Two years had passed,

Adam’s village greeted another peaceful morning. The golden light of dawn cascaded across the rooftops, bringing the smell of dew-covered grass and freshly plowed earth to life.

Birds chirped from the trees lining the paths, and the village bustled with quiet preparations for the day ahead.

Outside a modest but sturdy house, Ricky, Adam’s father, stepped onto the cobblestone pathway, carrying a large bundle of farming tools on his shoulder.

Beside him walked Eric, his eldest son. Eric had grown taller, nearly as tall as his father, and carried himself with the confidence of a young man who had fully embraced his role in the family.

His simple clothing mirrored his father’s practical style, but the cap he wore added a touch of individuality.

As the two prepared to leave for the fields, Ricky glanced back toward the house. “Rachel, I’m heading out!” he called, his voice firm but warm.

Eric followed his father’s example, turning toward the doorway with a boyish grin. “Lily, I’m going now!”

Inside, Rachel stood in the kitchen, her hands moving rhythmically as she kneaded dough for the day’s bread.

The warmth of the hearth filled the room, the scent of spices and herbs mingling with the fresh air.

Across from her, at the dining table, sat Lily, a young woman with soft brown hair and eyes that sparkled with energy. She cradled a tiny bundle in her arms—their newborn child, who cooed softly in her embrace.

Lily smiled and rose, carrying the baby to the door. She leaned slightly out, waving at Eric. “Come back soon!”

Eric chuckled, adjusting the tools slung over his shoulder. “I’ll try, but don’t let this little guy give you too much trouble while I’m gone!”

As Eric and Ricky disappeared down the village path, Lily turned back into the house. Rachel had taken a seat at the table, her hands resting on her lap, her eyes distant. Her usually composed expression was shadowed by a hint of sadness.

Lily noticed and walked over, settling into the chair beside her mother-in-law. She rocked the baby gently and asked, “Mom, why do you seem so worried?”

Rachel sighed softly, her gaze meeting Lily’s. “I miss Adam so much,” she admitted, her voice tinged with longing. “I wonder where he is and if he’s safe.”

Lily offered a reassuring smile, nodding. “I miss him too. I keep thinking about how much he must have changed by now.”

Rachel’s lips curved into a small smile, and her thoughts drifted to the past. She could almost see Adam as a young boy, running barefoot through the fields, his laughter echoing in the air. She recalled the way he’d cling to her hand during storms, his eyes wide with curiosity and mischief.

Meanwhile, Ricky and Eric made their way down the dirt path that led to the fields. The tools they carried clinked lightly with each step, their conversation casual and filled with shared plans for the day’s work.

Up ahead, two figures emerged from the morning haze—Sam and George. Sam’s powerful build hadn’t changed, his broad shoulders and bald head giving him a formidable appearance. George, however, was nearly unrecognizable from the scrawny boy he’d once been.

Eric’s gaze lingered on the scar running along George’s right arm, its jagged edges a silent testament to some dangerous encounter. George’s sleeveless leather tunic left the mark exposed, his muscled frame exuding strength and resilience.

George noticed Eric and raised a hand in greeting, his grin broad and confident. Without hesitation, he jogged over, his steps steady and sure.

“Eric!” George called, his voice carrying easily over the quiet.

Eric smiled and stepped forward, extending his hand. Their palms met in a firm shake. “Off to hunt again? Don’t you ever take a break?”

George laughed, his teeth flashing white against his sun-bronzed skin. “Rest? I don’t have time for that. I’m going to surpass all our ancestors and become the greatest hunter this village has ever seen!”

Eric chuckled, clapping George on the shoulder. “If anyone can do it, it’s you. I believe in you, George.”

George’s smile grew wider, but his focus shifted briefly. “Enough about me. How are Lily and the baby?”

Eric ran a hand through his hair, groaning playfully. “They’re both doing great, but the baby doesn’t let me sleep at night. I’m constantly getting up to check on him.”

George laughed heartily, his voice rich with shared understanding. “I know exactly how you feel. Anastasia and I are going through the same thing!”

