The village settled into an uneasy calm. Ren walked silently through the streets, observing the subtle changes after the morning chaos. Villagers whispered among themselves, some pointing at him, others simply shaking their heads. None knew the truth behind the shadows that had just protected them.
Lyra caught up to him, still gripping her sword.
— "Ren… people are talking about you. Some… some are afraid," she said nervously.
Ren's eyes flickered with amusement.
— "Good. Fear is the spice of obedience. Let them guess. Let them wonder."
From the corner of the street, Seris appeared again, her daggers strapped at her side, a small smirk playing on her lips.
— "You enjoy that, don't you?" she teased, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "Making everyone tremble without even showing all your cards."
Ren glanced at her, lips curling.
— "Perhaps. But I only show enough to keep them interested. The rest… belongs in the shadows."
A sudden gust of wind carried a soft whisper. Ren's shadow senses tingled. From the edge of the village, a cloaked figure approached, moving deliberately yet without urgency. The villagers noticed and quickly stepped aside, fear evident in their eyes.
Ren's hand twitched subtly. The shadows around him shifted, extending like fingers, ready to respond.
The stranger stopped a few paces from him, lowering their hood. A woman's face appeared—sharp eyes, dark hair flowing, an air of authority and danger emanating from her.
— "So… you are the one the village calls 'savior'," she said, voice calm but cutting.
Ren tilted his head.
— "Depends on who you ask."
She smirked slightly.
— "I'm Veyra, and I've been sent to… evaluate potential allies… or threats."
Ren's smile widened. Finally, someone who sees beyond the surface.
— "I see. Well, I do enjoy visitors."
Later, Ren and the girls gathered near the forest. He demonstrated a small exercise with his shadow powers, creating tendrils that slithered like living creatures, reacting instantly to his thoughts.
Lyra's eyes widened.
— "It moves on its own… like it's alive."
Seris tilted her head, smirking.
— "Looks deadly. And handsome while doing it, I might add."
Ren's smirk deepened. Ah, the girls are warming up to the performance.
He allowed one shadow tendril to trace along Seris's shoulder, stopping just short of brushing her skin. The small, teasing touch made her shiver slightly.
— "Careful," she whispered, voice soft but teasing. "You might get too close."
Ren chuckled, letting the shadow recede.
— "Only when the time is right."
As night fell, the forest beyond the village darkened unnaturally. Shadows twisted unnaturally, and Ren's senses prickled with awareness.
— Someone—or something—is coming, he thought.
He glanced at Lyra and Seris.
— "Enjoy the calm while it lasts. The shadows are never idle."
In the darkness, a pair of glowing eyes reflected the moonlight, watching the village, calculating… waiting.
Ren smiled faintly, confident, unseen, untouchable.
— Let them come. Let the shadows deal with them first.