The night was calm-too calm, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Alan lay on his back beside Edward, the cold grass damp beneath their cloaks. Above them, the sky stretched endlessly, a dark ocean scattered with silver stars. They burned softly, distant and untouchable, like memories that refused to fade.
For a long while, neither of them spoke.
Edward leaned back, hands behind his head, eyes tracing the constellations. "You know," he said softly, a hint of weariness in his voice, "Renfar always said the stars look calm from far away… but up close, they're burning like mad. Right?"
He took a deep breath. "Back where I'm from, nights like this meant peace. No monsters. No screaming. No burning villages."
Alan didn't look at him. "Before all this."
Edward chuckled. "Yeah... Before all this."
Alan closed his eyes.
"Before all this." The words echoed like a wound being pressed.
"…I still hear it," Alan said. His voice was low "The fire. The screams. Even when everything is quiet, I still hear it."
Edward turned his head slightly, glancing at him. The humour in his eyes faded. "Yeah. Me too."
They fell silent again.
The village burned vividly in Alan's mind-the crackling of wood, the heat against his skin, the way the night sky had turned red. Questions gnawed at him relentlessly.
Curiosity burned brighter than fear.
And somewhere deep inside him, a growing unease whispered that this was only the beginning.
Edward broke the silence. "Alan. Get up. It's getting cold. We should go inside."
Alan nodded quietly
********
Dawn came without ceremony.
The sun rose as if nothing had happened, painting the sky in gentle golds and pale blues. Birds chirped. Leaves rustled. The world moved on.
Alan and Edward were already awake.
Sweat rolled down Alan's temple as he swung his sword again, muscles screaming with every motion. His form was rough-unrefined-but stubbornly persistent. Nearby, Edward drove his fists into a tree trunk wrapped in cloth, grinning through clenched teeth.
"Again!" Edward said. "Your stance is off."
Alan exhaled sharply and adjusted his footing. "Easy for you to say."
Edward laughed. "That's because I'm naturally talented."
Alan shot him a look. "You tripped over your own sword yesterday."
"That was ahh... never mind that."
Alan shook his head, but a small smile escaped him.
Then-
Edward froze. Alan noticed it instantly. "What?"
Edward stared past him, eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you see that?"
Alan turned.
She stood at the edge of the woods. The same girl. Her hair caught the morning light, dark strands falling loosely over her shoulders. She wore a simple dress, pale in colour, blending almost too well with the forest behind her. And then-she smiled.
Not at Alan. At Edward.
Edward blinked. "…Wow." Alan's stomach tightened.
The smile lingered longer than it should have.
It wasn't shy. It wasn't innocent. It was deliberate.
Alan narrowed his eyes. Something about it felt… off. "Who is she?"
Edward grinned back automatically. "She's beautiful… right, Alan? I think she's calling me." He stepped forward. "Wait a moment. I'll talk to her a little. Hehe -"
Alan grabbed his arm.
"What are you doing?" Alan snapped. "You don't know who she is. Did you forget why we're here?"
Edward blinked. The realisation hit him.
"…Oh," he said quietly. "Yeah. Right." He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "We need to focus."
But even as he said it, the girl moved again. She lifted her hand slightly. A subtle gesture.
Her eyes met Edward's.
Edward stiffened. "…Alan," he said slowly, "something's wrong."
Alan didn't answer.
"She's not flirting," Edward continued. "That wasn't a smile meant to charm. It was… asking."
Alan's gaze sharpened. "Asking for what?"
Edward swallowed. "Help."
The girl glanced toward the deeper woods, then back at them. Her fingers trembled.
Alan's instincts screamed danger.
"This could be a trap," he said.
"I know," Edward replied. "But if she's really in trouble -"
Alan clenched his fist.
"…Damn it."
He exhaled slowly. "Alright. But we stay alert."
They approached cautiously.
The girl stepped back, relief flashing across her face. Without speaking, she pointed toward a narrow path leading into the forest.
Edward nodded. "We understand."
They followed her, keeping their distance.
The village faded behind them. The forest closed in. They stopped in a small clearing.
