The behemoth of a crate unfolded itself once the top was peeled off. As the pieces fell like tiles. The innards of the crate unveiled themselves to reveal a large cross-like object with five pedestals behind the cross.

“It’s a weapon!” Tev chimed in with his fiery intellect, inspecting the mysterious weapon with a curious gaze. “Why would those gremlins need this?”

“I’m more curious what it’s for,” Betto replied, checking from above the contraption, discovering the identity of the weapon; The Ballista. An incredibly powerful weapon capable of launching large and dangerous projectiles. “Sir Alain! This is a ballista!” He bellowed to his superior.

“Why are they transporting a ballista?” Alain questioned as he began rummaging around the other fallen crates for answers. “What does it fire? I don't see any projectiles for it to fire.” He added as he began inspecting the ballista with his apprentices. 

It didn’t make sense to Betto, even as an amateur knight, it would be idiotic to be transporting weapons without them having a use. Scouring the weapon even more desperately, he stumbled upon five imprints in the shape of hearts. What could hearts be doing on a weapon like this? He began to ponder before his thoughts were interrupted by a high-pitched voice.

“Hey! They’ve got our transport!” a Deterior underling shouted to his troops. 

“Fuse and take them down!” another Deterior commanded as he and two nearby Deteriors melded their slimy black bodies into one larger and more capable body.

“More Deteriors,” Alain noted to his apprentices. “Prepare for combat!” He commanded as he readied his club. “Do not let them take the Ballista!” He added before a purple flame came rushing up to them.

The purple flame narrowly missed the trio, quickly bouncing between the unfused Deteriors, cutting them down in one fell swoop and quickly transitioning to the larger Deteriors. Immediately cutting down the larger fused Deteriors, dividing them by their elongated limbs and cutting up the remnants. The purple flame’s heat reduced them to a fine ashy powder that dispersed in the wind. The lightning-fast purple flame landed in a spot, putting itself out in the process. A man clad in dark-plated armor under a purple coat stood where the purple flame once was. He turned to the trio, his grand helmet and demon mask covering his lower face showed his power.

“Sir P-” Alain started as he approached the man, only for Tev to interrupt him.

“SIR PETER!?!” Tev squealed, unable to contain himself. Almost jumping off the top of the ballista to greet his idol. “It’s an honor to meet you!” He added as Betto grabbed him in a desperate attempt to hold him back. 

“Yeah, he’s not a Sir Alain fan.” Alain thought to himself as he gazed at the commotion going on.