Near Bridgestone and Mountain Ashcroft, the isolated village of Bagwind stood as a quiet refuge, untouched by the chaos that engulfed the surrounding lands. As refugees from neighboring settlements flocked to Bagwind, seeking safety from the relentless human conquests, the village took on an air of resilience. The villagers, fully aware of the war raging outside their borders, kept their heads down, living in harmony with the land while avoiding unnecessary risks.
To maintain their sanctuary, the people of Bagwind lived with utmost caution. They avoided making noise, extinguished fires after dark and ensured that their presence remained undetected by human scouts. Occasionally, they would send out small groups of scouts tasked with gathering information about the ongoing conflict. These brave souls ventured into the dangerous landscape, returning after about half a week with whatever news they could find.
Sometimes, their reports sparked flickers of hope—tales of Nessus' army fighting back against the invaders, reclaiming lost ground, and rallying the spirits of those who believed victory was still possible. But on one fateful day, the mood in Bagwind shifted dramatically when a weary scout returned with grim tidings. The once-bright flickers of hope were extinguished as he revealed that Nessus' army had been decimated, scattered like leaves in the wind across the battlefield.
The villagers were stunned, their hearts heavy with despair. The news weighed on them as they struggled to comprehend the loss. Days turned into weeks, and the villagers remained on high alert, fearing the tide of war might soon reach their doorstep.
Months passed, and just when the villagers thought their isolation might be their only salvation, a new group of scouts returned with unexpected news. They had encountered a small unit of soldiers from Nessus, weary but alive and desperate for refuge. The soldiers had been separated from their main forces, survivors of a brutal conflict who had witnessed the devastation firsthand.
The villagers of Bagwind, though hesitant, recognized the need to extend their hospitality. They welcomed the soldiers into their fold, offering them shelter and sustenance. As the soldiers recounted their harrowing stories, the villagers listened intently, their resolve hardening.
"Greetings, Village Chief. I am Risa, captain of this unit."
"Hello, Captain Risa. I am Felix, the village chief. I am delighted to see remnants of Nessus's army still standing."
"Yes, Village Chief. We are regrouping to stall the enemy's advance on our land. Hopefully, this will force them to retreat, giving us time to rebuild our army."
"That sounds challenging. If there is a way we can assist you, we are ready to help."
"There is one thing. Can you show me Bagwind on this map?" Risa presented a map.
"Of course, it's right here." The village chief pointed to Bagwind's location, isolated from other settlements.
"Here? Are you sure?"
"Yes, this is Bagwind."
"But that can't be. This map was made before the war. How could a village exist without the map maker's knowledge?"
"A magical barrier protects the village. Those who pass through it find themselves inside, while others overlook it."
"This place must have been well hidden for so long."
"Indeed. Now, could you tell us your plan?"
"We've identified the enemy's supply route passing through three villages. We will intercept them strategically."
"What role do you want us to play?"
"It's simple. Your people know the terrain best. Can some of them guide us to the areas we need to be?"
"I'll select villagers to be your escorts."
"Thank you, Village Chief!"
Nessus's army reached the villages and waited, the air thick with anticipation. As night fell over the second village, they struck decisively, launching an attack on the supply transport. They swiftly eliminated the escort and seized the valuable supplies meant for the enemy. In gratitude for the support, Risa shared some of the spoils with the Bagwind villagers, fostering solidarity.
Now in command, Spoken approached Risa with a daring plan: to strike six enemy locations within the next three weeks. While the enemy dealt with the chaos, Spoken would launch a surprise attack on their base. Risa's mission was clear: to disrupt their supplies until the moment was ripe for the final blow.
Weeks passed, each day marked by tension and strategy leading up to the night of the counterattack operation. Risa's unit intercepted ten supply transports bound for Sigilla, creating significant shortages for the enemy forces. Their operation unfolded with remarkable success, but the humans quickly responded, dispatching their heroes to quell the uprising.
Among them were Suzuki Hina, a fierce martial artist, and Watanabe Sara, a young beast tamer with a remarkable ability to influence creatures. As Sara unleashed her monsters upon Risa's forces, chaos erupted. The Nessus soldiers, taken off guard by the sudden onslaught, hesitated and began to retreat into the woods, sensing the tide of battle turning against them.
Far from the fray, Sara and Hina watched with awe and determination as the monsters wreaked havoc on the demon ranks, a pivotal moment that would decide the fate of their conflict. The night air crackled with energy, and both sides braced for the next move in this escalating battle for survival.
"I'm grateful you brought your monsters, Lady Sara. They've been invaluable in uncovering hidden demons," soldiers remarked about Sara's abilities.
