The path leading to the monastery stretched between gnarled trees and hills bathed in a warm wind. The silence was broken only by the light footsteps of Caden and his companions. Aletha, looking alert, led the way, followed by Zetch, Bella, and Caden.
Suddenly, a chill swept through the air. An unnatural rustling, almost too quiet to be natural. Caden stopped dead in his tracks.
"Someone's approaching," he said, holding out his hand to signal the others to stay alert.
A hooded figure stood in the middle of the path, as if emerging from nowhere. Tall, imposing, silent. Its aura was so heavy that even the birds stopped singing.
Zetch narrowed his eyes, wary. Bella took her stance. Aletha, impassive, took a step forward.
"You over there. Show your face," she ordered, her voice firm and unwavering.
The man didn't respond. Slowly, he raised his hands to his hood and slid it back. His face, marked by scars and a hard expression, appeared under the hazy light of the clouds.
Zetch took a step back, his eyes wide.
"Krul?" he breathed incredulously.
Bella blinked in confusion.
"Do you know him?"
"Yes," Zetch growled. "He's the leader of the gang Caden and I defeated."
Aletha looked at him, intrigued.
"Well... I can see why he's so feared. That man exudes an unusual ferocity."
But Caden, who had remained silent until then, advanced slowly, watching Krull intensely.
"No... that's not it. Something's changed." His voice was deep, troubled. Last time, he was... blank. But now…"
Bella frowned, turning to him.
"Do you think…?"
"Yes," Caden replied, his jaw clenched. "It's like Morgana."
No sooner had he spoken the words than Krull moved. A burst of raw power. He charged at them without warning, howling like a bloodthirsty beast.
"Step aside!" Zetch shouted.
Everyone took their positions. The air vibrated with tension. Another fight was beginning, and this time, their opponent wasn't just a gang leader. He was something else.
Someone... or something... had given Krull a power he'd never possessed.