The sun began to filter through the tall windows of Duke Alaric's mansion, bathing the grand meeting room in a warm golden light. Alex, EMI, and Aria sat across from the duke, their expressions serious as they prepared to give their report. The air was thick with tension; the distant echo of servants' footsteps barely disturbed the heavy silence.
"So, what did you find in the village?" asked the duke, his eyes fixed on EMI, who was leading the investigation.
EMI took a breath, gathering her thoughts before speaking.
"My lord, the situation is more severe than we expected. In the first village, we found clear traces of dark magic, but it was in the second one that we had a direct encounter with a follower of the dark mage."
Duke Alaric laced his fingers together on the table, his steel-gray eyes gleaming with interest.
"A follower? Speak—what happened?"
"He moved with inhuman speed, like a ninja," EMI continued, her voice steady. "But with an aura of madness. His flamboyant appearance didn't match his lethality. He ambushed us so quickly we didn't even see where he came from until he was right in front of us."
Alex stayed silent, watching the exchange, while Aria added details:
"He threatened us, but it felt like he was more interested in testing our abilities than eliminating us. Almost like a game to him—though I'm sure he would've finished us off if he'd wanted to."
The duke frowned, leaning forward.
"And you survived without casualties?"
Alex decided to speak up, his tone neutral but firm.
"Thanks to the techniques Aria taught me and EMI's magic, we managed to stay on the defensive. But… it wasn't enough to stop him. He escaped before we could get more information."
"What else did you discover?" the duke asked, his gaze moving between them.
EMI paused, glancing at Aria before continuing.
"The village was completely deserted. No sign of the inhabitants—only evidence of a struggle and… markings that indicate dark creatures were involved."
Aria added, her voice calm though her eyes betrayed concern:
"I believe those creatures are being used as pawns to spread chaos while the dark mage plans something much bigger. This isn't random."
The duke nodded slowly, fingers drumming against the table.
"If what you're saying is true, then the dark mage has already begun mobilizing his forces. This is more serious than I imagined."
A tense silence filled the room until the duke stood, his commanding voice echoing.
"We must act quickly. I will assign you additional resources and a team of trackers to assist in your investigation. But listen closely: none of you are to confront this enemy directly without reinforcements. Understood?"
"Understood, my lord," the three replied in unison.
As they left the room, Alex felt Aria's hand rest gently on his arm. When he turned, she gave him a reassuring smile.
"You did well, Alex. Not everyone could've kept their cool in that situation," she said softly.
"Thanks, but it wasn't enough," he replied, eyes cast downward.
EMI joined them, standing on his other side. Her tone was light, but her eyes betrayed concern.
"That's why we're here—to make sure we're better prepared next time."
As the three stepped out of the mansion, a feeling of unease lingered. Though they had survived the encounter, they knew the worst was yet to come. The dark mage was making his move, and it was now up to them to figure out how to stop him before it was too late.
---
The sunlight barely pierced the dense canopy of the Shadowed Forest, leaving Alex, EMI, and Aria in a constant gloom that seemed to shift and breathe with a life of its own. The twisted branches of the trees formed ominous shapes, and the silence was almost funereal—broken only by their cautious footsteps.
"This is way too quiet…" EMI muttered, eyes scanning the darkness.
"We should stay close," Aria added, summoning a small shadow creature that floated beside her, emitting a faint violet glow.
Alex, dressed in his signature suit that masked his face, stayed a little behind. He moved in silence, heart pounding. He had his runes, but he knew he wasn't yet on the same level as his companions.
"Alex," EMI called, glancing back at him. "Use your support technique if needed. Remember, you're part of the team."
He nodded, preparing his support rune.
After hours of searching, they discovered an ancient altar covered in inscriptions and dark symbols. Aria, intrigued, began analyzing it, while EMI carefully inspected the surroundings.
"I don't like this," EMI said, a chill running down her spine.
Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the silence. A monstrous chimera—stitched together from parts of various beasts—emerged from the shadows. Its three heads—a wolf, a serpent, and a dragon—spewed fire and venom, and its eyes glowed with a cursed red light.
"Get ready!" EMI shouted, raising her light staff.
Aria summoned three shadow creatures to hold it back, but the beast's massive size and ferocity quickly overwhelmed them.
"Alex, I need help summoning more!" Aria called out, eyes urgent.
Alex activated his support technique, sending out a wave of energy that amplified Aria's magical output.
"Give it everything you've got!" he shouted, sweat dripping from his brow.
With her power boosted, Aria summoned six more creatures that surrounded the chimera, slowing it down just enough for EMI to make her move.
"My turn!" EMI yelled, channeling her light magic. A glowing sphere formed between her hands, growing brighter until it blinded the beast.
"It's not enough!" Alex warned from behind.
But EMI refused to give up. She pushed further, launching a barrage of light beams that battered the creature, weakening it little by little. At last, with a fierce cry, she unleashed a blast of radiant energy that reduced the chimera to ashes.
Exhausted but triumphant, EMI collapsed to her knees. Aria rushed to her side, as the summoned creatures slowly faded away.
"Nice job, EMI," Aria said with a mix of admiration and relief.
Alex approached and handed EMI a water bottle.
"You did the heavy lifting… I was just in the back."
EMI gave him a tired smile.
"Don't be silly, Alex. Without your help, Aria couldn't have kept her summons up. We all played a part."
"But you're the real hero here," Alex muttered, looking away.
Aria watched him silently, noting the strain in his voice, but chose not to comment. There was something in Alex—something even he hadn't discovered yet—but it would reveal itself in time.
the group standing before the ruined altar, knowing this was only the beginning of a much larger battle.