The forest was unnervingly quiet, the kind of silence that felt alive, as though the trees were holding their breath. Zenith trudged behind Erya, his boots crunching over twigs and leaves. His body ached, and his stomach growled loud enough to scare away any wildlife.
"We're going to die out here," Zenith muttered, dragging his feet.
"You won't die," Erya snapped without looking back. "Not unless you keep complaining. Then I might rethink my stance on keeping you alive."
Before Zenith could fire back, the bushes ahead rustled violently. Both of them froze. Erya's hand was on her blade in an instant, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the darkness.
Two women stepped into the clearing. The first, with short silver hair and a battle-worn leather outfit, exuded raw confidence. The second, taller and draped in an elegant dark cloak, moved with an almost regal air, her piercing gaze settling on Zenith.
"Relax," the silver-haired woman said, holding up her hands. "If we wanted to kill you, you'd already be dead."
"Comforting," Zenith muttered.
Erya's sword was halfway out of its sheath. "Who are you, and why are you following us?"
The taller woman, her raven-black hair shimmering in the moonlight, stepped forward. "I am Nyra, and this is Selene. We come bearing news of grave importance."
"Grave importance?" Zenith raised an eyebrow. "Is that code for 'we're here to make your life more complicated'?"
Nyra ignored the jab, her voice calm but firm. "We witnessed what happened in the valley. The power you unleashed, Zenith—it's unlike anything this world has seen. We need your help."
Selene smirked, crossing her arms. "And by 'help,' we mean your involvement in a war that's about to make this peaceful little forest look like paradise."
Zenith blinked. "War? You've got the wrong guy. I'm not a warrior. I can barely survive walking without tripping over tree roots."
Nyra's eyes locked onto his, her gaze unwavering. "This is no mistake. You're the only man in a world of women. That alone makes you special. But what we saw proves there's something more. Something ancient."
Erya scoffed, stepping in front of Zenith like a shield. "And what exactly do you think he can do? Swing a sword like a wet noodle?"
Selene laughed, a sharp sound that seemed to echo through the trees. "I like her. Feisty. But we're not here to debate his usefulness. The war isn't about him alone. It's about stopping the people of Atheris from tearing this world apart."
Zenith frowned. "Atheris? Never heard of it."
Nyra gestured toward the sky. "It's a neighboring planet. Their technology is advanced, their armies brutal. They've begun raiding our outer settlements. Soon, they'll move to full-scale invasion. And when they do, our world will burn."
Erya tilted her head. "And you think he is the solution to this galactic apocalypse?"
"Yes," Nyra said simply. "Whatever lies dormant in him, it's connected to the ancient energies that bind our world. If harnessed properly, he could turn the tide of this war."
Zenith rubbed his temples. "So, what you're saying is, I'm basically a walking time bomb."
Selene smirked. "A useful one, if we can keep you alive long enough."
Erya looked skeptical. "What's your plan, then? Drag us into this war and hope he doesn't get himself killed tripping over a rock?"
Nyra smiled faintly. "I'll stay and guide you. Selene will return to rally our forces. Together, we'll prepare for what's coming."
Selene rolled her eyes. "Lucky you get to babysit the chosen one."
Nyra shot her a look. "And you get to fight an alien army. Seems fair."
Zenith raised a hand. "Excuse me, but do I get a say in any of this?"
"No," both women said in unison.
Erya sighed, rubbing her temples. "This is going to be a disaster."
Selene turned to Zenith, her expression softening slightly. "You've got potential, kid. Don't waste it. And try not to die before I get back."
With that, Selene disappeared into the shadows, leaving Nyra with Zenith and Erya.
Nyra turned to them, her calm demeanor returning. "We have much to discuss—and little time. But first, we'll need food and shelter. Even the chosen one needs to eat."
Zenith sighed. "Great. Saving the world on an empty stomach. This day just keeps getting better."