There was an odd nervousness that Adrian felt as he stopped in front of Marcus and Anisa's house. He glanced at Kael and Galtier beside him. I hope Anisa will accept these two.

“Mind explaining what we are doing here again?” Kael asked.

Adrian hesitated, shuffling his feet before blurting out, “My, uh, mom wants to meet you guys first. She said I’m not allowed to go anywhere with my adventuring party unless she approves.”

Kael snorted, folding his arms. “Seriously? Your mom has to give us the thumbs-up before you can go adventuring? What’s next, she’s gonna pack us all lunch?”

Heat crawled up Adrian’s face as he opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, Galtier spoke up. “It’s a reasonable request. Parents worry, especially about someone so young.”

Adrian blinked up at him, momentarily stunned. “Huh, thanks, Galtier,” he muttered. Didn't expect that, but I'll take it.

He squared his shoulders and then knocked at the door. “Anisa! I’m back! And I brought... friends.” The word felt strange on his tongue, but he hoped it sounded natural.

Behind him, Kael grinned mischievously, leaning closer. “Friends, huh? Guess that makes me your best friend now.”

Adrian didn’t look back, but his ears burned. “Just… don’t say anything weird, okay?”

The door soon creaked open as Anisa appeared, her expression brightening as her gaze landed on Adrian. “There you are,” she said with a smile, but the words caught slightly in her throat as her eyes drifted to Galtier.

She froze, hand tightening on the edge of the door frame as her eyes traveled over his imposing black armor. Her breath hitched as unease broke through her otherwise calm demeanor.

Adrian caught the hesitation and winced. Oh boy, here we go.

Kael, didn’t seem to catch the tension, or chose to ignore it entirely. He stepped forward with a broad grin. “Hi there! I’m Kael. You must be Adrian’s mom, huh?"

Anisa blinked, her focus shifting to the boy. “Oh, um, hello." She cleared her throat, forcing a smile. “You must be... one of Adrian’s friends?”

Kael puffed his chest out. “More than that! I’m his partner. Well, one of them,” he added, gesturing casually toward Galtier. “We’re his adventuring party.”

Her gaze lingered on Kael for a moment before sliding warily back to the armored figure. “I… see."

Adrian straightened up despite the nervous energy pulsing through him. “Anisa, this is Kael,” he said, gesturing toward the blindfolded boy, “and this is Galtier.” He motioned to the knight. “They’re my party. You said I needed one if I was going to go adventuring, so... here they are.”

Galtier took a step forward and inclined his head slightly in a gesture of respect. “Anisa, it is an honor to meet you. Adrian has spoken highly of you.”

Anisa’s eyes widened at the unexpected courtesy. She hesitated, her gaze flickering to Adrian, then back to Galtier. After a moment, she extended her hand. “Thank you… Sir Galtier, I appreciate you looking out for him.”

Galtier took her hand carefully, as though mindful of his strength. His grip was firm but not overbearing. “It is my duty as his companion,” he replied simply, releasing her hand after a brief shake. "And no need to call me Sir, just Galtier is fine."

Anisa pulled back as she studied the two of them. Then, with a slight nod, she looked down at Adrian. “Could I speak with you for a moment? Alone?”

Kael shrugged, unfazed. “Sure, I’ll wait out here. It’s not like I have anything better to do.” He stretched his arms lazily and wandered a few paces away, humming to himself.

Galtier gave a single nod. “Take your time,” he said, stepping back to stand by Kael.

"Thank you two kindly."

Then, Anisa placed a hand lightly on Adrian’s shoulder and guided him inside, closing the door behind them. The soft click of the latch felt heavier than usual, and Adrian braced himself as they stepped into the house.

She turned to him, her expression softening slightly, though her brows remained furrowed. “Adrian, what are you thinking?”

He glanced away, shuffling his feet. “I brought you a party, just like you asked.”

“Another boy and... him, aren’t exactly what I had in mind.”

