The forest of Abythralis suddenly trembled. From between the trees, massive roots slithered out, followed by the towering body of a creature that looked like a living tree. Its eyes burned like crimson hollows, and from its wooden maw poured black miasma, swirling thickly into the air.
"A tree monster…!" one knight shouted.
Zenorius raised his blade high.
"Prepare yourselves! Do not let the miasma claim your minds! Fight with your prayers to Tuthar!"
The elite knights bowed their heads for a heartbeat, their voices rising in low unison.
"O God Tuthar, grant us certainty in the death of the enemy before us…"
A dim radiance spread along their swords—an ominous, dark light flowing across the steel like a curse given form.
Aquilla's eyes widened in awe.
That… that's divine blessing? Their swords… it's as if they carry death itself.
The monster roared, swinging its colossal arms like giant branches. The earth split open, branches and debris scattering in every direction.
Zenorius charged forward.
"Delta formation! I'll hold the line!"
With a single swing, his greatsword tore through the air. A deafening crash rang out as steel clashed against wood. One of the monster's limbs snapped in two, splinters scattering like shrapnel.
"Incredible, Commander!" a knight exclaimed.
Aquilla clenched his teeth.
I can't just stand here in awe. I'm part of this mission too!
A smaller creature—an animated root—sprang at him. Aquilla roared, drawing his blade.
"Out of my way!"
He cut it down with a fierce slash, its body splitting apart.
But more followed, crawling from the ground in swarms. Aquilla swung again and again, sweat pouring down his face.
How far can I go relying only on brute strength…?
At the front, Zenorius matched the monster blow for blow, his sword colliding with branches harder than steel.
"Haaah!"
With a counterstrike, he carved a deep wound into the creature's trunk.
The other elites fought beside him, cutting down the roots that threatened to bind their legs.
"With the blessing of Tuthar—we seal your death!"
Each stroke of their black-lit blades severed the writhing limbs with unerring precision.
Aquilla watched, his chest tight.
Their strikes… they don't falter. Their blades move as if they already know the enemy will die. Is that what 'certainty' means?
The monster howled, belching out thicker clouds of miasma. Whispers pierced Aquilla's ears.
"…Aquilla… come home… die with us…"
His body wavered, knees nearly buckling—but he shook his head violently.
"No! I won't fall for these cheap illusions!"
He lunged forward, stabbing through a root that was about to entangle another knight.
"Wake up! Don't let the miasma swallow you!"
The knight flinched, then nodded quickly.
"T-Thank you, Aquilla!"
Zenorius glanced back briefly, his expression calm despite the crushing blows he bore.
"Not bad, young one. Don't lose focus."
Aquilla's chest heaved, but his eyes burned with resolve.
Yes… I can fight too! Even if it's small, I can hold my ground here!
The monster reared back, roots erupting from the ground, threatening to engulf the entire formation.
Zenorius bellowed.
"Now! Strike its heart inside the trunk!"
Two elite knights leapt forward, their blades blazing with Tuthar's aura. They drove their swords into the creature's chest—dark light exploding outward as the monster's scream shook the forest.
Aquilla dashed in beside them, shouting with all his strength.
"This is our chance!"
Pouring every ounce of power into his swing, he cut through one of the massive roots that held the beast upright. His blade nearly snapped, but the root split apart.
The monster staggered violently. Zenorius's aura flared brighter than ever as he raised his greatsword.
"In the name of Tuthar—I seal your death!"
One final slash. A line of black light ripped through the trunk, cleaving it from crown to root. The creature split apart, its miasma exploding skyward before dissolving into nothing.
The knights collapsed to their knees, gasping for air—then raised their voices in triumph.
"We did it!"
Aquilla sank to the ground, his sword trembling in his hands, its edge caked in black blood and splinters.
"…I… I'm still alive…"
Zenorius planted his sword into the earth, chest rising and falling heavily. Then he turned toward Aquilla.
"Well done, young one. You didn't just survive—you protected your comrades."
Aquilla bowed his head, cheeks burning red.
"T-Thank you, Commander… I just… didn't want to be a burden."
For the first time, Zenorius allowed a faint smile to show.
"You've already surpassed that."
Aquilla looked at the monster's ruined husk, then beyond—to the shadow of the black tower still looming in the distance through the trees.
That tower… I have to see it closer. One day… I will reach it.
Zenorius lifted his hand.
"Do not grow complacent. Our objective was observation. We withdraw before this forest spawns more creatures."
"Yes, Commander!" the knights answered in unison.
Aquilla gripped his sword tightly. His body still trembled from the battle with the tree monster. But suddenly, his vision went dark.
