The man took off his brown cloak, letting it fall to the sand with a soft thud, revealing a twisted face that seemed to warp with rage. 

His eyes, dark and wild, locked onto Andhur, a manic glint sparking within them.

"Do you know what it feels like," he hissed, his voice low and menacing.

"To watch everything you love burn? To feel the heat of their screams as they claw for air?"

Andhur felt a chill run down his spine, but he stood his ground, fists clenched. 

"What do you want?" 

The man grinned, teeth gleaming like sharpened blades. 

"I want you to understand the true meaning of despair." 

He took a step closer, each word dripping with malice. 

"Imagine it, Andhur. I will take my time, make you watch as I dismember everything you hold dear. One limb at a time. I'll cut into your flesh, let you feel every agonizing slice. The fear in your eyes will be the sweetest nectar. I'll relish the taste of your anguish as I make you scream."

Andhur's heart raced, the gravity of the situation pressing down on him. 

"You're insane."

The man leaned in, his breath hot and rancid. 

"How poetic, don't you think? You'll be left with nothing but a shattered mind, a husk of who you once were."

Just then, with a swift, brutal motion, the man lunged forward, his spear aimed directly at Andhur.

Andhur barely had time to react.

Instinctively bringing his glaive up in a defensive position. 

The spear grazed the shaft of his weapon, the impact reverberating through his arms. 

Pain flared in his side where the spear's point had nicked him, but the burning adrenaline drowned it out. 

"W-what, what's your name?"

"Eldritch," he said, his voice dripping with venom. 

"I'm surprised you don't know me. But your captain does. I'm Eldritch, the champion of Aetheria."

Eldritch

Andhur wheezed, confusion mixing with dread.

"You know captain?"

"Yes. Because you're part of the Renaissance Band," Eldritch replied, his tone laced with contempt.

"The band I've been hunting my whole life. And now, I'll enjoy every moment of your suffering."

Eldritch smirked as he twirled his spear with precision, his eyes locked onto Andhur.

Like a predator circling prey. 

Without warning, he struck, his spear stabbing forward with a terrifying speed. 

Andhur barely managed to deflect the first thrust with his glaive, but Eldritch followed with a rapid series of strikes, forcing Andhur back with every hit.

The tip of Eldritch's spear slashed across Andhur's shoulder, drawing blood. 

Andhur grit his teeth, adjusting his stance, but before he could even regain his balance, Eldritch was upon him again. 

The spear whistled through the air, the sharp edge tearing through Andhur's side, cutting through his armor just enough to slice skin. 

Andhur staggered, his hands gripping the glaive tightly, each breath heavy as he struggled to match Eldritch's relentless rhythm.

Eldritch's strikes were calculated, almost too fast to follow.

Each aimed to chip away at Andhur's defenses. 

With each failed parry, Andhur felt his grip on his glaive weaken. 

Sweat dripped down his face as he tried to keep up, but Eldritch was relentless, his strikes like an unstoppable tide. 

Another blow landed, this time catching Andhur's thigh. 

He gasped, nearly dropping to one knee as the pain pulsed through him.

"Is that all you have, Andhur?" Eldritch taunted, pulling his spear back for another strike.

"I expected more from one of the so-called Warriors of Sins."

The words stung as much as the wounds. 

Andhur swung his glaive, desperate to catch Eldritch off guard, but the champion of Aetheria sidestepped easily, countering with a quick jab to Andhur's ribs. 

Andhur groaned, his grip faltering as he took a step back, nearly stumbling as blood seeped from multiple cuts.

As Eldritch came forward again, Andhur's vision began to blur, and he realized with grim clarity.

That he was hopelessly and easily outmatched. 

△▼△▼△▼△

The scene opened to the quiet stillness of the forest, broken only by the steady steps of Gargeal and Qarek as they moved through patches of dense undergrowth, gathering herbs and spices. 

Gargeal, ever calm and methodical, moved with careful intent, stopping every so often to examine a sprig of thyme or a bunch of wild rosemary with quiet precision. 

He held up a small vial of honey he'd harvested from a nearby beehive, inspecting the golden liquid in the morning light.

Qarek watched him for a moment, holding a bundle of sage. 

"That honey's the real deal, isn't it? Rare to get it this fresh."

Gargeal gave a brief nod, his expression serene yet thoughtful. 

"Honey like this can heal wounds, soothe the spirit."

He paused, as if weighing his words. 

"In our line of work, anything that can restore, it's valuable."

Qarek fell silent, contemplating the words as he continued picking a few sprigs of mint nearby. 