“Hear me out, Kael’s the guildmaster’s grandson. He’s blind, but you should see him fight, I'm sure he could give a lot of adults a run for their money."

“Adrian, that’s not the point. He’s just a child, like you—”

“But he’s strong, if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t have brought him over.”

Anisa sighed, her gaze softening. “And Galtier? He looks—”

“He’s not evil,” Adrian said quickly, cutting her off. “I know he looks… intimidating, but I don't think he's actually malicious or anything like that."

"And you say that because of what? A gut feeling?"

"Uh, yeah… kind off."

Anisa sighed and knelt slightly to meet his eyes. “Adrian, I just want you to be safe. That’s all."

“I know, and that's all the more reason Galtier and Kael should go with me on my first quest. They seem very capable from what I've seen so far."

Her gaze searched his face, still visibly concerned at first. But finally, she sighed and relaxed her shoulders. “Alright, I’ll trust your judgment. For now. But if anything happens—”

“It won’t,” Adrian promised quickly. “You’ll see. They’re... they’re good.”

She nodded slowly, pulling him into a brief, tight hug. “Go get your friends, let's all have lunch."

***

Once they finished lunch, Adrian, Galtier, and Kael headed off for Shadowglen Forest. Luckily, Anisa didn't ask too many questions when Galtier just refused to eat anything at all. The knight claimed he had a sensitive stomach and could only eat certain foods. Although, I'm almost completely sure that he can't actually take his armor off.

After traveling for a few hours, the three stopped at the threshold of the forest, its towering trees veiled in a swirling, ghostly mist. Gnarled roots sprawled across the ground, forcing Adrian to watch his step as he adjusted the weight of his backpack.

Kael stood beside him, his smaller frame hunched slightly under the burden of his own pack. The boy's blindfolded face betrayed no discomfort, though his fingers traced the edge of a strap as if ensuring it hadn’t slipped.

Galtier, however, loomed ahead, his black armor absorbing what little light managed to pierce the canopy. He carried nothing: no pack, no supplies, not even a canteen. I know he doesn't need to eat or drink anything, but it's a shame that I couldn't convince him to carry a sack or something to help collect loot. Though, he did offer to carry my or Kael's backpack if needed at the very least.

Kael tilted his head, as if listening to the murmurs in the wind. “Is this Shadowglen Forest?”

Adrian pulled out a map and traced the faded lines with his finger. This place certainly looks like it fits the bill.

Folding the map with care, he tucked it into his cloak. “I checked the map, this should be it."

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As Adrian carefully folded the map and tucked it into his cloak, a small flicker of green light caught his eye. Mimi peeked out from beneath the folds of fabric, her emerald eyes bright and inquisitive. She tilted her head, letting out a soft trill as she stared up at Adrian with an unmistakable expression: one that clearly said food, now.

"If this is correct, then we must not waste time.” Galtier said, stepping forwards and moving into the forest.

Before Adrian could follow, Mimi pushed further out of his cloak, her gaze unrelenting. Adrian sighed, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. "Hey, don't worry, I have food."

He set his pack down, unfastening the straps with practiced ease. “You’ve got terrible timing, you know that?”

Digging through the pack, he pulled out a strip of dried meat and offered it to Mimi. She sniffed it delicately, her nose wrinkling before she reluctantly took a bite. She chewed slowly, her distaste clear even as she did her best to tolerate the meal.

“Sorry, when we’re back in Willowbrook, I’ll find something a bit more... appetizing.” Adrian said.

Mimi flicked her ears, emitting a soft, almost melodramatic sigh. She finished the meat with obvious effort, then settled back with an expression that bordered on resignation. Adrian chuckled, but his amusement was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps.

Kael strode over. “What’s the holdup?”

Adrian gave him an apologetic smile, slipping the rest of his pack’s contents back into place. “Just feeding a friend.”

He turned to the small fox, gently scratching behind one of her flickering ears. “Mimi, hide again, alright?”

Mimi let out a soft, musical chirrup before her form shimmered and disintegrated into a swirl of green embers, vanishing back into the safety of his cloak. Adrian stood and shouldered his pack, turning back to Kael.

