Unfamiliar Walls

The sun was halfway through its descent when Avi and Tyler left the guildhall behind, their path winding through dense undergrowth and towering trees. The forest seemed alive, every rustle of leaves and distant cry of creatures keeping them alert. Avi's sharp senses guided them along faint trails, his mind focused on their destination—their castle-like base that had once been a familiar school gymnasium.

Tyler, walking a few paces ahead, adjusted the strap of his axe across his back. His broad shoulders and easy gait gave him the appearance of someone at ease, but Avi could tell from the way his eyes darted to every sound that he was on edge.

"Half a day of walking," Tyler muttered, kicking a stray rock aside. "You'd think we'd catch a break and find a cart or something."

"Keep dreaming," Avi replied dryly. His voice carried a tinge of humor, though his eyes remained fixed ahead.

Hours passed, the forest growing dimmer as the sunlight filtered through thick foliage. Avi's steps faltered. A shiver ran down his spine—not from the cold but from a sensation he couldn't ignore. His instincts screamed of being watched. He scanned the treetops and shadows, his sharp gaze catching fleeting movements too subtle to be natural.

"Someone's following us," he whispered, his tone sharp and low.

Tyler stiffened, his hand hovering near his axe handle. "What do you want to do?"

"Keep moving. Act natural." Avi's voice was steady, laced with calm authority. "I'll handle it."

Tyler gave a reluctant nod and pressed forward, though his steps were heavier now, his posture tense. Avi slipped off the path, disappearing into the shadows without a sound. His movements were fluid, each step carefully placed to avoid rustling leaves or snapping twigs.

He looped around, his pulse quickening. Whoever—or whatever—was tailing them hadn't noticed his absence. A flicker of movement in the underbrush caught his eye. He crept closer, his body low to the ground, the faint rustle of leaves mingling with his controlled breaths.

When he was close enough, Avi sprang from the shadows, his hands locking onto the stalker and slamming them against a nearby tree.

"Got you—" he snarled, his instincts ready for a fight.

The figure squirmed beneath his grip, small and surprisingly light. Avi's heart pounded, his mind racing through possibilities: a forest creature? A scout for something more dangerous? His grip tightened instinctively as he leaned closer to study his quarry.

And then he saw them—big, watery blue eyes staring up at him, brimming with innocence and a hint of defiance.

"Ellie?" The word slipped out, disbelieving. He blinked, his tension bleeding away as recognition struck him like a hammer. The tiny girl wriggled in his grasp, her mahogany hair tousled and streaked with dirt and twigs. Her oversized tunic, already far too large for her, hung even looser, as if she'd been tumbling through the undergrowth.

"Big bro!" Ellie chirped, her voice cutting through the remnants of Avi's adrenaline-fueled wariness.

Avi released her immediately, his jaw tightening with a mix of frustration and relief. "Ellie," he said, his voice sharper than he intended. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Ellie's lips quivered, and Avi immediately felt his resolve crumble. "Ellie wanted to come with you," she said softly. "Ellie doesn't want to be alone."

Avi let out a long sigh, the weight of his anger giving way to concern. He crouched down, brushing the dirt off her face with surprising gentleness. "You shouldn't have followed us. It's dangerous out here."

"Ellie's not scared," she said, puffing her tiny chest. "Ellie's strong like big brother."

Avi shook his head, unable to stay mad at the child. "You're lucky nothing happened to you. Next time, you stay where it's safe."

He lifted her onto his back, her small arms wrapping around his neck. She rested her chin on his shoulder, smiling triumphantly. "Big bro's back is warm."

As they resumed their journey, Avi's thoughts turned inward. How can she keep on walking around the forest unharmed? Tharlon's words echoed in his mind: "It's stupid and hard to live in the forest, and almost impossible to do so alone."

He glanced at Ellie from the corner of his eye. Monsters avoided her. That much was clear. But why? What kind of mysterious power does she have? Her existence was a mystery wrapped in innocence. Still, one thing he knew for certain: she was just a child—a child who needed protection. She reminded him painfully of Avisya, his own sister.

Behind him, Tyler's voice broke the silence.

"How can a short imp like you follow us all this way?" Tyler teased, glancing back at Ellie.

Ellie huffed, her cheeks puffing in indignation. "Ellie's not short! Ellie's still growing!"

"You didn't answer my question, imp," Tyler said with a smirk.

Ellie crossed her arms, still perched on Avi's back. "Ellie just feels where Big Bro is. Ellie follows her feelings. Ellie's feelings are the best!"

Tyler rolled his eyes. "That didn't answer my question either. Never mind—what did I expect from a drooling imp?"

