Chapter 9: Echoes of the Underworld
They settled in a small village at the kingdom's edge, where no one knew his name. Pedro took work as a blacksmith, returning to the trade of his father, while Elara served as the village healer.
For a time, life was simple.
But peace never lasted.
One evening, as pedro closed the forge, he saw a hooded figure watching him from the tree line.
His blood ran cold.
They had found him.
He slipped his hand toward the hidden dagger at his belt. The figure remained motionless, then, slowly, lifted a gloved hand, revealing a familiar insignia—a crimson serpent.
The mark of the Demon's Path.
Pedro's heart pounded. He had burned every bridge, killed every enemy that stood in his way. Yet, somehow, they had survived.
And they wanted him back.