Chapter 9 – Threads of the Coming Storm
The torchlight in the royal corridor flickered as Crown Prince Cassius walked away from his father's study. His boots echoed on the marble, but his mind was far louder than the sound of his steps.
There's more to this than Father is telling me, he thought. If he truly believed this was just a random threat, why did his eyes darken like that? Why did his voice carry… fear?
He slowed at the sound of hushed voices ahead. Two ministers stood in an alcove, leaning close. Their conversation was tense. Cassius stepped silently until he caught the words.
"…they say she slaughtered the entire squad without breaking a sweat."
"…and spared only one, just to send a message. That's not human. That's… something else."
"What if she comes for the capital?"
"Better not speak of it too loudly. You know the king's orders."
Cassius stepped into the light, and the ministers startled, bowing hastily.
"Your Highness," one murmured.
"What were you discussing?" Cassius asked, voice calm but edged with authority.
The ministers exchanged glances. Finally, one said, "We… were speaking of the incident near the border, sire. A lone woman of… unnatural strength. The survivor claims she is bringing death to the kingdom."
Cassius frowned. "I see." Without another word, he moved past them, but his thoughts only deepened in suspicion.
That night, he sought out an old contact — Captain Darrin, commander of the border scouts. Darrin's face was lined from years of service, but his eyes still burned sharp.
"Is it true?" Cassius asked him in a low voice. "One woman destroyed an entire knight unit?"
Darrin hesitated, then nodded. "I've seen war, Your Highness, but this… this was no ordinary battle. The survivor was barely able to speak. Said her eyes glowed like amethyst fire… and her power—" He stopped himself. "I don't think she's from this world."
Cassius's jaw tightened. Then why is Father treating this like a mere nuisance to crush?
---
Meanwhile – Deep in the Darkwood
Moonlight filtered through the treetops in silver shards. Nara moved with unhurried steps, Krunus padding beside her in silence.
It was the kind of silence that begged to be broken — and Krunus, apparently, had no patience.
"So…" he rumbled, "do you have a plan? Or are we just wandering the woods until you get bored?"
Nara didn't glance at him. "We're moving. That's the plan."
The panther's golden eyes narrowed. "You're a strange one. Most warriors would be celebrating after besting me in combat. Maybe even bragging."
"Celebration doesn't keep you alive," she said flatly.
Krunus tilted his massive head. "You really don't care about glory, do you?"
"Glory is for people who need the world's approval," Nara replied. "I only need results."
They stepped over a fallen tree. Somewhere in the distance, an owl called — only for the sound to cut off suddenly, as if something had silenced it.
Krunus noticed, ears twitching. "The forest knows you're here. It's… wary of you."
"Good."
He huffed, half amused, half annoyed. "You know, I don't pledge myself to just anyone. I've had warlords, kings, and even sorcerers try to tame me."
"And yet you're following me."
The panther grinned in his own feline way. "Because you intrigue me. You fight like someone with nothing to lose… but your eyes say otherwise."
For the first time, Nara's gaze flickered toward him, unreadable. "Eyes lie."
Krunus studied her in silence for a few steps. "Then I'll just have to see for myself."
---
Back in Malvora – Cassius's Resolve
In the capital, Cassius sat in his private chamber, staring at a map of the kingdom. His fingers traced the border where the incident had occurred.
If this mysterious warrior truly wanted to destroy Malvora, she would have to pass through the Darkwood first. And the Darkwood… was dangerous even without enemies lurking in it.
He muttered to himself, "If Father won't investigate… I will."
The next morning, under the pretense of a hunting trip, Cassius left the capital with only two trusted guards, heading toward the forest's edge.
---
Darkwood – The First Test
Krunus stopped suddenly, ears pricking. "Something's following us."
Nara didn't break stride. "I know."
"Three somethings," Krunus added.
Nara's hand slid to her sword hilt. "Deal with one. I'll take the other two."
The attackers emerged from the trees — shadowy humanoid figures, their bodies twisted with some unnatural corruption. Their eyes glowed red, their movements jerky but fast.
Krunus pounced on one with the speed of a falling star, his claws ripping through it like cloth. Nara met the others head-on, her blade a silver blur, each strike clean and precise.
Within moments, all three lay still, dissolving into black smoke.
Krunus licked his paw, glancing at her. "Not bad, human."
"Don't get in my way," Nara said, turning forward again.
The panther chuckled. "Oh, I intend to do the opposite."
---
And far behind them, moving steadily closer, was Prince Cassius — riding toward the Darkwood, unaware that every step brought him closer to the woman whose name no one yet knew… and the beast who now walked at her side.