Since my mission here was already completed, the report to the Ministry was written, and I could safely finish my transformation and head back home to the Borderlands. I thought to search for information about Morvidus in the first books written for the Borderlands library. Perhaps there would be some clues or hints.

  Every time I returned to the Borderlands, I felt mixed emotions: a deep sorrow for Emil and his fate, joy from the years spent here with the Mentor, a sense of peace from the feeling of stability and constancy that this place provided, and anxiety mixed with despair from the realization that my true home was lost, and I could not find it.

  This time was no different, but still, the joy from just seeing such a familiar home of the Warden prevailed, and I hurried to Todeus. I found him in the garden, tending to the flowers. It didn’t matter how long I had been away— the moment I stepped through the doorway, it felt as if I had never left.

  "How was your day?" Todeus responded casually. "We have fish for lunch today."

  "The adventure was quite unusual; seems I made an enemy and a fan in one person."

  "Very intriguing. And who is it?"

  "Good question, I’m not quite sure yet. I think I’ll look for information in the old books. Would you join me?"

  "With pleasure."

  Todeus finished his work in the garden, and we entered the house. After lunch, we moved to the back room, where the oldest records were kept.

  "What should I look for, Keeper?"

  "I'm not entirely sure what exactly we're looking for, but we need records of some powerful being—something that, like me, can move between worlds. It's extremely malevolent and most likely unclassified."

  "Yeah, quite a tricky task."

  I gave a helpless shrug; the truth was, I didn’t know what we were really after, nor if our search would bear any fruit. Eventually, I glanced up from yet another book that offered nothing of value—and there was Todeus, his gaze drifting over the pages as if he were no longer reading but simply... staring.

  "Did you find something, Todeus?"

  "Keeper, do you know what 'Summum bonum' is?"

  "Yes, I do. Why?"

  "Do you remember when you found me and where?"

  "Of course I remember — I found you under rather delicate circumstances. And it’s hard to forget a little wolf pup who bit your hand," I said with a smile. "But I still don’t understand what these questions are leading to." I saw that something was weighing on Todeus, but I didn’t want to press him. "Todeus, do you want to tell me something?"

  "It happened when I was little. I lived with my parents in the place where you found me..."

  Todeus began his story with his head lowered over the book, so I couldn’t see his face or read his emotions. His fingers gently traced the illustration on the page.

  "My family was very poor, and life was difficult for us, but my parents still found a way to send me to school. It was quite far away, in a neighboring settlement, and every day, I had to make a long journey to get there. At first, I didn’t like school: the other kids teased me because I was thin, always hungry, and my clothes were very old and worn out. I didn’t understand why my parents sent me there and spent money on it since I thought nothing good would come of it. I thought I would just stay with my parents, raise animals, and plant grain.

  The school I attended belonged to the church and the local community.. It was managed by Father Aurelius, but because he also took care of the parish, which was quite large, we hardly saw him. There were four teachers who taught us arithmetic, writing, and reading, and they also taught us about herbs, animals, and, of course, religion. The first few months were unbearable for me: the lessons seemed boring, and the other kids in the class constantly found ways to make fun of me. One day, they scattered all my books in the yard, and the bread my mother gave me for lunch was given to the school goats. They spoiled my things and teased me in every way, and one day, I couldn’t take it anymore and had a big fight with the boy who teased me the most. We were taken to Father Aurelius, and he scolded us. After that, I began skipping classes.

  While it was summer, it was quite pleasant. I would run away into the forest that started right behind the schoolyard, pick berries (by the way, I never skipped herbology — it's important to know what you can eat in the forest), find a sunny glade, and lie there, sunbathing. But with the arrival of autumn, the rains began, and lying in the rain on the glade no longer seemed like a good idea, so I began to explore the forest. About a ten-minute walk away, the forest began to climb into the mountains, and at the foot of one of them, I found a small cave. Perhaps it had once served as a sanctuary for some gods, but now it appeared completely abandoned and forgotten: only the walls, covered in ancient carvings, and statues overgrown with deep green moss, hinted that people had once been here. I made a fire in this shrine and spent quite a comfortable time there until it was time to go home.

