An old hut lay hidden behind the thick foliage of the forest, far from any known path. The dim glow from a furnace in the corner lit the room faintly. The aroma of roasting meat filled the air, sizzling softly as it hung above the fire.
Erik sat beside Fara, who was lying on an old wooden bed, gently cleaning the burn on her shoulder with a damp cloth and an herbal mixture he had made. The wound had turned dark around the edges but had yet to fully heal.
"I'm sorry, Miss Fara. This might sting a bit," Erik said in a soft but steady voice.
Fara gritted her teeth, enduring the pain. "It's fine. Just a scratch."
In the other corner, Brug and Takk were roasting meat. Occasionally, they glanced toward Fara—and especially at Rafa, who sat cross-legged near the door, staring at the sword that had nearly torn the forest apart. His cold, steel gaze and oppressive aura kept them quiet.
Unlike before—when they acted arrogant and overconfident in front of Zeo's group—now, Brug and Takk didn't even dare breathe too loudly around Rafa. They had seen for themselves how he slashed with an attack that could level the land.
Rafa glanced at Erik, who was still tending to Fara. His eyes sharpened.
"How's the wound?" he asked flatly.
"Severe. That fire creature's attack was brutal… but she'll recover. For a standard adventurer, maybe two or three days of full rest," Erik replied without looking up.
"I see."
"Forgive me, Sir Rafa," Erik continued, "may I ask… I noticed you reacted strongly to Zeo's group. Especially when you saw they had Djinns in their party… Do you have a grudge against their kind?"
No answer.
Erik looked at Rafa. "Do you hate them?"
Fara closed her eyes, holding back the sudden rush of emotion. Rafa sighed quietly and set his sword down.
"It's more than hate…" he muttered. "We… want them wiped out."
Takk swallowed hard. Brug paused mid-motion.
Erik stayed silent, waiting for an explanation.
Rafa stared at the fire. "We're twins. I was born first. Fifteen years ago, we were just normal kids. Living peacefully in a small village on the eastern border. Never once did we dream of becoming adventurers."
His voice trembled slightly, but he kept going.
"Then… one night, the sky turned red. The ground shook. The Djinn race invaded. Goblins, orcs, and more burned our homes, ripped people apart, exploded, killed, ate them alive. It was like a storm from hell."
Fara opened her eyes. "Our mother and father were killed right in front of us."
"Everyone we knew… gone," Rafa continued. "We almost died too. But a party of adventurers arrived—late, yes, but they saved us. They wiped out those Djinn, erased them from our village."
"A party?" Erik asked.
"They were known as Kavedar," Rafa replied.
Erik, Brug, and Takk widened their eyes—they knew that name. "...The legendary party…"
Rafa stared at Erik sharply. "Yes. Them. The ones now called legends—they raised us. Trained us. Became our mentors."
The three men—Erik, Brug, and Takk—fell silent. They'd heard of the legendary party that took down numerous monsters. But they never imagined the two before them were their disciples.
Brug swallowed hard and stepped forward. "We… didn't know. You two…"
"No wonder you're so powerful," Takk added.
"We… would've died if it weren't for you."
Brug and Takk exchanged glances, then bowed deeply toward Rafa and Fara. "From now on, we beg to follow you. Whatever it takes. Make us your slaves if need be."
Rafa frowned. "We don't need followers."
"Please, Sir Rafa," Erik said firmly. "We… only want to walk the same path. You and Fara—you have direction. A strong purpose. We're just… lost people in the woods, in need of light," he added with a hint of manipulation.
Fara nodded faintly, still lying weakly. "Are you serious?"
Brug and Takk bowed simultaneously. "Yes."
"Besides, we now share the same enemy," Erik added.
Rafa looked at them for a long moment. "You won't survive the path we take."
"We'll try," Erik said.
Silence followed. The fire crackled gently. Outside, the wind rustled the tall branches.
Finally, Rafa stood. "Fine. But betray us even once, and there'll be no mercy."
Brug nodded quickly. "Understood!"
Takk followed suit, nearly bowing to the floor.
