Amidst the chaotic battleground, Elias fought with unwavering determination, leading a group of villagers against the relentless Aeni army. His eyes glinted with a mixture of fear and resilience as he swung his makeshift weapon, a sturdy wooden staff empowered with a layer of natural energy, against the ferocious creatures.
"Keep pushing! To the secret tunnel!" Elias shouted, his voice cutting through the din of battle. The group of villagers, fueled by his courage, followed him toward the outskirts of the village where a hidden entrance lay concealed beneath thick foliage.
As they neared the entrance, Elias spared a glance over his shoulder.
The Aeni, determined to crush the resistance, pursued them relentlessly.
The ground shook with their thunderous approach, but Elias pressed on, his heart pounding with every step.
The secret tunnel, carved into the hillside, provided a momentary sanctuary for the villagers. Elias, his chest heaving, gestured urgently. "Get inside! We'll hold them off as long as we can."
The villagers hesitated for a moment, their eyes locked with Elias's determined gaze. Without a word, they disappeared into the darkness of the tunnel, leaving Elias to confront the approaching Aeni alone.
As the first wave of Aeni closed in, Elias unleashed a flurry of strikes, his staff cutting through the air with a swiftness born of desperation. The villagers inside the tunnel heard the snarls and roars, the clash of metal against scales, and Elias's commanding voice urging them forward.
Within the tunnel, whispers of fear circulated among the villagers. "Will Elias make it out alive?" one asked, while another murmured, "He's buying us time; we have to trust him."
Back outside, Elias fought fiercely, his movements fueled by a primal instinct to survive.
The Aeni leaders, recognizing him as a significant threat, closed in with calculated aggression. Despite the odds, Elias held his ground, a beacon of defiance against the encroaching darkness.
In the midst of the battle, Elias felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins. The ground beneath him trembled as he underwent a transformation, his body shifting and contorting into a powerful, hybrid form. Fur sprouted from his skin, and his senses heightened to an otherworldly level.
Tosva, the mysterious savior, led the way through the dense forest, his dark cloak billowing in the wind. The air was heavy with the scent of blood and the distant echoes of the Aeni's roars.
As they traversed the shadowy woods, Elias couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. His senses, heightened by his recent transformation, tingled with unease. "Tosva," he began, his voice a low murmur, "Did you feel that presence too?"
Tosva cast a sidelong glance at Elias, and furrowed his brows, "What you mean?"
"Nothing," Elias shook his head. "I guess I'm just paranoid," he tried to assure him with an awkward smile.
To change the atmosphere, he shifted the topic by asking, "How did you find me, by the way?"
Elias replied, "Coincidence, Elias. I was just roaming the lands to vanquish the Aeni as a part of my monthly quota but luckily spotted you."
"Monthly quota?" Elias was confused.
"At our village, if we choose to become a warrior, we go through basic training and once we finish it, we will be given monthly quotas to fill, in order to gain more techniques," Tosva explained as they walked into the forest, not hiding the information to gain his trust.
"I see..."
Tosva's footsteps echoed through the silent forest. "You're strong, Elias. Stronger than you realize. And your strength can be an asset against the Aeni. We could use someone like you in our fight. But, whether you become a warrior or a normal citizen is entirely your choice."
"I wish to become a warrior." Elias, with a steely resolve, told his decision within ten seconds after being given a choice, taking Tosva by surprise.
"Really?" Tosva couldn't believe his ears for a moment.
Elias stopped walking and looked straight into his eyes, "From today onwards, my job is to save as many people like me." His face is full of seriousness.