CHAPTER FOUR: THE AFTERMATH

Kai awoke to the sound of birds chirping and the feeling of soft grass beneath him. Slowly, he opened his eyes, squinting against the bright sunlight filtering through the trees above. For a moment, he lay still, trying to make sense of what had happened.

The last thing he remembered was the rooftop, the golden flames, and Lila’s scream. Now, he was in a forest, far from the rooftop where everything had gone wrong. His body ached, and he felt drained, as if all the energy had been sucked out of him.

Kai slowly sat up, looking around. The forest was peaceful, with tall trees and thick bushes surrounding him. The air was fresh and cool, carrying the scent of pine and earth. It was hard to believe that only a short while ago, he had been fighting for his life.

“How did I get here?” Kai wondered aloud, his voice weak. He tried to stand, but his legs were shaky, and he almost fell back down. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and managed to stay on his feet.

The voice inside him, the one that had guided him before, was silent now. It felt distant, almost as if it had retreated deep within him. Kai didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried. The voice had saved him, but it had also unleashed a power he barely understood.

As he started walking through the forest, Kai’s mind raced with questions. Where was he? How far had he been taken? And what had happened to Lila and the man who attacked him?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of rustling nearby. Kai froze, his heart pounding in his chest. The bushes ahead of him shook, and for a moment, he feared the man from the rooftop had found him.

But then, a small figure stepped out from the bushes. It was a girl, no older than ten, with wide brown eyes and a curious expression. She wore simple clothes—a plain dress and a pair of sandals—and held a basket of berries in her hands.

“Who are you?” the girl asked, tilting her head as she looked at Kai. “Why are you here?”

Kai relaxed a little, realizing she wasn’t a threat. “I… I don’t know,” he admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I just woke up here.”

The girl looked him up and down, as if trying to figure out if he was telling the truth. After a moment, she shrugged and smiled. “Well, you look lost. Do you need help?”

Kai nodded, grateful for the offer. “Yes, please. Do you know where we are?”

The girl giggled. “Of course! We’re in Pinewood Forest. My village is nearby. Come with me, I can take you there.”

Kai hesitated. He wasn’t sure if it was safe to follow her, but he didn’t have many options. He was tired, hungry, and had no idea where to go. “Alright,” he said, trying to sound confident. “Lead the way.”

The girl turned and began walking through the forest, with Kai following close behind. As they walked, Kai couldn’t help but notice how quiet the forest was. There were no signs of other people, no distant voices or footsteps. It was as if they were the only two in the entire world.

“Do you live here with your family?” Kai asked, trying to make conversation.

The girl nodded. “Yes, my parents and I live in the village. It’s small, but everyone knows each other, and we all help each other out.”

Kai nodded, trying to imagine what life in such a village might be like. He had grown up in a big city, surrounded by noise and people. The idea of living in a quiet, close-knit community was strange to him, but also a little appealing.

After walking for what felt like an hour, they finally reached the edge of the forest. Kai’s eyes widened as he saw the village ahead. It was a small, rustic place, with wooden houses and dirt roads. Smoke rose from chimneys, and he could hear the faint sounds of people talking and working.

“This is Pinewood Village,” the girl said proudly. “Come on, I’ll take you to the elder. He can help you.”

Kai followed her into the village, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. The villagers stopped to stare at him as he passed, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion. It was clear that strangers were not common here.

The girl led Kai to a large house in the center of the village. “This is the elder’s house,” she said, knocking on the door. “He’s very wise. He’ll know what to do.”

After a moment, the door creaked open, and an old man with a long white beard and kind eyes appeared. He looked at the girl, then at Kai, his gaze sharp and assessing.

“Who is this, Emma?” the elder asked, his voice deep and calm.

Emma, the girl, smiled up at him. “I found him in the forest, Elder Orin. He’s lost and needs help.”

Elder Orin studied Kai for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “Come inside, young man. We have much to discuss.”

Kai followed Elder Orin into the house, feeling a bit uneasy. The inside was warm and cozy, with a fire burning in the hearth and shelves filled with books and trinkets. Elder Orin gestured for Kai to sit down at the table, then took a seat across from him.

“Tell me, boy,” Elder Orin said, his eyes piercing. “How did you come to be in our forest?”

Kai hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “I… I don’t really know,” he admitted. “I was in a fight, and then… I woke up in the forest.”

Elder Orin raised an eyebrow. “A fight, you say? With whom?”

Kai swallowed hard, remembering the man and Lila. “A man, and a woman I thought I could trust. They… they tried to kill me.”

The elder’s eyes narrowed. “And yet, here you are. Alive and well. How did you survive?”

Kai took a deep breath, feeling the heat rise in his chest as he recalled the golden flames. “I don’t know how, but… something inside me awakened. A power I didn’t know I had. It saved me.”

Elder Orin leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “You speak of a great power, one that should not be taken lightly. Tell me, boy, do you know what this power is?”

Kai shook his head. “No, I don’t. But… I think it has something to do with the Phoenix clan.”

The elder’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of the Phoenix clan. He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “The Phoenix clan… They were thought to be gone, wiped out long ago. But if what you say is true, then you may be in grave danger.”

Kai’s heart raced as the elder’s words sank in. “Danger? From who?”

Before Elder Orin could answer, the door to the house burst open, and a young man ran inside, his face pale with fear. “Elder Orin!” he gasped. “They’re coming! The soldiers are coming!”

Elder Orin’s face darkened, and he turned to Kai with urgency in his eyes. “You must leave, now. The soldiers are after you.”

Kai’s breath caught in his throat as he realized the danger he was in. “But… where will I go?”

Elder Orin grabbed Kai’s arm, his grip surprisingly strong. “There’s no time! You must flee into the mountains. They won’t find you there. Go, now!”

Kai hesitated, fear and uncertainty gripping him. But as the sounds of approaching soldiers grew louder, he knew he had no choice.

Without another word, Kai turned and ran out of the house, heading for the mountains.