Free Web NovelChapter 146: Following The Right Path (1)
Ren had been watching when Kestrel carefully searched her backpack. At first, she seemed at ease, moving from one item to another. But when she came across a keychain with a photo attached, everything changed. Her face went ghostly white, and she looked as if she’d seen a ghost, her eyes fixed on that tiny photograph. Standing up, her legs wobbled beneath her.
Reacting fast, Ren was at her side, trying to support her. He looked into her face and saw it go even paler, almost like the color had been drained from her. Her eyes, usually so bright, had narrowed, and it was clear that a powerful memory was crashing over her like a tidal wave. It shook her very core, making it hard for her to even stay on her feet.
Ren, trying his best to stabilize her, felt her grip on his arm tighten desperately.
"Ren..."
That single utterance was filled with so much emotion. She clung to the keychain as if it were a lifeline and whispered that it was a cherished keepsake from her mother. The anguish and turmoil in her eyes were impossible to miss. freёwebnovel.com
This vulnerable side of Kestrel was new to Ren. He was clueless about what triggered such a reaction, but he remained steadfast, supporting her.
Cold sweat drenched Kestrel as she lost her strength, crumbling into Ren’s embrace.
Suddenly, the mutants in the vicinity became restless. These creatures didn’t rely on eyes to sense others; instead, their acute sense guided them. The very instant Kestrel faltered, they picked up a change: the presence that powered the entire Eyehole was no longer there. Now, they smelled an unknown human girl close to the campfire.
Their deity had disappeared, replaced by a stranger in their midst. This realization sent ripples of anxiety and dread through the mutants, making them edgy and unpredictable.
In the pitch-black underground, the campfire was the sole source of light, creating a small oasis of warmth. From the surrounding abyss, unsettling growls began to resonate. It seemed as if creatures from every corner were rushing towards them.
Emerging from the darkness, shadows converged, forming a tightening circle around the pair. The monsters, growling louder now, clawed at the earth, their nails creating piercing screeches. The tense atmosphere made it clear: they were on the verge of attacking this alien presence that had thrown their world into disarray.
Holding Kestrel with one hand, Ren swiftly pulled out his long blade with the other. Then, in a surprising move, he slashed his own arm. The blade shimmered with a blood-red hue. As the bright crimson droplets fell near the dancing flames, Ren swiftly flicked his blade, scattering the droplets and holding the stained sword as a barrier before them.
It was not a common sight to see Ren use his blade on himself before a fight even started. But now, with Kestrel by his side and his sword at the ready, he was prepared for anything.
Amidst the tension, the campfire continued its dance, popping and crackling sporadically.
Amidst the ferocity of the flames, Ren stood, an embodiment of icy resolve, his blade slick with blood, facing the restless monsters that prowled the shadows.
Inexplicably, a vast orca began to materialize behind him from the darkness.
Maybe it was the unyielding power exuded by this determined protector, or perhaps a vague memory that he had once given them sufferings, but the mutants, though drawing closer in an ever-tightening circle, didn’t immediately pounce.
Propped up by Ren, Kestrel felt droplets of sweat fall from her brow, their descent momentarily distorted by the erratic flames. Her body was wracked with spasms of pain, as if she had just woken up from a haunting psychic assault.
Her psychic landscape had been shattered. An avalanche of disjointed memories threatened to engulf her, plunging her thoughts into turmoil. The world around her felt foreign; she was momentarily adrift, not knowing where she was or what had transpired. Yet, a palpable sense of danger was all around — malicious, predatory energies focused intently on her from all directions.
These creatures, numerous and formidable, encircled the immobilized Kestrel. The campfire’s erratic dance triggered memories of a blazing tragedy from her younger years.
The pounding of her heart seemed to transport her back to that time — a time when she was just an innocent child, watching the flames, feeling alone and utterly powerless against the consuming cold of winter.
But this time, something was different. By her side stood a familiar figure, a beacon of safety.
Although many of her memories were in disarray, with vast chunks hidden from her grasp, Kestrel recognized Ren as her protector, her comrade in arms.
"Ren." His name alone brought her a sense of calm and comfort. Deep down, Kestrel felt reassured that with Ren by her side, they could weather any storm.
Their bond was unbreakable. In moments of weakness, they had each other’s backs, offering respite and solace, sharing strength when the other faltered.
Kestrel drew comfort from Ren’s unwavering presence. She felt the reassuring heat of his body as they stood close together.
Gently leaning into him, Kestrel nestled her aching head on Ren’s shoulder, her arms encircling his waist. Taking a brief moment to gather herself, she closed her eyes. When they reopened, they were dark as the midnight sky, but now, a tiny spark of determination shone brightly within.
As those eyes snapped open, the aggressive growls that had surrounded them seemed to fade away. A lot of the mutants looked confused, as if they’d suddenly lost track of what they were doing.
"Wait, what were we up to?"
"Weren’t we talking about... not trusting pretty-looking humans?"
"Or was it that we were munching on meat? I remember a tasty stew."
"Yeah, where did that stew pot go? I need more of that."
Their confused mutterings continued, as they looked around and gradually went back to their usual routines, seeming to forget about Ren and the girl he was holding close.
"Move slow."
Kestrel whispered this thought directly into Ren’s mind, using her psychic abilities, while beads of sweat trickled from her forehead onto Ren’s shoulder.
Feeling her message, Ren’s grip tightened, supporting her even more, as they both started to sneak past the monsters. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
Interestingly, most of the creatures seemed oblivious to them. In the rare moments when one did notice, it barely had a chance to react before a flash of a red blade from the shadows cut it down.
The once cracking campfire slowly dimmed, leaving behind a soft red glow. A heavy scent of blood filled the air, thick and iron-rich.
With every step, Ren’s dark boots made no noise on the floor.
Kestrel leaned into Ren, trusting him to guide their way. She didn’t have to worry about fighting or evading; her main focus was mentally influencing the mutants, which had suddenly become a lot simpler for her with Ren nearby.
In fact, she could sense that her psychic power had gotten stronger, allowing her to influence most of the creatures, even though she wasn’t at her best.
The same could be said for Ren. With the majority of the monsters no longer being a threat, he just had to cautiously avoid and handle the few who snapped out of their daze.
What initially seemed like a tense showdown turned out to be oddly calm. In that moment, both felt a deep admiration for each other, sensing the protection they provided to each other.
