[Journey]

The midday sun hung high in the sky, its relentless heat pressing down on them like an invisible weight. Sweat clung to Kael's skin, and each step through the dense undergrowth felt heavier than the last. It had been two days since he and Zarek had teamed up with Ethan, their goal simple yet daunting—find a way out of this cursed forest.

At dawn, they had decided to venture deeper, following a small stream that ran parallel to their path. The sound of flowing water was a constant companion, offering both comfort and a reminder of how much farther they still had to go.

Ethan, the oldest and most experienced among them, led the way with silent confidence, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings for danger. Grace trailed behind him, her footsteps light and cautious. Kael and Zarek followed closely, the weight of their newfound weapons and armor settling over them like an unspoken responsibility.

Now clad in sturdy tunics and equipped with gear, they looked far from the ragged survivors they had been when they first met.

Kael had claimed the longsword, securing it at his hip along with a dagger. Despite being forged from strange alien metal, the weapon was surprisingly well-balanced, allowing him to move freely without feeling weighed down.

Zarek had chosen a short sword and a round shield, the latter appearing far heavier than it had any right to be. Yet, he carried it with effortless ease, strapping it firmly to his left arm.

Ethan had taken the remaining shield and short sword, his movements as precise and disciplined as ever. Grace, however, only wielded a single dagger.

Kael had expected Ethan to distribute the weapons evenly, but the veteran hadn't objected when he and Zarek took the extra gear. Perhaps he knew they would need every advantage they could get.

Grace, however, was an enigma. She barely spoke, keeping to herself even when Ethan was the only one she acknowledged. Kael had noticed how she pointedly ignored Zarek's attempts at conversation.

'Poor guy.' Kael thought as Zarek sighed in defeat for the third time that day.

The deeper they ventured, the more the forest transformed around them.

The trees grew taller, their trunks gnarled and twisted with thick, protruding roots that snaked across the ground like sleeping serpents. The canopy above darkened, allowing only splinters of sunlight to pierce through, casting eerie shadows that flickered with every step.

But the most unsettling change was the wildlife.

The creatures they encountered were larger, stronger, and deadlier. The once-small critters they had seen near their original shelter were now replaced by hulking beasts with unnatural features—extra limbs, glowing eyes, fangs that seemed too long for their mouths.

Moving undetected was now a necessity.

Instead of walking freely, they crouched low, slipping between thick undergrowth and ducking behind massive roots, carefully avoiding detection. Each step was slow, deliberate—a test of patience and endurance.

After what felt like hours of tense travel, Kael pushed past a tangle of bushes, and there it was.

A crumbling ruin, half-swallowed by the forest. Vines clung to its weathered stone walls, moss creeping over the cracks like nature reclaiming what was once lost. Like the previous ruins, it shared the same ancient architecture—but each structure they had found had been destroyed differently.

Ethan raised a hand, signaling them to halt. Without a word, he slipped into the shadows, moving with the silent precision of a seasoned hunter.

Kael exhaled, scanning the area while Ethan scouted. The ruin was well-hidden, its location shrouded by thick vegetation. The dense foliage would make it difficult for Robert or his men to track them down if they were still being pursued.

But that thought gnawed at Kael.

'Why are we even running from Robert?'

The question struck him as he waited.

Yes, Ethan had slaughtered those men to save Grace. But wouldn't that mean Robert would actually want someone like Ethan at his side rather than against him?

And even if Ethan refused to join him, would Robert truly waste time hunting them down?

It was something that had been bothering Kael ever since they left. Robert wasn't just a brute; he had survived in this monstrous forest long enough to build a camp and gather followers. That required intelligence and leadership. Would someone like that really go out of his way to chase down a few stragglers over a handful of dead men?

Two days had passed. Not once had they encountered another human. Only beasts.

Ethan returned from his sweep and gave them a nod—it was safe.

Kael followed him toward the ruins, Zarek and Grace trailing behind.

'I should bring this up tonight.'

