Chapter 10 — Shadows Before the Storm

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and deep crimson as the three made their way along the narrow forest path. The sound of cicadas mixed with the gentle rush of water nearby.Darius stopped first, stretching his arms and yawning. “Alright, let’s set up camp here. Close enough to the river for fresh water, and far enough from the Orc Lord’s hunting grounds.”Kai glanced at the river’s sparkling surface and gave a small nod, but said nothing. His emerald-green eyes scanned the treeline, always alert, always calculating.Lira began unpacking their tents while Darius gathered dry firewood. Just as they were getting started, Kai pulled his hood up and adjusted his mask.“I’ll scout ahead,” he said flatly, already turning away.Lira’s head snapped up. “Wait—alone? That’s dangerous! You can’t just—”But Kai was gone before she could finish, melting into the encroaching shadows like mist in the wind.Lira’s fists clenched as she stomped her foot. “I swear, when he comes back, I’m giving him a serious scolding!”Darius, crouching by the firewood, let out a low chuckle. “You sound like a worried mom.”Lira turned sharply, cheeks slightly pink. “I-I do not! I’m just… concerned.”“Sure, sure,” Darius said with a teasing grin. “Sounds like you’re falling for our little shadow.”Lira’s ears turned red instantly. “W-what?! I—! Shut up, Darius!”

Meanwhile, Kai moved soundlessly through the dense forest, his boots leaving no trace on the mossy ground. He didn’t need a torch; his senses guided him effortlessly.Before long, he reached the outskirts of a clearing where the Orc Lord’s army had gathered. Hiding high in the canopy, Kai crouched on a thick branch, watching with silent intensity.From his vantage point, he could see at least thirty orcs, hulking and brutish, clustered around makeshift fires. The Orc Lord himself stood taller than the rest, his crude armor fashioned from the bones of slain beasts.Kai’s hand rested on the hilt of his ninjato, but he didn’t draw it yet.I could take a few out now, he thought, eyes narrowing beneath his mask. Thinning their numbers will make tomorrow’s fight faster… and cleaner.Without another thought, Kai vanished into the darkness.

The first orc didn’t even realize it was dead until the light faded from its eyes.Kai struck like lightning — fast, precise, and merciless. A blade across the throat, a dagger to the heart, a snapped neck in the shadows. No sound, no hesitation.Within minutes, six orcs lay lifeless, their bodies hidden beneath thick undergrowth. No one had seen him coming. Not even the Orc Lord stirred.Good enough, Kai thought, melting back into the forest.

By the time Kai returned, the campfire was burning softly, casting warm light across the clearing. Darius sat cross-legged by the fire, poking at a roasting fish, while Lira paced back and forth, arms crossed tightly.When Kai stepped out of the shadows, Lira spun around, eyes blazing.“KAI!” she shouted, marching straight up to him. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?! You could’ve been killed, or captured, or—” She cut herself off, her voice trembling slightly. “Don’t ever do that again, okay?”Kai tilted his head slightly, saying nothing. He wasn’t used to this — to someone worrying about him.And then, before he could react, Lira hugged him.“You idiot…” she murmured softly. “Don’t scare us like that.”Underneath his mask, Kai froze. His usual calm fractured for just a moment, his cheeks heating faintly. He tilted his head slightly downward, almost as if hiding a small, awkward smile.From the fire, Darius smirked. “Aww. Look at you, breaking through Mr. Lone Wolf’s walls.”“Shut up,” Lira hissed without letting go.Kai gently stepped back, regaining his composure. “…Scouted their position,” he said, his voice as steady as ever. “There are about thirty of them. The Orc Lord’s in the center. Defensive formation around him. No sign of sentries outside their perimeter.”Darius nodded, absorbing the information. “Good work.”Lira finally released him, though she shot him a warning glare. “Next time, you ask before running off. Got it?”Kai’s eyes briefly met hers before he turned away, hands in his pockets. “…Got it.”Of course, he didn’t mention the six orcs he’d silently erased from existence.

End of Chapter 10 Hook:The three sat around the fire, finishing their meal as the night deepened. The river whispered softly nearby, and an owl hooted in the distance.Tomorrow, they would face the Orc Lord and his army.And none of them knew that while they rested, a pair of red, intelligent eyes watched them from deep within the forest — a presence far more dangerous than the Orc Lord himself.