The forest path was slowly sinking from the orange hues of dusk into darkness. The scent of earth and the crunching of dry leaves filled the air. With every step, the chirping of birds grew quieter, as if the entire forest was dissolving into a silence born from some unknown danger.
Ryu was walking in the lead, his eyes fixed on the path ahead, though his mind was elsewhere. His face looked completely calm, but in his eyes, there was for a brief moment the exhaustion only someone who is constantly fighting can feel – not just against enemies, but against his own mind.
Elira walked a little behind him. She had pulled her shawl over her shoulders as the air grew colder. From time to time, she glanced at Ryu but quickly looked away. There was something in her eyes – perhaps concern, or something else she herself didn't understand.
Kael was walking at the back, his sword resting against his shoulder as he kept scanning the surroundings, as if someone could be hiding in every corner of the forest.
After a while of silence, Elira spoke softly,
"Ryu… don't you ever get tired?"
Ryu slowed his pace slightly and looked at her. There was that same faint pain in his eyes, but he put on a small smile.
"I do. I just don't show it. Even if I get tired… I can't stop, right? Not when you two are with me."
Elira let out a quiet breath and gave a soft smile.
"Maybe… but will you ever stop for yourself?"
Ryu looked at her for a moment, then turned his gaze back to the road.
"When everything is over. Maybe then."
Kael spoke from behind, his voice laced with slight irritation,
"And until then, we keep listening to your hero speeches?"
Ryu chuckled lightly without looking back.
"I'm no hero. And these speeches… they're only for the people still walking beside me."
Kael went quiet, but a faint, hidden smile appeared on his face.
The night slowly deepened. The forest grew even quieter. At a bend in the path, Ryu suddenly stopped. He raised his hand, signaling the others to halt. Kael immediately drew his sword, alert, while Elira clutched her basket tightly.
Ryu crouched, looking at some small leaves on the ground that bore faint dragged marks. He studied them for a moment before saying softly,
"Someone passed through here… and they weren't running. They were hunting."
Kael stepped closer.
"Bandits?"
Ryu simply looked at him, said nothing, and stood up, walking back toward the path.
"We need to move faster. I don't like where they're headed."
Elira matched his pace and asked quietly,
"Will we… run into them?"
Ryu glanced at her, his face calm but his eyes carrying that depth that never lied.
"Maybe. And if we do… they'll be the ones who chose a bad day for themselves."
Elira simply nodded and fell silent. Ryu walked ahead again, but that usual faint smile on his face vanished for a moment. Something was going on inside him – as if every step was leading him back to a place he never wanted to return to.
And somewhere in the distance, hidden among the leaves, a faint, quiet laugh echoed… as if someone was waiting for them.
—TO BE CONTINUED—