“I'm ready now,” he said.

Kael raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips. “Did you really name your pet Mimi?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing,” Kael replied with a chuckle, shaking his head. “Just... nothing.”

He gestured toward the misty woods ahead. “Come on, we’d better catch up with Galtier before he decides to slay the whole forest on his own."

The trio pressed deeper into the forest, steps muffled by the thick carpet of moss and decaying leaves. Twisted trees with gnarled branches loomed overhead, blotting out what little light filtered through the tangled canopy. Shadows stretched and twisted around them, as if watching, waiting.

Adrian kept his eyes trained ahead, but every rustle of leaves and crack of twigs had him glancing over his shoulder. Stay focused, he reminded himself, clenching his jaw.

Despite the tension, Kael wore a half-smile. “So, how deep do we go before something jumps out at us?”

Adrian opened his mouth to respond, but Galtier spoke first. “There are eyes upon us.”

"Huh?"

"Prepare yourselves."

Out of the darkness leapt a pack of creatures, eyes glowing with an unnatural luminescence. The glimmerhounds were wolf-like beasts, fur rippling with a metallic sheen that caught even the faintest light. Razor-sharp fangs gleamed as they snarled, and their bodies shimmered as if made of molten metal, shifting hues between silver and black.

Adrian’s breath caught as one lunged straight for him, its jaws snapping inches from his face. He thrust out his hand, and blue flames erupted, forming a barrier of searing heat.

The glimmerhound recoiled, its metallic fur hissing and crackling. Not today, beast.

Another beast closed in from the side, forcing Adrian to pivot. He released a torrent of fire that engulfed its body, the heat intense enough to melt parts of its metal hide.

But even as the glimmerhound twisted in agony, it continued to advance. They're tougher than they look.

Meanwhile, Kael ducked under a glimmerhound’s strike, then delivered a powerful kick to its underbelly. The beast crashed into a tree, its body denting the bark with a resounding thud.

Kael followed up with a series of rapid strikes, each blow landing with uncanny precision, finding the soft gaps between metallic plates. His headband slipped slightly, revealing a flash of pale, sightless eyes that burned with determination. “Come on!”

On the other hand, Galtier used his black sword to cleave through the air. Each swing left trails of shadow in its wake, and when it struck, it did so with crushing force.

One glimmerhound lunged at him, only to be sliced cleanly in half. Dark tendrils seeped from the blade, wrapping around another that tried to flank him, and with a vicious twist, he crushed the life from it.

The pack circled, their numbers dwindling but their fury undiminished. Adrian inhaled deeply, feeling the fire within him roar to life. Blue flames erupted around him, forming tendrils that lashed out at any beast that came too close. Kael danced around another attacker, delivering a sweeping kick that sent it reeling before driving his fist into its exposed neck.

For a heartbeat, everything became quiet. Then, with a final snarl, the remaining glimmerhounds retreated back into the shadows. That wasn't too bad.

Adrian let his flames die down, the heat within him ebbing. “Is everyone all right?”

“Never better,” Kael replied, wiping sweat from his brow with a grin.

"I am unharmed." Galtier said bluntly.

"Alright… then, I guess we can keep going."

As they moved deeper into the forest, the air thickened with the oppressive weight of an unseen threat, and even the faint calls of distant birds fell silent. Adrian clenched his jaw, feeling the tension coil tighter in his chest with every step. This place wants us lost. Or worse.

Kael moved with a wary lightness, his head turning as if listening for the next whisper of danger. “It’s too quiet."

The group walked in uneasy silence until suddenly, a harsh laugh pierced the air. Figures stepped out from behind the trees, their weapons drawn. Bandits, clad in piecemeal armor and leather, encircled them, faces hidden beneath tattered hoods and masks.

At their head stood a man with sharp, cunning eyes and a cruel smile. He wielded a staff carved from blackened wood, crimson runes glowing faintly along its length.

