The night in Crimson Village had grown deeper. After the meeting in the hall, people slowly returned to their homes, but the hidden concern on their faces remained. The soft light of stone lamps spread across the dirt paths, and from inside every house came the faint scent of burning wood.
Riya stood silently for a while, as if she was still thinking about the things said in the hall. Aarya came up to her and said softly, "You're tired. You should rest."
Riya looked at him. Her face was calm, but her eyes still held that same determination. "Rest… not yet. Tomorrow we're going to the west ridge, and I need to discuss a few more plans with Grace and Rudrak."
Aarya simply nodded. "Alright. I'm with you."
---
Riya and Aarya left the hall and walked on the dirt path. The children had fallen asleep, but a few women still sat outside their homes, their eyes filled with both hope and worry.
Far in a corner, Rina stood with her mother. Her small feet were bare, and her brown eyes looked even bigger in the dim light of night. As soon as she saw Riya, she quietly ran toward her.
"Riya didi…" she said softly, holding an old wooden toy in her hands. "This… my father made it. If you find him, please give it to him… he always told me to keep it safe."
Riya took the toy, her face softening further. "I'll definitely find him and give it to him."
Aarya stood a little distance away but noticed the shining hope on Rina's face. Feran growled in a telepathic tone, "You're getting too attached to that little girl again."
Aarya replied quietly, "She's just a child… and her hope shouldn't die."
---
A while later, Riya and Aarya went to Grace's house. Grace was sitting at a wooden table, with an old map spread before him. Rudrak was also there, spinning an old compass in his hand.
Without even looking up, Grace said, "You're right on time. Rudrak and I were checking the west ridge routes."
Rudrak set the compass down and spoke directly, "We'll have to go by the riverside in the morning. That's the fastest route. But…" he looked at Riya, "some night traces are still there. If Bloodthorn's residue is active, we might see… strange things."
Riya responded in a calm tone, "That's why we'll leave after sunrise. Beasts get tired after the night, and the tracks will be fresh."
Grace nodded. "Alright. With Aarya joining you… we shouldn't worry much." He glanced at Aarya for a moment, still seemingly trying to assess him.
Aarya stood calmly and said, "Whatever is out there, we'll bring everyone back."
There was a small smile on Grace's face. "That's all I need to hear."
---
The night grew deeper. Riya stood on the rooftop of an old house, her face softened in the moonlight. Her green eyes gazed far ahead, as if preparing herself internally.
Aarya walked up and stood beside her. "This is personal for you," he said softly.
Riya looked at him, then at the moon. "These people… they're like family to me. When I first came here, they saw me just as a girl—not as a Rakshak. And now… I don't want that trust to be broken."
Aarya looked at her face; she was strong and composed, but clearly had a soft side within.
"You always seem so strong," Aarya said quietly, "but maybe you're the one who's the most attached."
Riya gave a faint smile. "And you? You're always calm… but that look in your eyes for Rina, I've never seen that before."
Aarya just gave a small smile and didn't say anything. Feran growled in a telepathic tone, "You two are starting to read each other… dangerous."
Riya looked toward Feran and gave a light laugh. "Feran, you can never tolerate romantic moments."
Feran flicked his tail. "I'm just speaking the truth."
---
Before dawn, the village slowly began to stir. The scent of burning wood drifted outside the homes. Grace was the first to arrive at Riya's house, carrying a spear. His body appeared calm but ready.
Rudrak followed behind him, a worn bow slung over his shoulder. His face was serious but determined.
"Ready to move?" Grace asked, looking at Aarya.
Aarya tightened his Granthnishaan and replied calmly, "Always."
Riya turned once toward the village—Rina was watching her from afar. Riya gave her a small smile and a tiny wave. Rina smiled back with a hesitant wave, as if convincing herself everything would be fine.
And then the three hunters and Aarya walked into the morning light toward the west ridge—the path where their first Crimson Village mission awaited them.
---
The first light of morning shimmered on the soil and damp leaves. The air was cool, but the faint smell of decay from under the trees confirmed that the jungle was not quiet yet.
Grace led the group. His broad-shouldered frame moved silently like a trained hunter. His spear rested on his shoulder, and his boots made only faint thuds in the soil.
