Confronting the Past

The path west of Amos faded into the trees before either of them realized the city had fully slipped behind. From where they stood, the rooftops still glimmered faintly in the afternoon sun, but each step forward drew a curtain of branches between them and home.

Rose adjusted her cloak and glanced down at the dirt path underfoot. The stones were uneven, patches of moss creeping through the cracks. “This trail hasn’t been walked in years,” she murmured.

Kai brushed his fingers against a low stump as they passed — one of many scattered through the clearing. Memories from before the academy flickered behind his eyes.
“Father,” he whispered.

They kept walking. The sound of their boots faded into the hush of the woods. The canopy thickened overhead, branches knitting together to swallow the light.

Before long, the scent of water drifted through the air. Rose pulled the rolled-up map from her cloak, tracing a line with her finger. “According to this, the river should be just ahead.”

Kai looked forward silently, lost in thought.

A few minutes later, the trees broke apart into open space. The river stretched before them — wide, calm, silvered by the afternoon light.

Rose frowned, lowering the map. “There’s supposed to be a path here,” she said. “Or at least… there was.” She studied the edge where the dirt trail simply ended at the waterline. “Did it wash away?”

Kai shook his head. “No bridge. Never was one. They left it that way to keep monsters from crossing to our side.”

Her brows rose slightly. “That’s clever… and inconvenient.”

He smirked. “Mostly inconvenient.”

Rose exhaled softly, rolling the map back up. “We’re not swimming across. That’s non-negotiable.”

Kai’s eyes followed the steady flow of water. “It would be tedious if we did.” He began removing his bag and cloak.

Rose glanced at him, brow arched. “What are you doing?”

Kai didn’t stop. “Preparing to carry you across.” He stacked the extra weight neatly. “Even a rank D like me can jump that distance with basic enhancements.”

“Nope.” Rose’s voice was sharp. “I’m not risking you missing and getting us both soaked.”

“Then what are we going to do?” he asked, turning to her.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Before Kai could answer, Rose raised her hands. Their feet began to lift. With another gesture, the belongings Kai had set down hovered beside them.

“We fly over,” she said matter-of-factly.

Kai’s eyes widened as they drifted across the river. The water shimmered beneath them, and a single tear slipped down his cheek before he noticed.

Rose caught the movement as they reached the far bank. “Are you okay?”

He blinked and looked away. “I… just remembered something, that’s all.” He wiped his face with the back of his hand.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“It’s not that important. I just… didn’t think I’d ever be on this side of the river again.”

Rose’s gaze lingered on him. “Again? What were you doing on this side of the river?” Her eyes turned toward the thickened trees ahead. The air there felt heavy — as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

“I used to live here,” Kai said quietly. His hand trembled.

“Here exactly?”

“No… further in.” His voice cracked. “There was a small settlement just beyond the woods, before the major city. A checkpoint town. I used to live there — a long time ago.”

Rose’s eyes softened. She pieced the fragments together.
“Can you do this?” she asked gently.

Kai inhaled, then exhaled slowly. He gathered his floating things and nodded. “I told you I owe you my life. I’ll follow you anywhere.”

Rose smiled faintly and turned toward the woods. Even without stepping in, she could tell the air was different. The sunlight dimmed as if unwilling to pierce through. Whatever waited beyond, the forest would not reveal easily.

“Let’s go,” she said.

Kai nodded and followed her in.

Time passed as they moved deeper among the trees. The rustle of leaves above seemed to follow them — not merely wind, but something watching.

Kai pushed through a cluster of branches. The trunks around them looked… strange — their bark split with faint orange cracks that reminded him of himself before being tethered.

“I think we’re almost there,” he said, glancing back at Rose.

She nodded, still alert. There was bloodlust in the air, growing stronger, but she sensed that her aura was enough to keep the weaker predators at bay.

Light finally pierced through as they stepped into a clearing.

Kai slowed, then fell to his knees. Before him lay the remnants of a town swallowed by time. Plant life climbed over collapsed homes. Bones lay half-buried under moss and vine.

He stared, silent. The roof of a nearby building had been ripped open, walls shredded as though something had burst out long ago.

Rose stood behind him, saying nothing.

So this was where Kai was born.

A faint howl echoed through the trees — distant, but close enough to stir something deep within him.

Kai’s chest tightened. The rhythm of that sound — claws scraping dirt, air dragging through jagged teeth — was burned into his memory.

He stood slowly.

Rose reached for his hand. Halting his step. “Wait. What are you doing?”

“I know that sound,” he said, eyes locked ahead.

Rose studied his face. Beneath his calm, a storm brewed — grief, rage, fear — all coiled tight behind his gaze.

Another howl rose, closer this time, shaking the leaves.

“I’m just doing my job,” Kai said. “The team’s stabilizer, remember?” He pulled his hand free and stepped forward.

Yes, stabilizers were more durable naturally than casters which explained why he took vanguard for most of the trip; however, Rose didn’t know anything about Kai’s combat skills. She’s only ever interacted with his mind.

Rose’s mana stirred at her fingertips. “Kai, maybe you should let me—”

“I’ll handle it.”

She frowned. “Handle it? You’re—”

“I have to.”

Rose exhaled slowly before letting her hand fall, her magic dimming to a faint shimmer. “Fine,” she said quietly. “But I’m right behind you.”

Kai stepped forward, pulse steady.

This time, he wouldn’t run.