The three silhouettes stopped a few steps away. The wind calmed, and the forest seemed to hold his breath. Suddenly, the figures lunged forward, and their attack was no longer human: each step and strike carried the hatred and violence of a demon.
Renji raised his sword with both hands and shouted:
— "Tiberku… this isn't a patrol! They're demons!"
Tiberku clenched his teeth and countered immediately:
— "I see! And we're not just ordinary humans either!"
Every blow from the demons echoed through the forest like metal. Their axes and spears moved with supernatural speed, and their red eyes glowed in the darkness. Renji felt his blood pounding in his temples, his hands trembling from tension, but he knew he couldn't falter.
Tiberku and Renji positioned themselves back to back, ready to face the wave of attacks. The elf stayed behind, powerless to fight, watching with wide eyes, helpless.
— "No hesitation!" shouted Tiberku.
— "No mercy!" Renji responded as the first spear struck the ground near their feet.
The line between demons and humans vanished. Survival and the battle ahead were all that mattered.
The elf, trembling, couldn't fight, but his desire to help was clear in his gaze. His eyes fell on a sword abandoned on the ground, almost hidden by dry leaves. Without hesitation, he flew toward it, lifted it quickly, and felt the weight of the blade in his hands.
He leapt forward with a short jump, gliding between the shadows of the trees toward Renji.
— "Renji! Take this!" he shouted, offering the sword.
Renji caught it, feeling his presence give him strength. Tiberku glanced at the elf, giving a brief nod of approval, then resumed his defensive stance.
The demons attacked simultaneously, their heavy steps and rapid strikes cutting through the air. Renji and Tiberku blocked each strike with precision, instinctively coordinating. Renji felt the blade vibrate with each impact, yet it reassured him that he could withstand the demons' attacks.
— "Be ready, Renji! Don't give an inch!" Tiberku shouted.
Renji nodded and blocked a spear aimed directly at him. The demon's sword shook the air, but he countered swiftly, forcing the creature to retreat a few steps.
The elf stayed close to Renji, watching the demons' every move, ready to act if an opportunity appeared. Every breath felt like a battle, the sounds of metal, the demons' screams, and their own heartbeats merging into a chaotic rhythm, yet clear to those who knew survival.
Renji and Tiberku continued to block and strike, feeling the weight of each second. The demons weren't just strong; they were unpredictable, changing their rhythm and direction without warning.
Renji managed to deflect a spear with his blade, pushing the demon back. Tiberku struck simultaneously, forcing another demon to retreat to the edge of the clearing. Every second was a dance of attacks and defenses, tension building with each move.
Suddenly, the demons began to howl, a piercing sound that seemed to vibrate through the air and into the bones. Their screams shook their bodies, black veins pulsating chaotically. Before anyone could react, their bodies began to rupture from within, breaking into dark fragments and reddish smoke.
Renji fell to his knees, heart racing, watching the scene as if in a nightmare. Tiberku remained motionless, breathless, eyes wide with astonishment. The elf leaned against a tree, hands trembling, unable to speak.
Within seconds, the forest fell silent again. Dark fragments floated in the air, and the scent of burnt smoke and metal filled the space. Three survivors remained in the middle of the clearing, in total shock, unable to comprehend what had just occurred.
Tiberku bent over the demon remains. Broken armor and dark fragments of flesh lay scattered on the ground. He moved his hands slowly among the debris, trying to understand what had happened.
— "I've never seen anything like this… Their bodies… self-destructed?" he murmured. "It doesn't seem like magic, doesn't seem technical… They just… exploded."
Renji watched closely, still in shock. Every dark fragment on the ground reminded him that these demons were unlike anything he had encountered in his kingdom.
— "But… why did that man call them a patrol?" he asked, his voice trembling, mostly to himself. "And why are they so different from ordinary demons?"
The elf looked at him helplessly. Tiberku lifted his gaze to Renji, analyzing his reaction.
— "I don't know… But it's clear they're not simple demons. Their structure, the way they move… and that explosion… nothing like this exists in my experience," Tiberku said, clenching his fists.
Renji felt a chill run down his spine. These demons weren't ordinary dark creatures; there was something more, something making them dangerous and unpredictable.
