The evening sun painted the village in warm orange, fading slowly into dusk. Adrik and Draxil were competing with each other, their axes slamming into thick logs with rhythmic thuds. Sweat dripped down their foreheads, but neither wanted to lose. Lior quietly carried the chopped wood one by one, stacking them neatly inside the small storeroom nearby.
The sound of wood cracking echoed for a while, until finally both Adrik and Draxil collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily and laughing between gulps of air. Lior wiped his forehead and pushed the storeroom door shut when the faint sound of footsteps came from the restaurant. Lyra stepped outside with Granny, both holding trays of food. Granny wore her usual warm smile, and Lyra's eyes softened as she watched the tired trio.
Lyra (gently): Time for rest, guys… eat this.
Granny (sweetly): Please have these, sweeties. You've all worked very hard.
Granny placed down a tray, smiling at Adrik and Draxil who immediately grabbed bread, devouring it like starving wolves. Lyra, however, walked over to Lior and handed him a piece of bread directly.
Lior: Thanks, big sis.
Lyra (playfully, pulling his cheek): Anything for my sweet pie.
Lior (wincing): Oww… big sis.
Lyra (grinning): What's that "oww"? I didn't even pull harder. I just can't resist those chubby cheeks.
Lior (sighing): Big sis… I'm not a baby. I'm 16 now. It feels embarrassing.
Lyra (teasing): Embarrassing? Then look at them.
Lior turned his head. Adrik and Draxil were tearing through the bread like it was about to vanish in seconds, crumbs sticking to their faces.
Lyra (smirking): Now? Don't they look more embarrassing? And listen carefully—you're my baby brother. Always. So don't you ever try to act too mature in front of me. I want this cutie pie forever.
Lior (blushing, muttering): Ughh, big sis… aren't you getting too emotional? And… and I'm scared, big sis. I only show my fear to you. I can only be myself in front of you. Right now I'm really scared… scared if people hurt me again—
Before he could finish, Lyra hugged him tightly, stroking his hair as if to shield him from the world.
Lyra (softly): Shhh. Don't think about that. Just calm down. I'll protect you at all costs. And… oh, I almost forgot.
Lior: Hmm? What is it?
Lyra only gave him a tender smile. She didn't answer. Instead, she turned and walked back into the restaurant, disappearing upstairs to the bedrooms.
Lior stayed behind, sitting down on the ground outside. Silence fell around him—until a soft rustling came from the trees. He froze, heart racing. From the shadows, three tiny puppies stepped out. Their faces were thin, hungry, and frightened.
Lior blinked, then looked down at the bread in his hand.
Lior (gently): You hungry, little guys?
He sat cross-legged on the dirt and broke the bread into pieces, feeding them slowly. The puppies wagged their tails and devoured every crumb, their eyes brightening with each bite. When they were full, they barked softly—like saying thank you—before retreating back into the trees. Just as they vanished, Lyra returned, sitting beside Lior and handing him a small metallic gadget.
Lyra: Here. Always carry this. It's a tracker. If you ever get lost, I can find you. Be careful—it's small, so don't lose it.
Lior smiled faintly and nodded. Then everything blurred.
He jolted awake under the cold stone bridge, heart pounding. His hands and legs were tied with thick rope. Beside him, Liza lay unconscious, her face pale. Just a short distance away, Rocco and Jett stood near the pond, smoking and whispering.
Lior shook Liza gently with his tied legs, whispering urgently.
Lior (whispering): Hey… hey, wake up. Please wake up.
But she didn't stir.
Then came a familiar sound—soft paws tapping against stone. From the other side of the bridge, the three puppies appeared again. Lior's eyes widened with hope.
Lior (whispering): Guys… you're back! Can you cut the rope on my hands?
The puppies tilted their heads, confused.
Lior (sighing): I know it sounds crazy… you don't understand what I'm saying.
But then, one brave pup crawled behind him and bit down on the rope. With a snap, the bindings on his arms loosened. Tears welled up in Lior's eyes.
Lior (voice breaking): Thank you… thank you so much.
He quickly untied his legs and then freed Liza.
Lior (softly to her): I don't know who you are… but I know you're not safe here. We need to go.
Suddenly, a deep mocking voice echoed.
