The night air was cold, wrapping the village in a silent chill.
Zen's expression was calm, but his soul burned like fire. He turned away from the only warmth he had known since that day since the screams, the blood, the flames.
"I'll return… stronger," he whispered into the night.
The village slept peacefully as Zen walked into the forest's arms.
---
Morning sunlight broke gently over the rooftops. Daren, stepping outside to prepare his shop, noticed something strange. A folded letter.
He picked it up. Mira, curious, leaned over his shoulder to read.
After reading the Letter Mira's hands shook. Tears flowed freely as she clutched the letter to her chest.
"He left alone… in the night?" she whispered, heart pounding.
Daren's face was pale. "He knew Kather would take the necklace. And he… he gave it up for us."
Mira fell to her knees, sobbing. "Zen… you didn't have to do this! We would've protected you!"
Daren gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "And he wanted to protect us. That's what strength means to him now."
---
Zen stumbled through thick forest, each step heavier than the last. His tiny feet were bloodied, clothes torn, and hunger gnawed at his insides. But he did not stop. He couldn't.
He pushed through branches, crossing freezing streams and rocky paths. He slept curled under trees, waking to the sounds of distant growls. He trembled, but never turned back.
Days passed.
Then one evening, his body gave in.
He collapsed by a stream, breath shallow. Cold water ran past his fingertips. He stared up at the darkening sky, pain dulling into numbness.
Images flashed before him his mother's gentle voice, his father's warm embrace, Mira's cheerful smile.
He closed his eyes.
"I'll see you again… I'll hug you again, even if it takes everything I have."
His tears finally fell, dropping into the stream like glass beads.
"I'll never be powerless again… Never."
The stars above flickered brighter. Not as a sign of magic or fate but as a silent nod to a boy who chose to walk forward.
Alone.
But not lost.
For Zen had found something stronger than safety.
He had found his will.