The first mission

The sun had barely risen over Eldermere, casting a golden hue across the town's cobblestone streets. Díkē stood in the guild hall, his new adventurer's badge pinned to his chest. The badge was a simple bronze emblem—a sword crossed with a quill—but it felt heavy with significance. He was no longer just a summoner with a mysterious ruby; he was an official member of the Adventurer's Guild. The guild hall was quieter than usual at this early hour, with only a handful of adventurers milling about, preparing for their day's work.

Calian stood beside him, his towering figure drawing curious glances from the few early risers. The knight's silver armor gleamed in the morning light, and his greatsword rested on his shoulder, a silent reminder of the power he wielded. Díkē glanced at him, feeling a surge of gratitude. Without Calian, he wouldn't have made it this far.

"Your first mission as a guild member," Calian said, his voice calm but firm. "It's an important step. Choose wisely."

Díkē nodded, his eyes scanning the bulletin board. The requests ranged from simple tasks like escorting merchants to dangerous missions like clearing out monster-infested ruins. His gaze lingered on one notice in particular—a request to investigate strange occurrences in the nearby village of **Briar Glen**. According to the notice, villagers had reported hearing eerie whispers at night and seeing shadowy figures moving through the fields. Livestock had gone missing, and some villagers claimed to have seen a massive, winged creature circling the skies.

"This one," Díkē said, pulling the notice from the board. "It sounds like something we can handle."

Calian glanced at the notice, his expression thoughtful. "Briar Glen is a small village, but the description of the creature is concerning. It could be a **Nightshade Harpy**—a dangerous monster known for its stealth and speed. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Díkē met Calian's gaze, his resolve unwavering. "I have to be. If I'm going to prove myself, I can't shy away from challenges."

Calian nodded, a faint smile playing beneath his helmet. "Then let's prepare. We'll need supplies and information before we head out."

---

The journey to Briar Glen took most of the day. The village was nestled in a valley surrounded by dense forests, its thatched-roof cottages and narrow dirt roads giving it a quaint, rustic charm. But as Díkē and Calian approached, they noticed something off. The fields were eerily quiet, with no sign of farmers or livestock. The air was heavy with tension, and the villagers they passed cast wary glances in their direction.

At the center of the village stood a small inn, its sign creaking in the wind. Díkē pushed open the door, the bell above it jingling softly. The interior was dimly lit, with a few villagers sitting at wooden tables, their voices hushed. Behind the counter stood a middle-aged woman with graying hair and a tired expression. She looked up as they entered, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Adventurers," she said, her tone a mix of relief and skepticism. "You're here about the notice, aren't you?"

Díkē nodded, stepping forward. "Yes. We're here to help. Can you tell us what's been happening?"

The woman sighed, leaning heavily on the counter. "It started a few weeks ago. At first, it was just small things—missing chickens, strange noises at night. But then… people started seeing things. Shadows moving in the fields, whispers in the wind. And then there's the creature. It's huge, with wings like a bat and eyes that glow in the dark. It's been terrorizing the village, taking our livestock and scaring everyone half to death."

Díkē exchanged a glance with Calian. "Do you know where it comes from?"

The woman shook her head. "No one's been brave enough to follow it. But some say it comes from the old ruins in the forest. They've been there for centuries, but no one's gone near them in years. Too dangerous."

Díkē frowned, his mind racing. "The ruins… do you know anything about them?"

"Just old stories," the woman said, her voice lowering. "They say the ruins were once a temple, but something terrible happened there. The forest grew wild around it, and no one who's gone in has ever come back."

Calian's eyes gleamed with interest. "A temple, you say? That could explain the presence of a Nightshade Harpy. Such creatures are often drawn to places of ancient power."

Díkē nodded, his resolve hardening. "Then that's where we'll go. Can you show us the way to the ruins?"

The woman hesitated, then nodded. "I'll draw you a map. But be careful. Whatever's out there… it's not natural."

---

The forest surrounding Briar Glen was even darker and denser than the Darkwood. The trees loomed overhead, their gnarled branches twisting together to block out the sunlight. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the silence was unnerving. Díkē and Calian moved cautiously, their senses alert for any signs of danger.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the trees began to thin, revealing the ruins of an ancient temple. The stone walls were overgrown with moss and vines, and the entrance was partially collapsed, leaving a gaping maw of darkness. The air around the ruins felt heavy, almost oppressive, and the ruby in Díkē's palm pulsed faintly, as if warning him of something ahead.

"This is it," Díkē said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The temple."

Calian nodded, his greatsword at the ready. "Stay close. We don't know what we're dealing with."

They stepped inside, the darkness swallowing them whole. The interior of the temple was vast and crumbling, with broken pillars and shattered statues littering the floor. The air was cold, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the halls.

As they moved deeper into the temple, the ruby's glow intensified, casting a faint red light on the walls. Díkē's heart raced as he felt a growing sense of unease. Something was watching them.

Then, they heard it—a low, guttural growl, followed by the sound of wings flapping. Díkē's eyes widened as a massive shadow detached itself from the ceiling, its glowing eyes locking onto them.

The Nightshade Harpy.

The creature was enormous, with leathery wings, razor-sharp claws, and a face that was a grotesque mix of human and bat. Its eyes glowed with an eerie red light, and its mouth was filled with rows of jagged teeth. It let out a piercing screech, the sound reverberating through the temple.

"Get ready!" Calian shouted, his greatsword flashing in the dim light.

The harpy lunged, its claws slashing through the air. Díkē dodged, his movements fueled by the ruby's energy. He countered with a swift strike, his blade cutting into the creature's side. The harpy screeched in pain, its wings beating furiously as it retreated.

Calian was already moving, his greatsword slicing through the air with deadly precision. The harpy dodged, its movements unnervingly fast, but Calian's strikes were relentless. Díkē joined the fray, his sword flashing as he and Calian fought side by side.

The battle was fierce and chaotic. The harpy's speed and agility made it a formidable opponent, but Díkē and Calian's teamwork and the ruby's power gave them the edge. Finally, with a powerful strike from Calian's greatsword, the harpy let out a final, ear-piercing screech and collapsed to the ground, its body dissolving into shadowy mist.

Díkē let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, his body trembling with exhaustion. But despite the fatigue, he felt a surge of triumph. They had defeated the harpy and saved Briar Glen.

Calian placed a hand on his shoulder, his eyes gleaming with pride. "You fought well, Díkē. You've proven yourself once again."

Díkē smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the ruby in his hand. Its glow was steady and reassuring, a constant reminder of the power he now wielded—and the responsibility that came with it.

"Let's go back," he said, his voice firm. "The villagers will want to know the harpy is gone."

---

As they made their way back to Briar Glen, Díkē felt a sense of accomplishment. He had faced a powerful enemy and emerged victorious, proving himself as both a summoner and an adventurer. But as he looked at the ruby in his hand, he knew that his journey was only just beginning. The Knight's Heart had chosen him for a reason, and he was determined to uncover its secrets—and his own destiny.

---

**End of Chapter 6**