The group trudged through the dense forest, the weight of their previous conversation hanging heavily in the air. Morning light filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows over the uneven ground.
Ashar walked at the front, his jaw set tightly. His thoughts churned, circling back to the same question again and again.
“How did Benji get his second mark?”
He clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface as he pushed through the underbrush.
Behind him, Elara kept her pace steady. Her gaze flicked to Benji now and then, her expression a mix of curiosity and wariness.
At the rear, Callan moved with quiet purpose. His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword, his watchful eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.
Benji strolled near the center of the group, his posture relaxed. He whistled softly under his breath, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement despite the tension in the air.
Finally, Ashar stopped and turned sharply to face him.
“Benji,”
he said, his voice firm.
The whistling ceased. Benji cocked his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Yeah?”
Ashar’s glare deepened.
“You didn’t answer my question last night.”
Elara and Callan halted as well, their attention drawn to the confrontation.
Benji raised an eyebrow.
“Which question?”
Ashar’s voice was clipped, his patience wearing thin.
“How did you get your second mark?”
Benji’s smirk faded slightly. His gaze grew sharper, though he still maintained his casual demeanor.
“That’s what you’re stuck on?”
Elara stepped forward, her voice soft but insistent.
“Benji, if there’s a way to get another mark, we need to know.”
Her eyes searched his face, trying to gauge his reaction.
“It could be important.”
Benji looked at her, his smirk faltering for a moment.
“It’s not about trust,”
he said quietly.
“It’s about what you’re willing to lose.”
Stolen story; please report.
Ashar’s frustration flared, his voice rising.
“We’re risking our lives every day! How can we afford not to know?”
Benji’s golden eyes turned cold. His smirk disappeared entirely, replaced by an expression of sharp intensity.
“You don’t know what you’re asking.”
Ashar stepped closer, his hands balled into fists.
“Then explain it to me.”
The air between them felt charged, tension crackling like a storm about to break.
Benji’s voice dropped, quieter now but no less firm.
“It’s not that simple.”
Elara’s brow furrowed. She took a cautious step closer, her tone gentler than Ashar’s.
“Benji, please. If you know something that could help us…”
Benji cut her off, his tone final.
“I said no.”
Ashar’s fists tightened at his sides, but before he could press further, Callan stepped between them.
“That’s enough,”
Callan said firmly.
Ashar’s glare shifted to Callan, but the older man held his ground.
“Benji has his reasons,”
Callan continued.
“If he’s not ready to talk about it, pushing him won’t change that.”
Benji stepped back, running a hand through his hair.
“Wise words,”
he said, his smirk returning faintly, though it lacked its usual lightness.
Ashar exhaled sharply, his frustration still simmering.
“Fine,”
he muttered.
“But this isn’t over.”
Benji’s smirk widened slightly.
“Didn’t think it would be.”
----------------------------------------
They walked on in silence, the tension thick but unbroken. The only sounds were the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional distant chirp of birds.
The forest began to thin as the morning wore on, giving way to a dirt road that curved gently toward the horizon. In the distance, a small town came into view, nestled between rolling hills.
The town’s wooden walls were weathered but sturdy, and the faint hum of activity reached their ears as they drew closer.
Callan stopped at the edge of the road and turned to the group.
“This is our first stop,”
he said.
“We’ll rest, gather supplies, and move on before nightfall.”
Elara glanced at the town, her brow furrowing.
“Do you think it’s safe?”
Callan’s gaze swept over the distant buildings, his expression unreadable.
“Safe enough. Small towns like this are usually ignored by Seekers and monsters.”
His tone turned sharp.
“But don’t let your guard down.”
Benji strode past him, his hands in his pockets.
“Relax, Callan,”
he said with a grin.
“It’s just a sleepy little town. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Ashar said nothing, his focus already on the town ahead.
----------------------------------------
The streets were alive with activity. Merchants called out from market stalls, children darted between the legs of busy adults, and the scent of freshly baked bread lingered in the air.
Elara stopped at a small stall selling herbs and brightly colored vials. She picked up a vial filled with a shimmering blue liquid and held it up to the light.
“What’s this?”
she asked.
The merchant, a stout woman with a kind smile, leaned forward.
“Rejuvenation tonic,”
she said.
“Restores energy when you’re feeling drained.”
Elara’s expression brightened.
“How much?”
“Five silvers,”
the merchant replied.
Elara hesitated, glancing back at Callan.
“We should save our coin,”
Callan said firmly.
“Food and supplies are a higher priority.”
Benji leaned against the stall, grinning.
“Come on, Callan. Let her splurge a little. Live a bit.”
Callan shot him a sharp look.
“We’re not here to waste resources.”
Elara sighed and placed the vial back on the shelf.
“Maybe next time.”
----------------------------------------
They found a small tavern near the center of town. The wooden sign hanging above the door creaked gently in the breeze.
Inside, the air was warm and filled with the sound of laughter and clinking mugs. The group chose a table in a quiet corner, keeping to themselves.
“We’ll rest here for an hour,”
Callan said.
“Then we move on.”
Elara leaned back in her chair, her gaze drifting over the lively crowd.
“It feels strange,”
she said softly.
“Being around so many people again.”
Ashar glanced at her, his expression softening.
“Yeah,”
he said.
“It does.”
Benji propped his feet up on the edge of the table, a mischievous grin on his face.
“Well, enjoy it while you can,”
he said.
“Something tells me this little break won’t last long.”
Callan raised an eyebrow at him.
“And why’s that?”
Benji’s grin widened.
“Call it a hunch.”
The group fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Outside, the hum of the town continued, a fragile bubble of peace in a world on the brink of chaos.