Time passed with Rafa at the center of attention. The white and red-haired forest dwellers asked much of the boy’s past, and the happenings of Inis. After a little over an hour of questioning, the two had decided on their perception of Rafa, the immigrant of realms.

“I believe him,” the red-haired one said.

“I don’t buy but a second of it,” the other said. The two looked at each other with surprise. “How could you believe this clear messenger of Inis? Nay, if the story he tells is true, he could be Inis’s champion himself! We must kill him at once, brother.”

“I’ve never known you to be so wrathful. What is it about this boy that creates such hostility in you? You should take a moment to breathe and speak no more. Ever since you got sick—”

“I’m not sick, Diar! Hold your tongue.”

The two faced each other, one a face of anger, one of hatred. As they squared off, Rafa surveyed the area, regaining his bearings on where the sun had risen from to locate the east. If he could sneak away, maybe he could get far enough before either of them noticed?

“I believe the boy. Inis will walk the earth again, and we won’t be ready for it. No one has prepared themselves for this ancient terror. I wish to allow Rafa into our—”

“Are you mad?” the white-haired man said, pushing his palm into Diar’s chest. “Do not even suggest it.”

Rafa squinted, wondering what the rest of that sentence could have been. He was close to taking the first step away from the quarreling brothers, looking to flee.

“I don’t know how else to phrase it. There’s something about him I trust. And if I’m wrong, well, then I’ll allow you to have your way.”

“Allow me… no, I will have my way when I desire.” His form shifted, and the umbral smoke covered him. The pale snake emerged and dashed toward Rafa, slithering along the dirt faster than a train.

The red-haired man sprinted to intercept the attack. And with a great slam of his body, he knocked the light snake away from Rafa as he himself changed into a scaled beast.

After a hiss, the aggressive snake squared off with Diar, the only thing standing in the way of Rafa’s certain, painful death; Something inside the boy wanted to trust Diar, despite the danger, as the man’s valiant effort to defend him was heartening.

The attacking snake bolted in the opposite direction, obviously afraid of the fight breaking out between them. Or was it something else?

Now returning to human shape, Diar sighed. “Rafa—this is unlike my brother. I’m very sorry for all that’s transpired on his behalf.”

Rafa came closer, a feeling of trust sprouting within him. “You said he was sick?”

Diar nodded. “Only but a few days. Anyway, what is your doing in this wood, and why?”

“I’m looking to get to Eastfen village. There’s someone there I want to meet. Other than that, I think people need to hear about what’s coming. If Inis is as powerful as she seems, this could end badly.”

“Very well. But I deem you’re lost,” Diar said. “And now there’s a Khan Snake that has it out for your head. I will accompany you.”

Rafa raised a brow. “You’d lead me there? I desperately want to see civilization, any at all. It’s been so difficult out here in the wild.”

“For now, as long as my brother is out there, I will. You have my word, young one. But the journey is far, and I won’t be with you the entire trek.”

“I appreciate any help. Thank you.”

“Call me Diar. And you don’t have to thank me. I’m only doing what’s right—I wish not to see you beheaded by my brother.”

Rafa scratched the side of his neck. “Well, alright then. Which way?”

Without a word, Diar strode past the stone shrine, weaving between the statues, towards the east, most likely. Rafa followed behind with his focus shifting from left to right, trying to study every leaf falling, or rabbit darting. He had to be ready.

They walked for a couple of minutes before Diar broke the silence. “Do you really believe she will bring destruction?”

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Rafa hurried forward, now walking side by side with the shape changer. “I don’t know the extent of her power, but I’ve seen some of it. And those that follow her, they’re merciless.”

“Have you seen an army?”

“An army? No. But the leader said to send word to their other members. Where they’re going, I’m not sure, and I don’t know how many they have.”

“The news is grim,” Diar said. “I’ve had dreams of war, and they leave me awake, bathing in angst—as I don’t believe this world is ready for what could be coming.”

“They said they’re looking to invade Illodras,” Rafa said, shocked he only now remembered the information. “Yea, Illodras is the name. Some kingdom?”

“Doubt has left me. A war is coming.” Diar looked at the ground in despair as they walked, hand over face. “And you said Niklas—your friend—will lead them?”

“He seems to not be my friend any longer. Inis has taken over his heart, and he seems lost, even more so than he was before all this.”

“Before you supposedly came from your world, hm?”

“Yes. I understand him, and what he wants.” Rafa couldn’t refrain from showing a face of grief. “He’s being deceived by Inis, making him feel like he’s loved, when all she’s going to do is use him for war.”

“And you believe what you seek is in Eastfen?” Diar said, passing a stream, still leading Rafa toward the village.

