The sun had almost completely disappeared below the horizon as Kieran waited in the shadows near Albrath's southern gate. The air was cool, and a gentle wind swept through the empty streets, rustling the scattered leaves. Kieran kept his eyes on the road leading out of the city, wondering if Arlen would actually show up.
It didn't take long before he spotted a familiar figure in a dark cloak approaching. Arlen walked with a confident stride, but before he could speak, two more figures emerged behind him.
The first was a young woman with a slim build, clad in light armor with leather accents. Her bright hair fell to her shoulders, and her green eyes gleamed with what Kieran could only describe as confidence. She appeared to be a little older than him, perhaps twenty-three.
The second was a solidly built man of about twenty, dressed in a simple but sturdy tunic. His black hair was short and messy, and there was a determined glint in his eyes.
Kieran turned his cold gaze to Arlen.
"You said you needed my help. Now I see two more people."
Arlen shrugged, offering a faint smile.
"Plans change. This is Selene," he said, gesturing to the woman, "and Ren."
Kieran narrowed his eyes, sizing up the newcomers.
"What can they do?"
Selene stepped forward, her posture straight and calm.
"My ability lets me disorient opponents," she said confidently. "I make it hard for them to focus in a fight. But…" she added after a moment, her tone tinged with resignation, "using it drains me mentally. I can't sustain it for long."
Ren raised his hand, which briefly emitted a faint orange glow as it heated up.
"I can increase or decrease the temperature of my body," he explained. "I mostly use it for close combat. It should help against Monos."
Kieran crossed his arms, staring at them silently for a moment.
"Why are you getting involved in this?" he finally asked.
"The crystal," Ren replied without hesitation. "A blue crystal is something I need."
"I'm in it for the money," Selene added with a faint smile. "Besides, who wouldn't want to see something like Monos fall?"
Kieran glanced at Arlen.
"Their idea or yours?"
"Theirs," Arlen replied calmly. "Don't worry, they won't get in your way."
Kieran sighed softly before nodding.
"Fine. But if they slow me down, I'll leave them behind."
Ren raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Selene remained unfazed.
Reaching the deep ravine where Monos was hiding took almost two hours. The journey was quiet, interrupted only by occasional conversations between Arlen, Selene, and Ren. As always, Kieran kept to himself, silent and observant.
When they arrived, they stopped at the edge of the ravine, peering down. The steep walls were lined with jagged rocks and sparse, dry vegetation. At the bottom, a massive shadow moved among the stones—a silhouette that could only belong to Monos.
The monster was even more terrifying than its description. Its purple fur shimmered under the moonlight, and six sharp, tail-like appendages swayed lazily from its back, each one tipped with a deadly blade. Its single, enormous eye moved slowly, scanning its surroundings.
"That's him," Arlen said quietly.
Kieran gripped his sword, studying the creature.
"What's the plan?" he asked, glancing at Selene and Ren.
"I'll disorient him at the start," Selene said, placing a hand on her temple. "But I have to be careful. If I use my ability too long, I'll lose focus myself."
"I'll flank him," Ren said, clenching his fists, which began to emit faint wisps of steam. "I'll try to damage his legs if I get the chance."
Kieran nodded.
"Good. Don't make mistakes."
They carefully descended into the ravine, moving as quietly as possible to avoid alerting Monos. The creature didn't notice them at first, but as they got within a dozen meters, its enormous red eye locked onto them.
"Selene," Kieran said sharply.
The woman closed her eyes, focusing. For a moment, it seemed as though nothing had happened, but then Monos began to sway. Its movements grew less coordinated, and one of its bladed appendages swung aimlessly through the air.
Ren took the opportunity to charge forward, his hands glowing bright orange from the intense heat. He leaped at one of Monos's legs, pressing his burning palm against its fur. Smoke rose from the contact, and the monster roared in pain.
But its response was swift. One of its tail-like appendages lashed out, striking Ren in the side with brutal force. He was sent flying several meters, landing hard on the ground. A strained groan escaped his lips as he tried to move, but his body refused to cooperate.
"Ren!" Selene shouted, her eyes wide with fear.
Monos turned its gaze on her, its massive eye gleaming menacingly. Selene tried to use her power again, but her movements were erratic, and her pale face betrayed her growing exhaustion.
"Don't get too close!" Kieran warned, but it was too late.
One of Monos's sharp appendages shot forward, impaling Selene through the chest. Her eyes widened in shock, and a faint whisper escaped her lips:
"No…"
Her body crumpled to the ground, her armor quickly soaked in blood. Selene lay still.
"Damn it," Kieran growled, gripping his sword tightly.
Monos let out a triumphant roar, sending a wave of energy rippling outward. Arlen was thrown to the side, and Kieran activated his ability.
The world shifted. Time continued to flow, but Kieran stepped into his dimension. In this gray, lifeless space, he became invisible and untouchable to everything around him.
He moved a few steps to the side, watching as Monos thrashed about, searching for opponents it couldn't see. Kieran re-emerged from his dimension just behind the monster.
He thrust his sword at Monos's back, aiming for a weak point in its armored hide. The blade struck true, but it didn't penetrate deeply enough. Monos roared in fury and swung one of its appendages toward Kieran.
Kieran tried to dodge, but the bladed tail grazed his side, slicing through his armor and into his flesh. Pain shot through him as blood began to seep from the wound.
"Damn it…" he muttered through clenched teeth, retreating to avoid another attack.
Arlen, seeing Kieran injured, summoned all his strength to use his power again. The wind around Monos intensified, creating swirling currents that slowed the creature's movements and diverted its attention.
Despite the pain, Kieran gritted his teeth and stepped back into his dimension. In the gray space, he moved to a better position, observing Monos as it struggled against the invisible wind.
Emerging once more, Kieran struck at the monster's head. This time, the barrier around its body gave way, and his sword sank deep into its neck.
Monos let out a final, guttural roar as its massive body shuddered and collapsed to the ground.
Kieran dropped to one knee, clutching his side as blood continued to seep from the wound. Arlen approached slowly, his face pale and his breathing ragged.
"It's over," Arlen said quietly.
From Monos's lifeless body, a soft blue glow began to emerge. The crystal it left behind shimmered brightly, a reminder of the price they had paid for this fight.