The first rays of dawn were just breaking over the horizon, but Thalia was already buzzing with excitement. She stood in her room, examining herself in the mirror.
Gone were the cumbersome cloaks and dresses that hindered her movements. Instead, she wore a sleek black hoodie, a plain black t-shirt, and comfortable cargo pants that allowed her to move freely. She tied her hair into a high ponytail, her silver strands glinting faintly in the dim light.
Suiryu hovered nearby, his translucent blue form curled lazily around her bedpost. His sharp eyes scrutinized her outfit, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement.
"You look like a street rogue," he remarked, flicking his tail. "Why the sudden change?"
Thalia grinned, adjusting the hem of her hoodie. "Have you ever tried fighting in a dress? It's a nightmare. I needed something practical."
"And where did you even get these... strange clothes?" Suiryu asked, narrowing his eyes at the unusual outfit.
Thalia smirked, brushing off some invisible dust on her sleeve. "I had Collet make them for me. Special order. I gave her the design, and she pulled it off perfectly. Honestly, the woman's a genius."
Suiryu snorted. "You're certainly full of peculiar ideas. I've never seen anyone fight in something so casual."
Thalia shrugged. "Well, get used to it. I'm setting trends now, even in battle."
---
Later that evening, Thalia found herself back in the Zania Forest, the chill of the night air brushing against her face. She and Suiryu had taken down several smaller beasts with ease when they both paused, sensing something amiss.
Suiryu's eyes narrowed. "Two high-ranked beasts heading east... toward a village."
Thalia's heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, she bolted in the direction Suiryu indicated, her movements fluid and quiet as she dashed through the trees. When she reached the village outskirts, the sight before her made her stomach churn.
Two massive beasts, their forms towering and menacing, lumbered toward the village square. The few guards on duty were already panicking, their weapons clattering uselessly against the beasts' thick hides.
Thalia climbed onto the roof of a nearby house, her heart pounding in her chest. From her vantage point, she could see the terrified faces of the villagers below, many of them clutching their children as they scrambled for safety.
She took a deep breath, pulling her hood over her head. "No time to overthink," she muttered, tying her hair tighter. "Let's do this."
Suiryu remained silent, watching as Thalia's expression shifted to one of fierce determination.
---
The first beast lunged toward the crowd, but Thalia acted quickly. With a burst of fire magic, she leapt from the roof, landing gracefully between the villagers and the beast. The flames encircled her fists as she glared at the creature.
"Come on," she taunted, her voice low and commanding.
The beast roared, charging at her. Thalia sidestepped effortlessly, using her flames to create a barrier that redirected its charge away from the villagers. The second beast tried to flank her, but Thalia was quicker. She spun on her heel, her fire lashing out in a wide arc that sent the creature skidding backward.
Her movements were precise and calculated, each strike more powerful than the last. The villagers watched in awe as she danced through the chaos, her fire illuminating the night.
When the first beast lunged again, she vaulted over it, using its own momentum to slam it into the ground with a fiery explosion. The second beast fell shortly after, its massive form collapsing under the relentless barrage of her flames.
---
As the smoke cleared, the villagers hesitantly stepped out of their hiding places. Their expressions shifted from fear to amazement as they took in the sight of the hooded figure standing amidst the wreckage, her flames slowly dissipating.
"Who are you?" one man whispered, stepping forward.
"Thank you for saving us!" another cried.
Thalia didn't respond. She turned and sprinted toward the forest, her hood obscuring her face.
"Wait!" someone called after her. "We want to thank you properly!"
But she was already gone, her figure melting into the shadows.
---
By morning, the village was buzzing with speculation.
"Whoever it was, they were a fire user," an elderly woman said. "Their flames were incredible."
"But did you see their clothes?" a younger man added. "No one dresses like that. They had to be a rogue... or maybe a warrior."
"They moved like a man," another chimed in. "No way that was a woman. Definitely a man."
The villagers nodded in agreement, their assumptions solidifying into a collective belief.
---
Thalia's perspective
Perched on a tree branch just outside the village, Thalia listened to their chatter, a smirk playing on her lips.
"They think I'm a man," she muttered, amused.
Suiryu chuckled beside her. "Well, you did insist on wearing those strange clothes. You can't blame them."
"Good," Thalia said, leaning back against the tree trunk. "The more they're confused, the safer my secret is."
Suiryu sighed, shaking his head. "You're playing a dangerous game."
"Dangerous?" Thalia grinned. "Maybe. But it's fun."
With that, she glanced at the horizon, already plotting her next move.