As the dust settled from the chaos of battle, Hina turned to Sara, who was riding a purple tiger, her brow furrowed with concern. "Are you sure you can handle all those monsters? I mean, controlling so many at once has to be straining your mind."
Sara chuckled, a lightness in her tone that belied the seriousness of the situation. "Oh, come on, Hina! I'm fine! It's just like juggling—except I'm juggling ferocious beasts instead of balls!" Her laughter echoed softly in the night, but Hina's worry remained.
"You know I'm serious," Hina replied, her voice tinged with urgency. "Each monster you call upon takes a part of your focus. What if one of them turns on you? Or you lose control?"
Sara waved her hand dismissively, a grin still plastered on her face. "Please! They know who's boss. Plus, I've got my trusty tamer instincts. It's like having a giant safety net!" She gestured toward the chaos unfolding in the distance, where her monsters relentlessly hunted down the remaining demons.
Hina crossed her arms, still skeptical. "I just don't want you to push yourself too hard. We need you sharp for the next phase of the operation."
With a playful roll of her eyes, Sara leaned in closer. "Relax, Hina! What's life without a little risk? Besides, if I can take down a few demons and make it out in one piece, I'd call that a win!"
Hina couldn't help but smile at her friend's optimism, though her worry lingered. "Just promise me you'll be careful. I can't fight this battle without you."
"Deal!" Sara replied, her confidence unwavering. "Now, let's focus on taking down these demons. They won't know what hit them!" With that, she turned her attention back to the fray, her spirits lifted, while Hina stayed close, ready to support her friend through whatever challenges lay ahead.
As they watched the battle unfold, the monsters began to halt in their stands.
"Sara, did you command your pets to halt their rampage when the demons wiped out?" Hina asked her friend about the monster's strange behavior.
"I instructed them to clear the village and then regroup here. Something doesn't feel right." Sara and the others sensed a looming threat as the monsters trembled in fear.
Even Captain Fluff, the purple target Sara was riding, appeared terrified. Sara tried to reassure her pet as the figure revealed itself.
"I see something at the forest's edge!" one of the marketmen exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention. The crowd turned, eyes wide with uncertainty as a shadowy figure began to emerge from the darkness.
As it stepped into the light, gasps filled the air. Clad in a trench coat that shimmered like the starry sky, its glowing hands and feet sent chills down their spines. Its mask had hollow eye sockets that seemed to pierce through the night.
"It looks human, but not quite," one of the knights observed, his voice trembling slightly.
Suddenly, the entity let out a roar that shattered the stillness. Chaos erupted as trees bent under the force, fires extinguished in an instant, and structures crumbled. The sheer power of the scream sent the monsters fleeing in panic, causing the ground to split beneath them, sending them tumbling into the abyss.
Witnessing the entity's destructive might, the humans knew they had to retreat. They needed to warn others about this formidable new enemy. But as they turned to flee, Sara hesitated, her heart heavy with grief for her fallen pets.
"Let me go, Hina! Snow, Bite, Aden... they're still back there," Sara pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion.
"There's nothing you can do," Hina replied firmly, pulling her friend away. "We have to go!"
As they journeyed onward, screams echoed ahead, sending a chill down their spines. They approached the knights, their faces pale with terror, and discovered the source of their shock: a large cavern had opened up where they stood, a gaping maw signaling the tragic fall of their comrades into its depths.
Determined to escape the entity's wrath, the group searched for a way around the chasm, but all routes seemed blocked. The air buzzed with tension as they prepared to evade the entity now emerging from the cave, its path unfurling like a dark omen.
"Get out of here, Lady Hina! We'll hold it off!" a knight shouted, desperation in his tone.
Hina and Sara exchanged determined glances, refusing to abandon the knights. They would not leave their allies to face the entity alone.
Positioning herself atop Captain Fluff, Sara steadied her breath, readying for battle, while Hina joined the knights at the front lines. Despite the knights' urgent pleas to flee, Hina and Sara stood firm, united in their resolve to fight against the looming threat. The air crackled with anticipation as they braced for the confrontation, knowing their courage would be tested in the face of the unknown.
Reacting swiftly, Hina charged in, her heart pounding with determination as she launched a powerful jumping kick toward the entity's head. But to her shock, her foot passed through it as if it were made of smoke, sending her crashing ungracefully to the ground.
As Hina struggled to regain her footing, she watched in horror as the entity swiftly attacked the knights. "Don't underestimate us!" one knight shouted, raising his sword for a strike. But the entity dodged effortlessly, delivering a fatal blow to the knight, his head exploding when the entity hit him, the gruesome outcome sending shockwaves through the remaining soldiers. Caught off guard, the other knights fell victim to the entity's brutal efficiency, and three more were dispatched in the blink of an eye.
