The knight took a step back, still with that smile on his face, before glancing at his companions and letting out another laugh, this time more restrained. His men's laughter joined his, filling the prairie with an echo of confidence and authority that seemed to quell the latent fear among the others.
Finally, the knight turned to us, his expression transforming into a serious, resolute gaze, his clear eyes radiating an undeniable authority. He inclined his head slightly and raised his voice, strong and clear for everyone to hear.
"Forgive the laughter, travelers," he said, in a tone that blended respect and cordiality. "My name is Sir Aldric, Knight of Ethelia. I am the General of the Kingdom and a loyal servant of the Realm of Ethelia. I am here, along with my men, to find you and offer you protection, knowledge, and training."
Sir Aldric's words resonated with strength, and there was something in his bearing that made it seem as if no danger could reach us while he and his men were near.
"In this world, nothing is simple," he continued, his tone growing solemn. "But today, under our guidance, you will learn what you need to survive and thrive. From this moment forward, you are under our protection."
The people around me began to calm down, their fear replaced by a mix of hope and wonder. Some exchanged glances, uncertain whether they could trust this knight, while others seemed ready to accept any help offered.
A rising murmur spread among the group. Some, recovering from the initial shock, began demanding answers, their voices tinged with confusion and frustration.
"Where are we? What kind of place is this?" shouted a man from the back, his face contorted with fear and anger.
"Why did you bring us here?" added another voice—a woman glaring at the knights with clenched fists, as if trying to contain her rage.
Sir Aldric watched the crowd's reaction with a patient expression, maintaining his composure as the murmurs and complaints grew louder. Among those demanding answers, some seemed to seek comfort, but others looked at the knights as if they were responsible for their predicament. Around me, people exchanged anxious glances, their voices rising, their movements becoming restless.
I remained silent, watching cautiously. Although his words seemed sincere, something inside me prevented me from fully trusting these knights in their gleaming armor and their promise of protection. Twilight, who had been absent since I'd arrived in this strange world, now seemed like a distant echo in my mind, a reminder to keep my guard up.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps came from the distance. A group of people who had run off during the initial confusion were now returning, panting, fear stark on their faces. "Help! It's following us!" one of them shouted, his voice strangled by panic.
Before I could ask what was happening, I saw a creature appear behind them that, though it resembled the goblins I had fought before, was larger and clearly more dangerous. Its skin was a darker green, and its eyes glowed with a ferocity that revealed a twisted intelligence. In one hand, it held an improvised club, smeared with dried blood, and its tusks jutted from its mouth in a savage sneer.
The crowd backed away, some tripping over one another in a desperate attempt to distance themselves from the creature approaching with steady steps, its menacing growl rumbling through the air. But before it could attack, the blonde woman standing next to Sir Aldric stepped forward, her expression perfectly calm.
With a slow, deliberate movement, she closed her eyes and extended her hand toward the creature. Her lips began to move in a whisper, chanting words that no one understood—an ancient and mysterious language that seemed to vibrate in the air, charged with energy. The crowd held its breath, watching her in silence as she chanted with her eyes still closed, her voice growing louder.
Suddenly, a spark of fire appeared in her palm, quickly growing into an incandescent fireball. She opened her eyes, and without a second of hesitation, hurled the blazing sphere directly at the monster. The fireball flew through the air and struck the creature in an instant. A burst of heat and light lit up the prairie, and when the flash faded, the monster lay on the ground, charred and motionless.
The crowd watched in stunned silence, both awed and fearful of the power they had just witnessed. The blonde woman lowered her arm calmly, showing no sign of fatigue. Sir Aldric smiled approvingly, observing the reactions around him.
"As you can see," he said, his voice unwavering, "the dangers here are real. But under our guidance, you will learn to defend yourselves. Now, does anyone else have doubts about why we are here?"
The blonde woman, who had just unleashed the powerful fireball, approached the group with a serene gaze and a slight smile on her lips. Her demeanor was elegant yet conveyed a strength that commanded respect. Stopping beside Sir Aldric, she raised her voice with a calm and clarity that seemed to envelop everyone listening.
"Allow me to introduce myself," she said, her tone kind but firm. "I am Princess Selene of the Kingdom of Ethelia. I know you have many questions, and you may be confused, perhaps even frightened. I don't ask you to trust us without reason; I only ask that you come with us to the kingdom. Once there, we will explain everything: why you are here, what awaits you in this world, and how you can live the new life that lies ahead."
Selene's words seemed to ease the fear in many faces, and a glimmer of hope appeared in some eyes. However, skepticism remained evident in others, and the tense silence held as she observed us, gauging our reactions.
Seeing the lingering doubts, Sir Aldric rejoined the conversation, looking at the crowd with a serious and determined expression. "Those who seek our protection, who wish to learn and find answers, follow us. We will go to the kingdom of Ethelia, where you will be safe from the creatures that roam these lands."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the group with an intensity that seemed to pierce through each person's doubts and fears. "This area is dangerous, and nightfall will only bring greater horrors. If you choose to stay, that is your choice. But if you seek safety, trust us and follow our path."
Around me, people exchanged glances, torn between their fear of the unknown and their instinct for survival. Many still appeared wary, but Sir Aldric's words, combined with Selene's display of power, weighed heavily on each decision. The idea of staying out in the open, surrounded by monsters we barely understood, was terrifying.
As for myself, I stayed quiet, observing. I didn't fully trust them, but I understood that staying here would only make me vulnerable. My eyes briefly met Sir Aldric's, and he seemed to sense my thoughts, nodding slightly as if understanding my dilemma.
Gradually, the others began to take their first steps, following the knights with uncertainty in their expressions but resigned to the reality of the danger surrounding us. No one wanted to be the last one left alone, and though distrustful glances lingered, we all chose to follow the knights and their two leaders into the unknown, hoping to find answers and perhaps even a purpose in this strange new world.