Morning in the maple forest was serene.
Golden-red leaves drifted gently from high branches, dancing with the cool, soft morning breeze. Clara, Liorin, and Lux walked along a narrow trail, one formed by the faint tracks of woodland creatures. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting golden hues over their world.
Their steps were steady, quiet but unhurried. Clara glanced left and right, taking in the forest's tranquility, while Lux occasionally sniffed the ground, ears alert, eyes sharp. Liorin walked slightly ahead, sometimes brushing his fingers against branches to read the wind's direction.
"We should reach the city in about five days," Liorin said, unfolding the map in his hands.
"Is this wind coming from the north?" Clara asked, curious how Liorin could read the wind without tools.
"Yes," Liorin replied without hesitation, his eyes still on the map.
But that peace didn't last long.
From ahead came a low growl. Clara stopped walking. Lux immediately stood in front of her, fur bristling and body crouched, ready.
Three large dogs emerged from the bushes, their fur coarse and pitch-black, eyes glowing red like embers. Their tongues hung out—not from exhaustion, but hunger. Foam dripped from their mouths, and each step sent tremors through the ground.
"Are those… wild dogs?" Clara whispered, stepping back slightly.
Liorin didn't respond immediately. His eyes sharpened.
"No. Those are… Black Hounds. Cursed Beasts. I've seen their illustrations in old magic journals… but now I see them with my own eyes."
The hounds lunged forward with a united snarl, shadows made flesh. Clara reached for her dagger, but before she could act, Liorin raised his right hand.
"Stand back, Clara."
In an instant, bluish-white light formed in his palm. With a swift motion, the light transformed into a long sword, its blade etched with intricate patterns, its tip glowing with fiery orange—not ordinary fire, but a magic flame burning from within.
With precise steps, Liorin dashed forward. His sword struck one of the hounds, triggering a small explosion of magical fire. The creature howled and retreated. The other two tried to circle them, but Liorin raised his sword skyward and created another projectile—another magical weapon. He hurled it swiftly at the enemies.
A magical blast echoed through the forest, sending a cascade of red-gold leaves into the air like a rain of fire.
The hounds howled and fled, leaving behind the smell of scorched earth and burnt fur.
Clara exhaled deeply. She turned to Liorin, who returned to her side, his weapon vanishing like smoke into the wind.
"That was… amazing," she said.
Liorin gave her a glance and sighed.
"That's my family's ability—the Divine Blessing of Projectile Creation. It allows me to create weapons from harmonic energy, then infuse them with elemental magic. Like earlier, I used fire to cause explosive impact."
Clara nodded slowly.
"That's really useful in battle. I've never seen a power like that."
"I only inherited a fragment of it. My brother inherited the full blessing."
His voice was calm, but beneath it, there was a bitterness Clara did not notice.
Lux approached them, sniffing the scorched ground. His fluffy tail swayed slowly, still on guard.
"Cursed Beasts… are there more of them out there? I've heard of them in myths or old folks' tales, but this is the second time I've seen one. Is this just coincidence?" Clara asked.
"There used to be many. Now only a few remain. But if you think this is a coincidence… then something is definitely wrong."
Clara glanced at the sky, now bright with full daylight. She gently stroked Lux's head as he nuzzled close.
"In that case, we need to be more cautious."
"And move quickly," Liorin added.
"Before nightfall, we must leave this forest. I doubt only three of them are lurking in the shadows."
With that, they continued their journey, stepping once more onto the narrow path between towering maple trees. Falling leaves welcomed their stride, and the shadows of morning slowly faded—ushering a new chapter in their unfinished adventure.
Their pace was steady and in sync. Deep crimson maple leaves floated down gently, forming a natural carpet of peace. The wind carried the scent of damp earth and decaying foliage—an aroma of life in unity with this ancient forest.
Clara lifted her head, gazing at the sun climbing high in the sky. Though the world appeared calm, her thoughts remained unsettled by the earlier attack.
"Liorin," she said quietly yet clearly, "Cursed Beasts… how many kinds are there?"
Liorin gave a slight nod.
"There are eighteen documented types in ancient records. They're not just savage beasts, Clara. They're the result of dark magic—soulless creatures bound to eternal destruction. After the great war against the Demon King Dyrius, only eight types remain, scattered across the land. Rumors claim they're extinct, but there's no real proof. Some say they still appear in the Northern Regions, the Barren Land waters, and the Kingdom of Gulgar."
Clara listened intently. Lux walked alongside her, ears twitching as if he too was paying attention.
"Only eight left?"
"Yes." Liorin raised his fingers, listing them one by one.