Hina's mind raced as she processed the scene. Bewildered, she realized that the entity possessed immense strength and displayed martial arts skills alarmingly similar to those taught in her family's dojo. Its movements, strikes, and fighting style echoed her training, amplifying her sense of dread.
As the entity finished off the knights, some disintegrated into particles. Just then, a roar echoed behind her. Sara rode towards the entity on her loyal monster, Fluff, but was thrown off violently. Fluff lost its balance and rolled uncontrollably, landing hard.
Fluff quickly regained its footing and lunged at the entity with powerful swipes, but the strikes passed through harmlessly. Desperate, Fluff attempted to bite the entity's head, only to be met with a devastating blow that snapped its neck with a sickening crack. Sara's anguished cry filled the air, piercing through Hina's resolve as she watched her beloved companion fall lifelessly to the ground.
Tears streamed down Sara's face, her grief overwhelming. She was oblivious to the looming threat of the entity until it loomed above her, ready to strike. Just as its shadow fell over her, Hina sprang into action, her instincts kicking in. With a fierce shout, she lunged forward, grabbing Sara and pulling her out of harm's way at the last second.
"Stay close to me!" Hina urged, her heart racing as they stumbled back together. The weight of despair hung heavy, but Hina's determination flared. "We can't give up. We have to fight!"
Sara wiped her tears, her resolve hardening as she nodded. "You're right. For Fluff!" Fueled by grief and anger, they steadied themselves, ready to stand against the entity together.
"Stay focused, Sara. We need to escape from here," Hina urged, helping her friend up and leading her away. But before they could get far, the entity reappeared beside them, delivering a powerful blow that sent Hina crashing into a nearby tree, halting their escape.
"Ha ha ha... Sara, are you alright? Sara!!" Hina called, her voice strained, but her words went unanswered. Sara's scream of pain echoed in the air, sending a chill down Hina's spine. When Hina looked up, she couldn't react. What she saw was Sara's chest paired with the entity's hand.
Overwhelmed by the sight of her fallen friend. Hina felt her emotions surge uncontrollably. The weight of loss and fear ignited a searing heat within her chest, and a newfound power surged through her veins. Fueled by rage and desperation, she charged at the entity.
In a flash, Hina closed the distance, her heart racing. Despite knowing her attacks might not reach, she struck with unwavering determination. To her astonishment, her punch landed solidly on the entity's face, sending it staggering backward.
Startled by the impact, the entity regained its composure and spoke, "I see you have unlocked a fraction of your power." Hina was taken aback, not just because the entity could talk, but because something hidden within her awakened, enabling her to stand against this formidable foe.
The entity's eyes glinted with intrigue. "None before you have awakened as you have. I must reclaim the gifts I bestowed upon you and your classmates." Bewildered by these cryptic words, Hina pondered their meaning. What gifts had it given them, and why did it seek to reclaim them? Questions swirled in her mind as she prepared to face this enigmatic adversary.
Gathering her resolve, Hina squared her shoulders and assumed a fighting stance. "You won't take anything from us!" she declared, her voice steady despite the tremor of uncertainty beneath it. The entity regarded her with curiosity and menace, its aura flickering ominously.
The air crackled with energy as the tension between Hina and the entity escalated. Determined to protect her friends and end the threat, Hina focused her mind, recalling the techniques passed down through generations in her family. She shifted her weight, preparing for the next move.
Sensing her resolve, the entity adjusted its stance. "You fight with passion, Hina. But anger alone will not lead you to victory," it stated, its voice steady despite the chaos around it.
Ignoring its words, Hina lunged forward, executing a series of rapid punches aimed at the entity's midsection. The entity deftly dodged, its movements fluid and precise. With a swift counter, it aimed a low sweep at Hina's legs, but she leaped over it, landing gracefully just out of reach.
"Impressive," the entity acknowledged, its eyes narrowing as it analyzed her agility. "But you must remember: every strike has a counter."
With that, the entity unleashed a flurry of strikes, each a testament to its formidable skill. Hina was on the defensive, blocking and dodging with all her might. The intensity of their combat heightened, each exchange of blows resonating in the stillness of the surrounding landscape.
Hina's heart raced, but she knew she couldn't afford to falter. Gathering her strength, she feigned a retreat, baiting the entity into overextending itself. As it lunged forward, she pivoted, unleashing a powerful spinning kick aimed at its torso.
The entity barely managed to sidestep, but Hina's foot grazed its side, reminding her not to be underestimated. Gritting her teeth, she pressed on, refusing to let the entity's previous words distract her. The battle was not just about strength but a test of will.
