《Hell Hillel》 Jaws of Death The low flames of a dying campfire cast flickering shadows on seven travelers in the dense Asiran forest: six mercenaries and one weapons servant. Their makeshift circle under tangled branches offered little warmth, and their worries were far more pressing than the night''s chill¡ªprowling creatures, hostile soldiers, and the mysteries of this foreign land. Zaher, the broad-shouldered Captain, stood apart at the clearing''s edge, eyes narrowed into the darkness. His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword. "Staying put is dangerous," he said quietly. "We''re too close to the Asir patrol routes. We need to push on until we see the Jazedir Range. From there, we break for Scissia city in the mountains." Mulaz, lanky and marked by a thin scar across his cheek, glowered from a half-rotted log. "What if those mountains aren''t as close as you think, Captain? Blundering around after dark could land us in worse trouble." Naleera, wiry and wrapped in a black headscarf, lifted her chin. "So we just wait here? We''ve heard about wolves, bears¡­ balakai." At that last word, the group fell tense. "I''d rather keep moving." Bazhir folded his arms, a humorless chuckle escaping him. "We''ve already crossed the Asiran military. Let''s not make it easy for them to catch us sleeping." Quadir shrugged, a gesture of strained indifference. "Then we head northeast. Better to meet danger on our feet than lie down for it." Samir opened his mouth to add something when twigs snapped beyond the treeline. Everyone grabbed for weapons¡ªthen froze when Eujal stumbled into the firelight. Thin and hollow-eyed, he gripped three dead rabbits, blood staining his torn sleeve. "You''re hurt," Naleera said, gesturing to a scrape on his arm, blood trickling onto the ground. Eujal lowered his gaze. "Just a scratch," he muttered. Mulaz scowled. "Only three rabbits? What were you doing, napping?" "I... I found a creek. There were dozens of them running in the same direction," Eujal said, frowning at his injured arm. "I only managed to catch these." Bazhir let out a short laugh. "Dozens, and you settled for three?" Eujal''s cheeks flushed. "I¡­ didn''t want to stay out too long." Samir snatched one of the rabbits from him. "We''re half-starving, and you bring us three skinny hares." Zaher grabbed another rabbit, turning it over with obvious disappointment. "Look at you¡ªpanting like some lost dog, arm torn open. You''re bleeding all over the place. Go wrap that up." Eujal nodded and dug in his pack, but Mulaz tossed him a dirty bandage first. "Use this," Mulaz said, impatience edging his voice.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. "S-sorry," Eujal mumbled, gingerly binding his forearm. He hated how tightly it needed to be wrapped. "Wait, you said there were dozens of rabbits," Naleera prompted, raising a brow. "All running the same way?" Eujal glanced off to the side. "Like a stampede, except just¡­ rabbits. They were racing by." Zaher frowned, stepping in closer. "Or running from something. And that ''something'' might still be around." Samir resumed skinning a hare, muttering under his breath. He knew what was coming, and that his actions at the present moment were in vain. Zaher rose, brushing dust off his hands. "It''s unfortunate that we can''t have something to eat right now. But we can''t risk anything, especially in foreign territory. We should go¡ªquickly." They all grumbled, but nobody argued. Despite the fresh catch, leaving was safer. Bazhir laughed hollowly and stood, kicking dirt onto the fire. "I''d rather keep going than get caught mid-meal." ---- The embers hissed as the mercenaries extinguished the campfire. Smoke drifted in the chill air while Zaher took point with his sword unsheathed and a torch in hand. Naleera and Bazhir advanced at his sides, Mulaz and Quadir behind them, and Samir and Eujal brought up the rear. Twigs and thorns snared at their clothes, each step rustling the undergrowth. Apart from that, silence ruled the forest. Still nursing his wound, Eujal struggled to keep up. Each time a shape stirred in the shadows, he flinched, prompting Samir to give him a sharp kick¡ªpart punishment, part frustration. Eujal inwardly accepted the blows; after all, he wasn''t caring for their weapons as he was supposed to. It made him feel useless. They traveled for nearly an hour without seeing the Jazedir range. Worse, it felt like they were descending into a valley instead of climbing. Eujal had a faint hope the land might slope up on the other side, leading them to Scissia, but that hope was beginning to wane. Suddenly, Zaher lifted a hand, halting the group. "Hold," he whispered. "There''s something out there." Eujal leaned around Quadir, trying to peer into the shadows. He saw nothing, yet a distant grinding noise rolled through the night. Then, a low growl. Weapons flicked out in unison. The mercenaries fanned out, forming a tense semi-circle. Eujal hovered uselessly at the back, uncertain whether to draw a blade or stay low. It crashed into view¡ªa hulking shape that clawed its way through brush. A thick, scaled hide covered its bloated body, a singular horn jutting from its snout. Teeth like daggers glistened with saliva, and two beady eyes roamed the group. Eujal swallowed. A balakai. Zaher spread his stance, screaming at the beast in an attempt to drive it off. The creature responded with a roar so loud, Eujal''s bones seemed to vibrate. Earth sprayed from its claws. Its fetid breath turned the air foul. "Shit!" Zaher cursed, staggering backward. "It''s charging!" The balakai barreled forward in a split second, horn aimed at Zaher''s chest. He sidestepped at the last moment, hacking at its side. Steel scraped uselessly against scales. The beast whipped its powerful tail, forcing Zaher to dive away. Naleera and Bazhir lunged in to help, blades cutting at the balakai''s flanks. Their strikes glanced off the creature''s armor-like hide, accomplishing little more than drawing its attention. They darted around it in frantic arcs, slashing at the beast whenever they could. Eujal looked on in dread. He saw the balakai shift its stance, its eyes suddenly focusing on Naleera, who was circling too close. The beast pivoted off its left foot. Eujal recognized the deadly timing a heartbeat too late. "NALEERA, NO!" he shouted, voice cracking. Naleera turned¡ªjust in time to see the horn slice toward her. But she couldn''t dodge the balakai''s jaws. In a single brutal instant, the creature tore a chunk of her shoulder free, and her screams tore through the hush of the forest. Higher Refuge Naleera''s scream still hung in the air as she collapsed, clutching what remained of her shoulder. The mercenaries¡ªmoments ago bickering about their next move¡ªnow stood caught between shock and a grim sense of duty. They had faced predators before, even tangling with rival soldiers on occasion, but this felt different. Wrong. Too large and too vicious. Still, they hesitated only for a breath. Then Zaher took the lead. "Form up!" he barked, stepping over Naleera''s trembling form. He raised his sword in what should have been a confident salute, but the quiver in his wrist betrayed him. Bazhir and Quadir moved to flank Zaher, circling wide to surround the hulking creature. Samir hovered closer to Eujal at the back, eyes darting left and right as if expecting another nightmare to lunge from the darkness. The balakai swung its horn, carving a shallow trench in the earth. Its jaws, wet with blood, snapped at the air, stirring the smell of copper and rot into the cold night. Mulaz, face set in a determined grimace, rushed forward to jab at the beast''s flank with his sword. It was a daring move¡ªcalculated and almost confident. But the sword''s tip glanced off thick scales, and the balakai retaliated with a swipe of its forelimb that sent Mulaz reeling. He fell hard against a nearby tree, breath knocked clean from his lungs. Zaher swore under his breath. He stepped in with a slash aimed just behind the creature''s horn, but met the same impenetrable hide. Sparks flew from the collision of metal on scale. The balakai lashed out with its tail, forcing Zaher to roll aside, his sword arm scraped raw by jagged stones. He looked up, panting, eyes flaring with a mixture of anger and the first real flickers of fear. "Damn thing''s hide is like iron," Bazhir hissed. He spun around the monster, slashing and feinting to draw its attention. It worked¡ªfor a moment. The beast turned and roared, a guttural sound that raked every nerve. But then it shifted, pivoting faster than Bazhir expected, and slammed him in the ribs with its horn. Bazhir landed on his back, wheezing. Quadir sprinted over to help him up, but the balakai was there first, rearing back and crashing down with its front claws. Eujal heard the sickening snap before he even registered Quadir''s scream. Everything unraveled. Whatever ragged coordination they had was gone, replaced by frantic shouts and flailing weapons. Samir gripped his sword so tightly his knuckles turned white. He caught the balakai''s haunch with a desperate thrust, only for the blade to skid off and wrench his wrist. Samir stumbled back, eyes darting to Zaher as if hoping for an order¡ªany plan to make sense of this. But Zaher could only watch as the beast rammed forward again, forcing Samir to dive away from its snapping jaws. