CONTENT WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS THEMES OF BLOOD and VIOLENCE WHICH MAY BE UPSETTING FOR SOME READERS.

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A haze fell over the distant mountains as the sun dipped below them. Light peppered between the trees, shimmering between leaves and branches. The land turned fiery orange and cool as Jiro's steps fell into a rhythm with the nyx's prowling.

"It's late." Jiro looked to the horizon, where the graying sky chased the light. "We should make camp." The nyx beside him made a purr, an agreeing vibration in its throat.

When Alet didn't argue, Jiro guided them off the dirt road and into the forest, where they found a small clearing, a perfect spot to build a fire.

"I'll gather some wood," Jiro told Alet as she hopped off the nyx, landing silently on the ground. He turned from her, but before he could leave, she called to him.

"Jiro." It was one of the rare moments when she'd said his name.

He turned back to her, curious.

Alet's lips parted, and she hunched her back, looking small. She rubbed the back of her neck, an unconscious habit of hers. As her blue eye found his face, her brow furrowed. "Are you going to take me to Kazima?" she asked.

That was the task, wasn't it? Though he had told himself that it didn't matter anymore, that was what they had hired him to do. If he had not found her in Kimracka, he would have stopped and given up on the search. But he did find her. And he convinced her to go to Kazima. He now had a responsibility to her. Not to the Kahani but to Alet.

"Of course," he answered. "I'm meant to deliver you to the Kahani."

Something flickered in Alet's face, but she only nodded and then turned from him, tending to the nyx.

Jiro clenched his jaw at what he'd seen in her face, but he couldn't describe it. He couldn't understand it. And there was nothing else to say, so he returned to his path to gather wood for the fire.

The forest opened before him, and the ruffling leaves broke the silence. His instincts took over, and he gave into his usual tracking practice.

Jiro's senses perked. The feel of the wind guided him to look at how the branches leaned in a certain direction, allowing him to note where the east was. His eyes roamed everywhere. He spied the tiny holes on the branches and trunks that exhibited a healthy habitat, places where creatures made their homes.

As Jiro went deeper into the forest, his ears picked up the quiet chirp of a bird above. The sound made him crane his neck to where he immediately located the bough where a nest rested. Keeping his eyes on the canopy of branches overhead, he breathed in and caught the scent of moist soil.

He missed it. Hunting and tracking. He didn't want to admit it, but he missed it in Aradack.

Jiro shook his head at the silly thought. Looking back down at the ground, he smiled, wondering if he would ever get to track animals on their island again. Will he ever decide to go back? The fear of memories crept in, and he shrugged them off, forgetting about Aradack and the Aradacko, forgetting he had a life there once.

He picked up sticks and made a pile in his arms. When he could no longer carry more, he decided to turn back to where he left Alet.

But he stopped in his tracks. An unnatural whisper of leaves stole his steps. He looked around, but there was nothing to note. The forest only played its natural melody. But he knew he heard something, a click that mingled with the breeze—the breaking of a twig.

Jiro whirled in its direction and found himself faced with a boy he'd known since childhood. Shoka stood among the trees, wearing his woven zarok vest, red and black stripes, closed on the front. The single feather on his armband swayed. The boy with his hair tied at the back of his neck held a crossbow and pointed it at Jiro's chest, the arrow waiting for release.

Why hadn't Jiro noticed they were being followed? He blinked with disbelief, and in his short moment of blindness, an arm wrapped around his neck. A blade pressed to his throat. The pile of wood he carried fell in a heap on the ground.

"Hello, little cloud." Hako's voice was hot over Jiro's ear. "Where's the girl?"

It took a moment before Jiro processed what was happening. They had come for Alet. "But I found her," Jiro grunted in Hako's hold. "You can't just take her." The blade deepened, pricking his skin, where he felt a trickle of blood.

"Of course, we can take her. There are no rules in this game." Hako held tighter.

A choke escaped Jiro, and he glanced at Shoka. Tata Ero had joined his younger son, appearing from behind the trees.

"Let him go, son," Tata Ero commanded, his silver eyes focused on Jiro. He looked like Shoka, the way he wore his hair and vest, the way he stood, and the way he set his lips.

Hako whispered in Jiro's ear. "If you fly, Shoka will shoot you down," he warned and ripped the knife from Jiro's belt before releasing him with a shove.

Clutching at his neck, Jiro turned to look at the three men surrounding him, trying to figure out how he could defend himself.

"I'm sorry, Jiro," Tata Ero spoke, stepping closer. "We can't let you take the girl to Kazima. Being a part of the future Kaharaza's court is a difficult task. You will not be able to survive palace life. Let me take her to the Kahani."

Jiro hadn't known Tata Ero to be ambitious. "Why?" he asked.

