The air was still heavy with the stench of burnt wood and iron. The acrid tang clung to the back of Shadow's throat, stubborn and bitter, refusing to fade. Bits of ash drifted lazily across the abandoned street, swirling in faint spirals before settling on the splintered beams of what used to be homes and shops. Somewhere, a lone roof tile cracked and fell, hitting the ground with a dull clatter.
Shadow adjusted the strap of the worn sheath at his hip. The leather was dry and cracked, but familiar under his fingers. He gave the ruins one last glance, eyes tracing the blackened edges of the once-busy marketplace. The silence here was wrong—too complete. No murmurs, no footsteps, no life.
His boots scraped against loose gravel as he turned away and started down the road leading out of town.
"You there! Wait—please!"
The voice cut through the stillness—female, slightly breathless, but urgent.
Shadow slowed, half-turning his head toward the sound.
From the charred skeleton of a market stall, a figure emerged at a sprint. Her boots kicked up small clouds of pale dust with each step. The ragged hem of her trousers swayed with her movement, and strands of hair stuck to her sweat-dampened forehead.
"I… I don't even know what you are exactly," she said between uneven breaths as she closed the distance, "but could you—just—hold up for a second?"
Shadow stopped completely, turning to face her. She came to a halt a few feet away, bending forward, hands braced on her knees. For a moment, she only breathed. Then she straightened, brushing loose hair from her face.
When her eyes met his, the tension in her expression eased, replaced by something that looked like relief.
"You were amazing back there," she said quickly, the sincerity in her tone unshaken by the chaos they'd both survived. "You actually managed to drive off those monsters. They… they killed almost everyone here. If you hadn't shown up when you did…" Her voice faltered, just enough to betray the weight of the memory.
"I didn't drive them off," Shadow replied, his voice low and flat. "They let me live. I'll make them regret it."
Her lips parted slightly at his words, as if she hadn't expected such a grim correction. "That man they killed… he was your friend, wasn't he? I'm so sorry for your loss."
"I barely knew him," Shadow said, gaze shifting away toward the horizon. "But… he was important to Sensei Lin."
The woman blinked, uncertain how to follow that, then forced a small smile as if trying to shift the mood. "Right—uh, I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name's May. I'm a local… well, I was a local… and a wandering weapons and armor expert. Best in these parts—" she gestured vaguely at the charred ruins— "until those jerks leveled the place and wrecked all my stock. Now I'm back to square one."
A faint breeze carried another wave of burnt wood smell between them. May's shoulders slumped briefly, but she quickly straightened, her gaze narrowing as it swept over him.
"Wait a second. You're obviously a skilled fighter. How about working with me?"
"No," Shadow replied without hesitation.
May stepped forward, unwilling to back down. "Oh, come on! I can give you access to knowledge on top-grade armor and weapons—gear that could save your life. I could actually be useful to you."
"Not interested."
He turned and started walking again, boots grinding softly against the gravel.
"Don't you want to defeat those guys?" May called after him, jogging to catch up. "I know you're going after them. But if you try it without the right equipment, you won't stand a chance."
"Do as you please," he said, not looking at her.
May's lips curved into a faint grin. "I'll take that as a yes. So… got a name?"
"I go by Shadow these days."
"That's… pretty self-explanatory," she said with a short laugh.
The conversation tapered off, leaving only the sound of their footsteps and the occasional whisper of wind brushing across scorched stone. Hours passed that way. The sun sank lower, staining the sky in shades of orange and violet. The faint metallic glint of the knives at Shadow's side caught the last light of day.
"So, where exactly are you headed?" May asked at last.
"Back to Sensei Lin's dojo."
"I don't know where that is, but—" she shrugged lightly, "I've got nowhere else to go, so I'll tag along."
Shadow gave no reply, but he didn't tell her to leave either.
The path wound between low hills and sparse forest. By the time the dojo came into view, the paper lanterns hanging outside were already glowing. Their warm light spilled onto the wooden steps, casting soft shadows that swayed in the evening breeze.
Sensei Lin stood waiting in the doorway, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his robe.
"Shadow," he greeted, eyes scanning him from head to toe. "You've returned—and unharmed. Am I to assume you did not cross paths with that demon, Lynx?"
"Oh, we crossed paths," Shadow said evenly. "He decided to spare me."
Sensei Lin's gaze sharpened. "So, you've decided to speak more openly now. Perhaps you've begun to face your mistakes. And… Kenji? Where is he?"
"He didn't make it."
The older man's shoulders lowered slightly. "I see. How unfortunate. Kenji was a disciplined, devoted disciple. His loss pains me deeply." He closed his eyes briefly, head bowed in silent mourning.
May stepped into the lantern light, brushing the dust from her pants.
"And who might you be, young lady?" Sensei Lin asked, his voice taking on a polite, formal tone.
"May," she said, standing tall. "I'm a weapons and armor expert—hired by Shadow."
"I didn't hire you," Shadow muttered. "I said do as you please."
"That's basically the same thing," May replied without missing a beat.
Sensei Lin allowed himself a faint smile. "In any case, your skills may prove valuable." He turned back to Shadow. "Now—what have you learned of the enemy?"
"They're strong," Shadow said. "Lynx, leader of the assassin order, is unlike anyone I've fought. He killed Kenji in an instant. He can become invisible. He also had five bodyguards—each likely skilled in their own ways. Four remain."
"I see… so Lynx himself struck down Kenji. May your spirit rest, my apprentice," Sensei Lin murmured. "Shadow, you have proven yourself worthy of my training once again. You left before completing your instruction, but now… I will teach you everything you lack. You must be ready to face Lynx. He is no mere swordsman. He is a monster."
"I'm ready, Sensei," Shadow said.
"The world may very well depend on you," Sensei Lin replied gravely.
May, who had been listening with folded arms, tilted her head. "So… what now?"
"I'm going to track Lynx and his bodyguards," Shadow said.
"You heard what Sensei Lin just told you—you're not ready yet," May countered.
"Then what? Wait around for them to kill more people?" His voice sharpened just slightly.
"No. We prepare. You need proper armor and weapons, or you won't stand a chance. Problem is, I've got no money, and I'm guessing you don't either." She took a small step closer, lowering her voice as though the night itself might be listening. "So here's my suggestion—join an underground tournament. Fight your way up, earn prize money. Make yourself known, and you'll have the funds to get the best equipment possible."
Shadow's eyes narrowed, studying her in silence. May smirked faintly, sensing a crack in his resistance.
"You like fighting, right? And if you win, you get to walk away with both the money and a reputation that might even make Lynx think twice before facing you again."
"Take me to this underground arena," Shadow said at last.
"Good. But since we're working together, I'll need a cut of your winnings. A girl's gotta eat." She glanced toward the darkening sky. "But we'll leave in the morning—it's getting late."
The evening air was cooler now, and the soft drone of cicadas carried from the forest edge. Shadow stood at the doorway, saying nothing more, but his gaze was fixed on the horizon as if his thoughts were already far beyond the lantern light.