"Your resolve is admirable," the entity admitted, a hint of respect in its tone. "But to truly end this conflict, we must find a way to understand each other."
"I will never understand a monster!" Hina shouted back, her voice fierce. Driven by the memory of her fallen comrades, she charged again, determined to protect her world at all costs.
As the fight raged on, the line between foe and ally blurred, each combatant locked in a struggle not just for victory, but for a deeper understanding of their shared fate. A certain memory from Hina's pass surged up in her mind. She was face to face against a boy around her age in a mock battle. That boy was giving a similar vibe to the entity she was facing. As if they were mirroring one another the charge at Hina with a left houck coming at her. But before they could land a hit the current and passed Hina did a knee kick knocking the entity and the boy from her memory to fall backwards on their knees.
Remaining kneeling its appearance it looked like it was conveying a mixture of regret and determination, it spoke to Hina . "I never intended for any of this to happen, Hina. The external force—"
"Enough!" Hina interrupted, her voice sharp as a blade. "You think I care about your excuses? You've caused enough pain. I won't let you manipulate me or anyone else."
Rising to her full height, Hina felt the weight of her comrades' loss fueling her fury. She could still hear their laughter, the echoes of their training sessions, and the dreams they'd shared. Each memory ignited her spirit, transforming her pain into unyielding resolve.
The entity stood, brushing off the dirt and debris with a graceful motion. "If we are to end this cycle of violence, you must listen. I am not your enemy. The true threat lies beyond us, controlling the very fabric of this conflict."
"Spare me your lies!" Hina retorted, launching forward with a fierce combination of punches and kicks. Her movements were an extension of her will, each strike aimed not just at the entity, but at the shadows of doubt lingering in her mind.
The entity deftly dodged and countered, but with each clash, Hina felt her connection to her fallen friends strengthen. She channeled their spirits, her body moving with a blend of grief and vengeance.
"Fight me all you want, but know this: I cannot let you go on hurting others," the entity said, its tone a mix of frustration and sorrow.
"Then you should have thought about that before you hurt Sara and my comrades!" Hina shouted, her voice echoing in the stillness around them.
With renewed vigor, she launched a spinning back fist, catching the entity off guard. It staggered but quickly regained its composure, countering with a sweeping kick that sent Hina sprawling to the ground. Pain shot through her, but she pushed it aside, fueled by determination.
As she scrambled to her feet, Hina focused on her breathing, centering herself. "You think you can intimidate me? I will fight until my last breath!"
The entity paused, observing her with a mixture of admiration and concern. "You are stronger than I anticipated, but I can tell that this battle will soon end. Let's end this." the entity said.
Admitting to the truth, the entity rose slowly. "I don't regret my actions. I will continue to do what must be done."
As Hina's life flashed before her eyes, memories cascaded through her mind like a rushing river. She saw herself standing in the dojo as a child, her small frame mirrored by her father's steady guidance. The scent of polished wood and the sound of shuffling feet echoed in her ears as she practiced her stances, each kick and punch a step toward mastery.
Images of her classmates filled her thoughts—laughter shared at local cafés, late-night study sessions, and the bonds they forged through countless adventures. They had been so eager to help the humans reclaim their world, standing together as warriors against the looming threat of demons.
Then, a vivid memory emerged: the martial arts tournament she had entered, her heart racing with excitement and nerves. She had faced fierce opponents, but with every match, she felt herself growing stronger, more confident. The cheers of her friends had fueled her spirit, a reminder of the unwavering support that surrounded her.
Yet, amidst the warmth of these memories, a shadow flickered. A boy, his face obscured, lingered at the edges of her recollection. They had trained together, their laughter intertwining with the rhythm of their movements. But his name eluded her, a ghost of a memory just out of reach. Why couldn't she remember him clearly?
The moment of nostalgia shattered as Hina snapped back to the present, the world rushing back into focus. Time resumed its normal pace, and she found herself face-to-face with the entity once more. They both launched their punches simultaneously, a powerful clash that reverberated through the air.
Hina felt the impact jolt through her body, a sharp pain radiating from her cheek as she fell to the ground. The world spun around her, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds fading in and out. She lay there, breathless, grappling with the weight of her memories and the reality of her situation.
Struggling, Hina realized she had pushed herself beyond her limits. Her body weakened, and she could not get back up
.
"Tell me, what is your goal? What are you seeking to accomplish? And most importantly, what are you?" Hina's voice strained as she questioned the entity, her strength fading.
As the entity approached her, the strange sensation of awakening power within Hina vanished. With a cryptic gesture, the entity spoke unintelligibly before reaching towards her chest.