My Trash Talent Is Actually OP!

The man led them through the city streets, walking at a pace that didn't draw attention but demanded respect.

People bowed their heads or moved aside when they saw him. It was clear he held power here. He didn't speak until they reached the building at the base of the tall tower.

It looked like a palace, though it lacked the gold and glitter of royal homes.

It was built from gray stone, large and firm, with tall doors and banners showing the city's sigil, a dragon wing and a sword crossed behind a mountain.

Which was very different compared to the modernized structures at Velcrest. But then everyone had different tastes.

Guards opened the doors as they approached. Inside, the place was quiet and clean. A few maids moved about, and armored men stood watch at every corner.

The man gave a simple order: the horses were to be taken care of and rooms prepared for the group. The maids nodded and moved quickly.

Asher looked at Nova. Her breathing was off, her steps slower. Her eyes, usually bright, looked pale and glassy.

"Hey, are you alright?" he asked, as he took her hands to stop her from moving, then he added. "Did you not sleep well?"

Nova smiled and shook her head, "Haven't actually been the same since that idiot hit me," she laughed and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm fine trust me."

That was last thing Asher would do. Trust her when it came to her wellbeing, she was loyal yes, but sometimes it was just bad.

She wobbled a little. Before she could fall, Asher stepped in and caught her.

Without a word, he carried her in his arms, following one of the maids to the room that had been prepared for her.

They walked through a massive hall, and down to where there was noise, since the man had made orders for rooms to be prepared.

Stepping in, the room was large as expected, The bed was soft and large.

He laid her down gently, pulled off her heavy clothes leaving just the shirt she wore underneath her coat.

And pulled a blanket over her. Her face was damp with sweat now, and she trembled lightly. He touched her forehead. It was cold, which was strange.

She was still shaken by what Zain did no doubt, but Asher was more worried about how long it would last.

"I'll stay," he said to cinder. She nodded and waited near the door.

Asher sat beside Nova until she fell into a deep sleep. She muttered something in her sleep, but he couldn't understand it.

When he was sure she was resting peacefully, he stepped out.

Cinder stayed behind, sitting near the door like a silent guard.

The rest of the group had been brought to a wide hall where a long table waited. Light came in from high windows. Tay, Zain, Sinnett, and the man were already there.

The man, now seated at the head of the table, introduced himself. He wasn't just a noble or a commander.

He was the king of this hidden city, though they didn't use that title much here. He ruled alongside others, but his word held the most weight.

The one they had met earlier, the man in the shadows with strange eyes, was the city's guild master.

He was in charge of keeping the city safe, handling dungeons, threats, and the movement of power inside and outside the walls.

The king asked the maids to bring food and drink. They obeyed quickly, placing cups and trays along the table.

A hot stew was served, along with bread and meat. Tay and Zain ate quietly, eyes still watching the king.

Then the king asked why they had come. He said he heard they were from Velcrest. That place had been silent for a long time.

Asher looked at the others, thought of the consequences that came with talking about his abilities, then answered.

"I came because of the souls here."

The room went still. The king didn't speak right away. He looked at Asher with a strange expression.

Then he asked, quietly but clearly, if Asher was the one they feared. The soul reaper.

The figure that had been stealing souls from people with great potential.

Asher blinked, confused at first. But then a memory hit him. The grave behind his home.

His mother's voice, telling him not to go near it, and how she opened up to him about his father.

He asked the king if the reaper had come from Velcrest to be sure.

The king nodded. The soul reaper had appeared many years ago. At first, it was just rumors. People vanished.

Not everyone,only those with power. Talented spellcasters, fighters, and thinkers. People with great future value.

Their souls would vanish, and their bodies would be found empty, like something had sucked the life from them.

The guild had chased him. But he was strong. He escaped toward the mountains. Toward a place now called the Land of the Lost.

It used to be a city, or several small ones. But after the reaper went there, chaos began.

Nova and Zain, who had grown up in those mountains, had known the ruins, at least before Zain's insane act.

Since then the reaper had never been caught. He vanished like a ghost.

Now, the city....perhaps cities feared his return, and many suspect Asher because his family was the major target before.

Then Asher's answer even raised the fear.

The king studied him more closely now, as if trying to see something beneath his skin.

"I don't take souls," Asher said quietly. "I speak to them. I free the ones who want to be freed. I call them when I need them."

But even that wasn't normal. Even that wasn't safe.

The king didn't say if he believed him. But he didn't call the guards, either. He simply nodded and asked the maids to bring more drinks.

"I'll take up your words on that, Necromancer."

Asher frowned. If only he didn't give off the energy Necromancers gave off, he wouldn't even be answering pointless questions.