Riccardo led the group to a hilly area deep in the forest.
"Here we are."
A small circular hill rose among the trees, its slopes covered with imposing trunks growing upward at an angle, engraved with strange symbols. Their branches intertwined overhead, forming a canopy that veiled the sky. At night, moonlight filtered through the tangled woods, casting a suspended glow, an almost unreal atmosphere.
"This is truly magical..." Estrella whispered in amazement.
Approaching the center of the hill, Estrella reached out and touched one of the trees. The symbols carved into the bark suddenly lit up with a golden shimmer.
"They look ancient..." she murmured.
Estrella studied them carefully. Dana, piqued by her curiosity, approached her.
"I'm no expert, but they look like runes to me..."
"I thought the same thing. But they look different from the ones discovered on our Earth..."
"Most likely, it's the divine language." Riccardo interjected.
"You mean... an alternative version of the one we know?" Estrella asked.
"Not alternative, original."
"But who carved them?" asked Dana.
"I couldn't say. Perhaps some deity carved them when this world was created... or perhaps some creature who knows the language."
"If it was written by some mythical creature, isn't it dangerous to stay here? What if it came back?" Estrella asked, uneasy.
"Perhaps. But since I discovered this place, no nonhuman has ever come here." Riccardo replied, reassuring them.
"Anyway... it's strange that no one has settled here. We're protected on all sides; there's only one entrance, and the branches even form a kind of roof." Dalai commented as he set his things down near a tree.
"I don't know about that. But we can make the most of it while we can."
"Exactly! Let's get ready for the night!" Dana exclaimed enthusiastically.
The four set up camp, quickly gathering around a fire to eat, while laughter and chatter filled the night.
"That was a good meal. Sometimes, that's all you need!" Dalai said, satisfied.
"True!"
Dana looked up, noticing the full moon framed by the branches, already halfway through its cycle.
"Guys, I think it's time... who wants to take first watch?"
"Me," Riccardo replied immediately.
"Are you sure? Yesterday you stood guard all night without even asking for a change..." Dalai asked, doubtful.
"Yes, I'm sure. Don't worry."
The other three exchanged uncertain glances.
"If you say so... then I trust you!" Dana said.
After a while, the three fell asleep, leaving Riccardo sitting in front of the fire, staring into the flames. Suddenly, the sound of snapping branches echoed from the forest in front of him, causing him to raise his head slightly.
"They've started the hunt..." Riccardo muttered to himself.
He stood up and kicked the fire out, leaving only the darkness of night. Then he waited in silence for a while.
Suddenly, the clang of countless weapons could be heard around the hollow. Riccardo glanced at his companions but, strangely, seemed reassured. He calmly sat back down.
For tonight, we're safe...
[The next morning]
At the crack of dawn, Dana awoke. After a yawn, she noticed Riccardo still sitting there, his eyes wide open. Still half asleep, she approached him.
"You stayed up all night again..."
Riccardo turned to her.
"Good morning."
"That's not an answer to my question..." Dana replied with a hint of disapproval.
"Yes, I stayed up another night."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Didn't you say you trusted me?"
Dana sat down next to him.
"And I do. But this behavior of yours won't lead to anything good..."
"I've already thought about it."
"Then at least tell me why you're doing this."
Riccardo hesitated, looking Dana in the eye, just as a loud voice broke the tension.
"Good morning!" Estrella suddenly screamed, startling Dana and interrupting Riccardo.
"Estrella! Could you be quieter tomorrow morning, please?" Dana scolded, frowning.
Riccardo, observing the scene, stood up with a small smile and left.
"Can you guys stop making so much noise?" Dalai muttered, sounding sleepy and annoyed.
"Dana, can I ask you something?" Riccardo asked curiously.
"You said you were a high-level kickboxer, right?"
"Yes, why?"
"How about you teach me something?" Riccardo's proposal took Dana by surprise.
"Uh... sure."
"Can I join in?" Estrella added enthusiastically.
