The forest path grew darker as a young girl sprinted toward Eleo and Tony. Her appearance was striking: large, almond-shaped eyes with bright golden-yellow irises that glowed faintly, revealing her demonic heritage. Her rich, dark brown skin exuded an exotic and regal air, while her dark purple hair, styled in playful high ponytails adorned with ornate hairpins, added to her royal look. She wore a dark, velvety dress that shifted between deep purple and black, with gold embroidery shaped like ancient demonic symbols. Her long, bell-shaped sleeves glowed faintly red, and her knee-high boots had silver buckles shaped like demon wings. A faint aura of dark purple and red surrounded her, hinting at her demonic nature. For now, her bat-like wings and slender tail were retracted.”Please, can you help me?” she cried out, her voice laced with urgency.Eleo, still perched on Tony’s shoulders, looked down at her. “Uh, we would, but we are—“Tony cut him off with a hurried tone, “Yeah, very, very in a hurry.””I’m a princess,” the girl added desperately.Tony raised an eyebrow. “A demon princess, I see.””What’s a demon?” Eleo asked, curiosity piqued.Tony’s voice took on a more serious tone as he explained, “Demons are ancient beings, much like us skeletons, but their nature is more complex. They are tied to the darker, primal forces of the world, originating from realms where shadows are deep and the laws of our world bend or break. They can embody madness, slaughter, destruction, and savagery, existing in various layers of The Abyss. They don’t have a unified hierarchy, but their goals often lean towards destruction.”He paused, choosing his words carefully. “A demon is not just a creature of malevolence, though many are. They possess immense power, forged in chaos and darkness. Some seek to corrupt, others to control, and a few wander between worlds out of curiosity or exile. But they’re not all evil. Like any race, they have societies, rules, and hierarchies. Some serve powerful lords or kings, while others live solitary lives. There are those who seek redemption or a different path.”Tony’s bones creaked slightly as he shifted. “So, little one, be cautious. Demons can be unpredictable. Trust must be earned, not given freely.”The girl, catching her breath, introduced herself. “I’m Lilith Corson. I’m being chased by goblins.”As if on cue, nine goblins emerged from behind the trees, grinning maliciously. Goblin 1 sneered, “Look, boys! We have a big one!”Goblin 2 added eagerly, “Bunny kid, me eat yes yes yes!”Goblin 3 jeered, “Bunny kid weak, we beat his butt!”Eleo dropped to the ground in front of the goblins, his face set with determination. “Alright, let’s make this interesting.”He activated his Ink Projectiles, but the goblins were not easily deterred. As they charged, Eleo realized that these goblins were not just mindless brutes—they were organized and vicious. They used crude but effective tactics, attacking in waves and coordinating their strikes. Eleo’s ink projectiles struck three of them, but the remaining goblins pressed forward, their numbers and aggression posing a real threat.Eleo swiftly used Ink Mirage to create illusions of himself, but the goblins quickly adapted, focusing their attacks on the illusions to flush him out. Eleo had to dodge and weave through a flurry of poorly aimed but dangerous attacks, making every moment of the battle tense and fraught with risk. The fight extended into the underbrush, where Eleo used his environment to his advantage, setting traps with ink and using the terrain to avoid being overwhelmed.Just as Eleo began to gain the upper hand, one particularly cunning goblin managed to land a blow, forcing Eleo to retreat momentarily and reassess his strategy. The battle reached a critical point as Eleo had to outthink the goblins, using a combination of his ink abilities and quick reflexes to outmaneuver them. The conflict felt grueling and close, making Eleo’s victory feel earned and significant.Within moments, Eleo had finally defeated all the goblins, leaving them sprawled on the forest floor. He landed gracefully and turned to Lilith, who looked at him with wide, admiring eyes. “Done!”Lilith beamed with gratitude. “You did it! Thank you so much.”Eleo, still catching his breath, asked, “No problem. Oh, do you have any carrots?”Lilith nodded. “Yes, I’ve been picking a lot of them. But you have to promise you’ll marry me one day.”Eleo, taken aback, tried to process the request. “Uh, sure. I don’t know what that means, but sure.”Lilith’s eyes softened. “It’s a tradition in my culture to offer a token of thanks in the form of a promise. It’s not something to be taken lightly. But I also truly appreciate what you did for me.”Eleo took the carrots from her, instantly devouring them with a contented smile. Tony, however, remained cautious. “So, why is a princess like you out here, especially at your age? And why were you being chased by goblins?”Lilith hesitated for a moment before responding, “Well, I wanted to train my aura, and I thought the goblins would be easy. But there were too many of them.”Eleo’s ears perked up at the mention of “aura.” “Aura?” he asked, intrigued.Tony extended his arm, and a faint glow began to emanate from it. The aura coated his forearm and hand, the light extending slightly beyond the physical outline of his bones. It had a vivid, glowing quality with a somewhat fluid, almost flame-like appearance, radiating energy. The edges of the aura seemed to flicker and move, giving it a dynamic, energetic feel. “Aura is a manifestation of one’s spirit and energy,” Tony explained. “It’s the essence that strengthens and protects, a power cultivated through training and experience.”Tony then turned to Lilith, a glint of curiosity in his eye sockets. “Miss Lilith, would you be so kind as to show my friend—and your future husband—your aura?”Lilith nodded, extending her hands in front of her. As she focused, a brilliant aura flared to life around her fists and forearms, glowing bright and concentrated. The energy pulsed with power, radiating a mix of dark purple and red, much like her natural aura, but intensified. The aura seemed to resonate with her emotions, flickering and shifting in response to her will.Eleo watched in awe as Lilith demonstrated her power, her aura casting an eerie yet mesmerizing glow around her. “Wow… That’s so cool!” he exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration.Lilith smiled warmly at him, her aura slowly fading as she relaxed. “Thank you. I’ve been working on it for a while.”Tony nodded approvingly. “Impressive, young princess. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Use your aura wisely, and it will serve you well.”As the sun dipped below the horizon, the three of them stood together on the forest path, united by the challenges they had faced and the bonds they had begun to forge. Though their journey had only just begun, the encounter with Lilith and the goblins hinted at the many adventures—and dangers—that awaited them.

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