Kazuki, Serena, and Leo set off from the ancient ruins, their minds heavy with the strange encounter they had just faced. The dark orb still pulsed with an unsettling energy behind them, sealed under the barrier Leo had created. But Kazuki knew that wouldn't be enough—not in the long run. The answers they needed lay in the capital, and it was time to set their course.
As they traveled through the dense forest, the familiar sounds of nature slowly returned—chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the distant gurgle of a stream. The path ahead was winding and uneven, but for now, it was peaceful.
Serena broke the silence, glancing at Kazuki with a serious expression. "You handled that fight well. I didn't expect the figure to vanish like that."
Kazuki shrugged, his eyes scanning the trees ahead. "It's what I do. But something about him felt… off. Like he wasn't really there, just a shadow."
Leo nodded in agreement, walking beside them. "A projection, maybe? High-level mages can create them, but to control an artifact like that orb remotely? Whoever he was, he's powerful."
Serena frowned. "And dangerous. We need to be ready if we encounter him again."
Kazuki, ever calm, smirked slightly. "As long as I've got this sword, we'll be fine."
The conversation trailed off as they continued toward the capital. Kazuki's mind wandered to the strange window screen that had appeared again during the fight. He still hadn't figured out why only he could see it—or why it seemed to respond in specific moments of danger. He'd kept it to himself for now, unsure of how to explain it to the others.
Suddenly, the sound of something moving in the underbrush drew their attention. Serena's hand went to her sword instantly, her body tensing as she scanned the surroundings. "Stay alert."
The rustling grew louder, but instead of a monster, a young girl stumbled out from the bushes, her clothes torn and dirt smeared across her face. She was panting heavily, clearly exhausted from running.
"Help!" she cried, her voice weak. "Please… they're coming!"
Kazuki stepped forward, quickly assessing the situation. "Who's coming?"
Before she could answer, the ground trembled as a massive beast barreled into view behind her. It was a hulking creature with jet-black fur, its glowing red eyes locking onto the group. Its claws dug into the earth as it let out a deafening roar.
Serena immediately drew her sword, standing between the girl and the beast. "Looks like we've got company."
Kazuki sized up the monster. It wasn't like the others they had fought before. This one had a kind of intelligence in its gaze—like it was hunting them specifically. He tightened his grip on his sword but didn't rush in.
"Leo, any idea what this thing is?" Kazuki asked calmly.
Leo's eyes flickered with recognition. "It's a Shadow Beast. Rare, but vicious. It must have been drawn to the dark magic in the ruins."
The creature lunged toward them, its claws slashing through the air. Kazuki darted forward, his movements swift as he blocked the attack with his sword. The force of the impact sent him sliding back a few feet, but he remained steady, his expression unchanging.
"Serena, stay back with the girl," Kazuki said firmly. "Leo, can you distract it with magic?"
Leo nodded, quickly chanting a spell. His staff glowed with energy, and moments later, a barrage of fiery orbs shot toward the Shadow Beast, forcing it to retreat momentarily.
Kazuki used the opening to strike, his blade slicing cleanly across the creature's side. It let out a pained howl but retaliated with a swipe of its claws, aiming for Kazuki's chest. He dodged just in time, countering with a powerful thrust that drove the creature back.
As the battle raged on, Kazuki noticed something strange. The longer the fight went on, the more the Shadow Beast's movements seemed erratic, as if it was struggling against some unseen force.
Leo must have noticed it too, because he called out, "Kazuki, it's being controlled! If we can break the connection, it might stop attacking!"
Kazuki narrowed his eyes, searching for any sign of what was controlling the beast. His gaze shifted to the treeline, where he spotted a faint shimmer of magic. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward it, leaving Serena and Leo to keep the beast at bay.
As he approached, the shimmer solidified into a figure—a man cloaked in dark robes, much like the one they had encountered in the ruins.
"So, you're the one pulling the strings," Kazuki muttered, his sword at the ready.
The robed figure turned to face him, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Ah, the hero. I've heard much about you. But you're too late. The Shadow Beast will tear your companions apart."
Kazuki smirked, unfazed. "We'll see about that."
Without wasting any more time, he lunged at the figure, his blade cutting through the air. But before he could land a blow, the figure vanished into thin air, leaving only a dark mist behind.
"Damn it," Kazuki cursed under his breath.
The Shadow Beast, now free of its controller, let out a final roar before collapsing to the ground, its body disintegrating into shadows.
Kazuki sheathed his sword and turned back to the others. Serena had already helped the girl to her feet, and Leo was examining the remnants of the beast.
"We need to keep moving," Kazuki said, his tone serious. "Whoever's behind this won't stop coming after us."
---
As they continued their journey, the girl, who introduced herself as Elara, explained that she had been traveling to the capital when she was attacked by the Shadow Beast. Kazuki listened quietly, but his mind was already racing with possibilities. It was clear that their enemies were becoming bolder, sending more dangerous creatures after them. And whoever was controlling the beasts had a specific interest in him and his party.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the capital, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the grand city's walls. The towering spires and bustling streets were a stark contrast to the wilderness they had just left behind.
"We're finally here," Serena said, her voice tinged with relief. "Let's find an inn and rest. We'll deal with the Archives in the morning."
Kazuki nodded, but his eyes were drawn to the massive castle that loomed in the distance. He couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was only just beginning.
---
The next day, they made their way to the Archives of Eldeon, a massive library filled with ancient texts and magical tomes. As they entered the grand hall, they were greeted by a group of scholars, one of whom led them to a secluded section of the library.
As they began their research on the dark orb and the corruption, Kazuki couldn't help but overhear a conversation between two scholars nearby. They were talking about otherworldly heroes—people who had been summoned to this world from another realm.
Curiosity piqued, Kazuki listened closely. Could there be others like him?
"Excuse me," Kazuki said, approaching the scholars. "You mentioned other heroes?"
One of the scholars nodded. "Yes, there have been rumors of other heroes appearing in the kingdom. Each one is said to possess unique powers, much like the ancient legends. They've been gathering in the capital, preparing for the battle against the demon king."
Kazuki's heart raced. Other heroes? He had assumed he was the only one, but now it seemed like there were more. And if they were gathering in the capital, it was only a matter of time before their paths crossed.
"I see," Kazuki said, his expression unreadable. "Thanks for the information."
As he returned to his companions, he couldn't help but wonder how these other heroes would affect the course of their journey. Would they be allies, or would they pose a new challenge altogether?