Lira trudged through the thick forest, her body aching with every step. Her breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps, each one a sign of her exhaustion.
The towering trees above her blocked the sunlight. What little light filtered through the leaves cast long, shadows over the bumpy terrain, making it harder to navigate.
Her supplies were nearly gone. The carefully packed bag her father had left them now held only a few scraps of dried meat they had gotten from the small village, a half-full water pouch, a small pouch of coins, and a first-aid kit that was more empty than full.
Her body had been put through a lot—scratches, bruises, and the lingering pain from injuries inflicted during the Skybreaker attack. Each step sent fresh waves of pain through her legs.
The thorny shrubs and branches on the path tore at her clothes and skin.
Her hand tightened around the sturdy walking stick she'd picked up days ago. It wasn't much, but it had kept her alive, helping her fend off the unnatural aggression of the wildlife.
She shuddered, recalling the animals she'd encountered—a pack of wolves that had chased her for what felt like hours, a glowing stag with antlers that sparked with fragment energy, and the enormous boar that had shattered a tree in its frenzy.
They hadn't acted like normal animals. Their relentless hostility was unsettling, as though something was driving them to attack anything in their path.
"Why are they acting like this?" Lira muttered, her voice hoarse and scratchy.
Miles away, she didn't know the main guards of Raven Town were driving fragment-enhanced beasts and corrupted creatures deeper into the woods. Displaced and enraged, they'd wandered into her path, turning her journey into a living nightmare.
Her focus remained on her goal to reach the capital.
Hours later, after navigating steep hills and thick undergrowth, Lira stumbled upon something she hadn't expected—a brick road.
It was wide and weathered, its moss-covered surface standing in stark contrast to the chaos of the forest. The sight filled her with a flicker of hope.
"This has to lead to the capital," she whispered, clutching her walking stick tightly.
She adjusted her bag and began following the road, her steps fueled by determination. The forest grew quieter the farther she walked, the sounds of displaced animals fading into the distance.
Time passed slowly. The sun dipped lower in the sky, beginning to set.
Lira's legs trembled, each step harder than the last. Her throat was parched, and her water pouch was nearly empty.
Then, she heard something, the creak of wooden wheels and the soft clop of hooves against stone. Turning, she saw a wagon approaching from behind.
The modest vehicle was drawn by two tired-looking donkeys, its wooden frame swaying slightly with each turn of its wheels.
Two merchants sat at the front—a burly, middle-aged man with a graying beard and a wiry man with sharp features and a sly grin.
Relief washed over Lira like a wave.
"Hey!" she called out, her voice cracking but loud enough to carry. "Wait!"
The wagon slowed, the merchants exchanging glances before bringing it to a stop.
The bearded man raised a hand, his tone cautious. "What's your business, girl?"
Lira stopped a few feet from the wagon, trying to catch her breath. "I'm headed to the capital. I've been traveling through the forest for days, and I'm running low on supplies. Can you help me?"
The wiry man leaned forward, his grin widening. "Traveling alone, are you? Through a forest like this?"
Lira nodded, her grip tightening on her walking stick. "I need to reach the capital ...I have money."
That caught their attention. The merchants exchanged a look, their expressions unreadable.
"Money, you say?" the wiry man asked in a casual tone.
Lira reached into her bag and pulled out a small pouch. Opening it, she revealed several silver coins. "Five silver. It's all I can spare, but it's yours if you help me."
"That's... quite generous," he said, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease as he glanced at the wiry man.
The wiry man chuckled. "Well, aren't you lucky to find us? Not everyone would stop for a lone traveler these days."
They motioned for her to climb into the back of the wagon.
Lira hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to be cautious. But exhaustion and desperation won out. She climbed aboard, settling onto the wooden floor.
The merchants handed her a small loaf of bread, a flask of water, and a worn blanket.
"You can rest while we travel," the bearded man said.
"Thank you," Lira murmured, her voice filled with gratitude.
As the wagon jolted forward, she ate the bread slowly, savoring each bite. She drank sparingly from the flask, careful not to waste a drop.
With her immediate needs met, she turned her attention to her injuries. Pulling out her first-aid kit, she unwrapped the bandage around her arm. The gash beneath was swollen and red, the edges crusted with dried blood.
Biting her lip to keep from crying out, she cleaned the wound with antiseptic. The sting brought tears to her eyes, but she worked quickly, wrapping it with fresh bandages before tending to the scratches on her legs.
The merchants began to talk as she worked, their voices low but audible over the creaking of the wagon.
"Traveling alone, huh? That's mighty brave for someone so young. You must've had some close calls out there, yeah? Any scars to show for it?"
Lira didn't look up. "Quite a few. I'm looking for my brother, have you happened to see him? We got separated during an attack by a group he called Skybreakers."
The bearded man's brow furrowed. "Skybreakers? That's a name you don't hear often."
Lira nodded, her hands trembling as she tied a bandage. "They attacked us after we stumbled into their lair. My brother and I escaped, but... we got separated."
The wiry man leaned back, his gaze narrowing slightly. "And you think he's in the capital?"
"It's where we were headed, so I think it's the only place he'd go," Lira said, her voice steady.
The merchants exchanged another glance.
"Must've been a tough journey," the wiry man said, his tone probing. "How'd you make it this far?"
Lira tightened her grip on her walking stick. "I've had to hide and fight when the situation called.
The bearded man chuckled. "Fighting? How'd you even survive fighting those beast? You've got guts, I'll give you that."
Lira kept quiet. Despite his words, she felt a growing unease. Their questions were becoming more direct, their tone shifting in a way that set her on edge.
"And this brother of yours," the wiry man continued. "What's his name?"
"Kael," Lira replied, her eyes narrowing.
The wiry man nodded slowly. "Kael, huh? And what's he like?"
Lira's stomach churned. "He's strong, brave and smarter than most people I've met."
The bearded man chuckled again. "Sounds like quite the brother. Lucky to have a sister like you."
Lira nodded but said nothing more.
The wiry man leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "Five silver's a lot of money for someone your age. Where'd you get it?"
Lira stiffened. "They're... savings. For emergencies."
The wiry man smiled, but it didn't seem friendly. "Smart girl."
Just then, the wagon jolted as it went over a rock, a dull clink came from one of the sacks, Lira used the moment to glance at the sack. it was partially open, revealing what lay inside.
Her blood ran cold upon seeing it.
'Slave collars!'