A New Echoes of the Past

[A few hours earlier, in the capital]

Just like every other day, the capital was bustling with people, many of whom were entering through the west gate. Everything seemed normal.

"You think it's over just because you captured him? This... is only the beginning of your destruction."
A man in a black cloak stood near the city's central bell.

He pulled a large branch from his bag, raised it high, and snapped it. Blood-red liquid dripped from the broken piece, hitting the ground. A massive glowing magic circle emerged in the center of the plaza. People stared in silence, captivated by the strange phenomenon.

Soon, bones began to crawl from the circle.

KRAK... KRAK...

The crunch of moving bones echoed through the air. A complete four-legged skeleton was assembled before them. Then, muscles, organs, and blue-scaled skin enveloped the frame. The beast opened its eyes and let out a thunderous roar. The crowd immediately scattered in panic.

[At the Adventurer's Guild, a few minutes earlier]

Deva, commander of the royal knights, arrived with his squad.

"Excuse me, has anyone seen a woman with purple hair?" he asked.

The room fell silent.

"Deva? The Third Commander?!" someone said.

Deva turned and recognized the man.
"It's me, Ares, from the Divine Realm Guild," he said.

Their eyes met—and the two embraced, overwhelmed with relief.

"Ares! I'm so glad you're safe," Deva said.

"I'm just as relieved to see you, Commander," Ares replied.

People around them looked on in confusion. Their reunion was cut short when a commotion erupted outside.

"What's going on?" Deva muttered.

Curious, everyone stepped outside—only to be struck by an earth-shaking roar.

(A monster?!) thought both Deva and Ares.

"I have to go. I need to lead the evacuation. Don't you die on me," said Deva.

"We'll help too. Adventurers will join the evacuation efforts. You stay alive too," replied Ares.

They parted ways again just after being reunited. Deva led the knights to help the citizens, while Ares and other adventurers assisted nearby.

[By the Sacred Lake]

Lusserina was hanging laundry outside the cabin. Nearby, Langit, Griffa, and Riffon napped peacefully under a tree. Suddenly, all three awakened and looked toward the capital. Lusserina stopped what she was doing and followed their gaze.

"(What's happening?) Let's go find out..."
She took off toward the capital, followed by the others.

[Back in the capital]

Ares and Deva met again, not far from the monster.

"Ares! What's your situation?" asked Deva.

"My guild and other adventurers have evacuated as many citizens as we could from the plaza and the west gate. You?"

"I've just evacuated the nobles to the castle," Deva replied.

"Even in times like this, they only care about themselves," Ares muttered.

"I'm just following orders... but I've ordered my squad to help the civilians too," said Deva.

"What now?" asked Ares.

"We fight—even if it costs us our lives."

"That's the commander in you talking… or the player?" Ares asked.

"Both. We can't let this thing roam free."

"That's a Behemoth—a raid boss monster. It takes thirty people to bring one down," Ares said.

"If you're scared to die, let me do it."

"Hey, I've got pride as a player too, you know."

"You only need to hold off its minions. Leave the rest to me," said a woman's voice.

They turned and saw a black-haired elf woman hovering in the sky, flanked by two griffons and a flaming, winged horse.

[Meanwhile, elsewhere]

It had been hours since Luna, Lenti, and Verni had left the capital. Twilight had begun to fall as they reached the northwestern edge of the forest.

Suddenly, Luna stopped walking.

"What's wrong, Lady Luna?" asked Lenti.

(Even after using detection magic, there's still no trace...)
"We'll need to search deeper in the forest. But it's too dark now, so we'll camp here tonight."

"I see…" the two nodded.

Luna set up a tent for them, choosing to sleep outside with Garm, her snow-white ice-elemental wolf. After dinner, she conjured a makeshift hot spring for them to bathe in.

"Ah~ this feels amazing. This doesn't feel like camping at all..." Verni sighed in delight.

"Yeah, not only do we get delicious food, but a hot bath too," Lenti added.

Luna smiled silently.

After their bath, they turned in for the night.

The next morning...

"Morning..." Verni said, yawning as she emerged from the tent.

"Good morning, Verni. Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Lenti for me, too?" Luna replied.

Right then, Lenti stepped out.

"Good morning, Verni, Lady Luna."

"Good morning, Lenti," the others replied.

