The Stillness of the Forest
Neo moved steadily along the dirt path, the light breeze brushing against his face. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting soft shadows that danced as the leaves swayed.
But then, the forest grew unnaturally quiet.
The chirping of birds fell silent, and even the rustling of leaves seemed to stop entirely.
Neo slowed his steps, glancing around.
"What's going on? This isn't normal."
Then, he heard it—the sound of hooves clopping rhythmically in the distance.
His heart skipped a beat.
The Weight of an Arrival
The sound grew louder, echoing through the silent forest.
Emerging from the path ahead was a man on horseback, clad in radiant armor that gleamed in the sunlight. His helmet reflected the light, but as he stopped and dismounted, he removed it to reveal sharp features and piercing blue eyes.
Neo felt a sudden heaviness in the air. It wasn't supernatural, but the man's presence carried weight—like the calm before a storm.
"A Blessed Knight," Neo thought, his grip tightening instinctively on his bag.
The knight stepped forward, his movements deliberate. His sword remained sheathed, but his presence was enough to make Neo's chest tighten.
A Calm Interrogation
The knight inclined his head politely.
"Good morning, traveler," he said, his tone formal yet somehow unnerving. "My name is Alden Varros of the Radiant Order. May I have a moment of your time?"
Neo swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay calm. "I don't see why not," he said, feigning nonchalance.
Alden's sharp gaze studied him closely, as though dissecting every movement.
"You were recently in Dawnstead, correct?"
Neo nodded cautiously. "I passed through, yes. Why?"
Alden's voice remained steady. "During your stay, something...unusual occurred. I've been tasked with investigating it."
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Neo's heartbeat quickened. "Unusual?"
Sharp Observation
Alden stepped closer, his boots crunching softly on the dirt path.
"Yes. An anomaly. Something that disturbed the natural order."
Neo frowned. "I don't know anything about that. I'm just a traveler."
Alden's eyes narrowed slightly. "Perhaps. But anomalies like these don't occur without cause. And the timing of your arrival and departure is... interesting."
Neo's mind raced. "He doesn't know. He's guessing. Stay calm."
Alden studied him for a moment longer.
"You carry yourself differently from most travelers. Your movements, your demeanor...They suggest someone who knows more than they admit."
Neo forced a laugh. "You're overthinking it. I've had to learn a few things to survive on the road, that's all."
Alden didn't respond immediately, but his silence was heavier than words.
The Stillness Intensifies
The weight of Alden's presence grew more oppressive, not because of any supernatural force, but because of his calm authority.
Neo glanced around again, noticing how utterly still the forest had become.
"Not even the birds are chirping. Is it him? Or is it just... me?"
Alden tilted his head slightly. "You're tense. Are you afraid of something, traveler?"
Neo shook his head. "Just not used to being questioned by a knight, that's all."
Alden took another step forward, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.
"I find that hard to believe."
A Subtle Threat
Neo felt his muscles tense as Alden's hand brushed the hilt of his sword. The knight hadn't drawn it, but the implication was clear.
"If you know nothing about the anomaly," Alden said slowly, "then you won't mind letting me check your belongings."
Neo's breath caught. His grip tightened on his bag.
"If he sees the journal, it's over. But I can't fight him. I can't even run...not with that horse."
Neo forced a small smile, trying to project confidence.
"My bag's just personal stuff. Maps, notes, food. Nothing that'd interest a knight."
Alden's lips curled into a faint smirk.
"Personal things often hold the most valuable secrets."
Alden's Revelation
Alden's gaze sharpened, his calm tone carrying a weight of certainty.
"There are only two possibilities, traveler. Two people who might be responsible for what happened in Dawnstead."
Neo's breath caught, and his chest tightened.
Alden took another step forward, his polished armor reflecting the dim sunlight filtering through the trees.
"One is you," he said, watching Neo's reaction closely. "The other... is the baker."
Neo's mind raced.
"Lena. He's talking about Lena."
Alden studied him with the same cold intensity. "She opened her stall for the first time on the exact day the unnatural phenomenon occurred."
Neo's heartbeat quickened.
"Coincidence?" Alden continued. "Perhaps. But I don't believe in coincidences. The moment she set up shop, the world around her shifted. Whether knowingly or not, she is involved."
Neo clenched his fists.
"She had no idea what was happening. She wasn't even aware of the loop. But if he goes back..."
"If she is the source," Alden stated, "then I will return to confirm it myself."
Neo's breathing slowed, a creeping realization settling in.
"I can't let him go back. I won't."
Neo's Decision
Taking a deep breath, Neo forced himself to speak.
"It's me."
Alden paused, tilting his head slightly.
"What?"
Neo met his gaze, standing straighter despite the oppressive weight in the air. "Other people have nothing to do with this. I'm the one you're looking for."
Alden's lips curled into a faint smirk. "I see. So, you admit it."
Neo's voice didn't waver. "Leave everyone else out of this."
For a moment, Alden said nothing, his sharp gaze studying Neo with renewed interest.
Neo Prepares to Fight
Alden's hand moved to his sword, his expression calm but resolute.
Neo clenched his fists, shifting his weight onto the balls of his feet.
"I can't run. And I definitely can't talk my way out of this. There's only one thing left to do."
He reached for his bag, feeling the weight of the journal inside.
"If he's a knight, I've seen the way of the sword. Ronan showed me enough to understand their movements."
Neo's mind flashed back to the countless sparring matches he had with Ronan. The disciplined stance, the controlled strikes, the subtle shifts in footwork that dictated the flow of battle. If Alden was anything like Ronan—or worse—Neo knew what to expect.
"They're precise, relentless, and efficient. But predictable."
Alden's piercing blue eyes focused on Neo, his voice steady.
"You know what happens next, don't you?"
Neo exhaled slowly, forcing his hands to steady themselves.
"Yeah," he replied.
The forest was completely silent now, the weight of the moment pressing down like a storm about to break.
Alden unsheathed his blade, the soft metallic sound cutting through the stillness.
Neo shifted his stance, his mind racing as he prepared for the fight of his life.