The morning sun crept through the dense forest canopy, painting the camp in patches of warm light. Evan stretched as he stepped out of his tent, rolling his shoulders to work out the stiffness from the previous day.
The remnants of the fire crackled faintly, its embers glowing softly. Nearby, Yvette was already awake, sharpening her sword with slow, deliberate strokes.
"Morning," Evan greeted, his voice still rough from sleep.
Yvette glanced up briefly, giving a small nod. "Morning. Looks like we've got another long day ahead."
Evan grunted in agreement as he rummaged through his belongings. He pulled out the rune Gerrard had given him, the intricate carvings on its surface catching the morning light.
Turning it over in his hands, he frowned. The faint glow it once had was completely gone, replaced by a dull, lifeless stone.
"Not good," he muttered under his breath.
Yvette looked up from her sword. "What's wrong?"
"The rune," Evan said, holding it up for her to see. "It's dead. No glow, no trace of the energy we've been tracking."
Yvette's brows knitted together as she sheathed her sword. "Gone? Just like that?"
Evan nodded, his frustration mounting. "Looks like it. Which means whatever we've been chasing has either disappeared or moved somewhere beyond our reach."
Nearby, Ourra stirred, stretching lazily as he leaned against a fallen log. "That's great," he said sarcastically. "So, what now? Do we just wander around aimlessly and hope it comes back?"
Evan sighed, slipping the rune back into his pouch. "I want to hear everyone's thoughts before we decide."
Yvette was the first to speak. "I think we should keep searching," she said firmly. "If the energy was here once, it might've left some kind of trail. We've come too far to just turn back now."
Evan nodded thoughtfully. "Fair point." He turned to Ourra, who was idly tossing a twig between his fingers.
"Ourra, what about you?"
Ourra hesitated, clearly weighing his words.
"Honestly? I think we should head back to the guild. There's too much we don't know. That big ass golem we fought was no joke, and now the energy's just... gone? Something's off. We need to report this and let's decide after discussing it with others too."
Evan frowned, his jaw tightening. He wasn't a fan of retreating, but Ourra's logic wasn't without merit.
He looked to Ourri, who had been silent the entire time, sitting quietly with his arms crossed. "Ourri? Anything to add?"
Ourri met Evan's gaze briefly before shrugging. "I trust your judgment, Captain. Whatever you decide, I'll follow."
Evan pressed his lips into a thin line, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. His gut told him to keep pushing forward, to find answers no matter the cost. But the weight of responsibility for his team tempered his instincts.
He ran a hand through his hair, the memory of Dyeva's parting words flashing in his mind.
"This mission is not just about uncovering a potential threat," she had said, her voice steady and commanding.
"It's about knowing your limits. Remember, survival is as important as success. Retreat when necessary, and never push beyond boundaries you cannot return from. Is that understood?"
Evan exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Alright," he said finally. "We're heading back."
Yvette raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Really? I thought for sure you'd insist on charging ahead."
Evan managed a wry smile. "Believe me, I want to. But this isn't just about me. We can't risk running into something we're not ready for, not without a plan."
Ourra let out a sigh of relief, grinning. "Well, there's a first. Captain Evan, the voice of reason. Mark this day on the calendar."
"Don't push your luck," Evan shot back, though his tone was light.
Ourri stood, dusting off his trousers. "I'll get the camp packed up."
"Good," Evan said. "The sooner we move, the better."
The team moved efficiently, dismantling the campsite and preparing for the journey back to Kubu Fort. As they worked, a sense of unease lingered in the air. Whatever mystery they had encountered here wasn't over, and Evan knew it.
As they set off through the forest, Evan walked at the front of the group, his thoughts churning. He glanced at the pouch where the lifeless rune rested, his resolve hardening.
"Let's report this," he murmured to himself. "Then we'll figure out what's really going on."
The forest seemed quieter than usual, the stillness almost oppressive. But even as they left the campsite behind, Evan couldn't shake the feeling that their mission was far from over.
The team had barely ventured a few steps away from their camp when Evan's sharp eyes caught something.
In the distance, weaving through the treetops with remarkable agility, a group of figures—around ten of them—moved with alarming speed. Their movements were silent, but their presence sent a ripple of tension through the air.
"Hold up," Evan said, raising a hand to signal the team to stop. His voice was calm but firm. "We've got company."
Yvette immediately tightened her grip on her shield, her eyes scanning the treeline. "What is it? Bandits?"
"Not sure yet," Evan replied, his gaze locked on the moving figures. "Prepare for an ambush."
As the tension mounted, the team began to dismount from their horses, carefully settling them down. The rhythmic sound of saddles shifting in the quiet forest was the only noise to break the stillness, the air thick with anticipation.
