The forest seemed alive with movement as Kain and Orin hastened through the dense woods, their path lit only by the faint glow of the moon. The shadow of the creature—now a charred and lifeless mass behind them—lingered in Kain's mind. His heart still pounded in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins.
"How long can we keep running like this?" Kain asked, his voice tight with urgency. His legs burned from the exertion, and his mind was still fogged with confusion and fear.
Orin, ever the seasoned warrior, led the way with a steady pace. His eyes constantly scanned the surroundings, as though he expected danger to strike at any moment. "As long as we need to," he replied tersely. "Keep moving."
"Keep moving?" Kain echoed, frustration creeping into his voice. "You can't be serious. The gods, creatures like that... What am I supposed to do now?"
Orin stopped abruptly and turned to face him, his expression a mix of sympathy and resolve. "You've got the Luck of Gods, Kain. Whether you want it or not, that makes you a target. The gods are not kind to those they deem threats. But you've got something they don't expect: the ability to fight back."
Kain clenched his fists. "I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to be part of their game."
"I know," Orin said softly, his gaze briefly softening. "But you're in it now. And the moment you used that blade, you took a step into a world where nothing is given without a cost."
"The cost..." Kain muttered, looking down at the sword in his hand. It felt heavier now, like the weight of the entire situation was settling onto his shoulders. He had never wanted any of this—no power, no attention from the gods. But now, he was marked. The Luck of Gods had chosen him, whether he liked it or not.
"We need to find answers," Kain said after a long pause, his voice more resolute. "I can't keep running aimlessly. There has to be a way to turn this around."
Orin nodded slowly. "There is. But we need to reach the city of Veldaris. It's the last place you'll find someone who might be able to help. It's far from here, and there's no guarantee we'll get there without more problems along the way."
"Veldaris?" Kain asked, brow furrowing. "Who can help me there?"
"A scholar, someone who knows more about the Luck of Gods than anyone else alive. He's the only one I trust with this knowledge." Orin's eyes hardened. "But getting there will be dangerous. There are forces at play, and they won't stop hunting us."
Kain took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Then we keep moving. What's the plan?"
"Follow me," Orin said, and without another word, he turned and continued forward, his steps swift and sure.
---
The night passed in a blur. They traveled through dense forests, over rocky hills, and across swiftly flowing rivers, their pace never slowing. Kain's muscles ached, and his mind kept replaying the battle with the creature. The way the sword had come to life in his hand—it had felt like an extension of himself, like the blade had chosen him just as much as the Luck of Gods had.
But what was the Luck of Gods? What did it truly mean to be "chosen"? And what price had Eira taken from him? The more he thought about it, the more unsettling the whole situation became.
By the time the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the pair found themselves at the edge of a small town. It was quiet, the homes simple and worn with age, but there was a sense of safety here—a brief respite from the relentless pursuit that awaited them.
Orin slowed his pace and gestured for Kain to follow him into the town's center. "We'll stop here for the day, rest, and then head out at nightfall. We'll need to be cautious."
"Why?" Kain asked. "The gods can't find us here, can they?"
Orin hesitated before answering. "It's not the gods I'm worried about. There are... other hunters. Ones who work for the gods in the shadows. They'll be searching for you soon. We need to lay low."
As they moved deeper into the town, Kain's gaze was drawn to a small market square. A few merchants peddled their wares—fruits, cloth, and simple tools—but it was the people who caught his attention. They watched him with wary eyes, whispering behind their hands as he passed.
"What's going on?" Kain muttered, feeling uneasy under their stares.
"They're afraid," Orin said, his voice low. "Fear of the unknown. You may have the Luck of Gods, but the common folk don't understand it. They see power, and it makes them nervous."
Kain's gaze shifted to the nearby alley, where he noticed a pair of cloaked figures watching them from the shadows. His breath caught in his throat, but Orin didn't seem fazed.
"Let's keep moving," Orin said, his tone firm. "We don't have time to waste."
They passed through the market, heading for the far side of the town where a small inn stood. Orin pushed open the door, and they stepped inside, the warm scent of food and firewood filling the air.
The innkeeper, a short, stocky man with a grizzled beard, looked up from behind the counter. "Two rooms for the night?" he asked, eyeing them cautiously.
"Yes, please," Orin said, placing a few coins on the counter. "And make sure no one disturbs us."
The innkeeper nodded and handed them the keys. "Of course. You're safe here."
As they ascended the stairs to their rooms, Kain couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He could still feel the eyes of the villagers on him, like he was being watched. And that sense of unease only grew stronger when they entered their rooms.
Orin turned to face Kain. "Rest. You'll need your strength for what comes next."
Kain nodded, but he couldn't quiet the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. "What happens next, Orin? I feel like every step I take just leads to more danger."
Orin paused, his gaze softening. "The truth is, Kain, the gods don't care about the pain they cause. But we have to care. The road ahead won't be easy, and the choices you make will cost you. But you have something they didn't expect—you have the will to fight back."
Kain clenched his fists, staring out the window at the darkening sky. "Then I'll fight. But I won't do it for them. I'll do it for myself."
"That's the right attitude," Orin said with a grim smile. "And remember—if you want to survive, you'll have to pay the price. No one gets out of this without sacrifice."
Kain nodded silently. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he had already made his choice. He would fight. He would survive. And he would do whatever it took to find a way to control the Luck of Gods.
---
End of Chapter Six.