The monstrous figure roared, molten eyes blazing with hatred as it pounded the ground with its massive fists, sending tremors through the street. Citizens scattered in terror, their screams echoing off the stone walls of Eldermire's narrow streets.

Layla held her ground, magic crackling at her fingertips. "Raziel, keep it busy!" she ordered sharply.

Without hesitation, Raziel surged forward, his enchanted blade flashing in the afternoon sun. He met the beast's next blow head-on, deflecting its clawed hand with a spray of sparks.

"Luna," Layla whispered urgently, pressing her fingers to her shoulder.

A shimmer of light rippled across her cloak as a small, dragon-like creature materialized from thin air, stretching its silver wings lazily. Her scales shimmered like polished moonstone, and her sapphire eyes gleamed with keen intelligence.

"Time to work," Layla urged, her voice steady.

Luna growled softly in acknowledgment before taking off with a powerful beat of her wings, sending loose papers fluttering and toppling nearby merchant signs.

The corrupted guard snarled, swinging a claw at Luna with surprising speed. She twisted mid-air, avoiding the swipe with practiced agility. With a sharp snap of her jaws, she unleashed a searing stream of radiant blue flames. The fire struck the beast's arm, burning away corrupted flesh and forcing it back with a pained howl.

Luna's growls deepened, resonating with magical intensity as she circled above. The monster lunged again, claws crackling with dark energy, but she evaded gracefully and retaliated with another blast of flames that scorched its chest.

"Keep at it!" Layla called, weaving defensive spells in case the creature broke through Luna's relentless assault.

Raziel darted in from the side, delivering a precision slash that severed one of the monster's corrupted arms. It staggered but still fought on, consumed by mindless rage.

Luna suddenly soared higher, wings spread wide as she gathered blinding magical energy in her maw. Her entire body began to shimmer like a miniature star in the darkened sky.

With a feral roar, she released a beam of concentrated moonlit energy. The powerful blast struck the corrupted beast square in its chest, piercing its magical core. The dark runes etched into its form fractured and shattered, unleashing a burst of black mist that dissolved into the air with an eerie wail.

When the smoke cleared, the monstrous form was gone, leaving behind the unconscious body of the guard who had attacked them. His armor was scorched, and his face twisted in unconscious agony—but he was alive.

Layla exhaled slowly, the magical energy around her dissipating. "Good work."

The dragon had learned a lot of skills that she had not learned before. It was an innate talent that Layla had not cultivated in Luna…yet.

Luna circled back and landed on her shoulder, letting out a satisfied huff before curling up. With a shimmer, her invisibility magic activated again, rendering her form nearly invisible against Layla's cloak.

Raziel wiped his blade clean, eyes sweeping the street for lingering threats. "It's over—for now."

The distant clatter of armored boots echoed through the cobbled streets. A squad of city guards rushed into the plaza, their weapons drawn. Their captain, a stern-faced man with piercing gray eyes, halted in front of Layla and Raziel, his expression darkening as his gaze landed on the unconscious guard.

"That's Lorne! He... he was on patrol duty!" one of the younger guards exclaimed, horror etched across his face.

The captain's eyes narrowed. "What happened here?"

Before Layla could respond, another guard pointed an accusing finger. "You two! Did you attack him?"

Raziel stepped forward, placing himself protectively in front of Layla. His voice was cold and commanding. "He was corrupted by dark magic and lost control. We neutralized the threat before civilians were harmed."

The guards exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unconvinced. Their captain advanced, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Dark magic doesn't just appear from nowhere. What proof do you have that you aren't the ones behind this?"

The guards needed a scapegoat for this situation and what better screapegoat was there than the people who were already pointed out as suspicious by them before?

Layla knew this, so she decided to counter the guard. Luckily for her, she did not need to interfere herself….or have Raziel interfere on her behalf.

Before the situation could escalate further, a stout merchant, still visibly shaken but resolute, stepped forward. "I saw everything! That... thing wasn't human. It attacked out of nowhere, and these two saved us all!"

Other townsfolk began to voice their agreement, recounting what they had witnessed. Their growing chorus of support drowned out the guards' suspicions.

Realizing he was losing public favor, the captain's face hardened. "We will investigate this thoroughly," he said stiffly. "Until then, leave the premises."

Layla's eyes gleamed with quiet defiance. "We have no intention of lingering."

The guards reluctantly lowered their weapons and began tending to their fallen comrade. The captain's gaze lingered on Layla, suspicion still burning in his eyes.

Raziel placed a steadying hand on Layla's shoulder. "Let's go," he urged softly.

Without another word, they disappeared into the winding streets, leaving behind a shaken but relieved crowd.

Once they were far from prying eyes, Raziel finally spoke. "They'll be watching us closely now."

Layla sighed, her expression thoughtful. "Let them watch. At least now we know someone's pulling strings in the shadows... and they're not done playing their game."

Her fingers brushed over Luna's sleeping form. Whoever had twisted the guard into that monstrous abomination was still out there—and they had made one thing painfully clear.

The guards did not like her and Raziel, causing them to become against her. It was an obvious conclusion, but Layla had expected this to take some time.

"My lady, shall I…," Raziel asked as he clutched his sword tightly, but Layla ended up grabbing his back and pulling him away.

"We don't have time for this. Let's head back and prepare for the weekend. We also need to start travelling toward the imperial city. Somehow, I have a feeling that it won't be an easy journey to make."