Eryx and the girl, whose name he had learned was Lira, traveled in silence through the darkening forest. The air was heavy with the scent of pine, and shadows danced in the corners of his vision as the light of day waned. Lira stayed close to him, her small figure moving quietly beside him. Despite the apparent danger, she seemed to trust him completely now, her earlier fear replaced by cautious hope.
The tension of the recent battle had faded, but Eryx's mind was still racing. His thoughts kept drifting back to the encounter with the strange man in the forest. The cryptic warnings and the unsettling sense that something far more dangerous was approaching clung to his every thought. The further he ventured from the sanctuary, the more he realized that the trials were not behind him—they were only beginning.
As they approached the edge of the forest, Lira pointed toward a small cluster of lights in the distance. "That's the village," she said, her voice trembling with relief. "We're close now."
Eryx nodded, but even as they neared the village, his instincts screamed that something was wrong. The air felt different—heavier, darker, as though the forest itself was trying to warn him. His hand hovered near his sword, and his senses sharpened.
When they finally emerged from the trees, the sight that greeted them confirmed his suspicions.
The village was in ruins.
Houses were burnt to the ground, smoke still rising from charred remains. The once-bustling streets were eerily silent, and there was no sign of life. Eryx's heart sank as he took in the destruction. Whoever had attacked this village had done so recently. Perhaps the bandits who had pursued Lira were only part of a larger force.
Lira gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "No... no, this can't be happening."
Eryx moved quickly, guiding her away from the open road and into the cover of a nearby tree. His eyes scanned the village, searching for any movement, any sign of the attackers still being nearby.
Suddenly, a voice pierced the silence.
"Over there!"
Eryx's head snapped in the direction of the voice. A group of men, armored and armed, emerged from the shadows of a broken building. They weren't bandits—these men moved with military precision, their armor marked with the sigil of a noble house.
Lira's face paled. "They're not bandits. They're soldiers."
"Stay low," Eryx whispered, crouching beside her. "I'll handle this."
Before Lira could protest, Eryx stepped out from behind the tree, his sword drawn. The soldiers halted in their tracks when they saw him, their hands moving to their weapons. There were four of them, each one hardened and battle-ready.
"Who are you?" one of the soldiers barked, his hand resting on the hilt of a broadsword. "This village is under quarantine by order of Lord Vaelor. State your business."
Eryx's brow furrowed. "Quarantine? This village wasn't attacked by bandits?"
The soldier's eyes narrowed. "Bandits? No. These people were harboring traitors to the crown. By order of the king, the village was purged. No one is allowed in or out."
Eryx's blood ran cold. A purge? These people, these innocent villagers, had been slaughtered for political reasons? He could feel his anger rising, the power within him stirring in response.
"These are innocent people," Eryx said, his voice low and dangerous. "You killed them for no reason."
The soldier smirked, stepping forward. "Innocent? The crown decides who is innocent and who is guilty. You'd do well to remember that, boy."
The other soldiers began to fan out, encircling Eryx with practiced movements. He could sense their readiness, their intent. They weren't going to let him leave without a fight.
"I'm giving you one chance to walk away," Eryx said, his grip tightening on his sword. "Leave now, and no one else has to die."
The soldiers laughed, their leader shaking his head. "Brave words, but you're outnumbered. We'll bring your head to Lord Vaelor as a warning to anyone else who thinks they can defy the crown."
Without another word, the leader lunged at Eryx, his sword slicing through the air. Eryx parried the strike with ease, the clang of steel ringing out through the empty village. The other soldiers rushed in, their weapons flashing in the dim light.
Eryx moved like a whirlwind, his blade a blur as he countered each attack with precision. He could feel the energy within him surging, guiding his movements. The soldiers were skilled, but Eryx had faced far worse. The sanctuary's trials had honed him, made him more than just a warrior. He was something else now—something greater.
Within moments, two of the soldiers were down, their weapons clattering to the ground as they collapsed. The remaining two hesitated, glancing at each other in uncertainty.
"You still have a chance to walk away," Eryx said, his voice steady.
But before the soldiers could decide, a voice cut through the tension—a cold, commanding voice that sent a chill down Eryx's spine.
"Stand down."
From the shadows of the ruined village, a figure stepped forward. It was a man, tall and imposing, dressed in dark armor that glinted ominously in the fading light. His face was obscured by a hood, but Eryx could feel the power radiating from him.
The soldiers immediately obeyed, lowering their weapons and stepping back. The man in the dark armor approached, his gaze fixed on Eryx.
"You've made quite the mess here," the man said, his voice calm but filled with menace. "But I can see why. You're not an ordinary fighter."
Eryx didn't lower his guard. "Who are you?"
The man smiled faintly. "I am someone who understands power. And I can see that you possess a great deal of it." He glanced at the fallen soldiers before looking back at Eryx. "But power without direction is dangerous. I can offer you purpose."
Eryx's heart pounded in his chest. He had heard these words before, from the mysterious man in the forest. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, but he didn't like the picture they were forming.
"I don't need your help," Eryx said, his voice firm.
The man's smile widened, but it was devoid of warmth. "We shall see. But know this: the path you walk is fraught with enemies. The king's men will stop at nothing to bring you down. And when that time comes, you may find yourself without allies."
Eryx met the man's gaze, unflinching. "I'll make my own way."
The man inclined his head slightly. "Very well. But the offer stands. When you're ready to learn the true meaning of power, you know where to find me."
With that, the man turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as he had appeared. The soldiers followed him, their footsteps fading into the night.
Eryx stood there for a long moment, the weight of the encounter settling over him like a heavy cloak. He had come to protect Lira, to do what was right—but it was becoming clear that the world he had re-entered was far more complex than he had imagined.
As the darkness of the night closed in around him, Eryx knew that the storm was only just beginning.