The company of knights, scouring the terrain, found no signs of anyone in sight. Instead, they discovered a battlefield devoid of warriors, but bearing the trace of a fleeing monster's footprints.
Just before they departed, a knight remarked, "Shall we continue, Lyra? It seems we've stumbled upon the aftermath of a monster duel."
"That shriek, Cornelius, is something new," Lyra replied. "We've never heard anything like it before. What kind of monster could it be?"
"I've read about shrieking monsters in books," said the girl riding behind Lyra, "but I'm sure that creature isn't from this continent."
"We should be cautious," Lyra advised. "Unnatural occurrences are happening here. Lyrien, stay close to me."
Lyrien nodded, "I will, and I'll keep you safe too, Big Sister. Let's report this to Bellatoria and continue our mission."
"Right, Lyrien. Cornelius, I trust you can choose who can better ride back home? Once you're done choosing, we'll be on our way," Lyra stated.
Meanwhile, within the Kingdom of Bellatoria, confusion reigned. The ancient summoning portal had mysteriously flickered to life moments ago. The King and Queen sat in their chambers, deep in conversation.
"The portal's sudden activation puzzles me," the King said, exchanging a concerned glance with his queen. "Have any other kingdoms experienced similar reactions?"
"It's indeed baffling," the Queen affirmed. "We must investigate further."
Meanwhile, Reiji, an unseen observer of the knights' exchange, felt both excitement and trepidation. The unfamiliar language sparked curiosity.
"Their language sounds fascinating!" he thought. "But how will I communicate with these people?"
Undaunted, Reiji declared, "I'll figure it out eventually."
Reiji's wonder turned to unease as unfamiliar words flooded his mind. "This isn't a dream. Where am I?" he thought.
Realizing the impossibility of this phenomenon on Earth, Reiji's mind reeled: "Have I been transported to another world?"
Staring skyward, Reiji's frustration boiled over. "HOW CAN I JUST ACCEPT BEING NOWHERE NEAR HOME?!"
After calming breaths, Reiji paced, weighing options. "Following those knights risks confrontation. But ignoring them isn't wise either."
Determined, Reiji chose a different path. "I'll track the colossal rabbit. Maybe she'll lead me to something manageable."
With resolve, Reiji set off. "Off we go."
Hours of tracking the rabbit had taken its toll. Hunger gnawed at him, and the relentless pace tested his earthly limits. Just as exhaustion set in, the sky darkened and rain poured down.
"Trouble's found me," Reiji groaned.
He sprinted, following the rabbit's fading trail. "If I lose her, I'm stuck in this dense, dark forest forever."
"This isn't the place for a final farewell," Reiji muttered, quickening his pace.
Desperate for mobility, he chanted, "Corpo si illumina, shinsen o terasu!"
However, exhaustion consumed him, and the spell backfired, leaving Reiji lifeless on the cold, wet mud.
The forest fell silent, except for the rain's rhythmic beat. The droplets continued to fall upon his unconscious body until the storm passed.
Reiji stirred, covered in dry mud, his face gaunt from hunger and confusion.
He sat up, leaning on his knuckles. "Where am I?" he whispered.
Memories flooded back: "I'm in the middle of nowhere. Yeah, I remember... chasing something."
Groggily, he recalled: "A trail… I was chasing after a giant rabbit."
Exhaustion still lingered, exacerbated by gnawing hunger.
"What happened? How long was I out?" Reiji wondered.
His stomach growled.
"I desperately need food," he declared.
Scanning his surroundings, Reiji noted, "It was raining, wasn't it? There should be damp spots around here."
Confusion deepened: "Why is everything dry?"
"Everything was wet just hours ago, wasn't it?" Reiji wondered.
He trekked onward, searching for rain-dampened spots, but dryness stretched endlessly.
Reiji paused, taking deep breaths to calm his racing thoughts.
Observing his surroundings anew, he noted, "This scorching sun pierce through the canopy. Am I still hallucinating? Wasn't there something in Father's study that drugged me?"
Reiji focused on the present, grounding himself:
"I'm here. This is real."
He felt the earth beneath his feet, listened to nature's sounds and breathed in the crisp air.
"Nope. No hallucinations," he affirmed. "This is my reality."
"I'm calm now."
A rumbling growl broke the silence. Reiji searched around, then chuckled.
"My stomach!"
"Frustrating. This forest dried out overnight."
"Unbelievable. I must have slept for a day."
Reiji sat beneath a shaded tree, collecting his thoughts.
"I fainted and slept for a day. What caused it?"
Prioritizing survival, Reiji strategized:
"I'll think about it later, First, water."
Reiji pressed his ear to the ground, seeking the soothing sound of flowing water. "Please, let there be water nearby," he whispered.
There was a faint sound of water he heard but then, a thudding noise that grew louder and got closer quickly. Perplexed, Reiji concentrated on the sound.
Realizing it was approaching, he lifted his head, then he saw a bull-like creature charging towards him.
"No time to dodge!" Reiji thought.
His quick reflexes reacted, and he caught the animal's horn with his two hands and mounted the animal, grasping its horn, pulling it up, and slowing its momentum.
"I'll take you head-on!" Reiji declared.
In a burst of adrenaline-fueled strength, Reiji overpowered the creature, twisting its neck.
"FOOD!" Reiji triumphantly shouted.
Reiji's triumphant shout echoed through the forest. "Food is delivered!" He laughed maniacally, his hunger will finally be alleviated.
But his celebration was short-lived. A young girl, dressed in tattered clothing and sporting a determined look, emerged from the underbrush. Her gaze fixed menacingly on Reiji, then the lifeless animal.
Reiji's grin faltered. "Oh no," he thought, panic creeping in.
"Was this your pet, little girl?" Reiji asked regretfully.
The girl's piercing stare intensified. Reiji's face paled.
"Do you have a family?" Reiji ventured, attempting to divert her attention.
The girl scowled, replying in her native tongue, "Ani Ini ka Hetamu maa, Khemterra'n!" ("This one seized the beast, I'm frustrated!").
She turned to leave.
Reiji puzzled, "What?"
"Worse, is she summoning others?" Reiji worried.
The girl faced him, saying, "Malu siya ng Anupi'n wika" ("His words are foreign").
Her expression softened, "Khemaya! Kamalu ka? Khemterra'n malu ka?" ("Greetings! Who are you? Earthborn presence?).
Reiji hesitated, "Yes?"