The man crawled across the dirt, whimpering, blood streaking his body. He had been sent to spy, to provoke… and now he realized too late that he had stepped into something far beyond his understanding.

  He froze as he noticed a shadow stretching across the ground. Looking up, his heart stopped. Nuru was standing there.

  A second ago, Nuru had been sitting on the throne of roots, calm, silent, commanding the forest itself. Now, he was right in front of him, his presence impossible, terrifying. The forest seemed to hold its breath; the wind stilled, leaves quivered, and shadows twisted as if alive, bowing to him.

  The man’s mind raced. What kind of creature is this? he thought, every instinct screaming to flee.

  Nuru crouched slowly, the air around him heavy with quiet power. His voice, low and cold, cut through the forest stillness:

  "I am godlike. You will be a message to my brother. Tell him… I will not spare his life if he comes near me again."

  Before the man could react, Nuru vanished, a blur in the shadows. He reappeared behind him. Panic overtook the man — he screamed for his master.

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  But it was already too late. His eyes burst, blood spraying like crimson rain. His skull exploded in a single, impossible moment. His screams choked and fell silent.

  Even Vaelis, watching from afar, staggered back, disbelief etched across his immortal face. Whispering to himself, he could only ask:

  "How… how can my brother be this cruel?"

  Meanwhile, Tavari and the others waited, eyes scanning the forest, the air growing colder as night descended. Exhaustion tugged at them, and with no other choice, they settled to sleep in the damp clearing. The forest around them seemed alive with shadows, and every rustle reminded them that danger could strike at any moment.

  Matt guided Stephen behind the trees, the shadows wrapping them in secrecy. He gently set him down, fingers brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.

  “Are you scared?” Matt whispered, low and teasing.

  Stephen shook his head, heart racing. “Not… with you here.”

  Matt smirked, leaning closer, lips brushing against Stephen’s in a quick, heated kiss. Sparks flared at the contact, hearts pounding in sync. The kiss lingered, soft but intense, sending shivers down both their spines.

  Stephen gasped, eyes wide, and Matt grinned. “See? Nothing can touch you while I’m here.”

  Breathless and flushed, they leaned into each other again, whispers and touches teasing, the forest around them fading into the background. Just for a moment, it was only them — heat, trust, and the thrill of being dangerously close.

  Even in the quiet, the tension lingered, like the forest itself feared what had just happened — and what Nuru might do next.