The creature let out an eerie, eg screech, but to their surprise, it did not appear to be a direct threat. It seemed more as if it was watg over the territory from the shadows of the dense forest.

  Roselle’s curiosity iqued by the unique creature. She leaned forward in her seat, gazing out the windooiowards it.”I want to know more about that creature.”

  Henry took a moment to collect his thoughts. He then began to expin.

  “That particur creature is known as the Guardian of the Western Forest. It’s uhe other Mystical creatures that roam these woods. While the forest’s inhabitants tend to be hostile, the Guardian has a unique role. It won’t attaless provoked, and we’d be wise not to provoke it. It’s rumored to have a sort of protective nature, watg over this part of the forest. So, as long as we don’t pose a threat to it, we should be safe.”

  Roselle absorbed Henry’s expnation with keen i.

  Roselle mused, “It’s incredible how these mystical creatures even have roles like that.”

  The Western Jancito was a stark trast to the tranquility of the forest they had left behind. The city had an aura of striess and authority. Maizen soldiers patrolled the streets with anding gazes towards citizens.

  The group arrived at Henry’s house. While stepping out of the truck, they heard a otion. A criminal attempted to make a hasty escape with stolen goods. The Maizen soldiers, swift and unyielding, responded immediately. They ered the criminal, preventing his getaway.

  One of the Maizen soldiers stepped forward with authority. “Halt! You are under arrest for theft and breaking the w of our city.”

  The officer tinued, “As per the w of the Western Jancito, you shall be punished here and now for your crimes.”

  The criminal, a ragged man with a wild look in his eyes, gred defiantly at the soldiers. “Damn Maizen Empire! You think you’re solving anything like this? This city’s a mess, and you’re just making it worse!”

  Before the man could tinue, a soldier stepped forward. “Enough! The ws of Western Jancito are absolute. You’ve been found guilty, and justice will be served.”

  With a swift, practiced motion, the soldier uhed his bde and delivered a precise ssh. The criminal gasped in pain. He slumped to the ground with his sciousness fading.

  The soldiers stepped back. One of them turo address the gathering crowd of onlookers with stern authority. “Let this be a lesson to all. Crime will not be tolerated in our city. The w is here to protect us all, and we will enforce it without hesitation.”

  The Maizen soldiers walked away, leaving the injured criminal behind. Roselle turo the group and asked, “Aren’t we going to call an ambunce or take him to the doctor or something?”

  Henry, who had lived in the Western Jancito for a long time, expined. “In this town, we have something called the Western School of Barriers and the Barrier Ward. They’re the closest things to doctors we have. However, their services aren’t cheap, and nobody wants to make a move knowing they’ll have to pay for his injuries. That’s just how things are in this town.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened in shock. “People have to pay to get treated? Even for minor injuries?”

  Henry nodded solemnly. “Yep, unfortunately, that’s how it works here. The Western School of Barriers and the Barrier Ward are quite expensive. For minor cuts and scrapes, the treatment starts at around 100 dolrs. It adds up quickly, and not everyone afford it.”

  Roselle’s jaw dropped. “A hundred dolrs just for a minor cut? That’s... that’s steep.”

  Kintovar, who had been quietly the versation, nodded in agreement. “Yes, that’s quite a high cost for what should be basic care. It’s a shame that access to medical treatment is so limited by financial means.”

  Osana stepped forward sympathetically. “It’s not easy for everyone here. Some people struggle to get even the most basic care. That’s why some people are relut to seek help unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

  Kintovar’s thoughts drifted to the enter she had with Str, a tall and imposing man she had met briefly in North Jancito. He had cimed to be from the Western School of Barriers, and at the time, he didn’t appear to be all that bad. Now, seeing the harsh reality of life in the Western Jancito, Kintovar was hit with a revetion.

  A mischievous grin pyed on her lips. Str might have been pying Mr. Nice guy of the Western school of barriers during their previous enter. Underh the surface, he was actually a part of dark aspects of the world.

  Haras noticed a mischievous grin on Kintovar’s face. She decided to inquire, “What’s got you so amused, Kintovar?”

  Kintovar replied, “Oh, it’s nothing, just a passing thought.”

  Henry looked up in thought. “If you’d like, you’re all wele to stay the night at our pce. It’s the least we do after all the help you’ve given us.”

  Kintovar and the others nodded. Kintovar spoke to Henry, “You are quite generous.”

  Henry’s House was a cozy, well-loved home tucked away in the Westerory of Jancito He weled them warmly, a tour of the house.

  He began with Molly’s room. The walls were adorned with dark and moody posters, with bd deep purple furnishings. A distinct air of rebellion lingered in the room.

  “Here’s Molly’s room,” Henry introduced. “She’s got her own taste, that’s for sure.”

  , they ventured into Osana’s room. Osana’s room was vibrant and full of life. The walls were painted in cheerful pastel colors, and the room was decorated with lively and colorful posters.

  “Osana’s room is a bit more on the bright side,” Henry remarked. “She’s always had a way of making things feel lively.”

  Timmy’s room held childlike space with toys and games scattered about. The walls were full of drawings and artwork that he had created.

  “And this is Timmy’s room,” Henry said.