“Welcome to Shadowglen, strangers. Yer real unlucky, you just ran smack into the Crimson Vipers.”

Kael shifted into a loose stance. The bandit leader’s eyes flicked over their movements, and he raised his staff high, sparks of fire flickering to life at its tip. “Don’t even think 'bout it. One move, and yer burnin’. This fire don’t play nice.”

Adrian’s mind raced. We need a plan— But before he could speak, Galtier moved.

He charged at the leader, who immediately hurled a fireball at the knight. Arrows whistled through the air, aimed at the armored juggernaut. Galtier barreled through it all, fire scorching the edges of his armor, arrows clattering harmlessly off his plated chest.

The leader barely had time to react before Galtier’s metal-clad fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. Arrows continued to rain down, and chaos erupted.

Adrian and Kael exchanged a brief, knowing look, then split apart. These idiots will get what they deserve.

He swept his hands wide, summoning blue flames that roared to life with a feral intensity. Several fireballs hurtled forward, streaking through the gloom like comets.

They struck the bandits head-on, detonating with a deafening blast that lit the forest in an otherworldly glow. Fire raced over their bodies, igniting flesh and cloth alike. Agonized screams pierced the air, mingling with the crackling fury of the flames.

Across the clearing, a bandit charged Kael, blade raised high. The boy sidestepped smoothly, his body twisting with precise control. He struck low, foot connecting with the bandit’s knee, shattering bone with a sickening crunch.

As the attacker fell, Kael followed through with a rapid series of blows that left the man unconscious before he hit the ground. Another bandit lunged from the side, but Kael turned and used the man’s own momentum against him, driving him hard into the ground.

Adrian's admiration was brief, his instincts flared as he caught the glint of steel hurtling toward him. He spun, narrowly avoiding a strike aimed at his back.

The bandit’s eyes blazed with wild desperation, and he lunged once more, blade arcing for Adrian's throat. Not a chance.

Adrian took a sharp breath, then exhaled, unleashing a surge of fire that struck the bandit in the face. Flames seared skin and hair, eliciting a blood-curdling scream. The man stumbled, clawing at his eyes.

Then, Adrian focused, letting the fire swell within him until it burned at the edge of control. With another deep breath, he unleashed a stream of searing blue flames that engulfed the bandit entirely. Flesh burned to ash, leaving nothing but cinders and smoke in the wind.

Turning, Adrian spotted Kael wiping sweat from his brow. Despite the chaos, a faint smile touched his lips. “That’s the last of them."

Adrian nodded, his gaze drifting to the scorched remains of his own foes. “My side is clear too."

But unease crept in, prickling the back of his neck. He turned to find Galtier standing motionless amid the dead, a dark figure shrouded in steel. “Galtier?”

The knight did not respond. He stood like a statue, frozen and unyielding. Something's off.

Kael stepped forward. “Hey! Galtier! You taking a nap in that tin can?”

Adrian’s pulse quickened. He took a step closer. “Galtier!” he called again, louder, a tremor of urgency in his voice.

This time, the knight moved, slowly, as if waking from a deep sleep. But when he turned, Adrian’s blood went cold. Crimson streaks of blood seeped from beneath Galtier’s visor, dripping like tears of blood.

Kael edged closer. “Uh, Adrian… do you have any idea what’s going on with him?”

Adrian’s gaze remained fixed on the twisted, blood-soaked knight. “We should probably start run—"

No sooner had the words left his lips than Galtier released an inhuman shriek that tore through the air. His armor convulsed, shifting and twisting as if alive.

The gauntlets at his sides warped, transforming into jagged, metallic claws that screeched against each other as he clenched his hands. The former knight reached up, clawed fingers grasping at the edges of his visor. Blood poured from the gaps, pooling and then running in thick rivulets as he clawed desperately, as if trying to tear away the source of his torment.

Adrian took a step back. This feeling… he reminds me of something familiar.

Yet, before he could think anymore, Kael grabbed Adrian's arm and shouted, "Move!"