The group emerged from the forest at dusk, the twisted trees behind them receding into shadows. A narrow path stretched ahead, flanked by craggy cliffs on one side and a steep drop into a river on the other.
“Finally,” Haruki muttered, sagging against a rock. “I’m never going into a haunted forest again. Never.”
Zain smirked. “Not bad for your first time, Shima. You didn’t even cry.”
“Ha-ha,” Haruki said dryly.
Kaede ignored them, her focus on the horizon. The mountains they were heading toward were closer now, their jagged peaks outlined against the fading light.
“We camp here tonight,” she announced. “We need rest before we hit the foothills.”
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SETTING UP CAMP
The group worked quickly, setting up a small camp in a sheltered nook by the cliffside. Mira gathered wood for a fire while Zain scouted the area for potential threats. Haruki busied himself unpacking supplies, trying not to think about how exposed they were.
Kaede stood at the edge of the camp, her arms crossed as she scanned the surroundings.
“You think we’re still being followed?” Haruki asked, approaching her.
Kaede didn’t answer right away. Her eyes were sharp, her posture tense. “Ragnor isn’t the kind to give up. We’ve slowed him down, but he’ll catch up eventually.”
“Great,” Haruki said. “Something to look forward to.”
Kaede gave him a sidelong glance. “If you’re scared, you can leave. No one’s forcing you to stay.”
Haruki bristled. “I’m not scared. Just... realistic.”
“Good. Because I need you focused,” Kaede said, her tone softening slightly.
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STORIES BY THE FIRE
Later, as the fire crackled and the group ate their meager rations, the mood lightened slightly. Zain leaned back against a rock, his daggers resting within arm’s reach.
“So,” he began, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Who’s up for a little storytelling?”
“Pass,” Kaede said immediately.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Aw, come on,” Zain said. “Even you must have a story or two, Kaede.”
Kaede glared at him. “Not interested.”
Mira chuckled. “What about you, Shima? Got any embarrassing tales from your hometown?”
Haruki hesitated, then shrugged. “Not much to tell. Just the usual stuff—helping my dad in the shop, getting into trouble with my brother...”
Kaede’s gaze shifted to him, her expression unreadable.
“Wait,” Zain said, sitting up. “You have a brother? You’ve never mentioned him.”
Haruki’s grip on his bowl tightened. “Yeah. Had.”
The group fell silent, the crackling fire the only sound.
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UNSPOKEN BONDS
Kaede studied Haruki for a moment, then looked away. “You don’t have to talk about it.”
Haruki shook his head. “It’s fine. He was older than me. Always getting into fights, always protecting me. One day, he didn’t come back from a job. That’s when I decided to learn how to fight for myself.”
Mira’s teasing smile faded. “I’m sorry, Haruki. That’s rough.”
“Yeah,” Haruki said, forcing a smile. “But hey, now I’ve got Kaede to yell at me instead.”
Kaede smirked faintly. “If I didn’t yell at you, you’d probably get yourself killed.”
Zain grinned. “I think he likes it. Tough love, right, Shima?”
Haruki groaned. “Not you too.”
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A SILENT WATCH
As the others settled in for the night, Kaede took the first watch. The wind whistled through the cliffs, and the stars peeked through gaps in the clouds.
Haruki couldn’t sleep. He sat up, watching Kaede as she stood at the edge of the camp, her silhouette outlined by moonlight.
“Hey,” he said quietly, walking over.
Kaede glanced at him. “You should rest.”
“I could say the same to you,” Haruki replied.
She didn’t answer, her gaze fixed on the distant mountains.
“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?” Haruki asked.
Kaede tensed. “Who?”
“Ragnor,” Haruki said. “You’ve been on edge ever since we left the forest.”
Kaede’s jaw tightened. “He’s dangerous. And he knows me too well.”
Haruki hesitated. “Did you... know him before all this?”
Kaede didn’t answer right away. When she finally spoke, her voice was low. “Ragnor and I trained together once. He was the best. Until he decided it wasn’t enough.”
Haruki frowned. “Enough for what?”
Kaede’s eyes were distant. “Power. Control. He didn’t care who he hurt to get it. And now, we’re in his way.”
Haruki stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. “We’ll stop him,” he said, his voice firm.
Kaede looked at him, surprised. “You sound sure of yourself.”
Haruki shrugged. “I’ve got a good teacher.”
For a moment, Kaede’s lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile.
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A NEW DAWN
Morning came too quickly, the sky painted in hues of orange and gold. The group packed up their camp, the tension from the night before replaced by a renewed determination.
“Next stop, the mountains,” Zain said, slinging his pack over his shoulder.
Kaede nodded. “Stay sharp. The real fight is just beginning.”
Haruki fell into step beside her, the satchel still slung across his chest. “You think Ragnor’s already ahead of us?”
“Probably,” Kaede said. “But we’ll deal with him when the time comes.”
Haruki grinned. “I like the confidence.”
Kaede glanced at him. “Don’t get used to it.”
The group set off, their laughter mingling with the crisp morning air as the mountains loomed ever closer.