The sun broke through the clouded sky, casting a golden light over the now peaceful village. The storm that had raged through the land for days had finally subsided, leaving behind only the whispers of its destruction. The trees were battered, and the once calm waters of the nearby river had swollen, threatening to overtake the banks. But the worst was over, or so they thought.
Min Khant stood in the village square, staring at the horizon, his mind lost in thought. The battle with the robed figure had been won, but the cost was heavy. He could feel the tension still hanging in the air, a reminder that something even darker awaited them. The storm, the robed figure, and the cryptic warning—they were just the beginning.
Aren, who had been silently observing, approached Min Khant. "You're thinking too hard again," he said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of concern. "We've won. For now, at least."
Min Khant turned to face him, a wry smile on his face. "You don't get it, do you? The storm didn't just disappear because we broke a tablet. It was just a symptom of something much bigger, Aren. Something far more dangerous."
Aren's brow furrowed. "You think there's more to it than just the storm?"
Min Khant nodded slowly. "That man—the keeper of the storm—was just a pawn. He was a messenger, not the master. He spoke of things that didn't make sense, of forces we can't begin to understand. And the way he disappeared..." Min Khant's voice trailed off. "I've been having dreams. Strange ones."
"Dreams?" Aren asked, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of dreams?"
Min Khant took a deep breath, his eyes darkening as he recalled the images that had plagued his sleep. "Dark visions of the past. Of a world that was destroyed long ago. And someone—someone who looked like me, but not quite—telling me that the storm is nothing compared to the true threat that comes from the forgotten realms."
Aren stood silent for a moment, processing the words. "This is getting more complicated by the day. So, what now?"
Min Khant clenched his fists. "We find out what's really behind all of this. The storm wasn't just a natural disaster. It's a warning. And I don't plan on waiting around to see what happens next."
Aren nodded, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. "Then we get ready. There's no turning back now."
Just as Min Khant opened his mouth to respond, a sudden shout rang through the village, breaking their conversation. "Help! Someone, please help!"
The two of them turned toward the source of the cry and immediately started running. They reached the village gates in a matter of seconds, where a young woman was frantically waving her arms. She was covered in dirt and scratches, her clothes torn, and her face painted with a mixture of fear and desperation.
"Please," the woman gasped, seeing the two men approach. "You have to help me! They've taken my brother!"
"Who?" Min Khant asked, his voice firm, though a thread of worry wound through his words. "Who's taken him?"
"Bandits," she gasped, still panting. "They attacked my village last night. They took my brother, and—" Her voice faltered as she glanced over her shoulder. "They're coming back. I think they want more."
Min Khant exchanged a quick glance with Aren. It wasn't just the bandits she was worried about. There was something else in her eyes. Something deeper.
"Where are they?" Aren asked, his hand resting on his sword's hilt. "We'll go after them."
The woman looked back toward the woods at the edge of the village. "They came from the forest. They've set up camp somewhere nearby."
Min Khant didn't wait for another word. He motioned for Aren to follow him, and the two of them, with the young woman leading the way, hurried toward the forest.
The forest was dense with tall trees, their branches twisting into strange shapes as if the storm had left its mark on the land itself. The air was thick with tension, and the deeper they ventured, the more unsettling it became. The sounds of the forest seemed muted, as if the very essence of nature had been dampened by the darkness that lingered here.
Min Khant felt a strange chill running down his spine. Something was wrong. It wasn't just the bandits. There was something else out there—something lurking in the shadows of the trees, watching them.
Aren's hand instinctively moved to his sword as the air seemed to grow colder. "Do you feel that?" he asked, his voice low.
Min Khant nodded, his senses on high alert. "We're not alone."
Before they could react, a sharp rustle from the bushes to their right sent them into motion. From the shadows, a group of figures emerged, their faces covered by hoods. They moved with unnatural speed, circling them like wolves closing in on prey.
"Stay alert," Min Khant murmured. "This doesn't feel like a normal bandit attack."
Aren stepped forward, drawing his sword in one fluid motion. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice stern. "What do you want?"
One of the figures stepped forward, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "We've been watching you, Prince Noah. You've become quite the nuisance."
Min Khant's blood ran cold. The way the figure spoke—he knew who they were. They weren't just ordinary bandits. These were the ones who had been watching him. The ones behind the storm. And now, they were here.
"You're part of them, aren't you?" Min Khant said, his voice icy. "The ones who caused the storm. The ones who want to bring destruction to this world."
The figure chuckled darkly. "Very perceptive. But it's not destruction we seek, Prince. It's reclamation. The storm was only the beginning. And you—" He paused, his eyes narrowing. "You've already proven to be more than a mere mortal. You'll be a valuable asset in the coming war."
Min Khant's eyes blazed with defiance. "I won't be anyone's asset. If you want to start a war, you'll have to go through me."
"That's exactly what we plan to do," the figure said, his smile widening into something far too cold.
With a sharp motion, the hooded figures lunged toward them, and the battle began.
End of Chapter 24