The village had disappeared behind the trees hours ago, swallowed by the rolling hills and thick forest that stretched across the horizon. The only sounds were the steady crunch of Theo's boots against the dirt path and the occasional snort from the massive boar walking beside him.
His legs already ached. The road was rough, uneven, and seemed to stretch endlessly ahead. But Theo didn't slow down. Not when so much was riding on his journey.
He glanced at the boar, its bronze hide gleaming faintly in the midday sun. It seemed completely unfazed by the trek, its heavy hooves landing with surprising grace on the uneven terrain. "You're really showing off, aren't you?" Theo muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
The boar huffed, tossing its head as if insulted by the remark.
Theo smirked faintly. "Alright, alright. Don't get all sensitive on me."
They continued in silence for a while longer, Theo's thoughts drifting back to the village. To Kael and Calia. To the way they'd treated him with a kindness he'd never known before. It wasn't just that they'd saved him—it was the way they'd made him feel like he mattered.
He shook his head, pushing the thought aside. He couldn't dwell on that now. He had a long way to go and a lot to prove.
Just as he adjusted the pack slung over his shoulder, the boar stopped abruptly. Theo nearly tripped over its leg.
"What is it now?" he asked, annoyed.
The boar turned its massive head, fixing Theo with what could only be described as an exasperated look. Then, with a loud snort, it knelt slightly, lowering its body toward the ground.
Theo blinked. "Wait… are you—"
The boar huffed again, this time more forcefully, as if to say, Yes, idiot.
Theo stared at the creature for a moment, then let out a short laugh. "You're offering me a ride? Is this your way of saying I'm too slow?"
The boar didn't respond, simply shifting its weight impatiently.
"Alright, alright. Don't have to twist my arm." Grinning, Theo climbed onto its back, gripping the coarse fur along its neck for balance. "Just don't go too fast, alright? I'd rather not end up in a ditch somewhere."
The boar rose smoothly to its full height, and before Theo could say another word, it launched forward with a burst of speed that nearly knocked him off.
"Whoa!" Theo yelped, clinging tightly as the wind whipped against his face.
The boar charged down the path with a power and grace Theo had never experienced before. It moved like a force of nature, its hooves barely seeming to touch the ground as they thundered forward. Trees blurred past in streaks of green, and Theo could feel the raw strength in every stride.
"Okay," he muttered under his breath. "So this is why people call you legendary."
The boar slowed slightly as the terrain changed, the path narrowing as it wound through a dense forest. The sunlight dimmed, filtering through the thick canopy above in fragmented patches. Theo straightened, his grip still firm on the boar's neck as he took in the sights around him.
The forest was alive with movement. Birds darted between the branches, their songs echoing through the trees. Small animals scurried across the underbrush, barely sparing a glance at Theo and the boar as they passed.
It was peaceful. Almost enough to make him forget where he was going.
Almost.
The forest seemed to hum with life around them. Theo could feel it in the air—the faint rustling of leaves, the chatter of birds high above, and the distant trickle of a stream weaving somewhere through the trees.
The boar slowed its pace, navigating the uneven forest floor with ease. Theo stayed quiet, his hand resting lightly on its back as he scanned their surroundings. The wilderness had always felt like home to him, far more than any building or family estate ever had. Out here, he didn't feel judged. He didn't feel small.
He breathed deeply, letting the earthy scent of the forest fill his lungs. "This is more like it," he muttered.
The boar snorted in agreement.
Theo chuckled. "What? Don't tell me you hate being cooped up in the village too. I figured you'd be enjoying the easy meals."
The boar didn't respond, of course, but Theo swore it gave him a side-eye.
The trail grew rougher as they pressed deeper into the woods, the underbrush thick with twisting roots and patches of moss. Theo climbed down, giving the boar a break as they trudged forward together.
Birds fluttered between the trees, their songs weaving together in a chaotic melody. Small animals darted across the path, pausing briefly to look at Theo before scurrying into the shadows. Even the wind seemed to carry a rhythm, rustling the leaves in a gentle cadence.
It was the kind of beauty his family had always preached about—the harmony of the natural world. But Theo knew better. It wasn't harmony. It was survival.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Theo said softly, not expecting an answer. "Too bad my family doesn't actually live by their own words. It's all about power for them. They don't care about nature unless it serves them."
The boar let out a low grunt, nudging Theo's side as if to comfort him.
Theo smiled faintly, scratching the boar behind its ear. "Yeah, I know. You're different."
They continued walking, the forest growing darker as the sun dipped lower. Theo glanced at the shifting shadows around them, a faint unease prickling at the edge of his senses. He shook his head, brushing the feeling aside.
By the time Theo found a clearing near a shallow stream, the sun had disappeared completely, leaving the forest bathed in dim, silvery moonlight. He set down his pack, gathering a few sticks and dried leaves to start a fire.
The flames crackled to life, casting flickering shadows across the clearing. Theo sat cross-legged beside the fire, his back leaning against a fallen log while the boar drank from the stream.
The quiet was almost too loud.
Theo tilted his head back, staring up at the canopy of stars barely visible through the treetops. His thoughts drifted, circling back to the village and the strange sense of comfort he'd found there.
"They didn't have to take me in," he murmured. "They didn't have to… care."
He clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the fire. "I won't let them down. I'll make this right."
The boar returned, settling down beside him with a contented grunt. Theo reached out, running a hand over its coarse fur.
"We'll get there tomorrow," he said quietly. "Back to the house. Back to…" He trailed off, his jaw tightening.
The fire crackled, the only sound in the stillness of the night.
The boar's ears twitched suddenly, its body tensing as it lifted its head.
Theo frowned. "What is it?"
The boar let out a low growl, its eyes fixed on the edge of the clearing.
Theo followed its gaze but saw nothing but shadows. The trees swayed faintly in the wind, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers.
"Relax," he said, though his voice wavered slightly. "It's probably just a—"
A sharp crack echoed through the forest, the sound of a branch snapping beneath something heavy.
Theo froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't move, didn't breathe, his ears straining against the silence.
The boar let out another low growl, its massive frame shifting as it planted its hooves firmly on the ground.
The shadows around the clearing seemed to grow darker, deeper. The firelight flickered, as if threatened by some unseen force.
Then, in a blur of motion, something leapt from the trees.