Beyond the Forest
The group pressed onward in heavy silence, the forest closing in around them like a living thing. The air felt thick, watchful. Even the breeze moved cautiously, whispering through the leaves as if afraid to be heard.
Sara edged closer to Eris, her voice barely above a breath. "How did he even agree to help us get revenge?"
Eris glanced ahead at Marcos's broad back. "I don't know. Liza hasn't said a word about it."
Before Sara could press further, a sharp rustle cut through the stillness ahead.
Sara froze. "Who's there?"
They advanced slowly, weapons half-drawn.
Then they saw it.
A hulking demon crouched among the trees, claws buried in the chest of a broken elf. Blood pooled beneath the dying figure, soaking into the earth. The elf's chest hitched weakly; his lips moved soundlessly, eyes wide with unspoken agony.
The three sisters stood rooted in shock.
Marcos didn't hesitate.
In one fluid motion he closed the distance—a flash , and the demon crumpled, slamming into the dirt with a heavy thud.
Silence rushed back in.
Marcos gazed down at the elf, voice low and steady. "This is nothing compared to what the others in your kingdom must have endured."
The elf's final breath rattled out.
The sisters couldn't move, couldn't speak.
They walked on, hearts heavier than before.
After a long stretch of quiet, Marcos spoke again, eyes fixed on Liza.
"Are you certain you don't want to go back to the village?"
Liza didn't break stride. "There were twelve hundred demons," she said softly. "Our village had seven hundred elves. What do you think… is anyone left?"
Marcos inclined his head. "No."
Hours Later
Eris brushed a strand of hair from her face. "How much farther to the village?"
"Not long now," Liza answered. "We'll be there soon."
The trees began to thin, sunlight spilling through the canopy in golden shafts.
They stepped out of the forest.
Chaos greeted them.
Villagers dashed through the muddy streets, shouting, faces pale with fear.
Eris blinked. "Why is everyone panicking?"
"The news of the Demon King's attack must have reached them," Marcos said. "You three—cover your ears if you can."
Liza turned to him. "What do we do?"
"Grab supplies and get out fast," Marcos replied. "Demons might come looking for Eris. Any of you have coin?"
Sara hesitated, then unclasped a delicate necklace from around her throat. "I have this. We can sell it."
Marcos nodded toward a shop across the square. "Jeweler's right there. Let's move."
Inside the Jewelry Shop
The shopkeeper looked up with a practiced smile. "Welcome. How can I assist you today?"
Sara placed the necklace on the counter. "We'd like to sell this."
The man lifted it to the light, turning it slowly. "Fine craftsmanship. I can offer three hundred silver."
Sara's eyes flashed. "Three hundred? This is worth at least six hundred!"
The shopkeeper sighed, setting it down. "You're not wrong. But the king just raised taxes again—says it's to bolster the army. Three hundred and fifty is the best I can do right now."
"That's acceptable," Marcos cut in calmly.
Sara whipped toward him. "But—"
He raised a hand, silencing her. They left with a small pouch of coins moments later.
Outside, Sara rounded on him. "Why'd you accept that? He could've gone higher!"
"He couldn't," Marcos said, voice even. "And we don't have time to haggle. We take what we can get and move."
"Sara," Liza said firmly. "Drop it. We need supplies more than pride right now."
The Weapon Shop
The burly shopkeeper wiped his hands on an apron. "What'll it be?"
"A good sword," Liza said.
Marcos nodded toward Sara with the faintest smirk. "And arrows for this small, beautiful lady here."
Sara's face flushed red. "Who are you calling small?!"
"I also said beautiful," Marcos replied, unfazed.
"You—!"
"Enough," Liza snapped. "We also need a dagger."
As the shopkeeper wrapped their purchases, he leaned in, lowering his voice. "Word of warning—there's a crazy old crone living just outside the village. If she starts spouting nonsense… best to just walk away."
Marcos met his gaze coolly. "Appreciate the advice."
Outside, Liza pressed the new dagger into Eris's hands.
"For protection," she said simply.
Eris swallowed. "O-okay."
They left the village behind, the clamor fading as they followed a narrow dirt path.
Sara glanced around. "So where are we headed now?"
A piercing scream shattered the quiet.
"That came from over there," Eris said, pointing toward a plume of smoke rising above the trees.
They ran.
They found a small, crooked hut. Inside, an old woman lay crumpled on the floor, clutching a bloody wound in her side, cries ragged with pain.
"Eris, heal her," Liza ordered.
Sara whispered, "Is that the madwoman the shopkeeper mentioned?"
"Looks like it," Marcos murmured.
Eris knelt, hands glowing softly as light flowed into the wound.
"A demon jumped me," the woman rasped. "I managed to kill the bastard… but not before it got me."
"It'll be fine," Eris said gently. "No dark magic taint. The cut isn't too deep."
Marcos nodded. "Good. We'll rest a moment."
The woman's breathing steadied. Then, abruptly, she cackled—a dry, chilling sound.
"Want to hear a story, dears?"
"No," Marcos said flatly.
The old woman grinned wider. "Too bad. I'm telling it anyway."
Sara muttered under her breath, "She really is insane."
"A long, long time ago," the woman began, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "almost a thousand years now… there were three brothers."
She paused for effect.
"They called them The Dirty Blood."
Marcos's expression shifted—something sharp flickering across his eyes.
"Unbelievably strong," she went on. "Power without limit."
Thunder rumbled overhead, as if the sky itself listened.
"The gods made them angry," she whispered. "And so…"
Her smile turned wicked.
"The brothers hunted the gods… like dogs."
A twisted laugh bubbled out of her.
"But one of them betrayed the others," she said softly. "And because of that betrayal… they lost."
The hut fell deathly quiet.
"People forget stories," the woman murmured, eyes gleaming. "But nature never forgets."
Marcos's fist clenched at his side.
"Eris," he said sharply. "Is she fully healed?"
"Yes."
"Then we're leaving. Now."
They stepped back into the fading light, the old woman's laughter echoing faintly behind them as they vanished down the path.