Riley wandered deeper into the forest, surrounded by towering, enchanted trees humming with ethereal life. He brushed his hand against a bark, and blue mana shimmered where his fingers touched. Every leaf, every root, every speck of dust seemed alive with energy.
The breeze carried a scent like lilac and pine. Shafts of light pierced the canopy, revealing dust motes that swirled like tiny galaxies. Riley took a deep breath.
"So this is Elyndra... This world breathes magic. It's practically leaking mana. Everywhere I look... it's like walking through a dream."
A sudden boom thundered in the distance. Birds scattered. A low, guttural roar echoed through the woods.
Riley's eyes snapped forward. "What the hell...?"
He turned his head slightly, scanning the distance. Another explosion followed, shaking the ground beneath him.
"That's not just a mana surge. Something's fighting."
Riley furrowed his brow, thinking. Maybe I can see what's happening from here... if I channel divine mana into my eyes, I might be able to extend my sight...
He closed his eyes. Deep breath.
He gathered divine energy, drawing it into himself like a steady tide. Slowly, he funneled it toward his temples, then his retinas, like feeding light into glass.
His pupils shimmered. His irises began to glow faintly with gold runes.
"Come on... work..."
Snap.
Suddenly, his vision stretched. It expanded outward, shooting forward through trees, over rocks, weaving between branches. He passed birds in flight, patches of thick foliage, clearings, and—
There it was.
A massive ogre, swinging a crude club as tall as a man, was ravaging a squad of armored knights.
Riley's eyes locked in.
The ogre roared, its greenish-black skin rippling with strength. The knights fought bravely, but they were being overwhelmed.
And then he saw them.
Two women stood at the front. Identical, yet different.
One glowed with light magic. Graceful, composed, her silver-blonde hair danced with every movement. Her sky-blue eyes narrowed in focus as she conjured shields and strategic spells. Even with scratches and dirt smudging her elegant battle gown, she stood tall, a symbol of duty and resolve. She exhaled calmly.
Aria.
Protective, graceful, and always thinking one step ahead. But behind her calm demeanor, her heart throbbed with yearning—for freedom, for love, for a world beyond her station.
The other—wild, fierce, explosive. Hair tied high with red-tipped strands whipping in the air. She danced between strikes, her blade flashing with defiant light. A smirk on her lips even as blood ran from a cut on her cheek.
Celia.
Blunt, brave, and burning with fire. Protective of her sister to a fault. She spoke before thinking, fought before hesitating, and never backed down.
Riley whispered, "They're twins... but they're polar opposites. Damn... they're strong."
But even as they fought valiantly, the ogre wasn't falling.
It slammed its club into the ground, sending two knights flying.
Riley sighed. "Guess I'm getting involved."
In a blur of light and wind, Riley vanished. The forest bent under the force of his acceleration. Trees rattled as he broke into Mach 5, leaving behind only a silent pulse of air.
Back at the battlefield:
Celia deflected a swing and launched off a rock, flipping mid-air. Her twin swords glinted as she slashed across the ogre's face. It roared.
"That all you got, big guy?!" she yelled, grinning.
"Celia! Focus!" Aria called, holding a shimmering barrier in place with trembling hands.
"I am focused," Celia replied, landing beside her. "Focused on kicking its teeth in."
"We can't win like this," Aria murmured. "We're running out of time... mana... everything."
"So what? We run?"
They locked eyes.
Celia, voice soft for once: "...We could survive."
Aria's lips tightened. She glanced at the fallen knights, bruised and unconscious. "But they won't."
They nodded together.
"Then we fight," Aria whispered.
The ogre charged.
"Sanctuary Shield!" Aria cried.
A wall of light shimmered into existence. The ogre's club slammed into it, sending shockwaves through the barrier.
Celia leapt off a nearby boulder. "Twin Fang Dance!"
Her blades became a blur, slicing at the ogre's legs and flanks.
The ogre howled and backhanded her. She flipped mid-air and landed in a skid.
"Royal Blinkstep!" She vanished and reappeared behind the ogre. Her blades struck deep into its back. "Crimson Flare!"
An explosion of red energy erupted from the impact.
The ogre roared in pain and turned to swing.
Aria chanted again. "Lumina Ray!"
A beam of searing white light shot from her hand, blinding the ogre. It staggered.
But it wasn't enough.
The ogre smashed into the ground. Knights flew. Trees cracked. Celia dove in front of Aria.
"Protective Rage!" Her aura flared red. She blocked the club mid-swing but was launched back into her sister's arms.
"You okay?" Aria gasped.
"I'm fine... tough, remember?"
The ogre raised its club again.
