3RD PERSON POV
The Beast-Man village was nestled deep within a forest, surrounded by towering trees that acted like a natural wall. Wooden houses with straw-thatched roofs were scattered around the area, each one exuding a rustic charm. Smoke rose from chimneys, and the faint scent of roasted meat lingered in the air. Children played near the village center, their laughter contrasting sharply with the worried expressions of the adults, who were busy preparing for something urgent.
The village was alive with activity, yet there was an undercurrent of tension. Beast-Men of all shapes and sizes hurried about, sharpening weapons, gathering supplies, and reinforcing the village's wooden walls. Their animalistic features—ears, tails, and claws—made them distinct, but their expressions of worry and determination were universal.
At the forefront of this bustling scene, the Beast-Man elder walked with a steady pace, his back slightly hunched with age but his presence commanding respect. Behind him followed Sora and Luna. Sora's extremely long white hair flowed behind him, almost touching the ground, swaying with each step. His piercing blue eyes scanned the village with calm curiosity. Luna, walking beside him, was his complete contrast. Her brown hair was neatly tied back, and her playful blue eyes darted around as she admired the village.
Two male Beast-Men and one female Beast-Woman flanked them, their weapons drawn and ready. The males were tall and muscular, their sharp claws glinting in the sunlight. The female had sleek, purple hair tied into a braid, her eyes sharp and calculating. They kept their weapons pointed toward Sora and Luna, their protective stance a clear warning.
Luna, unbothered by the tension, leaned closer to Sora and whispered, "They're so serious. Think they're scared of us?"
Sora sighed. "Maybe they just don't trust strangers."
The group stopped in front of a large wooden house, slightly larger than the others and adorned with intricate carvings of beasts. The elder gestured toward the door. "This is my home. Follow me inside."
The guards opened the door, stepping aside but keeping a watchful eye on the pair. Sora and Luna exchanged a glance before following the elder inside.
The interior was simple but warm. Wooden furniture lined the room, and the scent of herbs lingered in the air. A low table sat in the center, surrounded by cushions. The elder gestured for Sora and Luna to sit, and they lowered themselves onto the cushions in traditional Japanese style. The elder sat across from them, his movements slow but deliberate.
He glanced at the guards and said firmly, "Lower your weapons. They mean no harm."
The guards hesitated but eventually obeyed, setting their weapons aside.
Sora looked at the elder. "Why did you bring us here?"
The elder's expression softened as he folded his hands in his lap. "There is a reason. First, let us introduce ourselves again."
Sora nodded. "My name is Sora Kuragami." He gestured toward his companion. "This is Luna."
The elder's gaze seemed to grow distant as he studied Sora. "Welcome back home, Sora."
Both Sora and Luna froze, their confusion evident.
"Back home?" Luna tilted her head. "What does that mean?"
The female Beast-Woman with purple hair furrowed her brow. "Elder, what are you saying?"
The two male Beast-Men exchanged confused glances before one spoke up. "Elder, why did you call him that? He's an outsider!"
The elder chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to carry years of wisdom. "Let me confirm my suspicions."
Sora leaned forward slightly. "What suspicions?"
The elder met his gaze. "Do you remember your parents?"
Sora's expression darkened. "Yes. They were killed by human soldiers. I hunted down those soldiers and ended their lives, one by one."
The elder closed his eyes, his expression heavy. "I see. Tell me, Sora, did your father have black hair and blue eyes?"
Sora's breath hitched, and his eyes widened. "Yes. How do you know that?"
The elder continued, his voice steady. "And your mother—did she have white hair and blue eyes?"
"Yes," Sora said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The room fell silent, the tension thick. Luna stared at the elder, her playful demeanor momentarily replaced by confusion. The purple-haired Beast-Woman's eyes widened, and she placed a hand over her mouth. The two male Beast-Men looked at each other, their faces a mix of disbelief and shock.
