The boat creaked as it scraped against Autumnvale's stone dock. The forest beyond stretched in waves of red-gold leaves, their branches swaying in a lazy wind. Hunter leaned forward on the bow, arms out like he was conquering the world.
"Look at this place!" he shouted, grinning wide. "Red trees! Golden trees! It's like the forest got jealous of treasure chests!"
Behind him, Vince hopped onto the dock without a word, sword slung over his shoulder. His mood hadn't lifted since Stonewick.
"You're no fun," Hunter muttered, hopping off after him. "Whole island looks like it swallowed a sunset and you're still brooding."
Emily climbed down last, clutching her satchel tight. "We need food, supplies, and a roof before night. Unless you want to starve while admiring trees."
Hunter spun on his heel, walking backward to face her. "Emily, Emily, Emily. Survival's important, but you gotta feed the soul too!"
"Your stomach is your soul," she replied flatly.
Vince snorted, the closest thing to a laugh.
---
They didn't get far before shouts cut through the peaceful valley air. A group of children were playing near a ridge, rocks trembling above them. A deep crack split the cliffside, stones starting to tumble.
Hunter's grin vanished. He shot forward without a thought. "Hey! Move it!"
The cliff face gave way. Boulders tumbled down. Hunter shoved a boy aside just as a stone the size of a furnace slammed into the dirt.
Vince sighed, drawing his blade. "Always running into trouble…" He leapt in, cutting through falling rocks like they were paper, splinters flying.
Emily stayed back, hands cupped around her mouth. "Left, Vince! Two more coming—Hunter, duck!"
Hunter dropped low, a boulder grazing over his back. He laughed breathlessly. "See? Told you I was flexible!"
Within moments, the last rock hit the dirt. The kids ran to their parents, crying but alive. Hunter dusted his hands and grinned at Vince.
"Nice teamwork, partner."
"Don't," Vince said, wiping stone dust from his blade.
---
The reunion was short. Clanking boots echoed from the ridge. Miners in gray armor marched down, crossbows aimed. Their leader sneered.
"You lot again. Rogue scum."
Hunter, without thinking, puffed his chest. "That's right! We're rogues—"
"Idiot," Vince muttered, rubbing his temple.
The Miners charged.
The trio bolted through the winding streets of Autumnvale, villagers scattering around them. Arrows flew past their heads, clattering against stone.
"Nice going, Captain," Emily snapped.
"I was being honest!" Hunter yelled, leaping a fence.
"Honest is useless when it gets us killed!"
They rounded a corner—straight into a herd of goats. The animals bleated loudly, blocking the alley. Behind them, a tall, wiry young man in worn clothes snapped his staff against the ground.
"Inside. Now."
He shoved open the door to a ramshackle cabin. Hunter didn't hesitate, diving in. Vince followed with a glare, dragging Emily by the arm. The door slammed shut.
The goats settled outside, acting like nothing was wrong. The Miners stormed past moments later, fooled.
---
Inside, the air smelled of hay and wool. Hunter plopped onto a bale, patting a goat like it was an old friend.
"Comfiest hideout ever. You're a lifesaver!"
The shepherd—Ryder—crossed his arms awkwardly. "Don't thank me. Miners don't check here. That's all."
Emily eyed him curiously. "You risked yourself to hide us. Why?"
Ryder shrugged, not meeting her gaze. "Didn't want blood in the goat pen."
Hunter stood, eyes gleaming. "Perfect timing! You should join us."
Ryder blinked. "Join… you?"
"The Shaders Crew," Hunter declared, striking a pose. "We need guys like you—brave, resourceful, good with animals!"
"I can't," Ryder said quickly. "The goats… they're all I have." His voice cracked a little, sheepish. "I can't leave them."
Hunter studied him, then smiled softer than usual. "Goats, huh? Then you're stronger than you look."
Vince scoffed, laying back against the wall. "We don't need another mouth to feed anyway."
---
That night, Autumnvale erupted in screams. Fire bloomed across rooftops. Pillagers poured into the town, torches in hand, axes glinting.
Hunter burst from the cabin, fists clenched. "They're burning it down!"
"Finally," Vince muttered, drawing his blade again.
Emily stayed back, hands trembling. "You'll die if you just rush in—"
But they were already charging into the chaos.
Pillagers fell one after another under Vince's precise cuts and Hunter's crushing blows. For a moment, it looked like they could hold the line.
Then he arrived.
Commander Ragnor stepped through the smoke, towering over the crew, axe slung casually on one shoulder. The weapon hummed with a dark shimmer.
"Who dares resist?" his voice boomed.
Hunter smirked, wiping blood from his lip. "Name's Hunter J. Craft. And you—" He pointed. "You look like a Raggy."
Vince muttered, "Stop naming people."
Ragnor's grin showed broken teeth. He slammed his axe into the ground. The air around him warped—suddenly heavy, thick. Hunter's fists felt like they were dragging weights. Vince's blade slowed mid-swing, chipping as if the air itself dulled its edge.
"Density," Ragnor growled. "Your strength means nothing here."
---
Hunter lunged anyway, punches slowed but still fierce. Ragnor blocked with ease, countering with crushing blows that rattled Hunter's bones.
Vince's strikes grew sluggish, each slash taking more effort. "Tch… it's like swinging underwater."
Emily darted between alleys, shouting warnings. "He's shifting the pressure—Hunter, behind you!"
They fought fiercely, refusing to fall, but Ragnor's enchantment drained them. Sweat poured, breaths shortened. Hunter's laughter turned ragged, Vince's guard faltered.
Ragnor slammed his axe down. Vince dropped to one knee, blade cracking. Hunter staggered, took one more swing—and crumpled unconscious into the dirt.
---
The fires raged around them. Ragnor loomed, raising his axe for the final blow.
On the edge of the square, Ryder stood frozen, goats tugging at their ropes behind him. His fists clenched around his shepherd's staff.
His jaw tightened.
"…What am I doing?" he whispered.
The wind shifted, rustling the red-gold trees.