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Eujal stood paralyzed at the edge of the clearing, heart hammering. He''d seen these men hold off raiders, take down dire wolves, even stand their ground against Asir soldiers. Now they were little more than prey, scattered and panicked. Naleera lay motionless where the fight had begun, blood soaking the forest floor. Mulaz, half-conscious, tried to drag himself out of harm''s way, but the balakai stomped and twisted, cutting off any chance of escape. Zaher launched himself at the beast''s side, swinging a last, powerful strike aimed at the gap between its armor-like scales. His sword bit slightly deeper this time, drawing a coarse, wet sound from the creature. But the balakai whipped its horn around, catching Zaher in the ribs. He managed to keep hold of his sword, but blood ran from his mouth as he staggered to one knee. In that desperate instant, Eujal noticed the balakai shaking its head, as though trying to locate its next target by sound instead of sight. Its small, murky eyes didn''t follow Zaher''s movement well, missing him by a span of inches as the captain lurched away. Eujal''s breath caught in his throat. It can''t see clearly. He glanced at the nearest tree¡ªa towering oak with low branches that stretched overhead like a dark web. It was a slim chance. But it was the only chance. He forced his legs to move, ignoring the searing pain in his injured arm, and sprinted for the trunk. Behind him, Zaher tried to stand once more. The balakai''s roar drowned out whatever order the captain was about to give. Another strike¡ªand then a sudden silence. Eujal didn''t turn around. He didn''t want to see what was left of Zaher. He threw himself at the oak, scrambling up the rough bark, nearly losing his grip on the first branch when his wounded arm buckled. Teeth gritted, he hauled himself higher. Below, the balakai thrashed amid the carnage, trying to sniff out the last living foe. It snorted and growled, circling the clearing as if confused by the sudden lack of movement. Up in the tree, Eujal pressed his body tight to the trunk, fighting the urge to sob or scream¡ªanything that would betray his position. A shallow, ragged breath escaped him as he watched the beast wander among the bodies, nudging them with its horn. Eventually, it lumbered away through the undergrowth, leaving behind nothing but broken shapes and spilt blood. Still, Eujal clung to the tree, sweat freezing on his skin in the night air, tears burning in his eyes. He remained there, alone, until the first hint of dawn. Coffin The first rays of dawn revealed a nightmare. Eujal eased his stiff body down from the tree, boots sinking into damp earth. His eyes drifted over the wreckage of what used to be his companions¡ªtorn limbs, half-devoured torsos, and that balakai''s footprints gouged deep into the soil. Naleera''s body rested off to one side, her black headscarf soaked in dark, crusted blood. He forced himself not to linger on her empty gaze. A sick feeling churned in his stomach. He turned away, staggered a few steps, and nearly retched. If he stayed too long, he might lose his resolve altogether. So he pushed onward, remembering snatches of conversation about this kingdom: the south was mostly wilderness, dotted with scarce settlements; the north, beyond the Jazedir Mountains, was densely populated. That meant Scissia City was his only real shot at safety. Zaher had decided they''d go downhill, and though it made no logical sense to Eujal¡ªmountains were usually up¡ªEujal stuck to that path. It was all he had left of his captain''s plan. Following the gentle slope, he picked his way through tangled roots and thorns. His injured arm throbbed with every step. Eventually, the ground leveled off into a valley, and he heard the faint rush of water. Several small creeks joined together, forming a modest river that cut across the forest floor. Eujal knelt by the bank to drink, scooping icy water into his mouth until his throat stopped burning. That''s when he spotted something sticking out of the mud on the far side¡ªa corner of dark, worn wood. The river wasn''t deep, so he waded across, curious despite himself. With careful fingers, he cleared away caked mud and grit, revealing more of the waterlogged timber until he finally uncovered what it really was: a coffin. Old, heavy, sealed tight by decay and earth. Near the top, he noticed a carved emblem¡ªa crow with a crown, its outline barely visible through the grime. He brushed away a little more mud, and his hand happened to slide across that engraved bird. A jolt shot through his body. It felt like his thoughts were being yanked out of him, leaving a strange, hollow buzz in his skull. Eujal gasped, stumbling back as his stomach twisted. He lurched to the side and vomited, limbs shaking, mind spinning. It took him a moment to recover. He pressed a hand against his pounding chest, eyes locked on the coffin. Whatever sorcery or curse clung to that box, he wanted no part of it. With one final glance at the crow and its crooked crown, he turned his back on the thing and started to walk away. He didn''t make it far. A thunderous crack split the morning air, followed by a burst of flying splinters. Eujal whipped around to see the coffin''s lid blown clear off¡ªwood fragments scattering along the riverbank. His pulse hammered in his ears, the fresh taste of bile still in his throat. "Why did that just¡­ happen?" Eujal breathed, still rooted to the spot as he stared at the splintered coffin. His mind whirled with the possibilities of curses or unholy magic, but his body refused to move. A thin, pale hand crept over the coffin''s jagged edge, fingers trembling as they gripped the broken wood. Then another hand appeared. Eujal clenched his jaw, expecting a skeletal abomination. Instead, a boy pulled himself into view¡ªblack hair matted with mud, his eyes a washed-out grey, set in a face that looked more bone than flesh. His clothes were ragged, stained by rot and soil. He wavered on his feet, expression dazed as if he''d just awoken from a nightmare. Eujal''s heart pounded in his chest, and for a split second, he almost bolted¡ªmemories of the balakai''s attack still raw in his mind. But the boy appeared so frail, so utterly lost. He scanned the unfamiliar forest, his eyes landing on Eujal. Fear flickered across his face. His knees buckled, and he half-collapsed against the ruined coffin. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. "Hey¡ª" Eujal muttered, holding up his hands to show he meant no harm. "Don''t¡­ don''t pass out on me." The boy''s breath hitched as though even that was a struggle. He clung to the coffin edge, wavering. Against every warning bell in his head, Eujal scrambled forward and caught him by the arm, steadying him. He felt the jut of bone beneath tattered sleeves, a tremor coursing through the boy''s thin frame. "Easy," Eujal said, forcing his voice to stay calm, though his heart hammered with adrenaline. "You''re alright now¡­ I think. Let''s just¡­ get you away from this thing." Eujal exhaled slowly as he set the boy down against a tree trunk, turning to glance again at the shattered coffin. The crowned crow emblem lay in the mud near the water''s edge, the carving''s silent presence somehow unsettling. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to focus on the living rather than the disturbing remains of that box. He crouched beside the boy, who was clearly in shock¡ªhis grey eyes wide, breath coming in uneven spurts. Though he was gaunt and looked ready to collapse at any moment, he still flinched when Eujal reached for him. "Hey," Eujal started, keeping his voice gentle, "are you¡ª?" "Don''t touch me!" the boy snapped, recoiling. His voice trembled with fear more than anger, but Eujal still felt his hackles rise. "I''m trying to help you," Eujal shot back, reflexively withdrawing his hand. The boy''s gaze darted around as if searching for an escape route. He forced himself upright, leaning against the tree trunk. "I¡­ I don''t even know who you are," he managed, his words catching on ragged breaths. "Or where this place is. So just¡­ back away." Eujal snorted softly in frustration. This day, he thought, couldn''t get any more bizarre. "Fair enough," he said, standing up and stepping back a few paces. "Suit yourself. But you nearly keeled over back there." "Yeah, well, maybe that''s not your problem." The boy''s reply was prickly, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he closed his eyes and grimaced. His head rolled to one side, and for a moment, Eujal feared he was about to pass out. The boy''s chest rose and fell shakily. Eujal shot a wary look at the remains of the coffin, then back at the boy. Against his better judgment, he sighed and ventured closer again¡ªmore slowly this time. "You look like you haven''t eaten in days," he said. "Or slept. Or¡­ well, anything." He didn''t mention the coffin or how the boy had seemingly been raised from the dead. Just thinking about it made his head hurt. Nothing was making sense right now. The boy blinked, expression clouded. Pride or panic warred on his face. Finally, he pressed a trembling hand to his forehead. "I¡­ don''t remember," he muttered, so softly Eujal almost missed it. "All right, well, at least you can drink something," Eujal responded, deciding to keep his tone calm. "Stay here. I''ll get some water." He didn''t wait for an argument. Moving quickly to the riverbank, he filled a battered leather flask that he still carried from the ill-fated trek with his comrades. Returning to the boy, he offered it with as much patience as he could muster. The boy eyed it warily before snatching it away to take a few gulps. Eujal folded his arms, forcing himself not to comment on the boy''s ungrateful manner. He could see exhaustion settling over him again, the brief flare of anger or fear draining away. "You''re starved," he murmured. "We both are. Hard to remember the last time I ate something that wasn''t