Imperial and Ari set up camp in the forest, sharing a quiet meal and a heartfelt conversation about Ari's mysterious past. Later that night, as Imperial secretly trains, they in morning when ari wake you then after few min imperial sense danger—only to be discovered by unknown pursuers emerging from the shadows.
Imperial nodded, but suddenly froze—his senses flared. Something's coming.
From the shadows between the trees, three figures emerged. Imperial immediately reached for his sword, standing protectively in front of Ari.
"Wait!" one of the strangers said quickly, raising both hands in a peaceful gesture. "We mean no harm!"
Imperial narrowed his eyes but didn't lower his guard. "Then state your purpose."
"We're villagers from the nearby settlement," the tallest among them said. "It's too dangerous to camp in this forest, no matter the time of day. Please, come with us. It's safer in our village."
Imperial studied them for a long moment, then slowly lowered his blade. "Alright," he said cautiously. "We'll go with you."
The three villagers helped them pack the tent, and they began their walk through the forest.
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On the Way to the Village
"I'm Goh," said the tall one, walking beside Imperial. "Where are you two from?"
"Central Empire," Imperial answered simply.
Goh's eyes lit up. "Travelers, then? That's quite far."
"You could say that," Imperial replied.
"You camped overnight?" Goh asked, surprised.
"Yeah," Ari nodded. "We didn't think it was that dangerous."
"You're lucky," Goh said seriously. "Most people don't survive the night out here."
Ari raised an eyebrow. "Why? What's in the forest?"
"There's a monster," Goh said grimly. "Lives deep in a cave. Big, dangerous, and… magical. We can't defeat it—no one can."
"Monster?" Imperial echoed. "Like a magical beast?"
"Exactly," Goh said. "And a powerful one. That's why we avoid the forest at night."
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Arrival at Rocks Village
They soon reached the village, nestled against rocky cliffs. The buildings were carved partly from stone, giving it a sturdy, ancient feel. Villagers looked up and smiled as Goh led the newcomers through.
"I'm the village chief's son," Goh said proudly. "Welcome to Rocks Village."
"Thank you," Imperial and Ari said in unison.
Children waved, and curious villagers approached to greet them. Imperial noticed a large cart filled with food being wheeled into the forest.
"Where's that cart going?" he asked.
"To Goh's house first," Goh said. "Then we'll explain everything."
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Inside Goh's Home
At Goh's stone-built home, they were served bread, stew, and fresh water. The warmth of hospitality contrasted with the weight of something unsaid.
Imperial looked at the food cart again. "Why are people taking food into the forest?"
A man entered—broad-shouldered, with greying hair and an air of authority. "That," he said, "is a long story."
"Please," Imperial said, "we'd like to understand."
A boy around Imperial's age sat quietly in the corner, eyeing him closely.
The village chief began. "There's a monster. Lives in a cave for centuries. It's... ancient. We don't know where it came from, but it's strong. Every few days, it demands food. If we don't give it what it wants—"
"He threatens the village?" Ari guessed.
The chief nodded. "Exactly. That cart carries 50% of our food stores."
"Half?" Imperial asked, shocked. "And you're still offering us food?"
"We believe in hospitality," the chief said. "Even if we suffer, strangers shouldn't."
Imperial's expression darkened. "Why not seek help from the royal army?"
Goh sighed. "We did. They sent a few soldiers... they never returned. After that, they stopped responding. And we can't abandon the village—we don't know if the monster would follow."
There was a long silence, broken only by the crackle of the hearth.
Imperial finally stood. "You've been kind to us—even with so little. I won't ignore that. I'm stronger than I look… and I'm no ordinary traveler. I'm a royal from the Central Empire."
Everyone in the room froze.
"WHAT?" Goh gasped. "You're royalty?"
"We're on a journey," Ari said calmly, "but he speaks the truth."
"If you trust me," Imperial said, "I'll face that monster."
The village chief looked at his son, then slowly nodded. "Very well. He's eating now—he won't be expecting anyone. It's the best time."
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Journey to the Monster's Cave
Imperial, Goh, the quiet boy, and a few villagers traveled through the forest, deeper than before. The trees grew darker and thicker, and the air pulsed with magical tension.
Finally, they reached the cave. Inside, a hulking creature gnawed on the food, its skin like stone, eyes glowing faintly. Magic waves rippled from its body with every breath.
Imperial narrowed his eyes. "Now I understand. His body's tough, and the magic he emits is like a shield. No wonder your weapons can't hurt him."
The monster turned, spotting Imperial. It roared, assuming he had come to steal its meal.
With a deafening growl, it charged.
Villagers shouted in panic and backed away, but Imperial stood still, sword still sheathed.
The boy from the village whispered under his breath, eyes wide:
"Is this guy insane? He's going to take that hit head-on?!"