Ryu slowly placed his hand on the old wooden gate that marked the final boundary of the village. The scent of soil and burnt wood still lingered freshly in the air. For a brief moment, all those faces appeared in his mind—the ones who, until yesterday, either thanked him or lowered their eyes in fear.
Elira stood a little behind him. Her small basket rested in both her hands, her fingers nervously tracing around its handle, as if she was lost in some other moment. Kael stood quietly with his sword resting on his shoulder. His face was as serious as ever, but the subtle rhythm in his steps showed that even he wasn't taking this departure lightly.
Ryu turned once over his shoulder. A few villagers stood near the gate—some had gratitude in their eyes, some had doubt, and some wore that uneasy silence that only fear can bring. He gave a faint, small smile—the kind of smile that was neither joy nor sorrow, but of someone who had seen everything and still couldn't say a word.
Elira slowly stepped closer to him, her gaze lowered toward the ground.
"Ryu… you feel bad, don't you? Leaving all this behind."
Ryu looked at her. Her long hair swayed gently in the evening breeze, and in her eyes was a restlessness she couldn't hide. He took a small breath and said softly,
"Feel bad…? Maybe. But I'm used to leaving—people, places… and sometimes, even myself."
Elira listened and looked up at his face. For a brief moment, her eyes carried that faint pain she never showed anyone, but she quickly hid it behind a soft, practiced smile.
Kael stepped forward, adjusting his sword slightly as he spoke in a mildly irritated tone.
"If we keep standing here having sentimental talks, we won't cross the forest before sunset."
Ryu let out a small chuckle and looked at him.
"I'm alive because of you, Kael. Never get a chance to die laughing."
Kael snorted and walked ahead. Elira smiled softly, though her steps still seemed a bit heavy. Ryu looked at her, then silently picked up her small basket and placed it over his shoulder.
Elira glanced at him in surprise. Ryu kept his eyes forward and said,
"The road's long. You shouldn't tire yourself."
The path slowly curved toward the forest. The sunlight was turning into shades of orange, and along with the scent of earth, there was a strange silence in the air. Every step Ryu took carried that restlessness only a gamer could feel—the kind who knew anything could happen ahead… and maybe, someone was reopening an old game.
For a moment, Ryu looked at Elira walking slowly behind him. The same smile still lingered on her face, but her eyes carried the kind of pain he saw in his own every day. He turned his gaze back toward the darkening forest.
The journey had begun… and it was a road none of them had ever wanted to take.
—
The path through the forest slowly drowned from orange dusk into darkness. The smell of dry leaves and damp soil filled the air. With every step, the chirping of birds faded away, as if the whole forest was melting into an ominous silence.
Ryu walked at the front, his eyes fixed on the road, but his mind was elsewhere. His face appeared calm, but in his eyes was the exhaustion of someone constantly fighting—not just enemies, but his own thoughts.
Elira followed behind him. She had pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders as the air grew colder. Sometimes she glanced at Ryu, only to quickly look away again. There was something in her eyes—perhaps worry, or something she herself couldn't understand.
Kael walked at the rear, his sword swaying lightly against his shoulder. His eyes were sharp, scanning every direction, as if danger hid in every shadow.
After a long silence, Elira spoke softly,
"Ryu… don't you ever get tired?"
Ryu slowed his pace and looked at her. The same faint sadness flickered in his eyes, but he managed a small smile.
"I do. I just don't show it. Even if I get tired, I can't stop… not while you two are here, right?"
Elira let out a gentle breath and smiled quietly.
"Maybe… but will you ever stop for yourself?"
Ryu looked at her for a few seconds, then turned his gaze back to the road.
"When everything's over. Maybe then."
Kael's voice came from behind, carrying a hint of annoyance.
"And until then, we have to keep listening to your hero speeches?"
Without looking back, Ryu chuckled lightly.
"I'm no hero. And these words are only for the people still walking beside me."
Kael said nothing, but a faint, hidden smile crossed his face.
The night grew deeper, and the forest quieter. At a bend in the path, Ryu suddenly stopped. He raised his hand, signaling them to halt. Kael instantly drew his sword, alert, while Elira clutched her basket tightly.
Ryu crouched, examining the faint marks in the dirt—dragged leaves, disturbed soil. Then he spoke quietly,
"Someone passed through here… and they weren't running. They were hunting."
Kael stepped forward.
"Bandits?"
Ryu only glanced at him, said nothing, and began walking again.
"We need to move faster. I don't like where they're headed."
Elira walked beside him, speaking softly.
"Will we run into them?"
Ryu looked at her. His face was calm, but in his eyes was a depth that never lied.
"Maybe. And if we do… it'll be them who chose the wrong day."
Elira nodded quietly and fell silent. Ryu kept walking, but the faint smirk that usually lingered on his face had vanished for a moment. Something was stirring inside him—as if each step was leading him back to a place he never wanted to return.
And far away, between the rustling
leaves, a faint, hidden laughter echoed… as if someone was waiting for them.
TO BE CONTINUED…