"Tactical Link!" Aria cast, tethering their minds.
This is it, they both thought.
Tears welled in Aria's eyes. "I love you."
Celia, barely smiling. "Yeah... me too."
"Sanctuary Shield x9!" Aria cried.
Nine layers formed. One by one, the ogre shattered them.
"I... I can't hold it much longer..." Aria's voice trembled. Her knees buckled.
The final barrier cracked.
This is it.
Then—
BOOOOM.
A light, blinding and pure, crashed down from the heavens.
White and gold burst outward. Trees bent. Wind howled. The ground rippled.
The ogre froze mid-swing.
The girls shielded their eyes.
A shockwave rippled outward in golden pulses, flattening everything within twenty feet.
When the light finally dimmed, they opened their eyes.
A tall man stood in front of them, one hand casually gripping the ogre's massive club.
He didn't budge. His jet-black and white hair swayed gently. His golden eyes glowed faintly.
Riley.
He looked over his shoulder.
"Hey, ugly," he said with a smirk. "Pick on someone your own size."
Celia's eyes widened. "Who the hell?!"
Aria, breath caught, whispered, "Is that… an angel?"
The ogre snarled, its enormous club still gripped tightly in Riley's hand. The beast grunted and pulled, struggling with all its might to reclaim its weapon—but Riley didn't even flinch.
He held the club effortlessly in one hand, like it weighed nothing more than a toothpick. In fact, he was only using one percent of his strength.
Riley turned toward the stunned twin sisters. "Are you girls alright?"
They continued to gape at him in utter disbelief. Celia, wide-eyed, yelled, "Who the hell are you?!"
Aria, barely whispering, asked, "Are you… are you an angel that the gods sent to save us?"
Riley opened his mouth to reply—
RRRAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHH!!!
The ogre interrupted with a deafening roar, slamming its foot in rage.
Riley turned his head lazily. "Rude. People are talking here."
He glanced back at the girls. "Hold on a second, I'll be right back."
He turned to the ogre with a mischievous grin. "Goodbye, ugly."
Flick.
With a casual snap of his fingers, the massive club shattered into wooden splinters. A concussive shockwave erupted from the sheer pressure of the break, slamming into the ogre like a divine sledgehammer.
The ogre flew backward—tumbling violently through trees, smashing boulders, ripping through a river, and finally embedding itself deep into the side of a mountain. The impact cracked the stone into a web of fractures, the ogre's massive form creating an imprint in the shape of its body.
Riley blinked. "...That was just 0.1% strength. Huh. Guess I should hold back even more next time."
Behind him, the sisters could only stare. Aria's mouth hung open. Celia's swords dropped.
"W-What… what did I just see…?" Aria stammered.
"That thing was wrecking us, and he just… flicked it?!" Celia shouted. "What kind of monster is he?!"
Riley turned and flashed them a casual smile. "Hi. I'm Riley Carter. Nice to meet you."
Celia pointed at him. "What kind of monstrous strength is that?! Are you using some kind of spell or muscle magic?!"
Riley laughed. "Nope. That's just me. Natural strength."
Their jaws dropped.
"That's natural?!" they said in unison.
A groan echoed nearby. The two sisters turned to see the seven knights they'd been protecting stirring on the ground, bruised and battered.
Aria gasped. "The knights! They're still alive... but they're in terrible shape."
"We have to help them," Celia added, frowning. "But how? The city's miles away, and we walked here…"
Riley stepped forward. "I can help."
Both girls stared at him suspiciously.
"How exactly?" Celia asked. "You planning to carry them one by one?"
Riley chuckled and walked past them, raising a hand. "Divine Healing!"
Seven glowing magic circles formed above each knight. Golden light rained down, washing over their broken bodies.
Their wounds began to close. Armor straightened. Color returned to their faces. They stirred awake.
The girls gasped.
"They're... they're being healed!" Aria cried.
"What kind of spell is that?! I've never seen magic like this!" Celia shouted.
The knights sat up slowly, blinking in confusion.
"My body… it doesn't hurt anymore…"
"I can stand!"
"What happened...?"
Riley nodded in satisfaction. "Good. All patched up."
He turned around and found the sisters still staring at him with wide eyes.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!" they both screamed.
Riley laughed. "I told you. I'm Riley. Just a wanderer helping out."
Celia clenched her fists. "That's not what I meant, idiot!"
Aria placed a calming hand on her sister's shoulder. Celia looked at her, then sighed and backed down.
Aria stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Riley. You saved our lives. And our men."
"Pfft. If he didn't show up, I would've taken that ogre down myself," Celia muttered, crossing her arms.
