Chapter 1

"Protect the palace!" shouted the female warrior to her companions as she stabbed the enemy who was about to attack her.

"Aye!" Many more warriors rushed to the palace door as per her command.

Everyone was currently fighting each other. Thousands of warriors from the Gemuria kingdom against the Mostros.

The term "mostro" refers to various types of evil creatures and beings.

All that could be heard were the clashing sounds of swords and weapons, cries of pain and assault, along with the roars of the mostros that were their foes.

The female warrior glanced at the large wooden door leading into the palace. It was closed, but enemies were striking it with massive logs of wood. The loud sound echoed, and explosions accompanied by destruction resounded within.

There were also flying beings visible in the sky. Some were their allies, the white mages who could fly without any means of transport due to their magical abilities, while many others were black mages, their enemies.

Large crows that looked like they had wings circled in the air. These were called KROWA, attacking the white mages.

The sky darkened as thick black smoke blocked the rays of the sun.

She noticed five black mages forming a circle and holding hands not far away, chanting various words to conjure dark magic that darkened the sky. However, her attention returned to the palace when she heard a loud creaking of a door.

Her eyes widened as she saw that the door was slowly opening.

The sturdy barrier inside that door had been destroyed! The guards who had cast protective magic were now very few. One of the remaining ones was the commander of the mages, who could no longer prevent the enemies from breaching the palace.

Their warriors were gradually being depleted, and the ones left were the strongest, but they were still severely outnumbered to defeat the foes.

She clenched her fists at what was happening. "Slay all enemies who have entered the palace! Leave not even one!" she shouted to her allies, just as eight enemies wearing black armor surrounded her, wielding swords and shields. None of them bore any wounds, and it was evident they wouldn't let her help protect their palace.

"HAAAAH!" All of them lunged at her simultaneously, prompting her to swing her sword with all her might to keep them at bay. They stumbled back from the force she unleashed.

Even with their shields meant for protection, she could destroy them in a single strike of her sword. She was that strong, but then she felt a sharp object suddenly pierce her side. "GAAAAAAAHHHH!" she screamed in pain as she pulled it out and swung her sword in its direction, but she hit nothing. She hadn't managed to strike the one who stabbed her. She hadn't even noticed their approach before the attack.

She knelt in pain, clutching her wound. When she looked at her hand, it was soaked in her blood. She winced, feeling that her stab wound was deep, but she wasn't discouraged.

Despite the pain, she forced herself to stand because she was a warrior. She didn't care if she died in battle, as long as she could protect her kingdom.

Then a black smoke began to form in front of her and took on a humanoid shape. She readied herself to attack the being.

A man materialized before her, and if one were to look closely, they would appear to be of similar age, as he looked youthful and handsome, but she wouldn't be fooled by his exterior. She was certain it was just a skin mask.

She felt a strange presence in him. Not the presence of a human, but something else. He was clad entirely in black, even his hooded cloak, and he held a bloodied sword that dripped onto the ground. She realized this was the one who had stabbed her earlier.

He looked directly at her, and she met his gaze with a glare. She was ready to attack him with a single wrong move, but he merely smiled. He gestured to his allies to leave, and as he wished, the enemy warriors retreated, engaging only the Gemurian soldiers.

As he ran his tongue along the edge of his sword, stained with her blood, he leaned closer, a sinister gleam in his eyes. "Your blood carries a unique flavor, warrior. It only makes me hunger for more."

She tightened her grip on her sword, her voice steady despite the exhaustion creeping into her limbs. "What do you want from us? Why have you come to assault our palace?!" she demanded, struggling to catch her breath amid the chaos of battle. Blood continued to seep from her stab wound, a reminder of her vulnerability, but she refused to let him see her weakness.

"Don't be naive!" he shouted, frustration lacing his voice. "Why would I reveal that our objective is to seize your princess?!"

Her eyes widened, and he faltered upon saying that.

She quickly glanced back at the palace.

