Assassian in the plains

Kyren clutched the egg, still standing in the quiet room he shared with Runa. The shell shimmered faint gold, with what looked like the shattered remains of a silver crown encircling its top. He held it tightly as a screen flashed in front of his eyes:

Would you like to split EXP with Spirit Beast Egg and send it to inventory?

Yes / No

Kyren thought Yes.

A new box appeared.

50% of EXP will go to Spirit Beast Egg until hatching.

Mana swirled around the egg, and it vanished into Kyren's inventory. The box faded, leaving him standing in silence once again. He packed up his bedroll and stowed it away, then stepped out of the room and into the inn's bar.

Lydel and Runa were already seated at a table, eating. A plate was set aside for Kyren.

"What took you so long in there?" Runa asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Umm… I'll have to tell you about that later," Kyren replied, taking a seat and digging into his breakfast.

"There's still daylight left," Lydel said as he wiped his mouth. "The bartender said the closest village is only ten miles from here."

"Well, I'm ready to go. We're only waiting on the slow one," Runa said with a teasing smirk.

"I'm the slow one, huh?" Kyren mumbled through a mouthful of eggs and bacon as he stood up.

He gave a nod toward the bartender. "Thanks for the rooms," he called before heading outside. Runa and Lydel followed soon after.

By the time they stepped into the sun, Kyren had already summoned Veldthar from the Wayfinder's Realm. They loaded their bags onto his back and resumed their journey to Zybana.

The path widened as they walked, more worn with each step. The land remained the same—endless plains in every direction. Faint outlines broke the horizon, but whether they were mountains or villages, Kyren couldn't yet tell.

"I don't want to scare anyone," Lydel suddenly said, his voice echoing in their minds through his telepathic bond, "but I think someone's following us."

Liora launched off his shoulder, soaring high to scan the plains.

"There's a man… and something with him," Liora reported, her voice shaky. "They're in the tall grass. He's coming—"

Thunderous footsteps.

The man burst from the grass, a massive wolf-like creature at his heels. Both charged straight at Lydel, claws raised.

But Lydel had been ready. He'd been cycling through micro-movements, testing reactions—he already knew the next three seconds. He dodged easily, weaving between their slashes.

The man broke off, lunging toward Kyren.

There was desperation in his movements now. He must've realized just how in over his head he was.

Kyren summoned his blades, slashing down with Lion's Requiem. The man raised a gauntleted hand—claws like razors at his fingertips—just in time to block. Kyren followed up with a dagger strike, but before it could connect—

WHAM!

A stone greataxe came flying from the side, slamming into the man and sending him skidding backward. Kyren pounced, dropped his blades, and unleashed a flurry of punches to the man's jaw, knocking him unconscious.

Meanwhile, Lydel danced around the wolf, landing precise cuts—nothing fatal, just enough to slow it. Then—

CRACK!

Another greataxe to the skull. The beast collapsed.

Kyren rummaged through Lydel's bag, pulling out some rope. He bound the man first, then the wolf.

They waited.

"He's lucky we're the merciful type," Lydel muttered. "We should just have Veldthar piss on his head to wake him up."

"Eww, no," Runa said, wrinkling her nose. "Even if he attacked us, I'm not doing that."

"Just dump water on him and get it over with," Kyren said.

Runa obliged, pouring a canteen over the man's face. He sputtered awake.

"What the hell? Why am I still alive?"

"You're alive," Kyren said, lifting the man by his wrist ropes. "And we've got questions."

Runa stepped forward, one of her stone hatchets resting coldly against his throat.

"Who sent you?" she asked.

The man groaned. "Some guy in purple robes. Said he'd pay me handsomely to take out you two." He nodded at Kyren and Lydel. "She wasn't on my list."

"Where were you sent from?" Lydel asked.

"I'll just say this—nothing I can do compares to what he'll send after you next."

"You even part of the cult?" Kyren asked.

"Nah. I'm a hitman, not some conversion nut."

Runa turned away. "Hopefully someone finds you and unties you."

She tugged on Veldthar's reins, leading the group forward again. "It'll be dark soon. Let's get to that village."

The assassin let out a low laugh.

Kyren turned back. "What's so funny?"

"That village you're heading to? It's empty now. Hope you weren't counting on supplies. Everything's been shipped to Zybana—for the eclipse."

Kyren scowled, then turned away without another word. Liora flew high, keeping eyes on the man as they walked.

The sun had just disappeared behind the horizon when they reached the run-down village. It was eerily quiet—no lights, no sounds. Just the rustle of wind and the faint scampering of paws.

Behind the first building, Runa spotted them—three massive cats, nearly three feet tall at the shoulders, tussling over a dead mouse.

They explored the town further. Homes and shops stood untouched—possessions still in place, as if the people had vanished mid-task. The small inn was still clean, doors unlocked.

"Where is everyone?" Lydel finally asked.

Kyren hesitated. "I didn't want to believe him, but… that man said the cult took everyone. Sent them to Zybana. For the eclipse."

Runa nodded slowly. "Then let's rest up. We leave early. Sounds like there are people we need to save."

She picked a room and headed upstairs. Kyren and Lydel followed.

Each of them lay in silence, hoping they'd reach Zybana in time.

Kyren's dream came again.

He stood behind Kyanna's eyes. She was older now—fifteen—sitting quietly in the back of a classroom as a woman lectured at the front.

"This is the Hero's Law course," she said. "It will explain what heroes can and can't do in the city of Epsilon."

The vision jumped.

Kyanna now wandered a forest path, the trees thick and old. A voice echoed in the woods.

"Young Kyanna… you were born to be strong. You were born to be queen."

She turned, searching.

"Thank you for accepting your fate. And for that, I grant you a token of our faith."

Mana swirled in front of her, coalescing into a tiny lion cub with golden fur. Kyanna knelt and lifted the creature into her arms. Mana flared, entwining their bodies like threads of fate.

"Take good care of him," the voice whispered.

And then, the dream shifted.