Under the Guardian's Protection

Hours after the confrontation with the creature, Dinis opened his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling renewed. The brief rest and meditation restored his mental clarity, and his body was fully recovered. He stood up and began adjusting his equipment, securing the black blade on his back. As he prepared, he felt a pair of eyes watching him.

The young woman he had rescued was observing him attentively, her face still marked by traces of distrust and apprehension. She held the grimoire in her lap with an almost desperate grip, as if the object were her last anchor of safety. When their gazes met, she hesitated, clearly trying to gather the courage to speak.

Finally, with a slightly trembling voice, she broke the silence.

"Where... where is the creature that... that kidnapped me?" she asked softly, her eyes fixed on Dinis. "And... who are you?"

He looked at her for a moment, his expression calm and unreadable.

"My name is Dinis," he replied, his voice deep and controlled. "The creature that attacked you has been eliminated. You are safe now."

The young woman relaxed a bit but still seemed hesitant. She looked at him with surprise, as if trying to understand who this man with cold eyes and relentless features was.

"You killed it... alone?" she murmured, incredulous. "How did you manage that?"

Dinis remained impassive, but his answer was brief and direct.

"It's part of who I am." He hesitated for a moment, as if pondering how much to explain. "I am a Consolidated Guardian Sentinel."

Her eyes widened slightly upon hearing the title, and Dinis could perceive a mixture of surprise and respect. Guardian Sentinels were respected, powerful figures who protected villages and cities when needed, but they were also rare. Even among Sentinels, reaching the Guardian stage was not easy.

After a moment of silence, she took a deep breath, as if needing more strength to continue.

"My name is Irina," she said, lowering her gaze to the grimoire she held. "I was traveling to deliver this book... and then my carriage was attacked."

Dinis gave a slight nod, processing the information. Her explanation didn't reveal much, but the tone in her voice indicated that the grimoire held something valuable, something that had attracted hostile beings.

"So... you're transporting that book?" Dinis asked, his expression mixing curiosity and caution.

Irina nodded, hugging the grimoire more tightly.

"Yes. It contains ancient information about the continent of Dhymeria," she replied, her eyes shifting from Dinis to the fire as she seemed to organize her thoughts. "But it's just one among many. There are other grimoires with similar knowledge, scattered in various places."

Dinis observed her in silence, processing the new information. So it wasn't a unique artifact but part of something bigger.

"Why were you attacked, then?" he asked, his tone direct and blunt. "What's so important about that book that they'd risk an ambush?"

Irina seemed to ponder before answering.

"There are... forces, certain creatures..." she paused, as if searching for the right words. "They seem drawn to this knowledge, as if... as if they know it can reveal something about them, or even offer a form of control."

Dinis reflected for a moment, and an almost ironic expression appeared on his face.

"Then you were lucky I was around," he said, his eyes analyzing her with a relentless calm. "I didn't save you because it was my duty as a Sentinel. It just so happens that I'm camping here as part of my training. I need to improve my combat skills to level up."

Irina stared at him, surprised. She seemed to have expected a different answer, perhaps something more noble or altruistic.

"So... you were here just by chance?" she asked, a touch of nervousness in her voice.

Dinis nodded, straightforwardly.

"Exactly. I'm in a period of improvement, and the forest offers necessary challenges to develop my strength and speed." He watched her for a moment before adding, "The fact that I found you was a coincidence. But since you're under my protection, I'll do whatever it takes to get you safely to your destination."

Irina took a deep breath, processing Dinis's words. The Guardian Sentinel before her was a man of few words and clear intentions. There was something relentless and, at the same time, a disarming frankness in his way of speaking. He hadn't helped her out of heroism but because fate had crossed their paths. Even so, his presence gave her security.

After a moment of silence, she bowed her head in a gesture of gratitude.

"Thank you, Dinis," she said in a softer tone. "Even if it was by chance, I'm grateful to be alive."

Dinis simply nodded, adjusting the blade on his back.

"Rest, Irina. In the morning, we'll decide the best path to move forward."