Tata Ero considered him for a while, and his throat bobbed with a swallow before speaking. "The Rakitt Maharlika no longer means anything. Our Kavisera has chosen to put us all in isolation. But we are not meant for hunting. We are warriors. We are Maharlika. If I am in the Keepers of the Kaharaza, I can change that."

In disbelief, Jiro stared at the man before him. He didn't know how to answer him. He was not a Rakitt Maharlika, after all. So how could he understand this purpose?

"Take us to her." Hako pointed his blade. The kampit glinted with the last light of the day.

"It's alright, Jiro," Tata Ero said, raising his palms. "Lower your weapon, son."

Hako didn't hesitate. His hand reached his side, but his stance stayed ready to strike.

"We can share the reward money," Tata Ero offered. "You will have enough to return to Aradack and build a new life. Just let me take the girl to Kazima."

Jiro didn't know what to make of that choice. Fighting was his instinct, but he would not win against three men. And for what reason should he fight? He had no desire to bring Alet to the Kahani. He only bore the responsibility.

"Hand me his knife." Tata Ero held a hand to Hako, who handed him Jiro's blade. "You can have this back when you take us to her." He waved the kampit to Jiro before slipping it into his belt.

Jiro considered the offer—give Alet to them and let them take care of the rest. The result would be the same, she would still make it to Kazima, and he would get a share of the reward money. He could take it, but he wouldn't go back to Aradack. He would go elsewhere, travel the kingdom, and perhaps even visit Suluna or Vurcka.

"Forgive me, Jiro," Tata Ero spoke again when Jiro didn't answer. "I want that title. I want to be in that court. Think of the changes I can make for Aradack if I have the ears of the future ruler of Daracka."

Jiro glanced between Tata Ero and Shoka, who still held the bow to him. "All right. I'll take you to her."

As he walked ahead, the others followed, and he asked, "How did you know I found her?"

"We heard the rumor of a boy killing a riod on the streets of Kimracka." Tata Ero explained. "A boy with silver eyes."

How could Jiro have been so careless? His eyes widened at the realization. He had hidden so deliberately until that day, and he didn't think his action would attract attention.

"The innkeeper was a madman," Shoka said.

"Yes, but he talked a lot and told us you kidnapped one of his tavern maids," Hako added.

"It wasn't hard to track you down, Jiro." Shoka held the crossbow low, no longer pointing at him. His fingers unhooked from the trigger. "You followed the main road."

They finally reached the clearing where Alet should have been, but only the nyx was present. It rested on the ground, tied to a tree.

"Alet?" Jiro scanned the dimming surroundings.

"Where is she?" Shoka asked, raising the bow again.

Hako grabbed him by the shoulder and kicked the back of his knees. Jiro fell to the ground on his front. With Hacko's weight on his back, Jiro's face pushed to the dirt. "Where is she?" The older boy growled.

"I don't know," Jiro grunted. He thought he'd stay there and wait for a blade to sink into his back, but the weight lifted off him.

When Jiro looked up, he saw Alet's back as she crouched protectively beside him.

Hako stumbled to the ground.

Where did she come from?

Coming to his feet, Hako was about to charge Alet, but Tata Ero stopped him, holding him by the arm. "It's alright. We're not going to hurt you. We're only here to escort you to Kazima."

"Jiro is my escort," Alet snarled. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

As if in agreement, the nyx growled and tugged at its bounds.

"But we're here to take his place. We're better guides," Tata Ero said.

"I don't need better guides." Alet reached down to the ground and grabbed a handful of dirt. She spat on it before flinging it to Tata Ero, the bare skin of his neck catching mud.

Tata Ero bared his teeth. "Tie her up," he nodded to his sons.

Shoka hesitated, but he pointed the crossbow to Alet as Hako reached for her arms. She pushed herself up and parried his hand, feigning to the side and moving away from Jiro, who still lay on the ground.

Jiro pushed himself to a seated position, bewildered and afraid of what he watched. Alet faced three men—each almost double her size. Even if she had easily brought Piriu down, Jiro knew she wouldn't win this fight. This brawl would be different with Tata Ero and Hako as Rakitt Maharlika, experienced in war and combat.

Hako bared his teeth, wrinkling the scar on the bridge of his nose, furious and insulted by Alet's parrying. He lunged at her with fists, no longer trying to capture her. Taking his first and second jab, he moved with heavy and brute force.

Though outnumbered, Alet's face became a stone mask with no readable emotions. She flowed like water as she parried again, her steps falling silent. She avoided Hako's attacks, stepping back and then twirling to a stop. Then she waited for him to strike again.