charred rabbit or stale bread." He paused, glancing at the forest that spread out in all directions. "But you won''t survive long without real food. We won''t survive." He took a breath, meeting the boy''s gaze. "Look," he said, "whatever just happened back there with that coffin¡ªlet''s put it aside for a moment. We''re out in the middle of nowhere, and you''re about to collapse. So unless you want to wander off alone¡­ we should figure out how to eat. And soon." The boy cast a wavering glance at Eujal, as if still deciding whether to trust him or run. Finally, he gave a barely perceptible nod, and though he said nothing, Eujal counted it as agreement enough. Sustenance Eujal steadied his breathing behind the tangled brush, the boy latched onto his shirt in a white-knuckled grip. In the clearing ahead, half a dozen deer grazed on tall, dew-laden grass, oblivious to the pair crouched nearby. The morning sun hadn''t yet burned off the lingering chill, and Eujal found his own teeth nearly chattering from a mixture of fatigue and nerves. He''d hunted small game before¡ªrabbits, mostly¡ªbut never something as large as a deer. And never without a proper weapon. Still, hunger gnawed at both of them. They''d managed to sneak this close for a reason, and leaving empty-handed could mean starving by nightfall. He glanced at the boy. Dark hair clung to his gaunt face, his grey eyes fixed on the herd. There was no mistaking the desperation in that gaze. Eujal nodded once, and together they inched forward, pushing through the undergrowth with agonizing slowness. The deer continued to graze, occasionally lifting their heads to scan for threats. Eujal''s heart thumped harder every time one of them even twitched. It took them several tense minutes, creeping at a snail''s pace, before Eujal spotted a fawn¡ªsmall and trailing behind the group. The mother was a few dozen strides away, distracted by a patch of tall grass. Eujal locked eyes with the boy, silently gesturing toward their likely target. The boy''s lips thinned, but he nodded. They lunged together. Their ragged shoes pounded the wet ground, adrenaline kicking in despite empty stomachs. The herd bolted in a flash of hooves and startled snorts. The mother deer bounded off with a powerful leap, but the fawn stumbled behind. Eujal tackled it, arms scrabbling to hold the flailing creature. The boy, unsteady on his feet, nearly tripped over a root but caught hold of the fawn''s hind legs. Its panicked bleating echoed through the clearing. With hearts hammering, they wrestled the young deer down. By the time it stopped thrashing, both of them were gasping for air, arms shaking from exertion. The boy collapsed onto his knees, sweat plastering his hair to his forehead. Eujal''s vision swam for a moment, his head light from hunger and lack of sleep. But they had done it. They had meat. Dragging the small carcass back into the thicker brush, they dropped it in an awkward heap. The boy leaned against a tree, chest heaving, and Eujal steadied himself with a trembling hand on a low-hanging branch. He forced himself to focus. "Alright," Eujal managed, voice tight. "I¡­ I''ll handle this." This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. He knelt by the deer, realizing with dismay that he had no blade¡ªhe''d lost his dagger somewhere in the chaos with the Balakai. Muttering under his breath, he searched for a sharp rock, eventually finding one with a jagged edge that might do the trick. The boy watched, face drawn and pale. Eujal gritted his teeth and set to work, clumsily cutting into the deer''s hide. It was a messy process. He''d never properly skinned anything bigger than a hare, and using a stone made it worse. Still, he bit back disgust and pushed on, nearly gagging whenever the smell grew stronger. "Hey," the boy rasped, voice cracking from dryness. "What¡­ year is it?" Eujal paused, blinking sweat out of his eyes. "What?" "What year is it?" the boy repeated, more firmly. "It''s 515," Eujal said, then resumed working on the deer. But the boy''s silence made him glance up. He found the boy staring blankly, confusion etched into every line of his face. "515," Eujal repeated. "As¡­ in the year 515. Why? Does that¡ª?" The boy shook his head slowly, looking down at the ground. "No. Nothing¡­ I don''t remember that meaning anything." He swallowed, throat bobbing with visible effort. "Where am I?" he pressed on. "Which¡­ which land is this?" Eujal laid the stone aside, taking a moment to wipe his bloody hands on some grass. "Asiran Kingdom," he answered. "Southern half, near the Jazedir mountains." He paused, uncertain how much detail to give. "I''m Eujal. I come from Khardouth, which¡ªlook, does any of that ring a bell?" The boy''s eyes fluttered with mounting panic. "I don''t¡­ I don''t know where that is. Or¡­ I don''t know anything." He pressed his hands to his temples. "I know what a deer is, what a tree is, but¡­ I can''t remember where I''m from. Or who I am. Nothing." Eujal opened his mouth, then closed it again, unsure how to console him. He felt a tiny pang of empathy flicker in his chest¡ªsaw the desperation in the boy''s eyes, the cracks in his voice. But what could he even say? The boy tried to speak again, but his words tangled. Exhaustion weighed down his eyelids, and he slumped forward before he could finish his sentence. Eujal scrambled over, catching him by the shoulder just as he dropped into a feverish doze. "Hey!" Eujal hissed, patting the boy''s cheek lightly, but there was no response aside from faint, labored breaths. A sheen of sweat clung to his brow¡ªhot to the touch. Cursing under his breath, Eujal gently laid him down against a mossy patch of earth. Then he turned back to the deer, breath hitching as he realized he was on his own with this half-skinned carcass and an unconscious stranger burning up with fever. He forced himself to keep working, hacking away with the jagged stone. The job took far longer than it should, and by the time he finally managed to strip away enough hide, his hands were numb and sticky with blood. Glancing over, he saw the boy''s dark hair plastered to his forehead, lips parted in shallow breaths, clearly in the grip of whatever sickness had taken him. "Great," Eujal muttered, flinging the torn hide aside. "Just¡­ great." Eat up! Eujal stared at the half-skinned carcass, heart hammering in his chest as he tried to recall any useful scraps of knowledge about butchering an animal this size. He''d helped prepare rabbits before, even the occasional boar, but this was different¡ªand he had no real tools besides the jagged rock he''d found. The boy, still unconscious and feverish, lay propped against a tree. If Eujal wanted either of them to survive, he''d have to figure this out. He swallowed and approached the carcass again. Using the rock, he sawed through sinew and skin, peeling back the hide with clumsy, uneven cuts. The deer''s innards spilled out in a warm, bloody mass, and Eujal had to clamp a hand over his mouth to keep from gagging. Focus. He cast a glance at the boy, then forced himself to keep going. He remembered a friend once telling him that the best cuts were near the hind legs and along the back. That knowledge guided him now, though he ended up hacking through most of the meat just to pry it off. By the time he''d carved out something resembling usable chunks of venison, his arms were leaden with exhaustion. Blood stained his hands and clothes. He gathered a few strips of meat, laid them on a clean patch of grass, and wiped sweat from his brow. Next came the matter of cooking. He couldn''t eat it raw without risking sickness; besides, he needed something hot to keep the boy''s fever from worsening. But building a fire with no flint or tinderbox? That would be another challenge. He searched the area, found some relatively dry branches, and clutched a pair of stones. It took him a painfully long time¡ªlonger than he''d ever admit to anyone¡ªbut eventually he coaxed a small flame out of a nest of dried leaves and twigs. The late morning sun had helped dry the debris, making his efforts a bit easier. Once the blaze caught, he fed it steadily, building up a modest fire in a shallow pit he scraped out with his bare hands. Cooking the venison was a hasty affair. He lacked a proper spit or grill, so he speared the strips on sharpened sticks and held them close to the fire, rotating them as best he could. The aroma of sizzling fat curled into the air, mingling with the acrid stench of blood that still clung to his clothes. His stomach rumbled in response. When he deemed the meat cooked enough¡ªno more visible pink in the center¡ªhe set some aside to cool. Then he approached the boy, who looked even paler than before. A sheen of sweat dotted his forehead, and his breaths came shallow and rapid. Eujal gently shook him awake. