Spirit Game

Eve's lips curled into a playful smile. "Looks like he isn't a goblin after all."

Rain was still too awestruck to respond. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined commanding a troop belonging to one of the most powerful races in the Spirit Realm — the Onis.

The synchronization between him and Ri was already at three stars, right from the start. Could it be because he had carried the egg around for nearly four months? Rain wondered.

The connection between him and Ri was almost as strong as the bond he shared with Chi, his first and most trusted troop. And as he glanced at the list of Ri's skills, his amazement only deepened.

"Bender . . ." Rain murmured, the word almost foreign on his tongue.

"Congratulations," Eve said, her voice filled with genuine amazement. "A Bender class is extremely rare, even among Oni. They can command elements, bending them to their will. And judging by this young Oni's magical energy, I'd say he has an abundance of it . . ."

"R-really?" Rain's hope ignited, a flicker of excitement pushing back the lingering doubts in his heart.

Eve nodded, chuckling softly. "It seems he's very fond of you, too. He will be a great ally in your quest to obliterate Gorm."

Rain's heart swelled at her words, but a shadow of hesitation still lingered. He didn't want anyone to die this time. Not his people. Not his friends. Not his troops.

"Stand up, Ri."

"Yes, my lord." Ri rose to his feet, standing at his full height. Rain was surprised by how small the boy was — shorter than him by a few inches, barely standing at four feet five. Despite his slight frame, there was a quiet strength in the way he held himself, subtle muscles hinting at speed and precision, perhaps even lethal close combat abilities.

Rain then turned to face Eve. "We should go. The others are probably looking for me." He bowed deeply, a gesture of profound gratitude. "Thank you, Eve. I feel so much better after talking to you, and without your help, Ri might never have hatched."

At the side, Ri remained silent, but when he faced Eve, he couldn't help but avert his gaze slightly, bowing his head in respect.

Eve smiled beneath her hood, her expression softening. "Don't worry about it. I just want to see you succeed . . . and bring me the Starfire Blossom."

Rain grinned, a spark of determination lighting up his eyes. "I will. It might take a while before we see each other again, so I hope you take care of yourself."

Eve chuckled, her laugh like the whisper of a breeze. "I've taken care of myself for thousands of years, Rain. It's you who needs to be careful. I don't want you dying before you can show me that Starfire Blossom."

Rain chuckled in return, nodding. "Will do. Let's go, Ri."

"I hope for your safe return," Eve said softly as she watched Rain and Ri walk away, their figures gradually fading into the darkness of the night.

Eve remained silent, her eyes lingering on the path they had taken until they disappeared from sight. She then tilted her head back, gazing up at the twin moons, her hand reaching towards the stars as if to grasp them.

"How nice it would be . . . if I could finally leave this place," she whispered, a touch of longing in her voice.

As the words left her lips, a shadow slithered from the darkness, moving like a snake until it halted just inches from her.

"You called, mistress?" a voice hissed from the gloom.

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"I want you to follow them, in disguise," Eve commanded, her tone calm but firm.

The shadow hesitated, clearly surprised. "But mistress, I thought you didn't want us to interfere?"

"You already did," Eve's gaze turned sharp, cutting through the shadow with an intensity that made it shudder in dread.

"Don't think I didn't know about your little escapade with the Necrovenom Beetle."

The shadow flinched, a soft, guilty sound escaping it. "Guk . . ."

"As punishment, you will go and serve as my eyes," Eve continued, her hand brushing over her own eyes as she spoke. "My vision is limited. I can't see far to the north. You will be my eyes there."

"Understood, mistress," the shadow replied, its voice filled with submission.

"I know it might be hard not to interfere," Eve's voice took on an ominous edge, "but keep your involvement to a minimum."

The shadow trembled slightly before melting back into the darkness, vanishing into the night.

Eve watched the twin moons above, her hand still reaching toward the distant stars. "How nice it would be," she whispered to herself again, "if I could finally be free of this place."

=======

Two days had passed, and Rain and his troops were finally ready to move out to the Dustplains. Time was of the essence, and they couldn't afford to delay their mission for another day.

Rain's troops had prepared as much as they could, though the recruitment of new soldiers was still ongoing. It was decided that reinforcements would follow later, bringing the much-needed rations and equipment that the blacksmiths were still forging.

As they marched north, unease gnawed at Rain. They'd had little time to prepare, and he felt as though he were marching into battle with nothing but bare skin and steel.

~Chi?~

Rain forced a smile as Chi's voice echoed in his mind. "I'm fine, Chi. It's just . . . I wonder if a thousand soldiers are enough to breach the Gnomes' Stronghold."

'We have the combined might of the Elves, Goliaths, and even some Gnomes with us. I'm sure we'll be fine.'

"I don't know," Rain muttered, doubt creeping into his voice. "Santi said the Gnomes' stronghold is the hardest to breach."

'We have Gnomes on our side. They'd know how to break through their own fortifications, wouldn't they?'

"I hope you're right, Chi."

Despite Chi's reassurances, Rain's worry only deepened. If the Gnomes, Goliaths — renowned for their immense strength — and the Elves with their superior magic couldn't break the Gnome stronghold until now, then what chance did they have?