Aria sighed. "Celia. Be nice to the person who saved us."
Celia rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
Riley grinned. "You two are a fun pair. So, what's your name, Shinyshield?"
Aria blinked. "Shiny... shield?"
"Yeah. You've been throwing up those sparkling magic shields like a pro. 'Shinyshield' fits you."
A pink tint crept onto Aria's cheeks. "I—uh—I've never been called that before..."
Riley smiled. "So who are you really?"
Aria straightened her posture. "I am Princess Aria Eldoria of the Eldorian Empire."
Riley whistled. "Whoa. Never met a princess before. Maybe I should call you 'Princess Halo' instead."
Aria looked away, blushing even harder. "That's... very flattering..."
Riley turned to Celia. "And you? What's your name, Hothead?"
Celia's face turned red. "What did you just call me?!"
"Hothead. It's fitting, right?"
"I'll show you hot, you arrogant jerk!" Celia snapped.
Riley shrugged, still grinning. "Fine, fine. What's your name then?"
"Princess Celia Eldoria," she said sharply. "Her younger twin sister."
Riley raised an eyebrow, feigning shock. "You're a princess too? Then I should call you... 'Rage Princess.'"
Celia's eyes burned. "Who do you think you're talking to, idiot?!"
She dashed forward with her sword, leaping into the air.
"TAKE THIS!!!"
She swung—
Riley caught her blade between two fingers.
Her eyes widened. "Wh—What?!"
She lost balance and began to fall.
Riley caught her effortlessly.
"You okay, Princess Hothead?" he teased.
She blushed furiously. "Put me down!!!"
He gently lowered her to her feet. She turned away quickly, stomping back to Aria, huffing and puffing.
Riley laughed. "Yup. Definitely Rage Princess."
Celia stomped toward Riley, cheeks still tinged red, and shouted, "Not funny!!!"
Riley raised his hands in surrender, grinning. "Alright, alright! I get it—sorry, Miss Princess Hothead."
Celia's eye twitched. She opened her mouth, clearly about to fire back something fierce—
But Aria gently stepped in. "Celia, calm down. He's just teasing you."
Celia crossed her arms with a deep sigh. "Whatever."
Riley looked to Aria, his tone softening. "So what are you two doing out here anyway?"
Aria composed herself, returning to her graceful, responsible tone. "We received a message from a nearby village. They were attacked by a dungeon-born monster that escaped from the mountain."
Riley's brow lifted. "And... two royal princesses just casually ran out into monster territory?"
Aria nodded firmly. "As royalty, it is our duty to protect our citizens. If we stand by and do nothing, what good is our title?"
Riley blinked in surprise. "...Huh."
Celia tilted her head. "What's with your stupid face?"
"It's just surprising," Riley said honestly.
"Jerk."
"No, really. I mean... royalty helping their people out of kindness? I always thought nobles and royals were all selfish and corrupt."
Aria giggled softly. "You're not wrong. Many are. But not all of us."
Riley smiled. "Well, then. That's good to know."
Aria's cheeks warmed just a bit.
Celia huffed. "Anyway, we came here to beat that ogre and help the village—"
Riley cut in with a cocky smirk. "—and then I came and saved your royal butts."
Celia's eyebrow twitched again. I want to punch him so bad, she thought.
Aria rested a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Calm down, little sister."
Celia turned away, muttering under her breath and huffing dramatically.
Aria returned her gaze to Riley. "You saved our lives. Our father—the Emperor—will want to thank you personally. You deserve a reward and proper recognition."
Riley paused to think, then saw the gentle, hopeful smile on Aria's face. He couldn't help but smile back.
"Sure. Let's go see your father."
Aria beamed. "Thank you. We should return to the capital now."
The knights, now fully recovered and gathered in formation, saluted. "Yes, Princess."
Celia groaned. "Do we have to, sister?!"
Aria gave her a look. "Yes. He saved us, remember? He deserves this."
Riley chuckled. "Sorry, Princess Hothead."
"Why you—!JERK!" Celia screamed, dashing toward him.
Just as she was about to punch him, Riley vanished from his spot in a blink of divine speed. Celia gasped, her momentum throwing her off balance.
She tumbled forward—but didn't hit the ground.
Strong arms caught her.
Celia blinked and looked up—right into Riley's warm, teasing smile.
"You okay, Princess Hothead?"
Her face turned crimson. "Ugh—put me down!"
He lowered her gently. She turned away with her usual huff and puff routine, storming back toward her sister while secretly glancing back.
Aria giggled behind her hand. "Alright, Riley. Let's head home. Come with us."
Riley laughed. "Alright then. Let's go."
To be continued...