The night air was heavy with tension as Lock Eye followed Lina through the dense forest. The sounds of distant footsteps grew louder, and the moonlight barely filtered through the canopy above, casting shadows on the uneven path. Every few steps, Lina would glance over her shoulder, her face etched with worry.
"They're getting closer," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please... don't let them catch us."
Lock Eye didn't respond. He didn't need to. His senses were sharper than most, his eyes trained to detect the slightest movement or sound. The figures following them weren't far behind, but they were still too far for him to engage without knowing exactly what they were up against.
"Who are they?" Lock Eye finally asked, his voice low, cautious.
Lina's pace slowed for a moment as she turned to face him. Her expression was filled with concern, but there was also a fierce determination in her eyes.
"They're from a group called the Ashen Order," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "They're after something—something powerful. And I believe they're after you."
Lock Eye's pulse quickened, but he masked it with a calm exterior. The mention of the Ashen Order meant trouble. He had heard rumors—whispers of an organization that sought to control powerful individuals, like him, for their own gain. But the thought of them coming after him so soon... it sent a chill down his spine.
"Why would they want me?" Lock Eye muttered, more to himself than to Lina.
"Because of your eyes," Lina replied. "They're not just eyes. You have the power to alter reality itself. The Ashen Order wants that power, Lock Eye. They want to control it."
Lock Eye clenched his fists, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. He wasn't used to being hunted. He had always been the one doing the hunting, the one who stayed in control. But now... now it was different.
"And you think I can stop them?" he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.
Lina nodded, her eyes locked onto his with unwavering belief.
"I know you can. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe in you."
For a moment, Lock Eye didn't know how to respond. The weight of her words pressed down on him, but the doubt still lingered. He had never considered himself a hero. He didn't want to be a hero. But here was someone, a stranger, who believed in him without hesitation.
"Fine," Lock Eye said, shaking off his doubts. "We'll deal with them. But don't expect me to be the savior you're looking for."
As they continued deeper into the forest, the sounds of pursuit grew louder. It wouldn't be long before the Ashen Order caught up to them.
"We need to lose them," Lina said urgently. "We're not far from the village, but we have to make sure they don't follow us."
Lock Eye nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The forest was dense, the trees thick with branches that could be used for cover. But just as they were about to take a sharp turn toward a thicket, a low growl echoed through the trees.
"Not good," Lock Eye muttered.
Suddenly, a group of figures emerged from the shadows, clad in dark robes and armed with strange weapons that glowed with a faint, ominous light.
The leader of the group stepped forward, a tall man with silver hair and a mask covering most of his face. His eyes, cold and calculating, locked onto Lock Eye with an intensity that made the air feel even colder.
"There you are," the man said, his voice smooth but dripping with malice. "The boy with the Lock Eye."
Lina took a step back, her expression fearful, but Lock Eye stood his ground, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. These were no ordinary foes. The aura around them crackled with a strange energy, something that made his skin prickle.
"What do you want?" Lock Eye demanded, his voice steady but with a quiet edge.
The leader of the Ashen Order chuckled, the sound like the creaking of dry bones.
"What we want is simple," he said, his gaze never leaving Lock Eye. "Your power. We know you have it, boy. And we will take it."
With a swift motion, he raised his hand, and the ground beneath them trembled. The trees groaned, their roots shifting as though alive.
"Run," Lina whispered urgently to Lock Eye. "We can't fight them. They're too strong."
But Lock Eye didn't move. His eyes locked onto the leader of the Ashen Order, his expression cold.
"I don't run," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else.
In a single, fluid motion, Lock Eye's hand shot forward, and the world around them seemed to stop. Time slowed, as his eyes flared with a brilliant light. The air shimmered as the very fabric of reality began to bend.
"You won't take me," Lock Eye declared, his voice firm and unyielding.
The ground beneath the Ashen Order cracked open, a wave of energy radiating out from him. The attackers were thrown back, their bodies slamming into trees and the earth with bone-crushing force. The leader of the group stumbled, his mask falling away, revealing a face twisted in fury.
"Impossible," the man hissed, his voice filled with disbelief. "How can a mere child possess such power?"
Lock Eye's eyes narrowed as the last of the attackers scrambled to their feet, clearly stunned by the sudden onslaught. He wasn't finished yet, though. He could feel the power coursing through him, a wild, untamed force that seemed to want to break free.
"Leave," Lock Eye commanded, his voice low but filled with an unmistakable authority. "This is your last warning."
The leader of the Ashen Order growled in frustration, but he gave a quick signal to his remaining soldiers.
"This isn't over, boy," he spat, retreating into the shadows with his group. "We'll be back."
As the last of the Ashen Order disappeared into the darkness, Lock Eye's body finally relaxed, the glowing intensity of his eyes dimming. He exhaled slowly, his mind racing.
"You did it," Lina said, her voice filled with awe and relief. "You actually stopped them."
Lock Eye glanced at her, the weight of what had just happened sinking in. He had never shown his full power before. Never allowed it to spill out like that. But somehow, it had felt... right. Powerful. Dangerous.
"This isn't over," Lock Eye muttered, his voice cold again. "And neither is my search for answers."
Lina nodded, her expression serious.
"I know. But now... we have a chance. And that's more than we had before."
As they continued toward the village, a feeling of uncertainty lingered in the air. The battle had only just begun.
End of Chapter 3