Rings of sound bounced around my skull as the arrows of light burrowed into the earth.

"M-mio?!"

I call out, screaming her name until my voice fades away. Everything was just fine, why is this happening; what is even happening. The color in Mio's eyes slowly started fading. I could feel my breathing start to get frantic, the rhythm between my inhales and exhales was completely gone. My chest was starting to hurt and my vision was getting blurrier by the second. It felt like the Earth itself was shaking.

Showers of jagged wooden boards started raining down on us, ready to merge us with the ground. Crawling over to help Mio was my best option. I could hear something big start to fall towards me, the air bending in its way. I start crawling faster, but as I could feel the pressure right above my head; a gentle smoke cocooned Mio and I. The wooden beam shattered and we seemed fine for the moment. My vision started to settle, and my pulse started growing slow. A soft hand wrapped around mine, gently tightening the grip.

"Mio! Are you okay? Let me help you up-" I stammer.

As I attempt to pull her up, she lets out a rough cough; leaving specks of blood on my face. "No.. it's okay Reimi."

Her voice was hoarse, struggling to escape her lips. "Just listen to me."

A gentle smile formed on her face. "My barrier will only hold for so long... get out of here."

Before she could speak another word, even more rubble slammed against the barrier; causing Mio to cough even more. "I'm glad I met you Reimi."

Mio attempted to raise her arm up, but I could tell it was broken. I gently held her forearm and brought it close to me. Her hand remained clenched.

"Reimi, I want you to take this and run." Slowly unraveling her fist, a soft shine came from a pristine-looking key. It looked like the key to a vehicle.

"I can't leave you though! I can carry you and we can-" I cried.

"I'm sorry Reimi.." Tears started welling up in both our eyes, as we both knew what needed to happen next.

"I have many regrets, but leaving you so soon might be one of my biggest. I would've liked to ease you into this world of magic... but alas, it's never that easy," Mio coughed.

I could feel her arm getting heavier. "Stay safe Reimi, and... be wary of who you trust, there's a lot of bad peo-"

Her voice slowly trailed off, as her head fell to the side. I could feel tears start streaming down my face as I took the key and ran. The barrier of smoke started to fade and the attacks were growing even stronger. Now sprinting in the open field— I had no cover. I needed to find this vehicle, but there's no sign of it! If anything it was probably in the house but there's no way I could head back without being slaughtered.

All I can do is recklessly run forward. Taking as close of a look as I can, these things attacking me look like energy projectiles; arrow-like in shape. Definitely magic, but I have no idea where it's coming from. I can sense it has a very distinct feel from Mio's magic. This just feels like pure culling intent; Mio's felt very warm, and comforting. Ahh...

It's hard to stay balanced, as the magic rattles the earth with each collision. Starting to pant and run out of breath, the magic had no sign of slowing down.

"Will this ever end?!" Starting to get frustrated, my vision got blurry fast. My balance took a hit real fast-

I tripped over myself and the key flew out of my hand.

"No-!"

I reached out while falling, trying to grab the key- and as my eyes grew black, the key flashed white. "The key was the vehicle?!"

I slam into the ground.

"Uhh.."

In front of me was a jet-black motorcycle, with bright gold highlights sparsely scattered all over the sides and front. Not too bulky, yet it looked very durable. It truly screamed Mio...

I lifted myself off the ground swiftly and hopped on the bike.

"Ah god I hope I can balance this-"

The ground started to rumble even more, but this felt much different than before. It was as if something was burrowing underneath the surface. The house and fields were being engulfed in flames; but there was an unnatural amount of smoke resonating from the surface. Instead of being more black and smoggy, it was a gentle grey. It was easy to see through at first, but once it started condensing near the house it was almost impossible to make anything out.

Before any more magic arrows could land, a giant hiss boomed from below. I almost fell off the bike from how loud it was. The earth beneath the house was starting to sink, and all I could make out from the fog was a huge red eye. Mio and the house were completely gone, swallowed by whatever that was. I need to leave here now.

I grabbed the bike's handles and twisted them as far as I could, the engine rumbled— and I took off. It was difficult to tell how fast I was going, the wind felt gentle against my face. As if there was a warm shield at the front of the bike; shielding me from the elements. The rumbling and explosions started fading away; eventually leaving just the hum of the bike.

"Rest easy, Mio."

A DAY LATER

I kept driving, hoping to find a town or somewhere I could rest. A run-down wooden gate was in the distance— whatever is past there is my only option. The air felt a bit sticky, and the path forward could barely be considered a road; a dirt trail, illuminated by the sunrise. I could barely keep my eyes open, constantly fighting the urge to close the curtains. Barely able to keep my balance, the bike somehow started autopiloting. I assume it's magic since now everything that doesn't make sense can easily be explained that way (totally)— but I'm not sure where it's coming from. Maybe it's able to generate energy somehow?

Wondering about all these things, my mind managed to stay awake. Finally, the openings to a town were in sight. From the welcome gate, I thought it would be similar to Willowwood, but this is actually surprisingly nice. The buildings all look uniform and cleanly built, all the paint attached to them is in perfect condition too!

"Wow" I say in amazement.

I had never ventured this far out of town before. I always wondered what other parts of the world looked like. This is.. Really cool. There has to be so much more stuff out there! I've always been too preoccupied to really dive deep into these fantasies of mine, but, I have all the time I need now right? I can't go back home with these monsters attached to me; they could hurt my family. I need to figure this all out first.

I got off the bike, wobbling as my feet hit the ground. I try to take in all of what I'm seeing, but I think my body has had enough for the day. Just as I was sifting through the town, trying to find a place I could stay— bottles breaking and loud shouting came from my right.

I chuckle a little. "Now that's Willowwood."

The shouting grew louder and ended abruptly with a really loud thud. It sounded like someone got dropped to the floor-

The front door to the place burst open, and a tall woman stepped out.

"Wha..."

I could immediately tell that she clearly had too much to drink; she balanced herself against the left side of the doorway, exhaling slowly and lowering her head. I lost my balance and fell against my bike, luckily it was able to catch me-

I could hear her mutter something under her breath, as she slowly lifted her head. The rising sunlight peeked over the building behind me and lit up the woman's face. Someone definitely had a rough night out but... How is she still so beautiful? Her golden locks swept across her face as the wind blew by, revealing her sparkling hazel eyes-

"It isn't polite to stare ya know."

The woman grinned slightly and tilted her head. "Mm.."

Now she was staring at me.

"Didn't you just say-"

Before I could finish my statement, loud stomping began to emerge from behind the woman. My gaze shifted to directly behind her and what the hell-

A giant man was running at her, with murderous intent in his eyes. I'm honestly amazed he even fit through the door since he looks like pure muscle: all bulk.

"ASTRID!!" the man yelled with intense vigor.

"RETURN OUR MONEY RIGHT-"

The woman slightly leapt into the air, spinning around to meet the giant eye to eye. She drew her arm back, clenching her fist. Before I could blink, she slammed her fist into the man's face; sending him flying back into the building, crashing through the back wall. She turned around as if nothing happened and stretched her arms.

"Ahh~ Nothing like a fight to sober up in the morning, right?" she winked at me.

The woman slowly started to approach me, and once close she brought her hand up. "I'm Astrid, nice to meet ya" she smiled warmly.