Secret

Amidst the joyous celebration, the new teacher rose from his seat, a determined glint in his eyes.

With purposeful strides, he made his way towards a nearby tree, a vessel for his conflicted memories.

Gripping his drink tightly, he poured its contents onto the tree, a symbolic offering laced with a mixture of bitterness and longing.

As the liquid trickled down the bark, a flood of memories surged within the teacher's mind, transporting him back to a recent encounter—a chase that seemed to stretch across vast distances, relentless in its pursuit.

Breathless, he had sought refuge, believing himself to be far removed from the reach of those who pursued him.

Yet, fate had led them to this very place, their presence a haunting reminder of his past.

A figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into view.

Without hesitation, the teacher sprang from the tree, launching himself at the intruder with primal ferocity.

His arm encircled the intruder's neck, a vice-like grip exerting pressure, demanding answers.

"Tell me who you are," he growled, his voice laced with a mix of desperation and determination.

Gasping for air, the intruder managed to respond, his voice strained yet resolute.

"My old teacher sent me here to train some kids from a village."

A flicker of realization washed over the teacher's face, the grip around the intruder's neck loosening slightly.

"So, you are not here for me," he uttered, a hint of relief evident in his voice.

The tension between them dissipated, replaced by a shared understanding of mistaken intentions.

The teacher released his hold, allowing the intruder to catch his breath, knowing that ending a life was not the resolution sought in this moment.

"Where are you going?" the teacher inquired, curiosity tugging at his thoughts.

"My teacher instructed me to travel straight until I found a village," the intruder replied, his voice tinged with weariness.

Regret tinged the teacher's words as he spoke, his tone softer now.

"I apologize for my actions. I mistook your purpose."

A genuine smile graced the intruder's face, a gesture of forgiveness. "Mistakes happen. No harm done."

The teacher reached into his belongings, retrieving a vial of medicine.

With careful precision, he began to apply it to the intruder's neck, offering a salve for the pain he had inflicted.

Despite initial resistance, the intruder relented, allowing the healing touch to soothe his wounds.

Handing him a pill, the teacher explained its significance.

"This is the renowned pill—the one that enhances strength and heals afflictions. Considering my actions, it is only right that I offer it to you."

The intruder regarded the pill, his gaze filled with a mix of curiosity and gratitude.

Swallowing it with a gulp of water, he accepted the teacher's gesture, a bond forged through shared humanity.

Curiosity sparked within the teacher's eyes as he delved deeper into conversation.

"So, in this village, whom are you tasked with training?"

A sense of intrigue filled the air as the intruder replied, his words carrying an air of mystery.

"There are four children I must train. Yet, there is one among them who holds a special fascination—an individual said to have been born of stone, an occurrence unheard of for thousands of years."

As their conversation continued, an undercurrent of tension simmered beneath the surface.

The teacher, seizing a moment of opportunity, attempted to wrap his arm around the intruder neck in a treacherous embrace.

But the intruder, quick and nimble, evaded his grasp, evoking a mixture of surprise and frustration from his assailant.

"You dare try that again," the intruder warned, his voice laced with a steely resolve.

A sly smile curled upon the teacher lips, a smug acknowledgment of the intruder heightened awareness.

"Well, I see you've caught on."

A sudden burning sensation erupted upon the intruder neck, his muscles constricting in response to an unknown substance.

Confusion mingled with anguish as he confronted the source of his torment.

"What have you done?" the intruder demanded, his voice strained through gritted teeth.

With a calculated nonchalance, the teacher offered a cryptic response. "Oh, it's merely a necessary measure."

Enraged, the intruder lunged towards his adversary, only to stumble and collapse to the ground in agonizing pain.

Within his being, an unseen force writhed, wreaking havoc on his body, prompting anguished screams to escape his lips.

Looking down upon his fallen foe, a twisted smirk materialized upon the teacher's face. "Pathetic."

With deliberate precision, he seized the intruder clothing, hauling him upright and then twisting him over, a macabre dance of dominance.

The teacher grip found its mark, a chilling crack resonating through the air as he snapped the intruder neck, extinguishing the flicker of life within him.

Gazing upon the lifeless body, wounds from previous battles adorning his shoulders, the teacher gaze turned cold and calculating.

"Straight from here, huh?" he mused aloud, a hint of disdain lacing his words.

"If the human forces arrive, this village will be among the first to crumble. Yet, it is the safest for me to hide from them since this village is hidden since it is not shown in map"as he continued,

Settling himself upon the ground, the intruder sought solace, tending to his own injuries with methodical care.

A sense of purpose resonated within him, as he readied himself for departure, leaving behind the remnants of his ruthless encounter.

A summons echoed through the air, cutting through the stillness.

The village elder's voice reached his ears, laced with warmth and camaraderie. "Ian, come here, let's indulge in more drinks," the elder beckoned.

A sinister smile tugged at the teacher's lips as he responded, his voice dripping with dark anticipation.

"Oh, I will," he replied, his tone hinting at a nefarious plan taking shape within his mind.

With a final glance cast over his shoulder, the teacher set forth towards the beckoning call, shadows dancing in his wake.

The night embraced his secrets, while the village remained blissfully unaware of the true nature of the enigmatic presence that had infiltrated their midst.