December 5th, 2022 – 5:07 P.M.
Floor 2 – Somewhere Forest – The Walled Village
“AKANE!”
The name shot out of Takao's parted lips like the report of a gun, echoing through the Northern section of the village. Her body had moved, faster than it had ever moved before—hurrying. Hurrying to save him and yet, the sick weight of hopelessness pulled on her. Time moved slow. She could see him falling into the jaws of the «Gigante». See him and do nothing about it. It was like a nightmare. Being so helpless. She could feel her heart, painfully screaming in her chest.
The blazing white teeth, etched with red, clamped shut—little glowing red flecks flying every where—and, in the midst of the chaos, flurry of blond and dark hair crashed to the ground.
Speechless, Morrighan searched frantically for the strength to move and she found herself running forward and pulling Ark close to her. His leg was gone. But, that didn't matter. He was alive. And, next to him, was Fenrir—who had lost his left arm, saving Ark. He had saved Ark. Through wet eyes, she said, weakly, “Thank you.”
The joy was short lived as reality returned, casting a shadow over the trio. The «Gigante», angered over its failed attack, loomed over them and pounced. Morrighan raised her blade in a futile attempt to defend them, whispering “Kieh” but knowing that, not having finished its cool-down time, the shockwave wouldn't save them. It was over. A last thought pierced through her mind, causing her to laugh remorsefully. This game sucked.
Suddenly, there was a sound like the wind and a single dark-figure zipped by, a blade extended, and spun in a wild fashion. In a connected series of consecutive slashes, the sword cut right through the «Gigante» as it flew, immediately sending it back into the blue-shards from whence it came. Morrighan watched in amazement as a number of other figures, clad in the same beige uniform as the man from before, flew overhead—leaping from roof to roof, seemingly preparing to engage the «Gigantes». The dark-figure came to an oddly soft landing in front of the three, revealing a short and young-looking man with black-hair and an apathetic expression.
Seeing Morrighan's expression, he gave a partially amused scoff with the barest hint of a smile. “Don't say anything—you did good.” He threw a set of «Healing Crystals» to the three and, then, with a glance at their weapons, unsheathed three swords—all of which had been strapped to his waist—and placed them by their feet. He motioned towards the two children and their mother, “Don't worry about them. Go out there and keep fighting, if you'd like, or take a break—you deserve it.” With that, he took off, seeming to be headed for the action in the distance and being replaced by three other uniformed NPCs who proceeded to help «Hunter» and «Kasadi».