Remi jumped up so fast her chair toppled over. In a blink, she was at the young woman’s side, supporting her with trembling arms. Soren looked at the troubled woman. She had short brown hair and was wearing comfortable looking clothing, along with black framed glasses and light grey robes that seemed to resemble noble attire.

  “She... doesn’t seem like the adventurer type. What happened to her?” He thought.

  “Asta—gods, what happened to you?” Remi’s voice cracked as.

  Soren stood in stunned silence, never having heard Remi sound like that before. He had never seen her in such a worried state, even back in the forest.

  “Jorge!” Remi snapped, and he was already moving. “We need to get her to the back—now.”

  They cleared a couch in the barracks. Asta lay there, sweat across her brow, and teeth gritted in pain. Faris moved in a practiced sort of way, grinding leaves into a bowl, boiling water, measuring exact drops into a vial. He had clearly done this many times before, which made Soren wonder how many dangerous encounters the group must have had before he had arrived.

  Remi knelt at Asta’s side, her fingers brushing hair from her forehead. She looked so different like this, so vulnerable. Her calm edge was gone, replaced by frantic care and concern for her friend.

  “I was on the road,” Asta said weakly.

  “On my way to you guys as a stop… then to Celta. Blade’s Festival preparation... and then… they jumped me.”

  “Who?” Remi demanded, her voice low and carrying a tone of frustration.

  “Denor,” Asta said.

  One word was said. Only a single name. Yet it was enough to silence and freeze the air in the room.

  Remi’s face changed to one of shock, then her expression darkened. Her jaw clenched as she grit her teeth. Soren noticed her eyes—burning with a kind of fury and malice he’d never seen in her before.

  “He… he and his new group tried to rob me. I tried to fight them off, and I did, but—” She swallowed hard, like she didn’t want to accept what came next.

  “They took it. The bracelet. My mother’s.”

  Remi’s grim expression cracked for a split second, pain flashing across her face. “That bastard…”

  Faris made his way to them with the glowing green drink in hand, and helped Asta sip it. The healing brew worked surprisingly fast, the colour slowly returning to her face, and her breathing began to steady. She offered a quiet thank you, and Remi nodded, gently brushing her hand once before standing up.

  She looked at Asta for a moment longer, then turned toward the door like she was walking to war.

  “Where are you going?” Soren asked, following after her. He was still confused about what was going on, but knew the actions Remi would take following this reveal would not be rational.

  She didn’t look back, but as she continued walking, she spoke with a determination he had never seen in her before.

  “I’m going to find Denor, and I’m going to get Asta’s bracelet back.”

  Soren stepped in front of her, frowning with concern.

  “Remi… you’re not okay right now. You can’t—”

  “I have to,” she snapped, eyes flashing with anger.

  But the heat in her gaze died down just as fast as it came. She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment.

  “You don’t understand, Soren. I let him go once. I won’t do it again.”

  Soren studied her. She was shaking slightly. Barely, but it was there, and he noticed.

  “Then… I’m going with you.”

  Remi turned to face him, stunned. “No. No, it’s too dangerous. You don’t know what you’re getting into, or the things Denor is capable of.”

  “I don’t care. I'm part of this group, aren't I? That means I’m not gonna let you go alone, especially when you’re not thinking straight.”

  A voice rumbled low from behind them, as Jorge walked forward. “The kid’s right, Remi. You can’t walk into something like that solo, or you’re gonna end up dead somewhere.”

  She hesitated, her blue eyes flicking between the two of them. Then after what seemed like careful consideration, she sighed heavily, and nodded.

  “Fine. But I’m going now. Soren, we’re getting in and out of that place fast. You’re capable, but I can’t have you messing up at all… not when it comes to this.”

  Remi grabbed her staff, while Soren belted his sword to his hip. Jorge stood in front of the doorway and offered one last piece of advice.

  “Don’t get reckless. Either of you.”

  Remi turned to the bartender, who had watched it all unfold quietly. “Denor. Is he still haunting the same hole of filth?”

  The bartender nodded grimly. “East of the tavern by the rocks. Same place as always.”