George had married a year earlier, his wife Anastasia a fellow villager with a sharp wit and kind heart. Talking about her always brought a light to his eyes, and Eric was happy to see his friend so fulfilled.

The two men continued talking, their laughter blending with the soft sounds of the village waking up. Their camaraderie and shared experiences were a testament to the bonds that held the village together, even as the world outside continued to change.

As the morning sun rose higher, painting the sky with warm hues, the village began its day, its people ready to face whatever challenges came their way.

George and Eric were still talking when Ricky shifted his attention toward Sam, his tone curious yet concerned. “How’s Sophia doing? She doesn’t visit us anymore. It feels like Adam’s absence has hit her the hardest.”

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Sam’s expression darkened at the mention of his daughter. His shoulders sagged slightly as he exhaled deeply.

“I’ve tried talking to her, Ricky. I’ve done everything I could, but she just refuses to listen. She won’t open up to anyone. When I realized I couldn’t help her anymore, I left her to deal with it on her own. Now, she spends most of her time with her mother, Komal. But even that doesn’t seem to be helping much.”

Hearing this, Ricky frowned, his own worry growing. “I had no idea Sophia felt this way about Adam. If she had told us earlier, we could have arranged their marriage. It might’ve given her some hope.”

Sam’s brows furrowed further as guilt flashed across his face. “I never understood my own daughter’s feelings,” he admitted quietly, his voice tinged with regret.

The conversation shifted when Sam turned to Eric, his expression serious. “Eric, don’t forget—we’re nearing the two-year deadline Master Jordan gave us.”

Eric, who had been listening intently, responded with a confident smile. “I don’t think anyone would dare challenge Master Jordan. He’s far too powerful for that.”

Sam’s expression grew grim, and he shook his head. “You don’t understand, Eric. Master Jordan may be strong, but he’s just one part of the organization. Think about how powerful the entire organization must be.”

Eric’s confidence didn’t waver. The past two years of peace had lulled him and many others into a sense of security. “It’s been two years without any trouble,” he said lightly. “I think everyone’s forgotten about what happened back then.”

Sam sighed but didn’t argue further. Instead, he turned to George. “It’s time for us to go, George. Let’s move.”

George nodded, glancing back at Eric with a wave before following his father. But as they started walking, a distant sound reached their ears—a voice shouting urgently. The group froze, their eyes narrowing as they tried to locate the source.

The shouting grew louder, and soon, figures appeared in the distance. A group of villagers was running toward them, their faces pale with fear.

“What’s happening?” Sam called out as the first villagers reached them.

A middle-aged man, gasping for breath, stumbled forward. “Run!” he cried. “Sam, you need to run! Get out of here!”

Sam grabbed the man by the shoulders, steadying him. “What’s going on? Why is everyone so scared?”

The man pointed toward the forest, his trembling hand emphasizing the urgency. “They’re coming! The samurai are coming!”

The words sent a jolt through Sam. His heart raced as memories of the attack two years ago flooded back. He struggled to steady himself, his hands tightening into fists.

Ricky stepped up beside Sam, his own face filled with alarm. “Two years of peace, and now this? Why are they attacking all of a sudden?”

Sam shook his head, his voice low but firm. “I don’t know. But we don’t have time to figure it out.”

Before they could say more, another group of villagers came sprinting from the opposite side of the village. Their cries echoed the same warning: “Run! They’re here!”

Panic spread like wildfire. Sam and Ricky exchanged worried glances before turning to George and Eric.

“Eric, go now!” Ricky ordered. “Get your mother and Lily to safety.”

Eric nodded, his face serious as he turned and sprinted toward his home.

Sam placed a hand on George’s shoulder. “George, you need to get your mother, Anastasia, and Sophia out of here. Now!”

George didn’t hesitate. He gave a sharp nod and ran in the direction of his house, determination etched on his face.

The chaos in the village intensified as people rushed to find safety. In the midst of it all, Sam’s eyes fell on the edge of the forest. His breath caught as he spotted movement among the trees.

