The woods turned into a fight zone before Tari had time to react at all.
The first batch of Red Scorpion fighters crumpled fast beneath Okuta, yet the following crew hit harder - sharper moves, meaner strikes, dead set on grabbing back what they lost. Flames from their torches flickered across the trunks, turning each dark patch into a possible threat crouched and ready.
Tari's chest pulsed like a stormbeat drum. His hands gripped the cracked flute tighter. Dampness ran down his brow - no time to brush it off. Everything narrowed to just this: stay alive.
Okuta fought like someone shaped by endless battles. Quiet - way too quiet - his strikes hit harder than thunder, faster than a breath in the dark. Every move flowed from fists, knees, kicks, now and then a flash of bladed cloth - all weaving together like something lethal on edge.
A single warrior moved in too fast. Okuta shifted left - grabbed the guy's wrist, spun it sharp - and hurled him at a tree till bark split. He crumpled seconds before his blade clattered down.
Tari sucked in air quick. Okuta just walked past without looking.
"Boy," he muttered, "I told you one thing."
Tari stammered, "S-stay behind you?"
"Nah." Okuta slipped beneath a slashing blade, then slammed his elbow into a soldier's side. "Didn't tell you to bolt."
"But I'm not running!"
"You're thinking about it. Your feet are itching."
Tari started to speak - yet a spear zipped by his ear, nearly cutting him short for good.
Tari let out a shout, then scrambled behind a tree.
Okuta hissed angrily. "This child! Spirits save me."
Five troops moved forward together. Okuta breathed out, calm and steady - like he was pulling strength from those who came before.
"If I had known today would be like this," he muttered, "I would have slept inside a well."
A warrior shouted fiercely - then rushed forward.
Okuta moved forward one pace.
A blur.
A hit to the chin.
A kick from the side.
Three troops dropped nearly together - close in timing, though not perfectly synced.
Yet a single figure slipped through his guard, dashing right at Tari.
The kid stopped dead, air stuck in his chest. But the trooper's helmet caught the shaky glow of flames, warping his features into a beast-like shape.
Tari let out a soft cry, stumbling backward till his back slammed against the rough bark.
The fighter smiled behind his face cover - "At last."
His blade lifted.
Tari closed his eyes.
Yet rather than agony, a rush zipped past - so quick it split the wind.
He blinked awake right when the soldier dropped headfirst into the foliage - a blade stuck hard in his throat.
Okuta stayed back, hand sticking out after tossing it.
Tari's mouth hung open, no words coming out.
Okuta just ignored his presence.
"Next time you want to stand still like a goat waiting for slaughter," Okuta said, retrieving the dagger, "warn me first so I can dig your grave ahead."
Tari bobbed her head fast, chest tight.
Yet trouble still lingered around.
Not at all.
---
A sound came from far inside the woods - a deep horn blast, stretched out, piercing, shaking the trees.
Okuta's gaze tightened. "Backup's coming."
Tari's gut sank. "Another one?"
"More than we can count."
"But --- but---"
"Hush." He yanked the guy's arm. "Time to go."
He dragged Tari down a tight trail through the brush when new troops poured into the open area. The soldiers spotted the bodies on the ground, yelling out loud. Lights flared up fast - like glowing bugs, only fierce - wild flames cutting through the night.
Okuta rushed ahead while Tari tripped on roots and rocks. The kid nearly dropped twice - yet Okuta yanked him along without stopping.
They kept running till the soldiers' noise faded---now just bugs humming loud, twigs snapping beneath their steps.
Okuta finally stopped near an old tree trunk that had toppled over.
Tari dropped onto the ground, struggling to catch air. Drenched in sweat, his shirt clung tight while grime streaked across his skin. Shaking hard, every muscle refused to stay still.
Okuta scanned the forest. "We bought a little time. Not much."
Tari shut his eyes tight, hoping tears wouldn't come. Why - why can't they just back off?
Okuta knelt, pressing his palm to the soil. "Footprints… broken leaves… blood scent… they can track us easily. We need to cover our trail."
Tari wiped his nose. "Okuta… you don't have to help me. You can go. I… I won't blame you."
