Golden light burst forth from the sword, flooding the room in a warm yet overwhelming radiance. It wrapped around Aira like a living shield, humming softly as if acknowledging her presence. The air itself seemed to tremble.

  Sir Kael stood before her, his expression unreadable.

  “Whatever happens,” he said firmly, his voice steady and commanding, “you will stay inside this room. Do not step outside. No matter what you hear.”

  Aira nodded, though her heart hammered violently against her ribs. She clutched the edge of the sofa as the light intensified, the golden aura thickening until it felt almost solid.

  Sir Kael turned away and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

  Moments passed.

  Silence.

  Then—something changed.

  Aira cautiously stood and approached the door, her fingers trembling as she reached for the handle. Against her better judgment, she opened it just enough to peek outside.

  What she saw made her breath hitch.

  Sir Kael stood in the hallway, transformed.

  Golden-red particles swirled violently around him, pouring out from the ring on his finger like molten sparks. They gathered, layering over his body, shaping themselves into a suit of gleaming armor that shimmered with ancient runes. The particles continued to move, flowing and shifting, until they condensed into a sword—long, elegant, and terrifyingly sharp.

  Aira’s eyes widened.

  Magic.

  Not the kind found in fairytales.

  This was real.

  She barely had time to process what she was seeing when a sound echoed from the other side of the hall.

  Scrraaaape.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  A low, guttural noise—like claws dragging against stone.

  Aira froze.

  The sound grew louder. Heavier.

  Scrraaaape. Thud.

  Something was coming.

  A deep growl followed, wet and distorted, sending chills down her spine. Aira scrambled backward and ducked behind the sofa just as a massive shadow loomed near the doorway.

  Then—

  CRASH.

  The door shattered inward, slamming against the wall as a huge figure stumbled inside. The monster was enormous—its body twisted and grotesque, drool dripping from its jagged mouth. Its eyes glowed faintly in the dim light as it sniffed the air.

  Aira clamped her hand over her mouth.

  The creature lurched forward, its massive claws grabbing the sofa and hurling it aside like it weighed nothing.

  Aira screamed.

  “Sir Kael—!”

  The monster turned sharply toward her voice, baring rows of uneven teeth. It raised its claws, ready to strike—

  But before it could move—

  A golden blur flashed across the room.

  Sir Kael appeared between them in an instant.

  “Be gone,” he commanded calmly.

  He swung his sword through the air.

  Light exploded outward.

  The room filled with blinding gold as the monster let out a horrific screech. Its body began to burn—not with fire, but with radiant energy. The flesh disintegrated into glowing embers, dissolving piece by piece until nothing remained but fading light.

  Silence returned.

  Aira collapsed to the floor, her legs giving out beneath her. Her entire body trembled violently as shock caught up with her.

  She had just watched a monster die.

  Sir Kael turned toward her, the golden aura fading as the armor dissolved into particles and vanished.

  Aira’s vision blurred.

  The next thing she knew, she was lying on the sofa again, the faint warmth of the golden aura still lingering around her.

  “You truly have a talent,” Sir Kael said dryly, standing nearby. “Collapsing again and again.”

  Aira slowly opened her eyes, panic surging through her chest.

  “The monster—!” she gasped. “It was right here—!”

  “It’s gone,” he replied calmly. “Not alive. Not moving. Completely erased.”

  His voice, strangely enough, soothed her racing heart.

  Sir Kael sheathed his sword, the weapon dissolving into light as if it had never existed. He sat across from her, watching carefully.

  Aira stared at him, her hands clenched tightly into the fabric of her dress.

  “How… how are you so calm?” she whispered. “After all that?”

  Sir Kael closed the book he had been holding earlier and finally met her gaze.

  “If you’re calm enough to ask questions,” he said evenly, “you’re calm enough to listen.”

  Aira swallowed hard.

  “I… I didn’t miss anything, did I?” Her voice broke. “I swear… I’ve been seeing monsters since the forest. Every time I think it’s over, something worse happens…”

  Tears spilled down her cheeks as she spoke, the fear she’d been holding back finally breaking free.

  Sir Kael remained silent, listening.

  When she finished, he stood.

  “You may stop now,” he said quietly. “Go to your room and rest. Don’t wander the castle. Monsters may appear at any time.”

  Aira nodded weakly, standing on unsteady legs.

  As she left the room, she heard him mutter under his breath—

  “This is what she says every time I ask her anything.”