The soft patter of rain began against the wooden roof, growing steadily heavier as it drummed against the cabin. Darius sat by the window, staring out at the gray sky, the dream still weighing heavily on his mind. Each drop that streaked down the glass seemed to echo the turmoil inside him, his chest tight with unease.
"Elara," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the rain.
She turned from where she stood near the hearth, stoking the flames to keep the cabin warm. "Hmm?" she responded, glancing over her shoulder.
"Have you ever… felt like a dream was more than just a dream?" He hesitated, the words sounding strange even to him. "Like it was trying to tell you something?"
Elara straightened. She wiped her hands on her skirt and walked over, sitting beside him on the bench. "I've read about that," she said thoughtfully. "Dreams can sometimes be your mind's way of processing fears or memories. But… I take it this wasn't an ordinary bad dream?"
Darius shook his head. "It felt too real. The sights, the sounds, the pain. I…" He clenched his fists, his voice breaking. "I lost you. I couldn't protect you."
Elara reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "But you didn't," she said softly, her blue eyes locking with his. "I'm here. Whatever that dream was, it doesn't change the fact that we're okay."
The rain outside grew heavier. Darius let out a shaky breath, her words providing some comfort, but the unease remained.
"Elara," he said, his voice firmer now, "what if it wasn't just a dream? What if it was a warning?"
Her expression shifted, a flicker of uncertainty passing through her features. "You think something's coming?"
"I don't know," he admitted, running a hand through his black hair, his fingers brushing the white streak in his bangs. "But I've learned not to ignore my instincts. That dream… it didn't feel like a warning for no reason."
Elara leaned back. The rain continued to fall, the rhythmic sound filling the silence between them.
"Then we prepare," she said finally, her tone resolute. "If something's coming, we face it together. No more running, no more second-guessing ourselves. We've both been through too much to let fear stop us now."
Her confidence sparked something in Darius. He nodded, determination settling over him like armor. "You're right. Whatever happens, we'll face it. Together."
As they sat in the dim light of the cabin, the storm outside raged on, And though neither of them could see what was coming, they knew one thing for certain: their journey was far from over.
Then. . .
A sudden knock at the door cut through the rhythmic sound of rain like a blade. Darius and Elara both froze, their eyes snapping toward the wooden door at the far end of the cabin.
"Who could be out in this storm?" Elara whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain.
The knock came again, soft yet persistent, barely audible over the rain hammering against the roof. Darius frowned and stood, his chair scraping against the wooden floor as he pushed it back.
"I'll get it," he said to Elara, who had been quietly tending to the fire.
She nodded but looked toward the door with curiosity. "Who would be out in this weather?"
Darius didn't answer. He moved to the door, cautiously, pausing just before opening it. The faint sound of voices reached his ears—two women speaking to one another.
"I told you, no one's going to buy anything in this storm," one said, her tone exasperated.
"Doesn't hurt to try," the other replied, her voice lighter, more optimistic.
Darius's shoulders relaxed slightly. He pulled the door open, revealing two women standing on the porch, their cloaks soaked through from the rain. Both carried large woven baskets, covered with cloth to protect their contents from the weather.
The older of the two, a stout woman with graying hair tied in a messy bun, squinted up at him. "Darius Kael, isn't it?" she asked, her voice gruff but not unfriendly.
The younger woman, who appeared closer to Darius's age, gave him a bright smile. Her long auburn hair clung to her face from the rain, and her green eyes sparkled with an eagerness that contrasted with the gloomy weather. "We're from the village just down the road," she explained quickly. "We've been selling crops and preserves around the area. Thought we'd stop here before heading back."
Darius glanced between them, momentarily caught off guard by the casualness of their arrival. "Selling crops? In this storm?"
The older woman snorted. "Not exactly ideal, but storms don't stop mouths from needing feeding. Figured you might need something." She gestured to the basket she held. "Potatoes, onions, and a couple of jars of honey if you're interested."
Darius was about to respond when Elara stepped beside him, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Oh, honey?" she asked, her bright blue eyes lighting up.
The younger woman's smile widened. "Yes! Freshly harvested. It's some of the best around—perfect for tea or baking." She tilted her head, glancing past Darius at Elara. "And who's this? Your wife?"
Elara's cheeks flushed a deep pink. "Oh, no! I'm… just a friend," she said quickly, brushing a strand of golden hair behind her ear.
Darius, for his part, avoided meeting her eyes and simply cleared his throat. "What are you selling, exactly?" he asked, steering the conversation back.
The older woman began listing items from her basket, while the younger one enthusiastically explained her preserves. After a few moments of discussion, Darius nodded.
"We'll take the honey and some potatoes," he said, reaching for the coin pouch tucked into his belt.