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "Hey," he said, voice low, "You need to eat." The boy''s eyes fluttered open, a hazy gray in the half-light of the makeshift camp. He recoiled at first, then seemed to register the smoky scent of cooked venison. Eujal offered a small piece, warm and dripping juice. Hesitant, the boy took it, chewing slowly. His body shuddered¡ªwhether from exhaustion or fever, Eujal couldn''t tell¡ªbut he managed to swallow. Bit by bit, he accepted more until he''d eaten enough to keep him conscious. Eujal wolfed down his share with trembling hands. The venison was tough in places, half-burnt in others, but it was food. And that meant a better chance at surviving another day. They rested for a while in silence. The boy drifted in and out of a dazed doze. Eujal''s own limbs felt like they were made of stone, but his mind wouldn''t stay quiet. He had to plan their next move. They were still in the valley, which meant they needed to find a way out¡ªnortheast, following Zaher''s chosen direction, hoping it led to the Jazedir mountains. From there, they had to somehow avoid Asir patrols and find a recognized road or path that funneled travelers to Scissia city. If they could reach that city, they might be safe from the local authorities. But safe to do what? Eujal grimaced, poking absently at the fire with a stick. He was a mercenary from Khardouth, paid to fight against Asir rule¡ªthough that didn''t matter much anymore. The rest of his company was gone. What was he supposed to do in Scissia now? Beg for coin? Sell his sword arm again? The Asir wouldn''t be happy to see any foreign soldiers skulking around, that was for sure. But maybe there, he could find help for the boy. Figure out how or why he''d been locked in that coffin, who might be responsible. Maybe that was reason enough to keep going. He glanced at his new companion. The boy stirred, eyes half-lidded, blinking as he tried to focus. His fever wasn''t getting better, but at least he''d eaten. That was one step closer to recovery. Slowly, Eujal reached out and touched the back of the boy''s hand¡ªjust enough to feel the heat radiating through. "You''re burning up," he murmured. "We''ll rest for a bit, then we''re heading northeast. Might be tough, but¡­ staying here will kill us." The boy''s gaze flicked to Eujal, confusion still evident. He parted his lips like he wanted to speak, but only managed a faint whisper. Whatever he was trying to say vanished into a weary exhale, and he slumped against the tree again. Eujal sighed, tending to the fire with the last of the decent wood. "Yeah," he muttered under his breath. "You and me both, we''re lost." He thought about Scissia. About the questions swirling in his mind¡ªhow to pass the patrols, how to pay for safe lodging, how to navigate a city he barely knew existed. And behind all that, a single question loomed even larger: What was that coffin? He looked over at the boy again. If there was any answer to be found, it had to be in Scissia. Encounter Late afternoon light fell in dappled patches across the damp ground. Eujal scraped at the charred earth with a worn branch, doing his best to disguise their makeshift camp. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the boy¡ªgaunt, with dark hair falling across his forehead¡ªsitting upright against a tree trunk. A noticeable flush of color had returned to the boy''s cheeks after several hours of rest and a hearty meal, but he still appeared drained. Slinging his small pack over one shoulder, Eujal approached, pausing a few feet away to gauge the boy''s condition. He wasn''t entirely sure why he bothered, but something about the boy''s half-vacant stare, the way he''d been found in that coffin, nagged at him. They were both survivors in a grim situation. If he was stuck with anyone, he guessed it might as well be someone whose circumstances were equally strange. "How''re you feeling?" he asked, lowering himself to a crouch. The boy pressed a hand against his ribs, wincing slightly. "Better than before. Still¡­ still tired." "Yeah," Eujal muttered, surveying the boy''s thin frame. He hesitated, then cleared his throat. "Listen, if we''re going to keep moving together, I need to know what to call you. Do you¡­ remember your name?" The response came without hesitation. "Hillel." Eujal''s eyebrows shot up. It was the first time he''d heard the boy speak with any certainty at all. "Hillel," he repeated, testing the sound. "You''re sure?" Hillel''s lips parted, and for a moment, confidence appeared in his gray eyes. Then confusion set in, and he looked down, as though his sudden realization had begun to slip away. "I¡­ I think so," he murmured. "It was just there, like it was the only word in my head. Does that¡­ mean it''s really my name?" Eujal noticed Hillel''s hand trembling where it gripped his threadbare sleeve. "It''s good enough for me," he said. "Until you remember something else, I''ll call you Hillel." Relief softened the boy''s tense posture, though worry remained etched across his features. "Right," he said quietly. "Hillel¡­" It wasn''t much, but Eujal sensed a measure of calm setting in. He gave the boy a nod and rose to his feet. "If you''re up for it, we''ve got to move. We''ve spent enough time here. It''ll be dark soon, and we want to get as far as we can before nightfall." Hillel pushed himself upright, wobbling slightly. Eujal offered a steadying arm but held back from forcing help on him. Gathering what little they had, Eujal secured the rock he''d used earlier and lashed it to a sturdy branch with strips of hide from the fawn. It wasn''t pretty and probably wouldn''t hold up against anything too large, but it was better than nothing. He tucked a small bundle of tinder into his pack¡ªdry twigs, bark, whatever he could scrounge up that might help spark a fire later. They started off toward what Eujal judged to be northeast, guided by the slow drift of the sun behind them. The forest thinned as they went, becoming sparser until the thick canopy gave way to open foothills. That was when Eujal finally caught sight of the mountains themselves, towering beneath a blanket of clouds. He paused and swore under his breath. The valley they''d spent so long escaping from spread out behind them, a stark reminder of his earlier miscalculation. "Should''ve realized valleys and mountains go together," he grumbled, a faint sense of embarrassment creeping in. He could imagine Zaher rolling his eyes at him. But the ache of memory sharpened into resolve; even if he hadn''t been the best scout before, he was learning quickly now. Hillel brushed back his tangled hair and squinted up at the rugged slopes. Even from this distance, the peaks were imposing¡ªsheer cliffs and sharp ridges hidden by drifting mists. Their first task would be finding a safe pass toward Scissia. Eujal wasn''t entirely sure how they''d do it, but he knew at least one thing: the Asir military patrolled the main roads, and foreign mercenaries¡ªlike him¡ªweren''t exactly welcome. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. As twilight set in, the sky blushed in bands of orange and purple. A light chill clung to the air, spurring them onward. Without the thick forest undergrowth, they made quicker progress over grass and stony patches. Every so often, Eujal cast a glance back at Hillel, watching for any sign of weakness. The boy''s fever seemed to have eased, though he still moved gingerly. They hadn''t gone far into the foothills when Eujal caught sight of something cutting through the terrain¡ªa worn-down dirt path. It was just wide enough for a cart or a pair of travelers, but it was clearly man-made. Relief hummed through his tired limbs. This could be one of the minor routes that eventually led to a main road. If luck was on their side, it would point them straight toward Scissia, or at least lead them to folks who might point the way. He halted at the edge of the path, kicking a few stones aside to test the ground''s firmness. Hillel stopped beside him, breathing heavily. Together, they stood in the hush of early evening, gazing down the winding trail that disappeared into the dusky hills. With a breath of relief, they began walking. They pressed on along the narrow path, its ruts and patches of loose stones illuminated only by the waning light of dusk. The silhouettes of the mountains loomed ahead, and Eujal felt a small surge of relief that they were finally moving closer to their goal. Maybe, if they kept this pace, they could scale the foothills by tomorrow. He could almost imagine a proper road leading to Scissia, complete with other travelers who weren''t out for blood. But then he heard it¡ªa distant, rhythmic clattering from somewhere behind them. Hooves on dirt and a long, moaning creak that sounded suspiciously like a wagon''s axle. Instinct seized Eujal; he snagged Hillel''s sleeve and ushered him into the tall grass beside the path. "What are you doing?" Hillel hissed, eyes wide. "Shh!" Eujal shot back, pressing a finger to his lips. "We don''t know who''s back there. Could be patrols. Could be anyone." "But¡ª" "I said hush," Eujal snapped, a little more sharply than he intended. Hillel glared but obeyed, crouching low in the dense grass. Together, they peered over the tufts, hearts pounding as the sound drew nearer. Within moments, an ox-drawn wagon came into view, rattling along the uneven track. A canvas covering the wagon''s rear fluttered in the breeze, but from Eujal''s vantage, he couldn''t make out who or what might be inside. The driver¡ªa stocky, dark-skinned man wearing a wide-brimmed hat¡ªkept his reins slack. Eujal''s nerves fought with his curiosity; was it safe to reveal themselves and ask for help? He had no way of knowing whether these people would be friendly or string them up on sight. The wagon trundled closer and closer, until it was nearly alongside the patch of grass where they hid. Eujal clenched his makeshift spear, sweat beading on his forehead. His stomach twisted in indecision. He was about to open his mouth¡ªmaybe risk calling out¡ªwhen the wagon jerked to a stop, the driver muttering under his breath. "Hold up," the man said, dropping the reins. "I need a break." Eujal glanced at Hillel. The boy''s face was taut with fear. They both held their breath as the driver hopped down from the wagon, boots thudding against the packed dirt. He trudged toward the grass¡ªdirectly toward them. Hillel shot Eujal a frantic look that screamed, Now what?! Eujal could only clench his teeth in silent dread. But their