Evening

Evening settled over the forest like a slow-moving shadow.

The Night Hunters had searched the forest for hours, but found nothing.

Near the destroyed transport, a Night Hunter mage approached Ravenn, his shoulders tense.

“Sire… it’s almost evening,” the mage said.

“We’ve found no clue. Our weapons are drained, and that boy destroyed our fuel reserves. We must retreat. We need to reach our base before dawn.”

He lowered his voice.

“We can’t afford another night in the forest. Our men are exhausted, and we still have a long distance to travel. Once darkness settles completely, this forest will become far more dangerous.”

Ravenn’s jaw clenched.

His visor glowed faintly as he thought.

“…We have no choice,” he finally said.

“Retreat. We’ll find them later.”

The Night Hunters pulled back, disappearing into the distance as the last sliver of sunlight dimmed.

Inside the Underground Room

Ashren looked toward the sealed hatch.

“I think it’s almost evening,” he said.

“We can’t stay here forever… and we can’t go back to the village.”

He looked up toward the hatch.

“We need to go somewhere safe before nightfall.”

“You stay here—I’ll go check if they’re still nearby.”

The princess suddenly grabbed his wrist.

“Wait.”

She unfastened the silver bracelet from her arm and placed it gently into Ashren’s hand.

“Take this.”

Ashren blinked.

“Your bracelet?”

“It carries a protective enchantment.”

“It belonged to my mother.”

“It reacts to anyone who intends to harm us. If someone like that is near us… it glows faintly.”

Ashren looked at her, stunned by the trust.

“…Thank you.”

He slipped the bracelet onto his wrist and climbed out of the shelter.

The forest above was quiet.

The bracelet remained dull.

No glow.

Ashren moved carefully, checking the trees, the ground, and the sounds carried by the wind.

Nothing.

No movement.

No Hunters.

He returned to the shelter.

“It seems they left,” Ashren said.

“The bracelet didn’t react once.”

The princess let out a tired breath.

“…Good.”

Ashren nodded.

“We need to move quickly.”

He held up several pieces of fruit.

“I grabbed these while checking around.”

“You didn't eat anything earlier, right?”

“We’ll need our strength to travel.”

They shared the fruit in silence.

Then, without wasting any more time, they climbed out of the shelter and began moving away from the forest—and from Edger.

They had only a few hours left before full sunset.

Heading North

The sun was sinking, its crimson glow stretching across the trees.

Ashren hurried ahead.

“There’s another village north of here,” he said.

“My friends mentioned it once.”

For a moment, his thoughts returned to Mikas.

Then to Orin.

The princess noticed the change in his expression.

“You’re thinking about your uncle.”

Ashren nodded.

“Yeah.”

“I hope he gets a proper burial.”

He looked back toward the direction of Edger.

“I trust Mikas.”

“But we can't go back to the village. Their eyes must still be on it.”

“Going back would only cause more harm than good.”

The princess remained silent.

Ashren turned forward again.

“If we move fast, we can reach another village before dark.”

They followed a narrow path alongside a clear-water canal.

The fading sunlight reflected off the surface like molten gold.

Ashren paused for just a moment, staring at his reflection.

“Whoa…”

“I’ve never seen the water look like this.”

The princess smiled faintly.

But the moment didn't last.

They continued beside the canal as the sun disappeared beyond the distant hills.

Only a faint, fading light remained in the sky.

“Come on,” Ashren said, pointing toward a small wooden bridge.

“We have to cross.”

The princess suddenly grabbed his sleeve.

“Ashren—don't go near the water.”

Before he could ask why—

a small fish burst from the surface, snapping another fish in its jaws before diving back down.

Ashren's eyes widened.

“Okay…”

“Good point.”

They crossed quickly.

The First Creatures of Night

The trees thickened around them.

Rocks rose on both sides, forming a narrow natural valley.

Then—

they froze.

Two lines of small, shapeless creatures shuffled across the valley path, moving like a silent parade.

Their goo-like bodies sloshed with every step.

Ashren stared.

“It’s been minutes since darkness started… it hasn't even completely arrived yet.”

“Why are they already out?”

The princess's expression changed.

