"Lady Ignis! Lady Ignis!" The frantic knocking continued, accompanied by a shaky voice. "Please, we need your help!"
Ignis and Migi exchanged a quick glance, their earlier squabble momentarily forgotten. The fire spirit moved swiftly to the door, yanking it open to reveal a wide-eyed villager, his chest heaving.
"Calm yourself, Einar. What's the matter?" Ignis asked, her tone firm but not unkind.
Einar took a deep breath, his words tumbling out in a rush. "It's... it's the gates, my lady. Someone—or something—is trying to breach them. We've never seen anything like it."
Migi's ears perked up, her tail swishing with nervous energy. "What do you mean 'something'? Is it not human or spirit?"
The villager shook his head, fear evident in his eyes. "I... I'm not sure. It moves like shadow and Death. Please, you must come quickly!"