“As it stands, I don’t know what else to do. This entire world is foreign to me, and the only one that has shown kindness to me is a follower of Inis—beside you, of course.”

“You’re meaning Ardler?”

“He seemed to be turned from Inis last I spoke to him. And now, now they’re probably going to kill him for helping me.”

Diar stopped in his tracks and turned to Rafa. “They know he’s not with them anymore?”

“Ardler helped me escape. He spared me, as they asked him to kill me,” Rafa said, trying to dismiss the feelings of anguish. “I owe him my life.”

“They will not spare him, I’m afraid,” Diar said. He stopped, and turned, now going in the opposite direction as before, back toward the stone monuments behind them.

“Where are you going?” Rafa said.

“Do you wish to save your friend or not? He might be old, but he’s skilled. We could use him alive. You could use him.”

Rafa’s heart lept. “B-but how could we do it? There were so many of them?”

“My brother stopped me before, but allow me to continue. I wish to allow you into the brotherhood. I will teach you to use the forest.”

After some time walking, passing the well-fashioned stone monuments, they stopped in a clearing. All around them were tall trees, birds singing, and a sway of leaves in the breeze.

Diar formed both hands into a configuration, a fist in spread fingers, pinky wrapped around both knuckles. He faced Rafa. “After me.”

Rafa formed his hands into the same shape, closing both feet together, standing tall. This felt odd already, but it was hard to not trust this man, who’d shown that he’s a friend already. “Alright.”

“Bow.”

They both did.

“This will serve you well, but understand that this could be the most painful experience you’ve ever undergone, be it in this world or the next.”

Rafa’s jaw tensed. “Hold on.” He unclasped his fingers. “That sounds terrible. Maybe this isn’t something I need to do.”

“You’ve already challenged me to a death by duel. By our law, there’s no turning back now. I’m sorry, but this is necessary.”

Fear flooded Rafa’s chest. A duel was not something he wanted, ever, especially not with one so powerful.

“Is this really crucial, Diar? Why would this need to happen?”

Diar stepped forward with great speed, remaining in human form, and slammed a fist into Rafa’s abdomen.

Rafa dropped as the air left him. He struggled to breathe, and the only response to his question was Diar’s foot slamming into the side of Rafa’s head. He tumbled sideways, spit flying out of his mouth that was now a mix of blood tumbling down his cheek.

The only question running through Rafa’s mind: Why would you trust anyone in this world, or the next?

Diar stepped forward with a cold expression. He kneeled down before Rafa, who was now gasping for air, spitting.

Trying to mumble a few words, he rolled onto his back, feeling every ache and every pain, previous injuries causing this to be much worse of a reaction.

“I have to place you just before death for this to work,” Diar said.

Every word from the man continued to bring Rafa’s spirits lower and lower, as there was no sign of relief in sight. One minute, Diar was someone looking to protect him. And the next, he’s the god of torment.

“P-please. Stop.”

Diar stood, raising a fist high in the air, and with a swing, brought it down toward Rafa’s neck.

The ground shook. Trees rustled with insistent force, swaying. Birds jumped from their nests, cawing, and flying into the air, to flee.

Diar’s swing didn’t connect, as the quake caused him to stop, leaving Rafa there to breathe for a moment. The shapeshifter allowed his gaze to wander, listening, as if someone had called to him from a far distance. He stood.

Rafa sent another red wad of spit toward the ground, still unable to speak with too great a pain in his abdomen, and his head.

“I have never seen the wood show mercy before this day,” Diar said. His face changed, now puzzled, confused. “Why?” He turned in the other direction, calling. “Why?” Once more, now a yell: “Why?” He raised his arms.

Rafa watched the man scream, squinting from the sun’s bright light, hurting his head. “W-why would you do this to me?”

Diar didn’t respond. He only awaited a response to his aggressive question in random directions. “I can’t believe it. The wood heard you.”

Rafa sat up. His breath was heavy, but the pain had subsided to a throb, rather than excruciating agony. He couldn’t feel one of his legs, and his head was still pounding.

Diar moved toward Rafa, causing him to flinch. The shapeshifter sat cross-legged in front of the injured boy and put out both hands. “Take my hands and allow the wood to give you—”

Rafa retreated. “No. I don’t trust you.” He stumbled to his feet and hobbled backward.

“Boy, the wood has shown you grace. Accept it.” Diar made his hand into a fist, as if his own honor was being challenged by Rafa’s actions. The tone of his voice reflected the same.

Rafa grit his teeth as he turned and limped toward the edge of the clearing, toward the brush. Without a word, he disappeared into the forest, leaving Diar there at the center of the glade, the sun shining on him.