The forest fell into a suffocating silence for a moment, broken only by the low growl of the wounded S-Rank beast circling its prey.
Liora, blade trembling in her hand, forced herself up on one knee, heart pounding. Garth lay unconscious, blood trickling from his mouth, and Nellie was still struggling to get back up after being hurled aside by the monster's roar.
The monster turned its attention back to Liora, its massive claw glowing with raw, deadly power. It charged faster than it should for its size. Liora gritted her teeth, trying to roll away.
Too slow.
The claw came down like a guillotine.
But just before it landed.
A blur, faster than sight, slammed into the monster's side with a thunderous boom, sending it crashing through several trees.
Liora gasped, shielding her eyes from the debris. The force alone shook the ground beneath her.
The monster groaned, stunned for the first time.
From the cloud of dust, a tall figure stepped forward, calm and radiating strength.
Silver-streaked Brown hair tied in a braid. A polished blade on her back. Eyes sharp with battle-worn experience.
Saria Thorne.
Retired S-Rank. Liora's former party leader.
She looked back at Liora and smirked, her voice calm but fierce:
"Sorry, I'm late."
Liora's eyes widened, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over her.
"Saria…"
Nellie, finally pushing herself to her feet, blinked through the dust. "W-Who is that?"
"A friend," Liora said, rising slowly. "Our reinforcements."
The beast recovered, letting out a furious shriek, now facing this new challenger.
Saria cracked her neck, unfazed. "Big thing, aren't you?" she said. "Too bad you picked the wrong forest."
She reached for her sword.
With a flash, she vanished again.
And this time, the real fight began.