After a few minutes of walking, a small wooden house came into view. Kael guided Aren up the narrow path, and they stopped at the door.
Kael gave a few knocks.
"We are finally home, Aren," he said, glancing sideways.
Aren managed a weak smile, his face still pale, but his spirit slightly lifted.
Moments later, the door creaked open. A woman in a red gown stepped out. Her eyes first landed on Kael, then on the boy beside him. In an instant, they widened in shock.
"Aren! What happened to you?" she cried, rushing forward and taking him into her arms.
Aren chuckled tiredly. "Nothing serious, Mother. We encountered a magical beast… It drained energy. I was surrounded. But Kael saved me. He carried me all the way back."
Her eyes immediately filled with tears as she turned to Kael. "Dear Kael, I can't even begin to imagine how to repay you."
Kael smiled warmly, brushing dust from his sleeves. "No need for that, Aunty. Aren is like a brother to me. It was my duty to bring him back safely."
With a small bow, he added, "I should get going now. The sun's already setting. If I'm any later, my mother might kill me."
"Be careful, Kael," she said softly, her voice full of gratitude.
He nodded, and began his walk home as dusk deepened.
As he walked, Kael couldn't shake the vivid image from his mind. That woman—her lifeless body hanging from the ceiling—her eyes gouged, mouth opened in a silent scream.
But it wasn't just her.
Something had been there.
Something alive. Watching. Breathing.
He had felt it—its heavy steps echoing behind him in that suffocating darkness.
"What was that thing?" Kael muttered under his breath, heart still uneasy.
The memory clawed at his thoughts, but he couldn't ponder longer. His legs ached. His stomach growled. The last reserves of mana in his core were nearly gone.
With each step, he felt more tired than ever. He needed food, rest, and above all—sleep that might keep the nightmares away, if only for a few hours.
The walk back home drained what little strength Kael had left. When he finally reached the house, he slipped in quietly, careful not to alert anyone.
He headed straight for the bath, letting the cold water wash over him, easing the tension in his body.
By the time he got out, the warmth of home had already begun to calm his senses down. He moved toward the kitchen where laughter echoed softly.
Alaric sat at the table, gently teasing little Lisa who giggled with every poke.
"Brotherrr!" Lisa beamed, her tiny hands flailing as she jumped up and down in her seat.
Kael smiled, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. He stepped towards and pinched her cheeks, "Brother is fine. How is little Lisa?"
"Oww oww, that hurts!" she pouted, rubbing her cheeks.
Kael chuckled and ruffled her hair, "Brother is sorry."
Their light moment ended abruptly when Lyra's voice cut through the room. She was by the stove with Ellie, her tone sharp.
"Where were you, Kael? Do you even realize how late it is?"
Kael stood straight instinctively, "Umm… Mother, I was just… exploring." He glanced at Alaric, hoping for a lifeline.
Alaric smirked, shook his head slightly, and gave him a look that said: Handle your own shit.
"Just exploring?"Lyra's voice echoed through the kitchen, sharp enough to make both Ellie and Lisa flinch. Her eyes locked onto Kael, arms crossed, not taking his bullshit.
"Do you even understand how dangerous it is outside these walls?" she continued, her voice rising. "You could've been killed, Kael. Magical beasts roam the deeper woods. Rogue mages prey on wanderers. Even exiled swordsmen pass through."
Kael lowered his gaze, the memory of what he saw flashing behind his eyes. His voice came out low, guilty:"I'm sorry, Mother. I won't do it again."
Lyra stared at him, mouth slightly open, ready to scold him again—but the guilt in his tone caught her off guard. Her expression softened.
She stepped forward, brushing his disheveled hair with her fingers.
"It's okay," she said gently, her voice returning to its usual warmth. "Just… next time, tell us. Be careful. I don't want to lose you."
Kael nodded, smiling faintly.
"Now sit," Lyra said, moving back toward the stove. "Dinner's almost ready."