"True. More often, it's easy to forget about healing. Everything feels like it's just about surviving."

Gargeal looked at him, his face grave but calm. 

"Surviving alone only takes you so far. Without moments of peace, even brief ones, the fight loses meaning." 

He turned, glancing into the forest.

Qarek shifted, gazing toward the clearing ahead. 

"I suppose that's why you agreed to this detour. Gathering herbs, honey—it's not exactly what I imagined we'd be doing, considering... everything."

"There's purpose in preparation," Gargeal replied, tucking the vial of honey securely into his pouch. 

"When chaos comes, even small moments like this ground us, and," he gave a small nod toward the herbs. 

"They remind us that not all things in this world are meant for conflict."

Qarek glanced over, picking a small bundle of wild berries growing low to the ground. 

"Makes sense. I've never thought of it like that." 

He hesitated, then added.

"Sometimes I wonder if there's a simpler life out there—without all this."

Gargeal didn't respond immediately, considering his words. 

"A simpler life, perhaps, but not a freer one. We make choices, Qarek, and each path comes with its own burdens. Some are heavier than others, yes, but." 

He glanced at the herbs in his hands. 

"The weight is what reminds us we're still alive."

Qarek nodded slowly, absorbing the words in silence, the weight of Gargeal's wisdom settling over him. 

They continued collecting the last of their ingredients, each movement precise and measured, the peace of the forest grounding them both.

When they finished, Gargeal straightened, looking over their gathered supplies with a hint of satisfaction. 

"This should be sufficient. We'll head back and prepare for what lies ahead."

Qarek gave a small nod, adjusting his pack. 

"Let's hope Andhur has managed to keep things under control."

A faint smile touched Gargeal's lips, more thoughtful than amused. 

"Hope is something we all rely on, even if we don't always see it. Let's not keep them waiting."

Then suddenly, footsteps were heard. 

The footsteps grew louder, and Gargeal signaled Qarek to stay low as they pressed their backs against the thick tree trunks. 

Each of them strained to make out the source of the sounds, remaining perfectly still in the forest's quiet.

Qarek squinted in the direction of the noise. 

"Think it's an ambush?"

Gargeal kept his voice low and steady. 

"Stay alert. We'll know soon enough."

But before either could react, an arm wrapped around Qarek's neck from behind, pulling him into a sudden chokehold. 

His eyes widened as he struggled, reaching up to break free.

"Nice hiding skills, Qarek," a familiar voice taunted from behind, and he immediately recognized the voice.

Nert's, dry and playful as always.

Qarek managed to rasp out, trying to elbow him in the ribs.

"Nert!? Get off!" 

Nert just laughed, keeping his hold firm for a moment before finally letting go, giving Qarek a playful slap on the back as he released him. 

He grinned, unfazed by Qarek's glare.

"You're supposed to know who's behind you at all times, remember?"

Gargeal stepped out of hiding, his tension easing as the rest of their friends emerged from the trees. 

Jiighual, Leeani, Yzavynne, Kazaks, Ruby, and Zach all appeared, carrying bags full of supplies and wearing various expressions of amusement.

Kazaks grinned, crossing his arms. 

"That chokehold looked pretty solid, Nert!! You've been practicing!?"

"Oh, only for guys like Qarek here," Nert replied with a wink.

"You never know when you'll have to take him down a peg or two."

Qarek rolled his eyes, rubbing his neck. 

"I'll remember that, Nert. And next time, it won't end well for you."

Leeani chuckled, nudging Qarek. 

"Maybe you should brush up on your reflexes, huh?"

Yzavynne gave a small smirk, her arms crossed as she leaned against a tree. 

"Or maybe he just wasn't expecting one of his own friends to act like an enemy. Could've fooled us all, Nert."

Ruby looked around, chuckling. 

"Seems like the only ones taking things seriously are Gargeal and Zach here."

Zach gave a small smile, nodding in agreement. 

"Just a little." 

Jiighual shook his head, sighing. 

"Well, at least it's nice to know we're all prepared, even if it's at each other's expense."

Nert grinned, unfazed. 

"Hey, I live for moments like this." He glanced at Gargeal, who was giving him a mildly disapproving look. 

"Come on, Master, you know you secretly enjoyed it."

Gargeal just shook his head with a faint sigh, though there was a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. 

"You're a handful, Nert."

"Thank you, Master," Nert said with a bow, full of mock reverence.

Kazaks let out a laugh. 

"Alright, alright. Now that we're done with sneak attacks, are we ready to head back?"

