The clash of steel rang out. Aryan's battered blade shattered against a goblin's dagger. His breath came ragged, arms bruised and shaking.
One goblin leapt onto his back as the others closed in.
"No… I can't… this is the end."
But in that instant, a white light cut through the darkness.
A spear of magic pierced the chest of a goblin, sending it screaming into the ground.
A sharp voice echoed:
"Get up! It's not over yet!"
From the trees stepped a girl cloaked in flowing fabric, a staff glowing in her hands. Her silver hair shimmered under the crimson sky, and her blue eyes burned with determination.
With a sweep of her hand, a wave of fire pushed the goblins back.
Aryan lay stunned on the ground, eyes wide.
The girl rushed to him, placing her staff against his chest as she whispered an incantation. Warm light washed over him, closing part of his wounds.
"Are you alive? Can you still fight?"
Aryan weakly nodded.
She gave him a small, confident smile.
"My name is Liana. From now on… we fight together."
— To be continued —