Kael’s body moved like a predator through the dense forest, his senses tuned to every rustle of leaves and crack of twigs. The fight with the razorfang had left him invigorated, not fatigued. Combat came naturally to him, as if etched into his very essence. Yet he couldn’t explain why.

Aelira followed closely, her gaze darting between the trees, still alert for danger. The silence between them stretched long enough that it began to feel oppressive.

“You fight like someone who’s been doing it for years,” she said, finally breaking the quiet. Her voice was casual, but her eyes were sharp. “Care to explain how someone with no memory can handle themselves like that?”

Kael didn’t answer immediately. His mind searched for an explanation, but none came. Instead, he replied with a question of his own.

“What does it matter? I survived. We both did.”

Aelira gave a short laugh, shaking her head. “You’re a hard man to read, you know that? Most people at least try to offer a little insight when someone saves their skin.”

Kael stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression flat. “I didn’t ask for help, and I’m not looking for gratitude.”

She crossed her arms, her lips curving into a smirk. “Tough guy act suits you, but it doesn’t answer the question.”

Kael sighed, his gaze flicking toward the canopy above. The sun’s light was dimming, signaling the day’s end. “I don’t know how I can fight like this. It’s just... instinct. Like breathing.”

Aelira studied him for a moment, her smirk fading. “Instinct, huh? Well, wherever you came from, you clearly weren’t some farmhand.” She uncrossed her arms and started walking again. “Guess we’ll figure out more when we get to Vehrin.”

Kael fell into step behind her, his thoughts swirling. He wanted answers as much as she did, but there was a weight in his chest, a feeling that those answers might bring more pain than relief.

The forest began to thin as twilight descended, revealing patches of open sky. In the distance, the faint glow of a fire flickered through the trees. Kael slowed, motioning for Aelira to stop.

“Campfire,” he murmured.

She squinted ahead, her hand drifting toward her bow. “Could be travelers.”

“Could be trouble,” Kael countered.

Aelira grinned. “Always the optimist.”

They approached cautiously, staying low and moving from tree to tree. As they drew closer, voices reached their ears—gruff and boisterous, the unmistakable tone of men who believed themselves untouchable.

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Bandits.

Kael peered through the underbrush, his sharp eyes picking out four figures seated around the fire. They were armed but relaxed, their weapons leaning against nearby logs. A pile of stolen goods lay beside them—bags of food, a few pieces of armor, and what looked like a bundle of coins.

“Great,” Aelira whispered. “Typical forest scum. We can skirt around them if we’re careful.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “They’ll just attack someone else.”

“Not our problem,” she said, her tone firm.

Kael didn’t move, his gaze fixed on the bandits. His fists clenched, his instincts screaming at him to act.

“I’m not leaving them to prey on others,” he said finally, his voice low but resolute.

Aelira groaned. “Seriously? You want to pick a fight with four armed men for... what? Justice?”

Kael looked at her, his eyes hard. “If not us, then who?”

She stared at him for a moment, then sighed, muttering something under her breath. “Fine. But if you get yourself killed, I’m not dragging your body back.”

Kael smirked faintly. “Noted.”

Without waiting for her, he stepped out of the shadows and strode toward the camp.

The bandits noticed him almost immediately, their laughter dying as they reached for their weapons.

“Who the hell are you?” one of them barked, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek.

Kael stopped a few paces from the fire, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. “Doesn’t matter. You’ve got two options: leave everything you’ve stolen and go, or stay and regret it.”

The bandits exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that,” the scarred man said, standing and hefting a massive axe. “But guts won’t keep you alive out here.”

Kael didn’t respond. He simply raised a hand, summoning a glowing blade of energy. The weapon hummed faintly, its edges shimmering with raw power.

The laughter stopped.

“What the hell is that?” another bandit muttered, his hand tightening around his sword.

Scarface grinned, though his eyes betrayed unease. “Doesn’t matter. Kill him!”

The bandits charged, their weapons gleaming in the firelight.

Kael moved like a shadow, sidestepping the first swing and driving his blade into the attacker’s side. The man crumpled with a cry, his weapon clattering to the ground.

A second bandit lunged, swinging a mace at Kael’s head. Kael ducked, his blade slicing upward to sever the weapon’s handle. He followed up with a kick that sent the bandit sprawling.

The third bandit hesitated, his eyes darting to the others. Before he could act, an arrow whistled through the air, embedding itself in his shoulder. He screamed, dropping his sword.

Kael glanced back to see Aelira emerging from the trees, her bow in hand.

“Thought you might need some help,” she called, notching another arrow.

The scarred leader growled, charging Kael with his axe raised high. Kael met him head-on, their weapons clashing in a shower of sparks.

“You’re dead, boy!” the man snarled, his strength forcing Kael back a step.

Kael gritted his teeth, his blade flaring brighter. “Not today.”

With a burst of energy, he shoved the man back, spinning to deliver a slash that sent the axe flying. The leader staggered, clutching his arm as blood dripped to the ground.

“You... bastard,” he spat, sinking to his knees.

Kael stood over him, his blade poised. For a moment, he considered ending it. But then he lowered the weapon.

“Go,” he said coldly. “And don’t come back.”

The man didn’t need to be told twice. He scrambled to his feet, fleeing into the darkness.

Aelira approached, her bow slung over her shoulder. “Well, that was dramatic.”

Kael didn’t respond. He extinguished his blade and began rummaging through the bandits’ loot.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Making sure it gets back to the people they stole it from,” he said simply.

Aelira watched him for a moment, then smiled faintly. “You’re a strange one, Kael. But maybe that’s not a bad thing.”

As they gathered the stolen goods and prepared to continue their journey, Kael couldn’t shake the feeling that his actions had been observed. Somewhere, far beyond his reach, a golden-eyed figure was watching—and smiling.