The forest stretched endlessly before them, each step heavier than the last. The soft rustling of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures were their only companions. Jian led the way, his gait steady and confident, while Hu Win struggled to keep pace, his legs aching from the unrelenting march.
Hu Win grumbled under his breath, the weight of silence gnawing at him. "So, are we just going to walk forever? Or do you actually know where we're going?"
Jian didn't turn to face him but spoke casually, his voice carrying a faint air of amusement. "Patience. The forest doesn't reveal its secrets to those in a rush."
Hu Win rolled his eyes, muttering, "Great. More cryptic nonsense."
Just as Hu Win was about to complain again, a faint shuffle ahead made Jian stop abruptly. He raised a hand, signaling Hu Win to stay quiet.
"What is it—" Hu Win started, but Jian shot him a sharp glance that immediately silenced him.
The figure that emerged from the trees was small, hunched, and unmistakably a goblin. Its wiry frame moved with an unnerving jitter, its crooked teeth bared in a sneer. But something about it was... wrong.
Jian narrowed his eyes, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword. "Stay back," he murmured, his tone low and serious.
Hu Win's voice wavered. "Is... is that a goblin? I've heard about them, but it looks..."
"Different," Jian finished, his gaze fixed on the creature. The goblin's skin was darker than any he had seen before—a deep, almost blackened green that seemed to absorb the moonlight rather than reflect it. Its glowing red eyes held an unnatural intensity, as if they were lit by some malevolent fire.
Jian whispered, half to himself, "That's not normal. Goblins don't look like that."
The goblin let out a guttural snarl, stepping closer. Jian drew his sword in one fluid motion, its blade gleaming faintly in the moonlight.
"Hu Win, stay behind me," he ordered, his voice calm but firm.
Hu Win hesitated, his pride urging him to protest, but the sheer menace emanating from the goblin silenced him. He stepped back, clutching the dagger Jian had let him keep earlier.
Jian tightened his grip on his sword, his thoughts racing. This goblin... its aura. It's almost like it's tainted by something.
The goblin lunged, its movements faster than Jian had anticipated. He sidestepped smoothly, his sword cutting through the air. The goblin twisted mid-attack, evading the blade with an agility that shouldn't have been possible for its kind.
"This thing isn't normal," Jian muttered.
He took a deep breath, steadying his mind. Pointing the tip of his sword toward the goblin, he murmured, "[Light Beam]."
A radiant burst of energy erupted from the tip of his blade, streaking toward the goblin like a shooting star. The forest lit up in a dazzling flash, the sheer brilliance forcing Hu Win to shield his eyes.
The goblin screamed, but it didn't retreat. Instead, it raised its clawed hand, a dark, crackling energy forming at its fingertips. The darkness coalesced into a beam of its own, meeting Jian's attack head-on.
The collision of light and dark exploded in a deafening roar, the shockwave tearing through the forest. Trees groaned and swayed, and Hu Win was knocked off his feet.
Jian staggered but held his ground, his eyes wide. "A goblin... casting magic?" he muttered, disbelief lacing his words. "No goblin should have this kind of power."
The goblin snarled again, its body crouched low as it prepared to strike once more. Jian didn't hesitate.
"Enough," he said, his voice low and resolute. He adjusted his stance, gripping his sword with both hands. "[Sword Dance]," he whispered.
In an instant, Jian's movements became a blur. He darted toward the goblin, his blade moving with a grace and precision that seemed almost otherworldly. The goblin's eyes widened in alarm, but it was too late. Jian's sword sliced through it in a series of swift, fluid motions, each cut perfectly measured.
When Jian stopped, the goblin fell to the ground in pieces, its dark blood seeping into the earth.
Hu Win scrambled to his feet, his mouth agape. "That... was incredible," he breathed.
Jian cleaned his blade with a cloth, his expression unreadable. "That wasn't just a goblin," he said, sheathing his sword. "Whatever it was, it's dead now. But something about this doesn't sit right."
Hu Win stared at the remains, a mix of awe and fear in his eyes. "You think there's more of them?"
Jian glanced at him, his face serious. "Possibly. But let's hope not. If creatures like this are roaming the forest, it's not a good sign."
They walked in silence for a while, the weight of what had just happened lingering in the air. Eventually, they came across a cave tucked into the side of a hill.
"This will do," Jian said, gesturing for Hu Win to follow him inside.
The cave was small but dry, with enough room for them to sit and rest. Jian set his sword down beside him and leaned against the wall, his eyes half-closed.
Hu Win broke the silence. "What were you doing in the forest, anyway?"
Jian opened one eye, glancing at him. "Heading to a town called Hiun."
"Hiun?" Hu Win repeated. "Why?"
Jian shrugged. "No particular reason. I go where I want. Adventure, you could say."
Hu Win frowned, his pride warring with the burning question in his chest. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice quieter than usual. "Can you train me?"
Jian blinked, then let out a short laugh. "You? Train with me?"
Hu Win's face turned red. "What's so funny about that? I could learn!"
Jian chuckled again, shaking his head. "You're not exactly the warrior type, Hu Win."
"I'll prove you wrong!" Hu Win snapped, glaring at him.
Jian smirked. "Alright. I'll train you. But only when we reach Hiun."
"Really?" Hu Win's expression shifted to one of cautious hope.
"Really," Jian said, his smirk softening into a faint smile. "But don't expect it to be easy."
Hu Win nodded, determination shining in his eyes. For the first time since leaving home, he felt like he was moving toward something real.
As the night deepened, the two sat in the cave, the flicker of a small fire illuminating their faces. Though their journey had only just begun, Hu Win couldn't help but feel that his life was already changing in ways he couldn't have imagined.