Aldoria: Am I a hero...or not?

{{Forest Camp – Late Night}}

The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and smoldering embers.

The fire had burned low, its glow barely illuminating the tired travelers who were now settling in for the night.

Jin remained seated, his masked face reflecting the faint orange light. He gave a brief nod as he stood. "I'll keep watch. You all should rest," he said, his voice calm and distant.

Finn, the youngest of Alden's party, hesitated. He wanted to say something... maybe ask about Jin's mask, his fighting style, or just talk about anything, but instead, he only fidgeted, clenching and unclenching his hands. The words refused to leave his lips.

Jin, however, was already moving. With effortless grace, he leaped into a tree, landing silently on a thick branch. From there, he leaned back against the trunk, gazing at the stars above.

A blanket of twinkling lights stretched across the sky, undisturbed and eternal. He stared at them, his mind drifting.

The soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of crickets filled the silence.

Then, after some time, footsteps approached the base of the tree.

"You should rest," a firm voice called out. "I'll take over from here."

Jin didn't need to look down to recognize the speaker. Alden Harth, the leader of the party they had crossed paths with, stood below. His presence was solid, his stance unwavering despite the fatigue of the day's battle.

Jin remained still for a moment before responding, "I'm fine."

Alden exhaled, clearly expecting the answer. "I figured you'd say that." He crossed his arms. "Still, you've been up long enough. Get some rest while you can. You never know when you'll need your full strength."

Jin finally shifted, adjusting his position slightly but making no effort to climb down. "…Suit yourself," he muttered.

Alden didn't leave immediately. He hesitated, then said, "By the way… if Finn said anything earlier that bothered you, I apologize. The kid means well, but he's a bit nervous around new people."

Jin tilted his head slightly, looking down at the boy who was now curled up near the fire. His breathing was slow and even, completely at ease.

"It's fine," Jin replied simply.

Alden nodded, satisfied, and took up his position, standing with quiet vigilance.

Jin remained in the tree a little longer before closing his eyes for just a moment.

{{Road to Veridale – Morning}}

The sun peeked over the horizon, its golden rays filtering through the trees.

Birds stirred in their nests, singing the first songs of the morning.

After a quick meal and final checks of their supplies, the group set off once more.

As they walked, Garran subtly positioned himself beside Tristan, his usual confident smirk in place.

"You know, fire magic is impressive, but it must be exhausting," he remarked casually. "If you ever need someone to protect you, I'd be happy to volunteer."

Tristan arched an eyebrow. "Protect me?" she echoed, amusement lacing her tone. "That's cute."

Garran grinned. "I'm serious. You've got a lot of fire, but every mage needs a good swordsman watching their back."

Tristan let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "Thanks, but I can handle myself."

"Come on, no need to be so cold. Maybe you'd like to—"

"I already have my eyes on someone else," she interrupted, a knowing smirk on her lips.

That shut him up. Garran blinked, processing her words, then let out a dramatic sigh. "Well, can't blame a guy for trying," he muttered before falling back slightly.

Tristan chuckled before glancing ahead. Jin walked at a steady pace, seemingly uninterested in their conversation.

The journey continued without further interruption. The hours passed, and as afternoon arrived, the walls of Veridale finally came into view.

{{Near Veridale's Wall – Afternoon}}

Before entering the town, Finn hesitated, then took a deep breath before stepping toward Jin.

"Um… Jin?" he started hesitantly.

Jin turned his masked face toward him, silent as always.

Finn fidgeted, eyes lowered. "I just… wanted to apologize. If I did or said something wrong yesterday, I—"

Jin cut him off with a quiet chuckle. Then, with a gloved hand, he ruffled Finn's hair in a surprisingly gentle motion. "It's okay," he said simply.

Finn blinked in surprise before his lips curled into a relieved smile.

As Jin withdrew his hand, something caught his attention. His gaze shifted toward a forest near Veridale, its towering trees dense and imposing. There was something about it… something unnatural.

Noticing his focus, Vaelin spoke up. "That forest… it's home to a guardian beast," he explained. "A creature that protects the land from those who would harm it. People say it only attacks those with ill intentions toward the forest or its resources."

Jin's eyes narrowed.

Tristan, now intrigued, crossed her arms. "Oh, I know about that one," she said. "It's called The Verdant Fang. It's massive—twice the size of a tiger, with deep green fur that lets it disappear into the trees. Its golden eyes are said to glow in the dark, and its fangs can tear through steel like paper. Some say its roar can shake the very earth beneath your feet."

Jin remained silent, his gaze lingering on the treetops.

And behind them, just outside the town, the mysterious man continued to watch.. not Jin, but Tristan.