Chapter 43: Gale on doorsteps

The tranquility of the settlement's evening was shattered by an unexpected arrival that sent ripples of tension through the air.

Flashy Gale and his combat-ready army materialized at the borders, their weapons catching the last rays of the setting sun in an ominous display of force. The peaceful routine of the newly established community ground to a halt as Fear and Shadow, ever vigilant in their roles as guardians, moved with practiced precision to form the settlement's first line of defense. Their synchronized movement spoke of countless hours training together, their footsteps nearly silent despite their swift advance.

"What business do you guys have here?" Their voices carried both authority and measured caution, the words floating in the tense atmosphere between the two groups. Behind them, the settlement's inhabitants began to gather, their worried whispers creating a soft undercurrent of anxiety.