The elder's lips curled into a gentle smile. "Welcome back, Sora."
This time, the purple-haired Beast-Woman's expression shifted from confusion to understanding. "Elder… is he…?"
The two male Beast-Men still didn't understand and growled, grabbing their weapons. "Elder, he's an outsider! Why are you welcoming him back?"
The elder raised a hand to silence them. "Calm yourselves. Let me explain."
The elder's voice grew somber as he spoke. "Sora is the son of two people who saved this village twenty years ago. His parents fought to protect us when we were under attack. If it weren't for them, none of us would be alive today."
The two male Beast-Men froze, their weapons trembling in their hands. Slowly, they lowered them and bowed their heads.
"We're sorry," one of them said. "If your parents hadn't helped us, we wouldn't be here."
Sora waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine. There's no need to apologize."
The elder sighed. "We cannot offer much hospitality, but I hope you'll forgive us for our earlier suspicion."
"It's not a problem," Sora said, his tone calm. "But I do have a question—why is everyone in such a hurry? What's going on?"
The elder's expression grew grim. "There's a group of monsters about to attack the village. They don't just target villages—they attack anything they see, all in search of a master to serve."
Sora frowned. "What kind of monsters?"
"They're called Loreta," the elder explained. "A monstrous race similar to both demons and Beast-Men."
Sora tilted his head. "I've never heard of them before."
"That's not surprising," the elder said. "They're not common knowledge."
Luna, who had been quiet until now, piped up. "Are they scary-looking?"
Sora sighed, but the elder chuckled. "Not particularly. They look similar to us. Those with white hair and red eyes are rare, while black hair and green eyes are common. Some have tails, ears, or even wings."
Sora crossed his arms. "What can I do to help?"
The elder shook his head. "You've been through so much already. We can't ask for your help."
Luna smirked. "Even if you refuse, he'll help anyway. He has a big heart."
Sora groaned. "Just shut up, Luna."
She pouted. "You're mean, even though you're kind."
Sora sighed, rubbing his temples. "She's a headache, but she's right. If my parents helped you, it's my duty to do the same."
The elder bowed his head. "Thank you, Sora."
Sora stood and turned to the purple-haired Beast-Woman. "Can you show me the weapons you have?"
She nodded. "Follow me."
Sora and Luna bowed to the elder before following the Beast-Woman out of the house. Luna skipped playfully beside Sora, her cheerful energy contrasting with the tense atmosphere.
"You're such a softie, Sora," she teased.
"Do you ever stop talking?" he asked, exasperated.
"Nope!" Luna said with a grin.
Sora sighed, but a faint smile tugged at his lips as they headed toward the armory,
The sun cast long shadows over the beastman village as Sora and Luna followed a purple-haired woman through its winding dirt paths. Wooden houses stood proudly amidst the bustling activity, their thatched roofs glinting in the golden light of dusk. Despite the looming threat on the horizon, life thrived here. Children chased each other around the village square, elders gathered in tight-knit circles to discuss plans, and warriors sharpened their weapons with grim resolve.
Sora walked in silence, his snow-white hair swaying gently with each step, nearly brushing the ground. His deep blue eyes remained focused, betraying no hint of emotion as he activated his skill.
"Analyzer," he said under his breath. "Provide information on the monster race called Loreta."
A translucent screen flickered to life in his mind, the mechanical voice of the skill answering promptly.
][ The Loreta are a monster race resembling a hybrid of demons and beastmen. Typically marked by ears, tails, or even wings, they dwell in groups of at least 100. Known for their aggressive nature, Loretas attack anyone who crosses their path. However, upon defeat, they pledge absolute loyalty to their victor—a bond that is nearly impossible to sever.
Physical characteristics: Most Loretas have black hair and green eyes. Rare individuals, identifiable by white hair and red eyes, possess extraordinary strength and unshakable loyalty to their master.]]
Sora's brow furrowed slightly. "What's the EV of an average Loreta?"
