It was already strange to find only pups without any sign of their parents nearby, but everything became even more mysterious when Payton — the oldest among the girls — offered to stand guard while the others ran to the village for help. The version accepted by most villagers, although many did not express their opinion openly, was Liz’s.

In Liz’s version, she and her three friends returned from the village and found the wolf pups decapitated, lying in a pool of blood. Payton was no longer there, but the back of her dress had blood stains. Despite claiming she did nothing and only stepped away after hearing a noise from the bushes, her arguments didn’t convince the adults present.

Faced with the scene, she had no way to defend herself: she was judged guilty of the deaths by both the children and adults who witnessed the state of the place. Since then, a line of restriction was drawn: the girls were not allowed to play or talk with her without a guardian’s supervision. This behavior has persisted to this day, even without necessity.

However, the girls did not act out of pure malice, but out of sincere belief that Payton was responsible for such atrocity. The oldest girl’s arguments didn’t seem to make sense. Deep down, Payton knew this — she was not seen as an ordinary child but as someone capable of taking a life.

In her version of the story, she was caring for the pups until hearing a noise from the bushes a few meters away. Fearing it was the pups’ parents, she ran to the nearest tree to hide. However, within seconds, the two pups were killed, and she couldn’t see who attacked them. This would explain the blood on her back.

To say children are innocent is too strong a claim. Liz, being smarter and bolder than the other girls, managed to orchestrate an “invisible bullying” against Payton, without the adults noticing. The anger and contempt she feels in Payton’s presence are evident, but Jonathan believes there are other reasons besides the pups’ deaths.

— And that’s exactly why I will never be friends with them again. Can I go now? — Payton asked, irritated.

— You may — he replied.

Ferry had listened to the entire conversation from a distance, using her conjuration magic to hear through the insects crawling on the grass. She was determined to do something good before leaving the village.

— She sounds just like our mothers telling us what we can or cannot do — Liz complained as she walked down the trail.

— Let it go, it’s over — Catarina tried to soothe.

— Yeah, yeah. I think what I really need is to distract my mind with some fishing — Liz said, completely forgetting about the subject.

Thunder began to echo, and heavy clouds covered the sky, forcing the villagers to abandon their tasks and return to their homes. Except for the girls, only the adventurers and Beta were still outside the village — and also Ferry, who was now about to discover the truth about the wolves.

The power of her conjuration rune was extraordinary. Although her gifts were already formidable, she had not yet reached her full potential. Placing the palm of her hand on the grass and closing her eyes, she tracked traces of blood through the forest. She identified several spots, since the villagers depended on hunting, but decided to follow the one that matched the reports the most.

Arriving at a specific point, she found remnants of blood — invisible to the naked eye — still present even after four years. They were in an isolated area of the forest, far from the trails. When she touched what had once been a bloodstain, she managed to locate the spot where the wolf pups’ bodies had been buried.

Ferry’s power was immense but difficult to control. It didn’t solve every problem. She could conjure both magic and wishes — within her own limits. An example was the manipulation of insects to listen in on the conversation between Liz and Jonathan, a sound conjuration. Each spell, however, required extreme concentration and drained her core, causing it to slowly die with every use.

Moreover, there were restrictions. Each type of power had its own rune: manipulation of insects, control over time, elements, physical objects, and even spiritual aspects. Her rune was a fusion of all of these, but it could be used for less than five minutes.

The pups were buried atop a nearby hill. As she climbed toward it, the first raindrops fell on her face. It was perfect weather for sleeping, with thunder rumbling in the distance.

In the field, Beta was struggling. Fortifying and cleansing his core would be something he could master over time, but the current focus was to learn to hide his presence. The soaked grass and the heavy rain about to fall made sword movements difficult, and he slipped several times, becoming an easy target for Tate.

— Seriously, Dereck had to go into the forest to pee right now? — he complained, out of breath after taking another blow.

— He’s human too, he has to answer nature’s call — Tate replied, extending a hand to help him up. — Besides, you’re barely holding up against me. Imagine the two of us at the same time. You must be a sadomasochist.

— Sado what?

— Forget it. Just take my hand.

— Aren’t you going to wait for your friend?

