The thing that burst out of the well wasn't human. Its body was twisted, limbs jerking like broken machinery, yet it moved with unnatural speed. It lunged straight for Shahib.
Shahib met it with nothing but a piece of chalk in his hand. I thought he was mad—until the chalk struck its shoulder with a sharp crack and sparks leapt out like steel on stone. The creature reeled back, screeching.
Then Shahib's sword sang free from its sheath, sunlight flashing across the blade. He swung, steel colliding with the monster's claws, and the air quivered with the impact.
"Move!" I shouted, rushing in.
Around me, steel answered. Selena was already on the left, her sword slicing in wide, fluid arcs. Lucian charged heavy and fast, his blade hacking down with brute force. Amir darted quick as lightning, his curved sword flashing at the creature's flanks, while Mie Lin slipped in low, her twin blades cutting in seamless rhythm. Even Lie Jun, though clumsier, held his ground with swords drawn. And me? I was just trying to not get myself killed.
The creature was relentless. Its claws scraped against our blades with a sound like grinding metal, sparks flying with every clash. My arms rattled with each strike, but I forced myself forward, teeth gritted, sword biting at any opening it gave.
Selena's blade cut across its torso—no blood. Lucian struck its shoulder—no wound. Amir stabbed deep into its side—nothing but another inhuman howl that shook the air.
"It's not dying!" I shouted, staggering back as the creature swung at me. My sword barely blocked in time, the shock making my bones ache.
"Then keep it busy!" Shahib roared, his sword striking in clean, precise arcs. He moved with sharp control, every blow measured, every block timed perfectly.
The fight blurred into chaos. Steel rang against claws, sunbeams flashing off our blades as we drove it back step by step. The creature didn't falter, didn't weaken—it only pressed harder, forcing us into its game.
Then, suddenly, it stopped. Its body twisted, screeched once more, and in a blink it turned and bolted.
"Don't let it get away!" Shahib barked.
We sprinted after it, boots pounding the earth, the midday sun spilling through the forest canopy. The roar of water grew louder until we burst into a clearing. A waterfall crashed down a cliffside, silver in the daylight, spraying mist into the air.
The creature didn't hesitate. It hurled itself into the torrent of falling water—and vanished.
We skidded to a halt, chests heaving. The spray chilled my skin, mixing with the sweat dripping down my face.
For a moment, silence. Then Chubby Guy dropped onto the grass with a groan. "Perfect. We nearly died, and the monster decides it's bath time."
I laughed, leaning on my sword. "Fastest disappearing act I've ever seen."
Selena wiped her blade clean and smirked. "Maybe this is his lair. Should we clap for his performance?"
Lucian grunted, leaning heavily on his sword. "If you clap, I'll throw you in there myself."
Amir sheathed his blade with a chuckle. "Relax, brother. You'd probably miss." It was the first time we saw Amir chuckle. Not that I mind. It's much better than the scowling face he always makes looking at me.
Mie Lin tilted her head. "Honestly, if he comes back out with soap and shampoo, I'm done."
Chubby Guy raised a hand, still lying flat. "Good. Then I'll open a spa right here. 'Monster Bathhouse & Co.' My retirement plan is set."
We all burst out laughing, the sound mixing strangely with the roar of the falls. Even Shahib's mouth twitched, though he quickly looked away and cleaned his sword again.
But the moment passed, heavy silence returning with the mist. Shahib's eyes hardened as he nodded toward the waterfall. "Enough. We're going in."
One by one, we stepped through the curtain of water. The cold crashed onto my shoulders, soaking me instantly, stealing my breath. Then we stumbled into a cavern hidden behind the falls.
And froze.
The missing villagers were there.
Dozens of them huddled together on the damp stone. Children clung to their mothers, faces pale and streaked with tears. Old men leaned against the walls, too weak to lift their heads. Men and women sat in silence, their bodies bruised and weary.
My throat tightened. "By the stars…"
This time, no one had a joke left.
The cavern fell into stunned silence the moment we stepped inside.
Dozens of hollow eyes turned toward us—fearful, disbelieving. Mothers clutched their children tighter. Men straightened weakly, as if the very sight of us gave them strength they hadn't felt in days.
Then whispers spread. "Who are they?" "How did they get in?" "Are they… saviors?"
One old man stumbled forward, his voice cracking. "Who… who are you?"
I glanced at Shahib, and he answered with calm authority. "We are from the palace."
The words seemed to ignite the cavern. Gasps rippled through the villagers. Faces once dulled by despair now lit with fragile hope. Some wept openly, clutching each other. A woman dropped to her knees, bowing, while children peeked out from behind their mothers with wide, glimmering eyes.
Then she appeared—the woman in white.
Her robes, though dirt-stained, still shimmered faintly in the dim light. She walked with steady grace, her wooden talisman pressed to her chest. When her eyes fell on us, they widened with something between awe and disbelief.
"I am Bai Lian," she said softly. "Priestess of this village. If the palace has truly sent you, then perhaps the heavens have not abandoned us."
We exchanged uneasy glances as she motioned for us to listen.
Her voice lowered, carrying the weight of sorrow. "The one who brought us here is called Charora. Once, he was one of us. But long ago, the heavens cursed him for his sins, twisting him into a blood-drinking monster. In fear, we cast him out, exiling him from our land. He has returned now to take vengeance… to bind us in this cavern where the curse holds strong."
I gripped my sword tighter, recalling the unnatural strength in its claws.
Bai Lian's voice faltered as she went on. "You were able to pass the waterfall because you are not bound by our curse. But now that you are inside… the falls will never let you pass again. You too… are trapped."
The hope that had blossomed among the villagers flickered. Murmurs turned to worried cries. Some clung to us as if begging us not to vanish.
Then Bai Lian's eyes hardened. "You must leave… somehow. Even if you are from the palace, you cannot fight Charora. His wrath is too great. If you stay, he will destroy you as he destroyed us."
The words crushed the cavern. The fragile joy that had sparked moments ago crumbled into despair. Mothers sobbed softly, fathers looked to the ground, children buried their faces into their parents' arms.
I stood frozen, the weight of their sorrow pressing against my chest.
And then… I saw them.
Two little boys, no older than six or seven, huddled in a corner. Their clothes were torn, their faces streaked with dirt, yet their eyes—wide, fearful, clinging to each other—cut straight through me.
For a heartbeat, I saw my brothers instead. Their laughter. Their bickering. Their hands tugging me into trouble. My throat burned.
Before I knew it, I stepped forward, my voice ringing louder than I intended.
"No."
The cavern stilled. Dozens of eyes turned toward me.
I clenched my fists, my sword heavy at my side, and stared at the priestess. "We're not leaving. Not without you. We will free this village."
My voice didn't waver, though I had no idea how we could do it.
But looking at those two boys—at all of them—I knew we had no other choice.