Chapter 7: Blades of Men
The forest was alive with the sounds of morning. Birds sang from the treetops, insects buzzed in the grass, and shafts of golden sunlight cut through the mist. To anyone else, it might have felt peaceful. But to Arjun and Seris, every shadow was a warning, every sound a threat.
Arjun kept his sword close, scanning the trees as they walked along a faint path. His body still ached, but the healing elixirs had closed his wounds enough that he could move. Seris walked behind him, her chains invisible now, though he knew she could summon them at any moment.
"Feels too quiet," Arjun muttered.
Seris nodded. "Forests near mountains are never safe. The beasts hunt in packs. And sometimes… men do too."
Arjun frowned. "Men?"
Her gaze turned sharp. "Bandits. Deserters. Slavers. In many ways, worse than monsters."
As if the world wanted to prove her words true, the sound of footsteps came from ahead. Not animal steps. Human. Heavy boots crushing leaves.
Arjun froze and raised his hand for Seris to stop.
Three men appeared from between the trees. They wore mismatched armor rusted plates, leather straps, and dirty cloth. Their faces were unshaven, eyes sharp like wolves. Each carried a weapon: a chipped sword, a spear, and a club.
"Well, what do we have here?" the man with the sword said, grinning. His teeth were yellow and broken. "Two little travelers. A boy with a toy blade and a pretty girl. Lucky day for us."
Arjun tightened his grip on his sword. His heart raced, but he forced his voice to stay steady. "We don't want trouble. Let us pass."
The spear-wielder chuckled. "Hear that, boys? He doesn't want trouble." He spat on the ground. "Out here, trouble finds you whether you want it or not."
The man with the club's eyes roamed over Seris, and his grin widened. "She'll fetch a good price. Maybe we keep her for ourselves first, eh?"
Seris's eyes narrowed, her calm face hiding the storm building inside her.
Arjun's blood boiled. His fear twisted into anger. "Try touching her and see what happens."
The bandits laughed. The sword-leader pointed his blade lazily at Arjun. "Kill the boy. Leave the girl alive."
They rushed forward.
Arjun raised his sword just in time to block the leader's strike. The impact sent a jolt through his arms, almost knocking the blade from his hands. These men weren't beasts, but they were experienced killers, and their strength was real.
The spear-man lunged. Arjun twisted aside, the point grazing his arm. Pain burned, but he forced himself to stay standing.
"Arjun!" Seris called. Her chains burst to life, glowing blue as they whipped out. They coiled around the club-man's legs, yanking him to the ground. He cursed, struggling, but the chains held tight.
Arjun took the chance to push back the leader, slashing at his chest. The man dodged, but the sword cut across his arm, drawing blood. His grin vanished, replaced by a snarl.
"You'll pay for that, brat!"
The spear-man attacked again, thrusting fast and sharp. Arjun barely deflected, the spear's point scraping against his blade. His arms trembled with the effort.
The leader slashed down with brutal force. Arjun blocked, sparks flying as steel met steel. His knees buckled, but he refused to fall.
Seris's voice rang out, clear and commanding. "Now, Arjun!"
Her chains yanked the club-man up into the air, slamming him against a tree. At the same time, she threw another chain around the spear-man's weapon, pulling it off balance.
Arjun saw his opening. He roared and drove his sword into the leader's side. The man gasped, eyes wide, before collapsing to the ground.
The spear-man cursed, letting go of his weapon. He turned to run, but Seris's chain wrapped around his waist and dragged him back. Arjun finished him with a clean strike.
The last man, still bound, screamed in fear. "Wait! Don't kill me! Please!"
Arjun stood over him, panting, his sword raised. His hands shook. This wasn't like killing beasts. This was a man. Flesh and blood. Someone begging for his life.
His mind screamed at him. Do it, or he'll come back. Do it, or he'll hurt Seris. Do it, or you die.
Seris watched silently, her chains holding the man tight.
Arjun's throat was dry. He forced himself to look into the bandit's eyes. All he saw was greed, cruelty, and fear.
Arjun swallowed hard. "You chose this life. Not me."
His sword came down.
The forest went quiet again.
Arjun staggered back, chest heaving. His sword dripped red. His stomach twisted, but he didn't vomit. He couldn't afford to. Not here.
Seris released her chains, letting the man's body fall. She looked at Arjun with calm eyes. "You did what you had to."
Arjun ran a shaky hand through his messy hair. "Yeah… but that doesn't make it easy."
"No," Seris agreed softly. "It never does. The first time is always heavy. But remember this, Arjun. Men like them… they will never stop unless someone makes them."
The system chimed in his head.
[Quest Update: Survive for 24 Hours.]
[Optional Objective Completed: Defeat Human Threat.]
[Reward: 50 System Points.]
Arjun groaned. "Even now, the system's treating this like a game."
Seris tilted her head. "Game?"
He waved it off. "I'll explain later." He sheathed his sword, though his hands still trembled.
They looted what little the bandits had some dried meat, a few copper coins, and a half-full waterskin. Not much, but enough to keep them going.
As they continued down the forest path, the silence between them felt heavier than before. Arjun's mind replayed the bandit's last words, his begging eyes.
Seris walked beside him, her voice calm. "Do not let guilt eat you. You protected me. You protected yourself. That is what matters."
Arjun glanced at her. Her face was still, but her eyes glowed faintly with warmth. He nodded slowly. "Thanks. I… I needed to hear that."
The sun rose higher, lighting the path ahead. The forest seemed endless, but Arjun and Seris kept walking side by side.
Danger was everywhere, but so was something else something Arjun hadn't felt in years.
Purpose.