The city gates loomed ahead by the time Shadow caught up to the trio. Ryn was the first to notice him, relief flashing across his face.
"There you are! Thought you'd ditched us."
Shadow shook his head. "Just needed air."
Sera tilted her head, studying him, but said nothing. Lena muttered about how Shadow always disappeared at random. Together, they crossed into the bustle of the city.
---
The city was alive in ways the forest never could be. Merchants called out their wares, children darted between stalls laughing, and blacksmiths' hammers rang in the distance. The smells of roasted meat, baked bread, and iron blended in the air. To most, it was comfort. To Shadow, it was noise—a noise that made the faint pull of being watched more difficult to ignore.
---
On the second night back, Rena appeared at his forge. She leaned casually against the doorway, crimson eyes reflecting the glow of the forge fire.
"You've been quiet," she said.
"I usually am."
Her lips quirked. "More than usual. Something's gnawing at you."
Shadow didn't answer. His gauntlets lay across the table, scars glinting under the firelight. Rena's gaze lingered on them. "You'll figure it out. You always do." With that, she pushed off the wall and left, vanishing into the dark.
Her trust in him was simple, almost careless—but somehow heavier than any chain.
---
The days passed quietly. Shadow wandered the markets, practiced perception drills in crowded streets, and repaired blades in his forge. But peace never settled. Every shift of wind, every strange mana flicker, reminded him of the masked watcher.
---
On the fourth day, he walked past the guild hall. Cheers rose from a crowd—novices sparring in a mock battle.
The trio waved him over instantly.
"Shadow!" Ryn called. "Join in! Show these rookies how it's done."
He raised a brow. "Pass."
But Lena grinned, already nudging him toward the arena. "One round. Don't hold back too much."
A brave novice stepped forward, spear trembling slightly under Shadow's unreadable gaze. The bout was over in seconds—Shadow flowed past the first thrust, caught the shaft with two fingers, and swept the boy's legs in one smooth motion.
The crowd roared.
Shadow stepped away as if nothing happened, ignoring the cheers. The trio laughed, Sera shaking her head. "Show-off."
"Tomorrow," Ryn said once the noise died down, "we've got a patrol in the eastern district. Join us. It'll be fun."
Lena smirked. "Unless you'd rather hide in your forge again."
"…Fine," Shadow said, but the faintest smile tugged at his lips.
---
That night, Shadow sat before the forge fire. His gauntlets pulsed faintly as if echoing his unease.
"We're not ready yet, are we?" he murmured.
The response was silence—until a faint, almost reluctant thrum rippled through the metal.
Shadow leaned back, eyes narrowing. The city felt calm, but calm never lasted. This was the silence before a storm. He could feel it.