  Remi nodded once, eyes narrowing. Soren followed her as she pushed open the tavern doors, and they were met with a cold wind and dim stars. They didn’t speak as they walked, but the silence between them was tense enough to be cut through.

  Remi's pace was fast, her jaw set as she tried to make as much distance as possible with outright sprinting. Soren watched her from the side, wondering just how deep this grudge or history ran—how much this man had taken from her.

  Whoever Denor was… he’d find out soon.

  Soren glanced at her, and finally spoke. “So… who is this Denor guy, really?”

  She went quiet for a moment. “He used to be someone I trusted. We adventured together, when we were all a bit younger. When I was still a teenager, our group was called the Dark Stars. Me, Asta, him… and one more.”

  Her grip tightened on her staff. “But Denor changed as time went on. He got greedy. Said we were wasting time helping people when we could be rich. We disagreed with him... That’s when it fell apart.”

  Soren looked ahead as she spoke, taking in her words. “He betrayed you.”

  Remi nodded slowly, her voice low and bitter, trembling slightly. “Got someone killed, too.”

  They walked a bit further before she added, “That bracelet wasn’t just a trinket or a piece of jewelry. It was Asta’s mother’s last gift to her, before she passed away. Don’t be fooled, he knew what it meant to her. That’s just the type of person he is.”

  A moment passed as Remi caught her breath, trying to keep her emotions in check, before Soren spoke, his voice determined, as if he’d absorbed all the information and made the only logical conclusion.

  “We’ll get it back.”

  Remi glanced at him, eyes teary, yet a smirk had formed. “Damn right we will.”

  The sun was low in the sky already, casting golden rays of light between the trees as Soren and Remi continued their walk in silence. They eventually reached a few boulders on the outskirts of a sparse forest, and they followed the trail winding through it. The only sounds were the crunch of boots on leaves and the distant rustle of birds beginning to settle for the night.

  Remi’s eyes scanned ahead with an intense focus. She had been here before—Soren could tell. Her breath was slightly uneven, and her fingers twitched near the hilt of her staff.

  They reached a clearing at the end of the trail, which revealed an old, abandoned campsite lying at its center. Large rocks still formed a broken ring around a dead firepit.

  She stepped forward slowly, her eyes fixed on a tree nearby. Carved into the bark, worn away slightly by time and weather, was a symbol: a circle connected by four curved lines, with a jagged star inside it. A mark of her old group.

  Soren watched as Remi stiffened after seeing it, her breathing becoming shallow. She took a few more steps forward, then fell to her knees in front of the firepit, reaching down and picking up a half-burnt piece of wood. Her fingers closed around it slowly.

  "Soren," she whispered, not looking at him, her voice distant. "This is where it all began."

  —

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Years Ago

  The clearing was alive with laughter and warmth. The fire crackled brightly in the pit, shining a golden colour on four young faces.

  Remi sat cross-legged, her pink hair tied back in a simple braid, grinning as she tossed a small pebble toward a mug of ale at the center of a drinking game.

  Beside her, Asta leaned back, balancing on her elbows while sipping from a cup and watching the game unfold.

  Across the fire, Denor sat, tall and striking, with long, dark hair tied in a loose ponytail and a cocky grin that practically shone in the firelight. His armor was mismatched, but it was well-maintained, and a steel sword rested on his lap.

  Next to him sat Kerrin, a quiet young man rogue with short brown hair and a sly smile, sharpening his short blade in a practiced rhythm. The four of them formed a tight circle, and the companionship between them could almost be felt.

  “Three throws in a row,” Remi said proudly, hands on her hips.

  “Three cheater’s throws,” Denor countered with a smirk, laughing slightly. “The spirits must favor you.”

  Remi smirked back. “Maybe they just don’t like sore losers.”

  Kerrin glanced at Asta, before laughing at the banter between the others. “You two argue more than a married couple.”

  Denor tossed a twig at Kerrin, who dodged it easily. “When we get to Celta, I’m finding a real tavern challenge, none of this stone throwing nonsense.”