Rudrak followed. His beard looked even whiter in the morning light, but his face remained focused. The old bow on his back swung slightly as he walked, each step measured and precise.
Riya walked behind the two. Her steps were calm, but her green eyes scanned every faint movement between the trees. Aarya stayed close to her, his Granthnishaan glinting occasionally in the sunlight. Feran darted between trees and near Aarya in small, quiet jumps.
"How far is the west ridge?" Aarya asked quietly.
Grace answered without turning back, "If we keep this pace, two hours. But we'll need to cross the river… and some night traces might still be fresh."
Rudrak calmly added, "Beasts are tired in the morning, but if they sensed us, they could already be tracking us."
Riya simply nodded. "That's why we stay silent. Every step—calculated."
---
After a while, the jungle thickened. Tree roots tangled along the ground, and with every step the earth gave slightly. In the distance, they began to hear the river's sound, gurgling as it hit the rocks.
When they reached the riverside, Aarya stopped. The water was calm and glinting in the sunlight, but deep claw marks were etched near the edge.
"Something passed through here," Aarya said quietly, crouching near the marks.
Rudrak came close and touched the mark with his finger. "These are a day old… and…" he looked toward the water, "there's a faint smell of Bloodthorn residue."
Feran growled, "I sense it too. This isn't a small beast."
Grace tightened his grip on the spear. "That means whatever came through here could still be near the ridge."
Riya said calmly, "Let's go… but be more alert."
---
Signs of the Beast and the Changing Jungle
Beyond the river, the jungle grew darker. Sunlight couldn't penetrate the thick canopy. On the ground were rotting grass and fragments of broken bones.
Riya picked up one bone. It had dried strands of Bloodthorn residue. "This… couldn't be from another beast. It was under Bloodthorn control."
Aarya stood beside her. "And if it's still here?"
Grace responded in a calm tone, "Then we finish it." His words carried pure hunter certainty.
Rudrak, after following some tracks, paused. "There are two paths from here. One leads straight to the ridge, the other goes deeper into the jungle."
Riya thought for a moment, then said, "We'll stay on the ridge path. Our mission is the missing hunters—not hunting every beast."
Grace just nodded, though a hint of tightness crossed his face—he clearly wanted to eliminate every beast.
---
After two hours, the air grew more putrid. Trees appeared more withered, and old blood stains marked the ground.
Aarya paused and said quietly, "This place…"
Riya finished his sentence, "…looks like where our hunters passed through."
Grace crouched and picked up a small leather strap buried in the dirt. His face froze for a moment.
"This… belongs to Arjun," he said softly, his voice no longer calm.
Rudrak placed a hand on his shoulder. "He could still be alive, Grace. Let's hurry."
---
Just then, Feran suddenly growled and halted. "Something moved… in the trees."
Aarya became instantly alert, his Granthnishaan glowing slightly. Riya drew her blade.
A shadow darted between the trees, and a mutated beast with a long body dropped before them. Its eyes glowed with Bloodthorn residue, and its body looked made of half-rotting wood and flesh.
The beast roared and charged straight at Grace. Grace blocked the first strike with his spear, but the beast's power left a deep mark in the soil.
"This… isn't a normal beast," Grace growled.
Aarya rushed in and deflected the next attack. His Granthnishaan glowed, and he delivered a solid kick to the beast's side. The beast crashed into a tree but quickly stood again.
Riya dashed behind and drove her blade into the beast's throat. The creature screeched and collapsed slowly to the ground.
Rudrak examined its body. "If this was made with Bloodthorn residue… there could be more."
Riya wiped her blade. "And maybe… the hunters are trapped among them."
---
The jungle path finally ended, and before them stood an old ridge gate made of stone and rotting wood. Red strands of Bloodthorn residue still moved on it, as if alive.
Grace looked at the gate, his face growing serious. "This is it… and if the hunters are alive, they're in there."
Riya looked at him. "We'll bring everyone back."
Aarya tightened his Granthnishaan and said in a calm tone, "And if Bloodthorn wants anything else… it'll have to go through us first."
And in silence, the four of them slowly moved toward the dark gate of the ridge—the place where their first Crimson Village mission was truly about to begin.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…