Zero

Bloodshed

As the golden tendrils of dawn crept over the rugged seaside cliff, they gently brushed against Jaylen's eyelids, coaxing him from the depths of slumber. He stirred, a low groan escaping his lips, his mind still tangled in the remnants of dreams. Beside him, Astral, with tousled hair and sleepy eyes, shared the sentiment, while their ever-curious companion, Hallow, a sleek feline with Lapis eyes, emerged from her cocoon of warmth. She stretched luxuriously, a soft murmur escaping her throat, demanding attention and affection.

Astral, still bleary-eyed, reached out to stroke her fur, wiping the remnants of sleep away. "Did we really fall asleep out here?" he questioned, a hint of disbelief coloring his tone.

Jaylen, now fully awake and standing at the cliff's edge, stretched with a satisfying groan. "MMhm—looks like we did," he replied, laughter bubbling up as he faced his friend. "But how could we resist? It's just so peaceful..." His gaze drifted toward the horizon, where the sun began its majestic ascent, casting brilliant hues of orange and pink across the sky, melding with the deep blue of the sea below.

The rhythmic crashing of waves against the jagged rocks painted a serene backdrop, a melodic lullaby that whispered secrets of the sea. Jaylen stood bathed in the golden embrace of the sun, its warmth wrapping around him like a comforting blanket, as he closed his eyes and surrendered to the moment.

By his side, Astral walked up, a soul untouched by sight, nodded in silent understanding. "I imagine it's gorgeous," he murmured, his heart attuned to the world in ways his eyes could not grasp.

Curiosity flickered in Jaylen's gaze as he turned to Astral, the realization dawning on him like the sun breaking the dawn. "You can't see it..." he said softly, his voice tender and filled with affection. With a gentle touch, he took Astral's hand, guiding it upwards. As he lifted it, the warm rays of sunlight slipped through their fingers, creating a dance of shadows and light.

Astral gasped, a spark of wonder igniting within him. Though he could not see, he felt the sun's essence vividly—a bright, shimmering yellow illuminating the edges of his imagination. "Can you see it...?" Jaylen hummed, his voice dripping with love as he let the light cascade through their hands, shimmering like liquid gold.

Astral held his breath, an emotion blossoming within him. As he pressed his other hand over his mouth in astonishment, a radiant smile broke free, illuminating his features with a warmth that rivaled the sun's glow. "Yeah... I see it," he replied, his words a melody of joy as the wonder enveloped him—an embrace akin to the comforting fire on a cool night, where warmth and love intertwined in a tapestry of unfathomable beauty.

Jaylen stepped back, allowing Astral to bask in the spectacle, while his own heart swelled with pride and affection. He bent down to pick up Hallow she glimmered like stardust in the soft glow of their surroundings—his gaze anchored tenderly on his friend. "I wish we could stay here forever..." he murmured, the weight of longing heavy in the air.

Astral turned, hands resting at his sides, his gaze lowered to the ground as thoughts swirled within him. A moment of silence enveloped them, heavy yet comforting, before he sighed, "Honestly... me too." The words carried a bittersweet yearning, tempered by the understanding of their journey. "But we must go on; there's so much more we need to do."

Jaylen nodded in agreement, a sigh escaping his lips, echoing the shared weight of their unspoken dreams. "I know," he replied, the wistfulness in his tone underscoring the resolve they both felt. "I just wish that wasn't the case..."

And with those words, They both understood the delicate balance between savoring the fleeting moments of joy and the vast, untamed adventures that awaited them beyond the shimmering glade, where destiny beckoned with promises of wonder yet to unfold. But the tranquility shattered like glass when a loud crash reverberated through the forest, jolting them from their reverie. The anguished neigh of a horse pierced the enchanted silence, a chilling reminder of their camp and the dangers lurking in the shadows.

Panic coursed through Astral's veins as he dashed down the hill, each frantic footfall echoing the dread in his heart: "Duchess!" His voice trembled with urgency, a desperate plea that surged through the thicket of towering trees that seemed to loom over them like silent sentinels of impending doom. Behind him, Jaylen struggled to keep pace, the weight of Hallow—a small, enigmatic black cat—perched precariously on his shoulder.

The forest, once a sanctuary of calm, morphed into a daunting arena where shadows danced and whispered of the calamity that lay ahead. When they broke free from the embrace of the trees, the sight that met their eyes was one of utter destruction: their beloved camp lay ravaged, a haunting reminder of the life that once flourished there.

The lifeless bodies of their cherished horses, once proud companions, now lay strewn like forgotten relics on the scorched earth, arrows piercing their forms as if nature herself had wept for their loss.

Astral's heart shattered at the sight of Duchess, the ethereal white mare he had adored, now reduced to a bloodied silhouette. He fell beside her, cradling her head, "I'm so sorry baby.." Astral spoke whispering apologies that hung heavy in the air, heavy like the scent of smoke and betrayal.

Jaylen, consumed by sorrow, mourned the chestnut palomino that had gallantly stood by his side. Tears blurred his vision as he embraced the fallen creature, "I'm so..so sorry-" Jaylen whined, the softness of her fur a stark contrast to the harsh reality surrounding them.

As rage ignited within Astral's chest, he surveyed the devastation—bandits, he realized, had brought this chaos upon them. "Oh... you made an enemy," he growled, his voice low and dangerous, as he approached the remnants of their once-vibrant camp. The embers of the burned tent whispered tales of loss and vengeance, and amidst the ashes, his bow awaited him, pulsating with a familiar energy—the call of the hunt, "We are going on a hunt-"

"A hunt?" Jaylen echoed, caught between disbelief and dread. "How can you go out and kill another animal this is not the time!—" But the ferocity in Astral's gaze silenced his protests. This was no ordinary hunt; it was a vow of retribution, a promise to reclaim their fallen steeds lives.

"Okay... let's go," Jaylen replied, steeling himself as he adjusted Hallow on his shoulder. Clutching his gear, they set forth into the encroaching shadows, two friends bound by loss and fury, determined to make those who had wronged them pay. In the heart of darkness, they would strike back, and the bandits would soon learn that vengeance, like a haunting specter, was relentless and unforgiving.