With that thought lingering in his mind, Kael stepped forward into the ruins, the weight of uncertainty pressing against his chest.

Once inside the makeshift shelter, a cave-like formation created by the haphazard collapse of an ancient structure, Zarek let out a deep, exhausted sigh.

"I haven't walked this much in my entire life," he grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. Then, turning toward Kael, he added, "Pass me the water, will you?"

Kael, feeling just as drained, leaned against the cool stone wall, his muscles protesting from the long trek. Without a word, he unclipped the leather water pouch they had found in the chest and tossed it toward Zarek.

The moment Zarek pulled out the cork, the scent of cool, clean water filled the cave. He gulped it down in greedy mouthfuls, savoring the relief it brought to his parched throat.

Kael caught a glimpse of Grace's lingering stare, her subtle envy evident as she watched Zarek drink. Seeing this, Zarek hesitated for a moment before wordlessly handing the pouch to her.

Grace didn't waste time—she tilted the pouch back, letting the refreshing liquid slide down her throat before stopping herself from drinking too much.

As she passed the pouch to Ethan, Kael tensed slightly.

'Not even a single sound.'

Ethan had appeared behind him without so much as a whisper. It was as if the man materialized out of thin air.

Kael half-turned, stepping aside to let him pass.

Ever since he had consumed that strange fruit, his body had undergone drastic changes. His endurance, perception, willpower, and physical strength—everything had surged beyond what he once thought possible.

Despite his lean frame, he could now keep pace with Ethan and Zarek, both of whom were far more muscular than him.

But the most unsettling change was his heightened awareness.

He could hear whispers of movement others couldn't, sense subtle shifts in the air, and feel the weight of every gaze lingering on him.

And lately, he had noticed how Ethan and Grace stole periodic glances at him—watching, analyzing, as if measuring something. Even their posture around him was different, guarded in a way it wasn't with Zarek.

Still, Kael didn't bring it up.

Not because he didn't notice.

But because he was doing the same to them.

He might not know what the others were thinking, but one thing was clear—trust was fragile here. And while Kael was many things, a fool was not one of them.

After quenching his thirst, Ethan handed the leather pouch back to Zarek.

"There's still some time before sunset," he said. His voice was calm yet firm, the kind of tone that left little room for argument. "Kael and I will go hunt something for dinner."

Then, turning toward Grace, his expression remained unreadable.

"You can go with Zarek to refill the water and wash up if you want to," he said. "Try not to separate—or wander too far."

With that, he lowered his round shield, keeping only his short sword as he exited the cave.

Kael followed, unstrapping his longsword and opting to keep just his dagger for the hunt.

The further they ventured, the more the forest came alive around them.

Above, the canopy stretched endlessly, with only thin beams of sunlight piercing through the dense foliage. The occasional warmth of those rays brushed against their skin, contrasting against the cool dampness of the undergrowth.

Wild vines twisted through the tree branches, their ends hanging down like lazy tendrils reaching for the earth. Some had yet to bloom, their buds tightly closed, while others had sprouted vibrant flowers, their colors standing in stark contrast against the sea of green.

The air carried a mix of earthy dampness and floral fragrance, blending together in an almost hypnotic lull.

But Kael wasn't distracted by the beauty of their surroundings. 

As Kael took in the sights and sounds of the forest, admiring the way the wind rustled through the canopy, Ethan came to a sudden stop.

His usual calm demeanor hardened into something sharper, colder. His hand instinctively rested on the hilt of his short sword, fingers tapping idly against the handle.

"Kael, I'm going to ask you something," Ethan said, his voice low, controlled. "Make sure to answer me honestly."

Kael met his gaze, unflinching.

"And what if I don't?"

The words left his lips before he could fully think them through, but he didn't regret them. He could see the subtle shift in Ethan's stance—a slight tightening of his grip, the way his weight shifted just a fraction forward.

Before Ethan could respond, Kael tilted his head slightly, his tone losing some of its edge.

