Ravyn and Kael had walked for hours. The path toward Crewliywas, the capital of Tenteri, wasn't easy. Trees towered over them, and the wind whistled like it was whispering secrets. Here and there, monsters showed themselves. Ravyn dealt with most of them, and Kael managed to take down a few small ones, but her energy was slowly draining.
Kael stopped walking and groaned. "Okay, time out! My legs are killing me."
Ravyn paused but didn't say anything.
"Seriously, can we stop for a bit? I need to sit down," she asked.
Ravyn nodded. He didn't argue. He just walked over to a fallen log and sat down. Kael plopped on the grass and laid down, staring up at the small patches of sky above.
After a minute, she sat up. "Can you start a fire? It's getting kinda cold."
Ravyn walked a few steps, picked up dry branches, and started a fire with a small spark from the flint he carried.
Kael watched him and blinked. "...Wow, you didn't even complain. Most guys would be like, 'Do it yourself.' You just... did it."
Ravyn didn't respond.
"Okay, then... Could you bring me some water too?" she asked, half-joking.
Ravyn stood and walked off with a flask. A minute later, he came back with water from a clean stream.
Kael looked at him like he was some rare animal. "...You're like... the perfect guy. Strong, quiet, handsome, and you do what I ask? This can't be real."
Ravyn remained quiet. He sat by the fire and stared at the flames. His sword leaned against a tree, and his horse grazed nearby.
Kael narrowed her eyes. "Wait... Do you like me or something? Is that why you're doing all this? Because if so... I mean, I get it, but... you're kinda weird about it."
No answer.
She stared harder. "Oh my god. You totally have a secret crush on me, don't you?"
Still no answer.
She smirked to herself, feeling smug. "Yeah... I mean, who wouldn't fall for me? I'm smart, funny, cute, I make cool spells..."
But Ravyn's silence wasn't because of a crush. It was because he was a Hellspawn.
Hellspawn did not act on feelings. They didn't protect humans because they wanted to be liked. They followed orders of morality. They obeyed good people. They protected them. They did not need thanks. They did not need love.
Hellspawn lived for the sake of humanity, even when humanity hated them.
And humanity did hate them. Because of "Them."
The world knew that Hellspawn existed, but only in fear. Even though they killed monsters and saved lives, people feared their silence, their strength, and most of all, their connection to "Them."
Even now, as Ravyn sat across from Kael, he didn't see her as a friend. He saw her as someone he must protect. She was good, so he listened. That was all.
Kael, however, had no idea.
She leaned closer to the fire and grinned. "You know, for someone so scary-looking, you're really soft inside. I bet you have, like, a whole backstory of pain and sadness and you're just waiting for the right girl to open your heart. Is that what this is?"
Ravyn glanced at her but said nothing.
She took that as a yes.
"I KNEW it," she muttered. "You totally like me. Well, I guess I don't blame you. I mean, look at me. And you haven't had a proper human friend in years, right? So it makes sense you'd fall for the first decent girl you meet."
Ravyn stood.
Kael blinked. "Wait, where are you going?"
He pointed east.
"Oh... Right, Crewliywas," she mumbled.
They packed up. Ravyn stomped out the fire and handed her the water flask. She took it, feeling like a princess. She still believed she had some special pull on him. That he cared.
But in Ravyn's mind, he was only doing what must be done. Protect the good. Fight for those worth saving. Kael had shown kindness. She had not hurt anyone. She didn't judge him. That made her good. And as long as she stayed that way, Ravyn would obey. Not out of love.
But out of duty.
They began walking again. Kael glanced at him now and then, humming quietly.
"This is kinda fun, you know," she said. "Like a road trip, but with monsters and a brooding bodyguard. You know what, if we survive this whole thing, maybe we can go somewhere normal. Like a hot spring or something. What do you think, huh?"
Ravyn didn't answer.
Kael smiled to herself anyway. "Silent type. I like that."
But as they walked toward the rich capital of Crewliywas, Kael had no idea how wrong she was. She thought this was a story of romance.
Ravyn knew better.
***
The trees didn't change. The light didn't change. The air didn't change. Everything stayed still in the Fragrant Forest—like time itself was frozen.
Kael wiped the sweat off her forehead. Her legs were starting to give in, and even Ravyn, ever still and cold, had slowed his horse's pace slightly. They had walked over sixteen hours without realizing it. There was no sun above them, no moon—only that strange dim glow that haunted this place.
Then they saw it. A house.
No, not a house. A cabin. Worn down, half-covered in moss. It stood crooked, like nature had tried to reclaim it but failed.
Kael blinked. "Who the hell lives here?"
Ravyn didn't respond. His eyes narrowed, and he kept walking slowly.
"We should check it out," Kael whispered. "Could be shelter."
Ravyn didn't stop her. They approached together.
Kael pushed open the creaky door. The inside was dark, but not silent. There was a low growl—a sound so deep it vibrated in their bones.
There, by the far wall, stood a figure. Its back faced them.
It had the head of a lion, with a wild mane that covered the top of a human-like torso. The legs were long, hooved like a horse, but strong. Its arms were shaped like a man's but furred, claws slightly out.
Kael froze.
Then the Chimera turned.
Its golden eyes were filled with rage.
In one smooth motion, Ravyn unsheathed his sword. "Kael. Hide. Now."
Kael's mouth opened, but no words came. The pressure in the room made it hard to breathe. She stumbled back, ducking behind a fallen beam.
The Chimera roared. It charged.
Ravyn stood his ground. His sword pulsed faintly with energy. He muttered under his breath—words not meant for human ears.
His muscles expanded slightly. The veins in his arms glowed dark red. His speed increased. His vision sharpened. His grip tightened.
The Chimera swiped.
Ravyn ducked, barely dodging. He sliced upward, cutting a gash across the beast's arm. Black blood splattered against the wooden walls.
The Chimera growled and stepped back. It was surprised.
So was Kael.
Ravyn dashed forward, using a burst of speed. He slid under the Chimera's legs, slashing its back as he moved. The beast stumbled, turning around in a flash. Its lion head snarled.
Then it punched.
Ravyn raised his sword to block, but the impact sent him flying across the room. He slammed into the cabin wall, coughing blood.
The Chimera approached slowly, menacing.
Ravyn stood, shaky.
He was about to react when the Chimera lunged again—this time aiming its jaws at Ravyn's neck.
Kael screamed.
But she didn't just scream.
She ran.
Grabbing a broken chair leg from the floor, she swung it with all her might. It slammed into the side of the Chimera's face, not enough to hurt it much—but enough to push it slightly off course.
Its teeth missed Ravyn's throat.
The Chimera snarled and swatted her away with its paw, but Ravyn had already recovered.
He jumped up, rage finally lighting up in his eyes.
"Enough."
His voice was low.
He raised his sword again and activated more of his body—legs, arms, spine. Every part of him surged with raw enhancement. His aura changed. No longer cold. Now burning.
He dashed forward in a blink.
The Chimera raised its claws, but it was too slow.
Ravyn's blade met flesh, and the Chimera had fallen