The road stretched before them, winding through fields of golden grass swaying in the morning breeze. The smoke from the burned village had long since faded into the distance, but its weight still lingered between them.

Aria walked with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. Though she hadn't argued further about Dain's decision to let the Awakened go, the tension in her posture suggested she wasn't entirely at peace with it.

Dain, as always, moved with quiet ease, his wooden sword resting lightly on his shoulder. The soft rustling of leaves and distant birdsong filled the silence between them.

Then, the distant sound of hooves broke the peace.

Aria tensed. She turned her head toward the approaching riders, her hand instinctively drifting toward her sword.

Dain, however, remained calm. "Be still."

She shot him a look. "Why?"

"Because these knights are not our enemies," Dain said evenly. "Not unless we give them a reason to be."

A group of five knights emerged over the hill, their steel armor gleaming in the morning sun. Their banners fluttered in the wind, embroidered with a golden emblem of a sunburst—a symbol Aria recognized immediately.

The Radiant Order.

She clenched her jaw, her grip tightening on her sword. "Fanatics," she muttered.

The Radiant Order was infamous across the land. They did not seek power, nor wealth, nor territory. They sought purity. To them, the Awakened were a stain on creation—false gods who wielded power meant only for the divine. They saw themselves as the world's true guardians, the only force standing between humanity and corruption.

The knights slowed their approach as they drew near. Their leader rode at the front—a broad-shouldered man clad in silver-plated armor heavier than the others. His presence was commanding, his aura unwavering. His eyes, sharp as a blade's edge, locked onto Dain with unsettling intensity.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

As the two groups passed each other, the knight leader pulled on his reins, bringing his horse to a halt. His men followed suit.

"You there," the knight called, his deep voice carrying authority.

Dain stopped, turning to face him with his usual composed expression. "Yes?"

The knight's stare lingered, his eyes scanning Dain and Aria before settling on the wooden sword at Dain's shoulder. His expression darkened slightly.

"Where are you coming from?"

Dain remained unshaken. "A village. Or what's left of one."

The knight's brow furrowed. "You mean the burned settlement?"

"Yes," Dain said simply.

The knight's gaze hardened. "And what did you see there?"

Aria exhaled quietly, forcing herself to stay still. Lying outright could be dangerous, but too much truth could be worse.

Dain answered smoothly. "The village was already in ruins when we arrived. There was nothing left to save."

The knight's glare didn't waver. He studied Dain for a long moment, his eyes flicking once more to the wooden sword.

Then, he shifted in his saddle. "Tch. Another Awakened attack." His voice dripped with disdain. "The corruption spreads faster than we anticipated."

Aria swallowed her tension, forcing herself to remain neutral. The Radiant Order loathed the Awakened. To them, power was not a gift, nor a curse. It was a sin. Those who wielded it were pretenders, usurping what only the divine should possess.

The knight let out a slow breath, adjusting his grip on the reins. "It's dangerous here. You shouldn't be walking around unarmed."

Dain blinked.

Aria's expression twisted in disbelief as the knight reached for his side and pulled out a sheathed longsword. He held it out to Dain.

"A training weapon won't save you from what lurks in these lands," the knight said, nodding toward the wooden sword. "Take this. You'll need it."

Aria looked at Dain, fully expecting him to refuse.

But to her surprise, Dain reached out and accepted the weapon without hesitation. "I appreciate the kindness," he said, his tone respectful.

The knight gave him one last long, searching stare, his instincts clearly telling him something was off about Dain. But after a moment, he exhaled sharply. "Stay alert. And if you see anything unnatural—report it to the nearest Radiant Order outpost."

"We will," Dain said.

The knight pulled his reins, turning his horse forward. His men followed without another word, their banners disappearing over the next hill.

Only when they were out of sight did Aria let out a sharp breath. "That... was close."

Dain examined the longsword in his hands. It was finely made, though nothing remarkable—likely a standard Radiant-issued blade.

Aria stared at him. "You just took it? Why?"

Dain smiled faintly. "Because refusing would have raised suspicion."

Aria groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Unbelievable. I thought you hated using real weapons."

Dain slid the longsword through his belt before shifting his wooden sword back onto his shoulder. "A weapon is only as dangerous as the one who wields it."

She sighed, shaking her head. "I swear, you're going to get us both killed with that attitude."

Dain simply resumed walking. "Then let's not keep death waiting."

Aria muttered something under her breath but followed.

Their path led forward, the city on the horizon waiting for them. But now, they were no longer just travelers.

Now, the Radiant Order had taken notice.