Figures began emerging from the shadows, dressed in blue robes that seemed to ripple like water in the breeze. Each one carried a sword at their waist, their faces obscured by cloth masks that left only their cold, calculating eyes visible.

Sam’s chest tightened, but he forced himself to stay calm. He stood firm, even as the samurai approached, their presence a chilling reminder of the danger looming over the village.

This was no mere attack. It was the beginning of something far greater.

Eric and George immediately took off running, weaving through the panicked crowd of villagers rushing in all directions.

Eric pushed his way toward his home, avoiding collisions as people stumbled past him in their haste to escape.

Reaching his house, he saw his mother, Rachel, and his wife, Lily, standing outside, their faces etched with concern as they watched the chaos unfold.

As soon as Rachel saw Eric, she called out anxiously, “What’s happening, Eric? What’s going on?”

Eric didn’t waste a moment. Grabbing Lily by the arm and taking Rachel’s hand, he began leading them away from the house. “I think the samurai are attacking again,” he said grimly. “We need to get to safety right now.”

Rachel’s face turned pale, but she quickly composed herself, clutching her youngest child tightly in her arms. Lily, holding her baby, followed Eric as he guided them through the growing crowd.

Eric positioned himself as a shield, keeping his family close and using his body to prevent anyone from jostling them. His sharp eyes scanned the way ahead, ensuring a clear path.

Meanwhile, George arrived at his home, where Komal, Anastasia, and Sophia sat at the dining table, casually having breakfast.

Since Sam’s house was located at the center of the village, the commotion had not yet reached them. When George burst through the door, his sudden entrance startled everyone.

Komal immediately stood up, alarmed. “George! What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

George barely paused. “We need to leave. Now,” he said firmly, his urgency leaving no room for argument.

Komal’s face clouded with worry. “What’s going on? Why are you in such a hurry?”

Ignoring her questions, George moved straight to Anastasia, pulling her to her feet. “Come on, we have to go,” he urged.

Komal exchanged a worried glance with Sophia, who was already standing, her own anxiety evident. Komal took Sophia’s hand, her fingers trembling slightly as she tried to steady herself. “Let’s go,” Komal said softly, her voice betraying her fear.

The group stepped outside, only to find the streets filling with panicked villagers. Among the growing crowd were Sam and Ricky, who were heading toward Kamal’s house. At the same time, Eric arrived with Rachel and Lily.

Sam stopped in front of Komal, his expression grim. “I think it’s finally happening,” he said. “The samurai are attacking the village.”

Komal’s face turned ashen, memories of the attack two years ago flooding her mind. She remembered the devastation vividly—the destruction, the terror, the lives lost.

If not for Adam and Jordan, the village would have been completely wiped out. She shuddered at the thought.

Her gaze drifted toward the fields, where she saw the samurai emerging, their movements slow and deliberate.

Villagers began gathering near Sam’s house, seeking protection and leadership. Eric and George stood beside Sam and Ricky, armed with weapons designed for hunting.

These crude weapons were all the village had, crafted under Sam’s foresight in preparation for such a day. However, Sam knew deep down that they weren’t enough.

The villagers lacked experience, and the samurai were far superior in both skill and numbers.

Not far away, Sam spotted Sinu standing near the edge of the village. Beside him stood a young man with striking white hair and piercing blue eyes.

The man exuded an icy calmness, his presence commanding attention. Behind them, more than a hundred samurai stood in formation, their swords drawn and gleaming in the sunlight.

Sam’s heart sank as he recognized Sinu, his mind flashing back to the events of two years ago. The sight of the masked samurai brought back a flood of memories, but before he could say anything, the white-haired man at the front stepped forward.

Dressed in an ornate samurai outfit, the man’s arrogance was palpable. His hand rested on the hilt of a pristine white sword, its blade faintly shimmering. His voice rang out, cold and imperious:

“Bring out the traitor, Jordan.”

The chapter ended with the man’s words hanging heavily in the air, as the villagers stood frozen, their fear palpable.