Embersteel: Legend of the Warrior BlackSmith

Chapter 14: Shadows of the Past

Jiang Feng's heart skipped a beat. He crouched low, melting into the shadows of a nearby tree, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. The footsteps grew louder, and closer. His hand instinctively gripped the hilt of his spear, ready to strike if necessary.

Out of the darkness emerged a figure, tall, draped in a long black cloak. The figure moved with purpose, their head swiveling as though searching for something... or someone. Jiang Feng held his breath, every muscle tense.

The figure paused, turning in his direction. For a moment, their eyes seemed to meet, though Jiang Feng couldn't be sure. He remained perfectly still, praying to whatever gods might listen that he hadn't been spotted. After what felt like an eternity, the figure turned and continued walking, disappearing into the night.

The man was like a shadow as he moved, quickly vanishing out of sight. Jiang Feng exhaled quietly, his heart pounding in his ears. Whoever they were, they had to be part of the group that had entered the cave after him. He wasn't safe here.

His legs screamed in protest as he forced himself to move again, this time quicker, more desperate. He had to find shelter, someplace to rest and regain his strength. If he didn't, he'd be easy prey for the next pursuer who came along.

He found himself being relentlessly pursued, with no understanding of the reasons behind it. All he knew was that it seemed to be connected to the mysterious cave he had stumbled upon, where enigmatic symbols seemed to come to life and morph into spectral apparitions and menacing sword slashes. His father, Jiang Long, had been the one to leave him near this cave in the forest, indicating that there must be a significant purpose behind it all.

After what felt like hours of stumbling through the underbrush, a flicker of light caught his eye. He paused, squinting through the trees. It was faint, but unmistakable a torch, or maybe a fire.

A town?

His heart leaped with hope. Summoning the last reserves of his energy, Jiang Feng quickened his pace, weaving through the forest toward the light. As he drew closer, the soft hum of voices reached his ears, confirming his suspicions.

A small village, nestled between the trees, came into view. The buildings were humble, made of wood and thatch, but the sight of them was enough to bring a wave of relief crashing over him. He had made it.

Jiang Feng approached the village cautiously, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. The village seemed peaceful, quiet, too quiet, almost, but that was to be expected in the dead of night. He kept to the shadows as he slipped between the houses, avoiding the narrow streets where dim torchlight flickered from windows.

As he passed a nearby building, the faint sound of conversation caught his attention.

"Another one was found dead near the river this morning," a hushed voice said. "The beasts are getting more aggressive."

A second voice replied, gruff and tired. "We need to reinforce the walls. The villagers are getting restless. If this keeps up, we'll lose more than just livestock."

Jiang Feng's curiosity was piqued, but he couldn't linger. His body ached for rest, and his stomach gnawed at him, reminding him of the raw meat still bundled at his side. He needed shelter, someplace quiet where he could cook the meat without attracting attention.

He spotted an old barn near the edge of the village, its roof sagging and its walls covered in creeping vines. It looked abandoned, or at least unused.

"Perfect!."

Slipping inside, Jiang Feng found a corner hidden from view and immediately set to work. Using a few dry sticks and leaves, he built a small, controlled fire and began roasting the meat. The smell of cooking flesh filled the barn, and though it wasn't exactly pleasant, it was enough to make his mouth water.

As the meat sizzled, Jiang Feng leaned back against the wall, letting out a long sigh of exhaustion. The firelight flickered against the wooden beams above, casting dancing shadows on the walls. He knew he couldn't stay here for long, just enough to eat and rest before moving on.

The crackle of the fire was oddly soothing, and for the first time in what felt like days, Jiang Feng allowed himself to relax. His mind wandered back to the fight with the beast, the feeling of its life slipping away beneath his hands. The blood on his hands. He had done what was necessary, but the weight of it lingered.

As he tore into the cooked meat, his thoughts turned to the Eternal Flame Codex. Its teachings had kept him alive, but there was so much he didn't understand. The markings on the cave walls, the strange energy he had felt flowing beneath the earth, it was all connected, but how?

His mind was heavy with unanswered questions when the barn door creaked open.

Jiang Feng shot to his feet, hand on his long makeshift spear. A figure stepped into the barn, silhouetted against the light of the village beyond.

"You there," a voice called, low and commanding. "Come out."

Jiang Feng's grip tightened on his weapon, but he didn't move. The figure took a step closer, their features becoming clearer in the firelight. A man, dressed in simple but sturdy clothes, his eyes sharp and wary.

"I know you're in here," the man said, his voice calm but firm. "I saw the smoke."

Jiang Feng slowly stepped forward, keeping his spear hidden but ready.

"I don't want any trouble," he said cautiously. "I'm just passing through."

The man raised an eyebrow looking at the young man who looked no older than 17 at best, his gaze flicking to the makeshift fire and the meat cooking over it. "Passing through, huh? Doesn't look like you're in much of a hurry."

Jiang Feng didn't respond. He wasn't sure if this man was a threat or just a curious villager, but he couldn't afford to let his guard down. The man studied him for a moment longer before sighing. "You're not the first stranger to come through here recently. We've had a lot of... unusual visitors lately."

"Unusual?" Jiang Feng echoed, his curiosity piqued.

The man nodded. "People asking strange questions, looking for things that don't belong to them. The village elder says it's an ill omen."

Jiang Feng's mind raced. Could these visitors be connected to the men in dark cloaks who had followed him into the cave? What were they searching for?

"I don't plan on staying long," Jiang Feng said, trying to steer the conversation away from himself. "I just need to rest, then I'll be on my way."

The man eyed him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Fine. But be careful. The forest isn't safe anymore. Beasts are acting strange, and people have gone missing."

Jiang Feng's stomach twisted. Missing people, strange visitors, and aggressive beasts, it was all connected somehow, and he had a sinking feeling that the cave was the cause of it all!