The sun hung high above the northern trail, casting long shadows through the canopy. The dirt path snaked between thick trees, leading to the goblin-infested hills. Marching ahead were Selena and Lio, followed closely by three girls dressed in rookie adventurer gear. Hina, the healer, wore pale blue robes with white lace, a healing staff bouncing gently at her back. Rika, the archer, had her dark hair tied into two fluffy buns, a quiver of arrows slung diagonally across her chest. Yuzu, the mage, tottered along with an oversized book and a tall hat that wobbled with every step.
Yuzu: Are goblins always this creepy?
Yuzu asked, adjusting her glasses as she flipped through her spellbook.
Yuzu: Because I'm not ready if they are…
Selena: They're small, green, smell bad, and scream a lot when they die,
Selena answered casually, hands behind her head.
Selena: You'll be fine!
Lio: Ah...uhm…
Lio stepped ahead, sword and shield in hand. He puffed up his chest, armor glinting from the latest polish Red helped him with.
Lio: Don't worry, ladies. I'll protect everyone!"
Rika giggled. "Aw, he's cute when he's trying so hard."
Hina clapped softly. "Do your best, Lio-kun!"
Lio turned bright red.
Red walked a few paces behind them, quiet as always. His black dual swords were sheathed at his sides, his gaze steady. He said nothing, but observed everything.
They arrived at the goblin nest just before noon.
Fifteen goblins were rummaging through a ruined cart near the clearing. One looked up, screeched a warning, and the pack turned with snarls and rusted blades.
Selena: Here i come!!!
Selena shouted, already charging, tripping over a tree root, tumbling forward, then somehow landing feet-first into a goblin's face with a lucky kick.
Lio: Yaaaaaah!
Lio ran past her, slashing with wide, awkward swings. He parried a goblin spear, stumbled backward, but managed to strike the goblin's leg and knock it over.
Rika fired arrows in a fast rhythm, each one striking with surprising precision.
Rika: I-I'm helping!
Yuzu waved her staff and cast a small fireball—too small. It fizzled midair.
Yuzu: Oops!
Hina: Keep calm, Yuzu-chan!
Hina stood ready with her staff, muttering support spells. A soft glow covered Lio and Selena.
Lio: Take this!
Lio shouted as he leapt forward, only to slip in mud and slide on his back beneath a goblin, accidentally gutting it from below.
Selena: Okay, that's just rude luck,
Selena muttered, dodging wildly as two goblins tried to stab her. She slipped again, landed on one goblin's head, and it cracked like a melon against the rock.
By the time the last goblin hissed and turned to flee, an arrow zipped past and nailed it through the skull.
The girls panted. Lio dropped to one knee, heaving. Selena flopped onto the grass, arms out.
Selena: We… we did it!!!
Red stood under a tree, arms crossed.
Red: Not bad.
Yuzu: We lived! Yay!
But just then, unseen by any of them, a man emerged from the shadows behind Red. Cloaked in black with no visible weapons, his face was partially hidden under a cowl.
Mysterious man: I have something for you,
the mysterious man said in a quiet tone.
Red: You're early.
Mysterious man: Urgent mission,
the man replied. He reached out, passing a sealed scroll engraved with flame runes.
Mysterious man: It's growing unstable. The seal may not last.
Red's eyes flicked to the scroll, then forward again, watching his party laugh and loot the fallen goblins.
Red: I'll go now," he said, voice low.
The man gave a faint nod.
Mysterious man: Coordinates are marked. No survivors.
Red vanished into the woods, quiet as a ghost.
The coordinates led him north, deeper into the forest.
There, a bandit encampment festered like a wound, hidden beneath the thickets, camouflaged by branches and dark magic. Twelve bandits lounged around campfires, laughing with bloodied blades. In the middle, a chained elf girl sat inside a steel cage, her white silver hair dull with grime, her violet eyes burning with hate and defiance.
Red entered the camp without sound.
One by one, the bandits fell, silent kills, swift blades, black swords cutting like whispers through flesh. Screams never came.
Ten. Eleven. Twelve.
Only one remained, Krayle, the leader. Red didn't speak. He simply slashed both Krayle's legs, dropping him with a scream that echoed through the hollow woods.
Dragging the crippled man by his collar, Red returned to the edge of the forest. The mysterious man awaited him beneath the blackened oak.
Red: Delivery...
Mysterious man: Good work," the man said, taking Krayle without hesitation.
Mysterious man: We'll handle the rest.
Red: And her?" pointed toward the cage.
Mysterious man: She was never part of the shipment. She's yours.
Red approached the cage.
The Elf looked up at him. Despite her bruises and tattered clothes, she met his eyes with pride.
Elf Girl: So… you're my rescuer, dark knight?
Red sliced the lock.
Red: You're free.
The elf stepped out slowly, brushing leaves from her dress.
Elf Girl: Then I'll follow you. I owe you my life.
Red said nothing, but turned and walked.
She followed, smiling softly.
—
Back at the goblin field, the girls were still chatting, comparing loot, laughing. Selena grumbled as Rika playfully complimented Lio's fighting pose. Yuzu had drawn doodles of goblins in her book. Hina was patching up a scraped elbow.
Then they noticed.
Red walked from the forest's edge. His black swords were stained fresh, his steps silent. And beside him walked a tall, silver-haired elf woman in elegant rags, barefoot but proud, her violet eyes scanning the group.
Selena: W-Who is that?" She blurted out.
The elf stepped forward slightly, bowing with grace.
Zara: I am Zara. A survivor, thanks to your companion.
Selena: Oh…
Lio stared.
Lio: She's… really pretty…
Rika nudged him.
Rika: Don't stare, dummy!
Zara walked calmly to Red's side and looked up at him.
Zara: Wherever you go, I'll follow. Until I repay my debt.
Selena's fists clenched. Her eye twitched.
Selena: Wha… what is with these elves showing up out of nowhere!"
Red glanced briefly at Selena, then looked back toward the trail.
Red: Let's move,
And the party marched on, one clumsy rogue, one brave fool, three giggling rookies… and a jealous girl glancing over her shoulder at the beautiful elf glued to Red's side.
Adventure was far from over.