The girl and the old man fought side by side, destroying the monsters in a burst of flame and light.
Robert's eyes went wide in disbelief.
"W–wow… what was that, old man?"
The girl glared at him.
"Shut up," she snapped. "Now tell me—who are you, and what are you doing alone in this jungle?"
Robert hesitated. "I… I should be the one asking that," he muttered.
The old man frowned at the girl.
"Enough, child. Can't you see? The boy was running for his life. Let him breathe."
"Yes, Grandpa," she said quietly.
The old man turned back to Robert.
"So, boy… who are you?"
Robert paused, thinking hard.
(No… I can't tell them my real name. My brother always told me—never trust strangers so easily.)
"My name's Zack," he finally said. "I… got lost."
The girl crossed her arms. "Lost? A kid who's 'lost' doesn't carry a sword like that. Something's off."
"No, it's not like that," Robert replied quickly. "This sword… it was my brother's. I'm just carrying it."
The old man studied him for a moment, then asked calmly,
"All right then, boy. Where were you headed?"
"I was just… wandering," Robert said quietly. "You helped me, and I'm grateful for that. But I should be going now."
The old man chuckled heartily.
"Ha ha ha! Don't be afraid, boy. We're not bad people. You have nothing to fear from us. Tell me—where are you headed? If our destination is the same, then three travelers are better than one, eh?"
Robert didn't really want to go with them, but after a moment of hesitation, he nodded slightly.
"I'm going to Black Fort," he said.
The old man's eyes lit up.
"Oh-ho! What a coincidence—we're headed there too. Then it's settled! Let's travel together."
Robert forced a faint smile, but inside, his thoughts were guarded.
(I still can't trust them… not yet. I'll stay alert, no matter what.)
The three of them walk together, traveling until the sun begins to sink behind the trees.
"Grandpa," the girl says, glancing at the darkening sky, "it's getting late. We should set up camp here."
"Yes, you're right," the old man agrees.
Robert nods quietly. "Fine. We'll rest here for the night."
They all set up camp, light a small fire, and begin to relax.
After a while, the girl looks at Robert.
"So, Zack… why are you going to Black Fort?"
Robert glances at her once, then looks away in silence.
The girl frowns. "Hmph. You're such a snob. It's not like I wanted to talk to you anyway!"
Robert sighs. "Then who asked you to?"
They both turn their backs to each other and lie down, facing opposite sides of the campfire.
The night passes. Morning breaks.
Robert slowly opens his eyes, stretches—and suddenly freezes. His face turns pale.
"What the—where's my sword!?" He looks around frantically. "Where is it!?"
His eyes dart around the empty camp.
"Wait… where's that old man? And the girl?"
Panic turns to rage.
"No, no, no… those bastards! They stole my sword!"
He clenches his fists, trembling with anger.
"I knew it! I knew they were shady! Damn them!"
He looks toward the distant hills.
"Black Fort… yeah. That's where they'll go. They'll try to sell it there."
His eyes burn with fury.
"You old bastard… you witch girl… just wait for me."
A cold wind blows as he mutters,
"Your death is coming."
To be continue...