It seems this world takes offense to our existence, outsiders as we are. Luckily the companions I have been gifted are capable of dealing with the threat, to some extent at least. The suited one who calls herself Astronaut swiftly grabs one of the things out of the sky, opening the fight.

If these things had any strategy it is abandoned now, as they now fly towards the nearest target they can find.

One goes for the Recluse, leaving a total of four in the air. These ones split up further as two dive towards the Refugee and the spider, one goes for the Shepherd and one heads for me.

I suppose it was a good life, while it lasted.

As the Recluse dodges the beast flinging itself at him, I momentarily entertain the idea of doing the same thing. I chuckle to myself; That's not happening.

I suppose choosing the Reborn as my name would be tempting fate a little.

The creature sweeps forward, maw wide open with menacing sharp hooked tentacles protruding from it. I go into my death with a smile.

Or at least, that was my intention. What happens instead is that at the last moment I raise my arm in a quick sweeping gesture, my fingers dance and something inside of me flows out into the world. A translucent orb of blue light appears around the thing in front of me.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

I suppose some of the magics my predecessor had access to still linger inside my subconscious. Fascinating. Yet it doesn't shake anything loose at all; That's good I suppose because I don't have time right now.

Both the Shepherd and the Recluse are still fighting their attackers, with the Astronaut running over to the Recluse to help. The spider has flattened one of the two creatures that went for it and the Refugee, the other one is latched onto its carapace, leaving scratches on its surface; Something the spider is not enjoying as its scrabbling with many legs to get the creature off it.

The poor Refugee meanwhile, is sitting in the corner, attempting not to get hit by the flailing legs.

I rush towards the Shepherd, who is bleeding from many shallow cuts, when he grabs onto the teeth of the beast. With a strangled squawk from the creature, he begins punching the ground with his arm in its maw. All the while he is letting out a warcry as he bludgeons the beast.

I stare only for a moment before I turn to look who else needs help.

The answer is the Knight, her defense is valiant, but the mass of beasts beyond the stairs are harrowing her and far more numerous than any of us can deal with. If I can even call on the magic I hold…

I look back at the Refugee and whisper a prediction before I shout to him.

"Refugee! Go to the rings and touch them, you'll know what to do!"

The boy looks back at me, fear plainly written across his face, and goes from a huddled position to a sprint to the statue with the rings.

A moment after he touches the rings he begins shouting things and the world changes.