When the raft was finished, Reinhart floated above it feeling impressed. It was far from his best work, but it was not bad by any means, and it would serve their purposes. The raft was simple, consisting of several large fallen trees lashed together tightly with stripped, flexible bark. A makeshift rudder fashioned from a flat piece of wood and a long tree branch allowed them to steer. Reinhart marveled at the versatility of his magic, having transformed from a box with food into a box capable of constructing a vehicle.
Maze had been watching in intense curiosity. Her queenly experiences had never afforded her such practical, hands-on knowledge. "This is truly practical magic, isn't it?" she mused, glancing at Reinhart.
"Magic like this is new to me, but I suppose in this world, the possibilities are endless," Reinhart responded. During his life on Earth, the term 'magic' often bore a different meaning, typically associated with illusionary tricks aimed at mystifying audiences.
Once they set off on the Great River of Fallenia, Maze's anxiety was palpable. The river, which was serene at their starting location, quickly became a tumultuous central stream filled with hidden whirlpools, dangerous undercurrents, and an array of magical beasts.
Suddenly, they encountered a frightful creature from the depths of the river - the massive Zhazshark. It thrust its whale-sized body out of the water and onto the surface, its sharp-toothed jaws snapping viciously. Realizing the potential danger, Reinhart quickly transformed into one of the tree branches used in the raft's construction. Utilizing his knowledge of construction, he attached a sharp rock at one end to fashion it into a makeshift harpoon which Maze then guided toward the Zhazshark's eye. Pierced and incapacitated, the beast recoiled back into the depths with a tumultuous splash, leaving them with a temporary respite.
Their peace was short-lived when they faced a flock of large bat-like creatures called Vindriebs. The creatures used their wind to trap victims, swarming around the raft with an unsettling whirling sound. Acting quickly, Reinhart manipulated the moisture in the air to produce a thick, hot broth that served as a smokescreen. The Vindriebs, disoriented, scattered, leaving them in peace once more.
Just when they thought they might make it to safety, the river began to churn ominously. Maze looked terrified, and Reinhart knew he had to act fast. He manipulated his packet contents, transforming them into salt which Maze quickly threw into the whirlpool. The salinity difference disrupted the formation, effectively neutralizing the current and returning relative calm to the water.
As they breathed a sigh of relief, Maze turned to Reinhart with a curious look. "Why is your name Reinhart?" she asked. Her question took him by surprise and stirred painful memories of his past, of his parents and their fascination with live-action role-playing games. He explained to Maze about his parents, their tragic death, and how he had inherited the name from his father's role-playing character.
Their conversation was cut short when they faced yet another river monster, the hypnotizing Siren Serpents. Reinhart quickly decided to dispense some strong spice packets to counteract their mesmerizing songs. Maze used her wind manipulation to guide the packets precisely at the serpents, causing them disorientation and allowing them to escape unnoticed.
But their troubles were far from over. As they were nearing the river's end, Kikkora, a colossal underwater monster emerged, its massive size causing destructive waves. Despite their weakness, Reinhart managed to expand his packets into an inflated barrier that served as a temporary shield against the monster's thrashing. His efforts, however, were futile as Kikkora's powerful thrashing destroyed their raft, leaving them clutching onto debris, gasping for air.
Struggling onto the river bank, they were suddenly faced with a tall, shadowy figure. As the figure emerged, they were greeted by the imposing sight of Aldren, a Dralkon. He had an uncanny face, a fascinating blend of human and dragon features, highlighted by sharp, piercing eyes set above a narrow, reptilian nose. His body was humanoid, chiseled, and athletic, but covered in shimmering colorful scales that clashed vividly against his skin tone. A pair of slender and impressive wings rose from his back. However, they hung limply at his sides, almost decorative, hinting that they required the use of Mana for actual flight.
The deep maroon of Aldren's skin contrasted with the jade green of his scales, indicating his unique species of Dralkon, ones known for their heightened agility and quick thinking.
Aldren's gaze fell upon them, filled with surprise and a strange sense of awe. "Quite a spectacle you two put up back there," he remarked, his tone tinged with amusement. "Evading Zhazsharks, Vindriebs, a whirlpool, Siren Serpents and even surviving Kikkora's wrath... Quite remarkable for a day's journey."
Despite the exhaustion gripping them, an inexplicable relief washed over Maze and Reinhart at Aldren's non-hostile approach. At the same time, Maze was on guard.
"Are you offering to train us? A Dralkon? The same one that invaded our world and brought this destructive magic?!" Maze asked, backing up, but realizing the river bank was at her heels, her voice a mixture of bewilderment and suspicion.
"Yes, a Dralkon," Aldren replied nonchalantly while nodding. "Don't let your prejudice blind you, Your Highness. My race didn't bring the Mana here intentionally. It followed us from our home world when we escaped another greater threat. Now, I think you would agree that your 'run of the mill' strategies won't work against Farid, or the creature looming over us all. You need specialized training." His golden eyes met Maze's, holding them in an intense stare brimming with sincerity and determination.
Reinhart, still in his box form, bobbed from left to right, assessing Aldren as he spoke. On one hand, he was from the same race responsible for their current predicament. On the other, his insight and combat capabilities could prove invaluable. Plus, his offer seemed genuine. But Reinhart couldn't help but recall Maze's earlier narration about her father's care while maintaining political alliances. Decisions like these demanded caution. He felt torn, uncertain.
Meanwhile, Maze studied Aldren, her eyes flickering between his and Reinhart's box. He had extended an utterly unexpected olive branch. "Why should we trust you, Dralkon?" She asked, her voice steady despite the emotions churning within her. "Your people brought this chaos to Fallenia, and you expect us to believe in your goodwill?"
Aldren merely nodded, unbothered by her doubt. "Yes, we do, and I understand your suspicion. But remember, we are victims as much as you all are. And I believe, Princess Maze, you can tell when someone is lying."
His words hung heavily in the air, carrying an unspoken implication. Reinhart felt an acute sensation within him — a flicker of his magic urging him to trust in Maze's judgment. He knew they urgently needed to form alliances, acquire more knowledge about their enemies and discover newer paths of defense against Farid and the Greater Evil. And Aldren's offer could be the first step. The issue was to figure out if the offer was a boon or a bane.