The squad's boots crunched against the wild, uneven terrain as they entered the sprawling Songseeker Wilds. Towering trees reached high above them, their tangled branches casting flickering shadows over patches of vibrant moss and colorful flowers. The distant sound of rustling leaves and chirping songbirds filled the air, creating a serene yet untamed atmosphere. Velvet's eyes sparkled as they took in the scenery, their usual hyperactivity barely contained.
"This place feels alive," Leo remarked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he scanned the forest.
"Focus," Ubel reminded, ever the calm and calculating presence. "We have a mission here, remember?"
Their peaceful walk was abruptly interrupted by a man sprinting out of a nearby cave, his face twisted in panic. His tattered mining uniform was smeared with dirt and blood, and his breathing was ragged.
"Hey! Are you okay?" Kouneli called out, rushing to the man's side.
The miner's eyes darted between them, wild with fear. "You have to help... they're all gone... the fungus got them!"
Velvet frowned. "Fungus? What are you talking about?"
"We were a mining team sent to collect irithine ore," the man explained, gulping down air between sentences. "But one of the guys stumbled upon some kind of shrine deep in the cave. We tried communicating with it—stupid, I know—but then... the mudskipper fungus spread. They all got infected. I barely made it out alive."
Leo's eyes darkened. "Mudskippers? Great. Just what we needed."
"Stay here," Ubel commanded. "We'll handle this."
The squad ventured into the cave, the damp air clinging to their skin as they descended into darkness. Luminescent fungi glowed faintly on the walls, casting eerie green light across the slick stone surfaces.
"Spread out," Ubel ordered. "Stay alert."
Velvet ignited a spark in their palm, illuminating their surroundings. "Let's fry some fungus freaks."
It didn't take long for the mudskippers to emerge. Their grotesque forms, covered in pulsating fungal growths, slithered and skittered toward the squad with unsettling speed.
"Here they come!" Kouneli warned, his crimson aura flaring to life.
Velvet leaped into action, hurling a second-art Grand Javelin at the first mudskipper. The electrified spear crackled through the air, impaling the creature and sending arcs of electricity through its companions.
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Leo, ever the tactician, dashed forward with extreme precision. His blade carved through the fungal beasts, leaving gusts of wind in his wake.
Kouneli, determined to prove himself, unleashed Hardened Crimson. Blood manifested around him in jagged spikes, impaling the advancing mudskippers. The ground beneath them was slick with the remnants of their fungal foes.
The battle was chaotic but swift. In a matter of minutes, the cave was littered with the decaying remains of the mudskippers. The squad stood victorious, their breathing heavy.
"That was... disgusting," Velvet muttered, wiping slime off their arm.
The miner, who had cautiously followed them, emerged from the shadows, his face alight with gratitude. "You did it! Thank you so much!"
"All in a day's work," Leo said, sheathing his blade.
The miner's expression turned serious. "There's a village further ahead inside the cave, up a small road that leads to the mountains. You should visit it—they might have more information about the shrine and the thresher attacks."
They thanked the miner and made their way up the winding path. The air grew colder as they ascended, and soon they reached the summit, where a picturesque village sprawled before them. The village was bustling with life, its wooden houses adorned with vibrant banners and flowers. At the center stood a grand temple with intricate carvings and a towering statue visible even from a distance.
As they entered the village, a man with a warm smile approached them. "New arrivals, I see. Welcome to Ember Reach. I'm Kaelen, one of the elders here."
They exchanged greetings and explained their presence.
Kaelen's face lit up. "Ah, so you're here to help with the thresher problem. Lady Eris has already gone out to exterminate them, but we fear there may be too many for her to handle alone."
"We'll take care of it," Kouneli assured him.
Before they left, Kaelen gestured to the temple. "Would you like to see the temple? It's a place of great significance to our village."
The squad exchanged glances and agreed.
Inside the temple, they were greeted by the sight of a massive statue depicting a proud and fierce Tiran man with wild hair and blazing eyes. Flames seemed to dance around the edges of the statue, even though there was no fire present.
"That's our founder, the great Fire Sage Equal to Heaven—Amorus Pleektsy," Kaelen explained reverently. "He was once a student of Maestro Evengarde Rest himself before becoming a Black Diver full-time. He defended our village from countless threats and built this temple as a place of learning and worship."
Ubel raised an eyebrow. "Impressive."
Kaelen's tone grew more serious. "I was the one who contacted Maestro Evengarde. The surge in thresher attacks is beyond anything we've seen before. I'm worried about Lady Eris—she's strong, but if the number of threshers keeps growing..."
"We'll handle it," Ubel assured him.
As they left the temple, the scene shifted.
In a dark, secluded part of the Songseeker Wilds, shadows twisted and writhed. Three figures emerged from the darkness, their white cloaks catching faint beams of moonlight. The leader, a man with a scarred face and cold eyes, surveyed the area.
One of his subordinates spoke up. "Why are we here, boss? We usually get more information before a job."
The leader's voice was low and menacing. "This request came from a high-ranked individual. Only I am allowed to know the full details. Failure is not an option."
"And what's the target?" the third man asked.
The leader's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Kouneli Atsáli."