"If I could join in, too, it might come in handy." Dalai interjected.
"Yes, of course I'll teach you something. But I'm not as good as you think!" Dana admitted, almost embarrassed by their expectations.
"Great, then let's get started right away." said Riccardo.
[Another day passes between training and chatting.]
Exhausted, Estrella and Dalai collapsed to the ground, while even Riccardo dropped to his knees. The only one who still looked slightly fresh was Dana.
"Great job, guys!" congratulated Dana.
"You're more than good: you're fantastic!" Estrella exclaimed, completely exhausted.
Dana chuckled slightly, embarrassed by Estrella's words.
"Believe me, compared to other kickboxers, you wouldn't say the same."
"But that's more than enough for us. Thank you!" Riccardo said, making Dana smile.
"It's getting dark again..." Dalai observed, looking up at the sky.
"I'll take guard duty tonight!" Riccardo declared suddenly.
"Again!?" Dana replied angrily.
"Now that I think about it... you've already pulled another night without asking us to relieve you on guard duty." Dalai added.
"And I will do it again." Riccardo replied coldly, with determination.
"Will you at least tell us why?" Estrella asked.
The three stared at Riccardo as he closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
"Because I still don't trust you. And I won't sleep next to people I don't completely trust."
His words left them all stunned, their faces frozen in disbelief.
"What? You still don't trust us?" Dalai asked, confused.
"But we trust you!" Estrella exclaimed, visibly shocked.
"I appreciate it, but I'm not ready to put myself completely in your hands yet. So, if you want me here, these are my current conditions to respect."
"But—"
"Estrella, stop!" Dana interrupted her firmly.
"Dana..."
"You're the one who wanted me here at all costs. I hope you'll also accept my choices and continue to trust me."
"Fine. Do as you wish." Dana turned her back on Riccardo, glaring at him.
"Of course."
Dalai and Estrella exchanged a nervous glance before slowly following Dana, while Riccardo regarded them with a cold, impenetrable gaze.
Another night...
[During the night]
Everyone was asleep, except Riccardo, who was keeping watch as agreed.
Suddenly, just like the night before, the faint clang of blades echoed in the distance.
"They started again tonight..." Riccardo muttered, getting up, ready to put out the fire.
"What are you doing?" Dana's voice pierced the silence. She was watching him.
"You don't trust me either?"
"No. I trusted you, but I won't sleep next to someone who's hiding something from me."
"Excellent answer. I'll give you that."
"Then why don't you tell me what's happening!?" Dana raised her voice.
"Lower your voice."
The noises around them grew louder, and they both noticed.
"What are those rums—" Dana was silenced when Riccardo suddenly clamped a hand over her mouth.
"I said to keep it down." Riccardo whispered in a deadly serious tone.
"So?" Dana asked again, this time in a softer tone.
"So, now you understand exactly why I didn't want you on night watch."
"Are they mythical creatures?"
"No. They're much more dangerous creatures... humans."
Dana's eyes widened as if remembering something.
—
"Just because so many have left doesn't mean the area is abandoned. Anyone left here... is dangerous. The kind of person who wouldn't hesitate to kill on sight."
—
"Are those the ones left in this part of the forest?" Dana asked seriously.
"Exactly. At night, many of them hunt other subordinates. That's why I brought you here if we want to stay here."
"What do you mean?" Dana asked, confused.
Riccardo put out the fire completely and headed for one of the trees.
"I've used this place as a refuge during my stay here, partly because of its strategic location... but mostly because of these trees." Riccardo approached, and as he got close, the runes carved into the bark began to glow faintly.
"As you can see, and as you've already noticed, the runes light up when someone approaches."
"I see... you use them as a warning system."
"Exactly. That's why I put out the fire, to make them even more visible."
Dana still looked upset.
"Then why didn't you just say so instead of making them hate you?"
"I told you to keep your voice down... and I didn't say anything because these aren't normal people."
Suddenly, a rune on the tree behind Riccardo lit up.