Stranger

With the sun high up, sunbeams peeking through the canopy of trees. Reiji's footsteps pounded the ground with reckless speed.

"Bobbin, shriek at it!" a little girl's high-pitched voice exclaimed.

"Good timing," Reiji replied, poised for action.

With a powerful leap, Reiji sprang upward. His spear flashed in the sunlight, and as his momentum propelled him downward, he thrust it deep into the beast's vulnerable nape, taking the beast down.

The beast disappeared instantly, leaving no trace. Reiji nodded approvingly, "Bobbin, your shrieks are more controlled. You're progressing well."

Bobbin, a peculiar yet charming bear-rabbit hybrid, stood taller, radiating pride as comprehension sparkled in his eyes.

Tatiana, an adorable curly-haired girl, cooed, "Why are you acting so proud, Bobbin? Calm down." She turned to Reiji and added, "Bobbin's definitely learning from me."

Reiji smiled. "Alright, all credit goes to you, Tati. But did you absorb the essence?"

Tati nodded. "Yup! This should give the village energy for quite a while."

She gazed at Reiji, pouting. "Though I have to admit, hunting Salm's easier with you around."

"That's the second beast I've seen so far. So that's Salm, huh? Looks like a wingless dragon with big ears. Much like a combination of a scaly lizard and a bat to me." Reiji thought to himself.

Reiji chuckled. "Aww, pouting? Let's fix that!" He playfully chased Tati.

It's been over a month since Reiji started living in Caitstown. He joined Tatiana in guarding the village's perimeter, securing the villagers from darkspawns like Salm that sometimes lurk around the area.

Reiji mused, "Carefree living isn't bad."

Days blended together as he settled into routines: perimeter checks, hunting, checking out his abilities, and training sessions with Bobbin and Tatiana.

Until one day, During their training session 

"Hey Tati, how's your wind magic coming along? You're a genius with support magic, but offensive and defensive skills are handy too, right?" Reiji asked.

"It's violence, Rei-eni. Bobbin's the fighter; I'll stick to just supporting Bobbin in combat," Tati said.

"Defense?" Reiji queried.

Tati smiled awkwardly. "Uhm, Yah... it's coming along."

Reiji raised an eyebrow. "Really?" he asked skeptically.

Tati pouted and whispered in retaliation, "Why though? Is there a need for it?

"There's always room for caution, kid. You're overly protective of the villagers, yet you often disregard your own safety," Reiji lectured.

"Why–?"

Reiji's questioning and lecturing abruptly stopped. "Hey, there's something," he said suddenly.

Bobbin assumed a defensive posture.

Tati swiftly moved closer to Bobbin, seeking protection amidst the sudden tension that Reiji and Bobbin sensed in the air.

Out of nowhere, two battered girls, scarred and dripping with blood, emerged.

Reiji, Bobbin, and Tati crouched low, cautiously avoiding detection as they assessed the situation unfolding before them.

"Get back to the village," Reiji whispered urgently to Tati and Bobbin. "This doesn't feel right. Something big is happening here."

Tati nodded and whispered back, "I'll alert the Felinials to prepare for evacuation. If needed, we'll head north."

Reiji replied, "I'll follow close behind; be careful."

Tati's expression turned grave. "Rei-eni, this feels ominous. I've sensed this darkness before. Ensure you follow us."

Reiji gently patted Tati's head. "I'll follow these two. Go, secure the Felinials."

Tati nodded, and Bobbin carefully lifted her, cautiously retreating to the village.

Reiji's eyes narrowed, "I've seen them before," he murmured, trailing the mysterious pair.

"These are the riders of the giant ostrich-like birds I saw months ago," Reiji thought, his curiosity piqued.

Reiji edged closer, his ears picking up the urgent whisper: "Lyrien, by the grace of God, we may never return to Bellatoria."

Reiji's voice barely audible, "The Nebtawi mark is working."

The girl smiled hopefully. "Sister, may God favor us today as well."

Reiji's thoughts turned wary. "Did that mauve-haired girl just glance my way?"

Reiji's instincts prickled. An ominous aura loomed, originating from the direction the pair came from, now uncomfortably close.

Reiji sneered, his gaze falling upon a grotesque stone creature nearby. Its face, a twisted parody of humanity, gleamed with malice. The lipless mouth revealed razor-sharp teeth, chiseled into menacing features that seemed to embody evil.

"Is that a darkspawn golem?" Reiji thought, his mental voice laced with disgust. "It's a freakishly ugly and evil-looking beast."

As the injured pair moved at a sluggish pace, the creatures behind them closed in with an unsettling speed.

"Those who stayed couldn't hold them back," the female knight said grimly. "The beasts are closing in, Lyrien."

The mystical girl took a deep breath and replied, "Let's face them, Sister Lyra. May our God not abandon us today."

Within a minute, the creatures began to emerge from the surroundings, their eyes fixed on the battle-ready pair.

As soon as the first creature revealed itself, the mystical girl raised her hands and started chanting in a voice that grew increasingly powerful:

"Exi flamma, consumere in mea voluntas! Fireball!"

The mystical girl repeated the spell, and one by one, the creature that threatened them were consumed by the fiery blasts.

Reiji watched in stunned silence, his mind reeling with the sudden display of magical prowess. "Did she just cite Latin?" he thought, his eyes wide with wonder.

When the mystical girl rested, the knight girl began her own chanting, "Ignis, mea virtus est!" Charge!"

Reiji's jaw dropped as he listened to the pair, his mind struggling to process what he had just witnessed. "That spell didn't seem like much, but I can see the aura of heat around her," he thought. 

Then, his eyes fixed on the pair and added, "And what they just cited... I'm positive that it's Latin. But how is that possible?"

With powerful, precise swings of her sword, the knight began to take down the closing creatures one by one, her movements a blur of steel and determination.

Reiji's mind reeled as he watched the battle unfold, his thoughts racing with incredulity. "These girls are annihilating those creatures with ease," he thought, "but the swarm of these creatures are draining them down."

Just as Reiji decided to intervene, a thunderous, menacing voice growled through the air, sending shivers down his spine. "Stop scurrying about, little mice," it sneered. "Let me deliver you to your creator... personally."

As the voice's ominous words hung in the air, Reiji felt a pang of fear. He glanced at the knight and the mystical girl, who were now standing back-to-back, their eyes fixed on the darkness beyond the trees.