  But one day, as I approached the cave, I noticed that there was already a fire burning. At first, I thought that perhaps it was a believer who had come to visit the sanctuary, maybe it was his day of pilgrimage, so I left. A few days later, the situation repeated itself, and I decided to get closer and observe. As it turned out, there was a boy a little older than me sitting in the cave; he was sitting by the fire, roasting mushrooms on a stick. I didn’t like the idea that someone had taken my spot and was comfortably spending time there, so I decided to claim my right to the shelter. I straightened my shoulders, took a few deep breaths, gathering my courage, and entered the cave, making it clear to everyone with my posture that I was the owner here.

  "Who are you?" I said. "I found this cave first and cleaned it up. You've been hanging around here for several days. Get out of here!"

  "Sorry, I didn't know," the boy replied, flashing the friendliest smile I had ever seen.

  My determination to drive him away softened slightly, but I still wasn’t willing to accept the presence of a stranger.

  "Isn't there enough space for two?" the stranger continued. "The shrine seems quite spacious, and I've gathered some edible mushrooms and berries. I can share it with you. Help yourself," he said, pointing to a pretty decent selection of treats he had brought with him.

  "No, there isn’t enough space for two. I was here first. Find yourself another cave."

  "Alright, I’ll leave. Sorry, I didn’t know it was taken. And it looks like it’s going to rain, so I thought I’d sit here for a bit and warm up. I'll leave you some mushrooms — they’re really tasty, try roasting them on a stick."

  And indeed, the guy started packing his things. Just then, a downpour began, but he still gathered his belongings, left a couple of mushrooms behind, and stepped out into the pouring rain. I felt so disgusted with myself — he hadn't done anything wrong, and he'd even left me mushrooms. My conscience was tormenting me. A few seconds later, I ran out after him.

  "Hey, you! What’s your name? Alright, I’m not a monster to send someone out in this rain. Come back, and in return, you’ll give me a few more mushrooms," I said.

  "My name is Mio," the boy said, beaming a smile. "Thanks for letting me wait out the rain."

  "Yeah, yeah, hurry up, it’s pouring like from a bucket. You’re already soaked through, you might catch a cold. And remember, this isn’t permanent; just wait until the rain stops."

  "Got it," Mio said, hurrying back. "And what’s your name?"

  "Todeus," I muttered.

  "Thanks, Todeus," he smiled again.

  "Why do you keep smiling all the time? Are you crazy or sick or something?"

  "No, it’s just that you ran out into the pouring rain after me because you felt sorry for me, and you’re already soaked too. I think you’re a good person, and I’ve always wanted to be friends with a good person."

  "Who told you we’re going to be friends? I’m letting you stay only until the rain stops, and then you’ll be on your way. In weather like this, even kicking a dog out would feel cruel."

  "No one told me we’d be friends, but for some reason, I feel like we will."

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  And he turned out to be right. At first, I didn’t want anything to do with him, but for several days in a row, Mio brought various treats to the cave — berries, honey, and mushrooms — and waited at the entrance without crossing the threshold. It was impossible to stay angry at such a sincere smile. By the second week of our acquaintance, I learned that Mio was two years older than me and that his parents had also sent him to school, but he didn’t know anyone there, so he didn’t want to go. I also found out that Mio and I were supposed to be in the same class. Mio’s mother was a healer; she made herbal infusions and ointments, so we never had trouble finding something to eat in the forest. Mio didn’t have a father. The more we talked, the more interesting I found him, and time passed.

  Thus, winter came. Staying in the cave became uncomfortable, and we stopped skipping classes and returned to school. Now, I had a friend there. It turned out unexpectedly that Mio not only knew how to smile but could also fight well — no one dared to pick on me anymore because now there were two of us, and we were worth five. We spent every day together, and we could no longer imagine what it would be like any other way.

  A year before you found me, Keeper, strange events happened at the school — several children went missing. The disappearance of the first two wasn’t immediately noticed, as they were orphans sent here by the church, and there was simply no one to search for them. The third child disappeared in the middle of winter. Then rumors began to spread through the school that something in the forest was taking the children. I didn’t believe this because Mio and I had spent a lot of time in the forest before and hadn’t seen anything suspicious. I decided to ask my friend what he thought about it.

  “Do you think the forest is dangerous?” I asked.

  “The forest — no, but what might be hiding in it — yes.”

  “You think something is hiding there?”

