It wasn't the monsters that worried him, though. It was Renrou.
At first, it was small things. Renrou seemed to be growing stronger, his movements sharper, his strikes more precise. Where he had once struggled to keep up with Nicolas in their training sessions, now he was matching him blow for blow. Nicolas found himself breathless after sparring, while Renrou stood unfazed, almost as if the battles invigorated him.
Nicolas kept his observations to himself, though his thoughts churned with unease. How had Renrou healed so fast? And how was he getting stronger with each passing day? It didn't make sense, but every time Nicolas considered asking, something held him back. Perhaps it was the look in Renrou's eyes, the quiet determination that had replaced his usual calm demeanor.
A week later, they finally decided to head back to the village. The journey out of the Gloamwood was slower than Nicolas would have liked, the oppressive silence of the forest making every step feel like a weight pressing down on them. The fog was thicker now, swirling around their feet as if reluctant to let them go. The trees, with their twisted branches, seemed almost alive, watching their departure with unseen eyes.
As they neared the village, Nicolas couldn't help but glance sideways at Renrou, who walked with steady purpose beside him. His friend had changed, that much was certain. Whether it was the forest itself or something else entirely, Nicolas couldn't shake the feeling that their journey had been more than just a hunt for monsters. Something deeper, something darker, was at play.
The village came into view as they broke through the treeline. It was a small, quiet settlement, nestled between the rolling hills and surrounded by fields of tall grass that swayed gently in the wind. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the landscape, and the distant sound of children's laughter drifted through the air, a stark contrast to the silence of the Gloamwood.
As they walked down the dirt path toward the village, Nicolas finally spoke up. "You've changed."
Renrou didn't look at him, but a slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Maybe the forest changed me," he said quietly, his voice thoughtful. "Or maybe... I was always meant to be stronger."
Nicolas frowned, unsure how to respond. The village gates loomed ahead, and he could see the familiar face of the village. But as they stepped through the gate, Nicolas couldn't shake the feeling that the real danger had only just begun.
As they passed through the village gates, the tension between Nicolas and Renrou was quickly interrupted by the booming voice of Garen, Renrou's father. He stood tall, his arms crossed, eyes fixed on the two boys. The wrinkles on his weathered face deepened as his brow furrowed in anger.
"Where do you think you've been?" Garen's voice echoed, cutting through the quiet of the evening. "Leaving the village without informing anyone? Do you realize what you've done? What could have happened?"
Nicolas lowered his head, knowing better than to argue with Garen, a man who commanded respect from all the villagers. Renrou, however, met his father's gaze, his face emotionless, though Nicolas caught a flicker of defiance in his eyes.
"We hunted the monster s. The village is safe," Renrou said quietly, his tone calm, but Nicolas noticed the tension in his words.
"You hunted without my permission," Garen snapped. "The Gloamwood is no place for reckless boys." His eyes softened as they landed on Nicolas, though his anger remained. "And you, Nicolas... You should know better. The village depends on you."
Nicolas didn't respond, guilt gnawing at him. He knew Garen was right. He'd acted impulsively, drawn to protect the village but risking more than he realized. Still, the unease about Renrou remained in the back of his mind. It wasn't just about the hunt. It was something darker. But now wasn't the time to discuss it.
Garen sighed, his anger fading into frustration. "You both need to be careful. The Blood Moon is approaching again, and the Wesen will be more dangerous than ever." His eyes lingered on Renrou for a moment longer before he turned and walked away, leaving the two boys standing in silence.
As they made their way further into the village, the atmosphere shifted. Despite the scolding, many of the villagers greeted Nicolas warmly, their faces lighting up at the sight of him. Children ran up to him, asking about his adventures, while the older villagers nodded in respect as he passed.
"There's our hero," an elderly woman said with a kind smile. "Still keeping the village safe after all these years."
It wasn't just talk. The village had long known of Nicolas's hidden strength. Even as a baby, he had defeated a powerful Wesen that had threatened the village, a memory that still lingered in the minds of the elders. It was as though he had been born with an innate power, something that had kept the village safe all these years. In truth, they hadn't faced a serious Wesen threat since that fateful day, and most credited Nicolas with their safety.
Still, that day weighed heavily on Nicolas's mind. He didn't remember it, but the stories were enough. The expectations of the village pressed down on him. He trained relentlessly, mastering weapons of every kind—spears, swords, bows, and staves. His movements had grown sharp and precise, his strikes powerful and controlled. Months passed as he honed his skills, the weight of the coming Blood Moon looming ever closer.
But while Nicolas trained, he couldn't help but notice Renrou's own transformation. Day by day, Renrou grew stronger, faster. His strikes became more lethal, and a cold, quiet focus had settled over him. But there was something else, something Nicolas couldn't ignore: Renrou's thirst for blood. It was subtle at first, barely noticeable. But as the months wore on, that hunger grew. He controlled it—for now. But Nicolas could see the strain in Renrou's eyes, the way his hands trembled after their training sessions, as though holding back something far more dangerous than the simple desire to fight.
And all the while, the Blood Moon approached.