[[ Normal Loreta EV: 58,000.
Rare Loreta EV: 89,000. ]]
He absorbed the data quickly, his mind already running calculations. "What about the strongest fighters in this village?"
[[ Strongest beastmen EV: 55,000. A few outliers have reached 70,000. The village has 60 capable fighters, excluding children, non-combatant women, and elders. Given their limited numbers, the beastmen have a 45% chance of victory against a Loreta pack of 100. ]]
Sora exhaled quietly, his expression unreadable. The odds weren't encouraging, but there was no room for hesitation.
Beside him, Luna watched his face curiously. Her sky-blue eyes sparkled with mischief, and her brown hair bobbed as she skipped along the path. She leaned closer, poking his arm.
"What are you thinking about, Sora?" she asked, her tone playful.
He shook his head. "Nothing important."
Luna smirked, clearly unconvinced. "You're always so serious. You should loosen up a bit!" Then, as if on cue, she clutched her stomach dramatically. "Oh no! I'm starving! I feel like I'm going to collapse!"
Sora shot her an unimpressed look. "We ate right before we come to village . How are you hungry already?"
"Walking burns calories, Sora!" she said with a pout, puffing out her cheeks. "You should know that!"
The two began bickering, their voices rising as they continued down the path. Serina, the purple-haired beastwoman leading them, glanced back, her green eyes amused despite herself.
"You're impossible, Luna," Sora muttered.
"And you're boring, Sora," she shot back with a grin.
Sora groaned, rubbing his temples. "This is going to be a long day."
Turning his attention to their guide, he asked, "What's your name?"
The beastwoman glanced over her shoulder. "It's Serina."
"Can you fight?"
Her tail swished behind her as she straightened, pride evident in her posture. "Of course. I'm one of the village's warriors."
Luna's playful demeanor shifted slightly, her tone suddenly cautious. "Wait, Serina, watch out for the—"
But before she could finish, Serina walked straight into a tree. The loud thud echoed through the quiet path as she stumbled back, clutching her head.
Sora sighed deeply, muttering, "Great. Another one."
Serina's green eyes filled with tears as she whined dramatically, "Oww! That tree came out of nowhere! Why does this always happen to me?"
Luna burst into laughter, doubling over. "Oh no, Sora! She's worse than me! What are we going to do?"
Serina pouted, her tail flicking indignantly. "I'm usually very serious on duty! I promise!"
"Sure you are," Sora said dryly, earning a huff of protest from the beastwoman.
She quickly recomposed herself, standing tall. "Let's keep moving. We're almost there."
Sora rolled his eyes. "Let's hope we don't encounter any more trees."
The trio reached a sturdy wooden building near the edge of the village. Serina pushed open the heavy door, revealing rows of finely crafted weapons lining the walls. Swords, spears, bows, and gleaming armor reflected the dim light filtering in through narrow windows.
Sora's attention was immediately drawn to a black sword mounted on the far wall. It was almost identical to his own blade. Stepping forward, he ran his fingers along the hilt, a faint sense of nostalgia washing over him.
"This sword…" he murmured. "Why does it look like mine?"
Serina tilted her head, her expression softening. "Because your sword was made by the same craftsman who forged all the weapons here."
His eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"These weapons never leave the village," Serina explained. "Only two ever did—your black sword and a white sword with a red handle. Both belonged to your parents."
Sora's grip tightened as memories surfaced. "The white sword… it was my mother's."
Serina nodded. "That's right. Your parents were remarkable people."
The weight of her words hung in the air, but Luna, ever the disruptor, chose that moment to chime in.
"Speaking of remarkable," she said brightly, "does this village have any good food? I'm still starving!"
Serina laughed, her cheerful demeanor returning. "Don't worry! I know the best spot in the village. Follow me!"
As they walked, Luna and Serina chatted animatedly about the village cuisine, while Sora trailed behind, lost in thought.
