THE LIGHT FROM THE FOREST

The Alpha darkside spirit hurled the massive rock—now cloaked in dark Renshi—straight at Alfie with devastating force. Alfie released his arrow in retaliation, and the two attacks collided mid-air. A blinding surge of dark Renshi erupted, sending shockwaves across the forest. Trees were uprooted, rocks shattered, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.

At first, the arrow held its ground—but soon, the colossal rock began to overpower it.

"This is bad! Get out of there!" the girl screamed.

Alfie turned and tried to run, but the Alpha darkside spirit sneered. "I won't let you escape, kid. This is the end!" He redirected the attack toward Alfie's path.

The blast came too close, too fast. Alfie couldn't dodge it.

"Don't die, boy!" the girl cried as she ran toward him.

Alfie collapsed, his body trembling. I can't move. I'm completely drained... I don't want to die. I don't want to die... he kept repeating in his thoughts as the attack closed in.

Then, suddenly—

A flash.

A small, radiant beam of light shot out from deep within the forest. It sliced through the enormous rock with a single strike, obliterating it in an instant. Debris scattered like dust.

"What... what was that light?" the Alpha darkside spirit muttered, stunned. "How did it destroy my attack... in one blow?"

Alfie sat frozen, wide-eyed. His horn retracted into his skull, and the shadow tattoos on his body crumbled into dust. "What just happened?" he whispered. "That rock... it vanished in a blink..."

The girl rushed to Alfie, dropping to her knees and hugging him tightly. "I'm so glad you're safe. I couldn't bear losing someone who tried to protect me... not again."

Alfie gave a weak smile. "Now you're acting like a kid," he teased gently.

The girl smiled through her tears. "What was that light? How did it destroy such a powerful attack?"

"I don't know. I'm just as surprised. Do you think... it was from a Shinra?" she said.

"A Shinra? I can't wait to meet one! Do they wear costumes? Do they look like superheroes?" Alfie's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Here we go again. You're all smiles now, but you were ready to cry a minute ago," the girl said with a laugh as she helped him to his feet. "Let's hope it really was a Shinra. Whoever it was, they saved you... I'd say we're about 80% safe now."

From deep within the forest, a voice rang out—firm and cold.

"You lowly creature... Chasing after children? Is that what darkside spirits have become? Pathetic. I thought you fed on warriors—now you go after kids with Renshi?"

The Alpha darkside spirit growled. "Show yourself! Let me teach you to fear a true Alpha! I'll devour you where you stand!"

"Devour me?" the voice echoed mockingly. "You clearly don't know your place."

A black horse stepped out of the forest. Atop it sat a man clad in a shining black cape, Renshi humming from his presence. His hair flowed in the breeze, and his eyes were cold as steel(the man is Marco who just arrived at Guhan).

"It's a Shinra!" the girl gasped in relief. "We're safe!"

"Whoa... He's so cool," Alfie whispered, stunned. "The cape! The horse! I want a horse too!"

"Shut it, idiot!" the girl snapped. "Try acting like a Shinra and not a fanboy!"

"Sorry, I'm just really excited," Alfie grinned. "It's a dream come true!"

"Whatever," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

"A Shinra?" the darkside spirit barked. "So what? I'm an Alpha now. I can take you alone!"

"So naïve," the man replied calmly.

Before anyone could blink, the Alpha darkside spirit's head flew through the air—severed cleanly. Neither Alfie nor the girl saw the Shinra draw his sword.

"What... just happened?" they both shouted in disbelief.

"That's amazing," Alfie said, jaw dropped. "I fought that thing for hours, and he ended it without even moving!"

"You idiot," the girl said, hitting him lightly. "We fought it together!"

"Ah, right! My bad. You always take things so personally," Alfie laughed.

"Call it what you want. I just don't want history saying you killed an Alpha darkside spirit by yourself. We did it together."

"Fair enough," Alfie chuckled. "Team effort."

The man rode up to them, his calm voice breaking their banter. "Hey, kids. Do you live around here?"

"Yes," Alfie replied. "Just past the cliff. I live with my parents. Thank you, Mr. Shinra! I'm really happy to see you."

"Save the thanks for later. Get on the horse. We're heading to your town," the man said firmly.

"Why? Are you looking for someone?" Alfie asked.

"Yes. I made a promise to a friend,he was a good one. I'm here to fulfill it."

"You said was... does that mean he's... dead?" Alfie asked, voice soft.

"Sadly, yes," the Shinra said with a nod. "You're sharp, kid. What's your name?"

"Oh—right! I'm Alfie. Falco Alfie. That's my full name," he said proudly, Marco sitting on horse surprised.