That night, a quiet and uneasy stillness settled over the hidden shelter where Keya and Neya had been staying for quite some time. The wind moved gently through the towering trees that surrounded their tent, carrying the scent of damp soil and old leaves that had long since fallen. The forest was alive, yet strangely subdued, as if holding its breath in anticipation of something unseen.
Inside the small tent that had become their temporary home, Keya stood silently while tightening the straps of her travel bag. Every movement she made was controlled and deliberate, yet her eyes carried a firmness that could not be mistaken. Across from her, Neya sat with her knees drawn up, arms wrapped loosely around them as she stared into the dim glow of a dying ember in the center of the tent.
"Are you sure about this?" Neya finally asked, breaking the silence that had settled between them.
Keya paused for a moment before giving a calm nod.
"If the Aurelius Circle is truly searching for Red… then we cannot remain hidden forever."
Her voice was steady, but the weight behind her words made the air feel heavier. Neya let out a long, exaggerated sigh, leaning her head back slightly as if the thought alone was exhausting.
"I really hate dangerous adventures…"
Keya glanced at her without saying anything.
The silence stretched for a moment before Neya awkwardly chuckled and scratched her cheek.
"Okay, fine… maybe I do like dangerous adventures a little."
That small admission eased the tension inside the tent. Without further delay, the two sisters began packing their remaining belongings. Blankets were folded neatly, small tools were secured into pouches, and dried rations were carefully stored for the journey ahead.
This place, though simple, had been their refuge for a long time. A quiet corner of the world where they had managed to survive away from the eyes of those who hunted them. Now, however, that fragile peace had reached its end.
When everything was ready, Keya paused at the entrance of the tent. She looked back one last time, her gaze lingering on the space that had witnessed their quiet days and restless nights.
"We've lived here for so long…"
Her voice was soft, almost lost in the night breeze.
Neya stepped beside her, offering a gentle smile.
"Then let's make sure we can come back safely someday."
Keya nodded.
And without another word, they stepped outside together.
The Arkhan Forest greeted them with a deeper darkness than before. Massive trees stood like silent guardians, their branches intertwining overhead and blocking most of the moonlight. Only faint silver glimmers managed to pierce through the canopy, casting broken patterns across the forest floor.
Their footsteps sank softly into the damp earth as they moved forward. Each step felt heavier, as if the forest itself was watching them, measuring their presence.
The deeper they went, the colder the air became.
Neya followed closely behind Keya, unusually quiet. She was typically the more talkative of the two, but tonight her senses were sharp. Something about the forest felt wrong. Not just its darkness—but its silence. Too perfect. Too intentional.
Suddenly, Keya stopped.
Neya nearly bumped into her.
"Why did you stop?" she whispered.
Keya did not answer immediately. Instead, she raised a hand slightly, signaling for silence.
That was when they heard it.
Growwwllll…
A deep, guttural sound echoed from all directions. It was not human. It was not natural. It carried hunger, rage, and something far more primal.
Neya's expression shifted instantly as she tightened her grip.
"Keya…" she said quietly. "We're surrounded."
From the darkness between the trees, glowing red eyes began to appear—one after another. High above the branches, behind thick roots, even within the shadows that clung to the ground.
Then they emerged.
Massive wolf-like creatures stepped forward, their bodies larger and more distorted than any natural beast. Their blackened fur absorbed the light around them, and their elongated fangs gleamed with a wet, deadly shine. Drool dripped from their jaws as they circled closer, clearly driven by something beyond simple instinct.
Without hesitation, Keya moved.
Her hand lifted swiftly, and the air around them shifted.
"Varasakusuma…" she said calmly. "…Flower Barrier!"
In an instant, shimmering petals burst into existence. They swirled rapidly through the air, glowing with a soft blue-silver light before forming a protective dome around the sisters. Each petal looked delicate, yet carried an unmistakable aura of power.
The first attack came immediately.
One of the creatures lunged forward, slamming its massive body into the barrier. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the ground, shaking the surrounding trees.
But the barrier held firm.
Neya exhaled slowly, a confident grin forming on her lips.
"Finally… some action."
She stepped slightly forward, just beyond Keya's protection.
"Aureus Ignis!"
Golden flames erupted from her hands, swirling violently as if alive. The light illuminated the forest, revealing the full scale of the surrounding beasts. Their eyes reflected the fire, glowing even brighter with aggression.
Neya thrust her hands forward.
A wave of golden fire exploded outward, sweeping across the ground. The nearest monsters howled in pain as the flames struck them, forcing them back into the darkness.
But there were too many.
From every direction, the beasts began to advance together, moving with unnatural coordination. It was not a random attack—it was organized. Intentional.
Keya reinforced the barrier, her expression tightening.
"Don't go too far," she said firmly.
"I know," Neya replied, still smiling.
Yet her eyes told a different story—one of excitement, of anticipation.
Another creature broke through the edge of the formation, attempting to slip past the barrier. Keya reacted instantly, redirecting the petals into sharp, slicing currents that struck the beast mid-air and sent it crashing back into the ground.
Neya seized the moment.
"Aureus Ignis!"
She launched another burst of golden flames, engulfing the fallen creature in an explosion of light.
The ground trembled.
For a brief moment, there was silence.
Then more eyes appeared.
Dozens more.
Keya's gaze sharpened.
"This isn't random," she muttered.
Neya glanced at her. "What do you mean?"
Keya did not answer immediately. Instead, her eyes scanned deeper into the forest, as if searching for something hidden beyond the darkness.
"They're being controlled."
A heavy silence followed.
Then, a distant roar echoed through the Arkhan Forest—deeper, stronger, and far more terrifying than anything they had faced so far.
Neya slowly raised her burning hands again, her golden flames flickering higher.
"Then I guess…" she said softly, her voice steady despite the danger. "…this is just the beginning."
And in that moment, deep within the cursed shadows of the Arkhan Forest, their battle escalated into something far more dangerous than they had ever imagined.