"Do you have anything sweet?" Luna asked eagerly.
"We have amazing pastries made from honey and berries," Serina replied.
"Can I try one of everything?"
"No," Sora interjected firmly.
Luna turned to him with an exaggerated pout. "You're so mean, Sora!"
Serina giggled, her tail swishing playfully. "You two are funny. Are you always like this?"
"Unfortunately," Sora muttered, earning a playful slap on the arm from Luna.
IN SORA"S VILLAGE
The village lay in ruins, the air thick with the acrid smell of ash and death. Broken wooden houses and shattered fences littered the landscape, the ground soaked with the blood of its former inhabitants. Once a lively place filled with laughter and warmth, it had been reduced to a silent graveyard. The only sounds that remained were the crackle of smoldering fires and the heavy boots of soldiers clad in pristine white armor, their helmets gleaming under the sun's harsh rays.
They moved methodically, combing through the debris and shattered homes with an almost clinical precision. Each soldier carried an air of purpose, their eyes scanning every corner for something—or someone.
At the center of the destruction, a makeshift throne made from the splintered remains of a cart stood arrogantly amidst the chaos. Sitting upon it was a man whose aura radiated authority and cruelty. His blond hair shimmered like gold under the dying sunlight, but his face was obscured by a silver mask, leaving only his piercing red eyes visible. They glowed with a mixture of impatience and rage.
The man's voice cut through the air like a whip, sharp and commanding. "You call yourselves soldiers, yet you can't even find a single sword? Useless, all of you!" His tone was venomous, each word seething with anger.
Behind him, a woman with dark blue hair and equally striking red eyes stood calmly. Her expression was composed, almost disinterested, as if the devastation around her was nothing more than a passing inconvenience. She leaned slightly forward, her lips curving into a faint smirk as she spoke.
"Calm yourself, my lord. Getting worked up won't make the sword appear any faster."
The blond man turned his fiery gaze toward her, his voice rising with frustration. "How can I not get angry? That sword is the key to everything, and these fools can't even find it!" He gestured harshly toward his soldiers, who flinched at the accusation.
Before the woman could respond, a soldier sprinted toward them, his armor clinking loudly with each hurried step. He fell to one knee before the throne, bowing his head low. "My lord! I've found a sword!"
The blond man's eyes widened slightly. "Show me."
The soldier obeyed, carefully unwrapping the cloth covering the weapon. Within seconds, a gleaming blade with a red handle was revealed. It caught the light, its craftsmanship flawless.
But the blond man's expression darkened further. He snatched the sword from the soldier's hands, inspecting it closely before throwing it aside with a disgusted growl. The blade clattered loudly against the rubble, coming to rest among the broken remains of the village.
"This isn't it," he spat, his voice filled with disdain. "The sword I'm looking for is a black blade with a black handle. How hard is that to find?" His glare swept over his soldiers, who all lowered their heads in fear. "Find it! Now!"
The soldiers bowed deeply, murmuring, "Yes, my lord!" before scattering to continue their search.
The blue-haired woman chuckled softly, crossing her arms as she watched the scene unfold. "All this trouble over a sword. Why is it so important?"
The blond man's gaze hardened. "That sword belonged to a man strong enough to rival me. It's more than just a weapon—it's a symbol of his power. If I can find it, I can confirm his death."
The woman raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "A man who could rival you? Now that's interesting. And I suppose that's why you sent your soldiers to destroy this village?"
He nodded, his voice cold and unfeeling. "Yes. I heard rumors that he had grown weaker after the birth of his child. So I had them kill his wife and child to ensure he would never regain his strength."
The woman tilted her head, her smirk fading slightly. "Cruel, don't you think?"
"It's for our sake," the blond man replied without hesitation. "He was a threat to everything we've built."
She sighed, shaking her head. "Whatever you say, my lord. Though I must admit, this man sounds intriguing. I wonder if he's still alive."
