Previously
"There's something else," she said slowly. "Something I heard in the Gate of Steel."
Willow looked at her expectantly, his eyes shining with curiosity.
Raegis took a deep breath, feeling a sense of trepidation as she prepared to reveal what she had heard.
"I heard a voice," she said softly. "A woman's voice. She was speaking to me, telling me... telling me that I was chosen."
Willow's eyes widened, his expression incredulous. "Chosen? For what?"
Raegis shook her head, feeling a sense of confusion and uncertainty. "I don't know," she admitted. "But she said that I had a destiny - a purpose that I had to fulfill."
Willow looked at her intently, his expression serious. "Raegis, you have to be careful," he warned. "Prophecies and destinies can be dangerous things. They can lead you down a path that you might not want to go."
Raegis nodded, feeling a sense of apprehension at the thought of being bound by fate. "I know," she said softly. "But... what if it's true? What if I really am meant to do something great?"
***
Willow looked at Raegis with a small smile. "You already are doing something great," he said. "You're here, fighting by my side. And who knows what else we'll accomplish together?"
Raegis smiled weakly, feeling a little comforted by Willow's words. "I just don't want to disappoint you," she said.
"You could never disappoint me," Willow replied. "I believe in you, Raegis. And I know that whatever happens, we'll face it together."
Raegis felt her chest swell with emotion at Willow's words. She had never had anyone believe in her like this before. It gave her a sense of purpose and strength that she hadn't felt in a long time.
"Thank you, Willow," she said softly.
They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, watching the flames dance in the firepit. Raegis felt a sense of peace settle over her, knowing that she had someone like Willow by her side.
But their peace was short-lived, as a sudden sound shattered the stillness of the night. It was a low growl, and it seemed to be coming from the woods.
Raegis felt a sense of unease wash over her as she grabbed her sword. Willow stood up as well, his hand on his bow.
"Stay behind me," he said to Raegis, his voice low.
Willow immediately stood up, his eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement. Raegis followed suit, her hand tightening around the hilt of her makeshift sword.
The growling grew louder, and soon they could make out the shapes of shadow-like monsters emerging from the woods. Raegis had never seen anything like them before - they had no definite form, and seemed to flicker in and out of existence.
"They're impervious to physical attacks," Willow warned Raegis as the monsters closed in on them. "We'll have to use [Purify] or [Counter]."
Raegis nodded, her eyes fixed on the monsters as they advanced. She knew that she had to protect Willow at all costs.
The first monster lunged at her, and Raegis dodged nimbly to the side, her twig-sword flashing as she struck. But the monster seemed unfazed, and Raegis realized with a sinking feeling that Willow was right - physical attacks wouldn't work.
The monsters closed in, and Raegis knew that they had to act fast. She could see the fear in Willow's eyes, and it made her even more determined to protect him.
"Stay behind me," she said to Willow, her voice low.
Raegis focused her aura, feeling it surge through her body. She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them again, they glowed with a fierce intensity.
She lunged forward, her twig-sword held in front of her. The monsters were closing in fast, but Raegis was ready. She spun around, her sword arcing through the air in a blur of motion.
There was a loud, hissing sound, and one of the monsters flickered and vanished into thin air. Raegis had used [Counter], her new skill.
But there were still more monsters left, and they were getting closer.
Willow stood behind Raegis, his eyes glowing with a bright blue light. He was channeling his chi, preparing to use [Purify] on the monsters.
Raegis spun around, striking out at the nearest monster with her twig-sword. It dodged her attack effortlessly, and Raegis stumbled.
But then Willow's [Purify] spell hit the monster, and it let out a high-pitched shriek before vanishing into thin air.
Raegis smiled grimly, feeling a surge of pride at Willow's skill. She turned to face the remaining monsters, her aura blazing.
Together, she and Willow fought the monsters off, striking them with [Purify] and [Counter]. The monsters hissed and snarled, but they were no match for the two warriors.
Finally, the last of the monsters flickered and vanished into thin air. Raegis lowered her twig-sword, feeling a sense of exhaustion wash over her.
"That was intense," Willow said, his voice shaking slightly.
Raegis nodded, feeling drained but also exhilarated. She had proven herself, not just to Willow, but to herself as well.
But as they returned to their camp, Raegis couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She looked around the clearing, her senses on high alert.
And then she saw it - a figure lurking in the shadows, watching them with an intense gaze. It was humanoid, but its features were distorted and twisted, as if it wasn't fully human. Raegis drew her sword, her heart pounding in her chest. Willow did the same, empowering himself with chi at the ready.
Raegis drew her sword, her eyes scanning the dark forest for any other movement. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice ringing out through the trees.
The hooded figure chuckled, their voice low and sinister. "Why, just a passerby," they said. "But it seems I've stumbled upon quite the commotion, haven't I?"
Raegis narrowed her eyes. "Did you send those creatures to attack us?" she asked, her grip tightening on her sword.
The figure tilted their head, their face still shrouded in shadow. "Oh, no, my dear," they said. "I'm not so petty as to send mere beasts to do my bidding. No, I have much grander plans in mind."
Raegis felt a shiver run down her spine at the figure's words. She didn't like the sound of that at all. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice steady despite her growing unease.
The figure chuckled again. "Just a warning, really," they said. "You should be careful, out here in the woods. There are many dangerous things lurking in the shadows."
Raegis tensed, her eyes darting around the forest once more. She had a feeling that the figure was talking about more than just the shadow creatures they had just fought. "What kind of things?" she asked, her voice low.
The figure shrugged. "Demons, for one," they said, and Raegis felt a chill run down her spine. "But there are other things out here as well. Things you wouldn't even be able to comprehend."
Raegis took a step forward, her sword raised. "Enough games," she said. "Reveal yourself, or face my blade."