The rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed through the forest path, the gentle sway of the carriage keeping time with the steady gait of Adino.
Adino, the manor's estate Earth dragon.
His massive stone-like body moved with surprising grace, each step sending a shiver through the ground beneath them. Its obsidian scales glistened beneath the slivers of sunlight that pierced the canopy, and its amber eyes gleamed with a calm yet vigilant glow.
Misuki and Luna rode atop Adino, their hands gripping the thick leather reins adorned with silver buckles etched with protective sigils. Despite the imposing appearance of the beast, Luna chatted animatedly with Misuki, her laughter rising above the creak of the carriage wheels.
Tatsuya rode a few paces behind them, his hands loosely holding the reins of Stefan. He moved with a steady, almost lazy pace, Tatsuya's eyes remained fixed ahead, his expression unreadable.
It had been three days since his last visit to the village, but it felt more like a lifetime.
The last time he was here, his inability to trust others, stemming from the betrayals and neglect he faced in his past had bound him down.
Ruza was the only one to break it. His trust, so carefully guarded, had cracked open just enough to let her in.
Tatsuya trusted Ruza.
Yet, when it came to the others, a lingering wariness clung to him like a shadow. Even as Tatsuya found himself wanting to open up, the fear of being hurt again coiled tightly within him.
But Ruza's presence was a steady anchor, a reminder that not everyone would betray him. If she could reach him, perhaps the others could too.
Even now, as he watched Misuki and Luna chatting atop Adino, a gnawing sense of unease slithered beneath his skin.
Tatsuya's eyes drifted to the carriage behind Adino. Sora was seated inside, her silhouette barely visible through the carriage's thin, cloth-covered windows.
Luna wasn't kidding when she meant they needed to go shopping. Misuki had only confirmed it, joking that they would likely fill the entire carriage with goods.
The ride to the village was brief, a mere half-hour at the pace they were going. Tatsuya judged their speed to be around 25 kilometers per hour — Stefan's usual walking speed. Adino, however, was capable of much more. Despite its bulk, the Earth Dragon could move at 30 to 40 kilometers per hour without breaking a sweat, and in a full sprint, it could reach speeds of nearly 50 kilometers per hour.
Sitting in the saddle, Tatsuya felt the wind brushing against his cheeks, the steady rhythm of Stefan's hooves grounding him, anchoring him to the present. It was a comforting, almost hypnotic cadence.
The trees gradually thinned, revealing the village nestled amidst the sprawling fields. The village was modest, consisting of no more than ten houses, a chief's home that stood slightly larger than the rest, and a few stalls clustered together near the village center.
Beyond the homes lay the fields, vibrant and lush with crops that swayed gently in the breeze. The scent of fresh earth and budding plants filled the air, mingling with the distant bleating of sheep and the soft chirping of birds.
Tatsuya's eyes lingered on the fields — arable lands that stretched as far as the eye could see. The farmers of this village cultivated enough crops to not only sustain themselves but also to trade with neighboring regions and small kingdoms in Montisora. The land was fertile, its soil rich and dark, and each harvest brought in enough to fulfill their part of the agreement with Yatsu.
It was a simple arrangement. The village provided a portion of their income to Yatsu, and in return, Yatsu protected them from bandits, wild beasts and The Demon Cult.
Tatsuya still didn't know what they are, The villainized Cult that haunted the world for over 400 years.
Yet, even with that protection, Tatsuya could not shake the feeling that the village was fragile, that it would crumble at the first sign of trouble.
Stefan snorted beneath him, and Tatsuya shook his head, banishing the thought.
Ahead, Misuki and Luna had dismounted, their faces bright with anticipation as they gestured toward the market stalls. The carriage came to a halt, and Sora stepped out, her bland hair catching the sunlight as she joined the others.
Tatsuya remained seated atop Stefan, his gaze drifting back to the horizon.
Part 2
The village bustled with life as they entered, the earthy scent of freshly tilled soil and the crisp aroma of drying herbs mingling in the air. The village was small but lively, a patchwork of wooden houses with thatched roofs and stalls draped in colorful fabrics.
Chickens clucked and pecked at the ground, children ran through the narrow streets, and villagers exchanged greetings as they passed by.
Tatsuya felt their eyes on them, some wary, some curious. The people knew the girls, as they should. Yatsu was a name that held weight in Aluria, a name that carried both respect and fear.
As the most prominent magic user in the country, he was more than a noble; he was a guardian of the land, a keeper of secrets, and a ruler who commanded the fiefdom with an iron hand.