“Then we don't have much time.”

“These smaller ones come early.”

“They gather in groups before their night hunt.”

“Which means their nest must be nearby.”

“It isn't safe.”

“Come on.”

They began moving backward slowly.

Then—

the last creature in the line suddenly turned.

Two empty, hollow eye-spots locked onto them.

Ashren's blood ran cold.

“Oh, no—RUN!”

The creature shrieked and charged toward them.

Ashren grabbed a large rock and hurled it.

The rock slammed into the creature, splattering part of its body.

The monster shrieked louder—

an awful, echoing sound.

Ashren winced.

“Ugh! That noise!”

“But it’s slow—we can outrun it!”

They sprinted through the valley, dodging boulders and roots.

Behind them, the creature continued shrieking.

More movement stirred somewhere deeper in the darkness.

Ashren didn't look back.

“Faster!”

They finally broke free into open rocky terrain.

They didn't stop running until the shrieks faded into the distance.

After several minutes, they slowed.

Both were panting heavily.

Ashren leaned against a stone wall, trying to catch his breath.

The princess suddenly lifted her head.

“Ashren…”

“Look.”

Up ahead, tucked between the rocks, a faint light shimmered.

They approached cautiously.

There was an entrance carved directly into the rock.

A faint glow came from within, as though someone had lit torches deeper inside.

Ashren stepped closer.

“A cave?”

He looked at the strange structure.

“No…”

“Something else.”

The princess's eyes widened the moment she saw the carvings around the entrance.

“Oh no…”

Her voice trembled.

“This is not good.”

Ashren looked at her.

“What is this place?”

The princess didn't answer.

Her eyes remained fixed on the carvings.

“This symbol…”

“This structure…”

She swallowed.

“Oh no.”

“This is not good.”

Before Ashren could ask again—

a deep rumbling echoed from inside the cavern.

Something was moving.

A massive silhouette approached the entrance.

Ashren's breath caught.

A giant stepped into view.

His skin was a stony blue.

He stood nearly eight feet tall, his shoulders wide enough to block most of the passage.

In his hand was a heavy, iron-forged club.

Ashren's heart plummeted.

“What… is THAT?”

The princess grabbed his sleeve.

“Don't speak loudly.”

“Don't draw attention.”

She lowered her voice.

“This is the Mountain Tribe.”

“They're strong…”

“Very strong.”

“All muscle…”

She hesitated.

“…and, according to what I've heard, not exactly known for their intelligence.”

The giant warrior snorted the air, scanning the surroundings like a beast searching for an intruder.

Ashren and the princess quickly ducked back.

They slipped into one of the smaller cave-rooms branching from the main tunnel.

Inside, it was dim.

It looked like a home carved directly into stone.

Bowls made from cracked rock sat near the walls.

Dried leaves had been arranged as bedding.

Strange carvings covered parts of the stone walls.

Ashren whispered,

“It looks like… someone lives here.”

The princess nodded nervously.

“Someone does.”

She pressed a finger over her lips.

“Silence.”

They backed deeper into the cave-house, crouching low.

But then—

Ashren froze.

A woman of the Mountain Tribe sat against the stone wall.

She was huge and muscular, with the same blue skin.

In her arms, she held a sleeping infant wrapped in animal hide.

Beside her stood two children, older but still young.

All three stared directly at Ashren and the princess.

Ashren's throat tightened.

The baby stirred.

It stretched softly.

Then its bright golden eyes slowly opened—

and landed directly on Ashren.

The mother's eyes widened.

Her grip tightened around the infant.

A low warning growl rumbled from her chest.

Ashren flinched.

Then—

THUD.

Heavy footsteps shook the ground behind them.

The massive warrior from before appeared in the doorway.

His shoulders nearly brushed the sides of the entrance as he stepped inside.

His gaze moved across the room—

from the woman…

to the children…

then to the two strangers crouched in the corner.

Ashren felt his pulse hammering in his ears.

The princess swallowed.

Frozen.

The warrior's expression hardened.

He took one heavy step forward.

The stone floor vibrated beneath his feet.

The princess's body stiffened—

she didn't know what to do.

The giant raised his weapon—