"You know you don't have to put on this tough act, right?"

A flicker of surprise flashed across Ethan's expression—a barely noticeable widening of the eyes—before his usual stoic mask returned.

Kael sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "You don't have to separate me from Zarek every time you have questions."

There was a time when Kael wouldn't have dared to speak this way.

But he wasn't the same person anymore.

The changes in him weren't just physical—they ran deeper. His mind was sharper, his instincts colder, his fears more distant. It was as if the pessimism that once weighed him down had been stripped away, leaving behind something... honed.

Ethan's eyes studied him for a long moment. Then, something unexpected happened—the tension in his shoulders eased, if only slightly.

"I'm glad that you and Zarek were the ones we found," he admitted. His voice was quieter, almost thoughtful. "I'm not sure how things might have gone otherwise."

Kael gave him a flat look.

'Damn, ever since coming to this forest, everyone's gotten a little too unhinged.'

The thought of Zarek turning into another Ethan sent a shiver down Kael's spine.

'I really hope that doesn't happen.'

But he didn't dwell on the thought for long.

Ethan's expression hardened again, his gaze flickering toward Kael with renewed intensity.

"When I was searching through the chest," Ethan began, "there were three small wooden boxes inside. But before we left that place, there were only two—both of them already open."

He paused briefly, as if measuring his words.

"I wanted to ask if you took the third one." His voice dropped slightly. "And if you and Zarek have inherited the wills from the other two."

Kael's expression didn't waver, but inside, his thoughts clicked into place.

'So he really does know about it.'

There had always been something unsettling about Ethan. A feeling Kael couldn't quite define—like an invisible force pulling him closer yet warning him to stay away.

A contradiction.

And contradictions slowed down his instincts.

That was why he had hidden the last wooden box from Ethan in the first place.

Since arriving in this hostile, merciless place, Kael had learned to trust his instincts above all else. Planning and reasoning were luxuries. Instinct was survival.

Finally, he spoke.

"The answer to both your questions is yes." His voice was even, but his eyes sharpened slightly. "As for the 'inheriting' part... I don't know. Let's just say things ended up that way."

Ethan nodded, accepting the response without argument.

"I can understand what you mean."

Then, after a brief hesitation, he added, "My last question—can you give me the remaining will?"

There it was.

Kael could tell—Ethan was testing him.

Something about the way he asked, the way his shoulders tensed just slightly, told Kael that Ethan was already anticipating a refusal.

'So he brought me here to silence me if things didn't go his way.'

Rather than answer immediately, Kael reached into his tunic pocket.

A moment later, he pulled out a small wooden box, its surface covered in intricate glowing runes. As the faint sunlight brushed against it, the patterns shimmered faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat.

Ethan's eyes darkened slightly, his fingers twitching in anticipation.

Kael took a step forward—then tossed the box toward Ethan without a second thought.

Ethan caught it effortlessly, his hands moving with practiced precision. He immediately turned the box over, checking its integrity, ensuring it remained tightly shut.

Before he could speak, Kael beat him to it.

"It's too much of a hassle to look after it," he said simply. "I'm sure you'll find a better use for it than me." Then, after a brief pause, he added with a half-smirk, "Ah, but I'm not giving this to you for free."

Ethan looked up.

Kael's gaze was steady.

"I want to know everything you know about that thing."

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

Ethan didn't smile.

But he nodded.

"Thank you," he said, his voice quieter than before. "I don't know a lot about it… but what I do know should be enough."

He then put the box inside one of the pockets stitched inside his tunic and turned back and resumed walking. Kael followed him as he heard Ethan talk once again.

"During my journey in the eastern region of the continent, I did several types of jobs, be it running secret errands for criminals or finding information on different regions and what inhabited them. My main reason for doing such jobs had first been in an attempt to find information about my sister."

They walked down the stream as he continued, "But it wasn't the only reason. I'm sure that you know the world is not as simple as we know it. Beasts and monsters of different kinds live in regions sealed off by the upper echelons and so are supernatural powers that are often talked of in folktales."

