Mushoku Tensei: I am the older brother of Rudeus Greyrat

The night was calm, the sky a deep indigo dotted with countless stars. Aedric and his newfound companions—Tatsuya, Hiroshi, Jacken, and Akane—sat around a modest campfire, the flickering flames casting long shadows across their faces. They had set up camp in a secluded grove, the dense trees offering both cover and an eerie sense of isolation.

Jacken poked at the fire with a stick, sending sparks spiralling upward. "This feels nice," he said, his voice tinged with contentment. "I've never had a group like this before."

Akane smirked, leaning back against a fallen log. "Don't get too comfortable. We've got a long way to go."

Hiroshi remained silent, sharpening a crude blade he had fashioned from scavenged metal. His focus was intense, his movements precise. Tatsuya sat nearby, casually tossing a dagger from hand to hand, his eyes darting to the shadows beyond the firelight.

Aedric stood at the edge of the camp, his gaze fixed on the dark forest. He had an uneasy feeling, as if the peaceful night was merely the calm before a storm. His hand instinctively rested on the hilt of his sword, ready for whatever might come.

The first sound was faint—a rustling of leaves, so subtle it could have been the wind. But Aedric knew better. He raised a hand, signalling for silence. The group froze, their eyes turning to him.

"What is it?" Akane whispered, her voice barely audible.

Before Aedric could respond, the forest erupted with movement. Shadows emerged from the trees, their forms growing larger and more defined as they stepped into the firelight. Bandits—dozens of them. Their ragged clothing and crude weapons betrayed their desperation, but their eyes gleamed with a dangerous determination.

"Well, well," the leader of the bandits sneered, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek. "What do we have here? A bunch of kids playing adventurers?"

Tatsuya stepped forward, his dagger gleaming in the firelight. "I wouldn't underestimate us if I were you."

The bandits laughed, a guttural sound that echoed through the grove. The leader raised his hand, and the laughter ceased. "Hand over your valuables and we'll let you go. Resist, and you won't leave here alive."

Aedric drew his sword, its polished blade catching the firelight. "You've made a mistake coming here."

The tension in the air was palpable as the two sides squared off. The bandits hesitated, their confidence wavering under Aedric's unwavering gaze. But their leader growled, brandishing a massive axe. "Get them!"

The fight erupted in a flurry of movement. Aedric met the first attacker head-on, his sword flashing as he parried a clumsy strike and countered with a swift slash. The bandit fell, clutching his side as blood seeped through his fingers.

Tatsuya moved with agility and precision, his daggers a blur as he darted between opponents. He struck with calculated efficiency, disarming one bandit and incapacitating another with a well-placed kick.

Akane fought with a ferocity that belied her slender frame. She wielded her dagger with deadly accuracy, her movements a blend of speed and grace. When a bandit lunged at Jacken, she intercepted, driving her blade into the attacker's shoulder.

Hiroshi held his ground, his makeshift blade proving surprisingly effective. He parried a strike aimed at Jacken, then countered with a powerful slash that sent his opponent reeling.

Jacken, though inexperienced, refused to be a liability. He used the environment to his advantage, throwing dirt into the eyes of a bandit and following up with a strike from a heavy branch.

The battle raged on, the grove filled with the clash of steel and the shouts of combat. Aedric's focus never wavered as he cut through the bandits, his movements a testament to his training and resolve. Tatsuya fought at his side, the two working in tandem to overpower their foes.

Despite their numbers, the bandits began to falter. Their leader roared in frustration, charging at Aedric with his axe raised high. Aedric sidestepped the attack, his sword slicing through the man's side. The leader staggered, his axe slipping from his grasp as he fell to his knees.

The remaining bandits hesitated, their morale shattered. One by one, they turned and fled, disappearing into the forest. The grove fell silent once more, save for the heavy breathing of the victors.

Aedric sheathed his sword, surveying the scene. His companions were battered but unbroken, their determination shining through their exhaustion.

"Everyone okay?" he asked, his voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through his veins.

Akane nodded, wiping blood from her dagger. "We're fine."

Tatsuya grinned, though his expression was tinged with weariness. "That was a bit more excitement than I was expecting."

Hiroshi helped Jacken to his feet, the younger boy's eyes wide with a mix of fear and exhilaration. "We did it," Jacken whispered, a small smile breaking across his face.

Aedric placed a hand on Jacken's shoulder, his expression serious but kind. "You held your own. I'm proud of you."

The group gathered around the fire, their bond stronger for the trial they had faced together. As they tended to their wounds and shared what little food they had left, the stars above seemed to shine a little brighter.

Their journey was far from over, but in that moment, they knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.