Snow continued to fall over the northern roads.
But this time—
The silence carried something different.
Not peace.
Preparation.
---
Miles away from Ravencourt, deep within a forest trail—
A group of men gathered.
Bandits.
But not the desperate kind.
Not anymore.
---
At the center stood a man, holding a small pouch.
Gold spilled into the snow.
Heavy.
Real.
---
"…This is only the beginning."
The voice came from the shadows.
Calm.
Measured.
---
Shyx stepped forward.
Untouched by the cold.
Untouched by the dirt.
---
"You fight better than the last group."
A pause.
"But don't misunderstand."
---
"You're still expendable."
---
Silence.
---
"…What do you want?"
---
Shyx turned.
Looking toward Ravencourt.
---
"…Fear."
---
A pause.
---
"Burn their roads."
"Break their trade."
---
Then—
He added something new.
---
"…And don't avoid the weak."
---
The bandits froze slightly.
---
"Villages."
"Merchants."
"Anyone who makes this place breathe."
---
His eyes sharpened.
---
"I don't want soldiers to panic."
---
A small smile.
---
"I want people to panic."
---
🏰 Ravencourt — The Rumors Begin
It didn't start with reports.
---
It started with whispers.
---
"…They killed everyone."
"…Even the children saw it…"
"…No guards… nothing…"
---
Markets grew quieter.
---
Merchants argued in hushed voices.
---
"Why are the knights not moving?"
"We pay taxes for protection!"
---
In the outer districts—
Nobles gathered.
Concerned.
Annoyed.
---
"If this continues, trade will collapse."
---
"This reflects poorly on Ravencourt."
---
Pressure began to build.
From below.
From above.
---
And right in the middle of it—
Ravencourt stood.
---
🩸 The Scene
Aleron didn't hear the report first.
---
He saw it.
---
A small village.
Or what was left of it.
---
Smoke still rising.
Snow stained where it shouldn't be.
---
Bodies covered in cloth.
Too many.
---
Aleron walked slowly.
Silent.
---
Then—
He heard it.
---
A child crying.
---
Soft.
Broken.
---
Near one of the covered bodies—
A small boy clung tightly.
---
"…Wake up…"
His voice trembled.
---
"…Please… wake up…"
---
No response.
---
Aleron stopped.
---
For the first time—
He didn't think.
---
He just watched.
---
"…They said you'd come back…"
---
The boy shook the body slightly.
---
"…You said we'd go to the city…"
---
Silence answered him.
---
Aleron's hand tightened slightly.
---
Not in anger.
---
In realization.
---
Behind him—
Kaelan stood quietly.
Darien beside him.
---
"…This isn't strategy anymore."
Darien muttered.
---
"…This is control."
---
Aleron finally moved.
---
He walked closer.
---
Stopped in front of the boy.
---
"…What's your name?"
---
The boy looked up.
Eyes red.
---
"…Eren…"
---
Aleron nodded slowly.
---
"…Eren."
---
A pause.
---
"…I'm sorry."
---
The words felt… insufficient.
---
But they were honest.
---
The boy didn't respond.
---
He just held on tighter.
---
As if letting go—
Would make it real.
---
Aleron stood there.
Silent.
---
Then—
Something changed.
---
Not on his face.
---
But behind his eyes.
---
"…We move now."
---
Kaelan looked at him.
---
"…You're sure?"
---
Aleron didn't hesitate.
---
"…If we wait…"
A glance at the boy.
---
"…there'll be more like him."
---
🧠 Strategy Room — Immediate Action
The map was different now.
---
Not just trade routes.
---
Villages.
---
Civilians.
---
Patterns.
---
"They're spreading fear."
Kaelan stated.
---
"They're forcing us to divide forces."
Darien added.
---
Aleron shook his head slightly.
---
"…No."
---
"They want us emotional."
---
A pause.
---
"…So we make them predictable."
---
Both men looked at him.
---
"…They hit the weak."
---
Aleron's eyes sharpened.
---
"…So we become the weak."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
Kaelan smiled faintly.
---
"…Bait."
---
Aleron nodded.
---
"…But this time…"
---
His voice lowered.
---
"…we end it."
---
🌑 Edge of the Forest — Watching
From afar—
Sarah stood once again.
---
Her gaze lingered longer this time.
---
"…So that's your trigger."
---
Not strategy.
---
Not power.
---
People.
---
She smiled slightly.
---
"…Now you're dangerous."
---
❄️ Final Scene — Second Encounter
Night fell over Ravencourt.
---
Snow covered everything.
Quiet.
Cold.
---
Aleron stood alone.
Again.
---
"…You followed me."
---
"…Of course."
---
Sarah stepped out.
---
Closer than before.
---
"No tricks tonight."
---
Aleron faced her.
---
"…You knew."
---
She shrugged lightly.
---
"…It was obvious."
---
A pause.
---
"They changed targets."
---
Her eyes locked onto his.
---
"…And you changed with them."
---
Silence.
---
"…You're involved."
Aleron said.
---
"…Not yet."
---
A small step forward.
---
"But I will be."
---
"…Why?"
---
She smiled.
---
"…Because someone like you…"
A pause.
---
"…shouldn't fight alone."
---
Aleron's gaze didn't soften.
---
"…I don't trust you."
---
"…Good."
---
She turned slightly.
---
"…That means you're not stupid."
---
Snow fell between them.
---
"…His name is Shyx."
---
Aleron's eyes shifted slightly.
---
"…So you do know."
---
She glanced back.
---
"…And he's not playing games."
---
A pause.
---
"…He's starting a war."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
She stepped away.
---
"…I'll come back."
---
"…Next time…"
---
Her voice softened slightly.
---
"…with something useful."
---
And she disappeared.
---
Aleron stood still.
---
"…Shyx…"
He repeated quietly.
---
Far away—
In the dark—
---
Shyx smiled.
---
Unaware—
---
That the boy he wanted to break—
---
Had just found his reason to fight.