  “I think Father Aurelius is hiding something,” Mio replied. “I saw him spending a lot of time with one of the missing children.”

  “Of course, they were all orphans sent by the church. Father Aurelius is the head of both the school and the church, so he spends a lot of time with them.”

  We didn’t discuss this topic further, but a week later, another child went missing — this time not an orphan, but from a poor family. Four missing children in a few months — it was a real shock for our remote village. My mother even wanted to forbid me from going to school, fearing that something might happen to me too, since the journey was long and it was winter. I couldn’t stay at home, because Mio was waiting for me at school. I worried about my friend, about how he was getting to school. Staying home and not knowing how he was doing there was simply unbearable.

  Another month passed, and winter was coming to an end. No more children went missing, and it seemed like everything was gradually calming down. With the arrival of spring, it seemed like everything would get better. I was running to school, eager to meet my friend, but I couldn’t find him in the classroom, so I decided to look for him outside. I found him near the house where Father Aurelius and the teachers lived. Mio’s face was pale, his lips were trembling slightly, and he was muttering something to himself.

  “Mio, what happened? Is it about your mother?”

  Mio looked at me with glassy eyes, as if he didn’t see me and was looking through me.

  “Mio, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong with you?”

  At that moment, he flinched, as if waking up, and snapped back to reality.

  “Oh, sorry, Todeus,” he said, smiling. “I just decided to prank you.”

  But in that smile, there was something strange, something not like the usual smile I knew. Over the years, I had come to know Mio well—and that smile wasn’t his usual one.

  We went to class as the lesson was about to start. Throughout the first lesson, Mio was very distracted, which was unlike him. At the beginning of the second lesson, Father Aurelius called him to his office, which had never happened before. I couldn’t sit still: something inside me was turning over, and the premonition screamed that something was wrong. I asked to be excused to go to the bathroom and went to look for Mio.

  He wasn’t in Father Aurelius’s house, not in the schoolyard. I searched everywhere — even peeked into the goat pen — but I couldn’t find either Mio or Father Aurelius. Not knowing where to go, I wandered toward the forest when I suddenly noticed two sets of footprints in the still unmelted snow. At first, I moved slowly, examining each footprint as though it could tell me something. Gradually, I picked up my pace, and within a minute, I was running full speed—the footprints led deeper into the forest, into the place where, according to rumors, children had disappeared. I raced, stumbling and falling, then getting back up and rushing on as fast as the overgrown trail allowed me. The branches of trees scratched my face, piercing my hands. I knew where this trail led — to the sanctuary.

  At the entrance to the cave stood Father Aurelius. Mio was nowhere to be seen.

  “Where’s Mio? I know you came here together. What have you done with him?” I gasped, unable to breathe properly.

  “I haven’t done anything to him. It was his choice,” Father Aurelius replied calmly.

  “Mio! Mio, where are you?!” I screamed with all my might.

  “You won’t be able to call him,” the priest glanced into the darkness of the cave.

  I lunged toward the entrance, but the priest caught me, blocking my way. I kicked and twisted, managing to slip out of my jacket, leaving it in his hands. I ran into the cave and shouted:

  “Mio! Mio, what’s happening?!”

  My friend was standing before a massive statue, his back to me. He slowly turned around and smiled at me — just like he had smiled a hundred times before, so sincerely, so warmly… But my heart was gripped by cold fear.

  “Todeus, it’s all going to end now. I want you to live a long and bright life. Be happy, my only friend!”

  “What are you talking about…” I started but didn’t finish. Suddenly, a flash erupted from the statue, and hands made of pure light reached out for Mio, grabbing him.

  I froze in horror: right before my eyes, his body began to char and crumble like a rotting log. But he was still smiling. He waved goodbye to me—and in that instant, he ignited like a match. Within a heartbeat, his figure became a glowing ember in the shape of a man. I fell to my knees and crawled toward him, but the moment I reached out, he crumbled into dust. All that remained of my friend was a handful of ash.

  “No!” I screamed, covering my face with my hands. Tears poured down like a flood.

  It hurt... it hurt so much, as if my heart had been ripped out, as if I had been blinded, and everything around me turned black. I couldn’t stop. Why him? Why not me? Mio... you were my friend! Why did they do this? Who gave them the right? No! This isn’t fair!