  “Celta won’t know what hit it,” Asta added, a genuine look of hopefulness in her eyes.

  The Dark Stars were young, bright, and full of promise.

  “Don’t get too cocky,” Remi said, leaning forward as her tone turned thoughtful. “Big cities… also bring big eyes. We’ll be a tiny spark in a bonfire.”

  “Then let’s make that spark explode,” Denor said, raising his cup. “To the Dark Stars. May we shine, even in the darkest skies.”

  They all raised their cups. Four hands, one voice.

  “To the Dark Stars!”

  —

  A few weeks later. Outside the capital.

  The Dark Stars didn’t speak as they walked through the darkened ruins outside Celta. Old stone walls rose from the earth, these were the last remnants of a fallen fortress.

  The contract they had taken was clear: investigate the area, clear out any creatures nesting in the rubble, and return with proof.

  Remi had argued that they should take a guild job instead, something honorable. Denor had insisted on this contract, and said there was treasure rumored to be beneath the ruins. For Denor, treasure meant freedom.

  She didn’t trust it, but they followed anyway. Denor led at the front, while Kerrin flanked him. Asta walked beside Remi at the rear, her fingers twitching with nerves.

  They descended into the ruins through a half-buried staircase, when the air grew cold. It felt damp, and something about it made Remi's stomach twist.

  “Any idea what’s down here?” Asta whispered while looking around slowly.

  Remi shook her head. “No, that’s what's been bothering me since we arrived.”

  They entered a large chamber, where cracked pillars lined down the walls, and a single ancient chest sat in the center, sealed with rusted metal and a few strange symbols.

  Denor grinned. “There it is.”

  Kerrin hesitated, a look of concern across his face. “You sure this isn’t cursed or something?”

  “Only thing cursed is the poverty we’re trying to escape,” Denor snapped, before turning his attention back to the chest.

  He stepped forward—and Remi grabbed his arm. “Wait. Look at the floor.”

  A faint circle of runes surrounded the floor around the chest, etched into the stone and glowing with a dull purple light.

  “A trap,” Asta said, stepping back.

  Denor yanked his arm free from her grip. “We’ve faced worse.”

  “You don’t know what this is,” Remi said, her frustration rising.

  “We should leave. Report it to a guild. Let proper mages investigate.”

  “No one’s taking this from me!” Denor roared at her, eyes wild.

  “I’ve worked too damn hard to crawl through the dirt, to keep begging for coins. You want to play a saint, and do all your ‘guild jobs’? Go ahead, but stay out of my way.”

  He stepped into the circle.

  The runes flared immediately. A shockwave blasted out from its center, hurling Kerrin against a wall with a loud thud. Asta screamed from fear. Remi dropped to her knees, disoriented, her ears ringing.

  Something awoke beneath them.

  A piercing shriek echoed through the ruins as a spectral being burst from the chest ahead of them. It resembled a knight, malformed, wearing the shape of a knight that had been twisted by time. With its eyes hollow, and its blade drawn, it lunged at Denor. He screamed, not in fear, but rage, and charged it.

  Remi forced herself up, gritting her teeth from worry. “Denor, get back!”

  But it was too late. The creature had managed to strike first, knocking him across the chamber and against a pillar. He landed hard, groaning, blood running down his arm. Asta rushed over to Kerrin, trying to wake him. Remi steadied herself and raised her staff, casting a protective barrier around them.

  “Run!” she shouted, her voice trembling.

  But Denor didn’t move. He stood slowly from where he had landed, spitting blood onto the ground. “I’m not running.”

  The knight loomed across from him, and Remi knew he wouldn’t survive another hit.

  She sprinted forward, pouring all the magic she had into her hands as mana radiated off of her arms.

  “Get down!” she yelled.

  She unleashed the spell, a burning wave of light that slammed into the creature, engulfing it completely from head to toe. It screamed loud enough to shake the ground, clawing at itself, and in a burst of smoke and mana, it vanished.

  Silence returned to the ruin as the runes flickered out. And the chest—was gone. It had disintegrated the same as the knight had, leaving an empty space behind the now inactive runes. Denor slumped to his knees, eyes distant with disappointment and disbelief.