situation turned from bad to worse as they realized, with mounting horror, exactly why the driver had come this way: he began unbuckling his trousers, preparing to relieve himself right on the spot. "Stop right there," came a sharp voice from inside the wagon. Fabric rustled, and the driver paused, exasperated. "What is it now?" the driver grumbled. "Can''t a man have some peace to¡ª" Before he could finish, a second figure emerged from behind the wagon''s canvas. Eujal barely caught the glint of steel as this newcomer strode over and raised a dagger, pointing it straight at the swaying grass. Right where Hillel was hiding. "Whoever you are," the man snarled, "get up¡ªnow." Hillel let out a startled yelp, scrambling upright. Eujal had no choice but to follow, popping out of the grass with his crude spear at the ready. His heart hammered. He took in the man with the dagger: tall, with strangely luminous eyes that held a hint of pink in the fading light. Faint moonlight glinted on reddish hair cut raggedly short. A wide scar crossed the bridge of his nose, continuing across his cheekbones, and two more slashed down either side of his face in parallel lines. He wore a long-sleeved shirt under a dusty duster coat, complemented by a frayed scarf and worn trousers. Eujal opened his mouth, trying to sound intimidating. "We¡ª" was all he managed before the man lunged at Hillel. Fire The scarred man moved with swift, snake-like agility. Hillel stumbled backward, eyes wide, but the stranger closed the distance in two strides. The man''s gloved fist cracked against Hillel''s temple loudly¡ªa brutal blow. The boy crumpled mid-scream, his voice cut short as he hit the dirt. Eujal lunged, spear thrust wild. "Get away from him¡ª!" The driver intercepted him with a roar, swinging a meaty fist. His movements were sluggish and telegraphed¡ªclearly a brawler and not a soldier. Eujal ducked, the breeze of the missed punch ruffling his hair. Though fatigue dragged at his limbs, desperation honed his reflexes to a razor''s edge. He rammed the jagged rock of his makeshift spear into the man''s forearm, digging into the flesh with surprising effectiveness. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. The impact jolted Eujal''s shoulders. The driver''s blood welled, shimmering ominously before it suddenly ignited. What!? Crimson flames engulfed the wound in a flash of red light, searing Eujal''s hands. He jumped back, dropping the spear as fire burned up the shaft. The driver grinned, flexing his freshly healed arm. "Surprise!" Eujal''s jaw gaped. In Khardouth, a land where warriors prided themselves on raw skill, tricks were scorned¡ªfire came from flint, strength from steel. This was no trick. The man''s flesh had healed. But how? A boot hooked his ankle. He fell hard, the driver''s knee pinning his chest. Behind them, the scarred man hauled Hillel''s limp form toward the wagon. Eujal thrashed, clawing at the dirt. "Let him go¡ª!" The driver''s fist descended. A Faint Conversation Eujal woke to darkness and the creak of wooden wheels. His skull pulsed where the blow had landed, his wrists bound behind him with coarse rope. Hillel lay beside him, breathing shallowly, a bruise blooming on his temple. Based on what he could see, they were in a separate section in the wagon, probably the back, with a small wooden barrier separating them from the others. He could barely see through the cracks in the wood but from what he could tell, they were alone in the wagon. He assumed that the scarred man and the driver were up front, directing the oxen. Through a gap in the wagon''s canvas, the scarred man''s voice drifted back, sounding quite annoyed: "¡ªjust some harmless kids. I saw the brown haired one holding a spear and went right at the black haired one. He was the one I sensed...and I thought he was more dangerous but...ugh. What a mistake that was." The driver grunted. "I nearly pissed on the two of em. That''s worse than whatever you did. I''m still holding it in too!" For whatever reason, upon hearing this, Eujal had to fight the urge to laugh. He bit his tongue and steadied his breathing, inching closer in an attempt to hear more. "Enough about your weak bladder," the scarred man snapped. "What do you think we should do about them?" "Beat''s me," The driver responded. "Should we hand them over to someone in Scissia? They''re just kids after all." "No. Much too risky." The scarred man muttered. "We''re wanted men, remember? And, we need to get through Scissia as fast as possible. If we dilly dally in that city trying to find a place for those two, we risk wasting the precious time that we have." "So you''re saying we gotta keep them, huh? I''ll say it loud and clear, we got two damn kids in the back of our damn wagon!" The driver yelled. "We beat them up too! And...I nearly pissed on em. Let''s just get them off our hands as soon as possible." The scarred man sighed. "What is it? I know you got something to say." The driver spat, now sounding just as annoyed as the scarred man. The scarred man''s voice dropped, quieter than the rumble of wheels. "You know how I feel about orphans, Caladeus." A name. Eujal thought to himself. The driver must be Caladeus. But...that''s not an Asiran name! Are they foreigners? "And what would you have us do, Ezra?" Caladeus growled. "You want to take care of them like some stray pups? We aren''t their parents!" "Caladeus. They were in the middle of nowhere, skeletal, and scared. They are most likely orphans." Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "Whatever, boss." A low exhale followed¡ªEujal figured it came from the scarred man, who''d just been addressed as "boss." So he''s in charge, Eujal thought. The wagon continued clattering on, wheels grinding over bumps in the path. "The black-haired one has potential. It would be a waste to throw him away," the scarred man¡ªEzra, apparently¡ªmuttered quietly. "The other one is a bit pathetic. However, I''m not going to throw him away because he''s weak." Hah. How compassionate. Eujal thought sarcastically. Caladeus let out a dismissive snort. "You''re too soft. We''ve ruined plenty of lives already. Don''t pretend we''re saints." "Shut it, Caladeus," Ezra snapped. "I''m not looking to be a saint. But these two¡ª" "¡ªare baggage." Caladeus cut him off. His tone was sharp, frustration clear. "We''re on a tight schedule. Your plan''s going to slow us down. Boss¡­ you know you''re jeopardizing our mission if you drag two random kids along." Ezra fell silent. Outside, the wagon wheels squeaked over uneven ground. Eujal strained his ears, hearing a faint shift as if Ezra had leaned forward in his seat. "Quiet," Ezra said suddenly. "Why''s there a military checkpoint out here?" A checkpoint? Oh no. Eujal''s pulse thudded. He eased onto his side, testing the ropes binding his wrists together. They chafed his skin, but he had to try something¡ªif Asir soldiers discovered him and determined him to being a foreign mercenary, it would mean a swift death. Across from him, Hillel lay unconscious, still breathing shallowly. Eujal located a rough splinter of wood jutting from the wagon''s frame. Gritting his teeth, he began scraping the rope against it, sawing in small, careful motions. The conversation up front became hushed and urgent. "Cover them," Ezra ordered, his voice low but firm. "Yeah, yeah," Caladeus muttered. Eujal flinched as a blanket suddenly fluttered over him, draping him and Hillel in darkness. "We can''t risk them seeing¡ª" "Halt!" came a harsh voice from outside, cutting Caladeus off. The wagon rattled to a stop. The uneven rhythm of boots approached. Eujal heard the clank of armor, the snort of a horse. He froze, his heart pounding, as he kept rubbing the rope against the wood, praying the blanket hid his efforts. "Evening, officer," Caladeus said in a tone that tried for friendly but landed somewhere between strained and casual. A second voice¡ªdeeper, with an air of superiority¡ªreplied, "State your business." Ezra cleared his throat. "We''re traders, on our way north. Dried goods, some produce. Nothing worth your trouble." There was a pause, punctuated by the rustle of the wagon''s canvas. "Show me," the officer demanded. Eujal heard Ezra shift. A moment later, the officer''s chuckle drifted back to him. "That''s it? You think anyone''s going to buy these scraps?" "You''d be surprised what folks in smaller towns are willing to pay for any variety," Ezra countered. "It''s a long route, but we manage." The officer''s boots thumped on the hard-packed dirt as he moved around, presumably checking the oxen and the wheels. Eujal scraped faster, hoping the noise from the front masked it. "That''ll do," the officer finally said. He let out a curt laugh. "Go on, then. But be warned¡ªmountains are hungry tonight. You hear me?" Eujal''s breathing hitched. Hungry? Ezra only replied with a noncommittal grunt. Moments later, the wagon lurched forward again, and the rhythmic clatter resumed. Eujal continued wearing at the rope, trying to keep his panic at bay. For the moment, they''d avoided a full inspection for whatever reason¡ªbut who knew how long they had until the next checkpoint, or until Ezra decided to investigate the cargo area himself But... Would it really be a good decision to escape? Mountain Hillel bolted upright with a panicked gasp, nearly colliding with Eujal as he struggled to free himself from the rope binding his wrists. The wagon lurched beneath them, wheels grinding over uneven terrain. Dusk had fully given way to night now, leaving only a dim lantern''s glow filtering through cracks in the wagon''s canvas. "W-why¡ª?" Hillel sputtered, eyes darting around. He tugged at the restraints