The mist hung heavy that night, swallowing sound. Rei followed Shira through the forest, his body sore from endless drills. Every muscle screamed, but his mind burned hotter than his wounds. He had tasted progress. He wasn't about to stop.
A branch snapped.
Rei froze. Shira's hand shot up, signaling silence. Shadows shifted in the fog. Shapes moved—five, six, maybe more. Armored figures, faces hidden beneath cracked masks.
"Hunters," Shira whispered. Her tone sharpened like steel. "Stay close."
The figures circled, blades glinting in the moonlight. One stepped forward, scarred face revealed beneath a broken helm. His voice was low, gravel grinding stone.
"You don't belong here."
Rei's pulse spiked. His hand twitched toward his weapon. Shira didn't move. "Ignore them. Keep walking."
But the circle tightened. Spears lowered. The scarred man's eyes fixed on Rei. "That power in you—it reeks. You shouldn't be alive."
Rei's teeth ground. "Then come take it from me."
He lunged before Shira could stop him, flash-step igniting. The world blurred—steel clashed. His strike rang out, sparks dancing. For a heartbeat, he thought he had the advantage.
Then a fist slammed into his ribs. Air exploded from his lungs. Rei staggered back, coughing blood.
The hunters closed in. Too fast. Too many.
Shira's voice cut sharp. "You idiot!" She spun, blade sweeping, scattering three in a single movement. "You're not ready!"
But Rei roared, forcing Enso to flare. His body screamed, veins burning. He moved again, afterimages splitting as he struck, disarming one hunter, throwing another to the ground. For the first time—he was fighting, not just surviving.
The scarred man smirked. "Not bad. But not enough." He surged forward, crushing Rei beneath his strength. Rei's body hit the dirt, pinned. A blade hovered above his throat.
Shira's eyes widened. For the first time, real fear flickered across her face.
"Rei!"