The wind felt heavier than usual.
Kaen walked past the Crimson Tree, trying not to look at the mark on its bark. But he couldn't help it — his eyes flickered toward it.
The mark was gone.
Only smooth, clean bark remained.
His body stiffened.
It was there yesterday.
He wasn't imagining it.
---
At the academy, the atmosphere was tense. Mistress Vaela was still missing, and Instructor Dren refused to explain anything. Today's session was short.
But just before it ended, he made an announcement.
"There's been movement near the outer woods. Beast activity. You're not to go beyond the boundary wall until further notice."
The class fell silent.
One student whispered, "The beasts don't usually come this close…"
Kaen's eyes narrowed. Something was wrong.
---
Back in the village, crows circled overhead.
It wasn't unusual… but they weren't flying.
They were perched on rooftops, silent. Watching.
Old Lady Meera, the village herb-seller, muttered as she passed Kaen, "When the crows refuse to fly, the ground itself listens."
He turned. "What does that mean?"
But she just shuffled away, her basket rattling with dry leaves.
---
That evening, Kaen visited Master Thorne.
"I need to talk," he said.
Thorne was sharpening a blade. "About the stone?"
Kaen nodded.
Thorne put the blade down. "You felt something."
"Yes. It wasn't normal."
Thorne looked outside — the crows were still sitting, unmoving.
"There are old things in this village, Kaen. Forgotten. Buried. Some were never meant to be remembered."
Kaen frowned. "You're not telling me something."
Thorne looked directly at him. "No. I'm protecting you from it."
---
As Kaen walked home, he passed by the Crimson Tree one more time.
A single crow flew down and landed on a low branch, staring at him.
Its eyes were red.
Not glowing… just unnaturally red.
Kaen stepped back slowly.
The crow didn't blink.
Then it spoke.
Just one word.
"Velgrin."
---