An orange glow seeped through the leaves above them. The hair on the back of Kuro’s neck stood on end despite the beauty of soft light shining down from the swaying branches above. It was the ominous amber glow every adventurer knew foretold the coming of shadows. When darkness approached, the forest came to life and all manner of demonic beasts began their hunt. Kuro looked at the pile of wood in his arms and nodded to himself in a rushed satisfaction before running back to their makeshift shelter.

The howling and hollering of beasts echoed in the distance as Kuro approached their camp to find Milly with her bow at the ready. She kneeled in the opening of a mess of branches that leaned on a supporting pole that rested on a tree. It was a shabby attempt at a shelter, but it was better than being exposed to the elements and creatures that lurked. Kuro dropped the pile of wood in the ring of stones that he had arranged before running off into the forest. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of steel and a pale stone. A fire was what they needed. Without one, they would have to spend the night fighting to stay alive.

CLACK! CLACK!

Sparks showered over a ball of the driest forest scraps Kuro could muster in the dying light. Pain shot through his body with every strike of the rock on the iron in his hand. A desperate chill ran down his spine at the dread of the sparks not catching.

CLACK! CLACK! CLACK!

Strength left his hands as they shook with pain. Kuro sat back to catch his breath when a hand rested on his shoulder. Milly squatted beside Kuro and investigated the unlit branches that sat in a cone shape. She stared at the ball of leaves, moss, and grass before she pulled a small metal block from her coat pocket. As she flicked the top open, two bright strings of light formed an X-shape that ignited the pile in an instant. She smiled as warmly as the fire that roared to life before them. The flickers of the flame bounced on Milly’s grin reminding Kuro how attractive she was. His face felt hot.

“The best part of science is that it can make everyone’s life easier,” Milly proclaimed. “You can make something difficult into something trivial with the right tools.”
Kuro laughed for the first time that day. It was as if all the stress that built up from the events of the day melted away. In an instant, he knew what he had to do.
“WHAT? Did I say something funny?” Milly asked as her face turned red.

“No, no, not at all. It’s just that you don’t have to keep selling me on it,” Kuro assured.

“Does that mean you'll be my assistant?”

“I suppose so.”

“Then why were you laughing at me?”

“I wasn’t.”

Kuro laughed once more to Milly’s dismay. In protest, she began to raise a fist to smack Kuro’s shoulder over and over again.

“I guess with a punch like that you’ll need a bodyguard too,” Kuro joked.

“Geez! You tease me too much! Maybe this was a mistake!” Milly responded with a pout.

“How’s Chomper?” Kuro eased up.

Milly turned to the makeshift shelter where a single snout popped out from a ball of fur sprawled about. Chomper’s eyes were still shut from the ride in the bag tucked away in the corner. Milly and Kuro knelt down to attend to the pup. Chomper’s nose twitched at the scents that approached, but their breath lacked the playful energy Kuro came to know.

“Maybe the fire starter would help?” Kuro suggested.

For a second time, Kuro pulled the fire starter from his pocket and placed it near Chomper’s nose. Two sniffs were followed by a big bite bringing some life to the small pup. Milly smiled at Kuro.

“We’ll get you some more metal when we find a town, Chomper,” Milly said to the dog as she gently petted his head. “I’m surprised you knew his favorite treats.”

“Well, when we first met Chomper let me know that my sword was a real cut above the rest,” Kuro mused.

“Ha, ha… So lame,” Milly responded without making eye contact.

“Anyways, why don’t you get some rest? I’ll take the first watch. If we want to make it through the night one of us has to we’re not also on the menu for something out there.”

“Y-yeah! Exactly, don’t stay up too late! Wake me up when it’s my turn!”

Milly made her way into the mess of branches while Kuro made it his task to find the most appropriate spot by the fire. Experience taught him that being too comfortable was the easiest way to get caught sleeping on the job. Finally getting to sit gave Kuro’s body the time to remember all the aches that pulsed from every joint and muscle. To ease his pain, he pulled the pole he had fought with earlier to him and leaned on it to hold his body up. It felt sturdy in his hands and relieving to have a weapon to guard against the darkness beyond the amber glow.