When Hako couldn't bring her down alone, Tata Ero charged her too. He came from one side as his son came from the other. Both of them reached for her at the same time. Hako jabbed a fist at her while Tata Ero stretched out his hands to grab her.

Alet stepped into Tata Ero's reach and crouched low. With her bent knees, she thrust herself up with a raised open palm that landed on Tata Ero's face. His nose crunched on the impact, and Jiro expected blood to flow from the man's nostrils. In a swift motion, Alet twisted on her heel and halted away from the two men.

"Stop!" Jiro stood up. He wanted to run to them to stop the fight, but Shoka pointed the crossbow at him.

"Don't make me shoot you, Jiro." Shoka's hands shook as his silver eyes widened.

Jiro stared at the other boy. "Skies! Please!" he begged. "Stop this."

But no one listened to him. Tata Ero hunched and cupped his mouth and nose. His hand came away with blood. When she snarled, his teeth stained red. "Puta!"

Hako sprinted and jumped, diving for Alet and attempting to tackle her to the ground. His arms wound around her waist, but she turned her back to him, raising her arms and wrapping them around his neck, pulling Hako over her shoulder. Her feet dug into the ground—knees bent as she heaved and tossed him before backing away.

Hako landed hard on his back, grunting in pain.

Impossible! Jiro gaped at Alet, and right then, he felt a chill in the air. He glanced at the ground where she had stood. The grass was burnt and turned to something darker than black ash.

"Alet! Stop!" Jiro shouted.

She only glanced at him. In that short moment of distraction, Tata Ero reached for her again and grabbed her shoulder. Before she could twist away, he spat a mouthful of blood onto her face, blinding her.

Hako, who was still on the ground, reached for her ankle and tripped her as Tata Ero tackled her. They both came on top of her. This time, Alet's face of stone turned to panic. She grunted as they pinned her down.

Jiro ran to them, but Shoka shoved him, colliding with him, and he tumbled. The crossbow fell from the other boy's hands.

"Shoka!" Tata Ero shouted for his son to help. He held both of Alet's arms while Hako wrapped himself over her legs.

Shoka ran to them, leaving his crossbow where it dropped. He knelt beside them and grabbed onto Alet's shoulders, locking her in place as the girl screamed beneath them.

Jiro got up and sprinted to them. He jumped on Tata Ero's back and pulled him off Alet, stumbling back.

Tata Ero flung Jiro to the ground and straddled him. "Stop it, Jiro." he gritted his bloody teeth. When Jiro struggled, he wrapped his hands around Jiro's throat. "Don't fight me!"

Chokes escaped Jiro's lips, and he couldn't breathe. He clawed at Tata Ero's arms, but they were too strong. He kicked, but his pinned hips couldn't move. He could only fling his hands around to try to hit Tata Ero, hoping to push him off. He tugged at the man's clothes—his vest, the feathers on his armband, and the tops of his trousers.

When Jiro's hand touched something familiar, he didn't hesitate to pull on it. He knew what it was, something sharp and something that belonged to him, his father's blade. Pulling it free from Tata Ero's belt, he could not control his movements as if his arm proceeded on its own.

Jiro saw the glint of the blade in the darkness as it plunged into Tata Ero's neck, loosening the man's grip around him. Warm red liquid oozed from the wound and dripped onto Jiro's front. And Tata Ero fell on top of him. When Jiro pulled the blade free, more blood spurted out like dark ramka from a broken nozzle of a barrel.

"Papa!" Jiro heard someone scream, unsure if the terror came from Shoka or Hako.

Tata Ero backed away. Someone had pulled him up, and he choked on his blood, gurgling as he rolled to the ground beside Jiro.

Hako cradled his father's head, pressing his palms to the gushing wound. "Papa! Papa!" he screamed.

A surreal sensation washed over Jiro. When he pushed himself up, he wavered on his knees. He looked down at Tata Ero and Hako. What had he done? They needed to find a healer to save Tata Ero. He needed to help them, but he froze at the sight.

Before Jiro could act, a hand hauled him to his feet, taking the blade from his hand. It was Alet, and she dragged him to the nyx, cutting it free from the tree.

Jiro found Shoka lying motionless on the ground a few steps away. But the blood from Tata Ero's neck drew back his eyes. That same blood now stained his hands and his chest.

Alet jumped on the nyx and shouted. "Get on!"

His thoughts became blank, and without thinking, he followed her order. It was the only thing he could do now, with his lost mind swallowed up by the sight of blood. He needed someone to tell him what to do, so he heaved himself up on the animal as Alet whipped the reins. The beast growled and sprinted.

Before they could get far, Hako screamed, cradling his father. His voice echoed through the forest. The sound of anguish chased Jiro and Alet into the woods like a curse.

What have I done?

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