By midday Red Hollow was no longer calm.
Aren and Lyra moved through the crowd, the unease almost tangible in the air.
"The people are uneasy", Aren said quietly.
Lyra didn't look at him.
"Well they should be, whatever destroyed that caravan clearly didn't make the unrest here any better. Especially when they have to worry about the Black Thorn group".
They reached the central square.
A small crowd had already formed around a raised wooden platform. At the front stood a man in worn but sturdy armour, his posture straight and his expression hard.
Two guards stood behind him.
"The town leader" Lyra murmured.
The man raised his hand.
Slowly, the crowd grew quiet.
"We've confirmed another caravan attack on the eastern road" he said, his voice carrying the weight of his responsibilities. "This is the third incident in less than a week".
Murmurs spread again.
"That's too close–".
"They're getting reckless–".
"Or desperate" someone muttered.
The leader continued.
"We cannot allow this to continue. Red Hollow depends on those roads, if they fall then the town follows".
Aren rubbed his forehead.
"So it's not just about safety" he said.
Lyra nodded.
"It's about survival".
The leaders gaze swept over the crowd.
"We are sending a team to investigate the attack".
The crowd paused.
Then–
"Payment will be provided".
That changed everything.
The hesitation in the crowd quickly shifted into interest.
Hunters straightened.
And mercenaries stepped forward.
Aren glanced at Lyra.
But she was already moving.
"I'll go" she said.
Her voice wasn't loud but it carried certainty.
Several heads turned.
The town leader studied her briefly.
"... You've travelled the eastern routes before?".
"Yes".
There was a short pause.
Then he nodded.
"Good, we need people who know the terrain".
Lyra stepped aside slightly.
Aren hesitated for a moment.
Then he followed.
"I'm with her".
The leaders eyes moved to him.
"To what extent?"
Aren didn't flinch this time.
"Well I can fight".
A brief silence.
Then one of the hunters in the crowd scoffed.
"You don't look like much".
Aren didn't respond.
But Lyra did.
"He's more than enough".
That shut the man up.
The leader nodded once.
"Fine".
One by one others stepped forward.
A broad shouldered man with an axe, a lean boy carrying a bow and a quiet young scout lady with light gear and sharp eyes.
The leader stepped off of the platform.
"That was quick".
Lyra glanced at him.
"Well opportunities don't wait".
Half an hour later the group gathered near the gates.
The axe wielding hunter introduced himself first.
"The name's Dren".
The archer nodded.
"I'm Kael".
The scout gave a short glance.
"...Mira".
Aren gave a small nod.
"I'm Aren".
Lyra didn't bother to identify herself.
Aren looked at her, confused.
"And she's Lyra".
The others have short nods.
Then Dren looked at Aren's sword.
"Have you used that before?"
Aren met his gaze.
"Yes".
Dren smirked.
"Good. Try not to die out there".
Lyra rolled her eyes slightly.
"How, encouraging".
Kael chuckled quietly.
"Better than lying".
Mira said nothing.
But her eyes were already scanning beyond the gates.
Then together the groupwalked towards the gate.
The energy had shifted now.
Less talk.
And more focus.
Dren adjusted his axe.
"Hopefully this isn't a waste of time".
Kael shrugged.
"If the caravans gone. Something definitely happened".
Mira said nothing.
Her attention was already beyond the walls.
Lyra turned slightly to Aren.
"This is your last chance to back out".
Aren shook his head.
"No".
She studied him for a second.
Then nodded.
"Good".
Aren tightened his grip on Emberfang.
The blade felt a bit different.
Almost heavier.
Not physically.
But in presence.
Like it was waiting for something.
The gates opened slightly.
The outside world greeted them again.
It was wild, unpredictable and unforgiving.
Aren stepped through without hesitation.
This time, the forest didn't seem as overwhelming.
Not because he had changed.
Not yet.
He still wasn't strong.
But no longer
They moved fast through the forest.
Faster than Aren had expected.
No one wasted energy talking unless it was necessary.
Dren broke the silence first.
"So", he said glancing back slightly, "mana beast huh".
Aren nodded.
"Yeah".
"What kind?"
"A dire wolf".
Dren smirked.
"Then let's hope this one is just a bigger wolf".
Lyra didn't react.
But Kael did.
"It's never just that simple".
Mira suddenly raised her hand.
Everyone stopped instantly.
No hesitation and no questions.
That alone told Aren every thing he needed to know about her skill.
She crouched low.
Eyes scanning.
Fingers brushing lightly against the ground.
"... Something passed through here", she said.
"When?" Lyra asked.
"Not long ago".
Aren stepped closer.
That ground was disturbed.
But not like a normal track.
These were deeper.
Wilder.
Mad more spaced apart.
"... That's not human" he said.
"No" Mira replied.
Drens grip tightened on his axe.
"...Great".
Lyra stepped forward slowly, her expression sharpening with every step.
The air felt heavier now.
Thicker.
Wrong.
Kael swallowed slightly.
"You feel that?"
Aren nodded.
He did.
The forest had grown quiet again.
Just like before when he had taught the wolf.
Just like before danger.
Lyra voice dropped slightly.
"We're close".
Then–
A sound.
Low and deep.
Not loud.
But heavy.
A growl.
It rolled through the forest like distant thunder.
Aren didn't hear it.
He also felt it in his chest.
Dren nurtured under his breath.
"... Th...That's no wolf"
Lyra didn't look back.
"Stay sharp".
Aren's hand tightened around Emberfang.
The faint red veins along the blade flickered.
For just a second–
Something inside him responded.
Like a spark catching fire.
Then it faded.
He took a slow breath.
Whatever was ahead–
This wasn't going to be like before.
And for the first time since his exile–
Aren wasn't thinking about survival.
He was thinking about fighting.