By the time the carriage had put real distance between them and the village, the familiar sights were gone.
The settlement lay hidden behind a dense ring of towering trees, forming a natural wall that shielded it from the outside world. Beyond that boundary stretched a harsh, unforgiving landscape. The road was dry and cracked, the soil arid beneath the wheels. A few stunted trees and scattered bushes clung to life here and there, but otherwise, the land felt empty—hostile.
No ordinary person would survive out here for long.
The journey to the main province normally took three days on foot. With a carriage, and if they avoided too many stops, it would take little more than a day—two at most.
Rafael found himself captivated.
In his previous life, the world had been made of concrete and glass. Endless buildings. Endless schedules. Every journey had been tied to business, obligation, or survival. He had never traveled simply to see the world.
Now, he took in everything.
He lay at the back of the carriage, his head resting against the wooden frame, eyes drifting over the rolling hills in the distance. The vastness of it all made his chest feel strangely light.
Then—
A piercing screech tore through the sky.
The sound was sharp, violent, and close enough to raise the hairs on his arms.
Rafael's eyes snapped upward. He expected to see an eagle. Maybe a hawk. What he saw instead almost made him sit up.
High above them, soaring effortlessly through the clouds, was a massive bird-like creature. Its wings stretched wide—far wider than any bird had a right to be. A long neck curved forward as it glided, its silhouette unmistakable even from such a distance.
Its size was terrifying. Despite how far away it was, the creature dominated the sky. Rafael tapped Malrek's leg. Malrek groaned, half-asleep. "What is it—" He followed Rafael's finger, squinting upward. "…Oh shit," Malrek muttered. "What the hell is that?"
Sophia leaned forward. "What's wrong?" The two boys shifted aside so Vivian and Sophia could see. Sophia's eyes widened. "Woah…" Malrek let out a low whistle. "Cool, isn't it?" Sophia nodded eagerly, momentarily forgetting her fear.
Vivian, however, had gone pale. "That's a Scorchmaw," she said quietly. Rafael frowned. "A what?" "A Scorchmaw," Vivian repeated. "A giant avian beast. I've only ever read about them in books… this is my first time seeing one in person." She swallowed. "They're extremely dangerous," she added. "And they hunt humans."
Sophia immediately grabbed Rafael's arm, her fingers digging into his sleeve. "Rafael…" Her voice trembled. "What do we do?" Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Rafael tried to gently pull his arm free, but she clung tighter.
Before he could answer, Draven spoke from the front of the carriage, his tone calm and steady. "Relax," he said. "Scorchmaws are scavengers." Everyone turned to him. "They hunt by smell—especially blood," Draven continued. "As long as none of you are bleeding, we're fine."
The tension eased, bit by bit. Sophia's grip loosened, though she didn't let go entirely.
"So… they won't attack us?" Rafael asked. Draven nodded. "That's right. Matter of fact—" He chuckled. "They're blind as hell. Can't see a thing." Malrek snorted. "They've got the best noses and ears you'll ever encounter, though," Draven added. "So don't bleed, don't scream, and don't do anything stupid."
The group fell silent, watching as the massive creatures drifted farther away, their silhouettes shrinking as they flew in the opposite direction. Only then did Rafael exhale. The world beyond the village was far more dangerous than he'd imagined. And far more fascinating.
After several hours of riding, silence settled over the carriage.
Dusk had arrived, painting the sky in hues of orange and violet as the sun slowly sank beyond the horizon. The rhythmic creaking of wheels and the steady clop of hooves became the only sounds accompanying them.
Malrek was fast asleep, his head resting against Rafael's shoulder, breathing slow and even. Across from them, Sophia had drifted off as well, her head leaning gently against Vivian's shoulder. The two pairs sat opposite each other, the carriage dim and calm.
Rafael stared into nothingness. His thoughts were elsewhere—far ahead, fixed on a single name.
Clavis Inferni.
Whatever it was, wherever it lay, he knew finding it wouldn't be simple. And he knew just as well that this journey would only grow more dangerous from here. His gaze shifted.
Vivian sat beside Sophia, a book resting in her hands. It was a Bible. She read quietly, lips curved into a faint, peaceful smile as the fading sunlight brushed against her features. Rafael found himself staring. She was beautiful.
