Chapter 3: The Road Less Traveled

The morning sun climbed over the jagged cliffs, casting a pale light on the path ahead of Regef. His boots crunched against the dry earth as he moved steadily forward, the weight of his pack and the egg inside pressing lightly against his back. The cold, biting wind had died down with the rise of the sun, but an unsettling chill still lingered in the air. Regef tightened his cloak around him, his eyes scanning the barren landscape as he ventured into unknown territory.

The village was now far behind him, a distant memory of suspicion and silence. Yet, the old woman's words clung to him like an unwanted guest. "Your journey isn't about survival, is it?" He had pretended not to care, had tried to shake off the weight of her observation, but it lingered, gnawing at him with every step.

It wasn't about survival. That much he knew. It was about something deeper, something he had yet to fully understand.

The road was long, and the plains stretched endlessly in all directions, but Regef pressed on. Occasionally, he would pass a stray traveler or a merchant's caravan rumbling over the cracked soil. Each time, the travelers would eye him with caution, their gazes lingering a moment too long on his bright blonde hair. Most continued on without a word, but a few offered brief nods of acknowledgment, recognizing the quiet intensity that radiated from him.

Regef didn't engage. He had no desire for conversation, nor any need for companionship. His journey was a solitary one. He had chosen it that way.

By midday, the landscape began to change once more. The rocky plains gave way to patches of dense forest, trees with gnarled trunks and twisted branches that seemed to reach out like skeletal fingers. The air here was different—thicker, more oppressive. The sun barely penetrated the canopy, casting long, eerie shadows that danced on the ground as Regef moved deeper into the woods.

A sense of unease settled over him, but he ignored it. Fear was nothing new to him. He had faced greater darkness in the eyes of his own kin. Still, there was something about this place that felt…wrong.

As the path wound deeper into the forest, Regef's keen senses picked up the faintest sound—footsteps. They were light, almost imperceptible, but they were there. He slowed his pace, listening carefully. The footsteps stopped when he stopped, but they resumed whenever he continued forward. Someone was following him.

Regef clenched his jaw, his hand instinctively moving toward the kunai strapped to his side. He had hoped to avoid conflict, but it seemed his journey would not be without its challenges. Without breaking his stride, Regef veered off the path, stepping quietly between the thick underbrush until he found a secluded spot behind a large tree. There, he waited, his breathing steady, his senses on high alert.

Minutes passed, and then, the figure appeared. A man, cloaked in black with a hood pulled low over his face, moved silently down the path, his eyes scanning the forest as if searching for something—or someone.

Regef's grip on his kunai tightened. Whoever this man was, he had followed Regef for a reason. There was no doubt about that. But the man wasn't alone. Another figure emerged from the shadows—a woman, her movements graceful, almost feline. She wore a mask that covered the lower half of her face, and her dark hair was tied back in a tight braid.

They exchanged a glance, their silent communication clear. They were skilled, experienced, and they were hunting him.

Regef's mind raced. He had no desire for a confrontation, but he also couldn't afford to let these two continue following him. He had to act quickly, decisively. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out from his hiding place, his kunai glinting in the dim light of the forest.

The two figures froze, their eyes locking onto him. For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them, the tension thick in the air. Then, the man spoke, his voice low and gravelly.

"We don't want trouble. Hand over what you carry, and we'll let you go."

Regef's gaze flicked to his pack, where the egg was securely stowed. So that's what they were after. He should have expected as much. Something as rare and delicate as the egg he carried would attract unwanted attention. But it wasn't just a simple object to him—it was his burden, his responsibility.

"I'm not handing over anything," Regef said, his voice calm but firm. He took a step forward, his kunai held at the ready. "If you want it, you'll have to take it."

The man's lips curled into a smirk. "Have it your way."

In an instant, the woman darted forward, her movements impossibly fast. Regef barely had time to react as she lunged at him, a blade flashing in her hand. He sidestepped her attack, bringing his kunai up to block her next strike. The clash of metal echoed through the forest as they exchanged blows, their movements fluid and precise.

The man hung back, watching with cold, calculating eyes. He was waiting for the right moment to strike, but Regef wasn't going to give him the chance. He spun around, sweeping his leg out to trip the woman, sending her stumbling backward. Before she could regain her balance, Regef was on her, disarming her with a swift motion and pressing the blade of his kunai to her throat.

"Call him off," Regef demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The woman's eyes flickered with something—fear, perhaps—but she remained silent. The man, however, didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, his hand reaching for a weapon concealed beneath his cloak.

Regef's heart pounded in his chest. He was outnumbered, and despite his skills, he couldn't afford to waste time on a prolonged fight. With a quick glance at the woman, he made his decision. He released her, stepping back with his kunai still raised.

"I don't want to kill you," Regef said, his voice steady. "But I will if you force me."

The man paused, his eyes narrowing. For a moment, it seemed like he would press the attack. But then, he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Very well," the man said slowly. "We'll leave you be…for now. But know this—what you carry will continue to draw attention. There are others who will come for it, and they won't be as forgiving as us."

Regef didn't respond. He kept his eyes on the two of them as they backed away, disappearing into the shadows of the forest. Only when he was certain they were gone did he allow himself to relax, lowering his kunai and letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

The forest was silent once more, but the unease remained.

Regef glanced down at his pack, where the egg lay hidden. It was more than just a fragile object—it was a beacon, drawing danger to him at every turn. And yet, he couldn't abandon it. Not now.

He tightened the straps on his pack and set off again, his pace quickening as the shadows of the forest closed in around him. The path ahead was dangerous, but Regef knew there was no turning back. His journey was only just beginning, and whatever lay ahead—he would face it head-on.

With the egg safely in his possession and his resolve strengthened, Regef Hills ventured deeper into the unknown, the weight of his past falling farther behind with each step.