Several questions bounced through her mind as she darted through the thick forest. What was causing this foul stench? Why were her people screaming? Was this an attack by a foreign nation? Or perhaps those two escaped from their cell and were now seeking vengeance? What about that trio. Did the cave’s collapse truly finish them off?

The overwhelming odor assaulted her senses, clawed at her throat and made her stomach churn, resulting in her inability to nail an answer to any of those questions. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for an ordinary person. Unfortunately, Arboria was far from ordinary.

After leaping over the large stone walls cycling the village and rushing to its center, she was left motionless from the sight before her. Gutted buildings, flames raging from the earth, as well as frenzied women screaming for their lives.

(Who did all of this?! …Was it the Panda from before? No, I doubt it. These flames aren’t as hot, and that girl wouldn’t harm innocent civilians. She’s not the type.)

Scanning the area around her, Arboria spotted a trail the monster seemed to leave with each step. That being large clumps of burning flesh -the origin of this foul stench.

Having a closer look, she took note of the strange creature’s features. Its skin was charred and blackened, flickering with hungry flames that illuminated the chaos around it. It also seemed to be regenerating a bit, the charred remnants of its body knitting themselves back together in a sickening display of resilience.

(Rather of using the power of fire, it’s like this creature is on fire.)

As much as Arboria would rather think the situation over, there was no time. Her Amazonian women, usually fierce and unyielding, were thrown into a frenzy of fear, their screams and cries echoing off the stone walls around their homes. Without a doubt she had to act now.

The strange creature finally halted, and the flames that howled at them began to dwindle, revealing their form beneath. What was thought to be some kind of centaur-like charred creature was in truth a man teetering precariously atop a horse. To be specific, it was Tenshi struggling to maintain his seat atop Pegasus.

For context, Akuma had asked him to find Aamil and hop on Pegasus without her permission. What he failed to mention, however, was the bolt of lightning would strike down on him the moment he did. Which then resulted in the two catching ablaze.

Now typically, a lightning bolt might singe clothing and scorch skin, but for someone to roast like this? Not to mention Pegasus seeming just fine despite being aflame a moment ago… Clearly both the lightning and the horse were far from ordinary.

“Damn. You really don’t like me, huh?” Tenshi commented, finally hopping off Pegasus. Actually, he wanted to get off long before now, but he wasn’t one to quit. He just couldn’t leave until Pegasus gave up and accepted him. And now that it had, he was clear to go, a feeling of achievement crossing his expression.

Aamil, who’d finally caught up to the two, gasped for breath while exclaiming, “Pegasus! Give him… back… you barbarian!”

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Shibo, who followed closely after her, didn’t seem tired in the slightest. They practically ran across the entire village, but with how calm his expression was, you’d have your doubts.

“Relax. I got what I wanted, so he’s all yours…” Tenshi replied with a mischievous wink. “…Besides, I can smell someone strong coming.”

“Huh? …Who?” Shibo questioned.

*Boom!

Following the sound of something heavy landing beside them, a cloud of dust erupted. Aamil, who was already gasping for breath, almost chocked as it past her. Soon, the image of a small girl could be seen. Her robes were practically in shreds and her hair had grown dirty, looking almost unkept. But what drew the three’s attention was her eyes that burned with fury as well as the intense aura radiating from her.

“Speak of the devil.” Tenshi remarked with excitement.

Aamil started to sweat profusely. She’d rushed Shibo from the dungeon floor, intent on confronting the chief for answers -even prepared to use force if necessary. But as she met the chief’s fierce gaze, her determination crumbled, leaving her weak and collapsing to her knees. Even the nearby villagers recoiled in fear. Only Shibo and Tenshi remained unfazed.

“You two might want to hang back.” Tenshi cautioned.

But Shibo retorted with unexpected resolve, “No can do.”

The shift in his demeanor startled Tenshi, who was puzzled by Shibo’s insistence. He took him for a more “run away at the first sight of danger” kind of guy.

“She looks just like someone I know. Not to mention the bottom that dungeon. Sorry Tenshi, but this is one fight I can’t run from.” Shibo declared, prompting a flicker of confusion in Tenshi’s eyes. With his keen ability to sense someone’s fighting capabilities, he couldn’t fathom why Shibo would pursue this confrontation.

“Can I ask you something?” Tenshi probed, intrigued by Shibo's resolve. “I can tell you plan on forcing these answers out of her, but tell me… Do you really have the strength to accomplish that?”

A heavy silence filled the air as Shibo's frustration manifested in a clenched fist.

“I don’t… But it’s something I have to do… So please, just let me try.”

Tenshi's expression softened as he realized he had misjudged Shibo.

“Sorry… I didn’t know someone like you was on our ship. I took you for a different type of guy, and for that, I apologize…”

He walked over to Shibo so that they could speak eye to eye.

“…Let’s start over. I’m Tenshi Tiryns. You said your name was Shibo, right?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Alright then, Shibo…” Tenshi went, a warm smile breaking across his face. “…It’d be one thing if you were just some random person, but when it comes to those I respect, I prefer not to take their kill. Still, I can’t stop myself from wanting to fight that girl over there -I can just sense she’s tuff...”

Tenshi bumped his fist against Shibo’s chest as he walked past him.

“You’ve got ten minutes to get those answers. I won’t let anyone interfere during that time. If you end up dead, you’ll have to accept that as the price of your stupidity… But if you succeed, I want you to accept my help as a sign of respect for that stupidity. We got a deal?”

(This feeling washing over me…) Shibo thought, reminiscing about Palola and Nana. (…It’s so warm and light. But heavy at the same time…)

A distinct memory of his time with Palola flashed across mind. He’d complained about Akuma and Tenshi calling him jellybean and treating him as a joke.

“…Thank you, Tenshi.”

“Of course… Shibo.”

Tenshi took a seat next to Aamil and grabbed her shoulder to comfort her.

“Alright you monster!” Shibo bellowed as he charged Arboria. “You’re going to tell me everything about your connection to Palola!”