After spilling everything the other night, we slept like little kids. There was a warmth between us, and we were trusting. When morning came, we didn't need to say it out loud, something had changed. We weren't just two runaways anymore. We were family.
Two kids who had seen too much, and still chose to hope.
As the sun rose through the gaps in the forest canopy, Cryst stretched, threw the ragged cloth away from himself, then sat up."This forest isn't gonna cut it," he muttered, rubbing his neck. "We should find somewhere better today."
I didn't argue. The woods had always felt like a cage. Too quiet one second, too loud the next. The magic beasts here didn't always show themselves, but you knew they were close. And thugs? You could smell 'em before you saw 'em.
So we packed. The same old bag, A few stolen supplies, and a little lighter.
"Which way?" I asked, tightening the straps across my chest.
Cryst hesitated for a moment, staring southward through the trees like something was calling him.
"South," he said finally. "That's where I came from."
I nodded. Didn't need to ask. Some things don't need questions.
The road ahead wasn't a road, just dirt and roots and us. We talked the whole way, not about the church or the curses or the shadows behind us, but about dumb things. What kind of food would we eat if we had gold? Which magic beast would make the worst pet? Who could punch harder?
We laughed. Joking around and having the time of our lives.
Afternoon came, and we stumbled upon a waterfall. It was tall, wild, and kind of calming. The sun bounced off the rushing water, casting little rainbows.
"Hell yeah," Cryst grinned.
We tossed our bags on the rocks and jumped in. The water was cold enough to punch the sleep out of us, but it felt like the horrors of the world were washing off. Like we were shedding the last layer of the church's rot.
We splashed around until our skin went numb, then lay back on the stones to dry. For a minute, the world was just wind and water.
But then we saw it — a thin curl of smoke in the distance, rising up against the blue sky. Not wildfire. Not a beast sign. Something… human.
We shared a look. No words needed.
We picked up our bags and headed toward it.
As we got closer, we saw a ruined village. The smoke we followed was from burned buildings. It looked like the place had been attacked.
Cryst stopped and stared for a while. I didn't say anything. I figured it reminded him of something.
After a bit, he snapped out of it, and we started checking the buildings. Most were broken and empty, but we continued looking
We found some cotton and a few supplies. While Cryst was clearing some debris, he froze. He bent down and picked up something.
It was a small emblem, dark, with a golden eagle carved on it.
He stared at it for a long time.
I asked, "What's wrong?"
He didn't answer at first, then said, "That symbol... the knights who raided my tribe had this on their robes."
He quickly slipped it into his pocket.
We continued searching and found some food and bedding that wasn't too damaged.
By night, we carried everything up to the top of an old watchtower to camp. It was quiet up there, and safe enough to sleep.
Below us, the ruined village stayed still. It was close to midnight when I heard voices below.
I got up and looked down from the tower.
There were people in dark robes, holding long swords. They moved quietly but with purpose.
I shook Cryst awake. He opened his eyes and looked down. The moment he saw them, his face changed. His fists clenched, and I could tell he was angry.
Then someone shouted from a carriage. It was the leader.
"Find my badge, you idiots! I can't go back to the capital without it! This is the last village left!"
Cryst and I didn't move.
He slowly took the emblem out of his pocket. I could tell he wanted to throw it away.
But it was too late.
The soldiers had surrounded the village.
We were trapped!