The night air in the elven city was still, save for the whispering leaves that rustled in the wind. The glow of the *Lunabloom* flowers pulsed softly, casting a gentle blue light around Hiroshi and Lila as they stood in the grove. The quiet between them had become comforting—until it was shattered by the sound of something moving in the trees.
Lila stiffened instantly, her ears twitching toward the disturbance. Hiroshi, still holding the glowing flower, felt a chill creep down his spine as he turned toward the darkened forest edge.
"Someone's here," Lila whispered, barely loud enough for Hiroshi to hear.
"Who?" Hiroshi muttered, trying to keep his voice steady.
Instead of answering, Lila took a slow step back, her amber eyes narrowing. "Stay behind me," she said in a low, firm voice.
Before Hiroshi could react, the shadows among the trees shifted—then erupted into motion.
Figures cloaked in black leaped from the darkness, their movements swift and precise. They wore masks with no visible markings, only smooth, blank surfaces that made them look eerily inhuman. Five of them moved in quickly, surrounding Hiroshi and Lila in a tight formation.
Hiroshi's heartbeat spiked. "Okay, this is bad."
One of the masked figures stepped forward, their voice muffled but sharp. "The human comes with us."
Lila immediately stepped in front of Hiroshi, her stance low and defensive. "You won't take him."
The masked figure tilted their head slightly, as if analyzing her. Then, with no warning, they lunged.
Lila reacted in an instant. She ducked, sweeping her leg out and knocking the attacker off balance before twisting into a sharp kick that sent them crashing into the Lunabloom patch. The flowers pulsed violently, reacting to the energy of the fight.
Another masked figure closed in. This time, Lila moved fluidly, grabbing Hiroshi by the arm and pulling him backward just as the attacker's blade sliced through the air where he had been standing. The steel gleamed under the moonlight, making Hiroshi's stomach tighten in fear.
"I really wish I had a weapon right now," Hiroshi muttered as he stumbled back.
Lila didn't answer. Her focus was razor-sharp as she met the next attacker head-on, her movements quick and calculated. She twisted around their strike, slamming her elbow into their side before driving her knee upward into their stomach. The masked fighter staggered, but the others pressed in fast.
Hiroshi knew he was useless in a fight. His mind raced, trying to figure out *something* that could help. Then he remembered the glowing flowers.
"If the *Lunabloom* reacts to energy," he murmured, glancing at the pulsing petals, "maybe I can—"
His thought was cut short as one of the masked figures lunged toward him. Hiroshi barely managed to duck in time, stumbling backward. His foot caught on a root, sending him tumbling onto the ground.
The attacker loomed over him, blade raised.
Before the strike could land, Lila was there. She darted forward, grabbing the attacker's wrist and twisting sharply. The masked figure grunted in pain, dropping the blade just as Lila spun, driving them backward with a powerful strike to the chest.
Hiroshi gasped, scrambling to his feet. "You're *really* good at this," he said, breathless.
Lila's tail flicked sharply behind her, but her focus remained locked on the attackers. "Stay close," she ordered.
The remaining masked figures regrouped quickly, surrounding them once more. The leader tilted their head again, as if considering something. Then, without warning, they made a sharp gesture—and the group retreated back into the trees, vanishing as swiftly as they had appeared.
Hiroshi exhaled heavily, his body still tense. "What… just happened?"
Lila remained still for a moment, eyes scanning the forest edge. Then she relaxed slightly, though her ears stayed alert. "They weren't trying to kill you," she said quietly. "They were trying to take you."
"That's not exactly reassuring," Hiroshi muttered.
Lila turned to him, her gaze serious. "You *are* the Chosen Sovereign. Whether you believe in the prophecy or not, someone does—and they're willing to fight over you."
Hiroshi swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling in. He had been thrown into this world with no knowledge, no power, and no plan. And now, there were people actively hunting him.
"This isn't just politics, is it?" Hiroshi asked, his voice quieter now.
Lila hesitated before shaking her head. "No. This is much bigger."
Hiroshi took a deep breath, forcing himself to steady his nerves. He had wanted adventure, but now it was clear—this wasn't some grand fantasy where he could bumble his way to victory. This was dangerous.
And he had a lot to learn.