A shadow appeared—a massive bear, its fur pitch-black, its eyes glowing crimson. Its jaws gaped wide, and in an instant he saw himself torn apart, his body crushed, blood pouring endlessly.
Aquilla gasped.
What… was that? A miasma illusion? No… it felt too real. I… died…?
Cold sweat trickled down his temple. His breathing grew heavy.
"Your face is pale." A knight patted his shoulder.
"Are you all right?"
Aquilla clenched his teeth.
This isn't just a dream. That bear… it's coming. Any moment now.
As the group began to turn back to leave the forest, a rustling sound came from the right. All the knights looked that way.
But Aquilla turned left.
No. Over here! I've already seen it!
And he was right—a colossal bear burst forth, the ground quaking, trees collapsing in its wake.
"Stay sharp!" Aquilla shouted, leaping forward.
His sword pierced the beast's eye. Black blood sprayed as the monster roared in agony, its massive body toppling.
Zenorius immediately raised his blade.
"Defensive formation! Bring it down!"
The elite knights charged, their swords glowing with the blessing of Tuthar. Blow after blow rained upon the beast's body.
Aquilla panted, but his mind remained sharp.
I've already seen all of this. Every movement, every formation. If I take the wrong step, I'll die just like in that vision. I have to fight—no matter what.
The bear rose again, its claws slicing through the air. Trees shattered. One knight was hurled away, his blood staining the soil.
Aquilla rushed in, slashing the beast's side, leaving only a shallow wound.
Not enough…! A scratch like this won't bring it down!
The monster bellowed, swinging its claw toward him.
"Fall back, Aquilla!" Zenorius roared.
Aquilla held his breath.
No. If I retreat now… I'll die. Exactly as in that vision. I… can't run.
He raised his sword, blocking the colossal claw that dwarfed his body. The ground shook beneath his feet.
"Ughhh…! I won't die here!"
Then, a voice echoed in his ears. Gentle, yet brimming with power.
"Rise, young knight. I shall bless you with the strength of the night."
Aquilla's eyes widened.
That voice… who…?
His sword glowed with a cool blue light, like the radiance of the moon. A chilling, tranquil aura coursed through his body.
"Wh-what is that…?" a knight stammered.
Zenorius froze, his eyes widening.
That blue light… it isn't the god Tuthar. That's… the goddess Risvela…?
With a roar, Aquilla pushed the beast's claw aside.
"Aaaaaahhh!"
His blade carved a crescent moon's shadow, cleaving clean through the bear's arm. Black blood erupted as the monster howled, its voice shaking the forest.
Aquilla's eyes blazed with fury.
"This ends now!"
He dashed along the beast's body, his blade flashing. In a single strike, the monster's head was severed, crashing heavily to the ground.
Silence blanketed the forest. Only the knights' ragged breathing remained.
"He… killed it…" one knight whispered.
"That wasn't the power of Tuthar… that was the light of the goddess Risvela…"
Zenorius planted his sword into the earth, his voice low.
"The blessing of the Star Maiden… impossible… An ordinary knight, chosen by Risvela?"
Aquilla stood there, breathless, his sword still glowing blue. He stared at his trembling hand.
I… was blessed by a goddess? I defied my own death… I'm still alive.
One knight approached, awe and fear on his face.
"Aquilla… you… you were truly chosen by Risvela…"
Whispers spread through the ranks.
"Risvela… the Goddess of Night…"
"That young man… was chosen by the goddess…"
Aquilla lifted his gaze, staring at the sky hidden by the forest canopy.
That voice… the goddess who blessed me. But why me? I'm just an ordinary knight… There's no reason I should be chosen.
Zenorius stepped closer, his sharp eyes filled with questions.
"Aquilla. Do you realize what just happened?"
Aquilla lowered his head, clutching his sword as its glow faded.
"…I only know one thing. I don't want to die. I refuse the fate of my death."
Zenorius studied him for a long moment, then gave a faint smile.
"Then you've proven yourself. Not just as a knight, but as one worthy of divine grace. Risvela does not choose without reason."
Aquilla fell silent.
I… only wanted to survive…
"Enough," Zenorius commanded, raising his hand. "We must leave this forest. This battle has already announced our presence. More monsters may come."
"Yes, Commander!" the knights responded in unison.
Aquilla glanced down at the ground, then at his sword, now ordinary once more.
Goddess Risvela… is this the beginning of the path you've set for me?
He exhaled deeply, then rejoined the formation. Their steps carried them back toward the forest's edge, leaving behind the corpse of the giant bear.
But within Aquilla's heart, something new had awakened. The realization that he… had been touched by the hand of a goddess.