Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls

The silence following the massacre didn't last long. Soon, the first crows began to fly over the mutilated bodies, cawing in a mournful chorus. The smell of iron and hot flesh permeated the air, and Kael knew that this field of blood would be like a beacon to the enemies still prowling the region.

"Move. Now." His voice sounded like a sentence.

No one dared question. Amelia, staggering, was pulled along by Sylphie, who was still crying silently but remained firm in her gestures. Irelia carried the princess by the arm, not because the young woman couldn't walk alone, but because every shadow in the forest could be a danger, and being close was the only guarantee of protection.

They entered the trees, leaving the blood-stained road behind. The sunset sank into the high branches, casting long, twisted shadows that seemed to move alongside them. Each step was heavy, and the dry sound of boots against the leaf-covered ground was reminiscent of muffled war drums.

"We can't use the road," Kael spoke softly, his amber eyes scanning the surroundings. "Too open. They'll see us from afar."

"But without a road, we'll walk blindly," Irelia replied, leading the princess by the hand. "If it gets dark, we'll be lost."

Kael didn't answer immediately. He just took a deep breath, the scent of the forest mingling with the blood still fresh on his armor. He looked at Sylphie, who was already dragging herself along, her breath shallow.

"Sylphie." His voice cut like a blade.

She lifted her head, gasping. "What...?"

"The blessing," Kael said.

The girl paled, nearly stumbling. "The World Tree's blessing? You... you want me to use it now?"

Amelia looked up in surprise. "She's already at her limit, Kael. Using this will destroy her!"

Kael stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the young woman. "If we don't use it, we'll walk blind. If we don't know what's ahead, we'll be ambushed."

Sylphie pressed her lips together, hesitating. She was already trembling with exhaustion, but something in his gaze—that amber fire that never wavered—made her body shiver.

The princess, who had been watching everything silently until then, finally spoke. Her voice was calm, but held a strange firmness. "Do it."

Sylphie stared at her in disbelief. "Your Highness..."

"Do it," she repeated, emotionless. "If it means keeping us alive, no matter the cost."

A heavy silence followed. The wind made the leaves dance above them, whispering like spirits.

Sylphie closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then raised her hands. Her body began to emit a soft, golden glow, as if illuminated from within. Veins of light ran through her arms, and the symbol of the World Tree appeared on her forehead: a trunk intertwined with endless roots and branches.

Kael kept his guard up, his hand on his sword, as he watched. Amelia just swallowed, fascinated. Irelia stood firm, but her blue eyes reflected concern.

The glow of blessing spread through the forest. The tree trunks glowed, the roots in the ground pulsed, and even the small insects seemed to move in unison. Sylphie was connecting with the very essence of life around her.

She gasped, her voice coming out as a whisper. "I... I see..."

Kael took a step forward. "What's there?"

"C... caves." Sylphie pointed with difficulty, her body trembling. "Three... no, four... to the west. Small, but... hidden. One of them, near a river." Her voice faltered, but continued. "Hollow trees... safe clearings... even animal trails."

Her eyes shone as if she were staring at an invisible map before her. But suddenly, her body shivered. The glow intensified.

"No... it's not just that..." Her voice trembled.

Kael frowned. "What do you see?"

Sylphie opened her eyes suddenly, and they were completely golden. Tears of light streamed down her face. "People."

Everyone looked at each other, tense.

"Where?" Kael asked, his voice low and strained.

"All over the forest..." Sylphie gasped, each word an effort. "But mostly... behind us." She raised a trembling hand in the direction they had come from. "Whole groups, running. Fast... very fast... they're tracking." Her breath hitched, and she nearly fell, but Amelia caught her by the shoulders.

Kael closed his eyes for a moment. "They've found the carnage."

The silence grew heavier. Even the princess narrowed her eyes, finally letting go of her composure for a moment.

Amelia swore softly. "They'll hunt us to the ends of the earth after what they saw back there."

Sylphie groaned, nearly passing out, but still whispered, "Some... are already too close..."

Kael held her shoulder firmly. "Enough. You've done enough."

He looked west, where Sylphie had indicated the caves. His amber eyes glowed in the fading light of dusk.

"Let's go to the riverside. It's the safest."