As if on cue, two soldiers approached them, their expressions tense. One knelt before the throne and spoke quickly. "My lord, we found a house matching your description. However, the man you described was not there, nor was the sword."
Another soldier joined them, kneeling beside the first. "We searched every corner, but there's no trace of the sword you're looking for."
The woman smirked again, a hint of amusement returning to her eyes. "Looks like your rival is still alive."
The blond man's jaw tightened, his fists clenching. "He's alive," he said, his voice filled with grim certainty. His red eyes flicked toward the bodies of several white-armored soldiers lying in the rubble, their armor stained with blood. "And he's the one who did this. That demon…"
The woman's smirk widened, her tone light but mocking. "If you're so sure of his strength, why did you send only soldiers to face him?"
The man's eyes narrowed, his voice lowering. "I heard he was weaker. After all, his strength had been waning since his wife gave birth. I assumed it would be enough."
"And so you killed his wife and child just to gain the upper hand?" she asked, her voice laced with mild disdain.
"Yes," he replied bluntly.
The woman sighed, brushing a strand of dark blue hair behind her ear. "You really are something else. Cruel, but I suppose effective."
Before the conversation could continue, another soldier hurried to them, kneeling and bowing his head. "My lord, we found no trace of the man or the sword. It's as if he vanished."
The blond man's expression darkened further. "He hasn't vanished," he growled. "He's out there somewhere, and he has that sword. Find him—no matter what it takes."
The soldiers bowed deeply, murmuring their obedience before hurrying off to renew their search.
The blue-haired woman stepped closer to the throne, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "It seems you'll have to do more than send soldiers to deal with this rival of yours."
The blond man rose from the throne, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over the ruins. "We will find him. And when we do…" His voice trailed off, a sinister smile forming beneath his mask.
The woman shrugged, her tone nonchalant. "Well, I think it's time we left. No point wasting any more of my time here."
He nodded in agreement. Raising his hand, he summoned a glowing magic circle beneath them. The air shimmered with power as the two of them began to fade from view, their forms dissolving into particles of light.
As they vanished, the village was left in eerie silence once more, the echoes of their cruelty lingering in the desolation.
The tension in the ruined village was palpable. Soldiers in white armor moved diligently through the wreckage, sifting through debris and ashes as they continued their search. Among them, a younger soldier, barely more than a boy, stood apart from the group. His helmet was tucked under his arm, revealing a face that was pale and troubled.
"How could he do something so cruel?" the young soldier muttered under his breath, glancing back toward the spot where the that person and the girl had been moments ago.
A gruff voice from behind startled him. "Watch your mouth," a senior soldier warned, stepping closer with a stern expression. "You're speaking about the emperor. Show some respect."
The young soldier turned, his eyes flashing with defiance. "Respect? How am I supposed to respect someone who orders the slaughter of innocent people? Women and children... they didn't deserve this." He gestured around at the carnage, his voice shaking with barely contained anger.
The older soldier's face darkened. "Careful, boy. I get it—this isn't easy to stomach. But that man is our emperor, and his word is absolute. He has his reasons, and it's not our place to question them."
"That doesn't make it right," the younger soldier argued. "How can anyone justify killing an entire village just to find a sword?"
The older soldier sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging slightly. "You're young. You don't understand how the world works yet. The emperor sees things from a higher perspective than we can comprehend. And don't you dare insult that woman, either. She is royalty, and her wisdom is second only to the emperor's. You'd do well to hold your tongue."
The young soldier frowned but didn't respond. He knew there was no point in arguing further. The older soldier gave him a hard look before turning away, barking orders at the rest of the group. "Get back to work! We're not leaving until we've checked every inch of this place."
The younger soldier sighed and reluctantly resumed his task, combing through the rubble alongside the others. Hours passed as they searched, but with no results to show for their efforts, the group eventually stopped to take a break.
