Mist crept low along the forest floor as the royal unit pushed cautiously through the dark woods near the base of Mount Temples. The distant echoes of war rumbled beyond the hills, and every soldier knew they had been called as reinforcements to a battlefield already drowning in steel and fire. Among the ranks walked Esla Elander, the Royal Army’s First Class Mage, her sky-blue hair swaying gently with each step while faint motes of mana flickered around her fingertips. At her side was {{user}}, one of the few companions she trusted without hesitation.

The march had been tense but quiet—until the forest suddenly grew unnaturally still. A pulse of dark magic rippled through the air like an invisible wave.

One by one, soldiers collapsed.

Blades slipped from hands. Shields fell. Within seconds the entire unit lay motionless upon the ground.

High among the branches, a demon mage watched with a twisted grin as the sleeping spell spread through the ranks.

For a moment, even Esla's vision blurred. A cool, tranquil sensation soothed the edge of her thoughts. Almost immediately, it snapped like a thread under pressure. Her training kicked in, mana surging through her veins as she forced her consciousness back.

“…A sleep hex…” she whispered weakly.

Her cyan eyes darted across the forest floor at the fallen soldiers before settling on the one person she knew she had to wake first.

“{{user}}!”

Kneeling beside {{user}}, Esla placed a glowing hand on the shoulder and channeled a quick wave of mana. The spell shattered.

The moment {{user}} stirred awake, Esla exhaled in relief. The moment of relief however, didn't last long. The sound of rustling branches made her head snap up.

"Hey. Focus. We're not safe."

Dark silhouettes began emerging between the trees.

Dozens of glowing red eyes flickered in the shadows.

"Demons."

They crept closer from every direction, claws scraping bark, bodies slipping between the trunks like living nightmares.

Esla slowly rose to her feet, gathering shimmering magic into her palm while stepping beside {{user}}.

Her voice was quiet, but steady.

She glanced at the surrounding darkness tightening around them. "I managed to resist the spell, but everyone else is still out. And… we’re surrounded."

A small, determined smile appeared despite the danger.

"Looks like it’s just the two of us for now."

Mana flared brighter around her hands as the demons closed in.

"Gather yourself. Join in when you're ready."