Ruby looked at the packs and bundles of herbs they'd all gathered. 

"Looks like we're well-stocked. Enough to last a while if we're careful."

Leeani raised an eyebrow, glancing between Qarek and Nert. 

"Though, with you two in charge, I feel like we're more likely to run out."

Qarek feigned offense, smirking. 

"I'd have us rationed perfectly. Nert, on the other hand..."

"Hey, don't throw me under the carriage here," Nert interjected, laughing. 

"If we're running out, it's because Qarek's the one sneaking extra portions."

They all laughed, the tension melting away.

Finally, Gargeal gestured for everyone to move.

"Enough chatter," he said, his tone warm but authoritative. 

"We have what we need. Let's return to camp."

With that, they fell into step, the forest filled with laughter and friendly banter as they headed back.

Zach found himself walking beside Gargeal. 

The elder warrior's gaze was thoughtful, scanning the trees as they moved, and he spoke in a low, even tone that only Zach could hear.

"We came across a father and daughter on our way here," Gargeal began, his voice steady. 

"They'd barely escaped a bandit ambush. Not the usual run-of-the-mill raiders, either. These men had a coordinated attack and left reminders behind."

Zach's brow furrowed as he considered the implications. 

"Coordinated? That's rare. Most bandits stick to smaller skirmishes. They rarely leave survivors unless they want to send a message."

Gargeal nodded, his expression grim. 

"Exactly. It wasn't just about stealing. They were sending a message, and it wasn't meant for the villagers or travelers. They were marking territory. When I found the father, he'd barely managed to get his daughter to safety. They were both exhausted, bruised, and cautious around us at first."

Zach looked ahead, quiet for a moment as he processed Gargeal's words.

"And yet they trusted you enough to come to our camp?"

Gargeal gave a small nod. 

"Eventually. I think desperation forced his hand; he knew they couldn't survive another ambush on their own. Andhur did his best to make them feel at ease—perhaps a little too much." 

He allowed himself a slight smile at the memory of Andhur's endless chatter, which had ultimately brought a laugh from the young girl, Aina.

Zach's gaze softened, but he remained focused. 

"A father willing to risk anything for his daughter, reminds me of why we fight, why we've made all these sacrifices."

"Exactly," Gargeal agreed, his tone growing quieter. 

"They were afraid. That much was obvious. But I've seen fear turn to resolve before. That man would have done anything to keep his daughter safe. But he has no training, no weapons. We're their best chance at protection."

Zach looked at Gargeal, appreciating the older man's calm wisdom. 

"You did the right thing bringing them in. No one deserves to be at the mercy of men who attack families without cause."

"Agreed," Gargeal said, his eyes narrowing. 

"But it does make me wonder why the bandits are moving in larger groups. If they're willing to leave survivors, maybe they're more than just common thieves. They might be marking a larger strategy, something they haven't attempted before."

Zach nodded, letting that thought settle. 

"It's not impossible. They've been expanding lately, but this feels different."

They continued walking in silence for a few moments, both men thinking through the possibilities.

Gargeal finally broke the quiet. 

"The father's name is Haerak, and the girl is Aina. They seem resourceful in their way. Perhaps there's more we can learn from them about the bandits' movement. I'll keep an eye on them and make sure they're settled and feel safe."

Zach gave a small nod, respect clear in his expression. 

"That's wise. And if the bandits are emboldened enough to go after families, they won't hesitate to attack anyone in their path. We'll have to stay sharp."

"Indeed." Gargeal's voice held a trace of steely resolve. 

"These aren't fights that we sought out, but we'll finish them all the same."

Zach took a deep breath, gazing off into the trees as they walked. 

He glanced at Gargeal, his tone steady but carrying a hint of weariness.

"Gargeal, there's something else I need to tell you. The hideout." 

Zach added.

"It's no longer safe. We had two intruders find us—a man with a machete and another with a halberd. They weren't ordinary scouts, either. They knew what they were doing."

Gargeal's gaze hardened, but he nodded, urging Zach to continue.

"We took care of them," Zach added, his voice calm but tense. 

"But the fact that they found us means it's too risky to return. Our cover's blown."

Gargeal sighed, absorbing the news. 

"Do you have any leads on who they were?"

"Not yet," Zach replied, shaking his head. 

"They didn't say much before we dealt with them. But they didn't look like local bandits. Their equipment was better, their movements trained. Almost like they were from a militia."

Gargeal nodded slowly, his brows furrowing. 