"The rabbit you encountered, the Black Hounds, the Serpent Demon, the Great Shark, the Ice Worm, the White Bear, the Vampire Bat, and the Hell Dragon. All have resurfaced after centuries."
Clara frowned.
"That rabbit…" Her face darkened with a bitter smile.
Liorin noticed but continued.
"Those rabbits travel in packs, fiercely independent. Most people in the past died because of them."
Clara swallowed hard.
"And the Black Hounds that attacked us?"
"They usually move in small groups. But during the dark moon season, whole regions can be overrun by massive packs."
"What about the Great Shark?"
"That one…" Liorin's tone deepened.
"There's only one. It doesn't reproduce and never rests. It roams the waters between the Barren Lands and the Kingdom of Gulgar. No one has ever survived an encounter with it. Its body is the size of a ship, and its jaws strong enough to split coral reefs."
Clara fell silent. The morning wind brushed her cheek gently, yet Liorin's words felt like a shadow creeping into her soul.
"And the Ice Worm?"
"There are three. They dwell in the Northern Region after a failed dark ritual broke their control. They don't reproduce—that's our only advantage. But their size is monstrous, and the northern climate is already brutal."
"And the Hell Dragon?"
"It's been sealed. By a Grand Sage, centuries ago. But that seal… can break if touched by dark magic. I just hope it's still intact."
"Just hearing about them from someone knowledgeable is already chilling," Clara said with a shiver.
"I only read journals and listened to stories during my travels. I interpret things from my perspective. You could say it's just theory," Liorin replied with a slight smile and a shrug.
They walked in silence for a while, pondering the uncertainties of a future haunted by unseen threats. Lux moved ahead, stopping suddenly and staring in one direction. His ears perked. His fluffy tail flicked.
"There's something."
Liorin swiftly moved forward. Clara lowered her body and followed, weaving through the side of a large maple tree. From between the silhouettes of the trees, the sound of shouting and heavy footsteps echoed. The falling leaves were not stirred by the wind, but by the chaos.
They watched from the shadows.
Through the trunk of an old tree, they saw a Leonin girl battling a group of men. She was small and agile. Her blonde hair was tied into twin braids, flaring like waves of fire with every motion. Her violet eyes glowed, radiating sharpness and extraordinary confidence. Her frame was light, but her strikes were swift and full of power.
Each movement resembled a deadly dance—a kick to the chest, a punch to the cheek, and flashes of small magic from her iron gloves.
"She's struggling," Clara whispered.
Liorin didn't wait. He leapt forward, landing right in the midst of the skirmish. A magical sword materialized in his hand, then he hurled it toward a bandit who was about to stab from behind. The sword exploded softly on impact, flinging the man far back.
Clara raised her hand, murmuring a sleep spell. Lux lifted its tail high, releasing a soft orb of violet light from its body toward the last bandit. The man staggered before collapsing, unconscious.
Silence returned to the air.
The Leonin girl stood breathing heavily, still in a defensive stance. Her eyes watched them warily, full of questions.
Clara stepped forward and gave a small smile. "We mean no harm. We just... couldn't stand watching you surrounded like that."
The girl finally eased her shoulders. She took a deep breath, then nodded.
"Thank you..." Her voice remained cautious as she eyed them.
"I'm Clara. This is Liorin. And that's Lux," Clara said warmly, offering her hand in peace. She noticed a shallow wound on the girl's arm.
Lux merely stared, eyes half-narrowed, as if judging the girl from head to toe.
"Leonin?" Liorin murmured under his breath.
Clara heard it, but ignored it. Her eyes closed, and her lips moved in an inaudible incantation. Her right hand pressed gently against the girl's wound.
A soft blue light glowed from Clara's palm.
The girl felt a warm sensation flowing through the cut on her arm.
"There, I've healed your wound," Clara said gently, her tone calming the girl and removing any sense of threat.
"I... I'm Leona," the girl replied politely.
"What a lovely name!" Clara praised her, making Leona's heart slowly open up to them.
"Are you travelers?" Leona asked softly.
Clara simply nodded.
Upon hearing that, Leona's eyes lit up, as if she had been waiting for this moment.
"Can I come with you?"
Clara glanced at Liorin. He gave no words in reply, but his expression showed approval. Lux swayed its tail as though welcoming Leona to the journey.
"Of course!" Clara smiled warmly.
"Thank you again," Leona said, her voice full of gratitude.
They continued their journey, now with a new companion—Leona, the Leonin girl.
Liorin glanced at Clara. "This journey... feels like fate," he thought to himself.
Beneath the falling maple leaves, a new flame began to ignite—a flame of trust, and perhaps... the start of a new destiny.