Chapter 4: Sparks of Conflict

The marketplace fell silent as Nia's flames crackled fiercely around her. Her grip tightened on the orc thug's face, the heat radiating from her body enough to make the air shimmer. The other two thugs staggered back, their bravado crumbling under her smoldering glare.

"N-Nia—wait!" Lito called out, stepping forward. "They're not worth burning to ash in the middle of the Kingdom!"

Nia's fiery eyes flickered toward Lito. For a moment, her fury softened — just a little — before she snarled at the orcs, her voice sharp as a blade.

"Apologize. Now!"

The pinned orc wheezed desperately, "S-Sorry! We'll leave! We swear!"

His companions dropped their knives with a loud *clang*, their hands shooting up in surrender like terrified children caught stealing cookies.

Lito knelt beside the trembling wood elf and water spirit merchants. His voice was gentle. "Are you hurt?"

The wood elf shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "Th-Thank you, Your Majesty… They—They demanded 'protection fees.' We… we couldn't pay…"

Lito's jaw tightened. He turned his gaze toward the orcs, his usual warmth hardening into quiet authority.

"Eden's prosperity belongs to all its people. If you're struggling, seek aid — not violence."

The orcs flinched under the weight of his words.

Nia released the thug with a shove, and the trio scrambled backward like scared rats.

"If I *ever* catch you near him again," she growled, flames flickering from her fingertips, "I'll roast you so bad your own mothers won't recognize you."

The thugs bolted, nearly tripping over each other, as the marketplace erupted into relieved cheers.

Lito sighed heavily. "Nia, you didn't have to go full inferno on them…"

"Of course I did!" Nia whirled to face him, hands on her hips. Her fiery bravado wavered as she stared at Lito's face. "You… you're really okay?"

Lito scratched the back of his head, smiling awkwardly. "Thanks to you. But let's try *talking* first next time, alright?"

Nia huffed, puffing her cheeks out. "Diplomacy doesn't work on idiots."

Luna stepped forward, her voice cold enough to freeze the flames. "And reckless violence risks his safety. *Control* your flames, Nia."

Nia narrowed her eyes. "Oh, and what were *you* doing, Miss Icy Elf? Casting your 'silent judgment' spell again?"

"Enough," Truth cut in, her calm voice slicing through the rising tension like a clean blade. "We have a mission. The energy sites won't secure themselves."

"The energy site? What are you guys even up to?" Nia demanded, confused.

Lito glanced around, realizing the crowd was still whispering and pointing toward them. "We should get out of here. We're a little too… popular right now."

The others agreed. Before leaving, they handed a small pouch of gold to the merchant couple to help them repair their stall.

As they walked away, Lito explained everything — about the broken artifact, the alternative energy project, and their plan to harness the river and the wind to power Eden.

Hearing this, Nia immediately puffed up her chest. "Well, of course I'm coming with you! Someone has to keep you all from getting eaten by mutant squirrels or whatever!"

Lito chuckled helplessly. "Welcome aboard, then."

---

They journeyed east toward the river, the sunlight filtering gently through the trees.

Nia stubbornly glued herself to Lito's side like an overprotective guard dog, while Luna hovered close behind, her sharp gaze flickering between the woods and Nia.

"So this 'unlimited energy' plan…" Nia kicked a pebble into the bushes. "You're using waterfalls and… air?"

"Precisely," Truth said, adjusting her oversized goggles. "The river's current can spin water wheels, while the mountain winds will turn turbines. The energy will be stored in elemental cores, then channeled through magic cables."

Nia blinked. "So basically... you're trapping a storm inside a box?"

Lito laughed. "Pretty much."

Nia shook her head. "You guys are crazy. I love it."

But as they neared the river, an unnatural stillness fell over the forest.

No bird calls. No rustling leaves. Only silence.

Luna's hand drifted toward her artifact wand and magic book. "Something's wrong."

Truth pulled out several vials of chemicals from her bag, her hands steady. "There's no birdsong at all... That's never a good sign."

A low growl rumbled through the trees.

From the shadows emerged a massive, wolf-like creature, its fur mangled with glowing green veins — a corrupted beast.

"Crossing Path mutation..." Truth whispered, horror flashing across her face. "The apex predators… they're spreading corruption."

The beast lunged.

Nia reacted first, blasting a roaring wall of flame — but the creature twisted midair, dodging her attack, and slashed at Lito.

"Watch out!" Luna yanked Lito backward, while Truth hurled a foam-steel barrier from a chemical vial, barely stopping the next strike.

"Stay behind me!" Nia roared, fire swirling around her in a great burning cyclone.

"Wait!" Lito shouted, stepping forward. "Don't kill it! It's sick — not evil!"

The creature recoiled, howling in agony, the corruption pulsing violently through its body.

"Lito, are you INSANE?!" Nia screamed, struggling to hold her fire.

But Lito raised his hand calmly. A soft, radiant glow emanated from the ring on his finger — the Light element ring artifact.

The light poured out like a warm sunrise, engulfing the beast.

The green veins slowly receded, vanishing into wisps of mist.

The creature's matted fur was revealed to be sleek and silver underneath. It collapsed onto the ground, breathing raggedly but alive.

Truth gasped, awe-struck. "You… you reversed the corruption…! How?"

Lito, breathing hard, knelt beside the wolf, stroking its head gently.

"The Light element… it's not just for fighting. It's for healing."

He looked up, his voice grave.

"We need to find the source of this corruption. It's connected to why the monsters are migrating toward Eden."

Nia stared at him, her anger melting into something softer — something like wonder.

"You really haven't changed, have you? Still throwing yourself between danger and everything you care about..."

Luna moved beside him, offering her hand to help him up. Her voice, normally sharp, was soft now.

"We'll investigate. Together. But first — the energy sites. Eden needs light if we're going to survive what's coming."

As they pressed onward, the forest thickened and darkened.

Ahead, the mountain loomed — its peaks lost beneath swirling storm clouds.

But deeper still, hidden in the shadows... dozens of glowing green eyes blinked open, watching their every move.

To be continued…