After traveling for some time, when the sun was setting, Eric called out from the back of the wagon. "It's going to get dark soon. We need to set up camp here to stay."
Fenric nodded from the wagon's front seat, "Alright. Once we find a safe spot, we'll stop."
The wheels creaked over uneven ground. Kairo scanned the roadside, too many trees, too much cover. Not ideal.
A few minutes later, they came upon a quiet lakeside clearing. The surface of the water mirrored the sunset. No undergrowth crowded the shore. Clear sightlines in three directions.
Eric hopped down, "Perfect. Let's camp here."
Fenric smiled, pulling the reins to halt the wagon fully. "Good choice. Beautiful view."
Eric stretched his arms overhead, "Come on, Kaya. Let's help set up the tents."
Kaya climbed down carefully, her small hands gripping the wagon's edge. She nodded shyly, stepping forward to assist.
Kairo dismounted from the front. He stood still, half lost in thought. His gaze wandered toward Kaya again and again, not intentionally, but drawn by something he couldn't explain. Every time he looked at her, something in him twisted.
Eric's voice cut through his haze. "Kairo! You with us?"
Kairo blinked, awareness snapping back. "I'll scout the area."
He was already walking away before Eric could respond.
...
The forest grew thicker as he moved farther from the camp.
Kairo walked deeper, trying to push away the strange weight pressing against his chest.
It's not Mira, he told himself. It's not her.
But the resemblance clawed at him.
He climbed a tree, rough bark biting into his palms as he hauled himself up. From the higher branches, he scanned the surroundings. Dark shapes of distant trees. The faint shimmer of the lake. No movement. No sounds beyond wind and rustling leaves.
Everything was safe.
After a while, he climbed down and returned to camp.
...
"Everything clear?" Eric asked, sitting near the lake with his sword resting across his knees.
"Yeah." Kairo approached, "Didn't sense anything unusual."
"Good." Eric patted the ground beside him. "Sit. The lake view's nice."
Kairo hesitated but joined him. The two sat in silence, the only sound being the water lapping at the shore. Firelight flickered behind them where Fenric worked over a small cook pot.
The silence stretched until Fenric's voice cut through. "Dinner's ready!"
Eric stood, brushing the dirt from his hands. "Let's eat."
The meal wasn't much, but it was warm, filling, and far better than what Kairo usually ate alone.
Fenric and Eric talked freely, laughing between bites.
Kaya sat quietly across the fire, eating small bites, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She smiled faintly at Eric's jokes but said nothing.
Kairo's eyes lingered on her again and again. The firelight caught the soft brown of her hair. The way she tucked a strand behind her ear.
Kaya noticed and lowered her gaze, cheeks faintly red.
Eric paused mid-sentence, glancing between them. His expression shifted, something protective flickering across his features.
The rest of the meal passed in this awkwardness. Fenric seemed oblivious, scraping the last of the stew from his bowl. Eric's laughter grew quieter.
...
Later, after dinner, Kairo and Eric returned to the lake. They sat by the water again, neither speaking. The moon had risen, pale against the black sky.
Finally, Eric broke the silence.
"You don't…" He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "You don't have strange thoughts about Kaya, do you?"
His tone was firm but not hostile. "She's been through a lot already."
Kairo didn't answer at first. He stared at the water, watching moonlight fracture across tiny waves.
"I had a friend," he said finally, his voice quiet. "Someone like her."
Eric nodded slowly, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Is that why you cried when you first saw her?"
Kairo said nothing.
Eric sighed, pushing himself to his feet. "Forget it. Let's head back."
He left.
Kairo remained seated; his chest felt hollow. Empty in a way that made breathing harder than it should be.
That night felt heavier than the others, not because of danger, but because of memories that refused to fade.
...
By dawn, they had packed their camp and resumed their journey.
The road stretched ahead, dirt packed hard by countless merchant caravans.
