Night settled quickly in the mountains.
Faster than it should have.
The last light disappeared—
And the world changed.
The air grew colder.
Sharper.
Alive.
Amir slowed.
"…this place feels different."
The wind didn't answer immediately.
That alone was enough.
"…not like the town…"
"…no," the Anito said.
"…this place pushes back."
Amir frowned.
"…against what?"
"…against everything that doesn't belong."
That didn't sit well.
He stepped deeper into the forest.
The road had ended.
Now—
Only trees.
Tall.
Still.
Watching.
The wind felt thinner here.
Restricted.
Weaker.
"…you're being suppressed," Amir muttered.
"…yes."
"…great."
A branch snapped.
Close.
Amir turned—
Too slow—
A figure dropped from above—
CLANG—
The impact slammed through his arms—
"…Ghh—!"
He staggered back.
That hit harder than expected.
Not just strength—
Weight.
Control.
The attacker landed lightly.
Balanced.
Still.
Not like the creatures.
A second figure stepped out from the shadows.
Then a third.
They didn't rush.
Didn't panic.
They watched.
"…you shouldn't be here," one said.
Calm.
Certain.
Amir steadied himself.
"…I'm not here to cause trouble."
"…you already are."
The second moved.
Fast.
No wasted motion.
Amir raised his guard—
CLACK—
The strike slipped past—
Hit his side—
"Gah—!"
He stumbled again.
"…too clean…" he muttered.
"They are grounded," the Anito said.
"…you are not."
"…what does that—"
The ground shifted.
The third fighter stepped forward—
Their stance low—
Rooted.
Literally.
For a moment—
Their feet didn't move.
The earth around them cracked slightly—
Then—
They launched forward.
Explosive.
Amir barely reacted—
The impact forced him back several steps.
"…they're using the terrain…" he said.
"…they move with it."
"…and I don't."
The first fighter stepped closer.
"…you rely on something unstable," they said.
"…we rely on what's always here."
Amir exhaled sharply.
"…then I'll adjust."
The next attack came—
Fast—
Amir didn't counter immediately.
Didn't force movement.
He watched.
Waited.
The strike came—
He shifted—
Smaller movement.
Less force.
Cleaner.
"…good," the Anito said quietly.
"…again."
The second fighter joined.
Now two.
Coordinated.
One high—
One low—
Amir moved—
Not faster—
Better.
He redirected—
Turned—
Then struck between them—
Light flickered—
Controlled.
Focused.
The impact forced both back.
Silence followed.
Brief.
Then—
"…he's adjusting," one said.
"…not like the others."
The first fighter raised a hand.
The others stopped instantly.
Amir didn't relax.
"…you carry something," the first said.
"…something that draws them."
Amir's grip tightened.
"…I didn't ask for it."
"…that doesn't matter."
A pause.
"…it followed you here."
Silence.
Heavy.
True.
Amir didn't deny it.
Couldn't.
The fighter stepped closer.
"…then understand this."
Their voice lowered slightly.
"…if it reaches this place—"
"…we won't stop it."
A pause.
"…we'll stop you."
The wind stirred faintly.
Far away.
Watching.
Waiting.
Amir met their gaze.
Steady.
"…then I'll make sure it doesn't come here."
A long pause.
Then—
"…prove it."
The tension didn't fade.
It settled.
Not hostility.
Judgment.
And Amir understood—
This wasn't a welcome.
It was a test.