Reaching for the clip and buckle, he expertly bound his weapons to his armoured back, easily moving to the mirror to brush his teeth and give an award-winning smile. Blonde hair spiked around his perfectly carved features, each scar hidden on his back a reminder of the painful process he took to become enchanted and ready to fight against the vile creatures outside.

Sheathing his sword and clipping his book to his belt, he moved to head out the door to greet another cramped and claustrophobic day. Stares of awe surrounded him as he strode through the city toward exit 5B, where the party of alchemists he was meant to escort were waiting. Each one was thin and lanky, carrying a lack of coordination that would allow even a plant to kill them.

“There you are Elegard, shall we head out? The Urkroot must be gathered as soon as possible. It is a crucial ingredient in the blood pact.” One of the Alchemists moved to explain as if expecting him to want to know the reason for their mission. Instead, he moved toward the exit, flicked his ID to the guard, and passed on through.

“Yes, yes, your root thing, let’s go.” The three moved to hurry after him, clutching their beginner tomes with apprehension, as they didn’t have time to hesitate. Each step outside brought them further into danger as they huddled behind their shining protector, who made no move to slow down for their benefit.

Each, in one way or another, glanced toward the line of immigrants slowly being screened in the distance at 5A. It was all too easy for a grimace to fall on Elegard’s face as he forced himself to slow down so they could catch up. The forest was a half-day away, and the danger would begin to grow now they were too far away from the barrier to flee there.

Still, nothing attacked them as they soon made their way into the forest. A strange plant with three bulbs drew the curiosity of one alchemist. Spinning in place, Elegard grabbed his cloak and pulled him out of the way as acid popped out at lighting speed. They all stared as the purple ichor seeped into the ground, adding to the scarred land around it.

“Word to the wise gentlemen, if the ground is brown: stay down. If the ground is yellow, let it mellow. If it’s green, then we’re mean.” Continuing to lead them through the forest, Elegard would pull them out of plenty of dangers quite similar to it. Some kobolds attacked but a few careful blows sent them fleeing.

‘Don’t hurt anything intelligent out there today. We don’t want to anger the dragon.’ They’d ordered him, and so he obeyed, mind rioting inwardly as he continued to slam his feet down onto the grass without care or grace, daring beasts to come and fight him. Their destination soon arrived, and the alchemists hurried down to the river stream as he kept watch.

“You have five minutes.” Sweeping his sword out, he swung it in an arc around him to mark the trees. Each one remained still. With the mimic test complete, he turned his attention to the water they were stumbling through, memories flooding back of his first foray into these lands. The danger would find them.

The echo of trees being felled rapidly grew as his prediction came true, and he turned to face down a large boar the size of a mammoth. He leapt forward and grabbed it by the tusk, using it to spin upward and slam a kick into the side of its face. The blow veered it off course such that it narrowly passed the alchemists. They rose with their handfuls of plants and moved to scrabble away in fear.

“Stay right where you are,” he growled out as he leapt over the river and straight down toward the boar. His blade glimmered as the runes upon it began to glow and guide it directly into its skull. The beast staggered and slowly fell to one side, dead in a single instant. The blade’s glow dimmed away to nothing.

“T-Thank you,” they stammered out. Elegard merely turned his gaze back toward them as a detection spell rang out through the forest for a second time.

“Just doing my job.” Each snap and crack of a plant echoed in his ears as sounds focused his attention and brought his mind to bear. The forest loomed over them as an ill wind began to blow, the sounds of normal creatures fading away as something noticed their presence. A breath echoed out from the mountains as it moved to rise.

“Times up, let’s go,” he barked and sheathed his weapon to drag them out of the water, pulling them along as he rapidly led them through the path and pushed each of them into a run while the forest forced everything against their escape. A bird flying right into one of the alchemists sent him reeling and precariously balanced over a cliff.

A metal hand grasped the alchemist and pulled him away just as shadowy hands reached to drag him into the darkness. The others moved to pause in fear before another roar echoed from a larger beast hurtling toward them. With a rough kick, Elegard sent them all flying out of the way as the boar slammed into him.

They both tumbled off the cliff and into the hands of darkness, falling and fighting before the sword sliced clean through the beast’s neck. Reaching for his rune book, he flipped it open to a page and channelled the magic into the rune.

“!” A bright light shone and the shadowed hands fled as he leapt for the edge of the cliff. Not making it all the way up. One free hand clutched a loose rock and he swung upwards off it, dirt falling around him. With a solid thud, he landed on the cliff edge and stared at the alchemists.

“Now move!” With his lead, Elegard led the alchemists past dangers and threats as the forest awoke with life, each slash of his sword covering him in blood and gore. Eventually, the forest could no longer hold them at bay, and they burst back into the fields, their movements picking up as they dashed for the barrier.

Elegard calmed the moment they exited the forest, but the alchemists continued to flee with fear and panic. Letting them, he kept up with a casual jog as he thought about the large cash reward awaiting him. A smile emerged on his face as he felt the blood caked on him beginning to dry. The barrier of safety marked the end of this trip.

But there would always be more.