Morning arrived slowly in Grey Hollow.
A pale mist hung over the village, drifting lazily between the wooden houses. Dew clung to the grass, and the distant sound of crows echoed across the quiet fields.
But inside the small storage house at the edge of the village—
There was no peace.
The knight stood near the window, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
His face was tense.
Serious.
Troubled.
Across the room, Arin sat silently on the edge of the bed.
His small hands rested on his knees.
His eyes watched the floor.
Lost in thought.
Neither of them had slept much.
Not after what happened the night before.
The stranger.
The glowing light.
The sudden burst of power.
The memory still lingered in the air like smoke.
Finally, the knight spoke.
His voice low.
Careful.
"Tell me exactly what you felt."
Arin looked up slowly.
He hesitated.
Searching for the right words.
"It was warm," he said.
The knight frowned slightly.
"Warm?"
Arin nodded.
"Yes."
He placed one hand over his chest.
"Here."
Silence filled the room.
The knight studied him carefully.
Every movement.
Every breath.
Every detail.
"Did it hurt?" he asked.
Arin shook his head.
"No."
The knight exhaled slowly.
Relief mixed with concern.
That power—
Whatever it was—
Had not harmed the boy.
But it had attracted attention.
Dangerous attention.
The knight turned away from the window and walked toward the table.
His steps were heavy.
Deliberate.
"We cannot stay here forever," he said quietly.
Arin's eyes widened slightly.
"Why?"
The knight stopped.
His expression hardened.
"Because they found us once," he answered.
"They will find us again."
The truth settled heavily in the room.
Cold.
Unavoidable.
Arin lowered his gaze.
His small fists tightened.
"I don't want you to get hurt," he said softly.
The knight's expression softened.
Just slightly.
"I made a promise," he replied.
"And I intend to keep it."
He stepped closer and placed a firm hand on the boy's shoulder.
"But you must become stronger."
The words felt different this time.
More serious.
More urgent.
Arin looked up at him.
Determination flickered in his eyes.
"How?" he asked.
The knight paused.
Then spoke clearly.
"We begin today."
Arin blinked.
"Training?"
The knight nodded.
"Yes."
A small spark of excitement appeared in the boy's chest.
Mixed with nervousness.
Mixed with fear.
But stronger than all of them—
Hope.
The knight walked toward the door and opened it slowly.
Cold morning air rushed inside.
Fresh.
Sharp.
Alive.
"Come," he said.
Arin stepped forward immediately.
Outside, the village was already awake.
Farmers carried tools.
Children ran across the muddy streets.
Dogs barked in the distance.
Life continued as usual.
But today—
Everything felt different.
The knight led Arin beyond the last row of houses.
Past the wooden fences.
Past the open fields.
Toward the edge of the forest.
The trees stood tall and silent.
Dark branches stretched toward the sky like twisted fingers.
Shadows gathered beneath their leaves.
Thick.
Unwelcoming.
Arin slowed his steps.
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
Uneasy.
Cold.
"Do not be afraid," the knight said calmly.
"I'm not," Arin replied quickly.
But his voice was quieter than usual.
The knight noticed.
But said nothing.
They stepped into the forest.
The air changed instantly.
Cooler.
Darker.
Still.
Sunlight struggled to pass through the dense canopy above.
The ground was covered with fallen leaves and tangled roots.
Every sound felt louder.
Every movement felt closer.
CRACK.
Arin froze.
A branch snapped somewhere deep within the trees.
The knight stopped immediately.
His hand moved to the hilt of his sword.
His eyes scanned the forest carefully.
Alert.
Focused.
Ready.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then—
A low growl echoed through the woods.
Deep.
Rough.
Hungry.
Arin's heart began to pound.
Fast.
Loud.
Uncontrollable.
"What was that?" he whispered.
The knight's voice remained calm.
But firm.
"Stay behind me."
The growl came again.
Closer this time.
Leaves rustled.
Branches shifted.
Something moved in the shadows.
Slowly—
Very slowly—
A pair of glowing eyes appeared between the trees.
Bright.
Yellow.
Predatory.
Arin's breath caught in his throat.
The creature stepped forward into the faint light.
Large.
Muscular.
Covered in dark fur.
Its claws dug into the soil.
Its teeth gleamed sharply.
Its body low to the ground.
Ready to strike.
A forest beast.
Hungry.
Dangerous.
Wild.
The knight drew his sword in one smooth motion.
Steel flashed in the dim light.
"Do not run," he said quietly.
The creature growled again.
Louder.
More aggressive.
It lowered its head.
Muscles tightening.
Preparing to attack.
Arin's legs trembled.
Fear surged through his body.
But he did not move.
Because the knight stood in front of him.
Unshaken.
Unafraid.
The forest fell silent.
The world held its breath.
And then—
The beast lunged.