The night air was heavy. Smoke from the campfires drifted lazily across the terratory, faint sparks rising before disappearing into the dark sky. The bandits, still bound and gagged, sat in a miserable huddle near the barracks. Rope dug into their wrists, dirt caked their faces, but what unsettled them most wasn't the bindings or the hunger gnawing at their stomachs.
It was the monster standing guard.
Onyx loomed silently before the bound bandits, violet cracks glowing faintly across his blackened armor. His lance pulsed with energy, a wordless warning that no help would ever come— the kind of presence that told the bandits any thought of escape would end in bloody ruin.
One of the prisoners risked a glance at him, only to look away instantly when Onyx's head tilted, as if he could read fear like a book.
A few steps away, Kairo and Shiri stood before the barracks, torches flickering against their faces, the night heavy with silence as tension coiling like a storm waiting to break.
"We don't have enough time to create another barrack," Kairo said, his arms folded as he surveyed the units lined up before them. His voice carried a calmness, but his sharp gaze revealed calculation. "So we'll have to make do with twenty troops. That's the hard cap."
Shiri's serpentine tail shifted against the dirt. His amber eyes scanned the lineup — five ghouls stood unnervingly still, pale sinewy bodies, while seven dragon-blooded kabolts breathed low growls, each one bigger and stronger than the ghouls. Their scales shimmered faintly under torchlight.
"That leaves…" Shiri trailed off.
Kairo opened the command nexus with a faint shimmer. Panels fluttered as if moved by an invisible wind. He stretched out a hand, channeling what remained of his reserves. Lines of blue light crackled across the earth, and in bursts of dark-green flame, the rest of the kabolts materialized. Their arrival drew gasps from the prisoners.
The final count — twenty. An entire squad, ready for war.
The bandits whispered among themselves, fear and awe in equal measure. They had seen men kill, they had seen beasts kill, but they had never seen someone summon an army from nothing but air and light.
Shiri crossed his arms. "Even with these numbers… will it be enough? Half of them don't have proper weapons, and we haven't had the time to forge new gear."
Kairo's expression softened slightly. "It will be enough."
Shiri frowned. "How can you be so sure?"
Kairo exhaled slowly, his eyes distant for a moment. "Because we've faced worse. You remember Karhux?"
Shiri's tail stiffened. "Karhux…" He gave a humorless chuckle. "Is that really what you're calling the monster from Leverik Village?"
"The name fits," Kairo replied evenly. "A beast that left a village in ruins. And yet…" His gaze hardened, determination sparking in his tone. "We killed it. Together."
Shiri's lips curled into a faint grin, his fangs flashing under firelight. "Then you're right. Compared to Karhux… mere bandits don't stand a chance."
Not far from them, Theo stood with his back straight, hands clenched around the hilt of his sword. The boy's knuckles were white, his breathing shallow. He had been listening quietly, watching the two who had carried him through so much. They had protected him, guided him, even dragged him back from despair.
And what had he done in return? Hidden. Trained, yes, but always from the safety of the rear.
His chest tightened. (No more. Not this time.)
He stepped forward, calling out before he could stop himself. "Kairo!"
Both Kairo and Shiri turned.
"What is it, Theo?" Kairo asked, curiosity in his tone.
The boy swallowed hard. His legs trembled, but his voice didn't falter. "Let me fight. Against the bandits."
Silence fell over the camp. Even the ghouls seemed to tilt their heads slightly, as though registering surprise.
Shiri was the first to respond, his voice sharp. "Absolutely not." His tail lashed behind him. "You've barely had a few days of training. If you step onto the battlefield, you'll be cut down before you even raise your blade."
Kairo's brow furrowed. "Shiri's right. It's too soon."
Theo shook his head. "No. I can't just stand back anymore. You've both done so much for me — saved me, taught me, given me a place. And I…" His grip tightened around his sword. "I have to repay that. I have to prove I can stand beside you, even if I get hurt."
"Theo—" Kairo began.
"I'll take full responsibility if I'm injured," Theo interrupted, his voice rising, emotion cracking through. "But please. Please trust me. I can't grow stronger if I keep hiding behind you."
For a moment, only the crackling of the fires filled the silence.
Shiri hissed under his breath, frustration curling his words. "This is madness."
But Kairo was studying Theo closely. The boy's knees trembled, but his eyes — his eyes held no hesitation. This wasn't a whim. He had thought about it, carried the weight of it, and now stood resolved.
Finally, Kairo sighed. "…You've put a lot of thought into this, haven't you?"
Theo nodded firmly.
Kairo turned to Shiri. "We can't protect him forever. At some point, he has to step forward. If not now, then when?"
Shiri growled low, his scales bristling. "Tch. Fine. But if he gets his arm cut off, don't expect me to listen to him whine about it."
His words were sharp, but his eyes betrayed the worry behind them.
Theo bowed his head. "Thank you. Both of you."
Kairo allowed himself a small smile before turning back toward the summoned kabolts. Among them, one stood out — its scales were a darker green, thicker than the others. Its yellow eyes burned with a sharpness that almost mirrored Onyx's.
Kairo's gaze lingered. (This one's different…)
"Theo," he said, pointing to the darker kabolt. "If you're going to fight, you won't fight alone. This one will be your guard."
Theo blinked. "…Guard?"
The kabolt lumbered forward, towering over the boy. Instinctively, Theo flinched. For a moment, he wasn't here — he was back in Leverik, the thunder of Karhux's roar shaking his bones, the stink of blood filling his lungs. His breath hitched.
But he clenched his jaw and forced himself to look up. (No. Not again. I won't let fear chain me.)
He raised a trembling fist toward the kabolt. "From now on… we're partners. Got it, buddy?"
The kabolt stared blankly, tilting its head. After a pause, it raised its massive clawed hand and simply enclosed Theo's fist with it, holding it like one would a fragile stone.
Theo blinked, then let out a nervous laugh. "Uh… not exactly a fist bump, but close enough."
Kairo chuckled softly under his breath. Shiri shook his head, muttering, "Hopeless," though a small flicker of relief crossed his features.
"Good," Kairo said. "Then it's settled. Tomorrow will be dangerous. We need to be fully rested if we want to perform at our best."
Theo nodded. "Understood."
Shiri gave a reluctant grunt of agreement. Together, the three turned back toward the house, leaving the troops to their silent vigil.
Kairo lingered a moment longer, his eyes sweeping over the darkened camp. Twenty units. Theo's resolve. The strange kabolt. Tomorrow would test them all.
As he turned to leave, his thoughts whispered quietly.* What will tomorrow bring…?)
Far away, deep within the bandit camp, a single torch burned brighter than the rest. The leader of the bandits sat among his men, the scars on his body catching the firelight. His mug slammed down onto the wooden table, ale spilling over.
He rose, his voice cutting through the drunken chatter. "Enough. It's time."
Around him, hardened killers fell silent, rising to their feet with blades in hand.
"We move at dawn," the leader said coldly. "Into the lord's territory."
And like wolves gathering for the hunt, the bandits began their march.
to be continued.....