on his own wrists. "What''s going on¡ª?" "Keep your voice down," Eujal hissed, his heart hammering. He''d almost severed his bonds before Hillel stirred and started panicking. "We got captured, remember? You were knocked out." Hillel''s breathing quickened, and he thrashed, only to realize the ropes wouldn''t budge. "Let me out!" he cried, voice rising. Eujal clenched his jaw. "Stop shouting!" he snapped, but it was too late. Heavy footsteps approached from the front of the wagon. The canvas flung back, revealing Caladeus''s wide-brimmed hat and broad grin. "Well, look who''s awake," he said, voice thick with amusement. He pulled aside the blanket that had been covering them, letting in a gust of chill air. "Boss! We''ve got a lively one here¡ªand the other nearly cut through his ropes." Eujal shot Hillel a sharp look, furious. "If you''d just stayed calm¡ª" But Hillel was too busy shrinking away as Caladeus reached in, looming over them. The wagon rumbled on for a moment, then slowed as if the driver had eased the oxen''s pace. Sure enough, a second figure soon appeared¡ªEzra, the scarred man¡ªclimbing into the back. "Keep us moving," Ezra muttered to Caladeus. "I''ll handle this." Caladeus shrugged, threw them one last smirk, and hopped back to the front. The wagon picked up speed again, leaving Ezra crouched near Eujal and Hillel. Eujal tensed. He remembered how swiftly Ezra had taken down Hillel before, and Hillel clearly did too¡ªhe recoiled as Ezra drew closer. Ezra raised both hands in a placating gesture. "Easy," he said, voice quieter than before. "I''m not here to beat you up again." Hillel stared at him, teeth clenched. "Y-you knocked me out. Why should I trust¡ª?" Ezra exhaled, a hint of regret crossing his features. "Because I was on edge. I sensed¡­ something from you. Not from your friend here, but definitely from you." "Sensed what?" Eujal interjected, anger tinging his voice. "And why attack him over it?" Ezra settled onto a crate, eyeing Eujal with the same calm intensity as before. "You want the short version? Fine. Your friend has a spark¡ªa power¡ªdrawn from what we call ''rinshu.'' I felt it when you two were hiding in the grass. However, because you two were hiding in the grass right next to the path...I thought you were trying to do something ill advised." "Ahh, I know what that is!" Hillel exclaimed. Huh? Eujal was surprised. How could Hillel know something that I don''t? What was the deal with his intellect? Ezra noticed Eujal''s puzzled expression. "Doesn''t ring a bell, does it?" Eujal shook his head slowly. Ezra''s expression shifted, part sympathy and part exasperation. "Guess that explains why you looked so clueless. Sparks are special abilities that only a few folks ever get. Comes from drawing on rinshu¡ªenergy that''s pretty much everywhere. But it''s not exactly common knowledge everywhere. Especially in places that refuse to acknowledge it. Some people live their whole lives without knowing their true potential." Hillel swallowed hard. "So¡­ you''re saying I have that?" If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Ezra shrugged. "Seems like it. Your presence lit up like a beacon." He jerked a thumb at Eujal. "His didn''t. That''s why I went for you first." Eujal groaned. Why does this guy keep emphasizing that? What''s his deal? Hillel rubbed the spot on his temple that still throbbed. "You didn''t have to¡­ to hit me so hard." "I didn''t plan on letting you strike first," Ezra answered, not sounding particularly proud. "Look, you caught me off-guard, too. If I''d known you''d go down that easily, maybe I wouldn''t have swung so hard." Eujal suppressed a growl, glancing at the ropes around his wrists. "So what happens now? You gonna keep us tied up forever?" Ezra sighed. "I just don''t trust you. Not yet." Eujal felt a flare of fury but forced it down. "So we''re just your prisoners." Ezra leaned forward, lowering his voice. "If you want to think of it like that, go ahead. Just know, I''m doing this out of the kindness of my heart." Outside, the wagon jostled, the sound of Caladeus snapping the reins drifting through the canvas. Then a muffled curse¡ªlikely the driver hitting another rough patch of road. Hillel''s breath hitched. "Then¡­ what do you want with us?" he asked. Ezra hesitated. "Who knows. Maybe you two might join our¡ª" He broke off at the sound of Caladeus''s voice in the front. "Oi, boss!" Caladeus yelled. "Check this out!" Ezra cursed under his breath, then hopped down from the wagon, canvas flaps swaying in his wake. Outside, muffled conversation drifted to the two captives, but the words were too distant to catch. Eujal glanced at Hillel, who looked equally nervous, then strained his ears to listen for any hint of what was going on. Moments later, the wagon gave a shudder, then stopped completely. The sound of boots crunching on loose gravel approached, and the canvas parted again¡ªthis time to reveal Caladeus. He carried a small knife, and for a terrifying instant, Eujal thought he meant to threaten them further. Instead, Caladeus slid the blade through their ropes, severing Eujal''s bindings in a few quick strokes. Then he cut Hillel''s as well, ignoring the boy''s startled gasp. "C''mon, get up," Caladeus grunted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Boss wants to see you outside." "But¡­ I thought Ezra said he didn''t trust us," Eujal growled, massaging his raw wrists. The rope marks burned. Caladeus shrugged, turning to lead them out. "We''ve got no choice. You''ll see." They climbed down from the wagon into a blast of cold mountain air. Thin clouds swirled around the ragged peaks above, and though it was dark, the moonlight offered enough glow to make out the devastation on the path ahead. Boulders and shattered stone sprawled across the route, forming a towering jagged barricade that looked impossible to clear. Even the dirt beneath it was cracked and splintered, leaving a deadly drop-off on one side. The air was thick with cold mist, causing the two boys to shiver. "Rockfall," Ezra said flatly. He stood at the edge of the ruined trail, arms folded. "No way a wagon''s getting through." Hillel shivered, tugging at the thin shirt he wore. "So¡­ what do we do?" Ezra turned his head slightly, acknowledging their presence without meeting their eyes. "We can''t go back. Patrols on the lower roads. And we don''t have time to find another route." He paused, almost as if recalling the officer''s warning. "Looks like the ''hungry mountain'' took a bite out of our path." "Wait¡ªif we can''t bring the wagon," Eujal said, "then you''ll lose all your supplies?" Caladeus let out a theatrical sigh. "Ain''t you the observant one. Exactly: we''ll have to move on foot." "I don''t see a way across," Hillel murmured, peering at the massive boulders. "So...what now?" Ezra didn''t answer immediately. Instead, he gave Caladeus a curt nod. Caladeus raised an eyebrow, then flipped the small knife in his hand. With a flourish, he raked it across his own palm. Hillel let out a startled cry. But rather than blood, a brief flash of crimson light ignited in Caladeus''s cut, flickering like a guttering candle. That fire again....Does his power allows him to regenerate any injury? Eujal wondered. But that''s just...insane. Does that mean he''s immortal? Caladeus grinned, lifting his hand to show the spark dancing there. With a sharp gasp, he clenched his fist, and flames snuffed out on his palm, leaving no injury at all. Dropping to a knee, he transferred the diminishing sparks onto a small pile of kindling. Within seconds, embers glowed, and a fledgling fire crackled to life. "You light fires by¡­ cutting yourself?" Hillel asked, torn between horror and fascination. "Yep," Caladeus said, shaking out his hand. Ezra ignored the exchange, he was busy scanning the debris field with the help of the flame''s light. After a moment, he bent to pick up a fist-sized stone from near the wagon. As Caladeus fed the fledgling flames with more tinder, Ezra paced in a slow circle around the rocky patch of ground, his boots crunching on gravel with each step. One¡­ two¡­ three¡­ Eujal furrowed his brow, watching Ezra''s measured movements. The scarred man counted in a hushed undertone, each step precise. Seven¡­ eight¡­ nine¡­ On the tenth step, Ezra stopped, pressing his foot down onto the stone he''d placed earlier. Then he picked it up and walked to the edge of the collapsed path. Without warning, he hurled the rock forward, sending it over the ruined path and into the mist beyond. Everyone fell silent, listening for the stone''s landing or rolling. A loud tok sound signified that the stone had made contact with something. "What is he¡ª" Hillel started. Before anyone could react, Ezra vanished. The Ten Steps "W-where did he go?" Hillel asked, hurrying to the edge of the rocky barrier and peering into the swirling mist, as though expecting to spot Ezra clinging to a ledge. Caladeus snorted, feeding more sticks into the small fire. "Ten Steps," he muttered. "That''s his spark." Eujal could only stare, disbelief etched on his face. One moment Ezra had been there; the next, he''d simply vanished. The power some sparkers wielded clearly went beyond parlor tricks. "He''ll¡­ be back soon?" "Sure," Caladeus said. "Usually." He had barely finished speaking when a fist-sized stone whistled out of the darkness and struck Caladeus right across the cheek. With a yelp, the man reared back, dropping the bundle of kindling. A bright flicker of crimson flame erupted along the side of his face where the rock connected, momentarily singeing his hair. "What the¡ª!" Caladeus clapped a hand against the flare of fire, stamping it out with obvious