Zero

Bandit Hunt

In the heart of a sprawling cherry blossom forest, where petals danced like whispers on the wind, the two boys embarked on a quest fueled by vengeance and valor. Astral and Jaylen trekked through the fragrant woods, their hearts heavy with fury over the brutal death of their beloved horses, victims of a merciless banditry that had plagued their realm. With every step, the vibrant pink blossoms became a stark contrast to the darkness that consumed them, a reminder of the beauty they were fighting to protect.

As they ventured deeper, their path led them to a colossal black stone tower, a once-magnificent stronghold that now lay in ruins, cloaked in an eerie silence. Astral, with his sharp instincts, tilted his head and sought refuge behind the crumbling walls, his fingers deftly nocking an arrow to his bowstring.

Jaylen, ever the stalwart companion, stood beside him, brandishing his axe with a shield poised and ready. Hallow, the clever little cat who had perched on Jaylen's shoulder, sensed the impending storm and scurried away to find a safe hiding spot, knowing that danger was imminent.

Before them stood two formidable bandit guards, their armor gleaming ominously under the filtered light of the forest. These were no mere thugs; their posture and equipment revealed a cunning strength. Jaylen shot Astral a glance, his voice barely above a whisper. "What's the plan?"

Astral's response was a low growl, his eyes blazing with righteous fury. "Make them regret their actions. We will ensure they can't harm anyone else." The intensity of Astral's anger was palpable, a fierce flame fueled by the desire for justice.

With a steadying breath, Astral drew back his bow, feeling the weight of purpose behind his aim. He closed one eye, honing in on the first guard, while Jaylen prepared to flank the second, rolling behind the remnants of a wall that had once stood proud.

The air crackled with anticipation as their eyes met in a silent agreement—a fierce bond forged in loyalty and shared pain. In that moment of stillness, they were not just two boys in a cherry blossom forest; they were warriors on the brink of reclaiming their world, ready to strike and shatter the bandits' reign of terror once and for all.

With a swift release of tension, Astral unleashed his bowstring, the arrow slicing through the air with a crackle of magic, finding its mark in the forehead of the first guard. The man crumpled to the ground, oblivious to the approaching storm.

Quick as lightning, Jaylen capitalized on the moment, his movements fluid and silent as he dispatched the second guard from behind, their collective pain igniting a righteous fury within them.

As the stillness returned, Astral approached the fallen foes, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "Good," he affirmed, his voice barely above a whisper, as he regarded Jaylen with a mix of gratitude and sorrow for the lives they had taken in their pursuit of justice. "I truly hate taking lives," he confessed, his heart heavy with the weight of their actions, yet understanding flickered in Jaylen's eyes—a shared burden among comrades.

"Ready?" Jaylen asked, his hand resting firmly against the imposing wooden door of the tower ruins, an ancient relic of a time long lost. Astral nodded, preparing another arrow that glimmered with a golden hue, echoing the fierce resolve that burned within him. They opened the door stepping into the ruins.

The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and the echoes of long-forgotten whispers. Shadows danced along the walls, twisting into the shapes of lingering spirits that seemed to observe their every move. Astral, with his keen senses attuned to the unseen, lifted his head, his ear twitching as hushed voices reached his ears. He gestured for Jaylen to join him as they cautiously peered around a decaying stone wall.

"I think something happened outside, i'm going to check—" a bandit's voice broke the eerie silence, his tone heavy with uncertainty. Just as he turned to investigate the ominous doorway ahead, an arrow pierced the stillness, embedding itself in his chest as he crumpled to the ground with a shocked gasp.