The Lost Kingdom Of Maria!

Chapter 4: The Ambush

The road connecting Petita Village to Saikono Village was eerily silent, as if the world itself had paused to hold its breath. The fields on either side were wild and untamed, a sea of green grass dotted with occasional bursts of flowers. There was no trace of human touch here—no fences, no plowed earth, just nature reclaiming its dominion. The sun hung high in the sky, its heat growing more oppressive with each passing second. It felt like the height of summer, though it was only April.

The only sounds were the distant calls of birds soaring above and the rhythmic crunch of footsteps on the dirt path. Fulan and Fayrouz walked side by side, beads of sweat forming on their brows. There was no water in sight, no refreshing breeze—just the relentless sun and the endless road ahead.

"Despite all the negatives," Fayrouz said, her voice calm and measured, "this road is perfect for getting robbed."

Fulan glanced at her, his lips twitching in amusement despite his growing thirst. "Wait, isn't getting robbed also a negative?"

Fayrouz tilted her head slightly, her blindfolded gaze seemingly fixed on the horizon. "What are you talking about? We came here specifically to get robbed."

"Maybe you're right, but there's no need to phrase it like that... Anyway, are there really bandits here? I don't see anyone."

Fayrouz fell silent, and this time, the silence stretched for a full thirteen minutes. Then, without warning, she stopped walking. Her expression grew serious as she murmured, "They're here..."

Fulan frowned, scanning the empty fields around them. He saw nothing—no movement, no shadows, no signs of life. The stillness was unnerving. "What do you mean? I don't see anyone."

Before Fayrouz could respond, nine figures materialized out of thin air, surrounding them in a tight circle. They wore dark cloaks that obscured their faces, their heads covered by hoods. Their sizes varied—some were tall and burly, others short and wiry—suggesting a mix of ages and builds. The air grew tense as the bandits closed in, their presence suffocating.

The first to speak was Fulan, his voice steady but laced with disbelief. "They appeared out of nowhere? How is that even possible?"

The bandits remained silent, their movements deliberate and unnervingly coordinated. Fayrouz, however, was unfazed. "Saying they appeared out of nowhere is incorrect," she said calmly. "They've been around us the entire time. I could sense their Menma."

Fulan turned to her, his brow furrowed. "You mean they were hiding? Is that even a thing in this world?"

Fayrouz's lips curved into a faint smile. "Perhaps you're the one who doesn't know much about this world. The ability to hide is a dull power, and its users are cowards 99.8% of the time."

The leader of the bandits, a tall man with a medium build, chuckled at her words. His face was mostly hidden, but his teeth gleamed in the sunlight as he spoke. "That's a bit harsh, but you seem well-informed. Still, this is the only way we can survive in this world. The nobles and the gifted will never understand the struggles of people like us."

Fulan remained silent, his eyes darting between the bandits as he assessed the situation. Fayrouz, however, wasn't done. "People like you?" she said, her tone cutting. "It's impossible for a group of unrelated individuals to share the same ability. Nine people using the same power? That's beyond belief."

The leader listened quietly, but one of the bandits—a slender figure with a voice that sounded young—spoke up. "Big brother, this girl seems smart. She can track and sense Menma. Maybe we should try to recruit her instead of... you know."

The leader nodded thoughtfully, his respect for his comrades evident. "You're right," he said, turning to Fayrouz. "You've got a sharp mind, and you sensed us despite that blindfold. Are you blind, or is that just a fashion statement? Either way, my little brother sees potential in you. How about this? Join us as the tenth member of our group, and we'll let your friend here walk safely to Saikono Village. Not a bad deal, don't you think?"

The silence that followed was heavy, the tension palpable as everyone waited for Fayrouz's response. But before she could utter a word—

Whoosh!

Fulan moved. His body erupted in a faint white aura, his skin glowing as if made of pure light. The bandits barely had time to react as he lunged at the leader with blinding speed. His fist connected with the man's face, breaking his nose and sending him sprawling to the ground.

The attack took less than two seconds, but it was enough to send shockwaves through the group. Three other bandits fell to Fulan's rapid kicks before they could even think to activate their abilities. His movements were precise, his strikes fueled by the white energy coursing through him.

But the victory was short-lived. Five of the bandits managed to activate their cloaking abilities, vanishing from sight. Fulan's advantage was gone, and the battlefield became a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Fayrouz's eyes widened behind her blindfold as she observed Fulan's transformation. 'What is this? His Menma particles turned white? How is that even possible? Even if he has a hidden ability like this, he can't win this fight alone. I need to move!'

Fulan, meanwhile, was already calculating his next move. 'Five of them are still active. It's been four seconds since I held my breath. I can't dodge attacks from enemies I can't see. I have two options: rely on Fayrouz to track them, or start swinging blindly. Either way, I can't afford to lose here. I haven't even taken my first step toward Ragandarok yet!'

The real fight had just begun.

---