The night was cold and wrapped in an unsettling silence, broken only by the occasional sound of wind brushing through the forest trees. Castian lay on the old mattress in the cabin, trying to recover his strength after the events of the previous day. The dagger discovered in the trapdoor rested by his side, and the parchment with maps and cryptic words was carefully folded inside his backpack. Despite his exhaustion, sleep didn’t come easily. The responsibility of the Celestial Pearl, the memory of the village in flames, and the uncertainty of the future kept him on constant alert.
Suddenly, a noise made him sit up immediately. His heart began to race. Something outside had broken the night’s silence. It was a low but distinct sound: the snap of branches under heavy feet.
"They’ve found me," Castian thought, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach.
Carefully, he picked up the dagger and crawled to the broken cabin window, peering outside. Among the shadows of the trees, he saw faint lights. Torches. Feng's soldiers were patrolling the area, their muffled voices carried by the wind.
He swallowed hard. They had arrived faster than he expected. His mind began working frantically, searching for a way out. The cabin had seemed like a good hiding place at first, but now it was a trap. If they surrounded it, there would be no escape.
A soft whisper echoed in his mind, so faint he almost thought he imagined it."Run, Castian. They cannot capture you."
He froze. It was the same voice he had heard before, in moments of greatest despair. The entity connected to the Celestial Pearl.
"And where should I run to?" he murmured, almost without realizing he was speaking aloud.
The voice replied, calm and mysterious, "Follow the wind. It knows the paths men cannot tread."
Castian hesitated but knew he had no time to question it. The soldiers were getting closer. He carefully placed the Pearl in his backpack, securing it tightly so it wouldn’t fall out, and adjusted the straps over his shoulders. Then he checked the map he had found. The symbols were confusing, but it seemed to indicate a route toward a denser part of the forest.
Taking a deep breath, he moved to the back door of the cabin, opening it cautiously to avoid making noise. Before stepping out, he cast one last glance at the small refuge. That place had sheltered and protected him, even if only briefly.
Outside, the air was colder, and the smell of damp earth filled his senses. He began moving quickly but silently, recalling his father’s lessons on how to navigate the forest without being noticed.
Behind him, the soldiers’ voices grew clearer."Check the cabin! He can’t be far!" one of them shouted authoritatively.
Castian quickened his pace, feeling his heart pound in his chest. He knew he had to stay calm, but the thought of being captured terrified him. What would Feng do if he got his hands on him? And worse, what would happen to the Celestial Pearl?
As he ran, the whisper returned, more urgent this time: "Hide. There are too many."
Castian looked around and spotted a fallen tree trunk, partially covered by foliage. Without a second thought, he crouched and crawled beneath it, pulling branches and leaves over himself for cover.
Moments later, the soldiers appeared. There were five of them, all armed, wearing light armor and faces hardened with determination. They illuminated the area with torches, inspecting every corner of the forest.
"He was here, I’m sure of it," one of them said.
Another responded with frustration, "Keep searching. We can’t go back empty-handed."
Castian held his breath, remaining absolutely still as the soldiers passed just meters from his hiding spot. His mind screamed at him to run, but he knew it would be futile. They would catch him before he could take ten steps.
The voice inside him spoke again, now almost like a soothing whisper:"Trust me, Castian. Wait for the right moment."
He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm his nerves. The sound of footsteps gradually faded until it disappeared. He waited a few more minutes, ensuring they were gone, before crawling out from under the trunk.
Now, moving more cautiously, he followed the direction indicated by the map. The terrain grew steeper, forcing him to use his hands to grip roots and rocks for support. The forest seemed even denser, as if it was trying to protect him.
However, the relief was short-lived. A sound behind him made him turn quickly. One of the soldiers had found him."There he is!" the man shouted, raising his torch.
Castian reacted instinctively. He drew the dagger and ran in the opposite direction, knowing the shout would alert the others. The sound of heavy footsteps chasing him echoed through the forest.
"They will surround you. Don’t run in a straight line," said the voice, calm, almost like a patient mentor.
He obeyed, changing direction abruptly, weaving through trees and thorny bushes that scratched his skin. The sound of his pursuers seemed more distant, but he knew he couldn’t slow down.
After what felt like an eternity, he reached a clearing. At its center stood an ancient oak tree, its massive roots forming cavities that looked like holes. Without thinking, he hid inside one of them, curling up and trying to steady his breathing.
The soldiers reached the clearing moments later. Castian could hear their voices clearly."He’s leading us into the heart of the forest. It’s getting more dangerous.""It doesn’t matter. Feng wants him alive, and we’ll find him."
After a few minutes of discussion, they decided to split up, heading in different directions.
"They are underestimating you," said the voice.
Castian murmured softly, "I don’t feel underestimated. I feel like prey."
The voice chuckled softly, a sound almost comforting."Even prey can become predators, Castian. It’s all a matter of time and strategy."
He remained hidden until he was sure the clearing was empty. Carefully emerging from beneath the roots, he looked up at the sky. The night was nearing its end, and the first rays of light began to pierce through the trees. He knew he had to keep moving, but he also realized something important: Feng wasn’t just sending soldiers after him. He was sending fear, trying to break him mentally.
But Castian was still standing. He still had the Pearl. And, most importantly, he still had the determination to keep the promise he had made to his parents.
As he moved through the forest once more, he felt something different within himself. It wasn’t just the presence of the entity, but a strength that seemed to grow slowly. Maybe Cheng was right. Maybe he was more special than he had ever imagined.
He pressed on, aware that the hunt would continue, but also confident that somehow, he would find a way to overcome Feng and protect everything he held dear.
The forest was no longer just a battlefield. It was his home, his ally. And as the sun rose, Castian felt a small spark of hope illuminating the darkness around him.