Each hour felt like an eternity and sleep constantly felt like it would drag Kuro to the ground in an instant. Still, he was on edge at every rustle and howl that echoed in the night and resolved himself to let Milly rest until the sun rose. Kuro stood to put a few more logs on the flickering flames and his feet felt like they were wading through water with each step. He leaned on the pole like a cane while he watched the fire catch on and burst brighter. Kuro smiled as the warmth reached him until his ears perked up.

“HELP! HELP!” A mysterious voice yelled.

Kuro shot up with his weapon in hand. The woman looked like any other villager although her pure face was twisted in fear. Her dress was torn from running through the dense woods except for a long gash on her arm that was covered in red.

“What happened?” Kuro interrogated not dropping his guard.

“My trade caravan was attacked by bandits that were dressed up as the Empire’s soldiers,” she pleaded with her hands on her face to cover up her tears. “Please, you have to help me, they killed everyone else.”

“Were you followed?”

“They’re nearby, please, I don’t want to die!”

“Quick! hide!”

Kuro led the girl to a spot near the shelter and buried the girl in the forest clutter that he cleared out when they made camp. After she was sufficiently disguised with foliage he slapped both of his cheeks to shake himself awake. Whatever weariness Kuro felt pounded away with his heartbeat now in his ears. He sat down with his weapon ready in case things went awry before pulling his hood over his head. The banging of plate armor rang through the forest with sparks of magic lit up the dense wood. Within moments the source of it all entered the campfire’s glow.

“You there, Adventurer! Have you seen a young girl in these woods?” The soldier beckoned.

Kuro peered from the corner of his hood to see that two more soldiers were at his side. They kept an eye out toward the woods, not leaving any spot blind.

“Can’t say I have.” Kuro answered with no life in his voice

“You wouldn’t mind if I took a look around would you?”

“Actually, I do mind, my partner can be quite the grump if they’re woken up.”

“Just let us give your camp a once over. If you’re not guilty you’ve got nothing to hide.”

Kuro felt a bead of sweat run down his cheek. The soldier drew his weapon and circled the camp. Glimmers of the fine stones reflected the campfire in red light telling Kuro the blade he carried was meant for fire magic. It was a stark difference from the standard issue wind stone that most soldiers used. As the soldier approached the shelter Kuro stood up. The other two soldiers drew their weapons as Kuro lifted his hands into the air.

“Would you mind letting me wake her up? Like I said, I’d be the one in trouble here.”

The soldiers lowered their guard as they allowed Kuro to approach the place where Milly slept. She was snoring without a care in the world. Kuro shook her awake to some grumbling.

“We’ve got trouble, got any tricks up your sleeve to handle three guys in armor?” Kuro whispered.

“Yeah… I’m thirsty for chaos,” Milly mumbled.

Kuro chuckled to himself as he emerged from the shelter. Milly followed soon after to reveal herself looking as drowsy as ever until she noticed who they were dealing with. Kuro was close enough to hear her click her tongue.

“Well, it looks like you check out. If you need an escort to town I can have my soldiers come back after our mission,” the soldier declared. “Hey, you girl, you look familiar.”

The soldiers assembled together. One of them ignited a simple spell to illuminate their blade.

“Ha ha ha!” a woman’s voice laughed. “Stop it!”

The woman emerged from where Kuro had concealed her with Chomper poking around at her sides. The soldiers drew their weapons and ignited them with magic.

“Nothing to hide, eh? Get her!” The leader ordered!

“FACE MY WRATH!” Milly cried before throwing an orb to the ground.

“Eh?” Kuro gasped.

Milly closed her eyes and covered her ears before the object hit the ground. The last thing Kuro saw was the largest open-mouthed smile Milly could manage before a light that flashed brighter than the sun. He was shaken by a sound that only left a high ring in his ears.