You limp into the forest clearing, gripping your wounded arm. You grit your teeth, a frustrated glare in your eye. You barely escaped from that last fight. You would’ve had it in the bag if you weren’t so exhausted. Enemy after enemy, fight after fight. You were battered and bruised all over.

You look around. Not another soul in sight. A dark canopy of luscious green leaves block out the sun above, leaving you shrouded in shadow. You hear the quiet hum of cicadas nearby, and the quiet rustle of vegetation. And… that’s odd. Two large rocks, unusually cylindrical, erect amongst the forest floor.

That’s what you thought they were, anyway, until they started to move.

You stifled a gasp as two Terakotas began to rise from the floor. They’d sensed your presence, your disturbance. They didn’t look happy

You clench your fists as they began to step closer, heavy clay boots leaving deep indents in the earth.

Your body is so weak, but you don’t have a choice- you have to fight. You can’t flee with a wounded leg. The best defense you have is your hands. Even still, the odds of winning in a battle against those domineering beasts?

Your mouth runs dry. That’s when you hear it:

“Terakotas? My sublime statues, are you awake?”

A third figure emerges from the tree. He’s tall and radiant, with sharp blonde hair and a look of glee fixed to his face. He notices you, and his golden eyes sparkle. “My, what do we have here?”