The forest pressed around them like a living thing, its towering oaks and dense underbrush swallowing Kael and Elara in a haze of green and shadow. Shafts of sunlight pierced the canopy in scattered, flickering beams, catching the occasional drifting motes of dust in the air. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig beneath their feet, made Kael tense, his fingers brushing instinctively against the hilt of the cursed sword at his side.
He could feel it, pulsing faintly as if anticipating the presence of the mercenary, the predator stalking them like a shadow cast over their journey. He's close, Kael thought, brow furrowed. I can feel it. Always just beyond the edge of sight, always watching, always waiting.
Elara moved ahead, staff in hand, her emerald eyes scanning the thick undergrowth for signs of movement. "I think he's here," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it carried a weight that made Kael start.
Kael's throat tightened. "Who?"
"The mercenary," she replied, her gaze unflinching. "He's near. I can feel it. He's been tracking us for hours, maybe even days. And he's enjoying it."
Kael's jaw clenched. Enjoying it… just as I thought. He's playing with us, like a hunter with his prey. Every move we make, he watches, learning, anticipating… testing us. The cursed blade at his side pulsed again, almost impatiently, as if urging him to act, to draw, to end the game.
The forest was alive with quiet, almost imperceptible sounds. A distant woodpecker drummed against a hollow tree, leaves rustled in a faint wind, and a pair of foxes darted through the brush. But beneath these innocuous noises, Kael could feel the predator's presence—calculated, deliberate, hidden.
He crouched behind a fallen log, motioning for Elara to do the same. "Look," he whispered, nodding toward a faint glint of steel barely visible between the trees. The mercenary had been here, tracking them, leaving subtle marks in the undergrowth, likely testing their awareness and patience.
Elara's fingers tightened around her staff. "He's toying with us. But we can't let him dictate our every move." Her voice carried a mixture of calm and warning, a balance Kael admired.
Kael exhaled slowly. "You… you're incredible," he muttered. "How can you remain so calm? You've seen death, violence… and yet you think so clearly."
She glanced at him, a faint, wry smile tugging at her lips. "Experience. And trust. You learn to survive, and you learn to read the world. Sometimes, you have to rely on your wits more than your strength."
Kael's chest tightened. She was only fifteen, yet she carried herself with the wisdom and composure of someone far older. How… how is that possible?
Hours passed. The mist thickened, winding around the roots of the forest like ghostly serpents. Kael's legs ached from constant vigilance, his back stiff from crouching, yet he did not allow himself to rest fully. Every shadow, every movement of leaves, set his nerves on edge.
"Kael," Elara said, placing a hand on his arm, "don't let your fear control you. You can feel him, yes—but you must not let that fear decide your next move. Focus on what you can control."
Kael nodded, swallowing hard, but his mind raced. The sword… it hums. It knows. It knows what's coming… and it wants blood. He flexed his fingers against the hilt, feeling the dark aura brushing against his skin like a living thing.
Suddenly, a faint cracking sound came from the underbrush behind them. Kael spun, eyes scanning, but saw nothing—only shadows twisting unnaturally in the fading light. Too subtle. Too perfect. He knew the mercenary had been here, observing them, testing their reaction, learning. Every move I make… he knows before I do.
The forest grew darker as evening approached. The duo pressed onward, the underbrush snagging at their clothing, branches brushing against their faces. Even the faint scent of damp earth and moss seemed to carry an edge, as though the forest itself held its breath in anticipation.
Kael's thoughts wandered, despite the tension. Elara… how can someone so young be so strong and wise? She's… different. And I… I don't even know if I can protect her if it comes to the worst.
The cursed blade vibrated lightly, a soft, hungry whisper only Kael could feel. Soon. Prepare yourself, Kael. The hunt begins.