Rafa turned and approached his sister. He looked at her shoulder and leg wounds, then closed his eyes briefly. "Seems a little better."
Fara nodded with a weak smile. "Let's send all those Djinn to hell. Especially that group."
Erik exhaled deeply. Perhaps he truly had become part of a war far bigger than he ever imagined.
And that hut, on that night, was no longer just a place of shelter—but the beginning of a new bond. Three wanderers, never imagining they'd walk a thorny path beside two mysterious souls burdened by a mountain of vengeance.
Night deepened, and the campfire flickered around the modest hut. The gentle breeze whispered through the forest, adding a sense of peace. But within that hut, a burning vengeance quietly bloomed.
Rafa, his face serious and his rage restrained, continued tending to his twin sister Fara. Her burn wounds were severe, and though she had fallen asleep, her expression still reflected deep pain. Rafa's hands moved with care, cleaning each wound deliberately. His sharp eyes occasionally flicked toward Erik, Brug, and Takk, who guarded the room and left space around the bed.
"Don't worry, Fara. I'll make them pay," Rafa muttered, his voice filled with resolve and hatred. "That group—especially that man… they'll feel the consequences."
Erik sat near the fire, listening quietly. From time to time, he glanced at Brug and Takk, who were keeping watch.
"Sir Rafa," Erik said, "I know where they're headed."
"You know where they're going?" Rafa asked, his eyes fixed on Erik with urgency.
"Yes," Erik replied, staring into the distance. "I know their destination. We can get there ahead of them, if you wish."
"Good." Rafa inhaled deeply. "But Fara's condition won't allow us to chase them now. And we must go to Leymora first and meet the prince—we can't miss that."
He clicked his tongue in frustration, looking down at the unmoving Fara. "We'll strike them after that… that men and his crew will get what they deserve," he said coldly.
Erik nodded. Though his heart urged him to chase after Zeo and take Alice back, he knew they weren't in shape for a quick pursuit. They'd need time to fully recover. But even so, the thought of waiting made frustration swell inside him.
---
Morning arrived with clear skies, and a cool breeze swept through the silent forest, bringing an air of calm tension.
Back to Zeo's group.
After a night's rest, they had recovered enough to move. Though not fully healed, they had no choice but to press on.
Zeo, who had appeared strong and composed, now looked slightly worn. He carried Guillard, whose leg was severely broken, and staggered slightly with each step. Miza, though his arm was badly injured, could still move well. Alice walked beside her, keeping a careful distance to monitor the group.
"My village is still far," Alice finally spoke after a long silence. "From here, about five days on foot. If we use magic energy, we could arrive in a day—but it would exhaust us. If we find a horse-drawn carriage or some transport, it'll be easier."
Zeo nodded. "We have no other choice. We must endure. I'll protect you all," he said calmly.
They moved forward, their steps difficult and treacherous. Though their bodies ached, their spirits remained high. Miza took the lead with Fael, nimbly dodging stones and roots. Alice and Ravyn walked side by side, keeping the group steady. Zeo carried Guillard. The road grew steeper and more rugged, but they pressed on.
Ravyn, silent until now, finally spoke. "Master Zeo… what about Kozmo?" she asked. "Has he recovered?"
Zeo glanced ahead, then at the small Kozmo-shaped pendant hanging from his neck. "Kozmo still needs time to fully recover, but he's in much better condition now. As long as we avoid interruptions, he'll return to normal."
But deep down, Zeo knew this journey wouldn't be easy. They had to survive not only their physical wounds but also unpredictable threats. Especially since they had no idea what Erik and his group were up to. The decision to split up might've been a mistake—but Zeo was determined to face whatever came next.
Midway through the trek, they paused to rest. Zeo sat under a tree, eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously. "We need to be more careful. We don't know if Erik and his group will come after us—or if there's something worse ahead."
They moved farther away from the cursed forest. But without realizing it, something far greater was waiting for them up ahead.
Meanwhile, far away, Rafa and Fara's plan to exact revenge on Zeo and his group continued to take shape. And once again, the road ahead would only grow more perilous for Zeo and his companions.
---