The serpent-beast's roar split the night sky as it clashed with Rihan again and again. Each impact sent sparks flying, steel grinding against scales harder than iron. Elira's arrows struck deep, but the monster barely flinched. Kael hacked at its legs, his greatsword carving furrows into its hide, yet the beast's violet glow only grew stronger.
"Damn it!" Kael spat, barely dodging a tail swing that sent two soldiers flying. "This thing won't die!"
Rihan gritted his teeth, his fire blazing. "Then we'll make it."
But just as the serpent reared back for a killing strike, a different sound cut through the chaos — a low hum, sharp as a blade being unsheathed.
---
⚔️ The Arrival
A streak of silver light shot across the battlefield. In a single motion, the serpent's left eye burst into smoke and blood. The beast shrieked, thrashing violently.
From the shadows stepped a lone figure — a young woman clad in dark silver armor, her cloak torn but regal. Her long raven hair whipped in the wind, and in her hands gleamed a weapon unlike any Rihan had ever seen — a slender blade carved with runes that pulsed like living veins of moonlight.
She moved like water, swift and graceful. With each slash, she carved glowing marks into the serpent's scales, forcing the monster back.
Rihan froze, watching her movements. She fights like she's… dancing.
Elira's eyes widened in recognition.
"No… it can't be…"
---
🌌 The Moonblade Knight
The woman landed lightly on her feet, her blade dripping with shadow ichor. She spoke, her voice steady, carrying over the chaos:
"You idiots swing your swords like lumberjacks. Step aside before you all die."
Kael bristled, but Elira stepped forward. "Sirena?"
The warrior's sharp gaze softened for a moment. "…Elira."
Rihan blinked between them. "You two know each other?"
Elira nodded slowly, lowering her bow. "This is Sirena Veyra — once the youngest knight-captain of the Moonblade Order. She vanished years ago after the Eclipse War…"
Sirena's eyes flickered toward Rihan, narrowing slightly. "So this is the so-called Flame's Champion."
Her tone was unreadable — not reverence, not hostility, but something in between.
---
🔥 The Final Strike
The serpent roared again, slamming its claws into the ground. Sirena didn't hesitate. She raised her blade high, runes glowing bright silver.
"Moonlight Severance!"
Her strike tore through the air like a falling star. It cleaved the serpent's chest open in a single arc, slicing clean through the sigil etched in its body. The beast froze, a final screech ripping from its throat before it collapsed into ash.
Silence fell across the battlefield. Only the crackle of Rihan's fading flames and the soldiers' heavy breaths remained.
---
🍃 The Aftermath
For a long moment, no one moved. Then cheers erupted from the vanguard. Soldiers clapped each other's backs, some even bowing toward Sirena in awe.
Rihan, however, couldn't tear his eyes off her. "You… killed it in one strike."
Sirena sheathed her glowing blade with a smooth motion. "Not one strike. Just the right strike. Something you don't yet understand."
Her words cut sharper than her sword. Rihan clenched his fists, a flicker of frustration burning in his chest.
Kael grumbled, "Tch, great. Another knight with a stick up her—"
Elira shot him a glare before turning back to Sirena. "Why are you here? You disappeared after the war. Everyone thought you were dead."
Sirena's expression hardened, shadows crossing her eyes. "Because death would have been easier. The cult hunts anyone who still carries the old sigils. I've been… surviving."
She looked at Rihan again, her gaze heavy. "But if the Champion truly walks among us, then Draemir's generals will no longer wait. They'll come for you — and everyone near you."
---
🌑 A New Path
As the camp settled, Elira tended to the wounded while Kael barked orders at soldiers to resecure the perimeter. Rihan sat by the dying embers of the fire, staring at his hands still trembling from the battle.
Sirena sat across from him, silent. For a moment, neither spoke. Then she asked quietly:
"When you struck the beast… did you hear it?"
Rihan's head snapped up. "Hear what?"
She met his gaze, eyes sharp.
"The voice. Draemir whispers through his beasts. If you heard him, then you're already bound deeper than you realize."
Rihan's blood ran cold. He remembered the tug — the dark temptation calling from within the serpent's roar.
"…I heard something."
Sirena closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. "Then the path ahead will be darker than you know."
---
🌌 End Scene
Far in the distance, Lyra's cultists watched from the shadows, hidden beyond the treeline. One knelt before her image, whispering:
"The Moonblade Knight has returned."
Lyra's voice purred from the void.
"Good. Then the game becomes interesting."