The young soldier wandered away from the others, his feet carrying him toward a patch of grass on the outskirts of the village. There, beneath a gnarled tree, he sat down, leaning back against its rough bark. The cool shade provided some relief from the heat, but his mind was far from calm.
He stared up at the sky, his thoughts churning. How much cruelty can one man commit? The image of the emperor sitting on that makeshift throne, barking orders as if lives were mere pawns in a game, made his stomach turn. And that woman. She just stood there, calm and composed, as if this was all completely normal.
He closed his eyes, trying to block out the images of the destroyed village, but they were burned into his mind. The laughter of children, now silenced forever. The warmth of family homes, reduced to ashes.
"What kind of ruler does this to people?" he muttered to himself. "Is power really worth this much bloodshed?"
As he sat in quiet contemplation, something in the distance caught his eye. A faint glimmer of light reflected off a small stone pillar, partially hidden among the tall grass. Intrigued, he got to his feet, dusting off his armor before heading toward the strange sight.
The pillar stood in a secluded clearing, weathered and cracked with age. As he approached, he noticed two graves at its base, marked only by simple stones. One grave was adorned with a single black flower, its petals exuding a sinister beauty. The other bore a white flower, equally pristine yet just as poisonous. The young soldier recognized them immediately—Death's Bloom and Angel's Thorn, flowers so deadly that even the slightest touch could kill.
A chill ran down his spine. Who would bury these here? And why? He knelt down cautiously, studying the graves from a safe distance. The juxtaposition of the two flowers struck him as odd, almost symbolic. Black and white. Death and life.
For a moment, he considered walking away, but something in the air compelled him to stay. The silence here was different from the rest of the village—peaceful, almost sacred. He bowed his head slightly, murmuring a quiet prayer.
"Whoever you were… I hope you've found peace," he whispered.
As he stood to leave, a thought nagged at the back of his mind. The flowers were a beacon, their vibrant colors standing out starkly against the muted tones of the ruins. Anyone who passed by would notice them, and he didn't want the graves to be disturbed.
Acting on impulse, he gathered stones and leaves from the surrounding area, carefully covering the graves until they blended seamlessly with the terrain. He worked quickly but methodically, ensuring that the site appeared as natural as possible. When he was satisfied, he stepped back, hands on his hips, and nodded to himself.
"That should do it," he muttered.
He bowed his head one last time, closing his eyes. "Whoever you were, rest in peace. I'll make sure no one disturbs you."
With that, he turned and walked away, his heart feeling strangely lighter. The image of the graves stayed with him as he made his way back to the rest of the soldiers. The destruction of the village still weighed heavily on him, but for the first time, he felt a small glimmer of hope.
Perhaps, even in the midst of cruelty and chaos, there were still places where peace could be found.
BACK TO SORA
Sora, Serina, and Luna sat in a quaint village restaurant, the scent of freshly prepared food filling the air. The evening sun filtered through the wooden windows, casting a warm glow over the cozy establishment. Luna was already on her third plate of food, happily devouring it with an unrelenting appetite.
Sora leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he watched Luna shovel food into her mouth. "Are you still not full?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Luna paused for a moment, cheeks puffed like a squirrel's. "Nope!" she chirped before returning to her meal.
Serina, seated across from them, tilted her head with a playful smile. "How much can you eat, Luna? You've already finished two whole plates!"
Luna waved her fork in the air, a triumphant grin on her face. "This is the last one, I promise!"
Serina sighed, leaning her cheek on her hand. "You said that after the second plate too…"
Sora glanced at the darkening sky through the window and frowned slightly. "It's almost nightfall," he said, his voice calm but firm. "If the Loretas attack, it'll likely be under the cover of darkness. We need to stay on guard."
Serina straightened up, her expression suddenly serious. "Don't worry, Sora! I'm already on full alert!" she said, puffing out her chest proudly.
Sora smirked. "Really? That doesn't sound very convincing."
