(The character will be introduced immediately after the episode concludes.)

Scene 1: The Safe Future

The first light of dawn spills golden hues over the Border Village, transforming the familiar landscape into a realm of hope and quiet determination. As Xero and Claude make their way toward the outskirts, their heavy travel bags swing with each purposeful step. The crisp morning air is filled with the scent of fresh dew mingled with the distant aroma of woodsmoke, and the gentle hum of early risers sets a calm yet vibrant tone for the day.

Villagers, still emerging from sleep, greet the two young warriors with warm smiles and friendly waves. The sound of children laughing as they dash along narrow lanes, and the clatter of a blacksmith setting up his forge, weave together into a comforting symphony that contrasts sharply with the uncertainty that lies ahead.

At the heart of the village stands Elder Myra—a venerable woman with kind, wrinkled eyes that have seen many seasons. Today, she leans on the wooden counter of her small herb shop, surrounded by bundles of fragrant dried leaves and roots. Spotting Xero approaching, her voice soft yet filled with concern, she calls out:

Elder Myra:
"Xero, dear! Are you truly leaving today? The road beyond is as unpredictable as the wind."

Xero stops and turns toward her, his smile gentle but resolute.

Xero:
"Yes, Elder Myra. It’s time for us to see the world beyond the village walls—to learn, to grow, and to forge our own destiny."

Her eyes glisten with a mix of pride and worry as she reaches into a weathered pouch hanging from her belt. She withdraws a small leather pouch filled with meticulously dried protection herbs—a tradition passed down through generations.

Elder Myra:
"Then take this, child. These herbs have safeguarded our people for years. Let them watch over you, just as I have always done."

Xero accepts the gift with a respectful nod, bowing slightly as he tucks the pouch securely into his bag.

Xero:
"Thank you, Elder Myra. I promise to honor this protection every step of my journey."

As he walks away with Claude at his side, Claude can’t hide the excitement and nerves in his voice.

Claude:
"This is it, Xero. A new beginning for us—no more following orders blindly. We’re about to create our own legacy."

Their conversation is briefly interrupted as they pass near the village’s ancient watchtower. A small cluster of armored Guardians stands in a tight circle, their voices carrying a mix of cautious optimism and guarded hope.

Guardian 1: (with a note of relief)
"The council finally approved it. The government is extending Visceral City's defenses right to our doorstep. Soon, we’ll have an official outpost here."

Guardian 2: (nodding)
"About time. After the catastrophe, we’ve needed every bit of protection we can muster."

Guardian 3: (enthusiastically)
"Imagine it—an outpost in our village means we won’t have to live in constant fear of invasion. Our families will be safer than ever."

Xero and Claude exchange a relieved glance, their hearts lightened by the news.

Xero: (smiling, his tone hopeful)
"That means my family—and everyone here—will be secure. Our home will thrive, even as we venture into the unknown."

Claude: (grinning broadly)
"No regrets, then. We move forward without looking back, knowing that our roots here remain strong."

With a renewed sense of purpose, the two friends unfold a worn, detailed map on a creaking wooden table beneath a spreading tree in the village center. Claude scrutinizes the map, tracing the routes with a finger as he speaks with growing intensity.

Claude: (frowning, eyes narrowing as he studies the parchment)
"This isn’t right. The Border Village is missing several key curves and elevation changes. If these details are off, our journey might lead us astray."

Xero, ever the optimist, arches an eyebrow in admiration of his friend’s keen observation.

Xero:
"Seriously? You caught that just by glancing? You really are a natural Geoscriptor. Every peak, every hidden valley—nothing will escape your attention."

Claude’s eyes sparkle with a mix of pride and determination as he continues, his voice gaining strength.

Claude:
"Of course! I don’t just want to read maps—I want to create the most accurate one of all Vesperion. No more guesswork, no more distortions. Every forgotten path and secret trail should be recorded, so our guild can navigate safely through even the most treacherous lands."

They share a quiet moment of resolve before their conversation shifts toward the daunting challenge ahead.

Xero: (pointing to a marked section on the map)
"Our first real test lies ahead in the Smokey Forest. Ever since the Astral Gate’s destruction, the forest has become a wild maze of mutated creatures and unpredictable terrain. It’s not just a test of our strength, but of our wits and our resolve."

Claude: (gripping his pencil and sketchbook, his excitement palpable)
"Finally, a real adventure—and a chance to chart the unknown! Imagine the discoveries we’ll make, the paths we’ll uncover. Every step we take could reshape the map of our entire world."

As they prepare to depart, the rising sun bathes the village in a hopeful light—a promise of new beginnings and challenges that will forge their future. With one last glance at the familiar streets, Xero and Claude tuck the map into their packs, their hearts brimming with both anticipation and a quiet determination to protect the legacy of their home.

Their journey is just beginning, and with every detailed observation and every bold step forward, they are one step closer to shaping a safe future for all.