Okuta turned slowly.
In the glow of the moon, his face looked chiseled from rock.
"You think I saved your life twice just to throw you away like old yam peels?"
Tari shook his head weakly. "I just… I don't want to be a burden."
"You are a burden," Okuta said bluntly. "But you're my burden for now."
Tari looked his way. He caught her eye.
Okuta muttered, "The ancestors must be laughing at me."
He got to his feet, gazing at the dark heavens above.
"But we can't stay here. The forest is too open. And you---" he gestured at the boy "---you breathe too loudly. Animals in the next village can hear your fear."
Tari seemed hurt. "I - uh - I can't - "
"Stop arguing," Okuta said as he pulled the kid up. "We've got to go."
He moved branches out of the way, then stepped onto a thin path worn by animals going further into the trees.
Later on, while they kept moving, Tari said quietly -
"Okuta… are you… one of those great warriors people talk about? You fight like---"
"No."
"But---"
"I said no." He cut him off. "And when I say no, it's no with full-stop."
"But you're so strong---"
"Boy."
"Yes?"
"If you like your life, stop praising me. Bad things happen when people praise me."
Tari clamped his lips tight right away.
---
They finally came to a tiny cave by the edge of a cliff, tucked behind thick hanging vines. Inside, the air was wet - stone and recent rainfall mixed together. Okuta took a look around, his gaze moving fast, sharp, used to spotting danger.
"It'll work," he remarked.
"For… for how long?" Tari asked.
"For the night."
Tari slid down the wall, worn out. Nearby, Okuta stayed by the door, ears tuned to sounds - steps, steel, breaths - anything off. Instead of waiting quietly, he focused sharp, ready to react if something changed. Each moment stretched slow, heavy with silence that could break any second.
A second passed - everything quieted down. Trees stood still, holding their breath.
Too calm.
Tari hugged his knees. "Okuta… my uncle said if anything happened… if he died… I should find someone strong. Someone who can survive anything."
"Your uncle was wise," Okuta murmured.
"He… he told me not to trust anyone except the person I choose."
"And you chose me?" Okuta snorted. "You don't have sense."
Tari smiled weakly. "You saved me."
"By mistake."
"You think everything is a mistake."
"It usually is."
Tari stayed silent for a beat.
Then he whispered:
"My uncle said people will die because of me."
Okuta paused.
Tari's voice trembled, small and scared. "He said… my life is dangerous. That I carry something people want. Something powerful."
Okuta turned his head slightly, listening.
He whispered, "What about you?".
Tari lowered his gaze.
"I… I don't want to talk about it yet."
"Hmmm." Okuta leaned back against the cave wall. "Then keep it. Your secret is your own."
Tari glanced up, caught off guard.
"You're not angry?"
"No." Okuta's voice was calm. "But when you are ready, talk. Don't wait until trouble swallows us."
Tari nodded.
His belly rumbled out of nowhere.
Okuta sighed. "You didn't eat?"
"No."
Okuta dug inside his coat, yanked out a tiny bundled snack, then flung it at the kid. "Chow down 'fore your belly starts brawlin'."
Tari ripped through it like she couldn't stop.
Okuta glanced out once more.
The breeze through the trees murmured something cautious.
He paid attention… then from far away came a sound:
A branch snapped.
A metallic clink.
Soft, measured footsteps.
The Red Scorpions hadn't stopped yet - still moving forward, step after step, no sign of slowing down.
He stood slowly. "The night is long, and our enemies are stubborn."
Tari stiffened. "They found us?"
"Not yet. But soon."
His neck popped as his arms dropped loose.
"Get ready, boy. Your journey is just beginning."
Tari swallowed hard. "Okuta… will we make it?"
Okuta's look eased - just a bit.
"If the ancestors do not turn their backs, we will."
He moved closer to the cave opening, darkness pulling him in.
"But if they do…" He cracked his knuckles. "Then the forest will witness a very long, very bloody night."
When Tari saw Okuta fade into the shadows, a strange feeling popped up inside him - not panic, nor sadness.
But hope.
This guy... odd, quiet fighter... maybe the one soul out there able to save his life.