After eating, Verni and Lenti offered to help Luna clean up. She tasked them with washing dishes and packing the cooking gear while she took down the tent.

Just as they were about to leave, Luna said, "But before that..."

She raised her left hand and snapped her fingers with her right. A glowing magic circle appeared, splitting into two—one rising upward and one descending. From it emerged four tiny fairies, their forms like fluttering butterfly-winged maidens. They stretched and yawned as if waking.

"Sorry to wake you, but I need your help."

The four fairies hovered before Luna.

"I want you to find a horned bear. When you do, let me know."

They nodded silently and gave soft smiles before zipping into the depths of the forest.

"Was that... a fairy? Like the ones in stories?" whispered Verni.

"Yeah... this is my first time seeing one too," Lenti replied.

"She can summon fairies from fairy tales... who is Lady Luna...?" Verni muttered.

"She summoned them with just a snap... who exactly is she...?" Lenti echoed.

"Let's go," said Luna, taking the lead.

"Father said Lady Luna is extremely strong and scary. We shouldn't ever get on her bad side," whispered Verni.

"Uncle Allan said the same thing," Lenti added.

"I want to get to know her better. Lord Radhimar always speaks about her," Verni whispered.

"Wait—you said you don't like anyone," said Lenti.

"What about my son?" came Luna's voice.

"Ah!" both girls gasped, startled that Luna had heard.

"Has he hurt you? If so, I'll teach him a lesson," she said, expression turning serious.

"No-no-no! Lord Radhimar is kind!" Verni replied.

"Do you like Radhimar?" Luna teased.

"I-I-I just asked him for advice!"

"Oh~ just advice...?" Luna grinned.

"I-I swear!"

"Don't worry, I won't meddle in my son's personal life. If you love each other, I have no objections," Luna said.

"But still, I'd love to say, 'If you want my son, you'll have to defeat me first!'"

"Then no one could ever win..." Lenti muttered.

They all burst out laughing.

Just then, a fairy returned.

"…"

"You've found it?"

"…"

"Alright. Lead the way. Let's move, everyone. I'll go ahead—follow me. For protection, you'll be accompanied by them." Luna snapped her fingers again.

Two small white wolves emerged from magical circles, each about one meter tall.

"Woof! Woof!"

"Guard them well," Luna told the wolves.

They rushed through the forest.

In its depths, a horned bear thrashed wildly, swiping at the fairies fluttering around it. Soon, Luna and the others arrived.

RAWRR!!

The horned bear's roar echoed.

"That's the horned bear! Can Lady Luna defeat it? I don't see any weapons..." said Verni.

"I heard only elite adventurers can take it down solo," added Lenti.

"Thanks for holding it," Luna said—and shot forward.

BAM!

She launched a devastating kick, hurling the beast through the trees. It crashed and lay motionless.

"Just... one hit?! No way..." Verni's eyes widened, and Lenti was speechless.

"Alright, time to skin it," said Luna.

She pulled a knife from a pocket of space and began harvesting the beast's hide and meat.

"You know how to do that, too?" Lenti asked.

"More or less," Luna replied.

Verni turned pale and gagged.

"If it's too much, step away. I'll be quick."

She finished and stored the meat in her spatial inventory.

Suddenly, a fairy flew to her, visibly panicked.

"What did you say?!" Luna gasped.

"We must move, now. Sorry, everyone—this is urgent. You'll ride Garm's pups. Go!" Luna ordered.

Before Verni or Lenti could respond, she dashed off.

(What's going on?) They wondered, chasing after her.

Minutes later, Luna reached the west gate—only to find it completely destroyed. Just yesterday, she had walked through it.

She hovered higher to get a full view.

A colossal beast slithered across the capital's ruins. Its shimmering blue scales gleamed under the sun. Two massive, curved horns rose from its head like demonic spears. Its crimson eyes burned with destructive rage.

Panic gripped the city. People fled in every direction. The square, bell tower, and nearby buildings lay in rubble.

Luna's skin crawled.

(That roar… from earlier... No... A Behemoth?! What is a creature like that doing here?!)
Her breath caught, heart pounding.

Then she sensed something at the edge of her vision—a floating figure, strangely familiar. Silver hair was like a mirror of her past. Piercing green eyes. Her chest tightened with longing and disbelief. Tears welled up in her eyes.

(No... it can't be... Rima?!)