By evening, the wagon rolled into Windbrook Village, a small, peaceful settlement surrounded by fields. Wheat swayed in neat rows. Children played near a well, their laughter bright and uncomplicated.
The people smiled easily here, faces unmarked by the harshness of the world beyond.
That night, Fenric arranged lodging in the home of the local lord, an old friend who greeted him with a hearty embrace and too much wine. After dinner, Eric nudged Kairo.
"Come on. Walk with me."
Kairo didn't question it and followed.
...
The village was quiet under the stars. Lanterns glowed in windows. Somewhere, a dog barked once and fell silent.
After a long silence, Eric asked, "Why did you come to Sun City?"
Kairo took a while to answer. "To become an adventurer."
Nothing more.
Eric didn't push. He kicked a loose stone, "Fair enough."
They walked past darkened shops, a blacksmith's forge still radiating heat from the day's work.
But after a while, Eric frowned. His stride slowed imperceptibly. "Wait."
Kairo glanced at him.
"We're being watched."
Kairo froze. He hadn't noticed a thing. No footsteps. No breathing. Nothing.
"Don't panic," Eric murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just keep walking."
They continued on, pretending nothing was wrong. Eric's hand rested casually near his sword hilt, fingers loose but ready.
Kairo's pulse quickened. He strained his senses, searching for movement in the shadows between buildings.
Nothing.
Whatever shadow lingered behind the trees didn't attack. Didn't reveal itself.
When they returned to the lord's manor, Eric pulled Fenric aside. The merchant's face darkened as Eric spoke in low tones.
That night, Kairo and Eric stood guard in shifts until dawn.
...
The next day, they departed early, heading through a dense stretch of forest. The trees here grew thick, branches interlocking overhead to block out most of the sunlight. The road narrowed, forcing the wagon to slow.
Around noon, Eric slowed the wagon further, pulling gently on the reins.
"Don't panic," he said quietly, "We're being surrounded."
Fenric's knuckles whitened on the reins. He didn't speak.
A moment later, a figure cloaked in red stepped onto the road ahead, blocking the way.
Fenric halted the wagon at once.
Eric stepped down, hand resting on his sword. "Sir," he said evenly, "we need to pass. Could you move aside?"
The figure didn't respond. Didn't move. Just stood there.
Kairo silently drew his short sword.
Eric approached cautiously, "I don't want trouble. Just move, and we'll be on our way."
Then, in a blur of motion, two men leapt from the forest, swords gleaming.
Eric reacted instantly. His blade flashed twice in a clean arc, one horizontal slash, one vertical. Both attackers fell before their feet hit the ground, bodies crumpling with wet thuds.
Blood darkened the soil, pooling around their still forms.
Eric didn't even look at them. He pointed his sword at the red-cloaked man, "That's your warning. Turn around."
Slowly, the figure turned.
A demon-like mask covered his face.
Eric's jaw tightened. His grip on his sword shifted slightly. "This is the last warning. Move, or I have to cut you down!"
The masked man tilted his head slightly, saying nothing.
Then, without a word, he stepped aside. One smooth motion, clearing the road completely.
Eric signaled Fenric to move with a sharp jerk of his head. The wagon rolled forward.
Only when they were well past the figure did Eric climb back aboard.
But the color had drained from his face. His hands trembled as he gripped the wagon's edge. Sweat ran down his neck despite the cool air.
Kaya noticed immediately, leaning forward. "Eric… are you okay?"
He swallowed hard, throat working. "I felt his aura."
His voice shook. "Just standing near him made me feel like I was going to die. If he wanted to kill us, we'd all be dead."
Kairo stared at him. Eric's knuckles were white. His breathing shallow.
Eric was strong, far stronger than the adventurers back in the dungeon that Kairo had faced. And yet, he was trembling like a child.
To see him pale and shaking…
Kairo looked at Fenric. The merchant's jaw was set, eyes fixed straight ahead.
Why would someone that powerful appear on a road meant for merchants?
Who exactly is this man I'm escorting?