annoyance. "Dammit, boss!" Ezra materialized behind the projectile, boot scraping the dirt as he reappeared precisely where the stone had landed. He rolled his shoulders, apparently unconcerned about the chaos he''d just caused. "Path ahead''s mostly clear," he said, tapping the rock with the toe of his boot. "But we''re ditching the wagon. There''s no way through for it." Caladeus swore under his breath, still gingerly touching his singed cheek. Ezra ignored him. Turning to Hillel and Eujal, he gestured at the wagon behind them. "Go and look through it. Take anything you absolutely need. I''ll grab most of the food. We move on foot from here." Hillel glanced at Eujal, his grey eyes bristling with anger. "Why should we listen to you?" Ezra''s pink-tinged eyes narrowed. "Because I''m the one in charge around here," he replied bluntly. "And unless you''ve got a better plan for crossing these mountains, you''ll do as I say." Eujal could see that Hillel''s anger was increasing. He placed a hand on his arm and pulled him back. "That guy''s got a point," Eujal muttered. "Let''s just grab some stuff." Although still clearly annoyed, Hillel nodded. Together, they walked to the wagon and climbed inside. The smell of damp canvas and old leather pressed in as they began rummaging through the supplies. In a front compartment, they found a ragged map with edges charred as though it had been near a fire. Nearby, a battered red coat was folded haphazardly on top of a small chest. A half-dozen daggers, their blades glinting in the lantern light, lined a crate stuffed with stale bread. A small pouch of coins rattled inside. Hillel''s eyes lit up at the map, and he snatched it eagerly. "A map...this could be helpful," he muttered, though the printing on the map looked faded and incomplete. Perhaps he wanted to use the map to see if he could recognize anything on it. Unfortunate that it was in such a condition. Eujal crouched, running a hand over the row of daggers, each with slight variations in shape and hilt. One, though, caught his eye: its blade was matte black, seemingly absorbing any glimmer of light that touched it. Without hesitating, he scooped it up and tested the balance. "We''ll need protection," he reasoned, sliding the blade through his belt loop. They each took armfuls of stale bread, tucking it into a small sack they''d found. As they finished, Eujal nudged Hillel, nodding toward the coins. "Might as well take that too. Who knows when we''ll need some money." Hillel quickly pocketed the pouch, and they clambered back out of the wagon. The bitter wind bit at their faces, though the small fire Caladeus had lit offered some relief. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Ezra stood off to one side, tugging at the oxen''s reins. The poor beast let out a plaintive snort, as though sensing something amiss. Hillel frowned as Ezra unlooped the reins from a nearby branch. "What are you doing?" Ezra didn''t respond until he''d led the ox to the very edge of the ruined path. In one fluid motion, he drew a dagger from his hip and, before anyone could protest, swung it in a vicious arc. The ox''s head dropped with a muted thud, blood spraying onto the gravel. With a quick shove, Ezra pushed the carcass off the path, into the darkness below. Hillel let out a horrified gasp, stumbling backward. "W-why would you¡ª? It was just¡ª" Ezra wiped the blade on a rag at his side, his tone cool. "It wouldn''t survive out here. Can''t leave it to starve or freeze. This was my mercy." Eujal fought back a wave of nausea, forcing his gaze away from the cliff''s edge. The image of the ox''s final moment stuck in his mind, but there was no time to process it fully. But one thing was for sure, he had to be wary of this man. He was truly dangerous. Ezra''s dagger vanished into its sheath, and he turned without ceremony to the remnants of the wagon. "Stay here," he said to Eujal and Hillel. "Caladeus will make a torch, and I''ll gather the last of our supplies." There was a curt nod from Caladeus, who still wore a scowl from the recent stone-to-the-face incident. He rummaged through what was left in the wagon''s front seat, pulling out a length of cloth and a small metal canister. Within moments, he had wrapped the cloth around a sturdy branch and poured what appeared to be animal fat all over it. He pressed the fat-soaked cloth against the fire he made earlier. It caught almost instantly, casting a warm but unsteady glow across the jagged rocks. Meanwhile, Ezra tossed various supplies into a single large sack. Probably whatever was left of the wagon''s inventory. Hillel and Eujal kept their distance, still reeling from what they''d witnessed with the ox. Eujal felt a bit bad for Hillel¡ªthis experience was probably going to traumatize him for quite some time. Once he finished packing, Ezra slung the bag over his shoulder and approached the rockfall, gesturing for the others to follow. "I''ll set up my ability," he said. "Then we''ll cross together." Eujal exchanged a look with Hillel, who appeared uneasy but determined not to let it show. Even Caladeus, torch in hand, offered no protest, though his cheek still bore a raw patch from the flaming rock. "So," Hillel ventured quietly, "this ''Ten Steps'' of yours¡­ how do we¡­?" "Just do what I say," Ezra replied tersely. He began pacing across the cleared ground, stepping firmly about nine times before slamming his foot against a fist-sized stone from the rubble. He picked up the stone and walked forward. He stopped near the edge of the collapsed path, turned, and pitched the stone in a high arc over the jumble of boulders. He listened as it rattled against unseen rock on the other side, then nodded in satisfaction. "All right," he said, beckoning them over. "When I say ''jump,'' you grab hold of me¡ªshoulder, arm, anything. Don''t hesitate, and don''t miss." Eujal and Hillel stepped closer, while Caladeus maneuvered in behind them, still holding the torch high. The wind whipped at their clothes, and loose pebbles skittered along the precipice. Below, darkness yawned. Ezra took a slow breath. "One¡­ two¡­ three¡ªjump!" On cue, Eujal and Hillel lunged, each grabbing one of Ezra''s shoulders. Caladeus slapped a hand on Ezra''s back. In an instant, all four vanished into the night. A dizzying lurch seized Eujal''s stomach, and for a heartbeat he felt weightless. Then reality snapped back into focus. The ground beneath him was uneven, but solid, and he stumbled forward, letting go of Ezra''s shoulder as he caught his balance. Hillel nearly fell to his knees, hands slamming onto the rocky surface. Caladeus managed to land on both feet, albeit with a grunt of discomfort, the torch miraculously still in hand. Perhaps he was used to this, far more than the two kids. They were now on the far side of the debris. Rubble loomed behind them, stretching across what remained of the old trail like a jagged scar. A narrow, twisting path led away along the mountainside, flanked by steep cliffs on one side and dizzying drops on the other. "The hell¡­" Eujal muttered, pressing a hand to his chest. His heartbeat thundered against his ribs, and a faint afterimage of darkness danced in his vision from the brief teleport. Hillel pushed himself upright, clutching the battered map. "That was¡­ insane," he breathed. Ezra, looking only slightly winded, surveyed their new vantage point. "We''ll stick to that trail," he said, pointing to the winding path that cut across the mountainside. Far off, near a bend, a cluster of flickering lights winked in the distance¡ªan unmistakable sign of habitation. "What''s that?" Hillel asked, following his gaze. "Main road, I''d wager," Ezra answered. "Let''s get moving." Caladeus exhaled noisily, turning his head away from the cliff edge. "Good. The sooner we''re out of the mountains, the better." He sneezed. "I hate the cold anyway." The Main Road They reached the wide, torchlit road, its flickering lights casting dancing shadows on two steep mountain slopes that framed the thoroughfare. Even in the darkness, Eujal could see throngs of travelers¡ªwagons and tired figures hauling bundles as if it were broad daylight. And yet, the presence of Asir soldiers gave the scene too much tension to bare. He recognized the brown dusters, the black feather plumes on their hats, and the unmistakable curved blades and steel tipped javelins that seemed to reflect every flicker of fire. Memories flickered, too¡ªone of the few skirmishes his old mercenary band had won, though barely. Now, there were far too many soldiers to stand and fight. It would be suicide. Worse still were the navy-blue greatcoats lined with gold. These men carried no visible weapons yet patrolled like they owned the place, occasionally stepping in to help the Asir soldiers inspect a traveler. Something about them set Eujal''s nerves on edge. Ezra raised a hand, stopping them. "Damn it," he muttered, dark-pink eyes tightening with worry. "We can''t use the main road." Hillel edged around Caladeus, gaze fixed on the navy-blue uniforms. A flicker of recognition crossed his features. Eujal noticed it and asked, "You know them?" Hillel nodded slowly. "Yes¡­ that uniform...I recognize it." Eujal wondered how that was possible, given Hillel''s amnesia. Hillel knew things that he didn''t. He recognized things that he didn''t. Perhaps, before he was placed in that coffin, he had lived a life where he had experienced or saw many of these things. That was the only possible explanation that made sense to him. But Eujal also acknowledged how Hillel didn''t recognize the names of Khardouth or the Asiran Kingdom, from their earlier conversation. Could he be from somewhere else, far away from these lands? There was no way to be sure. But Caladeus interrupted his thoughts, voice tight. "They''re called enforcers. They work for the World Authority." He spat the words like they left a foul taste. "Why avoid them?" Hillel asked, eyes still locked on the crowd. Ezra exhaled. "We''re wanted men. If those enforcers so much as suspect who we are¡ª" He trailed off, pressing his lips into a thin line. Caladeus attempted a laugh. "We got past that other checkpoint fine. Bet we could manage again." "Don''t be an idiot," Ezra snapped. "I''d rather not bloody my hands tonight. Let''s find another way." "What other way?" Eujal asked, glancing at the towering slopes. The possibility of climbing them in the dark seemed ridiculous. "We won''t climb," Caladeus said, swinging his gaze toward Ezra. "He can just teleport us past. Right, boss?" Ezra gave a noncommittal shrug and drew a dagger from his sack. He stepped onto the rocky edge, gauging where to throw. Then, in one swift motion, he sent it whistling through the air. Eujal barely saw the blur. But almost immediately, something leapt from the crowd below and knocked the dagger off course, sending sparks flying. