The dawn slowly broke, chasing away the remnants of a night filled with blood and battle. The morning air was cold, carrying the scent of dew mixed with the faint metallic tang of swords and the blood left on the ground.
Rai sat atop a large rock by a small stream. His Nameless Sword lay across his lap, the faint glow of its blade reflecting the morning sunlight. He studied the blade intently, as if searching for something invisible.
"Is that sword talking to you?" Kellan's voice broke the silence. He appeared from behind the bushes, carrying a few rabbits he had caught.
Rai smiled faintly but didn't turn to look. "It's not the sword talking. I was just thinking... about how it feels alive."
Kellan sat down beside him, placing the rabbits on the ground. "Maybe it is. That sword isn't ordinary. I believe artisans don't just forge sharp blades they give something more."
"Like what?" Rai asked, tilting his head and finally glancing at Kellan.
"A soul," Kellan replied simply, his gaze serious. "A sword will never be just a tool if it's made for a grand purpose."
Their conversation was interrupted as Tenzai approached, carrying a waterskin. "If you two are done talking about swords, we need to decide on our next move. The Abyss creatures' tracks lead east, but... something feels off."
Kaida followed behind, her face still tired, though her crystal glowed faintly once more. "Off how?" she asked, sitting cross-legged on the ground.
Tenzai rubbed the back of his neck, hesitating briefly. "Their tracks branch off in too many directions, like they're trying to confuse us."
A Deepening Discussion
Kaida furrowed her brow, her eyes narrowing. "The Abyss creatures aren't usually strategic. They move based on instinct."
"That means they're being guided... or controlled by someone," Rai muttered.
Kellan chimed in, looking at Kaida with a determined expression. "Maybe there's a new leader besides the hybrid we fought before something more dangerous."
A heavy silence hung between them, each lost in their own thoughts. Rai gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, as if channeling his unease into the blade.
"I think we should still head east," Kaida finally said. "The branching tracks could be a trap, but their goal remains the same: to divert us from their main stronghold."
Tenzai nodded in agreement. "Then we have no choice but to move forward. But this time, we must be more cautious. We can't afford to lose the trail again."
A Fading Trail in the Forest
They set out before the sun reached its peak. Their steps took them through increasingly dense woods. Mist began to descend, wrapping around them like a white curtain, obscuring their vision.
Rai led the way, his sword strapped to his back, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. The sounds of birds and forest insects gradually faded, replaced by an eerie silence.
"Why's everything so quiet?" Kellan whispered from behind, his right hand already hovering over his bow, his eyes darting nervously.
"There's something here," Rai replied softly, his hand brushing the hilt of his sword.
Kaida suddenly stopped. Her crystal glowed brighter, casting strange reflections in the mist. "This energy... I recognize it. They're coming."
Before Kaida could finish speaking, a massive shadow leaped out of the mist, lunging straight at them.
An Unexpected Battle
Tenzai reacted the fastest. He raised his sword, blocking the creature's massive claws. The clash of metal and the beast's deafening roar filled the air. The creature was another hybrid, larger than the one they had faced before.
"Another one?" Tenzai growled, pushing the creature back.
"Not just one!" Kellan shouted, jumping aside to avoid the attack of another beast emerging from the mist. He quickly fired an arrow, hitting the creature in the eye, but it only slowed it down.
Kaida raised her hands, her crystal forming a barrier to protect them from further sudden attacks. "I need time to strengthen this!" she yelled.
Rai stepped forward, his Nameless Sword already unsheathed. He felt a strange pull from the blade, as if it were guiding him. With swift movements, he slashed at the beast attacking Tenzai, his blade cutting through the creature's thick armor as if it were nothing.
The creature howled in pain before collapsing to the ground.
"That sword is definitely no ordinary weapon," Tenzai muttered, catching his breath.
But there was no time to rest. Two more creatures appeared, faster and more agile. Rai dodged one's claws, spinning his body and swinging his sword in a fluid motion.
The Battle Continues
The fight was intense. Kellan kept firing arrows to slow down the creatures targeting Kaida, while Tenzai and Rai took turns striking at the larger and stronger foes.
Kaida finally completed her spell. Her crystal released a bright light, sending a wave of energy that incapacitated all the creatures within its radius. The beasts groaned before collapsing to the ground, motionless.
"Well done," Tenzai praised, though he sounded exhausted.
Rai stood in the middle of the battlefield, his breath heavy. He stared at the Nameless Sword, which shimmered faintly under the sunlight piercing through the mist.
"What were those things?" Kellan asked, approaching Rai. "They're faster, stronger..."
Kaida nodded. "And their numbers are increasing. The Abyss isn't just creating monsters they're planning a strategy to defeat us."
Rai sheathed his sword. "Then we need to get stronger. This isn't over."