The late summer night shrouded Crescent Moon Village in a thin veil of mist, the air heavy with the damp scent of earth and grass.
The chirping of insects grew sparse, only an occasional dog’s bark breaking the silence of the night sky.
Luo Ling stood by the window of the small house, his brows tightly furrowed as he gazed into the blurred darkness outside.
In recent days, the unease in his heart had grown stronger.
That feeling of being watched was clearer than ever before.
He had increased patrols around the village, even setting up simple traps and warning signs at key chokepoints.
But those watchers were like ghosts, never revealing their true forms.
He couldn’t sleep?”
Eve approached with a cup of warm Herbal Tea, her voice soft.
She carried a faint medicinal scent that eased Luo Ling’s restless heart.
Luo Ling took the cup, holding it in his hands to feel its warmth.
“Can’t sleep. Something feels wrong.”
He spoke quietly.
“It’s been too quiet in the mountains these past few days. Even the noisiest night owls have gone silent.”
Eve walked to his side, following his gaze out the window.
“Don’t worry too much. Maybe it’s just the weather changing.”
She offered comfort, though a subtle anxiety hid in her tone.
She felt it too—the oppressive air, as if it was the calm before a storm.
Luo Ling sighed and pulled Eve into his arms.
“Eve, if… If there’s any disturbance tonight, stay inside. Lock the doors and windows. No matter what you hear, don’t open the door.”
His voice was low and serious.
Eve’s heart tightened.
She nodded, gripping Luo Ling’s hand tightly.
“You be careful.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
Luo Ling forced a calm smile, but his heart was heavy.
He had a premonition that tonight might be the moment some events in Samuel’s prophecy would begin to unfold.
He set down the cup, then picked up the Hunter’s Bow leaning by the door and the Dagger at his waist.
This Dagger had been traded for with prey and the city’s blacksmith. It was razor-sharp.
He checked the Arrow Quiver, ensuring it was full of sharpened arrows.
“I’ll check the village entrance.”
Luo Ling said.
“I’ll go with you.”
Eve said immediately.
“No!”
Luo Ling refused firmly.
“You stay here. Listen to me.”
Eve looked into his resolute eyes, knowing she couldn’t persuade him.
She bit her lip, then pulled a small Potion Pouch from her chest and handed it to Luo Ling.
“These are some potions I prepared recently. The red one is Hemostatic, the green one relieves pain, and this…”
She paused.
“This blue one can temporarily boost your reflexes, but it may have side effects. Don’t use it unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Luo Ling accepted the Potion Pouch, feeling its warmth in his palm.
He knew how much effort Eve had put into these potions.
He nodded firmly and kept the pouch close to his body.
“Okay.”
He looked deeply at Eve, as if to etch her image into his heart.
Then, he turned, opened the door, and stepped into the dense night.
The door closed softly, separating the two worlds within and without.
Eve leaned against the door, listening to Luo Ling’s footsteps fade away.
With clasped hands, she prayed silently.
The night grew deeper, and the mist thickened.
Crescent Moon Village slept in the silent darkness, unaware that a bloody storm was silently approaching.