The girl turned to face them, bowing her head. Her voice was gentle "Thank you for coming."
Alan didn't soften his expression. "Why did you call us?"
She looked around her, like someone watching her, She hesitated. "I… I…"
Edward stepped forward gently. "It's okay. If there's a problem, tell us. We can help."
Her eyes darted around the clearing.
Once.Twice. Alan's suspicion deepened.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak-
******
Meanwhile
Kaelira stood inside the old man's house.
Kaelira moved quietly through the narrow hallway of the old man's house.
The air smelled of dried herbs and burning resin, sharp and bitter. Shadows clung to the walls, stretching and bending as the flame of a single oil lamp flickered. Outside, the village was calm-but it was the kind of calm that came before something broke.
She stopped beside the bed.
Meera lay beneath a thin blanket, her breathing steadier now. Colour had returned faintly to her cheeks, though exhaustion still weighed heavily on her body.
Kaelira knelt.
Her voice softened, losing its edge.
"How are you now…? Feeling better, Meera?"
Meera opened her eyes and smiled weakly. "Yes… Thanks to you."
The smile was genuine.
That alone unsettled Kaelira.
Behind her, the old man approached slowly, wooden staff tapping softly against the floor. He checked Meera's pulse, pressed his fingers to her wrist, then nodded to himself.
"She will recover," he said. "Rest is all she needs now."
Kaelira exhaled quietly.
The old man turned and began walking away.
"Wait." Her voice stopped him.
He turned back.
Kaelira stood. She bowed her head slightly-not deeply, but sincerely.
"Your help… I'm grateful for it."
The old man watched her silently. Then her tone changed. The warmth drained from her voice, replaced by steel.
"But you still haven't said what you want in return."
Her eyes locked onto his.
"Don't play games. Just say it."
The old man inhaled slowly.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then -
"You're a sword master, aren't you?"
Kaelira stiffened.
"I could tell the moment I saw you," he continued calmly. "Your posture. Your steps. Your breathing." His gaze sharpened. "You're from the Moonlight Clan."
The room seemed to shrink.
Kaelira's hand moved subtly, fingers curling.
"…What do you want?" she asked, her voice deep and controlled.
The old man met her gaze without fear. His voice deepened "I want to kill." The words landed like a blade.
Kaelira blinked. "…What?"
He continued "I'm serious." His voice lowered.
"There's something that must die."
Kaelira's eyes widened.
"You think I'm some hired blade?"
"No," the old man replied. "You already know what I'm talking about."
Silence.
Her breath slowed.
"…This village," Kaelira whispered. Her pupils trembled. "You mean -"
His gaze sharpened instantly. He replied, "Yes."
The word echoed.
Kaelira moved instantly, rushing to Meera's side.
"Where are Alan and Edward?"
Her voice cracked.
Fear-raw and unguarded-slipped through for the first time.
*********
Meanwhile…
Alan stood in the clearing, every muscle tight.
The girl faced them now, hands clenched at her sides. "I need your help," she said quietly. "You're outsiders… right?"
Edward nodded cautiously. "Yeah."
Her eyes flicked between them.
"…Can you fight?"
Alan leaned closer to Edward, whispering, "Something's wrong."
Edward nodded slightly.
Before either could react - Sand exploded into Edward's eyes.
"- GH!"
The girl moved fast.
Alan barely had time to turn before a sharp pain ripped through his neck. Her arm locked around him like iron, and a cold dagger pressed mercilessly against his throat.
"DON'T MOVE," she hissed, her voice sharp, desperate. "Listen carefully. If you don't help me, I'll cut his throat."
Alan's heart pounded, blood roaring in his ears."Stay calm… think… There has to be a way…"
He twisted, tried to pry her arm off, but it was useless-her grip was unyielding.
Edward trembled beside them. "H-Hey… relax," he stammered, voice cracking. "Take it easy. I'll help. Just-please-don't hurt him!"
Alan's mind was a storm of rage and fear. "Edward! Don't… don't look at me like that. Don't let her see weakness." He glared at her, teeth gritted, muscles straining against her hold.
