Kain’s boots struck the ground with a steady rhythm as he followed Selene toward the distant spires. The dark sky above churned with low-hanging clouds, shot through with veins of violet lightning. The pulse beneath the ground mirrored the flicker of light above, creating an eerie synchronicity that made his skin crawl.

  Selene walked a few paces ahead, her silver hair shifting with the cold breeze. Despite the dried blood on her clothes, her posture was straight, composed. Her violet eyes scanned the path ahead with practiced efficiency.

  Kain’s gaze drifted to her back. Not an ordinary survivor. Her balance, the ease with which she walked despite her injuries—it all pointed to training.

  “You’re quiet,” Selene said without looking back.

  “I don’t waste words,” Kain replied.

  She smiled faintly. “A rare trait.”

  Kain’s eyes narrowed as they crested a ridge. Below them, a collection of stone and wood structures clustered beneath the jagged spires. Black smoke curled from chimneys, and a crooked wall of sharpened logs surrounded the perimeter. At least a dozen guards in mismatched armor patrolled the walls, some carrying spears, others with rusted swords or crossbows.

  A battered wooden sign hung over the entrance.

  > [Black Hollow]

  Population: 347

  Faction Affiliation: None

  Threat Level: Moderate

  “They don’t look welcoming,” Kain said.

  Selene’s smile didn’t fade. “They’re suspicious of outsiders. The wilds have made them cautious.”

  “And you think walking me through the front gate will go over well?”

  Her eyes glinted. “That depends on how much trouble you plan to cause.”

  Kain’s smirk widened. “No promises.”

  Selene started down the slope. Kain followed, keeping his senses sharp.

  They reached the gate without incident. The guards on the walls spotted them almost immediately. A heavy iron crossbow swung toward Kain’s chest.

  “Halt!”

  Selene raised her hands, her expression calm. “It’s me.”

  A guard leaned over the wall. His face was gaunt beneath a battered helm, dark eyes narrowing beneath a heavy brow. “Selene?”

  “You sound surprised, Garrick.”

  “I am.” His gaze flicked toward Kain. “And who’s this?”

  Selene glanced toward Kain. “A friend.”

  Garrick’s lips twisted. “He doesn’t look friendly.”

  Kain’s eyes remained cold. His posture was loose, but his weight was balanced on the balls of his feet. He could close the distance to the guard tower in under three seconds. The math was already running in his head.

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  “Open the gate,” Selene said.

  “Selene—”

  “Open it,” she repeated.

  Garrick’s jaw tightened. A tense moment passed before the gate groaned and began to part. Kain followed Selene through without hesitation.

  Inside, Black Hollow was worse than it had looked from above. The streets were narrow and choked with mud. The buildings were worn and leaning under their own weight. Pale faces watched from behind shuttered windows.

  The people were thin. Hungry. Their clothing was patched with rough stitching, their hands wrapped in dirty cloth.

  Kain’s gaze sharpened. Survival on the edge.

  “Charming place,” Kain said.

  Selene shot him a dry look. “It’s better than the alternative.”

  Kain’s eyes scanned the streets. Armed figures leaned against doorways, eyes hollow and dark. Most carried blades, though some had makeshift clubs or iron rods. Several pairs of eyes followed him as he walked.

  “Mercenaries?” Kain asked.

  Selene nodded. “Some. Deserters, mostly. When the larger factions pulled out of this region, they left a power vacuum. Now it’s every town for itself.”

  “And you?”

  “I grew up here.” Her tone was flat.

  “Before or after the system arrived?”

  Selene’s lips thinned. “After.”

  Kain let it go. He could feel the weight in her voice. Whatever had happened here, it hadn’t ended well.

  They reached a stone building near the town square. Its windows were dark, its door reinforced with iron bands. Two guards stood at the entrance. Both eyed Kain with suspicion as Selene stepped past them.

  The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of old wood and smoke. A round table sat in the center of the room, surrounded by chairs. An older man sat at the head of the table, a heavy cloak draped over his shoulders. His skin was weathered, his left eye covered with a faded leather patch.

  Selene stopped before him. “Mayor.”

  The man’s eye narrowed. “Selene.” His gaze shifted to Kain. “Who’s this?”

  “Kain.” Selene’s expression remained steady. “He saved my life.”

  The mayor’s gaze lingered on Kain, his eye sharp despite his age. “Is that so?”

  Kain met his gaze without blinking. “It was an inconvenience.”

  The mayor’s lips curled faintly. “Humble, aren’t you?”

  Kain’s eyes didn’t change. “Practical.”

  The mayor’s gaze sharpened. His fingers tapped the edge of the table. “I assume you’re looking for compensation.”

  “I’m looking for information.”

  The mayor’s eye narrowed.

  Kain continued. “I need to know what’s out there. The factions. The threats. The system.”

  A heavy silence settled over the room. The guards near the door stiffened.

  Selene watched Kain carefully. The mayor’s gaze darkened.

  “You’re not from here,” the mayor said.

  “No.”

  “And yet you survived in the wilds.”

  Kain’s jaw tightened. “Adaptation.”

  The mayor studied him for a long moment. Then he smiled faintly. “You’re dangerous.”

  Kain’s eyes sharpened. “So are you.”

  The mayor’s smile widened. “I think I like you.”

  Kain’s gaze didn’t shift.

  The mayor’s hand rose, and the guards near the door relaxed. “Selene’s word carries weight. If she trusts you, you’re welcome here.”

  “For now,” Kain said.

  The mayor’s smile deepened. “For now.”

  Selene’s gaze lingered on Kain’s face as the mayor rose to his feet.

  “There’s an outpost in the eastern pass,” the mayor said. “It belongs to the Iron Fang. If you want information on the system—and how to survive it—that’s where you’ll find it.”

  Kain’s gaze sharpened.

  “Iron Fang?”

  “A faction,” Selene said. “Militant. Ruthless. But they know more about the system than anyone else.”

  Kain’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Sounds promising.”

  “Careful,” the mayor said. “The Iron Fang isn’t known for mercy.”

  “I’m not looking for mercy,” Kain replied.

  The mayor’s eye glinted. “Good.”

  ---

  > [New Objective: Reach the Iron Fang Outpost.]

  [Distance: 14.7 miles.]

  [Danger Level: High.]

  ---

  Selene’s eyes followed him as they left the room.

  “You don’t have to do this,” she said softly.

  Kain’s smirk sharpened. “Yes, I do.”

  Selene’s gaze lingered on him for a moment longer. Then she smiled.

  “Then I’m coming with you.”

  Kain’s eyebrow arched. “Why?”

  Selene’s smile widened. “Because you saved me.”

  “That’s not a reason.”

  “In this world?” Selene’s violet eyes glinted. “It is.”

  Kain’s smirk deepened. His hands flexed at his sides. His path was set.

  Time to see what the Iron Fang was made of.