"We won't get there before them," Irelia said, her voice hard. "Not with Amelia injured, not with Sylphie like this."

"Then we'll fight along the way," Kael replied dryly.

The princess watched everything in silence, until she took a few steps, her skirt, torn from her escape, dragging on the ground. "If the pursuers really are so many, perhaps you won't be able to defeat them... not even you." Her cold gaze settled on Kael. "And then, what was the point of this massacre?"

Kael stared at her, and for the first time his amber eyes seemed even more intense. "I don't fight to serve a massacre. I fight to keep you alive."

She remained silent, but her lips curved into a near-smile.

Amelia helped Sylphie to her feet again, even though the girl was nearly fainting. "She needs to rest." You won't be able to handle any more magic like that.

"Then you'll rest in the cave." Kael clenched his fists. "Until then, I'll keep them at bay."

They continued through the dense forest. The thick roots and uneven terrain made each step difficult, especially for Amelia and Sylphie. Darkness was beginning to settle in, and the forest seemed to transform into a maze of living shadows.

The road could still be seen in the distance, through the clearings between the trees. And that was precisely why they sensed the danger.

Torches.

On the road behind them, small lights began to move at high speed. Groups of men were advancing, tracking. The glow of the flames reflected off their armor and weapons.

"They're already on the road," Irelia murmured. "We don't have much time."

Kael didn't look back. He simply advanced faster, pushing aside branches to clear a path. "Then let's be faster."

The sound of torches and the clatter of footsteps on the road grew louder with each passing moment. The forest, which had seemed hostile and dense until just moments before, now became an inevitable stage for pursuit. The sky was already turning a deep blue, and soon the darkness would be total—perfect for those hunting, terrible for those fleeing.

Kael stopped abruptly.

"Irelia. Take everyone to the river cave."

She turned to face him, her blue eyes flashing with disbelief. "Are you crazy? You want to face them all alone?"

Kael didn't answer immediately. He simply looked at the group: Amelia helping Sylphie to her feet, the princess maintaining her cool but clearly hiding her tension. Her amber eyes burned like embers in the darkness.

"It's not about fighting." His voice was firm but low, as if spoken not just to them, but also to himself. "It's about time. I just need to slow them down."

Amelia's eyes widened. "This is suicide!"

Kael approached her, staring so closely that she felt the metallic heat of his breath. "And if we don't do something, everyone will die."

Silence fell. Not even the crickets dared speak.

Finally, he turned to Irelia. "Can you lead them there?"

Irelia bit her lip hesitantly, but nodded. "Yes. But don't ask me to promise to leave you here."

Kael gave a brief, almost imperceptible smile and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I know you wouldn't. But this time... trust me."

Irelia stood still for a moment, her hard gaze fixed on him, before finally pulling the princess away and signaling to Amelia.

Kael waited until they were far enough away. The sound of leaves rustling and branches breaking faded into the trees.

Then he took a deep breath.

His left hand rose, and small flames began to form in his palm, dancing like hungry tongues. In his other hand, the same fire surged, growing rapidly, fueled not only by magic, but by the cold determination that burned within him.

Heat illuminated his face, creating deep, savage shadows.

"I'm sorry, World Tree..." he murmured, his voice low and almost reverent. "But unfortunately... I will kill some of your children."

With a sudden movement, he threw the flames at the dry trunks ahead. The fire spread in seconds, crackling like an invisible army, racing through the fallen leaves and climbing the thick bark of the trees.

The darkness of the forest was shattered by the incandescent light. Shadows multiplied, dancing in a frenzy, as the smell of smoke began to fill the air.

Kael didn't stop. He continued to throw fire in different directions, creating a flaming circle, a fiery labyrinth. With every step, the forest screamed—branches snapped, birds fled in desperate flocks, and the heat became stifling.

And then, from the other side, came the screams.

"Fire!" a deep voice echoed. "They've set the forest ablaze!"

Chaos ensued. The pursuers, once confident, now floundered amid the mercilessly advancing flames. The fire was unpredictable, relentless, consuming everything.

Kael closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the heat beat against his face. There was no pride there. Only need.

He raised his sword, and the flames reflected off the steel, transforming it into a sliver of sunlight in the darkness.

"Come," he murmured, opening his eyes again. "Let's see if you can make it through hell."