It was during one of the patrols Paul did at the edge of the Wild Lands, nearest to the village, that he and Zlodey found it. A giant centipede, larger than most common houses. Its body was longer than anything they ever saw, with some sort of black smoke coming out of it. Thankfully, it was too far to notice the men, and they quickly retreated. Just remembering the creature made Paul feel weird inside, as if it was something he wasn’t supposed to have found.

“Oh?” Jaros took his words seriously. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” Paul nodded, confirming. “We never told the boys about what we see during our patrols, there’s no way it’s a coincidence.”

Jaros sat back, fingers intertwined. He turned the report over in his mind and narrowed his eyes just a bit.

“Do you believe them?”

“I do.”

“And I assume you want your squad? Will your wife also accompany you?”

“Well, Katyl isn’t really in fighting shape. As for the others…” Paul hesitated, but Jaros already knew the answer.

“Yes.” Paul said. “We go as soon as possible. We’ll seal the place up or kill whatever’s inside.”

Jaros trusted Paul more than most people he ever came across in his life. Thanks to that, he was confident in sharing private information that many would never even imagine.

“There’s been some reports from other towns, creatures from the Wild Lands, moving in closer every month, and something ominous in the redwoods to the north… But I guess you’ve been hearing about this yourself.”

Paul didn’t say anything, but his body tensed.

Jaros waited, then nodded as he came to a decision.

“I’ll summon your old squad to come. It shouldn’t take long but expect four or five days at maximum. And expect to see patrols near the border way more often.”

Paul stood. “Thank you. We’ll make sure this place remains safe.”

Jaros almost smiled, then thought better of it. “I’m counting on you. Better not disappoint.”

Paul bowed again, deeper this time, and turned to leave.

“Paul.” Jaros called after him, making him stop with his hand already on the door.

“You come back whole. All of you. That’s an order.”

“Yes sir.” Paul nodded and quickly left.

Meanwhile, Xyron made his way back home, this time at a slow and worried-less pace. His father was now aware of everything, so he could allow himself to rest, even if just for a bit. As his hand was about to push the door, he hesitated, thinking about the likely scolding he was about to receive from his mother. He had promised not to get in trouble, yet there he was with multiple bruises and a small burn from careless use of fire magic.

After gathering enough courage, the boy slowly opened the door, hoping he could slip into his room without making any sound. However, it did not matter how careful he was, since the old hinges cracked louder and louder the more he pushed the door in. His mother stood by the table, cleaning the mess her youngest child made from eating earlier.

On the opposite side of the table was half a loaf of bread, next to a bowl filled with soup, usually steaming and with a sweet aroma leaking from it, but it had long gone cold.

“Xyron!” She called him out, noticing him entering through the door. Ever since he ran to speak with his father, the only thing on her mind was multiple scenarios of what could have possibly happened for him to be so roughed up.

She watched as he unbuckled the belt he always took on his hunts, realizing he didn’t have his usual dagger on him.

“Eat and explain yourself!” She ordered, more worried than angry. She had her silverish hair tied up in a ponytail, dressing the common housewife clothes the village had available.

Xyron felt most of his body go numb as he sat down on the wooden chair. It had been hours of running around, escaping the beast in the ruins and then rushing to the village. He took a deep breath, then a bite. The soup’s texture had gone weird, making it thick at the back of his throat. He made a show of chewing, though there was barely anything to chew, and did not dare look up at his mother’s face.

She slid into the chair across from him, placed her elbows on the table with her hands knit together tightly.

“You said you’d be careful.” Her voice came out flat. “What happened?”

Xyron swallowed, readying himself to speak.

“We took our usual route, but we found something…” He paused, picturing the place in his mind so he could describe it accurately. “Some sort of underground ruins, it was almost like a maze in there, but the worst part…”

Xyron scooped a spoonful of soup and set it on his tongue, swiftly swallowing the thick liquid. “That thing. Somehow there was a giant wolf in there. It moved so fast it almost got us, but thanks to our size we managed to escape through rubble.”

“You cannot be serious…” Her hands went still. “What did your father say about this?”

He set the spoon down and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“If I am to take the face he made seriously, then I assume he must know something. Especially how he ran off somewhere after we told him everything.”

She closed her eyes for a second, opening them again and fixed her son with a look as sharp as glass. 

“You’re not like the other boys, Xyron. You never were. But Kai, he follows you because he trusts you. Someday you’re going to drag that boy somewhere he can’t walk back from.”

“I don’t make him do anything! Kai is smarter than me… Half of the time.”

“Even still, you’re old enough to be responsible and know when to stop. You must be careful.” She said, and a low smile appeared on her face. “And I know what that means, because your father was just like you back in the day.”

Xyron looked away, but not before she saw the flash of pride he couldn’t hide in his eyes. Being told he was like his father was a great compliment. Katyl softened, just a little. She knew her son understood her. He scraped the bowl clean and set it gently in the center of the table. She watched him with a bigger smile now, with the corners of her eyes going soft.

He was about to get up when, but then he remembered. 

“Where’s Aolyne?” He asked, finding it strange his little brother was nowhere to be seen. Katyl chuckled, bringing her hand to cover her mouth.

“That girl from the church came to get him so he could play with the other kids a little. I’m sure you know who.” She teased, knowing how Xyron often looked at said girl with… interest.

“What are you trying to say… No matter. Guess I need to pass by the church anyway to take care of this wound.” He looked at all the spots he got hurt while escaping from the wolf in the ruins.

Then his mother leaned forward, voice gone sly. “You should have done that already. Go on. And bring Aolyne back with you after he gets tired. Maybe bring the girl for dinner or something. You know, she really is pretty.”

He stared at the wood grain of the table until he could trust himself not to say something dumb. Just a minute ago his mother was scolding him about his recent adventure in the forest, and now she teased him about his love life.

She didn’t laugh, which was worse. Just a slow and satisfied exhale, as if she’d gotten exactly what she wanted. He cleared his throat, headed to the door and pulled it open.

“I’ll be going then."

“Make sure you boys return before dark.” She said.

“Sure.” Xyron complied.

“And wash the bowl next time, don’t leave all the dishes for me.”

But the door was already closed. Inside, she listened to his boots fade down the path, then turned to the bowl in the center of the table, resuming her chores. Her heart still ached from her son being in danger, but that was the reality she knew she had to accept in such a world.