Kabur's powerful hooves echoed across the mossy forest floor. Mamir gripped the reins tightly, feeling the warmth of Runya seated behind him. From the silence, the princess's gentle voice rose.
— "Mamir… did you truly risk all this for the sake of the world?"
Mamir's eyes fixed on the horizon, his voice resolute:
— "Yes. Ostomas's curse must be stopped before it spreads across the continent. For that, I must win the elves' light, their weapons—and perhaps even their armies."
Runya lowered her gaze with a shy smile.
— "You… are brave enough to sacrifice your life for others. And because of that…" Her voice softened as her cheeks flushed. "…because of that, my heart already belongs to you."
Mamir turned his head toward her. In that moment, their bond deepened. Kabur carried them both onward, northward, toward destiny.
Soon, the trees began to thin. They reached the forest's edge, stepping into an open plain. That was when it happened.
The sky darkened. The air grew heavy. Before them appeared a figure cloaked entirely in black, face shrouded in veil-like fabric. No face, no eyes—only an ominous silence.
The man stepped forward slowly, his voice deep and grim:
— "You will never defeat Ostomas."
He raised his hand, and from his palm a black dagger formed. He drove it into the ground. The earth trembled. Its shadow swelled, multiplied, twisted—until monsters were born from the darkness itself.
There were ten of them. Their bodies resembled lions, but from their mouths jutted massive, curved tusks like those of wild boars. Their manes rippled like flames of shadow, and their blood-red eyes burned with savage hunger. Their claws, long and black, scraped the ground and sparked as they moved. They prowled with the agility of lions, yet the fury of enraged boars.
Runya clutched Mamir in fear. The dark figure vanished into the shadows.
— "Stay ready," Mamir said, drawing his blade. The Elven Light Sword gleamed like a sun.
The first beast lunged. Mamir leapt aside and slashed, his blade tearing through its chest. The light seared the flesh, and the creature fell with a howl.
But another struck from behind. Its claws ripped into Mamir's back. He cried out in pain, blood streaming down. Runya shut her eyes in panic—but then began to hum a melodic chant. Her voice, soft as a breeze, wove healing magic into Mamir's wounds. His strength returned.
Mamir spun around with fury, bringing his sword down. The blade split the beast's skull in a burst of radiant light.
Two more beasts charged Runya. Mamir dashed forward like lightning, driving his sword into one's chest and slashing the other's throat.
Then—another shadow crept from behind. Its claws were about to tear into Mamir's back—when Kabur reared high! The mighty horse lashed out with its hooves, striking the beast with such force its ribs shattered as it flew back.
Mamir seized the chance. He thrust his sword into the monster's heart. The beast screamed before dissolving into smoke.
One by one, the remaining shadows let out shrieks of agony and crumbled into black mist.
Mamir's breath was heavy. Runya rushed to him, tears glistening in her eyes as she embraced him.
— "We've passed our first trial together." she whispered.
Mamir raised his bloodied blade with resolve.
— "Runya, be my witness. As long as blood flows through my veins, the darkness will never prevail."
Kabur stepped forward once more. Mamir and Runya, now bound even closer than before, continued their journey northward.
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✨ End Note
The boar-tusked lion shades tested their bond. With Kabur's loyalty, Runya's magic, and Mamir's courage, the darkness was driven back. But this was only the first whisper of the storm to come…