The foul, rotting magic from the leader’s blade did not just sit in the air—it began to bleed outward. The dark corruption seeped directly into the river water, turning the clear ripples a murky, sickly purple. The playful water spirits, trapped in the shallow currents, screamed in terror as the toxic mana singed their fragile forms.

Seeing the spirits suffer broke something inside Riki. His jaw tightened so hard a vein throbbed on his temple. His fingers wrapped around the hilt of his sword, knuckles turning white.

"Sorry," Riki muttered, his voice dropping to a dangerous, icy whisper. "I'll have to end this quickly."

"Time to die for our Master!" the leader roared, completely blind to Riki's shifting aura. The two remaining cloaked men lunged forward in unison, unleashing a barrage of chaotic shadow spells that tore up the mud and hissed through the air.

"Watch out, my Master!" Aria cried out, her hand reaching forward.

But Riki was already gone.

He moved with absolute, blinding speed. To Aria, he looked like nothing more than a streak of silver light dancing through a storm of darkness. The mercenaries threw everything they had—dark bolts, toxic rot, and slashing shadow claws—but Riki effortlessly twisted, ducked, and glided through their spells without a single scratch.

Aria watched, her heart hammering against her ribs. She was terrified for him, but she couldn't move. Suddenly, a soft, cool sensation surrounded her wrists.

The trembling water spirits had emerged from the river, hovering nervously in a tight circle all around Aria. They were crying, their tiny bodies flickering, but instead of fleeing, they pressed against her skin. They were trying to comfort her. They were consoling her, choosing to protect the gentle dark elf even while their home was being poisoned.

Aria’s eyes widened, a new warmth blooming in her chest. They are trying to give me strength.

Out in the mud, the leader grew frantic, swinging his sword wildly as Riki closed the distance. "Stand still, you rat!"

Riki didn't answer. He simply gripped his sword with both hands, channeled his mana, and let out a sharp breath.

"Ignis Burst!"

A brilliant, roaring wave of crimson fire erupted from Riki's blade. The sheer heat of the spell shattered the humid air, instantly vaporizing the black smoke. The explosive flame crashed directly into the mercenaries' defenses, breaking through their dark magic like brittle glass and sending a shockwave rippling across the riverbank.