Rocco (smirking): Well, looks like someone's trying to play hero…
Lior spun around. Rocco and Jett stood behind him. Jett twirled Lior's staff in his hand with a sly grin. The puppies bared their tiny teeth, growling. Rocco lunged forward, but the pups attacked his legs, biting fiercely.
Taking his chance, Lior grabbed dirt from the ground and flung it into their eyes.
Rocco (shouting): Aghhh—my eyes! I can't see!
Jett (cursing): My eyes are burning!
Lior hoisted Liza onto his back and ran, the puppies dashing after him. Behind them, Rocco and Jett splashed their faces in the pond.
Rocco (furious, turning to Jett): You bitch! Because of you, I lost that girl! If you killed him when you had the chance, none of this would've happened!
Jett (snapping): Your fault! Why did you yell and distract me? We could've caught him! I didn't kill him because I wanted to know the secret of that staff—how he healed the girl! And when I asked, he panicked and fainted. Anyway, we still have the staff. With it, we can hunt others.
But as he raised the staff, it vanished from his hands in a flash of light.
Jett (panicking): WHAT?! Where did it go?!
Rocco (growling): What did you do?!
Far away, beside a rice field cut by a small river, Lior sat with Liza lying beside him. The puppies played nearby, chasing one another. Lior held the staff, exhaling deeply.
Lior (muttering): Phew… those idiots thought they could use my staff. They don't know I can summon it from anywhere.
He looked down at Liza's sleeping face, then knelt beside her. Even though she had no wounds, he gently touched her chest with the glowing staff.
Lior (softly): I hope this heals your heart. I don't know your name, but I know you've suffered too much.
The puppies whined softly. Lior smiled and healed them too, making them stronger and more energetic. They barked playfully at him, tails wagging.
Meanwhile, under the bridge, Rocco and Jett continued arguing.
Jett (angry): I swear, I don't know how the damn staff disappeared!
Rocco (snarling): Like I'll believe that. You probably pressed some switch—
Their voices stopped at the sound of approaching footsteps. A woman stepped into view. She was beautiful, kind-faced, but her sharp eyes were serious. In her hand was a compass-like device with a glowing screen. It was Lyra.
Lyra (calmly): Pardon me. Have you two seen a boy? About sixteen years old. He's my little brother.
Rocco and Jett stiffened. They realized instantly who she was. Rocco smirked, trying to hide his unease, and stepped closer with a slimy grin.
Rocco (mocking): Oh… beautiful woman. I know who you're talking about. I just saw him, but… my memory's foggy. Maybe if you helped me a little… I could remember faster.
Jett (grinning): Yeah, maybe a little help, and we'll show you where your little brother went.
Rocco reached for her shoulder.
In the next instant, Lyra's fist crashed into his jaw with such force that one of his teeth flew out. Rocco collapsed onto the dirt, groaning. Before he could move, Lyra kicked him across the face, knocking him unconscious.
Jett, terrified, turned to run. But a chain shot out, wrapping around his neck, yanking him back to Lyra's feet.
Jett (choking, pointing desperately): H-he ran that way! Your brother ran there!
Lyra narrowed her eyes, then released him. She hurled him into the pond with disgust.
Lyra (coldly): I hope you learn to respect women next time.
She walked away, leaving silence behind.
Elsewhere, Jeff and Carla trudged wearily back toward the restaurant.
Jeff (guilty): I hope Lior and Lyra are safe. It's my fault… if I hadn't fallen behind, Lior would still be with us.
Carla (soothing): Shh… it's not your fault. He's just a kid. He probably panicked and ran in another direction.
Jeff (murmuring): But—
Before he could finish, shadows closed in around them. A group of twenty… no, forty men surrounded them, blades gleaming under the fading light. These were Jeff's old enemies—the ones who once served under the leader he killed.
One stepped forward, sword pointed directly at Jeff's chest.
Guy 1 (snarling): You thought you could kill our leader and run away so easily?
The crowd closed in, weapons raised. Carla grabbed Jeff's arm tightly, clinging to him with fear. Jeff drew his blade, standing tall—but deep inside, he knew. He couldn't win against all of them.
The night grew heavy.
TO BE CONTINUED…