  “You could’ve died!” Remi shouted, her voice shaking as she clenched her fists. “For what?”

  “For what we were promised, for what we were supposed to have,” Denor muttered. “Everything we deserved.”

  Remi walked up to him, eyes burning with rage. “You were willing to let us die. You broke every vow we made when we started this. For gold.”

  Denor looked up at her, and for the first time, his eyes held no fire. There was only emptiness behind his gaze, but despite that fact, she couldn’t see even a flicker of regret.

  “We’re done,” Remi said. Asta nodded in agreement as she wiped her tears away, silent.

  Kerrin stirred behind them, groaning. Remi turned and walked over to him, tears threatening to fall. He coughed deeply, blood dribbling from his lips. Asta sat down and cradled his head in her lap, hands shaking, her healing magic barely keeping his pulse going.

  Remi knelt beside him, tears falling against the stone beneath. “Just hold on, Kerrin. We’re… gonna get you out of here.”

  He tried to speak, but only rasping came out. That’s when she realized his pouch was gone. She turned her head quickly, her eyes burning even more now. Denor was at the far side of the chamber, standing weakly near the exit, clutching a bulging satchel. He met her gaze head on, and didn’t say a word.

  “You didn’t,” Remi whispered in utter disbelief.

  Denor stepped back again, moving closer to the exit. “He won’t need it.”

  “You bastard!” Asta screamed, standing up.

  “Did you think… that this was all about ‘the cause’? About honor? The same honor that we’ve barely been surviving on?” Denor’s voice was cold.

  “I gave you all a chance to rise out of the mud. You were just too scared… too weak to take it.”

  He turned towards the exit, and before anyone could react, he vanished into the darkness of the corridor. Remi almost went after him. But she looked down at Kerrin, and stayed. He was fading fast.

  “I’m… I’m sorry,” she whispered, tears falling freely. “We should’ve left sooner. We should’ve never followed him this far.”

  Kerrin looked at her weakly, the pain evident in his eyes. And then, very softly, he spoke with as much strength as he could muster in his current state.

  “You guys… were the best part.”

  His body stilled a few seconds later. Asta let out a broken sob, and clutched his body close. Remi closed his eyes gently, her hands trembling too much to control.

  Absolute silence reigned in the tomb as the light from her staff dimmed.

  —

  Soren stood next to Remi just outside the crumbling outpost they’d tracked Denor to. The wind was sharp, and the faint rustle of grass blowing was the only sound to be heard, following Remi’s story.

  He glanced at her, strands of brown hair blowing slightly, his eyes distant and expression unreadable.

  “So… that’s the kind of man he is.”

  Remi didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes were fixed on the entrance to the outpost ahead. Her gaze was cold, and unnaturally focused.

  “It was the last time I ever saw Kerrin,” she said finally.

  “Asta and I buried him together. Then we dismantled what was left of the Dark Stars completely.”

  Soren looked at the building across from them, then back at her. “You’re not doing this for revenge… are you?”

  Remi's fingers curled tightly around her staff, and shook her head. “Not just that. He’s done more since… hurt more people. And I let him live, once.”

  A pause, before her expression hardened.

  “Never again.”

  Soren nodded at her words, quiet for a moment. He wouldn’t say it out loud, but he related to her in some way. The way she felt about Denor, was the same way he felt about Hestus.

  And what Hestus did… was a sin he could pay for only with his life.

  He breathed out heavily, and steadied himself. He understood a part of how she felt, how she must’ve felt for years.

  Then softly, he spoke.

  “Whatever you need me to do… I’m with you.”

  She looked at him finally, her expression softening a bit. The wind was blowing loose strands of her hair, and her blue eyes seemed a bit more dull than usual. But on the contrary, they seemed even more fierce than usual as well.

  “Thanks...”

  The wind picked up a bit more, and it had been a while since they first left the tavern, which meant the sun would be up soon. Remi stepped forward toward the door. She took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly, gripping her staff, and turning her head back slightly to glance at Soren.

  “It’s time.”