As he handed over the payment, the younger woman glanced up at him and hesitated. "You know," she said softly, her tone shifting slightly, "you should come visit the village sometime. People talk about you, but not many of us have actually met you."
Darius's hand paused mid-motion, his sharp blue-grey eyes meeting hers. "What do they say?"
The older woman gave the younger one a warning look, but she shrugged. "Just… stories. About your strength. About how you came from the mountains. People are curious, that's all."
Darius frowned, his grip tightening slightly on the coins before he released them into her palm. "I'll think about it," he said curtly.
The younger woman nodded, her expression a mix of understanding and disappointment. "Well, you're always welcome."
With that, the two women adjusted their baskets and turned to leave, stepping back into the rain.
"Take care," the older woman called over her shoulder. "And don't let the storm catch you unprepared!"
Darius watched them go until they disappeared down the path, their figures vanishing into the gray curtain of rain.
Elara nudged him lightly. "You know," she said with a teasing smile, "she wasn't wrong. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to visit the village. You can't hide up here forever."
Darius closed the door and leaned against it, shaking his head. "It's not about hiding," he said, his tone thoughtful. "It's about being ready. For whatever's coming."
Elara tilted her head, watching him closely. "And do you think something is coming?"
Darius didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced out the window at the rain, his reflection staring back at him. The unease from his dream still lingered, an unwelcome weight in his chest.
"I don't know," he said finally. "But I have a feeling we'll find out soon enough."
Darius grabbed a heavy, dark cloak from the hook near the door and tossed it to Elara. The material draped over her, and she blinked in surprise, quickly fastening it around her shoulders.
"You're serious?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Darius was already pulling his own cloak on, the thick fabric shielding him from the rain as he opened the door. The cold air and the sound of the downpour rushed in, but he didn't flinch. He glanced back at her, his blue-grey eyes sharp with determination.
"Yeah. If people are talking, I'd rather hear it directly than let rumors spread unchecked," he said simply, his tone firm but calm. "And if we need more supplies, we might as well get them now."
Elara hesitated for a moment, then nodded, pulling the hood of her cloak up to shield her golden hair from the rain. "Alright. Let's go."
The two stepped out into the storm, the rain soaking their boots as they made their way down the muddy path. The air was cool, and the scent of wet earth filled their senses. Despite the rain, the walk was peaceful, the sound of droplets hitting the ground the only accompaniment to their quiet footsteps.
Elara glanced at Darius, her bright blue eyes studying him from beneath her hood. "You're not just going because of what they said, are you?" she asked, her voice soft but knowing.
Darius didn't look at her, his gaze fixed ahead. "It's part of it," he admitted. "But… I've stayed away from people for too long. If something's happening out there, I need to know about it. And maybe… it's time to stop isolating myself."
Elara smiled faintly, though she didn't push further. She understood what he wasn't saying—that he wanted to reconnect, even if he wasn't entirely ready to admit it.
As they approached the village, the rain began to lighten, turning into a soft drizzle. The small town came into view, its simple wooden structures nestled together with smoke curling from chimneys. Villagers moved about, some carrying baskets of goods while others worked to secure tarps over market stalls to keep their wares dry.
A few people glanced their way as they entered, their expressions a mix of curiosity and recognition. Darius felt their stares but kept his focus forward, his posture calm and steady.
"Darius," Elara whispered, leaning closer to him. "They're definitely talking about you."
He gave her a small smirk. "Let them. Let's see what they actually have to say."
The two of them headed toward the center of the village, where a few market stalls were still open despite the weather. The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasting meat wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of damp wood.
The younger woman from earlier spotted them first, her eyes widening in surprise. She nudged the older woman beside her, who turned with a skeptical look that quickly softened into recognition.
"Well, I'll be," the older woman said, crossing her arms. "Didn't expect to see you here so soon."
Darius nodded politely. "Figured it was about time I stopped by. You said people have been talking?"
The younger woman looked a bit flustered, her cheeks flushing as she glanced between Darius and Elara. "Oh, it's nothing bad! Just… stories. People are curious about who you are and why you live out there alone."
"And some of 'em think you're a bit of a legend," the older woman added with a chuckle. "A man with strength like a bear and speed like the wind? You can't expect folks not to be curious."
Darius frowned slightly, but Elara stepped in with a smile. "Well, I can tell you he's not much of a legend when it comes to cooking," she teased, earning a faint glare from Darius.
The villagers laughed, the tension easing slightly. The younger woman stepped closer, her green eyes earnest. "There's more, though. Lately, we've been seeing things… strange things in the woods nearby. Animals acting erratic, people hearing noises at night. Some of us think it's connected to the kingdom's troubles."
Darius's expression grew serious. "What kind of troubles?"
The older woman shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. "We don't know for sure, but travelers passing through say the capital's been having issues. They've shut their gates to outsiders, and no one knows why. If you ask me, something big's coming."