Aldric emerged from the cave, his boots dragging through the mud and leaves. Anger was eating away at him from the inside out, and every stride seemed heavier than the previous. . The system—that blue screen that had hovered over him like an invisible guide—had vanished.

  The world wasn't going to slow down for his complaints. Not in this brutal environment, not here. He walked toward the group he had saved, who were sitting there recuperating from their trauma."Are you all right?" Aldric asked, his voice steady.

  "If you need rest, say so. Otherwise, we should start moving toward the settlement before night."

  Amara was the first to stand. Her tangled dark hair fell loosely over her face, but her brown eyes burned with quiet determination. "We're ready," she said firmly. "We owe you our lives, Aldric. You didn't have to save us, but you did."

  Myrin, still fragile and shaken, looked at him with watery eyes. She clutched the torn remains of her skirt and gave him a small, grateful nod. Garet, the wiry older man with graying hair, murmured something under his breath—likely a prayer for Aldric's kindness. Meanwhile, Loras, the hollow-cheeked man with bitterness etched into his face, stared at Aldric with suspicion.

  "Are you all fit to move?" Aldric asked again, softer this time. "We need to leave. Now."

  Amara straightened, pulling Mira closer to her side. "We're fine. None of us want to stay here a second longer than we have to."

  "Good. Then grab the goblins' weapons."

  The silence that followed felt like a slap in the face. Amara blinked at him. "What?"

  Aldric gestured at the fallen goblins—their bodies twisted in grotesque piles, crude weapons scattered around them. "Take their weapons. Swords, spears—whatever you can carry."

  "Why?" Loras spat, his voice sharp with disbelief. "They're filthy! And they—"

  You'll need them for protection," Aldric snapped, his tone brooking no argument.

  "If something were to happen, do you believe I could protect you all by myself? You must protect yourselves. Or would you like to pass away without anything?" His tone fell as he looked straight at Loras.

  Loras winced but remained silent. Amara was the first person to calm the tension. She moved ahead and knelt next to one of the goblins without saying anything further. Grimacing, she yanked a short, rusted spear from its limp hand. The weapon was poorly made, but her fingers gripped it like it was a lifeline.

  "Do it," she said firmly to the others, her gaze flicking back to Aldric with a mixture of anger and reluctant respect.

  Garet murmured a quiet prayer under his breath before pulling a dagger from a goblin's belt. Myrin hesitated the longest. She knelt beside a fallen creature, her hands trembling as they hovered above a notched blade. For a moment, she seemed frozen. Aldric moved to her side and crouched down.

  He said quietly. "I know this isn't easy. But you have to do this. You need to survive."

  Her glassy eyes turned to his. "I—I don't want to touch it."

  "It's just metal now," Aldric replied, his voice softer. "It can't hurt you. But it can help you keep yourself safe—or someone else."

  Myrin nodded weakly and wrapped her fingers around the blade. She stood with Aldric's help, the weapon clutched tightly to her chest.

  Loras was the last to move . He grabbed a crude dagger, his face a mask of bitterness. "Happy now?" he muttered under his breath.

  Aldric ignored him. "Let's go."

  Meanwhile, Back in Nesharvad

  The office of Captain Halvek was shrouded in shadows, the flickering lantern on his desk casting restless shapes across the walls. Halvek sat behind the desk, his burly frame leaning over stacks of documents, ink staining his calloused fingers. Beside him stood Erik, his right-hand man, stiff and watchful as ever.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "Captain," Erik said finally, breaking the silence, "I still don't understand why you sent Aldric on that mission."

  Halvek didn't look up. "You're still thinking about that?"

  "He's a stranger," Erik continued, his voice laced with suspicion. "We don't know where he's from. He barely even looks like he belongs here. Bragging about killing an orc? When he's barely a quasi-warrior?"

  Halvek's lips twitched, though his gaze remained fixed on the paper in front of him. "The boy's got spirit. That's worth something."

  "You think spirit will keep him alive out there?" Erik asked sharply. "He'll die. He's not one of ours. And he's hiding something."

  Finally, Halvek leaned back in his chair, folding his hands across his chest as he regarded Erik with a faint smirk. "It wasn't a hard mission, Erik. We needed someone expendable to test the waters. And he is hiding something, which is all the more reason to see what he can do."

  Erik frowned deeply. "And if he doesn't come back?"

  "Then he wasn't worth the effort."

  Erik opened his mouth to respond, but a sudden, sharp knock at the door interrupted him.

  Knock, knock.

  "Enter," Halvek called, his voice calm.

  The door creaked open, and a young soldier stepped in, saluting quickly. "Sir. The boy has returned."

  Halvek's brow furrowed. "The boy?"

  "Yes, sir. Aldric—the one you sent on the mission."

  Halvek straightened, his face flickering with something between surprise and intrigue. "Already? Did he abandon the task?"

  "No, sir. He claims the mission is complete." The soldier hesitated. "And… he's not alone. He brought back refugees."

  "Refugees?" Halvek's voice grew sharper.

  "Yes, sir. Survivors. Should I send for him?"

  Halvek pushed himself out of his chair, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "No need. I'll go myself."

  Erik scowled. "You're going to meet him? Why?"

  Halvek's grin widened, though it never reached his eyes. "Because sometimes, Erik, people surprise you."

  Back at the Settlement GatesAldric and the group stood just outside a large canvas tent at the settlement's edge. The makeshift shelter, surrounded by flickering torches and shouting guards, looked both temporary and desperate. The air here was heavy—heavy with sweat, smoke, and unspoken fears.

  "Wait here," Aldric said to the group. "I'll talk to whoever's in charge and get you settled."

  Amara nodded, her arm wrapped protectively around Mira, who stared up at the distant lights with wide, fearful eyes. Garet sank to his knees, murmuring another prayer of thanks, while Myrin stayed close to Amara, her grief and exhaustion written plainly across her pale face.

  Loras, of course, was the first to speak up. "And what if they don't let us in? What then, hero?"

  Aldric turned to him, his gaze cold. "Then we'll figure something else out."

  The sound of approaching boots broke the tension before Loras could respond. Aldric turned to see Halvek, a broad-shouldered guy with scarred face and graying hair, approaching them , like a predator assessing its prey, his keen gaze focused on Aldric. "So you're back," Halvek said, his tone almost amused. "And not empty-handed, I see." Aldric nodded curtly. "Mission's done and these people need safety." Halvek's gaze flicked over the group, lingering briefly on Amara and Mira before returning to Aldric. "Follow me," he said. "You've got explaining to do." Halvek glanced back at the survivors, his eyes briefly meeting Erik's, who nodded in acknowledgment. "Erik will settle you guys," Halvek said, his voice firm yet matter-of-fact. "Get comfortable for now, but don't get too comfortable. We've got bigger things to handle." The group moved slowly, taking in their surroundings with cautious and hope. Erik, a tall and unassuming man with a sharp gaze, ushered them toward a nearby shelter. Halvek, meanwhile, turned on his heel and began walking toward the office, his stride purposeful. Aldric followed in silence .