The village slowly faded behind them.
Alhen adjusted his position on the horse, gripping lightly as it moved along the dirt road.
"…Still not used to this," he muttered.
Lira, riding ahead, glanced back.
"You'll fall if you keep sitting like that."
"I'm trying," Alhen replied. "Walking was easier."
Lira smirked.
"Walking would take a week. This takes two days."
The wind brushed past them as they rode forward.
Fields stretched into hills.
Hills into forests.
The world felt bigger with every step.
"…So," Alhen spoke after a while, "your father… what's he like?"
Lira didn't answer immediately.
"…Strict."
Alhen raised a brow.
"That doesn't sound comforting."
"He's fair," she added. "But he doesn't tolerate weakness."
Alhen looked ahead.
"…Good thing I'm not weak then."
Lira let out a small laugh.
"Confident, aren't you?"
"Just honest."
Day One
They traveled until the sun began to fall.
Eventually, they stopped near a quiet clearing.
A small camp was set.
The guards handled the fire while Alhen sat nearby, watching the flames.
"…You've been quiet," Lira said, sitting across from him.
Alhen stared into the fire.
"…Just thinking."
"About what?"
Alhen hesitated.
"…Last night."
The beasts.
The fight.
That feeling.
"…It was harder than I expected," he admitted.
Lira nodded.
"It always is the first time."
A brief silence.
Then Alhen asked—
"…Do you fight often?"
Lira looked up at the sky.
"…More than I'd like."
The fire crackled softly between them.
Day Two
The road grew narrower.
Trees thickened around them.
The air felt… heavier.
Alhen frowned slightly.
"…Something feels off."
Lira slowed her horse.
"…You feel it too?"
The guards immediately became alert.
Hands moved toward weapons.
The forest grew quiet.
Too quiet.
No wind.
No birds.
Nothing.
Alhen's grip tightened.
"…This feeling…"
Then—
A faint sound.
…step…
Everyone froze.
Another step.
Slow.
Heavy.
From deep within the trees—
Something watched.
Two glowing eyes appeared.
But unlike before—
These were darker.
Sharper.
The air itself felt tense.
"…That's not normal," one guard whispered.
The creature stepped forward.
And this time—
It was clear.
A massive beast.
Larger than the ones before.
Its body covered in dark, rough fur, with faint marks glowing along its skin.
Each breath it took felt heavy.
Powerful.
Alhen's heart began to pound.
"…This is different."
Lira's expression hardened.
"…This isn't just a beast."
The creature didn't rush.
It walked forward slowly.
Calm.
Like it knew—
They couldn't escape.
Then—
It stopped.
And from behind it—
A figure appeared.
Hidden in shadows.
Unclear.
Watching.
Alhen's eyes widened.
"…That's…"
The same presence.
The one from before.
The figure didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But the beast—
Lowered its body.
Preparing to strike.
Lira drew her blade.
"Get ready."
Alhen stepped forward.
His hand gripped his sword tightly.
His body tensed.
"…So this is it."
The real world.
The dangerous world.
The beast let out a low growl—
And then—
It vanished.
"?!"
In an instant—
It reappeared right in front of them.
"MOVE!" Lira shouted.
The battle—
Was about to begin.