"You are the eldest of this generation, which is why you are the one we will send out to find the red serpent of the ocean," an old man with a cane said to Erilya.
"But no one is allowed to leave this kingdom! It's dangerous," a member of the Fiteria clan commented.
"It is the duty of the eldest of this generation in our family! We cannot stop until the Bakunawa is tamed."
Erilya clenched her fists with a smile on her lips. Yet her eyes were lifeless because even before she could cross the boundary, the kingdom's guards might capture her.
Despite this, she concealed her trembling. "I'll be fine. I will be fine, so I will go."
The sun set which darkened the whole kingdom, with no people outside except for the patrolling guards. The Fiteria clan members manipulated animal traits in their bodies, ready to attack at any moment.
"Listen, Erilya. All you need to think about is escaping from the guards. Don't worry about us; we can handle ourselves," her younger brother Rilyon whispered, his fangs bared, his eyes like a cat's, observing the guards.
Erilya nodded and manipulated the lion's traits in her body.
"Get ready... one... two... now!"
Erilya began leaping across the rooftops of houses while her family members blocked those pursuing her.
"Run, Erilya, and don't look back! Forget about us and just go." Rilyon buried his claws into a guard's chest, causing the lifeless body to collapse to the ground.
Explosions and clashes of attacks echoed as Erilya made her way to the boundary. One by one, her protectors stayed behind to block the guards.
She clenched her fists, tears falling from her eyes, blurring her vision until she tripped over a branch in her path. She rolled on the ground, and everything was replaced by silence.
She hadn't realized she was already outside the kingdom's boundary.
She tried to stand but fell to her knees. She was gasping for breath and trembling.
"Did you think you could escape from us?" Erilya turned her gaze to the guards who had followed her.
"Why do you still follow the orders of a king who has long been gone from this world?"
"Give up, Erilya. It's a pity; you're quite beautiful."
Erilya chuckled softly, making her trembling disappear. If she let fear consume her, how could she find the Bakunawa alone? Besides, she was one of the best from the Mirasol family.
A tail sprouted from her back. Her ears became like a fox's. Her claws grew sharper. "Surrender? You misunderstand, you foolish guards of Mirasol!"
Metal objects floated in the air. Some took the shape of blades, others chains, and a cage. The guards manipulated these and sent them flying toward Erilya, but she swiftly dodged them.
She slashed through the chains with her claws, but even when they broke into pieces, they reassembled. Her heart still raced from fear and uncertainty. At any moment, her body might give out from exhaustion.
"How long do you think you can escape us, Erilya!"
Erilya retreated, splitting a chain in half, but she stepped on a patch of water on the ground and lost her balance.
"You should have surrendered earlier!" The guards laughed at her, their eyes fixed on the blades she could no longer evade.
"A woman should be cherished, not fought by the guards of Mirasol." Erilya fell into the arms of a man with black hair streaked with blue.
A massive wave appeared, despite the absence of any sea or large body of water. It swallowed the guards and then solidified, becoming a giant block of ice. Inside, the enemy's weapons and the enemies themselves were trapped.
"Are you alright, Miss? You seem to be from the kingdom known for its iron fist," Seron Ashikan asked.
Erilya slapped his cheek with her heavy hand as he helped her stand properly and stepped back, raising his hands in a gesture of innocence. "Sorry... I forgot to ask for permission to touch you."
"You! My name is Erilya Fiteria... Don't call me 'Miss'!"
Seron nodded. "Pleased to meet you, Erilya. I am Seron Ashikan, newly appointed Chief Knight. I decided to explore, and fortunately, I found you."
"Th-thank you, then. I-I'll be going now—"
"Wait! Aren't you an escapee from Mirasol? If you leave now, more guards might come. It's safer if you come with me."
Erilya raised an eyebrow at him. She was a stranger, yet the Chief Knight offered her help. Moreover, Seron knew she was from Mirasol.
"But, I can't—" Erilya froze as an ice sword swiftly passed by her. When she looked back, it had pierced through the tree behind her.
"From now on, Erilya Fiteria no longer exists. You will be Erilya Ashikan, my future wife..."
It felt like a heavy stone had dropped on Erilya. She turned to Seron. "You wanted to kill me earlier, and now you want to make me your wife? Have you lost your mind?!"
"The King said I need to find a wife, so you'll do. It's hard to find one. Besides, you're the only one who doesn't seem to like me."
Erilya's eyes narrowed, and the fox traits disappeared from her body. "I come from Mirasol, and I'm a stranger. Do you think your King will allow this?"
Seron smiled and nodded. "He will definitely approve."
"Why?"
"Why? Isn't it obvious? The King and I are friends," he replied confidently, causing Erilya to shake her head and chuckle softly.
"You're really crazy. Did you know I'm out here because I have a mission?"
"No. I'm not a mind reader."
Erilya sighed. "I'm here to find the Bakunawa."
Seron's smile widened, making Erilya pause. "That's good. We'll get along. I was also tasked with finding and stopping the Bakunawa."