  Father Aurelius, standing at the entrance, approached me and threw my jacket over my shoulders. I looked up at him, filled with hatred.

  “You! You killed him! What did you do to him?! You knew! You should have protected him!” I screamed, trembling with rage. “You thought I wouldn’t understand what happened? I’ll kill you myself!”

  In response, he slapped me across the face.

  “He did it for you. He sacrificed himself for you, idiot. It was his choice. These creatures were taking children, and they needed five. We thought of giving them to you — no one would have noticed a thing. But Mio overheard our conversation with the teachers and interfered. He offered himself, he begged us, he knelt. We had no choice. You should be grateful to him — these creatures are gone, and no one else will be taken.”

  With that, Father Aurelius turned and left the cave.

  Mio’s mother was in despair. I tried to help her as much as I could, but I never told anyone about what had happened — I was afraid, and who would believe me? Who would believe a poor boy against a priest? I dropped out of school. I missed Mio, tortured by questions: “Why did he do it? Why did he sacrifice himself for me? I still don’t understand what drove him... He could have lived. He was just a child, like me... But he’s gone, and here I am, alone. Why am I so scared? Mio, why did you leave?” I was angry at him. “Who asked him to do that?! Did he decide to be a hero?” Then I cried: “Who was he to decide for me?”

  And a few months later, disaster came to my house — and that’s when you found me, Keeper.

  Todeus sat, his head lowered, and tears were flowing down his face.

  “And today I found this,” — he nudged a book toward me, which told the story of the Summum bonum. “I thought they were killed by demons, but it was Summum bonum. They are also called the Highest Blessing. They don’t cause pain, they help bring peace to the suffering, love and comfort to the deprived. Some call them angels. Keeper, Mio was taken by the Summum bonum. I think the priest, just like me, didn’t know who they were and wanted to get rid of the curse as quickly as possible. What bitter irony: the one who sought God, forgiveness, and eternal grace ended up, out of fear, condemning an innocent child to death. Lord, I’ve spent my whole life thinking that Mio died in agony because of me. But in reality, he didn’t even know what he was going into. All the horrors I saw, he didn’t feel any of them because the Summum bonum takes away all the pain and sorrow from their chosen ones. From their touch, the beings experience only joy and bliss. But since they take energy, their form remains in the world from which they take the suffering being. Keeper, Mio didn’t suffer; he left peacefully.”

  We sat in silence. I had encountered these beings before and knew there was one more thing Todeus didn’t know.

  “Warden,” — I said, addressing him formally. Todeus looked up at me.

  “There’s something else you should know. The Summum bonum can be summoned, and you can ask them to speak to your friend. Do you want that?”

  Todeus froze, and his eyes sparkled with hope mixed with doubt.

  “You… do you think I can see him? Talk to him?” he whispered, as if afraid that any sound would shatter this fragile hope.

  “Yes, I think it’s possible,” I answered, looking him in the eyes. “The Summum bonum sometimes allow their chosen ones to connect with those who are left behind. Especially if the bond between them was strong. But you must understand — this won’t be a conversation in the usual sense, not truly a meeting. It will be… more like a touch of his spirit. What he’ll be able to share with you will be more of a feeling than words. Are you ready?”

  Todeus nodded, and I could see how his hands trembled from excitement and perhaps fear.

  “Then close your eyes and focus on the memory of him,” I whispered, guiding him. “Remember his smile, his voice, his brightest words.” I continued, “Remember his warmth and kindness. I’ll help you establish the connection.”

  Todeus obediently closed his eyes, and gradually a calmness appeared on his face. I began to speak the ancient words in a language I rarely used — words that could evoke a response from the Summum bonum. As the air around us grew heavier and quietly filled with a gentle glow, I realized that the connection had been made.

  At that moment, Todeus flinched as if feeling a light touch on his shoulder. His eyes remained closed, but his face softened, reflecting astonishment and joy.

  “Mio,” — he whispered, smiling, just like his friend used to.

  I knew that their connection had taken form in something beyond words. It was a touch of souls, a brief moment of timeless meeting. A few minutes later, Todeus slowly opened his eyes, and tears streamed down his cheeks — but these were tears of peace, not pain.

  "He is happy, Keeper," Todeus said, gazing into the distance. "He wants me to be happy too."

  I simply nodded, seeing that Todeus had finally found peace.