The sun was setting.
A deep orange glow stretched across the horizon, bleeding slowly through the tall trees. Shadows grew longer, darker, swallowing the forest one branch at a time.
The world looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
The knight walked slowly along the narrow path, his injured shoulder wrapped tightly in cloth.
Each step hurt.
But he did not slow down.
Pain was familiar.
Weakness was not.
Beside him, Arin followed quietly.
His small boots pressed into the soft dirt with careful steps.
His body still felt heavy from exhaustion.
But his mind was awake.
Restless.
Thinking.
Neither of them spoke.
The forest around them felt different now.
Not dangerous.
Not calm.
Watching.
A cold breeze moved through the trees.
Leaves rustled softly.
Branches creaked overhead.
Then—
The knight stopped.
So suddenly that Arin nearly walked into him.
"Why did you stop?" the boy asked.
The knight did not answer.
His body had gone completely still.
Every muscle tense.
Every sense alert.
He had felt something.
A presence.
Not close.
Not far.
But certain.
The air felt heavier.
Colder.
Unnatural.
His hand moved slowly toward the hilt of his sword.
Not in panic.
In preparation.
"Stay behind me," he said quietly.
Arin stepped back instantly.
Fear tightened in his chest.
The forest fell silent.
Even the wind stopped moving.
Even the insects stopped making sound.
Then—
A single footstep echoed from the trees.
Soft.
Measured.
Confident.
Another step followed.
Slow.
Unhurried.
Certain.
A figure emerged from between the shadows.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Wrapped in a long dark cloak.
His movements were calm.
Controlled.
Effortless.
He did not look like a traveler.
He did not look like a villager.
He looked like someone who belonged in danger.
The knight's grip tightened on his sword.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
The stranger stopped several steps away.
Close enough to see.
Far enough to strike.
For a moment—
He said nothing.
Then—
He slowly lowered his hood.
Arin's breath caught.
The man's face was unfamiliar.
But his presence was not.
A thin scar ran across his cheek.
His eyes were sharp.
Observant.
Ancient.
The kind of eyes that had seen too many battles.
Too many deaths.
Too many secrets.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Not friendly.
Not hostile.
Knowing.
"I have been searching for you," the man said calmly.
The knight stepped forward instantly.
Positioning himself between the stranger and the boy.
Protective.
Unyielding.
"You should leave," he warned.
The stranger ignored the threat.
Instead—
His gaze shifted to Arin.
Careful.
Curious.
Measuring.
As if studying something rare.
Something dangerous.
Something important.
A long silence followed.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Then—
The man spoke again.
"You have grown," he said.
The words struck the knight immediately.
His eyes narrowed.
"You know him," he said.
The stranger nodded once.
"Yes."
Arin felt a strange chill run down his spine.
He had never seen this man before.
Never spoken to him.
Never met him.
Yet—
Something about him felt familiar.
Unsettlingly familiar.
The knight took another step forward.
His voice hardened.
"State your name."
The stranger looked directly into his eyes.
Calm.
Fearless.
Unmoved.
"My name is not important," he replied.
He paused briefly.
Then turned his gaze back to Arin.
"What matters…"
His voice lowered slightly.
"…is that time has finally run out."
The forest seemed to grow colder.
Darker.
More dangerous.
The knight's heartbeat quickened.
Instinct screamed warning.
"What do you want?" he demanded.
The stranger's expression changed.
The faint smile disappeared.
Replaced by seriousness.
By purpose.
"I am not here to fight," he said.
Another pause.
Longer this time.
"I am here to prepare him."
Silence fell heavily between them.
Arin felt his chest tighten.
Fear.
Confusion.
Curiosity.
All mixed together.
"Prepare him for what?" the knight asked.
The stranger answered without hesitation.
"For war."
The word struck like thunder.
The knight's grip tightened on his sword.
"There is no war," he said.
The stranger shook his head slowly.
"Not yet."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"But it is coming."
Wind suddenly swept through the trees.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
The stranger took one slow step forward.
Not threatening.
Not aggressive.
Certain.
"Listen carefully," he said.
His voice dropped to a low, steady tone.
"In one year…"
He paused.
Then finished the sentence.
"…hunters will come for the boy."
Arin's heart skipped.
Fear surged through him.
The knight's eyes widened.
Shock flashed across his face.
"Hunters?" he repeated.
The stranger nodded once.
"They have already begun searching."
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Real.
The knight stared at the man.
Trying to understand.
Trying to decide.
Trying to protect.
Then—
He asked the most important question.
"Why are you telling us this?"
The stranger met his gaze.
Unblinking.
Certain.
"Because," he said quietly,
"I was the one ordered to protect him."
The knight froze.
His breath caught.
"What?" he whispered.
The stranger turned fully toward Arin.
His expression serious.
Unshakable.
"I have watched you since the night you were born," he said.
Arin felt the words sink deep into his chest.
Slow.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
The stranger's voice softened slightly.
"And now…"
He paused.
Then spoke the truth.
"…your real training begins."
Far away—
Deep beneath the ruins of the fallen palace—
The ancient stone seal trembled violently.
Another fracture split across its surface.
Chains rattled in the darkness.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
And from the shadows—
A cold voice whispered:
"The hunters are moving."