just with the fight, but with me. The dull ache in my chest wasn't fading. In fact, it seemed to pulse, like an invisible hand squeezing my insides. I could feel it deep down—it wasn't just fatigue or the aftermath of battle.

Usually, when this kind of thing happens, I'm knocked out for days, unable to move. But today, I woke up with only a lingering heaviness. How is that possible? I pressed my hand against my chest, hoping the pressure would dull the pain, but it didn't. I glanced at the sword resting beside me. And why is the sword so... quiet?

The weapon, usually humming with energy, felt strangely still. It was like the life had drained from it, leaving only its cold, metallic weight. There was no explanation for this.

Whatever happened last night, whatever that thing was, it left more than just physical wounds. 

I was completely absorbed in my thoughts about the strange events, my mind turning over the possibilities when a knock at the door startled me. I looked up to see Kazian, the mute maid, entering the room. She walked cautiously, as if something was troubling her. She placed the tray of food on the table, but my eyes followed her every movement. Is she the one who came to my room last night?

I watched her closely, trying to connect the dots. She seemed nervous, glancing around like she wanted to leave as quickly as possible. When she turned to go, I stopped her.

"Hold on," I said sharply.

She froze in her tracks and took a step back, her gaze dropping to the floor. I could tell she was bracing for something, expecting me to ask a question.

"Did you come to my room last night?" I asked, my voice firm.

Her eyes widened, startled by the question. She looked at me in surprise but quickly shook her head, denying it.

"Don't lie," I said, taking a step closer. "I saw you here last night."

Kazian shook her head more vigorously this time, stepping back in clear denial. Her lips parted as if she wanted to speak, but of course, she couldn't. Her reaction only made me more suspicious. I knew what I had seen—or thought I had seen.

"I'll tell Mr. Alex that you came to my room if you don't speak the truth," I threatened, my voice low and dangerous.

When Kazian heard me, she shook her head, both hands trembling slightly. Why is she acting this way? I studied her, trying to read her expression, but she seemed evasive. Still, something didn't sit right. If she didn't show up last night, then who did? My sword's red gem had been turning pink since the previous night, as though its power had dwindled, and I couldn't ignore the sinking feeling that Kazian knew more than she was letting on.

I decided it was time to push harder. No one else was going to come into this room to answer my questions. I needed to know what she was hiding.

"How long have you been here?" I asked, my voice steady but sharp.

She raised three fingers.

"Three years?" I nodded, piecing it together. "Then you must know something about the Nuckelavee. How it got here."

At the mention of that creature, her face went pale. She didn't even attempt to hide her reaction.

I sat back on the bed, looking away from her for a moment as I thought. "I'm sure you're aware of something, Kazian. You know who came to my room last night. Not once, but twice."

Her eyes dropped to the floor, and she clutched her hands tightly. She was holding something back.

I pressed further. "Does it mean you don't want to cooperate with me?" I asked, my tone more insistent now.

Kazian stood firm, but just as I was about to say more, she stepped aside and pulled a chair over to where I sat. She pointed to it, urging me silently to sit down. I paused, unsure what she was doing. What's she trying to tell me?

I sighed, running my hand through my hair. "I'll eat later, Kazian. But first, answer my—"

I stopped mid-sentence, narrowing my eyes as I realized what she was doing. Her fingers were tapping something on the plank of wood near the chair. It was subtle at first, but she kept at it. Tap, tap, tap—there was a rhythm to it, a message in her silence.

I leaned in, watching her fingers carefully, and it became clear she was trying to communicate without speaking. She knows something, and she's trying to tell me without words.

I stood up slowly as the realization hit me—Kazian was trying to communicate with me through Morse code. She had been tapping out a message. I replayed the sequence in my mind, thinking carefully over what she had said. He is keeping an eye on us.

She looked at me once more after finishing her message, her gaze heavy with meaning, before dropping her eyes and quietly leaving the room. I didn't stop her. Something in her manner told me she had said all she could, that she had taken a risk even in telling me that much.

I pressed my lips together, trying to make sense of it all. He is keeping an eye on us?

I moved toward the window, staring out into the world beyond. The sea was calm, a thin mist rolling over its surface. But what exactly had she meant? Was the Nuckelavee still here, lurking somewhere nearby, watching my every move? Or was it something worse, someone else? The thought sent a chill down my spine.

Could it be that the monster hadn't left? Was he already among us, hiding in plain sight?

My gaze shifted back to the door, tightening with suspicion. Is he here? Right now?