By the time Kai returned to his spirit beast companions, dusk was already settling over the land, painting the sky in hues of amber and violet. Normally, this would be the time when Kai would stop to set up camp for the night, allowing both himself and his companions to rest. But tonight was different. They were too close to Kumitari—far too close to that Faceless Judge. The memory of their featureless mask lingered in his mind, a shadow he couldn’t shake.
As he approached, his spirit beast companions immediately sensed that something was amiss. Their heightened instincts picked up on the tension in his posture, the faint unease in his aura. Snow and Cres, their white fur glimmering faintly in the fading light, bounded toward him, their eyes wide with concern. Cres, the more cautious of the two, nuzzled against his shoulder, while Snow let out a low, questioning growl, his ears twitching as he scanned the surroundings for danger.
Kai placed a reassuring hand on each of their heads. “I’m fine,” he murmured, his voice steady despite the urgency he felt. “But we can’t stay here. It’s not safe.” His fingers gently ruffled their fur, a small gesture of comfort, but his eyes remained sharp, scanning the treeline for any signs of movement. The Faceless Judge’s presence loomed like a storm on the horizon, and Kai knew they couldn’t afford to linger.
Instead of setting up camp, Kai made the decision to push on through the night. Traveling after dark was far more dangerous—predatory spirit beasts, treacherous terrain, and the ever-present risk of ambush made it a gamble. If he were alone, he might have hesitated, weighing the risks more carefully. But Kai wasn’t alone. His companions were more than capable of navigating the dangers of the night.
The group pressed onward, their path leading them northward toward the lands of Zan. They needed to cross the wide, rushing river they initially stopped at. Crossing it would be no small feat, but Kai and his companions were resourceful. Snow, along with several other ice-based spirit beasts, stepped forward to tackle the challenge. With focused concentration, they exhaled icy breaths, their combined efforts gradually freezing a section of the river’s surface. The ice thickened, forming a precarious but functional bridge for the menagerie to cross.
One by one, the spirit beasts began to make their way across, their steps cautious. For the lighter creatures, the ice held firm, but the heavier beasts caused the frozen surface to groan and crack under their weight. Each time the ice threatened to give way, Snow sprang into action, his icy breath reinforcing the fragile bridge and preventing disaster. His quick reflexes and unwavering focus kept the group moving forward, though the tension in the air was palpable.
Despite their best efforts, an accident was inevitable. Hunhan, a nimble but unlucky bolt rabbit, lost his footing on the slick ice and tumbled into the frigid river with a splash. Kai’s heart leapt into his throat as he saw the small creature struggling against the current. But before he could act, the group’s amphibious spirit beasts, ever vigilant, surged into action. Shuiying, the sleek water drake, moved with effortless grace through the water, her scaled body cutting through the currents like a blade. In moments, she reached Hunhan, gently scooping the drenched rabbit into her mouth and carrying him safely to the opposite shore.
Kai rushed to Hunhan’s side as soon as Shuiying deposited the shivering creature onto the riverbank. The bolt rabbit’s fur was soaked, and his wide eyes betrayed his fear. Without hesitation, Kai pulled out a piece of spare fabric from his pack, wrapping Hunhan in it like a makeshift blanket. He cradled the rabbit gently, his voice soft and reassuring. “It’s going to be alright, Hunhan. You’re safe now.” He glanced up at Shuiying, who hovered nearby, her serpentine eyes gleaming with pride. “Thank you, Shuiying,” Kai said sincerely. The water drake responded with a pleased hiss, her head bobbing slightly as if to say, Of course. I’d never let anything happen to Hunhan.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
With the crisis averted, the group finished crossing the river, the last of the spirit beasts stepping onto solid ground with relieved sighs. Kai took a moment to ensure everyone was accounted for, his eyes scanning the menagerie for any signs of distress. Once he was satisfied, he gave the signal to continue. The forest ahead was dense and shadowed, but it offered a sense of security after the perilous river crossing.
As they ventured deeper into the woods, the atmosphere among the group shifted. The tension of the crossing began to fade, replaced by the familiar rhythm of their journey. Snow and Cres trotted alongside Kai, their white fur glowing faintly in the fading sunlight filtering through the trees. Shuiying followed at the rear, her presence a comforting reminder of their collective strength. And Hunhan, now dry and nestled comfortably in Kai’s arms, seemed to have regained his usual spirited demeanor, his ears twitching with curiosity at every sound.
The forest was alive with the chatter of birds and the rustling of leaves, a stark contrast to the soft waves of the river. Kai felt a sense of relief as they moved further from the water, though he remained alert. The lands of Zan were still a distance away, and the journey ahead would undoubtedly hold more challenges. But for now, they were together, and that was enough. With his spirit beast family by his side, Kai knew they could face whatever lay ahead.
The evening started to fully set in, the sun setting beyond the unseen horizon.
Among their group were several nocturnal spirit beasts, their eyes gleaming like lanterns in the darkness. Igni, the massive flame striped tiger, moved silently ahead, scouting the path for threats. Meanwhile, a pair of winged owls, Nyra and Lumo, took to the skies, their keen eyes piercing through the veil of night to spot any movement below. Their presence gave Kai a measure of confidence, though he remained vigilant, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his blade.
As they moved, the forest seemed to come alive around them with a diffrenature ambience to it. The chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl filled the air, but beneath the surface, Kai could feel the tension—a quiet hum of danger that set his nerves on edge. Snow and Cres stayed close to his side, their forms shining faintly in the moonlight, while the rest of the group moved with practiced precision, their bond as a team evident in their seamless coordination.
Kai’s mind raced as they traveled. The Faceless Judge was not an enemy to be taken lightly. He glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting to see that featureless mask staring back at him from the shadows. But there was nothing—only the endless expanse of the forest and the faint rustling of leaves in the wind.
Hours passed, the moon climbing higher in the sky, casting its silvery light over the landscape. Despite the fatigue tugging at his limbs, Kai pressed on, driven by the need to put as much distance between them and Kumitari as possible. His companions, ever loyal, matched his pace without complaint, their trust in him unwavering.
By the time the first hints of dawn began to color the horizon, Kai finally allowed himself to slow. They had traveled far, and the immediate threat of the Faceless Judge felt distant, though not entirely gone. Finding a small clearing, Kai signaled for the group to rest. Snow and Yinying immediately curled up at his feet, their warmth a small comfort against the chill of the morning air. Shadowpaw prowled the perimeter, ever watchful, while Nyra and Lumo perched in a nearby tree, their eyes still scanning the skies.
Kai leaned against a tree, exhaling slowly as he allowed himself a moment of respite. The night had been long, and the road ahead would be no less treacherous. But for now, he felt they were safe. And as the first rays of sunlight broke through the trees, Kai felt a flicker of hope. They had survived the night and gotten away from that Faceless Judge, and together, they would make it to Zan.
(Author's Note: Just putting this here for when a bot scrapes and repost without my permission. Hey there! You're reading a story by me, Saberfang. This was likely taken from royal road or scribble hub. If you like my work please read it on those websites or on patreon at patreon.com/user?u=83747391)
Patreon. If you want to read up to 36 chapters early you can head over there.
