CHAPTER 4 A Day in the Forest and The Visitors

Morning arrived with a quiet chill.

The kind that lingered in the air—not from cold, but from something deeper.

Something unseen.

A Quiet Departure

Ivan adjusted his satchel, checking its contents one last time.

Herbs.

Tools.

Blades.

Everything in place.

"I'll go gather herbs," he said, securing the strap over his shoulder. "Some of the old supplies are running low."

Elen stood near the doorway, arms lightly crossed.

Her expression was calm.

But her eyes—

They held something else.

"...Don't stay too long."

Ivan gave a soft smile.

"I'll be fine."

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Ivan turned—

And stepped into the forest.

The Forest

The deeper he went, the quieter it became.

Too quiet.

Branches cracked under his boots as he moved with practiced precision, scanning the ground, observing plants, marking locations in a small journal tied to his belt.

He worked automatically.

Like always.

But his mind—

Wasn't calm.

Footprints.

Large.

Too large.

He stopped.

Kneeling.

Running his fingers along the ground.

Not animals.

Not low-class demons.

Something bigger.

Something stronger.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"...This is getting worse."

The wind shifted.

A faint pressure brushed against him.

Like something watching.

Ivan stood slowly.

"...I should head back."

Back at the House

Elen worked quietly inside.

Grinding herbs.

Preparing mixtures.

But her focus drifted again and again—

Toward the door.

Toward the forest.

Something was wrong.

She couldn't explain it.

But she felt it.

A quiet unease twisting inside her chest.

She stopped.

Closed her eyes.

"...Ivan..."

The Return

Late afternoon.

The sky dimmed slightly as clouds passed overhead.

Ivan returned, pushing open the door.

"I'm back—"

He stopped.

Instantly.

The air had changed.

Cold.

Heavy.

Wrong.

Voices.

Inside.

The Visitors

Ivan stepped forward—

And froze.

Three figures stood in the room.

Their presence alone distorted the space around them.

Not hostile.

But overwhelming.

A tall man stood at the center—his posture straight, commanding. His gaze was sharp, cold, calculating.

Beside him, a second man remained silent, his eyes constantly moving, observing everything.

And a woman stood slightly behind them, calm, composed—her presence quiet, but dangerous.

Elen stood near the wall.

Trembling.

Her eyes wide.

"...Brother...?"

Ivan's chest tightened.

Brother?

He stepped forward immediately, placing himself between her and the strangers. His hand hovered near his sword.

"Who are you?" his voice was low, steady. "And why are you in my house?"

The tall man stepped forward slightly.

Then—

He bowed.

"My name is Eiden Riedmann."

His voice was calm.

Controlled.

"This girl is my sister—Eleonora Riedmann."

Silence.

Ivan felt something shift inside him.

Eleonora...

Her real name.

The second man spoke next, his voice sharp and direct.

"Adrien Morell."

The woman inclined her head slightly.

"Elara Violette. We do not seek conflict. But Eleonora must return with us."

Elen shook her head immediately, panic breaking through.

"I won't go. I won't leave!"

Eiden's gaze hardened.

Cold.

Unyielding.

"Your relationship means nothing. Resistance will only make this worse."

The room grew heavier.

Ivan's fingers tightened slowly around his weapon.

"She is my wife," he said.

No hesitation.

No fear.

"I won't hand her over."

For the first time—

The air shifted.

Not just heavy.

Dangerous.

Eiden's eyes locked onto Ivan.

"You're... bold," he said quietly.

Then—

His voice dropped.

"Then you will face the consequences."

The Breaking Point

Time slowed.

Elen's breathing trembled.

Ivan's hand moved.

Fast.

Precise.

He reached into his belt—

And pulled out a small orb.

Eiden took a step forward.

Too late.

Ivan slammed the orb to the ground.

Escape

HISSSSS—!!

Black smoke exploded across the room.

Thick.

Violent.

Blinding.

The entire space vanished into darkness.

"Move!" Ivan shouted, grabbing Elen's hand.

Her fingers tightened around his instantly.

They ran.

Through the smoke.

Through the chaos.

Through everything.

Aftermath

The smoke cleared slowly.

Silence returned.

The house stood still.

Empty.

Gone.

Eiden remained standing in the center of the room.

Unmoving.

His expression unreadable.

Adrien stepped forward slightly.

"...They escaped."

Elara closed her eyes briefly.

"...For now."

Eiden's gaze shifted toward the doorway.

Toward the forest.

His voice was quiet.

But carried weight.

"They cannot run forever."

A pause.

Then—

"We begin the hunt."

In the Forest

Ivan didn't stop running.

Not once.

Branches tore at his clothes.

Roots caught his feet.

His lungs burned.

But he didn't slow down.

Not even for a second.

Elen clung to him tightly.

Her breath shaking.

Her world collapsing.

Behind them—

Something had changed.

Irreversibly.

And ahead—

Something far worse was waiting.