In a small clearing between the trees, four figures stood, as if waiting for something.
Three men spread out cautiously around the area:
The first man was massive, leaning on a broad-bladed axe resting on the ground, as if giving it a
brief respite from long exertion.
The second man, slightly shorter, carried something resembling a rifle. His eyes darted left and right, scanning the forest, as if expecting the slightest movement of a shadow.
The third man, of average height, crossed his arms over his chest. A hidden sword sheath peeked beneath his coat, it seems he is their leader.
A young woman stood in front of them. She wore a simple blue dress with white stripes. Her long, white hair cascaded over her shoulders, and beneath her small crown, her clear blue eyes shone. Her steps were steady, attentive to the surrounding forest, her face tense, as if she tried to understand something without letting the others notice.
The leader smiled slyly, his eyes glinting with a dark amusement. His shoulders moved lightly, as if reveling in a small game about to begin.Leader: "My, my... I didn't expect to see the princess wandering here alone, without any guards... Seems luck favors me more than I imagined."
The princess unconsciously clenched her fists, exhaling softly, attempting to mask her tension behind a stern gaze.
Princess: "Who are you? And what do you want?"
The leader stepped forward slowly, his smile deliberate, voice calm but piercing.Leader: "Who I am... isn't important right now. What matters is that I know exactly who you are... and what you represent."
The massive man, leaning on his axe, stepped closer, his eyes inspecting the princess as if she were prey. A mocking smile formed on his face.
Massive Man: "Galter... shall we take her now?"
The leader raised an eyebrow, scanning the surroundings with sharp, cautious eyes, then returned his gaze to the princess, a look that made her heart race.Leader: "No... not yet. We need to ensure she reaches where she needs to be... alive."
The princess took a step back, her body tense. Her eyes searched for an escape. Her voice was firm, but tinged with suppressed fear.
Princess: "Leave me alone... you won't gain anything from this."
The leader smirked, full of sarcasm, extending his hand slightly as if words themselves were a game.
Leader: "Oh... don't worry, we'll gain plenty... maybe a promotion, maybe something else... something warmer."
The leader, the massive man, laughed together with malice, every movement adding weight to the threat. The massive man slowly shook his axe, the leader touched his hidden sword, their eyes never leaving the princess. The air was thick with tension and danger.The princess stood firm, her eyes darting left and right. Each potential step from them heightened her anxiety, but she tried to appear strong despite her racing heart.
At that moment, a young man emerged from the trees. It was Rayan, his body tense, uncertain of what awaited him.
The four—the princess and the mercenaries—lifted their eyes toward him, silently questioning the meaning of his presence. No smile, no hostile move yet.The air was charged with anticipation; every small movement Rayan made was closely
observed, the silence weighing heavily.
Rayan took a deep breath, a small smile forming as a sense of relief washed over him, as if he had found a thread of hope amidst the uncertainty.He nodded to himself, murmuring:Rayan: "Ah... thank goodness... I thought I was alone here... For a moment, I almost lost my mind."
He slowly raised his eyes to meet theirs, caution and curiosity clear on the faces of the four, though he hadn't yet felt direct threat.
His body relaxed slightly, taking a small step forward, his voice hesitant but clear:Rayan: "Hi?"
The leader raised an eyebrow, glancing at Rayan briefly, muttering in a half-mocking tone: "What is this one talking about...?"
The massive man tightened his grip on his axe, frowning, responding with mild anger: "Who is
this fool..."
The leader waved his hand at Rayan, eyes fixed on him, his voice sharp yet calm:Leader: "Hey... this isn't a forest for a stroll... You'd better disappear... before you stumble into something you shouldn't."
Rayan: "What...?"
His tone carried a hint of light comedy mixed with confusion, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
The massive man shouted suddenly, as if to pin him in place:
Massive Man: "Didn't you hear him?! Move away... before you get caught in something you can't handle, fool!"
Tension spread through Rayan's shoulders, a thin layer of sweat forming on his forehead. He raised his hands in a gesture of calm:
Rayan: "W-w-wait... calm down... I mean no harm, everyone..."He then glanced at the princess to his left, noticing her unease, a strange feeling pressing on his chest.Rayan: "Also... why are you surrounding a girl like this...?"
The massive man sneered:
Massive Man: "A girl? Ha! You're innocent, aren't you... Do you really think she's just a girl?"
The girl froze for a moment before raising her gaze to Rayan. In her eyes was a strange mixture of pride and hesitation, as if she tried to push him away not because she wanted to, but because she feared the consequences.
