The walk back to Vareth Village was quieter than any of them remembered.
Not because the forest had changed.
But because they had.
The path they had taken so lightly before now felt longer. Heavier. Every step carried the weight of what had just happened.
Rynel walked with a slight limp, one hand gripping his shoulder where the wolf had struck him. His usual loud energy had faded, replaced by a tense silence.
Tovin stayed unusually close to Liora, his movements stiff, as if afraid something might leap out at any moment.
Liora herself said nothing.
But her eyes moved constantly—watching Kael.
Kael walked ahead of them.
Not by intention.
It just… happened.
His steps were steady, but each one sent a dull ache through his side. The earlier rush of strength was gone completely, leaving only fatigue and a lingering, unfamiliar emptiness.
And something else.
A memory.
That moment.
That heat in his chest.
Kael frowned slightly.
"…What was that?"
He spoke quietly, almost to himself.
No one answered.
Because no one understood.
By the time the trees began to thin and the familiar outlines of Vareth Village came into view, the tension in the air had only grown heavier.
Smoke rose from chimneys.
Voices echoed faintly.
Life continued.
Unaware.
"We shouldn't tell anyone," Tovin said suddenly.
Rynel glanced at him. "What?"
"The wolf," Tovin clarified quickly. "If people hear about it, they'll stop us from going near the forest completely."
"That's… not a bad thing," Liora said.
Tovin hesitated.
"…Still."
Rynel exhaled, wincing slightly from the movement. "Let's just get back first."
Kael didn't join the conversation.
His focus had shifted.
Ahead—
A familiar figure stood near the edge of the village.
Waiting.
Darian Vareth.
He didn't call out.
Didn't move.
But the moment Kael saw him—
He knew.
Something was wrong.
As they approached, Darian's gaze moved across all of them in silence.
Taking in everything.
The dirt.
The torn clothes.
The blood.
His expression didn't change.
But the air around him did.
"What happened?" he asked.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Rynel opened his mouth—
Then hesitated.
Tovin looked away.
Liora glanced at Kael.
Kael stepped forward.
"…We ran into a wolf," he said.
"A normal one?" Darian asked.
The question came immediately.
Without pause.
Kael shook his head.
"…No."
Silence.
For a brief moment, something flickered in Darian's eyes.
Recognition.
Then it was gone.
"Go home," he said. "All of you."
There was no room for argument.
Rynel nodded quickly. "Yeah… let's go."
Tovin followed without a word.
Liora lingered for just a moment longer.
Her gaze moved between Kael and Darian—
Then she turned and left.
Now—
Only the two of them remained.
The space between father and son felt… different.
"He attacked first?" Darian asked.
"Yes."
"You fought?"
"Yes."
Another pause.
Darian stepped closer.
Not threatening.
But firm.
His eyes settled on Kael's side.
"…You're injured."
"It's nothing," Kael replied.
"That's not what I asked."
Kael remained silent.
Darian's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…Show me."
Kael hesitated—
Then lifted his torn shirt slightly.
The shallow cut along his ribs was visible now, dried blood marking the edges.
Darian studied it.
Carefully.
Then—
His eyes shifted.
Not to the wound.
But slightly above it.
To Kael's chest.
Just for a second.
"…I see," he said quietly.
Kael frowned.
"See what?"
Darian straightened.
"Come inside."
—
The house felt different that evening.
Quieter.
Heavier.
Elira stood near the table when they entered, her hands still, her expression calm—but her eyes immediately moved to Kael.
"You're hurt."
"I'm fine."
"That's not the point."
She stepped closer, her gaze soft but firm as she examined his side.
"…This wasn't from training."
"No."
Elira's fingers paused briefly near the edge of the wound.
Then—
For the briefest moment—
Her hand shifted.
Not to the injury.
But just above it.
Near his chest.
As if checking something.
Then she pulled back.
"…Sit," she said.
Kael did as he was told.
Silence filled the room as Elira began cleaning the wound, her movements careful and practiced.
Darian stood nearby.
Watching.
Not just the injury.
But Kael.
"…Tell me exactly what happened," he said.
Kael did.
From the moment they entered the forest.
To the silence.
To the attack.
To the fight.
He spoke clearly.
Without exaggeration.
But when he reached the end—
He hesitated.
"…And?" Darian asked.
Kael's brow furrowed.
"…Something felt different."
Elira's hand stilled for just a fraction.
Darian didn't interrupt.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"My body moved faster than it should have."
His voice lowered.
"…Stronger."
Silence.
Thick.
Unspoken.
Darian and Elira exchanged a glance.
Brief.
But filled with meaning.
"…It was adrenaline," Darian said finally.
Simple.
Dismissive.
But not convincing.
Kael didn't respond.
Because even he knew—
That wasn't all.
Elira finished wrapping the wound.
"You should rest," she said gently.
Kael nodded.
But as he stood—
He paused.
"…Father."
Darian looked at him.
"…If I become stronger," Kael said slowly, "strong enough to leave this place…"
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"…would you stop me?"
For a moment—
Darian didn't answer.
Then—
"…No."
The response came quietly.
But firmly.
Kael nodded once.
Then turned and left.
The door closed behind him.
Silence remained.
For a long moment, neither Darian nor Elira spoke.
Then—
"…It's begun," Elira said softly.
Darian's gaze lowered slightly.
"…Yes."
His expression darkened, just slightly.
"…Sooner than I expected."
Elira's voice was quieter now.
"…What will we do?"
Darian didn't answer immediately.
His eyes moved toward the door.
Toward where Kael had gone.
"…We prepare him," he said.
A pause.
"…Before it's too late."