This village fell under Yatsu's domain, and everyone knew it. The villagers offered polite nods and murmured greetings as Misuki and Luna passed by, and the pair responded in kind.
Sora lingered close to the carriage, her gaze flitting across the stalls as if searching for something specific.
"Let me handle the shopping," Misuki said, brushing her pink bangs back and flashing a confident grin.
Tatsuya met her gaze but said nothing. Even if he had accompanied her, he would have been useless.
Misuki had proven time and time again that she was adept at this sort of thing — haggling with stall owners, distinguishing quality produce from subpar stock, and knowing exactly what Yatsu's manor needed.
Luna had explain to him.
Tatsuya barely knew the names of half the vegetables in the market, let alone how to tell them apart. Instead of being a hindrance, he stepped back, leaning against a wooden post and letting his eyes roam over the stalls.
Misuki and Luna moved quickly, Misuki taking the lead with Luna following close behind. Adino stood nearby, its hulking form attracting wary glances from passersby. Despite its intimidating appearance, the Earth Dragon remained docile, its amber eyes fixed ahead, standing guard over the carriage.
The shopping list was long, and Misuki wasted no time. She pointed at a mound of carrots, their orange skins vibrant beneath the sunlight.
"Ten bundles," Misuki said firmly, holding up a hand.
"Ten?" the stall owner echoed, eyebrows lifting. "That's quite a lot."
"Make it twelve," Luna chimed in, eyeing the pile. "You know how Nisuki likes to make stews."
The stall owner chuckled, tossing the extra bundles into a burlap sack and handing it over.
Next came potatoes, thick and heavy with earthy skins. Then tomatoes, bright and plump, their red flesh glistening with dew. Misuki inspected each one, her expression sharp and discerning, while Luna handed over coins and balanced the sacks.
Tatsuya watched them, feeling a strange sense of detachment. Misuki and Luna worked seamlessly, communicating with a few words and shared glances. They were a well-oiled machine, each action flowing into the next without hesitation.
He felt like an outsider watching them. An unnecessary presence.
"Are you just going to stand there and look pretty, Tatsuya?" Luna called out, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.
Tatsuya blinked, meeting her gaze. "I'm not pretty."
Luna laughed, a rich, melodic sound that echoed through the village square. "Oh, please. You're plenty pretty. Now, make yourself useful and carry these sacks."
Before he could protest, Misuki shoved a sack of potatoes into his arms. The weight of it nearly knocked the wind out of him, but he gritted his teeth and adjusted his hold.
Luna was right. He couldn't just stand around doing nothing.
Misuki continued to weave through the stalls, her list growing longer as she added bundles of herbs, pods of pickled vegetables, and dried meats. Each time she made a purchase, she tossed the goods into Tatsuya's arms, and soon he found himself carrying more than he could comfortably handle.
By the time they reached the last stall, Tatsuya's arms were shaking, and sweat had begun to bead along his brow. Misuki finally seemed satisfied, brushing her hands against her skirt and exhaling deeply.
"That should do it," she said, giving Tatsuya a quick once-over. "You look like you're about to collapse."
"I'm fine," Tatsuya muttered, though his muscles screamed in protest.
Luna leaned closer, eyes glinting. "Are you sure? Because I think there's one more sack over there."
Tatsuya shot her a glare, but Luna only laughed, patting him on the back.
The carriage was now nearly overflowing with foodstuffs — sacks of flour, crates of vegetables, baskets of fruits. Adino eyed the growing pile with mild disinterest, its massive frame barely shifting beneath the added weight.
Sora approached, her gaze softening as she took in the sight of Tatsuya struggling to balance the sacks.
"You did well," she said, her voice quiet. "Thank you."
Tatsuya swallowed, feeling the tension ease from his shoulders. There was something about Sora's presence — a warmth, a gentleness — that made him feel seen.
"Yeah, well… it wasn't that much," he said, shifting the weight in his arms.
Sora's eyes crinkled at the corners, a hint of a smile ghosting across her lips.
But before she could say more, a sharp, high-pitched scream pierced the air.
Tatsuya's body went rigid, the sack of potatoes slipping from his grasp and hitting the ground with a dull thud.
The villagers' chatter fell silent, heads snapping toward the source of the sound. It had come from the direction of the forest — the dense, sprawling woods that bordered the village's eastern edge.
Another scream echoed, louder this time, laced with raw, palpable terror.