Princess: "This is none of your business... just leave."Yet the tone of her voice wasn't that of someone pushing him away, but of someone pleading for him not to get involved for her sake.
Rayan stood beside the princess without thinking much, drawn to the place somehow. As soon as she said, "This is none of your business... just leave," the mercenaries shot him sharp glances.
The massive man raised his axe in annoyance, while one of them spoke in a dry tone:
Massive Man: "You heard her... leave now!"
Rayan froze, the nervous smile fading from his lips. He scanned the three faces, his features shrinking in genuine confusion, tilting his head slightly as if trying to piece things together.
Rayan (thinking, clearly worried):(I don't understand... why are they talking like this? And why does this girl seem so tense? Could... could it be that they—)He lifted his head and spoke, his voice hesitant but clear:Rayan: "Hey... who are you really? And what do you want with this girl?"
The princess' shoulders lowered slightly, a soft exhale escaping her lips. She glanced at the ground for a moment, as if realizing he wasn't going to leave, that there was no hope in avoiding him.
Rayan raised an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes suspiciously:Rayan: "Are you... thieves?"
None of them responded immediately. But the tension shifted suddenly—their smiles vanished, their gazes grew heavier.
Leader (with suppressed anger):"You... are annoying."
He took a heavy step forward, the ground shifting beneath his boots, his gaze sharpening.Leader:"You come out of nowhere... interfere... and open your mouth with a flood of foolish questions?!"
He raised his hand sharply, as if swatting a fly from his face.He stepped closer, his eyes deepening, darkening... the gaze of a man who had completely lost patience:
Leader: "You speak too much... more than you should."He tilted his head slightly, lowering his voice, yet making it more dangerous:Leader: "And you interfere where you shouldn't... more than necessary."He blinked slowly, as if conveying a silent threat:Leader: "And it seems... you didn't understand when I told you to leave."
The massive man lifted his axe onto his shoulder, the iron reflecting the forest light as if threatening the very air.—A short metallic click—The silent man readied his weapon lightly, not aiming at Rayan yet, but fully prepared.Finally, the leader drew his sword from the sheath at his waist.
Rayan gasped unconsciously... his heart pounding in his chest.The danger... was clear... close... real.
Leader (low, threatening): "I'll count to three... if you don't wanna be doomed with her... you'd better disappear now."
Leader: "one"
Rayan took a small step back, the grass shifting beneath his feet, cold sweat running down his temple.Rayan (thinking):(Damn... I've felt something's off since the first moment... Weapons bigger than my head... Am I really this stupid for not noticing...? Fuck... I guess I should just step back... just get away...)
Leader (harshly): "Two."
Rayan swallowed, taking another step back... his gaze went straight to the girl standing next to him, tense, alone among the wolves.Something pierced his chest—a feeling of refusal... of responsibility... or perhaps just stubborn humanity.Rayan (thinking):(And this girl... if I leave her now... they will hurt her for sure. I can run... yes... but... damn... I have to do something.)His fist slowly clenched... then tightly.His eyes narrowed.A decision was made.Rayan (thinking):(Damn... I hate myself for this...)
Leader (calmly, deadly): "three."
Suddenly, Rayan changed his expression completely, relaxed his shoulders, feigned surrender, raising his hands slightly...
Rayan (softly): "Alright... I get it."
And at that moment—Rush!
Rayan ducked low, sprinting at lightning speed toward the princess, wrapping his arm around her waist and lifting her onto his shoulder before she even realized what had happened.
The Princess let out a short scream of shock, "Aaah!!" Her hand shot up, grabbing the crown that nearly fell from her head.Rayan (running backward quickly): "Hold on, miss!"
The three mercenaries froze, even the air seeming to stop.The massive man gasped, unable to comprehend.The silent man tightened his grip on his weapon but did not move.The leader... froze, staring at the spot Rayan had been standing moments before.Leaves scattered between their feet...Then—
Leader (exploding with anger): "What are you doing?! Are you idiots?!"He stomped the ground, the sound echoing through the trees.The leader shouted from deep within:"He's escaping! He's escaping with our target!! Catch him immediately!"He raised his sword, pointing at the running tracks through the forest.
Massive Man (regaining his senses): "Damn!!"He started running with all his strength, the ground trembling under his steps.
Silent Man pressed the safety on his weapon... then moved quickly, quietly, but deadly.
The leader spat to the ground, gripping his sword:"I should have dealt with you earlier...!"
—End of Chapter—