"Ellie not imp!" she barked, kicking her legs in protest.

By the time the trio reached the clearing near the castle, the sky had turned a deep indigo, stars peeking through the canopy. The castle loomed ahead, its silhouette stark against the darkened horizon. The warm glow of torchlight flickered along the walls, but something was off.

he castle loomed ahead, its stone walls bathed in the flickering glow of torchlight. Avi signaled for Tyler to halt and motioned for him to follow as he crouched low behind the thick brush bordering the clearing. The two peered through the undergrowth at the guards stationed at the entrance.

Avi's eyes narrowed. These weren't the same kids he had left behind to guard the base. The fighters, the ones who had been trained for combat and knew how to handle themselves, were nowhere in sight. Instead, the guards now stationed looked familiar in a completely different way.

"Those are the civilians," Avi muttered, his tone laced with suspicion.

The guards stood rigid, their eyes scanning the forest with an alertness that felt almost unnatural. One of them adjusted his grip on a spear, his knuckles white despite the confident set of his jaw.

Tyler shifted beside him, his broad shoulders tense. "Civilians? You mean the ones too scared to fight or too focused on making bread or some crap?"

Avi shot him a glance, his voice a sharp whisper. "Keep it down."

The guards were indeed part of the civilian group—kids who had been deemed unsuitable for combat roles because they lacked fighting skills or had production classes. Yet now, these same kids were armed with weapons. Their grips on swords and spears were firm, their stances solid. More telling was the confident gleam in their eyes, a sharp contrast to the nervous expressions they used to wear.

"This doesn't make sense," Tyler said. "Where are the others?"

"I don't know." Avi scanned the castle's surroundings. There were more of them patrolling, just as focused and disciplined as the ones at the gate. "Something happened while we were gone. Something big."

Avi's gaze swept the castle walls, noting the patrol patterns. The guards were alert but predictable. If they timed it right, they could slip in through the side gate before the next shift rotated. Avi shifted his position slightly, his mind racing through possibilities. "We'll sneak in," he said, his tone calm but decisive. "No unnecessary fights. We avoid hurting anyone we come across."

Tyler turned to him sharply, his voice rising despite his attempt to keep it low. "What do you mean, 'no unnecessary fights'? Those kids," he gestured angrily at the castle, "are obvious accomplices. They've taken over our base, and you're telling me we're just going to let them waltz around like nothing happened?"

Avi met his glare, unshaken. "And what if they're not accomplices? What if they're victims? We don't know the full story, Tyler."

Tyler clenched his fists, his frustration clear. "They've got weapons, Avi! They're guarding our base like it's their own. That's enough of a story for me."

"Mister monster is stupid," Ellie's voice piped up, her small frame crouched behind Avi, her ashen mahogany hair glowing faintly in the moonlight.

Tyler blinked, momentarily thrown off. "What did you just—"

"She said you're stupid," Avi cut in dryly, smirking despite the tension. "And for once, I agree with her."

Ellie nodded enthusiastically, her big eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Ellie's feelings are the best."

"Feelings, huh?" Tyler snapped, trying to keep his temper in check. "You don't win fights with feelings."

Avi held up a hand, silencing him. "Think about it for a second. Maybe there's a reason they're armed now. A reason they're standing guard instead of our fighters. And until we know what's going on, we don't hurt anyone. Clear?"

Tyler's jaw tightened, but he nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if things go south, I'm not holding back."

"Good." Avi's tone softened slightly. "Look, I get it. You're angry. But our priority is Alex and the others. We need to make sure they're safe first. Then we figure out what's going on."

Ellie gave Tyler a triumphant grin, sticking her tongue out. "See? Big bro is smart. You're just a grumpy monster."

Tyler rolled his eyes. "I'm not arguing with a kid."

"Because you'd lose," Avi said, unable to resist a small chuckle.

As they moved back to the cover of the trees, Avi crouched down in front of Ellie, his expression serious. "Ellie, listen to me. We're going in there, but you can't come with us. I need you to stay here and wait until we come back. Understand?"

Ellie's face fell, her lower lip jutting out in a pout. "Ellie doesn't want to wait."

"I know," Avi said gently. He placed a hand on her head, his voice soft but firm. "But I need you to be safe. If anything happens to you…" His voice trailed off, a shadow of worry crossing his features.

Ellie's pout deepened, but after a long pause, she nodded. "Ellie will wait. But you have to come back fast!"

Avi smiled faintly, ruffling her hair. "Deal."

Tyler adjusted his axe, his expression grim. "Let's get this over with."

Avi nodded, his gaze hardening as he turned back toward the castle. Whatever was going on, they were about to find out.