Morning came quietly, the pale gold light of dawn spilling across the clearing as the others packed up their bedrolls and doused the last traces of the fire. Birds were already stirring in the trees, and the cool air carried the scent of dew and pine.
But Ryan barely noticed any of it.
His mind kept circling back to Mika's words from the night before.
You've always protected us. You always have.
Mika had said it with such certainty, such unshakable trust, as though it were a well‑known fact. As though Ryan had never once faltered. As though he never could.
Ryan's fingers drifted to the necklace resting against his chest. He fiddled with it absently; the familiar weight helped him relax as he made a promise to himself.
He would protect them. Always.
Through storm or steel, through shadow or sorcery, he would stand between his friends and whatever darkness hunted them. He would give his life before letting harm touch even one of them.
And if fate proved cruel,if he failed them and lived to see the aftermath…then he would not rest. He would hunt down whatever had taken them, whatever had dared to lay a hand on them, and he would return the pain a hundredfold.
Ryan closed his hand around the necklace, jaw tightening with resolve.
I will not fail them. Not while I live.
They continued their walk toward the nearest village, three days of forest and winding paths ahead. The morning sun warmed their backs as they walked, and the group slipped easily into their usual chatter. Corin tried balancing on every fallen log they passed, nearly falling each time. Liora kept pointing out clouds she swore looked like dragons. Josh argued they looked like nothing but lumps of sky. Mika listened quietly, smiling at their bickering.
They had only ever visited small villages. None of them had seen the great kingdoms,only heard stories of towering walls, bustling markets, and knights in shining armor. Their imaginations ran wild as they walked.
"I bet the capital has fountains taller than houses," Corin said proudly.
"Fountains don't need to be tall," Josh muttered.
"Mine will be," Corin shot back.
Liora laughed. "I just want to see the colors. They say the kingdom markets have fabrics dyed with flowers that don't even grow here."
Mika nodded. "And spices from across the sea."
Ryan grinned. "How about after we visit this village, we go to the nearest kingdom?"
There are five kingdoms in this world, not counting the underwater ones.
Firstly, there is the Verisha Kingdom, located in the west with water along its edge. This is where most kingdoms get their fish supplies, and it's home to many beastkin such as foxes, dogs, and zebra‑folk.
Then there's the Kiovin Kingdom, located in the east. It is also near the sea, but they rarely fish because the waters are filled with dangerous creatures like Leviathans, Krakens, Scylla, Charybdis, and many more. Instead, Kiovin earns its wealth by mining precious ores like iron, silver, and gold from the caves, which is why the kingdom is heavily populated by dwarves.
To the north lies the Glaica Kingdom. Many humans and beastfolk avoid this place not only because of the freezing weather, but also because creatures like Yetis, Wendigos, and Amarok wolves roam freely there.
On the west side, covered in thick forest, is the Silva Kingdom. It is populated by elves, fairies, centaurs, unicorns, and other forest beings. This is the most peaceful kingdom of all five.
And finally, in the center of the continent, is the Wingar Kingdom, mostly inhabited by humans. The kingdom is well‑known for its great food and its abundance of wealth.
We're getting off track let's get back to the main story.
Thud!
All of them stopped at once.
Up ahead on the dirt path stood a fat, puffy man in fine clothes, red‑faced and sweating. He was shouting,no, screaming at someone on the ground. At first Ryan thought it was a child, but then he saw the ears. Soft, furred, trembling.
A cat‑folk girl, curled in the dirt.
"You stupid, useless slave!" the man roared, and his boot swung forward, striking her side.