Morning crept through the forest like a cautious thief.
Fog rolled low along the dirt road, pale and thick, curling around roots and stones as if the land itself were trying to hide. Sunlight struggled overhead, fractured by dense branches that formed a ceiling of shadow and green. Each step along the road felt muted, swallowed by damp earth and drifting mist.
The group moved quietly.
Boots pressed into soil. Cloaks brushed against leaves. No one spoke. Even Tomora—usually restless, sharp-tongued—kept his gaze forward, shoulders loose but alert, like a blade waiting to be drawn.
Then—
CLANK.
Metal against stone.
CLANK.
Another step.
CLANK.
Black iron boots.
The sound cut through the forest like a blade through cloth.
Six figures emerged from between the trees, armor dark and polished, absorbing what little light reached them. Their presence alone changed the air. The forest seemed to recoil, birds silencing mid-call, insects disappearing into the soil.
Black Iron Agents.
At their center stood a man taller than the rest, posture rigid, hand resting casually near the hilt of his sword. His gaze swept over the group with slow, practiced precision.
CAPTAIN ALEXANDER
Halt.
The word landed heavy.
Everyone froze.
Tala's fingers tightened around her cloak, knuckles pale. Jer swallowed hard, throat bobbing. Patricia's eyes sharpened, her stance shifting just slightly—ready, but restrained.
Tala(whispering)
Dad
The word barely escaped her lips, but it carried weight.
Connor stiffened. His jaw tightened, eyes flicking across the agents, calculating distance, numbers, escape routes.
Connor (low, urgent whisper)
…what the.
Tomora clicked his tongue softly, irritation masking something sharper. Without looking, he shifted his bag just enough, sliding the scroll deeper, hiding it behind folded fabric and worn straps.
Tomora
damn.(He says while hiding the scroll behind his bag)
Yora stepped closer to him, breath shallow, fear flickering behind her eyes—but also resolve.
Yora (whispering)
I can do it… but only five minutes.
Tomora glanced at Connor. The look they exchanged was brief, wordless, heavy with understanding.
Tomora
Don't move unless I say.
Yora closed her eyes.
The forest seemed to hold its breath.
Her body began to dissolve—not into smoke, not into shadow—but into something stranger. Pixels of green light peeled away from her skin, fragment by fragment, like reality itself was forgetting she was there.
She reached out, fingers trembling, and grabbed Connor's wrist.
Then Tomora's.
Then Tomora grabbed Tala.
The air warped.
And they were gone.
Gone without sound. Without wind. Without trace.
Only Patricia and Yora remained visible on the road, standing beneath the fog as if nothing had changed.
The Black Iron agents advanced, boots grinding softly against gravel.
The captain stopped a few steps away, eyes scanning them slowly, methodically.
CAPTAIN ALEXANDER
We're searching for a dangerous criminal.
He reached into his coat and pulled out a charred wanted poster. The paper was burnt at the edges, warped by heat and age.
A rough sketch stared back at them.
A scarred face. Sharp eyes.
Tomora.
CAPTAIN ALEXANDER
Sixteen.
Stole important and secret information.
Extremely violent.
Invisible, Tomora clenched his jaw.
Tomora (whispering)
They got the age wrong. Idiots.
Yora trembled. Sweat beaded along her brow, her invisibility wavering like a flame in wind.
CAPTAIN Alexander
You traveling with anyone else?
Patricia didn't hesitate.
Patricia
No.
The captain stepped closer. Too close.
CAPTAIN ALEXANDER
Mind if we check?
He gestured.
Two agents moved forward, armor whispering against itself as they walked through the fog.
One passed straight through Connor's invisible shoulder.
Connor froze.
Didn't breathe.
Didn't blink.
Yora bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.
Tomora leaned forward slightly, invisible eyes sharp as knives.
Tomora (whispering)
Don't breathe.
An agent stopped.
BLACK IRON AGENT
Captain…
He squinted, brow furrowing.
BLACK IRON AGENT
I felt something.
The captain's hand moved—slowly—to his sword.
CAPTAIN ALEXANDER
Search again.
The moment stretched thin, ready to snap.
Yora's invisibility flickered.
Just for a heartbeat.
Tomora saw it.
Tomora (whispering, firm)
Yora—now.
She released them.
Staggered back.
Invisible—but fading.
Tomora bent, scooped up a small stone, and flicked it down the road.
TINK.
The sound echoed far too loudly.
BLACK IRON AGENT
There!
Every helmet snapped toward the noise.
CAPTAIN ALEXANDER
Move!
In that instant—
Connor, Tala, and Tomora slipped deeper into the forest, bodies low, feet silent, vanishing into shadow like ghosts.
They reappeared behind a fallen log, breath sharp, hearts hammering.
Yora collapsed to her knees, visibility snapping back into place as she gasped for air.
Yora
I—I did it…
Tomora crouched beside her, grinning despite the tension still coiled in his chest.
Tomora
(grinning)
Damn right you did.
Connor looked back toward the road, eyes cold, thoughtful.
Connor
they are looking for you for stealing information.
Tomora shrugged lightly.
Tomora
yeah i guess
Connor flexed his hands, knuckles cracking softly.
Connor
how did you do it.
Tomora straightened, expression unreadable.
Tomora
I'll tell you someday
Connor studied him for a moment—then smiled.
Connor
you savege
A few steps away, Tala stood alone beside a tree.
She wasn't listening.
Her eyes were distant, fixed on the direction the agents had gone.
Her voice was barely a breath.
Tala(whispering)
Dad
Tomora watched her from behind the log.
He said nothing.
But he knew.
And the forest seemed darker for it.