Serina pouted, crossing her arms. "Why are you always so serious? You could at least try to relax a little!"
Luna, having finally finished her plate, wiped her mouth with a napkin and leaned forward. "Sora's always been like that," she said, her childlike tone softening as she spoke. "He used to be a bit more carefree, but after… you know, everything he went through…"
Serina's playful demeanor shifted, and she looked at Sora apologetically. "I'm sorry, Sora. I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," Sora interrupted, standing up and stretching. "No need to apologize. Anyway, I'm heading outside the village to check on things."
"I'll come with you!" Luna declared, jumping to her feet.
Sora sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Why am I not surprised?"
Serina popped up from her seat as well, her eyes sparkling. "I'm coming too!"
Sora turned to her with a skeptical look. "Why? Wouldn't it be better if someone stayed behind in case the Loretas attack while we're outside?"
Serina clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly, her grin mischievous. "If they attack while we're outside, then I can help you fight them! Besides, you'll need someone as awesome as me to back you up!"
Luna giggled and nudged Sora. "Come on, let her come. You know she's just going to follow us anyway."
Sora let out a long sigh, shaking his head. "Fine. But if anything happens, you two stick close to me."
"Yay!" Serina and Luna cheered in unison, clapping their hands before skipping toward the door.
The trio left the restaurant and stepped into the cool evening air. The village was quiet, with only the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chatter of villagers to break the silence. Sora scanned the area, his sharp eyes taking in every detail as they walked toward the outskirts.
As they moved, a strange feeling stirred in Sora's chest. It was subtle at first, but it grew stronger with each step. His thoughts drifted to his parents' graves, buried back in the ruins of his old village.
Why am I thinking about that now? he wondered, shaking his head to dispel the unease. It's just my imagination.
He dismissed the feeling and refocused on their surroundings, his senses alert for any signs of danger. Luna and Serina, on the other hand, were far less focused.
"Do you think the Loretas will bring snacks?" Luna asked, skipping ahead and twirling in circles.
Serina giggled, matching Luna's playful energy. "If they do, I hope it's something sweet! I'm craving cake right now."
"You just ate three plates of food," Sora pointed out, his tone exasperated.
Luna puffed out her cheeks. "Yeah, but that was dinner. Dessert is a whole different thing!"
Serina nodded sagely. "She's right, you know. Dessert is sacred."
Sora sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why am I stuck with you two?"
"Because you love us!" Luna said with a cheeky grin, spinning around to face him as she walked backward.
Serina clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. "Exactly! You'd be lost without us!"
Despite himself, Sora couldn't help but smirk at their antics. Their childlike behavior was a stark contrast to the grim reality they faced, but it was oddly comforting in its own way.
As the group reached the edge of the village, Sora's unease returned, stronger this time. He stopped in his tracks, his gaze shifting toward the distant horizon.
"Sora?" Luna asked, tilting her head.
"It's nothing," Sora said quickly, forcing himself to focus. "Let's keep moving."
They continued their patrol, carefully checking the perimeter of the village. Sora's sharp eyes scanned every shadow, while Luna and Serina occasionally paused to chase fireflies or point out interesting rocks.
After a thorough search, they found no signs of the Loretas or any other threats. Sora's shoulders relaxed slightly as they turned back toward the village.
"It's quiet," Serina said, her voice unusually thoughtful. "Too quiet, don't you think?"
Luna nodded, her playful demeanor dimming for a moment. "Yeah… it's kind of spooky."
"We'll stay on guard," Sora said firmly. "Let's head back and make sure everything's ready in case they attack tonight."
As they walked back, the village lights came into view, their warm glow offering a sense of safety. Despite the tension in the air, Luna and Serina couldn't resist resuming their playful banter, their laughter echoing softly in the night.
Sora stayed silent, his mind still troubled by the strange feeling from earlier. Whatever it was, he couldn't shake the sense that something—or someone—was waiting out there in the darkness.