Chapter 8 - An Eagle in the Shadows

Nico and Lila had barely managed to pull on their gear and rush outside when two guild officials, clad in iron armor, stepped into their path. Both men wore grim expressions, their armor gleaming under the early morning light.

"Halt!" one of the guards said firmly, raising a hand. "You two are E-rank adventurers. It's far too dangerous out there for you to join the fight."

"But we can help!" Lila argued, her voice laced with worry. "We're not just going to sit back and watch as Dawnspire is attacked!"

The other guard shook his head. "An E-rank adventurer against a B-rank serpent? That's suicide. We're already evacuating all E-rankers and villagers to the hill outside town. Just stay put and let the higher ranks handle it."

Nico gave a resigned nod, meeting Lila's reluctant gaze. "Fine," he said, trying to appear defeated, though he had no intention of letting things end there. "Let's go, Lila."

Together, they joined the group of E-rank adventurers, villagers, and other non-combatants trekking up a nearby hill. Two seasoned-looking C-rank adventurers took up positions at the front, brandishing their weapons and scanning the skies as the group settled in the grass to wait.

From the hilltop, Nico and Lila had a clear view of Dawnspire's stone walls, where a crowd of adventurers was already forming to defend the town. The serpent appeared soon after, gliding in with powerful wings and letting out a spine-chilling hiss that echoed over the village. Even from a distance, the beast was intimidating: scales glistening in the dawn light, each wingbeat sending ripples through the air. The monster was monstrous, at least twenty feet long, with gleaming eyes that seemed to lock onto every movement below.

"Look at it," Lila whispered, clutching Nico's arm in awe and fear. "I've only ever read about flying serpents… It's even scarier in person."

Nico swallowed, his hand instinctively covering hers. He watched as the higher-ranked adventurers coordinated an attack, archers taking aim from the walls while spellcasters hurled projectiles of ice and fire. For a while, it seemed they were holding their own, driving the serpent back with every blow. But the monster was fierce and relentless. In one terrifying lunge, it released a blast of flame that scattered the archers, then whipped its tail to knock a squad of swordsmen off their feet. The battle was turning dire.

The adventurers' movements grew slower as the serpent continued its onslaught, attacking with swift dives and bursts of fire. One by one, defenders fell, and a murmur of fear spread among those on the hill.

"Are… are they losing?" a young villager asked, his face pale.

Lila squeezed Nico's hand, her knuckles white. "If this keeps up, they'll be slaughtered. We have to do something!"

Nico's mind raced. He knew he couldn't fight in plain sight without raising suspicion about his abilities, but a bold idea began forming in his mind. "Lila, trust me. I have a plan."

She looked at him, confused but unwavering. "Of course I trust you."

He led her to the back of the crowd, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. "This stays between us," he whispered.

With a steadying breath, Nico activated one of his hidden skills, Divine Conjuration, picturing the massive predator he intended to summon: a Giant Hawk Eagle, its feathers dark as midnight, its talons sharp as daggers. He focused on creating it at a distance, directly above the serpent's unsuspecting form. A surge of energy left him as the eagle took shape, its form dark and ominous, wings spread wide as it let out an ear-piercing screech that filled the sky.

From their vantage point, they watched as the serpent paused mid-attack, sensing something above it. Before it could react, the Giant Hawk Eagle swooped down, talons gleaming in the morning light. The adventurers below gasped as the eagle caught the serpent in its massive claws, lifting it off the ground with shocking ease.

Then, with one swift motion, the eagle tore into the serpent, snapping its long, scaled body in half as easily as breaking a twig. A collective gasp of awe and disbelief rose from the crowd on the hill and from the adventurers in town. The eagle gave a triumphant cry, releasing the now-lifeless serpent to plummet to the ground before it vanished in a shimmer of fading magic.

Silence settled over the battlefield, the townspeople and adventurers staring in awe. Those who had fought the beast cheered in relief and triumph, some gaining newfound strength from the sudden surge of experience points. Nico, however, was struck by an odd disappointment; despite his involvement, he remained level one.

"Did… did you see that?" Lila whispered, her voice trembling. "An S-rank summoner must have been watching over us."

Nico grinned at her reaction but remained silent, not wanting to reveal the truth. Lila met his eyes, a knowing spark in her gaze. "So you really did that?"

He shrugged, trying to keep a casual expression. "Let's just say we got lucky," he replied with a smirk.

The townspeople flooded back into Dawnspire, spirits high and grateful that the nightmare had ended. Word spread quickly that an S-rank summoner had protected them, and the mystery only fueled their relief and excitement. To celebrate the victory, the villagers set up a feast in the town square, a sprawling spread of food, drinks, and music. The air was filled with laughter and chatter, everyone wanting to forget the terror of the morning's attack.

Nico and Lila were swept into the festivities, taking seats near the heart of the celebration. As the sun set, the bonfires grew brighter, casting a warm glow over the square. Lila nudged Nico, passing him a tankard of ale with a smile. "Here. For the hero."

He chuckled, feeling a bit shy under her gaze but accepting the drink. "I thought the hero was supposed to be the mysterious S-rank summoner?"

"Maybe he is," she replied, her eyes twinkling. "But I know there's another hero here. And he's right beside me."

They shared a smile, both savoring the moment. As the music shifted to a slower tune, villagers and adventurers alike began to pair up and dance, moving with an easy rhythm that filled the square with warmth. Lila looked up at him, a hint of shyness creeping into her gaze.

"Do you… want to dance?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the music.

Nico hesitated, then took her hand, leading her toward the others. They moved slowly, matching the easy pace of the music, and Nico found himself studying her features—the way her hair framed her face, her bright eyes, the soft blush on her cheeks as she met his gaze.

"You're full of surprises, you know that?" she whispered as they swayed to the music.

"Am I?" he replied, smirking a little. "Guess you haven't seen the half of it."

Lila laughed, resting her head briefly against his shoulder, and they stood like that, letting the noise and excitement of the feast fade around them. They'd survived a dangerous day together, and the trust between them felt stronger, unspoken but deeply felt. The weight of their secret hung between them, but Nico knew he could rely on Lila to keep it safe.

The night wound down slowly, and they lingered as long as they could, savoring every moment of the celebration. When they finally left, they walked back through the quiet streets under a canopy of stars, the village calm and at peace once again.

As they reached the inn, Lila stopped, turning to him with a soft, grateful look. "Thank you, Nico," she whispered, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "For everything."

He smiled, squeezing her hand back. "Anytime, Lila."

They shared a final glance, the warmth lingering as they headed inside, each of them feeling that this was only the beginning of something powerful and lasting.