As they walked deeper into the forest, the path slowly opened into a wider clearing.
Kai and Ren slowed down immediately.
Ahead of them—
people.
White cloaks.
Scattered across the area.
Some stood in small groups, speaking in low voices.
Others stood completely alone, silent and still.
Waiting.
Kai lowered his voice.
"…So this is where they gather."
Ren didn't answer.
His eyes were already scanning everything.
Then—
he saw it.
A figure tied tightly to a tree at the edge of the clearing.
The ropes dug into his arms and chest.
He struggled violently.
Trying to scream—
but a cloth was stuffed in his mouth.
His eyes were wide with fear.
Panic.
Recognition hit Ren instantly.
His expression changed slightly.
"…That's one of them."
Kai followed his gaze.
"…From school?"
Ren nodded slowly.
"…One of the bullies."
The boy twisted again against the rope, making muffled sounds.
Desperation.
Fear.
Realizing there was no escape.
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"…So they brought him here too."
Ren stayed silent for a moment.
Watching.
Thinking.
The forest around them felt heavier now.
Not just a meeting place.
A judgment place.
Kai spoke quietly.
"…This isn't just a group."
Ren's eyes stayed on the boy.
"…I know."
From deeper in the clearing—
a few cloaked figures turned slightly.
Noticing movement.
Kai and Ren not noticing yet…
but sensing something was about to begin.
A slow silence fell over the clearing.
Then—
The cult leader in red stepped forward.
Every movement was calm.
Deliberate.
Like he already owned the space.
He stopped at the center and looked around at the cloaked figures.
"…Now we will begin."
His voice carried easily through the forest.
No shouting.
No need to.
Everyone listened.
The tied-up student thrashed harder against the tree.
The cult leader didn't even look at him yet.
Instead, he continued speaking.
"…We are here to give this student up."
"…He has done bad things."
The surrounding figures stayed still.
Watching.
Listening.
No one interrupted.
The cult leader finally turned his head slightly toward the student.
"…You know what happens to children like him, right?"
Silence deepened.
"…They get punished."
The words landed cold.
Final.
Around the clearing, every white-cloaked figure stood in place.
Some with arms folded.
Some with heads slightly lowered.
Others just staring forward without emotion.
But all of them were focused on the cult leader.
Waiting for the next step.
And somewhere within the trees—
unseen—
Ren and Kai watched everything unfold.
To be continued...