— "So it's not that the man sent them… he just called them a patrol. But they… they are something else. Not like those in my kingdom," Renji thought, eyes fixed on the lifeless bodies.
Tiberku drew a deep breath and raised his sword.
— "Then we need to be careful. Something about them is different, and we need to understand how before we face more of them."
The elf only nodded, sensing the rising tension. The forest stayed silent around them, shadows deepening, as if nature itself was observing.
Renji looked at Tiberku again, trying to organize his thoughts.
— "If they're all like this, Lioren is in much more danger than I thought. We have to move fast and be prepared for anything."
The forest seemed to breathe with them. Three shadows stood vigil, aware they had discovered something far more dangerous than any ordinary confrontation.
After hours of walking, the road finally led them to the gates of Lioren. The city stretched before them, buildings made of stone and wood, streets clean and orderly. People walked, sold goods at stalls, or simply crossed the paved roads.
Tiberku stepped onto the sidewalk and looked around carefully.
— "Everything is just as I expected. Nothing unusual," he said calmly.
Renji followed, observing the city's usual bustle.
— "Yes, Lioren seems like a normal city. Looks like any other city in my kingdom," he said quietly to himself.
The elf stopped beside them, but before anyone could notice, he quickly slipped into Renji's pocket, hiding completely. From inside, he could watch the surroundings without drawing attention, observing people carrying on with their daily activities.
— "We need to find a place to rest and get our bearings. No need to rush," he said.
Tiberku nodded and started down one of the main streets, Renji and the elf following without hurry, letting the city unfold before them, simple and ordinary, completely separate from any previous events.
Renji looked up at Tiberku, still keeping the elf hidden, and asked in a slightly uneasy voice:
— "Tiberku… where's Eris? How can I talk to her?"
Tiberku sighed deeply and turned his gaze to the normal city around them.
— "That's the big problem," he said quietly. "I've never spoken to Eris face-to-face. We communicate mostly through letters. She always told me what to do, but we've never met directly."
Renji felt his heart beat faster.
— "So… there's no simple way to talk to her?" he asked, voice trembling with emotion and curiosity.
Tiberku shook his head.
— "No, Renji. It's impossible. You have to understand her rules, know what she expects, and interpret the signs or messages. You can't just go and talk like she's any other person."
The elf in the pocket lifted his gaze to Renji, listening carefully, aware this moment was crucial for the decisions ahead.
Renji lowered his head, feeling the weight of all the hours of walking and the dangers they had overcome to get here. The darkness of the forest, the demons that pursued them, the devastated village — all seemed to gather before him, hitting him with a sense of futility.
— "Maybe it was all for nothing…" he murmured through gritted teeth. "Maybe Eris won't be able or willing to help us, no matter what we went through to get here."
Tiberku looked at him intently, knowing he couldn't give a clear answer.
— "We can't know that, Renji. But if you give up now, all of this… all our efforts will mean nothing."
Renji felt a knot in his stomach. The desire to give up mixed with responsibility and a fragile hope that they had arrived for a reason. The elf in the pocket, sensing Renji's uneasy state, clenched his hands, trying to offer silent support without being noticed.
— "We went through hell to get here… and maybe all that's left is to be disappointed?" Renji murmured, his voice heavy with frustration and exhaustion.
Tiberku sighed and clenched his fists.
— "No, Renji. Even if the path is hard, we never know what might be discovered at the end. We have to try. Whatever the outcome, we must reach her."
Renji took a deep breath, and even though doubt still gnawed at him, he raised his gaze to Tiberku and the city ahead. Deep inside, he knew he had no choice but to move forward.
Renji and Tiberku walked through the crowded streets of Lioren, observing the buildings and people passing by without notice. People laughed, bought and sold goods, and the smells of fresh bread and roasted meat mingled in the air. After a few minutes, they spotted an inn with a large wooden door and a simple painted sign reading "The Red Stag Inn."
— "I think we can try here," said Tiberku, looking at the entrance.
Renji nodded, his eyes quickly scanning for price signs. As they entered, the warm smell of food and smoke filled their noses. The inn was crowded with people eating and talking at wooden tables. A woman at the counter looked at them curiously, raising an eyebrow.
— "Hello. Are you looking to rent a room?" she asked, noticing their hesitant gestures.
Tiberku paused for a moment, then said:
— "Yes, but… we'd like to work for our lodging, if possible."
