The group ran with effortless speed, the wind rushing past their faces as if the air itself couldn't keep up with them. The world blurred around them until, suddenly, it didn't. Their feet slowed almost instinctively as the dense wilderness gave way to a clearing. What lay before them brought them to an abrupt halt.
It was a village—though not like any village they'd ever seen. The structures were simple yet peculiar, a mix of huts made from polished stone and roofs thatched with golden straw that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. Pathways of smooth, pale stones crisscrossed the area, leading to what seemed like a communal square in the center.
But it wasn't the village itself that caught their attention.
The creatures.
Dozens of them moved about, busy with their daily routines. They stood upright, their upper bodies resembling humans, but their legs were covered in thick, coarse fur, bending backward like a goat's. Instead of feet, they had cloven hooves that clacked lightly against the stone paths. Their faces were striking, with sharp features, elongated ears, and eyes that gleamed with an otherworldly glow. Small, curled horns protruded from their heads, and some carried tools—crafted from wood and a metal that gleamed faintly blue—while others balanced baskets filled with strange, glowing fruits.
The sight left Zane and the group frozen in place, their minds struggling to process what they were seeing.
"What… are those things?" Mira whispered, her voice barely audible.
Before anyone could answer, the creatures noticed them. One by one, their movements slowed, then stopped entirely. Heads turned, glowing eyes locked onto the newcomers with a mixture of fear and shock. The silence was deafening, the air thick with tension as the creatures stood rooted to the spot, their hooves gripping the ground as if preparing to flee.
And then chaos erupted.
The creatures bolted in all directions, abandoning their tasks. Some dropped their tools and baskets, while others grabbed their children and scurried into their homes. Doors slammed shut, windows were latched, and curtains were drawn. Within moments, the once-bustling village fell into an eerie silence, the only sounds left were the faint rustle of the wind and the echo of hurried hooves retreating into safety.
The group stood in stunned silence, taking in the sudden shift in atmosphere. It was as if their mere presence had brought an end to life in the village.
"Well," Hall said, breaking the quiet with his usual tone of forced humor. "At least we know we're scary enough to clear a village." He looked around with a grin, but no one laughed.
Zane glared at him, unamused. Mira gave a small shake of her head, her gaze fixed on one of the shut windows. Lila and Ash exchanged uneasy glances, both clearly unnerved by the creatures' reaction.
Hall shrugged. "What? I'm just saying."
The village remained silent, every house shut tight, as though the people—or creatures—inside were holding their breath. The group stood awkwardly at the edge of the village, unsure of what to do next.
Zane stepped forward cautiously, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. He stopped in the middle of the deserted village, his voice calm but loud enough to carry. "We're not here to hurt anyone! We just want to talk. Please, we're easygoing people. We mean no harm."
Behind him, Hall snickered and added, "Yeah, we won't kill anyone." His tone was light, but it earned him an immediate glare from Zane.
"Not helping, Hall," Zane muttered through gritted teeth.
The group waited in silence, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife. Two minutes passed, but nothing happened. The village remained eerily still, the doors firmly shut, and the creatures hidden away.
Hall, never one for patience, crossed his arms and turned to Zane. "Why are we wasting time? They're scared of us anyway. Let's just start breaking into their houses. I doubt there's anything they can do to stop us."
"Shut up, Hall," Zane snapped, his tone firm. "We're not here to make things worse. Sooner or later, someone will come out and talk to us."
Just as Zane finished speaking, a creaking sound echoed through the quiet village. One of the creatures opened the door to its house and stepped out. The Creature was taller than the others, its goat-like legs strong and its upper body tense with visible anger. It gripped a thick wooden stick in its hands as it walked toward Zane with slow, deliberate steps.
"What do you want again?" the creature asked, its voice deep and filled with bitterness.
Zane blinked, confused. "Again? What do you mean?"
The Creature's nostrils flared, and it tightened its grip on the stick. "Your kind already came here," it said, its voice trembling with rage. "You took everything we had! We are the last survivors of the Capridians. What was once a great race has been reduced to scraps because of you. Your people killed 95% of us. Took our land, destroyed our homes, our lives!"
The creature's voice grew louder, its anger infectious. "GET OUT OF OUR LAND, YOU BLOODSUCKING ABOMINATIONS!"
As if the Capridian's outburst gave them courage, the other Capridians began stepping out of their homes. One by one, they emerged, each carrying weapons—rocks, spears, and whatever they could find. Their faces were twisted with rage and fear as they began shouting and hurling objects at Zane and his group.
"Move!" Zane shouted, dodging a sharp rock that narrowly missed his head.
The group reacted instantly, their speed allowing them to dodge everything thrown their way. The Capridians kept attacking, their anger unstoppable.
"We can't stay here!" Mira called out, ducking to avoid a spear that flew past her.
"I'm afraid she's right," Zane said, his voice grim. "Let's go!"
With a burst of speed, Zane and the others disappeared, leaving the village behind them. The Capridians' shouts faded into the distance as they ran, faster than the creatures could see or follow.