Kael was indeed no stranger to such things. He had seen several supernatural phenomena that were simply too bizarre to be explained with normal means. 

"So, the deeper I dug, the darker the things became. Soon, I craved similar powers, to make sure I didn't lose what was mine anymore."

"That was when I found that man. He was someone who claimed that he had explored the entire world and knew many secrets. I was at first suspicious of his far-off qualifications, but I decided to find out what exactly he had to say."

"That was how I found out about the supernatural world and got a chance to enter it myself. He sold me a 'will' at a very cheap price and shared some of his knowledge with me."

"What he said was enough to think that I had been scammed, but the more I heard, the more I believed him."

Curious of the sudden change in his tone, Kael asked, "What did he tell you?"

A moment passed as Ethan didn't say anything, after a few moments, he talked once again, but his tone was much colder than before, "The Great War that happened five years ago had not been between the nations and the 5 great races. It was an attack from out of this world."

Ethan slipped the wooden box into a hidden pocket inside his tunic, his fingers lingering on the fabric for a moment longer than necessary—as if he were weighing its importance.

Then, without another word, he turned and resumed walking.

Kael followed, the sound of flowing water filling the space between them.

For a while, neither spoke.

Then, Ethan's voice broke the silence.

"During my time in the eastern region of the continent, I did all kinds of jobs. Some legal. Most… not."

Kael glanced at him, but Ethan's gaze remained fixed ahead.

"Running secret errands for criminals. Digging up intelligence on different regions and their inhabitants. I took whatever paid well."

He paused.

"At first, it was just a means to an end—I was looking for information about my sister."

Kael said nothing, waiting.

"But it wasn't just that," Ethan continued. "I'm sure you already know—the world isn't as simple as most people think."

Kael frowned slightly, but Ethan didn't give him a chance to respond.

"Beasts and monsters roam lands that have been sealed off by the upper echelons. And those old folktales about supernatural powers?"

He let out a dry chuckle, devoid of amusement.

"They're not just stories."

Kael wasn't surprised.

He had seen things—things that defied reason, things that twisted the rules of nature in ways no normal person would believe.

Ethan must have noticed Kael's lack of reaction because his lips curved slightly, almost as if he expected it.

"The deeper I dug, the darker it got. The kind of darkness that seeps into your bones and never lets go. And before I knew it, I started craving that power myself."

He exhaled, his pace slowing just a fraction.

"I wanted to make sure I never lost what was mine again."

Kael didn't have to ask what he meant.

Ethan wasn't just talking about his sister anymore.

"That was when I met him."

Something in Ethan's tone shifted—just a little, but enough for Kael to notice.

"A man who claimed he had traveled the entire world, uncovering secrets buried by time itself."

Kael's brow furrowed. "And you believed him?"

Ethan let out a quiet huff, more self-deprecating than amused.

"At first? No. He sounded like just another fraud—some eccentric drifter with too much confidence and not enough proof."

His voice lowered.

"But something about him felt... off. He knew things. Details no ordinary man should've known. And the more he spoke, the more I started listening."

Kael found himself leaning in slightly.

"What did he tell you?"

Ethan didn't respond immediately.

For a moment, the only sound was the murmur of the stream, the rustling of leaves overhead.

Then, when he finally spoke, his voice was colder than before—quiet, yet heavy, as if the weight of his words could crush the air itself.

"The Great War that happened five years ago… wasn't what we were told."

Kael's stomach tensed instinctively, but he didn't interrupt.

"It wasn't just a war between nations. It wasn't even a war between the five great races."

Ethan's footsteps stopped.

Kael stopped too.

Ethan turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable.

"…It was an attack from out of this world."

The words hung in the air, thick with an unspoken dread.

Kael's heartbeat spiked, his mind already racing.

But before he could ask anything, before he could even process the implications of what Ethan had just said—

A distant howl echoed through the forest.

Something was watching them.