As the hero's party ventured into the site of destruction, the air was heavy with the scent of smoke and ash, mingled with the faint hint of blood. The once vibrant landscape lay in ruins, the ground scorched and charred from the aftermath of a fierce battle. Despite being kilometers away from the Tryni Elite Academy, the devastation was visible, a stark reminder of the chaos that had unfolded.
As they walked among the desolate ruins, the sound of their footsteps echoed hollowly against the silent backdrop, punctuated only by the occasional creaking of broken structures and the distant cries of scavenging creatures. Flicker, the timid mage, voiced her concerns about the destructive scene before them, her voice trembling with fear and uncertainty.
Kanade, the fierce gunner, observed the barren landscape with a keen eye, her senses heightened as she scanned for any signs of danger. Her grip tightened on her magic guns, ready to defend her companions at a moment's notice.
But it was Benimaru, the optimistic hero, who sensed something more amidst the destruction. As he held his divine sword Excalibur, gifted to him by the king and crafted by the god Carrion, he felt a strange pull—a guiding force urging him forward. With a determined gleam in his eye, he led his companions towards the source of the mysterious energy, his heart filled with a sense of purpose and duty.
Suddenly, their attention was drawn to a looming wyvern, its menacing presence threatening to engulf them. With quick thinking and coordinated strategy, Benimaru sprang into action, charging towards the wyvern with Excalibur held aloft. Kanade provided covering fire with her penetrative bullets, while Flicker unleashed a barrage of lightning strikes to paralyze the beast.
As the battle reached its climax, Benimaru managed to rescue a lone figure from the jaws of the wyvern—a young girl who seemed untouched by the devastation surrounding her. His gaze lingered on her delicate features, her beauty radiant even amidst the chaos. With a sinking feeling in his heart, he realized that she was the only one left in the academy.
Kanade speculated on the girl's origins, suggesting that she may have been abandoned by those who perished in the battle. But Benimaru couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the girl than met the eye. As he cradled her in his arms, a thought occurred to him—perhaps she was not just a survivor, but a princess, hidden away amidst the wreckage of her kingdom. And as he looked upon her peaceful face, he vowed to protect her, no matter the cost.
As Hina gradually emerged from the depths of unconsciousness, she felt a softness enveloping her, like being cradled in a cocoon of warmth and comfort. Blinking away the haze of sleep, she found herself lying on a plush pillow, her head gently resting against it. Opening her eyes, she realized she was inside a carriage, the rhythmic swaying motion indicating they were in transit.
Outside, the world passed by in a blur of colors and shapes. Hina could hear the muted sounds of conversation, voices mingling in the air like a gentle melody. Curious, she listened intently, trying to make sense of the snippets of dialogue.
The hero's party, as they were called, seemed to be discussing something with great fervor. Hina strained to catch their words, wondering who they were talking about. As she eavesdropped on their conversation, a sense of anticipation bubbled within her, eager to uncover the mystery that surrounded her.
Peeking out from behind the curtain of the carriage, Hina stole a glance at the hero's party. They walked alongside the carriage, guiding the horse with practiced ease. Kanade, the fierce gunner, suddenly seemed to sense her presence, prompting Hina to quickly retreat back into the safety of the carriage.
Before she could fully conceal herself, Flicker, the timid mage, spoke up, her voice gentle and welcoming. "Hello," she said, her tone soft and inviting. Hina hesitated for a moment before responding, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "Hello," she replied, offering a shy smile in return.
Benimaru, the optimistic hero, chimed in with a declaration of protection, vowing to safeguard her as if guided by the will of his sword, Excalibur. Hina's heart fluttered at his words, a mixture of gratitude and disbelief washing over her. "No, no," she protested weakly, "I'm just an ordinary commoner."
But Kanade, with her sharp intuition, disagreed. "I don't think you're a commoner," she remarked, her eyes scanning Hina's features with keen interest. "Your appearance and demeanor are unlike any commoner I've seen."
Flicker, ever the empathetic one, added her own perspective. "I think you're a noble young lady," she suggested, her voice tinged with warmth and kindness. Hina felt a rush of uncertainty at their words, unsure of how to respond to their assumptions.
Meanwhile, Benimaru remained steadfast in his conviction, trusting in the guidance of Excalibur. "The will of the sword is always right," he insisted, his voice resolute. "I will follow my heart and the will of Excalibur."
As the carriage continued its journey towards the kingdom of Ingrasya, the hero's party engaged in lively conversation, their words washing over Hina like a gentle breeze. Despite their differing opinions and perspectives, there was an undeniable sense of camaraderie and unity among them, a bond forged through countless battles and shared experiences.
Inside the carriage, Hina wrestled with her thoughts, pondering the implications of their words. Could it be possible that she was more than just a commoner? Was there a hidden truth lurking beneath the surface of her seemingly ordinary life?
Lost in contemplation, Hina found herself drifting between the realms of reality and imagination, the lines blurred by the enigmatic presence of the hero's party. And as the carriage rolled ever closer to its destination, she couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay waiting to be uncovered in the kingdom of Ingrasya.
*To be continue *