— Dereck’s a big boy. He won’t get lost. Let’s go back. Looks like the rain’s gonna be heavy. Don’t leave the house until it passes, got it? — he ordered, pulling him by the arm.

— O-okay... But you’re going to continue my training after the rain, right? — he asked, worried.

— Honestly, I think it’s going to rain all day. I already taught you the basics. When we leave the day after tomorrow, you just need to keep training on your own — Tate answered, walking toward the gate.

They ran along the trail toward the village, while the girls stayed at the edge of the violent stream, waiting for the rain to stop. But what came from afar was an even more overwhelming amount of water.

— I guess that wasn’t a good idea — Catarina commented, sheltering under a tree as she looked at the rain-heavy sky.

— We should’ve listened to Payton — Carla added.

— Tsk, screw her — Liz muttered, sitting on the roots intertwined with the wet earth.

— Why so angry? — Catarina asked, frowning.

— It’s like you all forgot what she’s like.

— What do you mean? We don’t even know if...

— Don’t know what? Want to debate this again? There’s no way it wasn’t her. That girl is dangerous — Liz snapped irritably, interrupting her friend.

— Did you see her do anything? Because I didn’t — Catarina replied, crossing her arms.

— I’m not going to argue about this with you.

— Okay, guys, I think that’s enough. Let’s change the subject — Sarah said, trying to calm things down.

— And why do you always do that? — Catarina asked, clearly bothered.

— What do you mean? — Sarah asked, confused.

— Always trying to protect Liz, or whatever.

— I don’t protect Liz.

— You do. Whenever we start talking about this or any other topic she can’t handle, you shut it down immediately. Why?

— What’s wrong with you today, huh? — Liz retorted, standing up irritated.

— Nothing. I just think it’s time. Payton doesn’t deserve this.

— No one’s stopping you from going to be with her.

— Wait a minute, Liz… — Sarah said anxiously.

— No, Sarah. Liz is right. And maybe, when you finally realize what you’re doing to her, you’ll do the same thing I did — Catarina concluded, turning and walking away into the rain.

— Wait, Catarina! The rain’s really heavy; you’ll catch a cold! — Carla warned, worried.

— I don’t care — she replied, disappearing among the trees and the mist the storm created.

The weather had changed drastically in seconds. The girls fell silent, unsure whom to support. On one side, Catarina believed it was time to forgive Payton — after all, no one really knew what had happened. On the other, Liz held strong arguments backed by visual evidence and a hatred that seemed impossible to erase.

It was a double-edged sword. Whoever they chose to support, they would lose another friend. Catarina’s words and actions deeply affected Sarah and Carla, who sat thoughtfully, reflecting on what had just happened.

— Why are you so quiet? You wanna leave too? — Liz asked irritably, startling them.

— N-no — Sarah replied, sitting beside her.

Meanwhile, on top of the hill and under the heavy rain, Ferry was digging up what remained of the "grave" of the three wolf pups, determined to uncover the truth. She found only bones and pieces of carcass already consumed by worms. She placed her hand over the remains and activated her powers.

Fragments of that fateful day appeared before her eyes — confusing but revealing images. She saw what the pups saw: trees, leaves, grass... and Payton, younger. The girl was turned away, and then, suddenly, the wolves were killed. Blood splattered on the back of her clothes.

Ferry was abruptly pulled from the vision, trembling and in shock, her nose bleeding. She searched the remains once more but found nothing beyond what she had already seen. The conclusion was clear: this had not been done by humans. Something supernatural or a monster was behind it.

Leaving the open grave, she ran toward the place where the bodies had been found. What had begun as simple curiosity was now a serious and sinister investigation.

In the village, Beta watched the rain through the window, bored. He saw Tate and Dereck at the church, apparently arguing. He tried to understand what was going on but was suddenly startled by Payton, who appeared before him, scaring him and making him fall.

— Damn, Payton! — he complained, getting up.

— Calm down, little adventurer. Are you in the sights of some super dangerous monster? — she joked, jumping through the window into the room.

— What are you doing here?

— Jonathan and Philipe are nervous, and you know how the girls are... In the end, I only have you — she said, throwing herself on the bed.

— Payton, how do you put up with all this? — he asked, still watching the rain. — They hate you, do everything to exclude you. And yet, you carry on as if nothing happened.

