Still… despite everything, Malakai had gotten what he needed from that confrontation.
‘I found out where she formed her nodes.’
‘Two in her legs. One on her left arm.’
Malakai’s eyes gleamed.
‘I just have to make enough plans.’
He was always going to face her if he wanted to win the Hunt, this only confirmed it. But now, with what he’d learned, he would make the right plans to deal with her.
Soon, Malakai exited the training ground and instantly felt the gaze of Nyx. But just as he was about to start heading back to his manor, a voice broke through his thoughts.
“Ninth Vein!”
Malakai turned and saw Renlo coming out of the training ground.
The boy stopped in front of him, panting with his hands on his knees.
After a few deep breaths, he stood up straight and spoke, “I-I wanted to thank you for today, Ninth Vein!”
Then he bowed deeply. “Thank you!”
Malakai frowned. ‘Again.’
That same feeling had returned once more. Just what was happening?
Valentine didn’t say anything this time, choosing to keep silent.
Malakai shook his head. “Stop thanking me. It’s becoming annoying.”
But Renlo quickly said, “But I’m just so grateful! You helped me so much today! Even my fight with the darkness creature was easier thanks to you!”
Malakai’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Renlo’s main problem had always been his fear. His hesitation. They made him look like he couldn’t fight.
But after facing Malakai, at a pace he could manage, he’d begun regaining confidence in himself. He had been more active than passive. And that had helped him when facing the darkness creature.
As it turned out, Renlo was even more afraid of Malakai than of a creature that could rip him apart.
His thoughts had gone something like: If I can fight the Ninth Vein… then I can fight anything!
Malakai sighed. “Alright…”
Then Renlo tilted his head and asked, “How can I repay you, Ninth Vein?”
Malakai was just about to refuse when Renlo suddenly lit up. “I know! I’ll bring you more bread tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll make it soft and delicious!”
Malakai was flabbergasted.
But Renlo continued, “Ah, I better stop keeping you here. I bet you have more important things to do.”
He bowed again. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Ninth Vein!”
And with that, he turned and ran off before Malakai could say anything.
All Malakai could do was just stand there, staring, completely flabbergasted by the absurdity of it all.
Far away, perched atop a tree, a small smile crept onto Nyx’s face as she watched the interaction. But while she felt happy, a part of her was equally stunned.
‘The Ninth Vein made a friend?…’
She stopped her thoughts as Malakai finally started moving again, heading back toward the manor.
Quietly, Nyx followed.
…
The sun had set, and most parts of the Crimson Hold had been plunged into darkness.
On the south side of Crimson Hold, not far from where the training grounds were located, the figure of a young boy, no older than fourteen, moved quietly through the dark forest.
His steps were incredibly hesitant. He walked slowly, eyes darting towards even the slightest of sounds, clearly restless.
‘C’mon Renlo. You fought the Ninth Vein today! If you can do that, you can do anything!’
Renlo tried to steady himself, and it worked, his trembling reduced significantly, and his steps picked up pace.
Soon enough, he reached the base of a tree, one far larger than the others in the vicinity.
Renlo sent multiple glances around, ensuring there were no threats nearby. Then he rubbed his palms together sharply and began climbing, gripping the bark and pulling himself upward while humming “I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid…” over and over in his head like a song.
Soon enough, he reached the top, coming up on a wide platform hidden among the branches.
It was dark, but even without seeing clearly, he moved like someone who knew this place well. In front of him was a silhouette that took the shape of a small wooden house.
Without pausing, Renlo walked up to the edge of the platform, reached for a makeshift lever nearby, and pulled it down.
With a low whoosh, a massive dark cloak lowered from above, covering the entire platform and house, from top to all sides, sealing them in. Then, just beside the lever, he clicked a small button.
In the next instant, lights flicked on, illuminating the entire area with a soft, warm glow.
Now everything could be seen clearly.
The wooden house was tiny, barely two meters in size, clearly built for just sleeping.
Around the platform, signs of Renlo’s life were everywhere: large buckets filled with water, clothes hung on makeshift lines, a small pile of sharpened sticks, a worn wooden chair with one leg propped up with a stone.
There were pots, a cracked pan, an old wooden bowl, and even a small corner with dry herbs hanging overhead.
Most notably, on one side of the platform was a small oven made from shaped stones, tightly packed and blackened from use.
It had a hole at the bottom where firewood could be inserted, and a flat stone slab on top that served as a baking surface.
Renlo inhaled deeply as he gazed at the place he now called home. The bright light stayed contained within, blocked by the heavy cloak surrounding the platform, ensuring it didn’t escape and alert anything nearby.
“Ah… I better start making the bread for the Ninth Vein,” he said, setting his spear down gently.
He walked over to a covered container, opening it carefully and scooping out some flour. He had ground it from wild grains he’d found deeper in the forest, harvested, dried, and crushed by hand using a flat stone.
Humming happily, he began mixing the flour with a bit of water and salt from a small pouch, expertly working the mixture with practiced hands.
He kneaded the dough with confidence, occasionally flicking bits off his fingers as he worked.
“I’ll make it very soft,” he grinned, shaping the dough, “and the Ninth Vein will be begging me for more!”