The forest of Threnafell...
Claire was being hunted. Three Scarlets chased her deeper into the dark, misty forest of Threnafell, their massive forms moving with terrifying speed. She rode as fast as she could, heart pounding, but the dragons were relentless gaining on her with every breath.
"They're too fast," Claire gasped, realizing she wouldn't be able to outrun them.
A fourth Scarlet suddenly appeared in front of her, slashing through the air with a monstrous claw. Her horse never stood a chance. The beast was cleaved in two, but Claire barely managed to throw herself off in time. She hit the ground hard, rolling onto her back before springing up with trained reflexes. In a flash, she unsheathed her sword, eyes locked on the approaching enemy.
"HIMMLISCHER BRUSTPANZER!" Claire roared, gripping her sword with both hands.
The spell—her own original creation—surged through her body, enveloping her in a mystical blue armor that enhanced her physical abilities and provided near-unbreakable resistance. She assumed a defensive stance, blade poised, ready to strike the first Scarlet that dared to attack.
"What are you waiting for, you bastards?" she shouted, daring them to come.
She was so focused on the dragons in front of her that she didn't notice the one creeping behind. It lunged at her, jaws wide open to devour her whole. Just in time, Claire spun, slashing upward—her blade cutting through its upper jaw, forcing it back with a pained shriek.
"Damn you," Claire growled.
The other Scarlets took that as their signal to attack, swarming toward her. She barely dodged their onslaught, slicing through another one's neck in the process. But the numbers were against her. She needed to escape.
"Where are you...?" she muttered under her breath as she ran, pushing her body to its limits. The spell coursing through her veins made her faster than any human, but even so, she could feel the Scarlets closing in.
Then she saw it—a massive red spiral glowing in the sky. Claire skidded to a halt, eyes wide.
"What the hell…?"
Before she could even begin to understand what she was looking at, a Scarlet lunged at her from the shadows. She barely dodged, but it was too fast. She tried to counter with a strike, only for its massive tail to smash into her side, sending her flying. Claire crashed through several trees before slamming into the ground.
The Scarlets roared as they descended upon her.
And then—an explosive arrow of pure energy struck them, sending three of the dragons tumbling away. Claire's breath hitched as she turned toward the source of the attack.
"Margott, what are you doing here?" she gasped.
The young warrior sat astride her horse, bow still raised. She reached out a hand.
"I should be asking you the same thing! Now get on, quick!" Margott called.
Claire glanced back. The Scarlets were already recovering. Without hesitation, she grabbed Margott's hand and leaped onto the horse. They took off at full speed, but the dragons weren't done yet.
MEANWHILE, IN AVERFORD...
Queen Fiora Windham and her daughter, Sonia, walked through the halls of their chambers, engaged in quiet conversation. But then, from the corner of her eye, Sonia saw something through a window, something impossible to miss.
"Mother, look at that!" she exclaimed, pointing.
Fiora turned, and the moment her eyes landed on the giant crimson spiral above Threnafell, her breath caught. She stood frozen, staring at the ominous symbol in the sky.
"Mother? What's wrong?" Sonia asked, concern creeping into her voice. But Fiora didn't respond.
"Mother!!" Sonia shouted, shaking her arm.
The Queen blinked, snapping out of her trance. She turned to her daughter, but Sonia recoiled at the sheer fear in her mother's expression.
"What is happening in Threnafell?!" Sonia demanded.
"Stay here, Sonia. I must go—now!" Fiora declared, pulling her daughter into a quick embrace before bolting down the corridor.
"ELIAS! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Fiora's voice echoed through the palace halls.
She searched frantically, her urgency undeniable. But before Elias could answer, another figure arrived, Liliam Bright Windham, the First Princess of Averford.
"What's going on? Why all the shouting?" Liliam asked as she entered the throne hall.
"Where is Elias? I need him immediately!" Fiora demanded, barely acknowledging Liliam's presence.
"What's happening?" Liliam pressed, starting to share the Queen's worry.
At that moment, Elias sprinted into the room, panting. "My Queen! What's the matter?" he asked between ragged breaths.
"Prepare Legion A! We march for Threnafell at once!" Fiora ordered.
Elias and Liliam both stared at her in shock.
"What happened?!" Elias asked, struggling to comprehend the sudden urgency.
Fiora stormed toward one of the great hall's massive windows, its view obscured by thick curtains. Without hesitation, she grabbed the fabric and tore it down, revealing the colossal crimson spiral looming in the distance.
"ROTES SCHICKSAL?!" Elias and Liliam gasped in unison.
"Montecristo and the recruits are under attack. We have no time to waste!" Fiora declared.
"My son is there. I'm coming with you," Liliam said firmly, already dressed in her armor from earlier training.
"Prepare the Arcane Gate!" Fiora commanded, summoning her silver spear, its moonlight-blue blade gleaming ominously.
Across the kingdom, countless citizens had already noticed the unnatural signal in the sky. Whispers of dread spread through the streets, and among them, the parents of young recruits clutched one another in silent fear.
"Our boys..." one father whispered, holding his crying wife close.
BACK IN THRENAFELL...
Claire and Margott rode through the dense woods, but they had no idea where they were—or where they were going.
"Where exactly are we headed?!" Claire shouted over the wind.
"No idea! Just keep moving!" Margott yelled back, scanning the trees for any sign of movement.
"I'm not leaving without my brother!" Claire declared, her voice sharp with determination.
"And I'm not leaving without him either! I refuse to lose my boyfriend!" Margott shot back.
Claire gave her a deadpan look. "You and your damn romance."
Before Margott could retort, a blood-covered horse sprinted past them, riderless and terrified.
"That's Marth's horse!!" Claire shouted.
Margott's face darkened. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
Determined, they pursued the horse, knowing it would lead them straight to the truth—no matter how horrifying it might be.
They push through many bushes but manage to catch up. Claire prepares to jump and grab the reins of the runaway horse.
"Be careful, Claire!!" Margott warned, as the horse was too nervous and frightened.
"Don't worry, I've done this before—just not with a runaway horse!!" Claire exclaimed. She picked the right moment and swiftly leaped onto the horse. However, the animal, sensing her presence, began to buck wildly, trying to throw her off. Claire clung tightly to its mane and struggled to grab the reins.
"Claire!!" Margott shouted. Claire managed to seize the reins.
"Falscher Wille!!" Claire chanted, and the horse immediately calmed down. She stroked its neck, but when she looked at her hand, it was stained with fresh blood.
"The blood is fresh—they must be close!!" Claire exclaimed.
"Then they're not far. We must find them and get out of here now!!" Margott said. Just then, a pair of massive explosions erupted in the distance, giving them a clear direction. Without hesitation, they raced toward the source.
The girls rode at full speed, but suddenly, three Scarlets ambushed them, attacking with their signature blue fire. In a swift motion, both girls used their cloaks to shield themselves, but the danger was far from over—a fourth dragon charged at them, sending them and their horses flying, leaving them with no chance of escape.
"Claire, get ready!!" Margott shouted. Both girls quickly got back on their feet. Claire drew her sword, and Margott readied her bow. The battle was about to begin, and as steel met fire, the forest of Threnafell prepared to echo with fury once more.
TO BE CONTINUED...