— Because my conscience is clear, Beta.

— I know that’s in the past, but… do you really not know what happened?

— No — she answered immediately.

— I know you’re older than me, but you can tell me anything. It’s rare you show up around here.

— I just came to wait out the rain.

— You could wait at your house, right? Come on, tell me. What happened?

The silence in the room was filled only by the sound of rain hitting the roof and grass.

— Have you ever thought about leaving this village? Going somewhere else, I don’t know...

— Of course — she answered, laughing. — You know I’m going to become an adventurer when I turn fourteen. I’ll have to leave the village to explore the world.

— Don’t you think that’s a long way off?

— What do you mean?

— You’re ten years old. Four years left, Beta. That’s a long time.

— Actually, no. I’ll use that time to strengthen and purify my core, and train with the sword. When I turn fourteen, I’ll be ready to adventure.

— I see — she said with a hint of disappointment. — I think I’ll go home. See you later.

— See you — he replied, watching her jump out the window.

Ferry arrived at the spot where the pups had been killed, but the heavy rain made it impossible to find any concrete clues. Frustrated, she decided to return to the church, where her companions were arguing.

With the rain growing heavier and the current stronger, the girls were forced to return to the village. At the entrance, inside an improvised cabin, the guards sheltered from the storm with hot coffee.

The structure was built just for that: to offer shelter to the guards during storms, with beds and food but no bathroom. A safe refuge, since the other side of the village was bordered by the river.

— Heavy rain, huh? — Philipe remarked to the blond man lost in thought, holding a cup of coffee. — Jonathan?

— Huh? What? — he answered, snapping out of his daydream.

— Still worried about the adventurers?

— I don’t know, Philipe. Even without proof, I feel like they’re hiding something. I just don’t know what.

— I didn’t want to let them in; you were the one who cleared the way.

— You didn’t want to because of prejudice and grudges. I... because I sense something strange. That’s all.

— We’re old, Jonathan. Age brings wisdom but also ignorance. Just as I was wrong, maybe you’re wrong too. They’re not disturbing the village.

— And you should lose some weight and shave that Viking beard.

— What’s wrong? Feeling offended?

— It’s not that. Forget it. Must be paranoia.

— You’ve been stressed forever.

— Don’t act like you know everything about my life — he replied, intimidatingly.

— I don’t know everything, but I’ve lived enough to understand people. And you still haven’t gotten over the trauma from the last raid, at twenty-nine years old.

— It’s not just that one. The one that haunts me most is the one I did at fourteen. My first raid.

— You’re worried about the adventurers... or about the boy who wants to be one?

— Beta? Both. I regret telling him those stories. I saw that boy born. I know his past. I don’t want him to follow the same path. I’d rather he have a quiet life here than die out there.

— And there’s the issue with the girls, right?

— Don’t even mention it. I still can’t explain what happened with those wolves. I know Payton wouldn’t do something like that, but she was labeled a murderer by everyone.

— At least she has a strong mind.

— Not forever. Eventually, she’ll get tired. And I want to fix that before it happens. But you know how kids are.

— I know — he said with a sly smile. — And the other girls? Have you tried talking to them?

— What’s the use? The parents scold any attempt to get close to Payton.

— Have you tried talking to the parents? Showing them how it affects both the girls and Payton?

— Talking to them is like talking to a wall. They don’t listen — he said, taking another sip of coffee.

— Complicated situation — he sighed, as thunder echoed in the distance.

— Do you think you’ll ever stop resenting the adventurers?

— You know what they are. They can abandon you at the worst moment.

— But not all of them are like that. I was an adventurer myself, and you don’t hold a grudge against me.

— You’re an exception. You saved my life.

— Like anyone else would have.

— I wouldn’t bet on that... — he said, staring at his empty cup. — And you? Will you overcome your trauma from when you were fourteen?

— I’ve tried. But it haunts me.

— Why don’t you ever tell me what happened?

— It’s not something I feel comfortable sharing — he answered, walking to the window.

— Will you tell me someday?

— When I’m okay with it... I will — he said, watching the rain fall.

— I hope you do — Philipe said, patting his shoulder.

— Me too, Philipe.