"If they're part of something larger, then staying in one place like this mainland is asking for trouble. I'd hoped we'd get a bit more time in the hideout, but it sounds like we're out of options."

"Exactly," Zach agreed. 

"We need to move and find another base. Somewhere like an island. Somewhere they can't easily track us."

Gargeal was quiet, his expression unreadable as he weighed the situation. 

"It's a setback, yes, but not one we can't recover from," he said finally. 

"We've always kept on the move when necessary. A new hideout might work to our advantage. With enough distance, we can make it harder for them to find us next time."

Zach nodded, a faint smile breaking through his otherwise serious demeanor. 

"I knew you'd see it that way. There's a certain freedom to not being tied down, and maybe... this is our chance to start fresh. Somewhere less predictable."

"Then it's settled," Gargeal said, a glint of resolve in his eyes. 

"We'll scout out a new home. Somewhere defensible, but distant enough that we won't be found so easily."

Zach replied.

"I'll start planning routes and potential locations. We'll get everyone ready for the move, keep it organized."

Gargeal gave him a steady look. 

"We'll turn this around, Zach. We always do."

For a moment, they walked in silence, the weight of their decision settling in. The forest around them felt peaceful, an ironic contrast to the turbulence in their minds. 

But both men took comfort in their shared purpose, knowing that wherever they went next.

They'd be ready.

△▼△▼△▼△

The group strolled casually, letting the fresh forest air surround them, the sounds of birds filling the pauses between their words. 

Jiighual walked at the front, his eyes always darting, looking for anything edible, while Qarek trailed behind, deep in thought.

Nert, meanwhile, took it upon himself to entertain, or more accurately, annoy everyone within earshot. 

He smirked, glancing at Ruby. 

"You know, I'd bet a sack of gold that master's lecturing captain on how to properly chew his food as we speak."

Leeani chuckled. 

"With how seriously master takes things? Absolutely."

Qarek rolled his eyes. 

"I swear, you all act like he's a knight. Master's just thorough."

"Right, right," Nert said, waving his hand dismissively. 

"Thorough, as in so focused that he'd probably categorize every type of tree we've walked past."

Kazaks snorted, adjusting his war hammer. 

"Careful, he might hear you. That 'thoroughness' of his has saved us plenty of times."

"Thank you!" Qarek said, grateful someone was on his side. 

"Some respect for the guy who's kept us from getting our heads lopped off might be nice."

Yzavynne smirked. 

"Nert, I think you just don't want to admit that you rely on Gargeal's guidance as much as the rest of us."

Nert put a hand over his heart dramatically. 

"I'll have you know, I am a lone wolf. Independent. Self-reliant. I don't need anyone's guidance."

"Right," Yzavynne said, giving him a pointed look. 

"Which is exactly why you nearly walked off a cliff the other night."

Leeani chuckled softly, folding her arms. 

"Let's not bring up the cliff incident again. We're supposed to be relaxing."

Jiighual looked back, shaking his head. 

"I'm with Leeani. I think we're all just in need of a good meal and some peace. Arguing's just making us hungrier."

"Speak for yourself," Kazaks muttered. 

"Arguing makes me sharper!!"

Ruby smirked at him. 

"Maybe that's why you argue so much."

Kazaks grinned, shrugging as if to say "point taken."

Jiighual suddenly perked up, sniffing the air dramatically. 

"I smell something interesting, berries, maybe?"

Yzavynne rolled her eyes. 

"Berries? Just don't go running off into the bushes, Jiighual. We don't need a repeat of last time."

"Hey, that was one time!" Jiighual protested, laughing. 

"Besides, those berries weren't even that poisonous."

Qarek scoffed. 

"Your definition of 'not that poisonous' needs some work."

"Fine, fine," Jiighual relented. 

"I'll keep my nose out of the bushes, but if any of you hear your stomach growling, just know it's because you missed out."

Leeani sighed, a playful smile tugging at her lips. 

"This whole trip has been us bickering and scrounging for food. I wonder if we ever have a 'normal' day?"

"Normal?" Nert huffed, walking a few paces ahead and spinning around dramatically. 

"With us? We are Renaissance, we live in chaos! Normal is... well, wherever the nearest battlefield is."

 Jiighual added slyly.

"Or wherever there's a decent drink." 

Yzavynne snickered. 

"It's hard to argue with that."

The group laughed, the camaraderie relaxing each of them as they continued their trek.

Nert's laughter cut off abruptly as he froze.

His head tilting to the side as his sharp senses picked up the sound of rapid footsteps, crunching leaves and snapping twigs nearby. 