"You! What magic did you use on me to make me so compliant?!" he accused, regaining her attention, and in anger, his appearance slowly changed.

His face became fierce.

His teeth became sharp, with blood and flesh hanging from the sides. His once elegant nose was gone, replaced by two nostrils. His skin turned red, and his arms, legs, and body grew larger.

He had transformed into a BEGUSTA mostro!

She was horrified by his transformation. She never imagined she would see a begusta in her life that could take on a human form.

Her heart raced upon learning their plan for their princess, and fear intensified in her chest because she knew it would be difficult to defeat him quickly. Thus, she tightened her grip on her sword.

I need to protect the princess. I must keep her safe! These thoughts filled her mind, but she gradually calmed herself to focus on the enemy in front of her. She knew she couldn't reach the princess immediately, as he would surely block her path, so she readied herself for an attack.

The Begusta still roared at her. "GAAAAAAAWWWRRR!" It threw away its sword and charged at her. Its growl was ferocious, and it clawed at her with its elongated, sharpened nails, but she managed to dodge.

Until…

"GAAAAAAAAAHHH!" she screamed when it spat saliva on her shoulder, feeling an intense burn akin to acid on her skin. Her concentration in battle faltered, and when it violently clawed at her arm, she couldn't avoid it. She felt its long claws pierce her flesh, but she wouldn't let it stop her from retaliating.

In a swift motion, she plunged her sword into its abdomen. "GAAAAAAAAWWWRRR!" It couldn't evade the strike, not expecting her to recover so quickly.

She twisted the sword out of it as it had done to her earlier, and green liquid flowed from the wound as she swiftly slashed its cheek.

Its fury intensified. "GAAAAAAWWWWWWRRR!" It charged at her again with its sharp claws, but she parried with her sword.

It was incredibly strong, forcing her to use all her remaining strength to block it, but it still overpowered her, causing her to stumble backward. "GAAAAAAHHHH!" she screamed in pain as her wound in her side and arm forced her further back.

It clawed at her again with one hand, but she quickly kicked up a nearby sword at her feet, caught it, and immediately used it to block it. She crossed her arms to shield herself from its grasp.

"Iiiigggghh!" She was struggling in that position, and it had the upper hand over her, as a slight push from it would completely crush her.

Their faces were so close that she could see the ferocity of its features and the peculiar sight of red blood dripping from its sliced cheek. Suddenly, it let out a roar right in her face, and she could smell its foul breath. But when she noticed its abdomen, where she had stabbed it earlier, her eyes widened. The wound was slowly closing, as if healing on its own.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!"

A woman's scream caught her attention, causing her to turn in that direction and stopping many from fighting.

That was the moment her Mostro opponent seized to gain the upper hand. "GAAAWWWRR!" It kicked her in the stomach with such force that it sent her flying and crashing into an enemy warrior battling a Gemurian soldier.

To be continued...

A noble general, strong and wise,

Given charge 'neath fated skies—

To seek a princess held afar,

Through distant lands, through blood and scar.

*

In tempest lands where waves do rise,

Her quest begins underneath stormy skies.

Their scrolls of fate shall guide her way,

But first, a nymph she must allay.

*

Then comes a scroll of blood and coal,

A beast with rage in heart and soul.

Its fury was fierce, yet strength concealed.

A hand of peace its power shall wield.

*

Seek, seek, a youth of magic rare,

Unknowing the power he doth bear.

Teach him wonders, mysteries to unveil,

Entreat him to join the mystical trail.

*

She shall arrive at the nest of the great,

Seeking two souls, like her, yet small.

She will engage in battle for what is just,

To earn favor, and capture the heart of the wicked.

*

Through verdant fields, her journey flows,

Where healing winds of solace blow.

A maiden's touch, both soft and pure,

Will ease the pain and wounds endure.

*

Thus, Hemira walks her destined course,

With six companions, strong in force.

Their fates are bound, their hearts aligned,

A timeless tale, in stars enshrined.