At barely sunrise, the police were already on high alert, trying to understand what had happened to the fisherman the previous night. He had been found dead, sitting at the foot of a rock near a lake, his body burned alive after being violently thrown by what appeared to be a burst of fire. The marks left in the muddy ground showed the trajectory of his fall.

  Several experts were already on site when two inspectors stepped out of their vehicles, observing the scene. They headed straight toward the dock—also slightly damaged—examining the extent of the attack.

  Although the lake was private, the land was protected to preserve the aquatic species living there. It would have been difficult for anyone to reach the place from upstream. One of the inspectors eventually declared:

  “It’s clear the fisherman confronted someone here on this dock, and that the killer stood directly in front of him during the fatal attack. Either it was a surprise, or the two individuals knew each other. Are there any clues suggesting the attacker was underneath the dock?”

  “Negative, Inspector,” replied an officer climbing out of the water.

  “However, the sand seems compressed in one spot—as if something emerged from it.”

  He added this while brushing water off his clothes, as one of his human colleagues removed his diving suit and chuckled at the idea that Lotheans never undressed before diving.

  “Could there still be a fire creature living underground that caused this incident?”

  wondered the second inspector, resting her hand on her chin.

  “There haven’t been any fire-based or magmatic creatures on this planet for a long time, ma’am,” continued the diver.

  “This burst of flames… it didn’t come from a small individual. Judging by the angle, it may even have come from above. We’re likely dealing with someone tall… or floating in the air. A demon, maybe?”

  The inspector kept analyzing while staring at the sky above her.

  “A— a demon? Let’s not jump to conclusions, Mirene! It might still be an accident, or someone close to the victim. We’ll conduct our investigation properly,”

  answered the other inspector, first startled, then trying to re-frame the situation before turning his back and walking toward the police car.

  Inspector Mirene, however, remained still for a moment, staring into the void. Then she approached the edge of the dock and gazed at her reflection in the water, her eyes distant and unfocused.

  Kaeron sat on the living-room couch, eyes on the daily newspaper as he flipped through the pages. He skimmed across several breathtaking landscapes, each looking like holiday destinations. He sighed longingly, then glanced at the sunlight shining through the window.

  The footsteps of his wife, Na?ra, echoed from behind him. Without saying a word, she grabbed the remote from the cabinet and turned on the television.

  “You need to see this.”

  “The body of a fisherman has been found charred near a private lake north of Scriba. As the Lothean returned from his usual fishing routine last night, he was apparently taken by surprise by someone or something that killed him instantly. Authorities are now investigating.”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  As the journalist spoke, disturbing images of the incident appeared on screen. Shocked, Na?ra froze while Kaeron quickly grabbed the remote and switched off the television.

  He stared at her coldly.

  “Wh-where is Arix right now?”

  “He went to Sly’s place with Seryn. They won’t be back until evening,”

  she answered, fear in her eyes.

  “Listen, Na?ra. He can’t come back. You remember! That place was sealed. Is there still a way to return to it?”

  Kaeron grabbed her by the arms, tense and nervous.

  “Uh… maybe, but it’s been years. I’d need to find the key.”

  Without another word, Kaeron headed toward the entrance hall, grabbed his jacket, and opened the door to step outside. Before he could leave, Na?ra called out:

  “W-where are you going, Kaero?”

  “I have something else to verify.”

  Walking along a dirt path, Kaeron explored the forest his brother had shown him days before his death. With recent events weighing on him, he feared a real threat looming over him and his family.

  As he left the main road and the urban zone behind, silence settled in—broken only by birds and other woodland creatures. The sound of his boots crushing leaves and twigs echoed softly along the path.

  Farther away, on a hill, Inspector Mirene climbed through branches, grasping tree trunks to avoid tripping. She paused for a few seconds to catch her breath. Then she rolled up her sleeve.

  A yellow tattoo on her arm was glowing. She stared at the pulsing light—irritated and in pain—then lowered her sleeve and kept moving until she finally reached the path. From there, she could see someone walking deeper into the woods: Kaeron.

  After several minutes, he reached a small grassy clearing with a single tree in its center. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, giving the place a peaceful glow. But another light caught his attention—coming from within the tree’s trunk. An anomaly. Something unnatural.

  He immediately approached it.

  Footsteps echoed behind him. Someone had stopped running.

  A breathless voice spoke:

  “You’re Kaeron Cael’ren, correct?”

  Kaeron turned to face the inspector.

  “And you are?”

  “Oh—my apologies. I didn’t introduce myself,” she said while adjusting her hat.

  “I’m Inspector Mirene Acthone. I work for the North Section Police of Scriba. We’re currently investigating a murder, and my instincts led me here. This place is fascinating.”

  “Oh… hello, Inspector. If you’re here to accuse me of something, know that I’m not the killer you’re looking for. I’m just taking a walk. Did you come alone?”

  “You’re not accused of anything at this time, sir. You’re a well-known scientist at the research laboratory, and you appear to have no connection to the victim. And yes, I’m not afraid to conduct my investigations alone. My colleagues are used to it, and I can defend myself if needed.”

  Kaeron remained skeptical. The police of Scriba were usually strict—seeing an inspector alone in the forest was unsettling.

  “I won’t stay here long. If you’re asking whether I’ve seen anyone, the answer is no. I didn’t meet anyone on this path.”

  As he spoke, two red eyes glowed deep within the forest, watching the conversation.

  “I believe you,” Mirene said, “but I need to ask again: what are you doing here?”

  Irritated by her persistence, Kaeron answered:

  “Listen, what I’m doing here is my concern. The fisherman’s death is unfortunate, but I can’t help you with the investigation. Isn’t that why you followed me?”

  But Mirene’s attention shifted. She stared at a yellow Alter crystal embedded in the tree trunk, glowing through a network of cracks.

  “An… Alter crystal? Here? How is that possible? No wonder my arm is rea—”

  She cut herself off, realizing she wasn’t alone.

  “Your arm…?”

  Kaeron’s eyes widened. Something clicked in his mind. Fear overwhelmed him.

  “No… this is a trap. I’ve been set up. This woman… she’s not who she claims to be.”

  He tried to compose himself. Mirene’s face also twisted into a tense expression—but she wasn’t looking at him.

  Slowly, Kaeron turned toward the tree.

  A shadowy silhouette now stood between him and the crystal.

  A towering being.

  A cloak.

  Horns.

  Glowing red eyes fixed on him.

  “So we meet again… Kaeron the Steel.”

  The voice was sinister—without a mouth, without form—more an echo than a sound.

  Things could only get worse from here.