Even knowing she was nearly ten years older than him, the thought still crossed his mind. But just as quickly, he pushed it away. Feelings like that only complicated things. It was better—safer—to keep them buried.
Vivian suddenly looked up. Their eyes met. Rafael flinched and turned away almost immediately. "S-sorry. I didn't mean to stare." Vivian giggled softly. "It's fine," she said. "I stare at you all the time."
Rafael froze. "…What?" She closed the Bible and rested it on her lap, fingers fidgeting for a moment before she spoke again. "Honestly," Vivian said, "I admire you."
Rafael blinked.
"You're so young," she continued, "yet you're incredibly mature. You don't act like Malrek or Sophia. You don't even think like them. You're always one step ahead—like you've already planned everything before it happens."
She smiled at him warmly. "I think that's really cool." "I—I—" Rafael stammered. Vivian laughed. "This is the first time I've ever seen you flustered." Rafael let out a breath, then smiled faintly. "Well… it's not every day I get complimented by such a pretty girl." Vivian's cheeks flushed red. She turned away slightly, smiling to herself.
They sat in comfortable silence after that. Then, barely louder than a whisper, Vivian murmured, "If only you were a few years older…" Rafael's eyes widened. Before he could respond— THWACK.
An arrow burst through the wooden wall of the carriage. It stopped inches from Rafael's face. For a split second, everything froze. Then— More arrows slammed into the carriage, splintering wood. Rafael jolted upright. "Malrek—wake up. We're under attack!"
Draven snapped the reins hard, urging the horses into a full sprint. Malrek shot awake. "Huh—what's going on—".Rafael yanked the arrow from the wall and shoved it into his view. "Bandits." Sophia screamed softly, clutching Vivian as the carriage lurched forward at terrifying speed.
Dust erupted behind them. Rafael looked back—and his stomach sank. Horses. Three of them, galloping hard, steadily closing the distance. "A fight's inevitable," Rafael muttered. They were outnumbered. Poorly armed. And trapped in a moving carriage.
Draven vaulted to the back in one smooth motion, tossing a sword to Malrek. He turned to Rafael. "Do that magic thing you do. Conjure a bow. We need to thin them out." Vivian and Sophia were ordered to crouch low between them. "Watch Rafael's back," Draven told Malrek before climbing onto the roof.
Moments later, Draven dropped back inside, eyes grim. "We're surrounded. Three on the left. Five on the right." Rafael's expression hardened. He wasn't going to die here. He summoned a bow of shadow, the string pulling taut as a dark arrow formed in place.
He fired.
Miss.
Fired again.
Miss.
The third arrow struck—piercing a bandit's leg. Before the man could scream, Rafael loosed another. It buried itself in the bandit's chest. Malrek shouted, "Aim for the horses! Bigger target!" Rafael adjusted. Two arrows flew. Both horses collapsed mid-gallop, throwing their riders violently to the ground—where they were crushed beneath their own mounts.
Then— BOOM. The carriage shook. Something landed on the roof. Draven leapt up to meet it, clashing swords with a bandit dressed in black. Another joined the fight. Inside, two more bandits burst through the carriage doors.
Rafael conjured a shadow blade and drove it cleanly into one man's gut, kicking him off the carriage without hesitation. Malrek struggled against another, clearly losing ground. Rafael intervened, cutting the bandit down.
Draven dropped back inside moments later, drenched in blood. Malrek stared. "Tell me that's not yours." Draven shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm fine." Sophia cried out, pointing behind them. "More—there's more coming!" A massive wave of bandits thundered toward them.
Draven swore. Rafael stepped forward. "Move." They obeyed instantly. "Malrek," Rafael said calmly. "Remember the chief's house?" Malrek's eyes lit up. "When you beat my ass."
"Draven," Rafael continued, "fire at Malrek. Malrek, fire at Draven. Small output." They did. The flames met—cancelling out. Rafael stood behind them, palms glowing. Wind roared. Fire met gale. The explosion tore forward in a blazing inferno, consuming the bandits whole.
When the smoke cleared. Nothing remained but scorched bones and burning scraps of cloth.
Silence followed. Then Malrek started laughing. Vivian rushed forward, checking for injuries—but none were found. Draven exhaled. "We don't stop tonight. Stay alert." The carriage rolled onward into the darkness.
Their journey had only just begun.