One of the villagers, a tall, muscular ghost with a jagged scar across his chin, stepped forward, his patience clearly worn thin. His eyes flared with hostility as he pointed a long, rusted sword at them, the metal catching the sunlight with a dangerous gleam.
"You go away!!!" he shouted, his voice booming through the crowd. "Outsiders like you bring nothing but lies and trouble!"
Ruby's breath caught as her eyes widened, instinctively stepping back. The sword was real. The threat was real. Julian, who had been standing quietly at her side, immediately grabbed her arm and pulled her slightly behind him, his own hand trembling.
"Please—there's no need for violence," Ruby said calmly, trying to keep her voice steady despite the rising panic in her chest. But the air was thick with tension, and the villagers were clearly not ready to listen.
