The adventurer's guild was bustling when Rae and Trina registered as a party. Rae hesitated as the scribe recorded their party name: The Crimson Knights. It felt weighty, as though this journey marked a turning point for her. Trina, however, seemed unfazed, leaning casually against the counter.
"Let's go, Rae," Trina said with a playful smirk. Her crimson hair gleamed like fire under the sunlight pouring through the tall windows.
Trina was a mystery to Rae. They shared a striking resemblance—so much so that strangers often mistook them for sisters—but the similarities ended there. Trina was brash, confident, and capable, a seasoned adventurer ranked B. Rae, on the other hand, felt untested and uncertain. She hoped this journey might unravel some of Trina's enigmatic aura, perhaps even draw them closer.
The road stretched before them, winding through dense forests and over rolling hills. Days passed before they encountered another town. Along the way, the air grew chill, and the evenings were filled with the sounds of owls and the crackling of their campfire. Then, on the third day, the peaceful rhythm of their travel was broken.
Shouts echoed through the trees. A caravan was under attack.
Trina halted abruptly. Her sharp eyes darted toward the commotion. Without hesitation, she grinned. "Rae, stand back and watch. I'll handle this."
"Wait—" Rae started, but Trina was already moving, mumbling something under her breath. A heartbeat later, she vanished.
Rae blinked, searching for her, only to spot her reappearing behind one of the bandits. The moonlight illuminated her crimson hair, now like a blazing banner against the dark forest. Her face, often playful, was etched with cold fury.
Trina moved like a force of nature—silent and deadly. Her blades danced in the moonlight, striking with precision. Bandits dropped one by one, groaning in pain. Rae watched in awe, her heart pounding. Trina's terrifying efficiency left no room for retaliation.
Note to self, Rae thought nervously, never, ever make her angry.
In mere moments, the skirmish was over. The bandits lay battered and bound, groaning on the forest floor. Trina sheathed her daggers and gestured to Rae. "Go check on the passengers."
Still stunned, Rae nodded and hurried toward the overturned carriage. Before she reached it, a low growl stopped her in her tracks. Emerging from the shadows were creatures—feral and otherworldly. Wolves with eyes like embers, an orange fox with jagged black streaks along its fur, and a hulking, horned bear.
Rae froze. The creatures moved with lethal grace, their eyes locked onto her and Trina. The air was thick with tension.
Trina, however, didn't flinch. She murmured another incantation, her voice low. A red mist unfurled from her fingertips, spreading like a veil across the battlefield. Rae's vision blurred as the mist enveloped everything. She felt her pulse quicken, disoriented and afraid.
Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the mist dissipated. Rae gasped. The creatures—once ferocious—stood docile, their predatory gleam replaced with a calm stillness.
"Now that's better," Trina said, kneeling beside one of the wolves and scratching its ear. "You're quite lovable when you're not trying to kill us."
Rae stared, wide-eyed. "What was that?"
"A spell used by archdemons," Trina replied casually, standing and dusting off her hands. "It lets us dominate lesser monsters. But it only works if you're strong enough."
Before Rae could respond, one of the passengers peeked out from the carriage. Seeing the subdued creatures and bound bandits, he stumbled forward, trembling.
"Thank you!" he cried. "You saved us—how can we ever repay you?"
Trina waved dismissively. "No payment necessary. Just doing our job."
The man gaped. "You must be high-ranking adventurers. I've never seen anyone handle bandits and monsters so easily."
Rae watched the exchange, feeling a flicker of pride in their fledgling party. But the man's next words wiped her smile away.
"One of our adventurers was injured," he said gravely. "She's badly hurt. Can either of you heal her?"
Rae hesitated, glancing at Trina. She wanted to keep her gift of light magic a secret—it was too rare, too dangerous. But could she let someone die?
Trina leaned in, her voice low. "Help her. But don't let them see what you're doing."
The injured adventurer lay at the back of the carriage, cloaked and shrouded in shadow. Rae knelt beside her, gently pulling back the hood. A pale elven face, twisted in pain, came into view. Her breathing was shallow, and blood seeped from a deep wound in her abdomen.
"Miss, I need to heal you," Rae said softly. The elf shook her head weakly, trying to push Rae away. But her strength failed, and she fell unconscious.
Rae acted quickly, forming a golden amount of circles in the air. Light poured from her hands, washing over the elf's body. The wound began to close, her pale skin knitting itself back together.
When the spell ended, Trina hissed and stepped back, rubbing her arms. "Warn me next time. Your light magic stings."
The elf stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Where am I?" she whispered.
"Safe," Rae said, smiling. "I'm Rae, and this is Trina. We're the Crimson Knights."
The elf sat up slowly, her movements wary. "I'm Helen. Thank you for saving me." She paused, her expression hardening. "I was tracking someone—my lady. She was taken by slavers."
Trina's fists clenched at the word. Memories of her family and her own suffering flooded back. "We'll help you," she said firmly. "Join us. We're gathering adventurers for a mission. Maybe we'll find a lead on your lady along the way."
Helen hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you. But once I find her, I'll leave."
"That's fine," Rae said. "Welcome to the Crimson Knights."
As their journey continued, Rae glanced at her companions. She felt like their party might truly become something great.