“While we were returning to the village, we were attacked,” Keiji explained, his voice trembling slightly.
Curiosity filled Kai’s expression as he asked “Attacked? By whom?”
Keiji hesitated for a moment before responding, "It was a horde of imps and goblins. They descended upon us, working together in an unprecedented manner."
Kai's curiosity was piqued as he questioned, "But goblins and imps rarely work together, and they aren't powerful enough to nearly kill Ava and injure you so severely."
Kai's confident statement was accurate; goblins and imps rarely formed alliances due to their distinct differences in appearance and behavior. Imps were small, bony creatures with horns, sharp teeth, and bat-like wings. Despite their ugly appearance, they were often mischievous rather than truly threatening. On the other hand, goblins were dark-skinned, grotesque monsters, almost resembling dwarves. With their big ears, noses, and yellow, crooked teeth, goblins were more menacing and known for attacking humans and even kidnapping children. Thus, the news of imps and goblins collaborating surprised Kai.
Keiji nodded in agreement, acknowledging Kai's observation. "Yes, I was equally taken aback when I saw them together. However, as they initiated the attack, we fought valiantly, managing to hold them off initially," Keiji continued. "But as the battle waged on, their numbers seemed to multiply, overwhelming us with their sheer strength in unity. It became clear that we were outmatched."
"Realizing we couldn't defeat the combined force of imps and goblins, we made the tough decision to retreat. Ava bravely took the opportunity to run towards the village, seeking reinforcements, while I stayed behind to buy her time." He added.
Kai nodded, beginning to understand the gravity of the situation.
"I held my ground as best I could," Keiji continued, "fighting off waves of attackers. Their relentless assault made it clear that this was no ordinary encounter. My priority was to ensure Ava's safety and bring help from the village."
"As Ava made her way back to the village, I attempted to divert the horde's attention, preventing them from following her. Despite my best efforts, their numbers seemed endless. Realizing I couldn't shake them off, I led the imps and goblins away from the village, running in a different direction on my Velocitrotter," Keiji explained, his voice filled with both determination and regret. "But the imps caught up to me and launched a fiery attack called 'Emberburst,' severely damaging my Velocitrotter, rendering it immobile. I was forced to abandon it and continue on foot, defending myself against the relentless imp assault. However, it wasn't long before I found myself surrounded by the horde, on the verge of death. That's when you arrived and saved me."
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Keiji paused for a moment, catching his breath, his injuries making it difficult to continue. Then, in a confused tone, he asked Kai, "But what are you doing here? Weren't you heading back to the village with the others?"
Kai replied, his voice filled with concern, "We were indeed on our way back to the village, but we heard a piercing scream, fearing that it might have come from the two of you. We rushed to investigate and discovered Ava in a severely wounded state, with deep cuts and blood covering her body."
Shock and worry washed over Keiji as he heard about Ava's attack. "Is she...?" he trailed off, his voice choked with concern.
Understanding Keiji's unspoken question, Kai reassured him, "Don't worry. Although she is heavily injured, she is safe. Aria and the other villagers have likely reached the village and begun to tend to her wounds."
A sigh of relief escaped Keiji upon hearing that Ava was out of immediate danger, but then a cloud of worry descended upon his face as he pondered something. With a mix of concern and curiosity, he questioned Kai, "But I'm certain that the horde of imps and goblins wasn't pursuing her. How did she end up in such a condition?"
"We don't have all the answers yet. She lost consciousness after mentioning that you were fighting demons behind her," Kai replied, attempting to provide some clarity.
Keiji's worry remained, but he found solace in Kai's words. "Let's head back to the village. It's not safe out here, especially at night. Besides, everyone must be anxious about you," Kai suggested, prompting a silent agreement from Keiji. Kai carefully lifted Keiji, mindful of his injuries, and settled him in the back of his Velocitrotter. With determination in his eyes, Kai began the journey back to the village, carrying the injured Keiji with him.