Kenji descended from his house, heading toward the village's edge. Anger was written plainly across his face. His teeth were clenched, and his grip on the wooden sword was so tight his knuckles had turned white.
Moonlight lit the path ahead.
Then—
Movement.
At the corner of his eye.
Kenji stopped.
He was furious, but not foolish. Slowly, he turned toward the dark forest bordering the village.
No Beast could enter. The Invisible Barrier encircled the entire settlement, repelling them and hiding the village from their senses.
Yet something moved within the trees.
And it did not move like a Beast.
The boy beside him slowed.
"Kenji? Why are you stopping?"
Kenji didn't answer.
His eyes widened.
Something shot toward him.
Instinct took over.
He twisted sideways as an arrow tore past his face. He hit the ground hard, rolling and pressing himself flat against the grass. His wooden sword rose defensively as his gaze locked onto the forest.
"Jaxon… I think we're under real attack," Kenji whisper-shouted.
His heart pounded violently.
That wasn't a warning shot.
That was meant to kill.
Seconds passed.
No response.
Kenji slowly turned.
And froze.
Jaxon lay sprawled on the grass.
Blood spread beneath him, staining the emerald green a horrific red. His eyes were wide. Empty, reflecting the clear night sky. An arrow had pierced through the side of his head.
Kenji's breath stopped.
Another arrow struck the ground beside him with a sharp thud.
He snapped back to awareness.
Distance.
House — uphill, slight slope.
Village — open field ahead.
Could he make it?
His mind calculated frantically, but his body trembled.
Tears blurred his vision. His grip tightened — not from rage.
From fear.
The forest remained silent.
Then three figures stepped forward.
They passed through the Invisible Barrier as though it did not exist.
Three men.
Mismatched clothing. Loose shirts. Vests. Bandanas. Knee-length breeches. Sashes with sabers hanging at their sides.
One held a bow, already drawn. One eye closed. The other aligned with Kenji's head.
Kenji's heartbeat slammed against his ribs.
"Let's finish this," one man muttered. "The others are about to strike."
"Shut up. You both had your fun," the archer replied. "If I hit, that's four silver coins."
"Yeah, yeah."
The bowstring snapped.
The arrow screamed through the air.
Kenji tried to move too slow.
Then—
It stopped.
Frozen inches from his face.
A shadow fell over him.
Kenji looked up.
Long gray hair.
Sharp, fox-like eyes.
An aged, slender hand held the arrow effortlessly in midair.
"Ray…" Kenji's voice trembled.
Ray gave him a small, reassuring smile.
Then his gaze shifted to Jaxon's body behind Kenji.
The smile faded.
Without a word, Ray snapped the arrow in half.
The air grew cold.
White mist began to rise from around him. Frost spread across the grass beneath his feet. His eyes turned glacial filled with quiet, controlled malice.