The fire had long since faded to a soft glow, its embers barely crackling in the cool air of early dawn. A blanket of mist had settled over the forest clearing, thick and still. The silence was so deep it was almost unnatural—as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
Yun Lan stirred first, blinking against the pale morning light. Leon's arm was still around her waist, warm and firm. She could hear his slow, steady breathing just behind her, and Arin's small body pressed up between them like a makeshift human wall.
She smiled faintly. For a moment, things felt... calm. Almost normal.
But then she sat up, frowning slightly.
Something was off.
The air felt heavier, laced with something unseen. The trees, which had seemed so inviting the day before, now stood like silent sentinels. Watching. Waiting.
Leon's eyes snapped open. He didn't move, didn't speak, but she could feel the tension ripple through him. His senses were sharp, always alert—even in his sleep.
"You feel it too?" Yun Lan whispered.
Leon nodded slowly. His hand reached out without hesitation, fingers closing around the hilt of his new sword—the one that had chosen him, the one still wrapped in a faint blue glow, barely visible in the dawn haze.
"Wake Arin," he said, his voice low but calm.
She turned gently and nudged the boy. "Arin… wake up."
Arin groaned, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "What is it? Is it morning already?"
"Something's wrong," Leon murmured, scanning the treeline.
Then, just beyond the thinning mist, a soft sound—like a twig snapping—broke the silence.
Leon shot to his feet, sword in hand, placing himself between the others and the noise.
"Show yourself," he called out.
No response.
The mist shifted.
And then—out of the trees—stepped a figure.
Cloaked in deep green, a hood pulled over his face, the stranger raised both hands slowly to show he wasn't armed. Yet, something about him set Leon on edge. His movements were graceful, almost too fluid. His boots didn't crunch on the leaves. His presence barely disturbed the mist.
"I'm not here to harm you," the man said evenly. His voice was smooth, too smooth. "I've been following your trail for some time now."
"Why?" Leon asked sharply.
The man tilted his head slightly. "Because you have something I need."
At that, Leon tightened his grip on the sword.
"I don't think so."
"I'm not here to steal from you," the man replied, almost amused. "I'm here to help. Whether you accept that or not is up to you."
Yun Lan stepped forward cautiously. "Who are you?"
The man pulled back his hood, revealing a face that was young and he was about 27 years old—sharp features, grey hair with white, eyes like gray smoke. There was something unnatural about him. Not in a monstrous way, but in a way that suggested he didn't quite belong.
"My name is Kael," he said. "And I know about the Ten Sacred Relics."
That froze them all.
Leon narrowed his eyes. "What do you know about them?"
Kael gave a small smile. "More than you do, clearly. You've found four. But do you even know what happens once you gather them all?"
The silence that followed was loud.
Yun Lan looked between Leon and Arin. "You mean… it's not just about returning home?"
Kael shrugged. "It's never that simple. These relics were created by forces older than your world, older than mine. They were scattered for a reason."
Arin finally spoke, his voice uncertain. "So what happens if we find them all?"
Kael looked at the boy for a moment, then answered with unsettling calmness. "Then the gate opens. But gates can open both ways."
Yun Lan felt a chill run down her spine. "You mean… we could let something out?"
Kael nodded. "Exactly."
Leon didn't lower his sword. "Why are you telling us this? Why now?"
"Because if you're going to continue your journey, you'll need more than just strength." Kael stepped closer, though not enough to threaten. "You'll need knowledge. And allies. I can be both—if you'll let me."
Yun Lan studied him. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes… they didn't seem like they were lying. Still, trust didn't come easily anymore.
"Where were you watching from last night?" she asked softly.
Kael gave a half-smile. "Far enough not to disturb you. Close enough to protect you if needed."
Leon scoffed. "We don't need protection."
Kael's gaze moved to the sword at Leon's side. "No. But the sword does."
Leon's grip tightened. "What do you mean?"
"That blade is not just a weapon. It's a key. And keys can attract the wrong kind of attention."
Before Leon could answer, a shriek pierced the forest—high, unnatural, and far too close.
Kael's expression changed instantly. "They've found you."
"Who?" Yun Lan asked, heart pounding.
Kael turned his back to them, scanning the treetops. "Shadowcrests. Hunters of the Gate. They smell relic energy from miles away."
No one waited for more explanations.
"Pack everything—now!" Leon ordered, already scooping up their scattered supplies.
Kael reached into his cloak and pulled out a thin blade shaped like a crescent moon. "We won't outrun them. We'll have to fight."
Arin looked terrified, but he nodded. "I'll do what I can."
The first creature appeared between the trees—black as coal, wings spread wide like a bat's, and eyes glowing red. It hissed, and more followed, crawling from the shadows like smoke.
Kael moved first, his blade slicing through the mist with precision, cutting down one of the shadow beasts before it could leap.
Leon joined the fray, his blue-gray sword glowing brighter with each swing. The creatures shrieked when struck, vanishing in puffs of ash.
Yun Lan pulled Arin behind her and grabbed a torch from the fire pit. She lit the tip and swung it at one of the beasts that got too close. It snarled and backed off, hissing at the flame.
Minutes passed in chaos. Steel clashed. Wings flapped. Shadows screamed.
Then, as quickly as they came, the creatures were gone.
Kael wiped his blade clean. "This was only the beginning. They know you now. They'll come again."
Leon stood, panting, blood on his arm but his stance steady. "Then we'll be ready."
Kael looked at him. "Will you let me stay?"
Leon didn't answer right away. He looked at Yun Lan. She nodded once, almost imperceptibly.
Leon finally lowered his blade. "Fine. But if you try anything—"
"You'll kill me," Kael finished with a smirk. "Understood."
As the sun began to rise, casting golden rays through the forest, the group gathered their things once more. Kael walked a few steps behind, silent and watchful.
They had more questions than ever.
But the journey had to continue.
And now… they were no longer three.
They were four.
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