Wan's life among the outcasts is growing more complex. Days have turned into weeks as he lives in hiding, navigating both the dense forest around them and the unspoken hierarchy within the group. Despite his solitary nature, Wan finds himself forging unexpected bonds with a few of the outcasts. Their lives, shaped by betrayal and loss, are stories he can relate to, and he starts to realize that perhaps he's no longer completely alone in his quest for revenge.

One evening, as they rest around a flickering fire, one of the outcasts, Talia, opens up about her past. She speaks of the villages the Hunters razed and the families they tore apart. Her pain is palpable, and Wan is reminded of the devastation he witnessed as Astra and his Hunters destroyed his village. In a quiet, shared understanding, he and Talia begin to speak in low tones about vengeance, and for the first time, he allows himself to admit that his heart burns for more than survival—it demands retribution.

Later that night, as Wan falls into a restless sleep, he has a vivid vision. In it, he stands in a mist-laden battlefield, a powerful weapon in his grasp and countless figures behind him. He can't make out their faces, but he feels a powerful connection to them—a sense of loyalty and purpose. He feels a surge of strength, as if a hidden power within him is awakening, urging him forward.

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

The vision lingers in his mind even after he wakes, and he begins to understand its meaning. For the first time, he realizes that his journey isn't one he'll undertake alone. The image of the faceless figures gives him hope that he might find allies who would stand with him against the Hunters. It's a strange feeling—this idea that he could become a leader of something bigger than himself.

But as he begins to share his vision with Talia and a few others, he overhears a conversation that chills him. Two of the outcasts are whispering, their eyes occasionally darting in his direction. Wan strains to hear, his pulse quickening as he catches fragments of their plan. One of them intends to trade information about him to Astra in exchange for safety—perhaps even a reward.

Wan's mind races. The betrayal stings deeply, a reminder of how precarious trust can be. He realizes that he must be cautious and vigilant if he's to survive in this harsh world. Even as he cultivates allies, there are those who would use him to protect themselves.

In that moment, he silently vows to keep his goals close, protecting his purpose from those who might wish to exploit it. He steels himself, more determined than ever to pursue his path, yet with a newfound wariness. He knows that vengeance will require not only strength, but also wisdom, patience, and the ability to outmaneuver those who might stand in his way.