Chapter 19 — Eyes in the Mist
Kael stopped mid-step. The air felt heavier, the mist thicker — not natural this time.
—Confirmed, Side said, voice low in his mind. This one's not charging. It's studying you.
Kael rested his sword across his shoulder. "A hunter."
The noble frowned. "You mean another beast?"
Kael didn't answer. The reeds ahead parted with almost deliberate slowness. Out stepped a tall, lean figure — humanoid, but wrong. Its limbs were too long, joints bending subtly backward, skin pale as bone under wet strips of leather armor. Its face was covered by a wooden mask, carved with a jagged smile.
In its hands was a spear of blackened bone, the tip dripping with something that hissed when it hit the water.
The noble took a step back. "That's not—"
"Quiet," Kael murmured.
The masked hunter tilted its head, like it was listening to something Kael couldn't hear. Then, without warning, it vanished into the mist.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
The attack came from the side — a silent thrust aimed for his ribs. He twisted, parrying the spear aside. The impact vibrated up his arm; the thing was strong.
He countered with a quick slash, but the hunter flowed backward, using the mist like a cloak.
Kael shut his eyes for a second. The world shifted — spatial ripples fanning out from him in every direction. The hunter's outline flared in his mind's eye.
He stepped — and space folded. He reappeared behind the hunter, blade sweeping low. The creature spun unnaturally fast, blocking with its spear before shoving Kael back.
—Fast learner, Side warned. It's adapting to your timing.
Kael grinned faintly. "So am I."
They clashed again — spear darting in fluid arcs, sword answering with precise, punishing strikes. Each exchange grew faster, sharper, the mist swirling violently around them.
Finally, Kael feinted a thrust. The hunter bit — shifting to parry — and Kael stepped sideways through space, reappearing at its unguarded flank. His blade pierced the mask's jawline, snapping the wooden grin in half.
The hunter froze, trembling, then went limp. Its body slid into the water — and vanished into Kael's shadow with the faintest ripple.
The noble swallowed hard. "You… didn't even flinch."
Kael shrugged. "It wasn't the worst thing I've fought today."
As they moved on, Kael caught sight of something half-buried in the mud where the hunter had stood — a carved token, etched with a symbol he didn't recognize. He pocketed it.
—You're keeping trophies now? Side asked.
"Clues," Kael corrected. "This thing didn't feel like a beast. Felt… organized."
Side was silent for a beat. Then you might have just picked a fight with something that has friends.
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