"Damn it Ren run from here, don't you have common sense..."
Ken's voice faded in the background as Ren jolted into a dash, almost as if Ken was fighting whatever that voice was.
It was almost as if there were loud bangs and swords clashing in the back. Ren did not dare to look back, for it was his mere instinct of feeling in the presence of the strong. No matter what he said to himself, he still had a lingering curiosity to look back.
The feeling was so palpable to the point where he slowed down his pace before the shout of Ken brought him back to reality.
"Idiot! Do you want to die?!"
'Damn it, why do I have this burning passion to turn back! No, no, Ken never really did something to harm me. He might be a jerk, but he still won't put my life in danger. That must mean that I will really die if I turn back now.'
The village houses passed as he went. The village was much larger than the one Rose was from, but there still wasn't a single soul in them, not a single light on, and not a single voice or sound besides those from the distant clashing where the mysterious voice was, infused with a song of clashing swords, and the falling snow… falling snow?
'Wait, where the hell is the snow.'
Ren Jacklen was right. Where was the snow? The never-ending snow was nowhere to be seen.
'Wait!'
Ren looked down and saw the snow gone. Sure, the falling snow could have stopped for a moment for whatever reason it might be, but the mere fact that there was a location without snow was bizarre, especially here in Artis forest.
Ren blinked, and there the snow appeared as if it was always there. The trees were back in the horizon, and he could finally see a clearing of the village houses that once seemed endless.
The sound of rushing wind came in an instant, and with it came the voice of Ken.
"Idiot, luckily you haven't died by a stupid mistake by now. Keep running, I got him off our tail for now."
"Him? So it was a guy? Wait, what the hell, why are you bleeding? I didn't even know ghosts could bleed?! Wait… why is your blood black…"
"Shut up, will you. I'm going to have to sleep for a while, so I'm leaving you a few instructions. Don't go back to that village, not even to where Rose is at, it's too dangerous for now. Second, you need to follow the training regimen. Third, don't try to fight monsters. I know you want to help Rose, but I'm telling you Ren, you'll only make it worse for now. Fourth, try to activate your skills. Try to recall the slight feeling you felt when I activated it for you. Don't overdo it for now and don't try to be too experimental, soul skills aren't as safe as you'd think they'd be."
"But but…"
Ren tried to retort, but he was forced to hush down as Ken spoke up.
"Ren, I know I'm putting a lot on you, but you need to listen to what I'm saying. It's for your best interest if you want what you hold dear to be safe."
Ren was forced to look away as he didn't want to show Ken his face, but nevertheless he gritted his teeth as he spoke up.
"Fine…"
Ren continued to run. Thankfully, because of the previous day's activities, he was used to the pain that it brought, but it was still painful.
Ken didn't talk, and Ren wasn't in the mood, and amidst that silence Ken disappeared.
'I guess ghosts do go to sleep sometimes.'
The sound of falling snow came back as he entered the endless forest. His thoughts were quiet for some reason.
'I guess I'm just tired, but still, what was the "guy" Ken mentioned.'
'Mmm, maybe it was another ghost, but still I thought ghosts coexisted… wait, no, that isn't right. Animals kill each other simply to live, but they're merely animals because a higher being classified them, so doesn't that mean that it wasn't a similar type of ghost as Ken? Mmm, that does sound very reasonable, but it still sounds wrong. Why would they fight? I'm sure that if it was a necessity to kill other ghost-like beings, then Ken would have gone out hunting by now.'
He continued running at a steady pace so as not to get tired. He no longer had Ken to tell him where to go, so now where he went was up to him.
'Mmm no, he would be screaming me to death if I don't follow his instructions, so I can't go everywhere… even if he didn't say so, I wouldn't have gone back to that damn village. Whatever was in there can definitely kill me.'
***
Far from where Ren ran, a group of knights advanced through the snow in tight formation. Their white and gold armor reflected the dim light as their steps remained perfectly synchronized.
At the front stood the captain, clad in full armor like the rest. A smooth mask covered his face, hiding any trace of expression.
Daniel stood at the edge of the village, his posture tense as he watched them approach. His gaze stayed fixed on the masked captain, already sensing something was off.
"They're here," Daniel said quietly, his voice steady but heavy. He did not look away even for a moment.
Rose stood beside him, silent as always, though her attention was sharper than before. Her eyes lingered on the captain longer than the others.
The knights came to a halt a few meters away, their formation holding firm. The falling snow only made the silence feel heavier.
The captain stepped forward slowly, his movements controlled and deliberate. A deck of cards shifted subtly in his hand, almost blending in with his armor.
"We've arrived at the right place," he said calmly, his voice slightly muffled by the mask. There was a strange tone beneath it that didn't quite match his words.
Daniel's eyes narrowed at the sight of the cards. His stance grew firmer as he responded.
"…State your purpose," he said, his voice direct and unwelcoming. He had no patience for anything unnecessary.
The captain tilted his head slightly, as if amused by the question. His fingers continued to shuffle the cards without pause.
"We've come to gather the villagers," he said simply. "Orders from the capital require relocation."
Rose spoke without hesitation, her tone flat.
"…You're late," she said, her eyes fixed on him. There was no emotion in her voice, only observation.
The captain paused for a brief moment before continuing his motion. That small delay felt intentional.
"Time tends to shift depending on perspective," he replied calmly. "What seems late may simply be right on time."
Daniel stepped slightly forward, placing himself between the two. His presence carried a quiet warning.
"This village is still under control," Daniel said. "We don't require assistance."
A quiet chuckle escaped from the captain, though it sounded hollow through the mask. One of the cards flipped before vanishing into his palm.
"Control is a fragile thing," he said. "Especially in places like this."
He took another step forward, the faintest chime of something hidden within his armor echoing softly. The sound was subtle, but unnatural.
"Tell me, Daniel," he continued, his tone lowering slightly. "Do you truly believe you still have control over what's coming?"
Daniel didn't answer immediately, but his expression hardened further. His silence carried more meaning than words.
"…Say what you came to say," Daniel replied coldly. "Drop whatever game you're playing."
The captain straightened slightly, his tone shifting back to something official. The cards slowed in his hand but never fully stopped.
"Prepare the villagers," he said. "The situation has escalated beyond this village's capability."
He paused briefly before adding more.
"You will assist us in maintaining order," he continued. "That is not a request."
Rose's eyes narrowed slightly, her stance tightening just a bit. She didn't move, but her presence sharpened.
"…We're not leaving," she said. Her voice remained calm, but firm.
The captain turned his masked gaze toward her. The cards in his hand stilled for just a moment.
"Whether you leave or stay is irrelevant," he replied. "What matters is whether you survive what's coming."
The words lingered in the air, heavier than before. Even the falling snow seemed quieter.
Daniel's gaze sharpened further.
"…Your name," he said. "If you're leading them, then say it."
The captain paused completely this time. The cards in his hand stopped moving altogether.
"…Names are unnecessary," he said after a moment. "Titles are enough for people like us."
A brief silence followed.
"You may refer to me as Captain," he added calmly. "Anything more would be excessive."
He turned away slightly, signaling the knights behind him. The formation shifted without hesitation.
As he moved, a faint chime echoed once more from beneath the armor. It was soft, subtle, and completely out of place.