The woman raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly.
— "If you can help in the kitchen or with cleaning, then we can certainly find a solution. You just need to see if you work well."
Renji and Tiberku exchanged a brief glance, understanding this was their chance. The woman led them to the back of the inn, showing them where they could help.
— "At least we'll have a place to sleep and recover our strength," Tiberku said, trying to reassure Renji.
Renji sighed, but a small smile formed. For the first time since arriving in the city, he felt he could breathe without the immediate threat of danger.
Renji and Tiberku sat near the counter, watching as the woman arranged some plates. She looked at them carefully and said:
— "Good, then you'll start work tomorrow. Until then, the food is free for you. You need to rest and get acclimated."
She looked at them intently and asked:
— "Are you from Lioren or from somewhere else?"
Tiberku answered briefly:
— "We're not from Lioren. We just want to stay here for a while."
Renji nodded slightly, watching people hurrying down the street.
The woman smiled faintly, then asked:
— "And your names?"
— "Tiberku," said Tiberku.
— "Renji," added Renji.
The woman frowned, looking more closely at Renji.
— "Renji… that sounds familiar, but I can't figure out from where."
Renji felt a chill and panic rise. He clutched his coat tighter and avoided looking at the woman, trying to control his breathing.
Tiberku noticed her glance and smiled slightly.
— "We have the day off today. We want to explore the city a bit. Maybe we'll get used to Lioren faster."
The woman watched carefully and sighed lightly, as if evaluating them.
— "Alright, but be careful where you go. The city may seem peaceful, but you don't know all his corners."
Renji shivered and clutched his coat closer, still slightly panicked by her look.
Renji looked at Tiberku, still uneasy.
— "Tiberku… do you think she recognized me? Knows something about me?"
Tiberku shook his head, relaxed.
— "Don't be so silly. Many people pass through inns. It's normal for someone to have heard the name without it meaning anything special."
Renji widened his eyes, trying to calm his panic.
Renji, Tiberku, and the elf reached the center of Lioren. The buildings were taller, the squares wider, and people moved with a different energy, seemingly faster and more confident. Every corner seemed full of life, with stalls selling all kinds of items, children running among passersby, and clock bells ringing from nearby towers.
Renji was speechless.
— "I've never seen anything like this… It's completely different from the rest of the city."
Tiberku smiled slightly but kept pace with Renji. The elf followed with wide eyes, silent, absorbing every detail.
As they passed through the market, Renji noticed a blacksmith that stood out. In the window lay an unusual sword, slightly curved, with fine inscriptions on one side. Without thinking, Renji broke away from the group and ran to the blacksmith.
— "Hello! May I ask you something?" he shouted, trying to get the man's attention.
Tiberku and the elf followed, both surprised by Renji's sudden reaction.
The blacksmith looked up, surprised to see Renji. He studied him carefully, as if trying to understand whether the young man was just a customer or something more.
— "Alright, you can ask me whatever you want," said the blacksmith, calm but firm. "But know that not all wishes can be fulfilled immediately."
Renji took a deep breath, trembling slightly, not from fear. His gaze was serious, determined.
— "My sword… the one I had until now is broken," he began, voice trembling. "I lost it trying to protect what I love, to defend others who couldn't defend themselves. I lost the battle, and with it, a part of myself. I no longer feel complete without it."
The blacksmith listened quietly, surprised by the honesty and intensity of his words.
— "I want to ask… if I start working here at the forge, would it be possible for you to make a sword for me, just as I need it? To be mine, built so I can wield it from the start?"
The blacksmith studied him carefully, seeing in Renji not just a youth who lost a weapon, but someone willing to learn and work for what he wanted.
— "If you're ready to learn and work for it, then yes," said the blacksmith.
Renji took a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and responsibility.
— "Renji. I'll be here tomorrow to help and learn everything I need," he said firmly.
The blacksmith nodded, and Renji felt a new beginning open before him. It was his chance to rebuild his strength and carve his own path.
Renji turned to Tiberku, still caught in thoughts about the conversation with the blacksmith.
The blacksmith called out, raising his voice over the street noise:
— "Hey, young man! Tell me your name!"
Renji turned his head, a small determined smile appearing on his face:
— "Renji."