His face hardened as he raised his hand in a quiet signal to the others.

"Footsteps. Someone's coming."

The group tensed immediately, their hands drifting to their weapons as they fell silent. 

Zach's eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto the direction of the sound, his hand resting firmly on the hilt of his sword.

In an instant, Nert darted forward, taking a defensive stance. 

"Whoever it is, they're moving fast."

From the shadows of the trees emerged Haerak, holding tightly onto Aina's hand as they hurried toward the group, their faces streaked with worry. 

Nert had barely a second to realize it was just a father and his daughter before he instinctively went to block their path.

Haerak skidded to a stop, holding his hands up defensively. 

"Wait! We mean no harm!"

Nert's eyes narrowed, sizing them up suspiciously. 

"Who are you, and why are you running?"

Gargeal quickly stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Nert's shoulder to lower his guard. 

"Relax, Nert. They're the ones Andhur, Qarek, and I helped earlier." 

He turned toward the rest of the group, voice steady. 

"This is Haerak and his daughter, Aina. They're safe."

Nert's stance softened slightly, though his expression remained wary. 

"And how do we know they're not leading trouble right to us?"

Gargeal gave him a reassuring look. 

"They were attacked by bandits. They're on our side, and we have no reason to suspect them."

Haerak looked around the group with an awkward smile, trying to ease the tension. 

"I—I apologize for startling you. We just had to run back here quickly."

Aina clutched her father's hand, looking up at everyone with wide, nervous eyes. 

"Sorry if we scared you."

Ruby offered a gentle smile, kneeling down to Aina's height.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. We're just a bit on edge."

Zach nodded, his tone calm but serious. 

"We appreciate the caution, Nert, but Gargeal's right. If they're under our protection, then they're with us."

Nert huffed, scratching the back of his head. 

"Fine, fine. But next time, maybe don't go sprinting out of the woods like that. Nearly gave me a heart attack."

Kazaks smirked. 

"Good call, Nert. Guess it's better to be overly cautious than to end up in another ambush."

Haerak's face turned serious as he caught his breath, glancing around at the group. 

"I need to tell you something important. Andhur—he's, he's back there, fighting someone. A man showed up on the shore and attacked us out of nowhere."

Gargeal's brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing. 

"A man? What did he look like?"

Haerak shook his head, still catching his breath. 

"I didn't get a good look, but he was fierce. He came straight at us without warning. He was holding a spear. Andhur told me to run—to get Aina to safety."

Zach mutters to himself.

"A spear?"

The group tensed again, and Nert's expression shifted to one of hardened focus. 

"So you left him back there to fight alone?"

Haerak nodded, clearly distressed. 

"Andhur told us to go. I think he was trying to buy us time to get to you... to bring help."

Zach exchanged a look with Gargeal, his jaw tightening. 

"A strange man attacking out of nowhere. This doesn't sound like a simple bandit encounter."

Gargeal's gaze sharpened, and he spoke with a calm authority. 

"This world doesn't allow much room for mistakes. If Andhur stayed back to hold this man off, he likely knew what he was up against."

Qarek folded his arms, a hint of frustration in his voice. 

"Andhur's tough, sure. But let's be honest. He's the weakest among us, the Warrior of Sins. Going solo against some mystery man? That's not exactly ideal."

A tense silence followed his words, the weight of Qarek's statement settling over the group. 

Leeani looked over at him with a mix of surprise and understanding. 

"Maybe. But even so, Andhur wouldn't have told Haerak and Aina to run if he didn't believe he could at least hold his ground. He knew what he was doing."

Gargeal nodded, his gaze steady. 

"Weakest or not, he's one of us. We owe it to him to get him out of there."

Zach's eyes narrowed, his mind already calculating. 

"Qarek's right, though. Andhur could be in over his head, especially if this stranger targeted him specifically."

Haerak shifted uncomfortably. 

"I don't know much about your ranks or titles, but I know Andhur was buying time for us. He told me to run so I could warn you all. He trusted you to come."

Zach nodded, his expression resolute. 

"Then we'll go. We don't leave anyone behind. If Andhur's out there alone, then we don't have time to waste. We need to get back to him. Now."

Without another word, the group rallied, following Haerak's direction as they prepared to head toward the shoreline.

═════ ◆ TO BE CONTINUED ◆ ═════

◆ ◆ ◆ Author's Notes ◆ ◆ ◆

Thank you for sticking with the story. Feel free to leave your thoughts or predictions below—I love hearing your theories!