  The tour tinued into the living room, a cozy space with a firepce, a well-worn sofa, and shelves filled with books and family photos.

  “And here’s the living room,” Henry said with a touch of nostalgia. “We spend a lot of time here, especially during the cold Western nights.”

  Finally, they reached Henry and Oakley’s room, which was a serene and elegant space. The walls were painted in soft earthy tones.

  “Here’s our room,” Henry said. “We’re still w on putting more things in it, but it’s where we find pead rexation.”

  The group gathered in living room of Henry’s house. There was an unspoken heaviness in the air. Henry, who had been posed and silent during the eour of the house, finally spoke up.

  “Listen, I know we’ve had a bit of a rough day,” he began with sorrow. “I just want to thank you all for being here, especially on Timmy’s birthday. It’s been a tough one, and I appreciate the support.”

  Henry made his way to a er of the room. He pulled out a covered cake from a small table and, with a careful flourish, revealed it to the group. “It’s still Timmy’s birthday, ae everything we’ve been through, I wao make sure we celebrated.”

  Timmy’s eyes widened with excitement. He looked at his family and then at the others with joy. The group gathered around, and Henry, Molly, Oakley, Osana, and Roselle took their pces in the impromptu birthday circle.

  “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you,” they sang in unison. When the song ended, Henry and Oakley turo Timmy with a warm smile. “Happy birthday, Timmy.”

  Molly leaned over and said, “Happy birthday, kiddo. Here’s to many more adventures.”

  Osana, with a beaming smile, added, “Happy birthday, Timmy! I’m so proud of you.”

  Roselle, who had been the se with a fond expression, approached and said, “Happy birthday, Timmy. I’m gd we could be here to celebrate with you.”

  Timmy closed his eyes and made a silent wish. He blew out the dles. Afterwards, the room erupted in cheers and appuse.

  Henry watched the se with a smile. The cake was cut, and everyone eheir slices.

  Meanwhile, Rawna found herself standing in front of an ominous Dark Castle. It ce where thunder always seemed to strike when someone approached. The memories of her first visit to this pce flooded her mind, but she held a firm gaze.

  The Maizen Army soldiers guarding the pce approached her immediately. One of the soldiers, a stern-looking man, spoke up, “State your business here. The Castle of Darkness is not a pce for idle wandering.”

  Rawna gave them a gre and replied, “I have my reasons. I’m not here fhtseeing, I assure you.”

  The soldiers were not impressed and prepared to draw their ons until one halted them. The soldier who had initially spoken to Raressed further, “Well, let’s hear your valid reason then. We don’t take kindly to trespassers in these parts.”

  “Don’t ynize me,”Rawna questiohe Soldiers initially shook their heads; however, one of the soldiers caught sight of her distinctive on – the Spear of Destru. His eyes widened in reition.

  The soldier turo his rades and excimed, “Wait! That’s the Spear of Destru! She’s the ohey said would be ing from the South!”

  A murmur of panic rippled through the soldiers. Their stern expressions softened into looks of unease, and they shifted nervously exged gnces.

  The stern-looking soldier quickly posed himself and stepped forward, his posture now formal and respectful. “My apologies, Lady Rawna. We didn’t reize you at first. The mention of the Spear of Destru has a signifit weight around here. Please, five our initial rea.”

  Rawna’s gaze remaieady. She saw the notable shift in demeanor. “It’s alright. I’m here with a purpose, not to cause trouble.”

  The soldier nodded. “We uand.”

  Rawna nodded and made her way inside. Rawna’s eyes moved across the grand and imposing hall. The blood-red carpet led her deeper into the cavernous space. The tall marble pilrs fhe carpet.

  There were depis of King Maizen adorhe walls, painting him as a powerful and revered figure. Each artwork portrayed his triumphant battles, wise rule, and tough oppos he had to face over the years.

  However, what truly caught Rawna’s attention was the massive wall at the far end of the hall. It bore a list of names – the four Captains who held plete trol over the frontlines of the kingdom.

  Rawhe information on the wall to herself. “These are the individuals who hold plete trol over the frontlines. Soldiers are bound to obey their every and, no matter how insignifit it may seem.”

  Rawna took note of the names on the wall:

  Bashido

  Prince Vuldo

  Muiler G

  Siku

  These were the four Captains who held sway over the frontlines of the kingdom.

  Rawna’s eyes lingered on the name of Prince Vuldo. For a fleeting moment, a hint of a smile touched her lips. At that very moment, she felt a presence behind her. Wheurned, she was met with the sight of a man with an aura al authority. His white hair trasted sharply with his vibrant red and purple eyes. He was adorned with a , a flowing red cape, and bck armor. There was a sheathed sword that hung by his side.

  “Not everyoo stand here ahat pque. It’s not a privilege we offer…to just anyone.”

  He pced one hand to the hilt of his sword. Rawna’s eyes narrowed. She prepared her Spear of destru and took a defeance.

  The man’s eyes uhed his sword. In a blur of motion, the man lunged forward with an attack. Raw his strike with her spear. The etals echoed through the hall. Sparks flew when their ons collided. Both Rawna and the man wore smirks on their faces.