Misuki and Luna exchanged a quick, urgent glance. Sora's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing as she turned toward Tatsuya.
"Something's wrong," Sora said, her voice low. "We need to go."
Without a second thought, Tatsuya sprinted toward Stefan, yanking the reins free and swinging into the saddle.
The once peaceful village square had fallen into disarray, villagers gathering in small, murmuring clusters, their faces tight with fear.
The forest loomed ahead, dark and ominous, the shadows between the trees seeming to deepen as Tatsuya spurred Stefan forward.
Something was wrong. Something was terribly, horribly wrong.
And whatever it was, it waited for them in the forest.
Part 3
The forest swallowed them whole.
The air was thick and humid, clinging to Tatsuya's skin like a damp shroud. Shadows twisted and stretched between the trees, the canopy above casting fractured patterns of light that flickered like dying embers. Birds had fallen silent, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves as the wind whispered through the branches.
Tatsuya's breath came in shallow, measured inhales as he scanned the darkened woods. Luna moved beside him, her eyes narrowed.
Behind them, Misuki and Sora had taken the other path, cutting through the underbrush to circle around from the east.
Around 10 other villagers came in to help their search, all grownups some looked like past adventurers and others were just concerned.
"Stay close," Luna murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tatsuya nodded, he had drawn his sword just in case.
The blade gleamed dully in the fractured light, its weight familiar and comforting against his palm. It was a gift from his old mentor, Paul.
He wasn't here now but through this sword he felt he was always with him.
Tatsuya surveyed Luna.
How is she going to protect herself? Did she even know how to fight? He questioned, I don't see any weapon or something?
Then a thought came up that worried him.
Maybe she is relying on me to protect her?
Tatsuya wasn't really confident about his swords skills, Paul had taught him de basics but he knew he wasn't strong enough.
And his last encounter with a Demon beast also didn't boost his confidence.
The first time he had encountered a Demon beast it almost killed Stefan, he was lucky that Ruza was there to save his Goat.
And now Luna was at his side, trusting him to keep her safe. But what if he failed again?
It's funny Tatsuya thought.
"Come on! Get on Stefan's back!" What if he didn't say those words? What If he had left Ruza alone in the forest?
The butterfly effect is what it's called.
He always found that interesting, just drifting in thought of what could have happened.
"Luna," he whispered, his voice tight. "If anything happens, stay behind me."
Luna shot him a sharp look, her eyes flashing. "Don't be stupid. You're not the only one who can fight."
They pressed deeper into the woods, the trees closing in like the jaws of a beast. Around them, the other villagers spread out in small groups, some carrying axes, others wielding rusted swords and pitchforks. A few of them exchanged tense glances, hands shaking as they moved.
Most of them were older — past adventurers whose glory days were long behind them. Others were just ordinary villagers, fathers, and brothers who had come because someone was screaming in the woods, and they couldn't just sit and do nothing.
Luna halted, eyes narrowing. "Do you feel that?"
Tatsuya tensed, following her gaze.
There, just beyond the line of trees, something moved.
It stalked forward with an eerie, unnatural grace. Its massive paws moved soundlessly over the moss-covered ground, as though it were a phantom gliding through a dream. The creature's fur was black and slick, gleaming like oil stretched taut over corded muscle. Its limbs were long and sinuous, each step unsettlingly fluid.
And yet, it was the eyes that sent a chill racing down Tatsuya's spine. Cold, empty, and devoid of anything resembling life.
It was the same kind of beast that had attacked Stefan.
The creature's mouth curled into a silent snarl, exposing rows of sharp, misshapen fangs — teeth that seemed to have been forced into place rather than grown naturally. Its ribs jutted through its skin like twisted thorns, and along its flank, a gaping wound yawned open, exposing raw muscle and bone. No blood dripped from the wound. It was as if it had been dead for years, and yet, it moved.
Its gaze locked onto Luna, as if it could sense her vulnerability, as if it knew she was the weaker target.
It's going for her.
The creature lunged.
Time slowed to a crawl. Tatsuya's muscles screamed as he threw himself forward, his blade raised high. Luna's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. The beast closed the distance in a single, fluid leap, its maw stretching wide, ready to sink its fangs into her throat.
I have to stop it!
Tatsuya's sword came down — but he was too far away.
The beast was too fast, again.
There wasn't someone who would come to save them this time.
He didn't do anything to get stronger so how could he expect to beat it this time.
It was the same situation all over again but this time with a person.
No! I can't let her die!