She tightened her arm slightly, just enough to remind him he wasn't escaping. "Good," she said coldly. "Then don't try anything heroic."
Alan swallowed hard. Anger flared in his chest, but it was sharp and bitter, cutting into his thoughts."Damn her. Who is she?"
His hands clawed at her arm, searching for leverage, but she adjusted her hold with a practised ease. Every struggle seemed only to make the dagger press harder, more threatening.
Edward whispered, voice trembling: "Just… do what she says… Alan…"
Pain and frustration coiled tight in Alan's chest.
"I hate feeling helpless. I can't… I won't…" But the truth pressed down on him as heavily as her grip-he couldn't move.
The girl's eyes, sharp and alert, flicked between them. "One wrong move, and it's over for him. Understand?" Her voice softened ever so slightly, but the menace didn't fade. "I'm not bluffing. Not for a second."
Edward swallowed audibly. "We'll… we'll do whatever you want. Just… don't…"
Alan clenched his jaw, his own voice barely more than a hiss. "Who… who are you? What do you want?"
The girl's grip didn't waver. "You'll see soon enough. Now… move. Or I move this dagger."
Suddenly-a shadow lunged from behind.
"WATCH OUT!" Edward shouted, instincts kicking in. He yanked the girl sideways.
SHHH..THUD.
A blade whooshed past, missing them by inches. The hiss of air was enough to freeze the blood.
Alan barely had time to register it. Too slow…
Edward spun, delivering a swift, brutal strike. The attacker doubled over, clutching his groin, groaning in pain.
"Ugh-!"
Voices erupted from behind.
"She's here!"
"Don't let her escape!"
Edward's breath hitched. "What the hell is going on-?"
"RUN!" the girl screamed. Branches whipped at their faces as they tore through the forest, hearts hammering.
Shouts echoed behind them, growing fainter. Alan's boots skidded over roots, his mind racing. "They're fast..."
A massive tree loomed ahead. They dove behind it just as several shadowy figures rushed past. Gone. Silence fell, thick and suffocating.
Heavy breathing. Mud-stained hands. Heartbeats loud in their ears.
Alan's gaze snapped to the girl. He moved before she could react. The cold tip of the dagger pressed against her throat.
Alan spoke, "If you move," voice low, steel-hard, "you die."
Her body froze, trembling under his hold.
Alan's eyes bore into hers. "Who were those people?" he demanded. "Why were they chasing you? And why did you try to kill me?"
She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper. "I… I didn't want to kill you. I just… I needed your help."
Edward frowned, glancing between them. "Those people… they were villagers?"
She nodded, eyes flickering with terror. "Yes… my village."
Edward froze. "What?"
"They… they were trying to sacrifice me," she admitted. Her voice cracked. "They worship an ancient monster as their god. Every full moon… It demands blood. Today is my turn."
Her lips trembled. "My sister… they took her. If I don't go back… she'll die in my place."
Alan's vision blurred. Sacrifice… fire… screams…
Edward reached for Alan's trembling hand. And he looked back at her "We'll help you," he said firmly. "We'll save her."
The girl stared at them, chest heaving. Then, with a slight bow, she whispered, "…Thank you."
Alan's gaze softened slightly, but he didn't lower his guard.
"I… I'm sorry," she added quickly, voice trembling. "For before-what I did to him… I had no choice. You were the only ones who could help me."
Edward frowned, trying to hide his unease. "No choice?"
"I know it was wrong," she continued, swallowing hard. "But I couldn't risk… losing her. My sister… she's everything to me. You're the only chance I have to save her. That's why… I had to do it."
Edward nodded slowly, a faint smile breaking through. "Alright… I get it. We'll help you."
Alan's mind raced. "This village… their rituals… this isn't just superstition. There's something deeper here. And she's caught in it."
Edward offered a weak smile at her.
"I'm Edward."
"Alan," he added, still cautious, still wary.
Her eyes lingered on them, sharp and calculating, before she finally said-
"My name is Eris."