As the sun appeared over the western mountains, the ward began regenerating after weakening due to Elaris, Gureus, and Celia's attacks.
Soft sunlight filtered into the room where Ren rested.
"Good morning, Ren," Kizuya greeted her.
"Good morning... Where are your parents and your sister?" Ren inquired.
"While you were asleep, they went hunting wargs for breakfast. Sometimes we stock the meat in the storage, but it's empty today," Kizuya explained.
"Oh, thank you very much," Ren replied.
Although still weak, Ren was determined to aid her saviors more than herself.
"No, Ren. Rest until you're fully recovered. I won't let you help until you're ready. Those evolved wards can knock you out again, and I won't take that risk," Kizuya said with concern.
"Sorry..." Ren apologized, settling back into her rest.
As Kizuya attended to household chores, the rest of the family continued their hunting.
"We're going to have plenty of meat today," Gureus proudly declared.
"1... 2... 3... 53! We've got 53 meats, Dad!" Celia counted with excitement.
"Enough to last us a week. Let's head home now," Elaris decided.
As they started to head back, a single ward suddenly attacked them.
"A ward! Celia, stay back... Wood thorns!" Elaris cast her spell.
Elaris controlled the wooden thorns around her, causing the ward to change its appearance.
Shocked by the transformation, Elaris quickly stunned the ward to avoid its attack.
"My magic can't stop this creature. Its skin is as hard as rock. We should retreat for now while it's still stunned. Your swords won't make a dent," Elaris informed them. "Let's go home."
The family rushed back to their residence.
"Kizuya! Where are you?" Elaris called out.
"I'm here... I'm coming!" Kizuya's voice echoed through the air. "What's going on?"
"Help me build a wall around the house. These evolved wards can change their skin to become incredibly tough," Elaris urgently explained.
Using their magic, they erected a fortified wall around their home.
As noon approached, the ward seemed to refrain from attacking their residence, leaving them wondering about its intentions.
"It's strange that it hasn't attacked again. Something's up," Kizuya mused.
As they feast they're lunch, the wards attacked.
Since Elaris and Kizuya made a fortified wall, those wards who attacked have no choice than to retreat.
"Excuse me, I haven't properly introduced myself to the family. I am Ren Luminara, and I am also marked, similar to your son. Please don't treat me like an outcast," Ren introduced herself, her voice tinged with worry about being rejected once more.
"Oh, come on, we won't treat you like that. As you mentioned, both of you do have marks. Do you perhaps know what those marks mean?" Elaris inquired.
"Sorry, I don't have knowledge about it either," Ren answered.
Judging by her appearance, it seemed like she had been cast out of her kin for a long time. She wore a worn-out robe, and her light-yellow hair and face were a bit dirty.
The ward's growth was accelerating rapidly, its mana energy nearly reaching Celia and causing her to pass out from its overwhelming strength.
"Mom! Dad! I'm scared..." Celia's trembling voice echoed.
"What's the matter?" Elaris asked, concern evident in her voice.
"A threat!" Gureus exclaimed. As a father who was always by her side, he could sense that constant worry from his daughter meant something serious.
"No, it's the ward..." Celia managed to say before passing out.
Without hesitation, both Ren and Kizuya immediately rushed into the heart of the forest.
"I can feel that it's incredibly powerful," Ren said, her voice determined.
"Yeah, me too," Kizuya replied, his eyes focused on the looming danger.
As they entered the heart of the forest, a barrage of the ward's scales greeted them. Its enormous power made its aura visible, and they skillfully dodged the onslaught.
The ward relentlessly attacked them with a barrage of scales, but Kizuya and Ren countered with their own spells and skills, determined to halt its assault.
The battle raged on, each side launching devastating attacks. After a series of intense clashes, they managed to slice off a portion of the ward's top.
"Nice work, Ren," Kizuya complimented, his admiration evident.
Despite their efforts, the ward's remaining strength seemed to surge even more as it unleashed a powerful shockwave. The ground trembled beneath them, and the very trees of the forest quivered. Kizuya and Ren found themselves struggling to maintain their footing as they braced against the onslaught.
As the shockwave subsided, the ward's form began to shift and contort. It seemed to be adapting, evolving right before their eyes. The once-familiar scales now morphed into something entirely different, a new defensive mechanism to thwart their attacks.
Ren's eyes widened with realization. "Kizuya, we need to be careful. It's adapting to our tactics!"
Kizuya nodded, his mind racing. "We can't afford to underestimate it. Let's coordinate our magic attacks and target its vulnerable points."
Their battle strategy shifted as they concentrated their efforts on exploiting the ward's weaknesses. But with each passing moment, the ward's power seemed to escalate, and the forest itself resonated with its chaotic energy.
As the battle raged on, Kizuya and Ren found themselves locked in a deadly dance with the evolving ward. Every move had to be calculated, every spell carefully chosen. And yet, despite their determination, the outcome remained uncertain. The fate of their world seemed to hang in the balance as they fought to overcome this formidable foe.
Their battle strategy shifted as Kizuya and Ren concentrated their efforts on exploiting the ward's vulnerabilities. With each precise spell and calculated strike, they managed to gradually wear down its defenses. The once-formidable barrage of scales became more sporadic, evidence of the ward's weakening state.
"It's working, Ren! Keep pushing!" Kizuya shouted, his determination unwavering.
Ren nodded, her magic intertwining with Kizuya's as they continued to unleash their combined strength against the evolving ward. Their synchronized attacks tore through its defenses, causing it to writhe in agony.
But just as victory seemed within their grasp, the ward let out a final, desperate roar. Its body convulsed, and its scales erupted in a blinding explosion of light and energy. Kizuya and Ren shielded their eyes from the intense burst, their forms disappearing momentarily amidst the brilliance.
As the light subsided, the once-mighty ward lay defeated before them. Its body, now lifeless, began to disintegrate, its once-threatening form fading into nothingness. Even the evolved wards scattered, reverting back to their original, less menacing state.
Breathing heavily, Kizuya and Ren stood amidst the aftermath of their battle. The forest was now eerily silent, the chaotic energy that had filled the air finally dissipating.
But just as they began to catch their breath, a figure emerged from the dissipating energy, stepping forward from the remnants of the defeated ward. It was a person, clad in attire that seemed to blend seamlessly with the forest.
Ren's eyes widened, and Kizuya's heart raced. This was no ordinary person, they could sense it. Before they could react, the mysterious figure raised a hand, and the ward's remains suddenly exploded once more, sending a shockwave of energy rippling outward.
The shockwave reached Elaris and Gureus. The impact of the explosion knocked them both off their feet, and they collapsed to the ground, their eyes closing in unconsciousness.
"No!" Kizuya exclaimed, his voice laced with panic.
"Mom! Dad!" Celia's voice echoed through the air as she finally caught up to the scene, her eyes widening in horror at the sight of her parents.
As the chaos unfolded, the mysterious figure stood unmoved, an enigmatic smile playing on their lips. The forest seemed to shudder under their presence, and an aura of uncertainty hung heavy in the air.
With Elaris and Gureus incapacitated and the enigmatic stranger's intentions unknown, Kizuya and Ren found themselves facing a new and unforeseen challenge. The very fabric of their world seemed to tremble in the wake of this encounter, leaving them with more questions than answers.