Scene 2: The Beasts of the Smokey Forest

After hours of trudging through winding paths, Xero and Claude finally enter the depths of the Smokey Forest. Dense, gnarled trees shroud the path in perpetual twilight, and the heavy mist clings to every surface, blurring the line between reality and myth. The usual chorus of birds has died silent, replaced by a low, almost imperceptible hum that vibrates through the ground. Every step feels as if it might stir ancient secrets long hidden beneath the foliage.

Xero tightens his grip on his spear, his eyes scanning the eerie surroundings.
Xero: (in a hushed, tense whisper)
“Stay alert, Claude… something’s not right here. The forest is too still.”

Claude nods, his hand hovering near his concealed dagger. His eyes dart around nervously as he replies,
Claude: (voice low, a mix of excitement and apprehension)
“Yeah… it’s like the forest is holding its breath. I can almost feel every leaf and shadow waiting for us to slip.”

Before either can speak further, a sudden, frantic rustling shatters the silence. At first, just one pair of glowing red eyes flickers in the underbrush, then another, and soon a dozen eyes emerge from the gloom. With a deafening roar, a pack of Black Leopards—creatures twisted by the forest’s uncanny magic, their sleek bodies adorned with jagged, ivory-colored horns—leap from the shadows.

Claude: (startled, raising his voice as he dodges)
“—we’re about to have company!”

In an instant, chaos erupts. Xero lunges forward, thrusting his spear in a controlled, sweeping motion to keep the leopards at bay, while Claude dodges and weaves between the predators’ vicious strikes. The air fills with the sound of clashing metal and snarls as each beast lunges with lethal precision.

A leopard, its eyes burning with predatory hunger, leaps directly toward Claude. He barely manages to roll aside as its claws scrape his shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood. Gritting his teeth, Claude shouts over the din:
Claude:
“These things are lightning fast! I never imagined they’d be so… relentless!”

Before he can steady himself, another leopard barrels into him from the side, knocking him off balance. Claude tumbles to the forest floor, his breath knocked from him, but he scrambles back up with fierce determination written all over his face.
Claude: (muttering, frustrated)
“Okay, maybe I underestimated them… but we’re not giving up here!”

Xero, never missing a beat, calls out sharply between strikes:
Xero:
“Focus, Claude! We fight smart—don’t let them corner you!”

With coordinated precision, Xero spins his spear, deflecting a vicious swipe from a leopard’s claw, while Claude counters with quick, slicing strikes that force the beast to retreat. One after another, the leopards fall, their bodies crumpling into the damp forest floor, until the last one collapses with a final, echoing thud.

No sooner do they begin to catch their breath than a new terror descends from above—a piercing screech that shatters the temporary calm. A swarm of giant daylight bats swoops in, their massive wings beating the air with such force that shockwaves ripple through the forest floor.

Claude: (covering his ears, exasperated)
“Seriously? More of these things?!”

Amid the chaos, Xero hurls his spear with pinpoint accuracy, striking one of the bats mid-flight, while Claude, dodging the intense sound waves, finds an opening to slash through another with his dagger. The bats screech as they tumble, their shrill cries mingling with the roars of the remaining forest beasts.

But the forest’s assault is far from over. As if summoned by the turmoil, mutated wolves with crystalline fur emerge from behind twisted trunks, their eyes glinting with a feral intelligence. Simultaneously, serpents with ever-shifting, camouflaged scales slither silently through the underbrush, their tongues flickering in and out as they sense the chaos.

The battlefield becomes a maelstrom of movement—Xero’s spear arcing gracefully to keep the predators at bay, and Claude darting between foes, his every move a calculated blend of agility and raw determination. Amid clashing teeth and snapping claws, their voices rise in a grim duet of defiance.

Xero: (shouting above the melee, voice firm and commanding)
“We can’t let them overwhelm us—every strike counts! Use the terrain, force them into the open!”

Claude: (between gasps and gritted teeth)
“I’m with you, Xero! For every friend we lost, for every promise made—this fight is ours!”

Time seems to stretch as the relentless battle pushes them to their limits. Slowly, as one creature after another is bested by their combined efforts, the forest’s assault begins to wane. With one final, desperate surge, they drive back the last of the mutated wolves and serpents, leaving the forest eerily quiet once more.

Exhausted but exhilarated, Claude leans against a moss-covered log, catching his breath as Xero stands vigilant, scanning the dim forest for any lingering threats.
Claude: (panting, voice a mix of awe and determination)
“If this is just the beginning… then we’re in for the wildest journey of our lives.”

Xero smirks, wiping sweat and a streak of dirt from his face.
Xero:
“Exactly. Every beast we face, every challenge that comes our way—it’s forging us into the warriors we’re meant to be. Let’s keep moving, Claude. The future doesn’t wait.”

With the echoes of the forest slowly returning to normal and the adrenaline of battle subsiding, the two friends share a brief, resolute nod before continuing their arduous trek deeper into the unknown, ready to face whatever the wilds of Augeis Vesperion may throw at them next.