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "What the¡ª" Caladeus grunted, craning his neck. Ezra''s jaw clenched. "Someone intercepted it. We need to move. Now." "So¡­ we''re running from the road?" Hillel asked, voice trembling. "Hell no, we''re pushing right through!" Caladeus spat. Eujal''s stomach twisted. Their easy path had vanished in an instant. "Maybe we can wait them out¡ª" Ezra cut him off with a glare. "No guarantee of that. They intercepted the dagger. Sooner or later, they''ll intercept us, too." Caladeus nodded in agreement. "Our best bet is to sprint close to the slope. They might be too busy with all these travelers to pin us down." Eujal eyed Hillel''s skeletal frame. "He''s exhausted¡­ I''m not much better off." Ezra didn''t hesitate. "I''ll carry him. Caladeus, take the brown haired brat." "Wait¡ª" Eujal began, but Ezra had already scooped Hillel up. Caladeus swept Eujal into a jarring hold that knocked the air from his lungs. "Brace yourself," Caladeus said, giving him a crooked grin. "It''s gonna suck." And then they bolted. Ezra sped along the rocky boundary of the road with Hillel in his arms, moving faster than Eujal thought possible. Caladeus followed, each stride jostling Eujal so hard his teeth clacked together. Almost instantly, Asir soldiers noticed them and raised the alarm. Firelight glinted on their blades, and Eujal glimpsed navy-blue enforcers hanging back, watching intently. Then javelins came whistling overhead. Ezra ducked and weaved, impossibly quick. Caladeus tried to dodge, but carrying Eujal slowed him down. The first spear grazed Caladeus''s shoulder, tearing cloth and flesh. Blood spattered the ground, only to vanish in a hiss of red sparks. The second struck him dead in the gut. Caladeus roared, flames licking the wooden shaft and burning it to cinders as his skin knitted back together. A third javelin¡ªthrown from a higher vantage point¡ªspeared his back, continuing through to impale Eujal''s shoulder. White-hot pain ripped a scream from Eujal''s throat. He felt Caladeus stumble, but somehow the man stayed upright. Ezra, further ahead, slid past another barrage of spears with ease, Hillel clinging to him. The road became a chaos of alarmed travelers, clashing steel, and the flicker of torchlight. Under Eujal''s weight, Caladeus staggered, flames crackling around the embedded spear. Dizziness clouded Eujal''s vision. He felt the heat rising against his own skin, terrified it would consume him. Caladeus rasped out, "Don''t¡­ move¡­ I''ll shift it¡­ focus on you¡ª" Before Eujal could protest, he felt fire surge over his wound, agony blooming into something so intense it nearly made him pass out. Then abruptly, the pain dulled to a lower burn. Caladeus was healing him¡ªbut it had cost them precious seconds. Enforcers in navy-blue coats now closed in, bounding along the rocks as if they weighed nothing. One swung his hand, fingers turning into a whirring metal drill, gouging a crater in the stone inches from Caladeus''s face. "Shit!" Caladeus barked. But before the enforcer could strike again, a severed limb still dressed in navy fabric slammed into his chest with a wet thud, knocking him aside. Ezra blinked into view, crouched on that dismembered arm. In a single motion, he flung Hillel at Caladeus, his pink eyes blazing with urgency. "I''ll carve a way," he snarled. Reeling, Eujal managed to glance up the slope. In the sputtering torchlight, he glimpsed a large number of mangled bodies¡ªblue and brown uniforms alike¡ªtumbling down toward the road below in a bloody, mutilated mess. His stomach lurched. The gore was too much to process. Caladeus''s broad hand clamped over Eujal''s eyes. "Don''t look," he said, voice harsh and trembling. All Eujal heard next was the scrape of steel on stone and the ragged breathing of his companions¡ªthen a slow, terrible sound like metal dragging across rock. It grew louder and louder until everything went dark. The Outer Wall A cold, murky darkness is what greeted him. It moved and quaked, shivering as if walking in the middle of a winter storm. Sometimes, it seemed to pulse, with slow ripples passing through it. The dull lights in the distance seemed blue, circling him as if in orbit. He waved his hands in front of his face before slapping it once, twice, three times. Nothing happened. Is this a dream? He turned around, noticing how the darkness seemed to churn with him like water. A faint buzzing sound could be heard in the distance. "Hello? Is anybody there?" He called out, his voice echoing throughout the dark space. The buzzing sound, sounding more metal, grew louder. Grinding through the darkness. "H-Help! Somebody!" He screamed, waving his hands uselessly. Nothing responded to his plight. Instead, the buzzing turned into a discordant grinding, roaring through the darkness like some wild beast.
Eujal''s eyes snapped open. For a moment, he thought he was still in the dream, the roaring morphing into the pounding of his blood in his ears. But then he saw the blur of the moonlit landscape rushing past, felt the jarring gait of Caladeus''s stride as the man sprinted along the main road which was suddenly devoid of people. His shoulder throbbed with a dull ache. "H-huh?" he stammered, blinking against the wind that whipped at his face. "What...?" "Stay awake!" Caladeus grunted, his voice strained. He adjusted his grip on Eujal, the movement sending another jolt of pain through the boy''s shoulder. "Just hold on!" "Where''s...?" Eujal started to ask, but then he saw him. Hillel, face pale, was clutched in Caladeus''s other arm. The boy''s eyes were squeezed shut, his face contorted in a grimace, and he was retching violently, the contents of his stomach splattering against the path. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "Damn it!" Caladeus yelled, pumping his legs even harder now. Eujal winced, feeling a surge of sympathy for Hillel. He remembered the nausea he''d felt during Ezra''s teleportation, and Hillel had been through far worse. "Where''s Ezra?" Eujal asked, his voice a whisper. Caladeus''s jaw tightened. "Fighting them," he grunted, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "He''s buying us time. Don''t worry though, he''ll join us soon. We just have to make it inside the city." They burst from the narrow road, the mountains seeming to exhale them onto a plateau overlooking the city. Scissia. Even in the moonlight, it was a breathtaking sight. The city nestled within a hidden valley, its buildings built along the rising and falling slopes like a cascade of timber and stone. A massive wall, built from grey brick and towering several stories high, encircled the city. Eujal, still dazed from the abrupt awakening and the frantic run, could only stare in awe. His hometown, Khardouth, wasn''t nearly as big as this. "Amazing..." he breathed, forgetting his exhaustion for a moment. Caladeus grunted, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Alright. Finally!" He shifted Hillel in his arms, the boy''s pale face illuminated by the moon. Hillel, though still weak and nauseous, seemed to have regained some awareness. His eyes fluttered open, and he looked around with a dazed expression. "Where...?" he mumbled, his voice hoarse from the puking he was doing earlier. "Scissia," Eujal said. "We made it." Hillel''s gaze flickered toward the city, pondering the vastness of the world before him. He bore a slight look of wonder. ¡°Eujal¡­¡± he mumbled, his tone full of concern. ¡°Your shoulder¡­javelin wound¡­ where is it?¡± Eujal looked down at himself, the memory of the javelin¡¯s pain coursing through him, and touched the wound gingerly, surprised it was dry. Well, at least some of it has dried up. Caladeus probably healed some of it with his spark. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± he managed a smile. ¡°It feels better than before.¡± Caladeus, his breaths heavy, nodded. ¡°All right, rides are done. You lot will walk behind me into the city.¡± He started moving towards the city, albeit at a slower pace. Eujal and Hillel fell into step after him, their eyes fixated on the mighty Scissia Gates. The faint sounds of activity drifted from within. But as they drew closer, a new wave of tension washed over them. The gate was heavily fortified, with Asir soldiers patrolling the battlements and archers positioned on the towers. A long line of travelers snaked its way towards the entrance. Eujal''s heart pounded in his chest. Would they be able to get through? Would they be recognized?