Each member of the team readied themselves for whatever might come next, eyes trained on the approaching threat.
Suddenly an arrow shot out from the forest, streaking through the air with incredible speed. The arrow left a trail of greenish energy, its force enough to hum like a whip.
Evan reacted instantly, drawing his dagger and deflecting the projectile with precision. The impact rang out, the metallic clash echoing through the forest like a warning bell.
Evan's eyes narrowed as he scanned the trees. "Whoever you are, show yourselves!" he shouted, his tone commanding. "We're approaching if you don't."
A voice, smooth yet edged with hostility, echoed from the treetops. "What are you humans doing here?"
The voice carried both curiosity and menace, as if its owner was weighing whether to strike again or listen.
Evan stood tall, dagger in hand. "This is neutral territory," he replied firmly. "No kingdom has claimed it, and no one has the right to attack travelers here. Let me guess—elves?"
There was a tense pause, the forest going unnaturally silent as the unseen group seemed to deliberate. Finally, the voice replied, "You assume correctly. We are a pursuit squad from Clares Kingdom."
The figures still remained hidden, but their presence was unmistakable. The elf spoke again. "Now, reveal yourselves. Who are you, and why are you here?"
Evan's grip on his dagger tightened. "We're from the Golden Sun Guild, stationed at Kubu Fort. But let me ask you something—why attack us without even knowing who we are? Care to explain?"
The response didn't come in words. Instead, another arrow shot out, this time aimed directly at Yvette's head. Yvette had been ready. With a quick step forward, she raised her shield, the arrow glancing off its surface harmlessly.
"Seriously?" Yvette muttered, lowering her shield. "They're testing my patience."
A new voice, higher-pitched and panicked, shouted from the trees. "Who fired that?!!" The frustration in the voice was clear.
Evan, however, wasn't interested in their internal quarrels. He turned slightly, whispering to Ourra. "Are you done?"
Ourra, crouched low behind some brush, smirked. "Yeah. Got a fix on all of them."
"Good," Evan said with a nod. "Let's move."
In an instant, Ourra conjured glowing light orbs, each one zipping through the forest like a homing beacon, heading straight for the hidden figures.
The orbs illuminated the dense foliage, marking the elves' positions with unerring accuracy.
Evan's voice rang out. "Subdue only—don't kill!"
The team sprang into action, each member moving with purpose. The elves, clearly unprepared for such a coordinated assault, panicked as the Golden Sun team closed in. Despite their famed agility, the elves found themselves outmaneuvered.
Evan darted through the forest, his focus on the elf who had spoken earlier. He moved with calculated precision, weaving through the trees until he finally came face to face with his target.
The elf, a male archer with a rogue-like appearance, was visibly startled but quickly recovered, drawing a dagger of his own.
"Impressive," the elf said, his voice steady despite the tension. "Not many humans can track us like that."
Evan didn't respond. Instead, he lunged, his dagger slicing through the air. The elf blocked with equal skill, their weapons clashing in a flurry of precise strikes.
The fight was evenly matched at first, the elf relying on speed and agility while Evan used his superior technique and reflexes.
It didn't take long for Evan to gain the upper hand. With a deft move, he disarmed the elf, pinning him against a tree with his dagger pressed lightly against his neck.
"Enough," Evan said, his voice low but firm. "Call off your squad, or this ends here."
The elf's breath hitched, his pride wounded but his composure intact. "Fine," he muttered. "You've proven your point."
Evan stepped back slightly, keeping his dagger at the ready. "Now, explain yourselves. Why attack us?"
The elf sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It was my mistake. We've been tracking something in this area for days, and frustration got the better of me. I acted rashly without confirming who you were."
"And the second arrow?" Evan pressed, his tone hard.
The elf frowned. "That... wasn't me. It was one of our new recruits. She panicked. I apologize for that."
Evan lowered his dagger slightly, though his expression remained serious. "You should think twice before pulling stunts like this. You could've started something far worse than a skirmish."
Just then, Evan called out to Ourra. "Is it done?"
"Easy peasy," Ourra's voice came from nearby, light and teasing. "These guys are nothing compared to that big-ass golem."
The elf's head snapped up at the mention of the golem. "What did you say?" he asked, his tone sharp. "You've encountered some kind of golem?"
Evan hesitated, his mind racing. The elf seemed to know something about the golems, but Evan wasn't ready to reveal too much. He shrugged, playing it cool. "What of it? Summoners create golems all the time. Nothing unusual about that."
The elf narrowed his eyes, clearly skeptical, but said nothing more. "Yeah... sure," he muttered, his expression darkening.
Evan didn't press the issue, but a sense of unease settled in his chest. There was more to this encounter than he realized, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to find out what it was.