Extra Scene - Act 1, Chapter 1 (Gara's POV)

Notes:

• MC is a builder in this scenario. I’ve used a randomizer to choose between the different paths.
• Amidi = Friend
• Achicasnay = Evil

>>>>>>>>>>

Someone’s messing with the barrier again.

The feeling is an instant sting in Gara’s mind, and it makes her body tense all over.

"Anyway, I have to go. It's time to head back to the clinic, and as tempting as it may be, showing up drunk is unprofessional." Omar says as he gets up from his seat and heads for the exit, stopping at the doorway and waving goodbye. "See you tonight!"

“Goodbye…”

Gara’s voice is distant. She barely registers the doctor’s words, all her senses focused on that tingle on the back of her head. Fortunately though, Omar’s already gone.

The sensation narrows. It tightens and condenses into a single point. From the outside, anyone would think the young keeper’s vacant gaze means she’s lost in thought; however, in the midst of the tavern, Gara concentrates all her energy on keeping the barrier raised. For a moment, it seems like she succeeds, but the relief is short-lived.

There’s a breach. Gara closes her eyes and strives to fight off the intruders from afar, but they’re already inside.

It’s happening again.

She starts compulsively cleaning a mug under Enid’s watchful gaze. She feels it too, and only one question remains capable of breaking through Gara’s intense focus.

How many are there?

She feels seven scouts advancing through the forest, but none of them should have been able to break the barrier. Gara furrows her brow. Who’s pulling the strings? An unanswered question that takes a back seat when she realises the direction in which the scouts are heading.

The construction site.

She immediately releases the mug on the sink with more force than necessary, but fortunately, it doesn’t break or draw unwanted attention. Gara hurriedly leaves from behind the bar, whispering to her eternal companion with her back to the tavern’s customers.

“Stay vigilant. I’ll be back soon.”

The celestial spirit nods discreetly.

“Be careful, amidi.”

The achimencey makes her way to the door, stopping only when she hears the voice of one of her customers calling out.

"Hey, Gara! What are you doing, slacking off from work at this hour?" one of the neighbours laughs.

Gara sheepishly scratches the back of her head, wanting to rush out to defend the small village but not wanting to appear rude.

"Sorry, it's just that I have a little matter I forgot to take care of. I won't be long," she replies with a nervous chuckle.

The human waves his hand to play down the matter, showing that he was just joking. Something Gara already knew but still appreciates. She still struggles to understand the sarcasm that mortals use. She doesn't remember them communicating this way ten thousand years ago.

"Nothing to worry about, kid. Take advantage of being young and do what you have to."

Gara smiles and nods before heading out the door.

'Young.' If only they knew...

Gara shakes off the guilt that briefly invades her and ventures into a deserted alley. When she feels there is no one nearby who can see her, the achimencey teleports to the outskirts of Sorrol.

-----

Traces of ash guide her to the river.

Gara did everything she could to help the builders as she advanced through the lush vegetation. Although she couldn't arrive in time to prevent one of the scouts from injuring one of their co-workers, $name and Lavina managed to endure without further casualties, thanks in part to Luca appearing on the scene as reinforcement.

Now, with the demons destroyed and the path to Sorrol cleared, the humans shouldn't have any trouble taking the injured man back to the village. Gara prays for his soul to be saved.

That should have been the end of it, except that one of the scouts managed to escape, which would have been fine if it weren't for the fact that Luca didn't hesitate to go after it to hunt it down, and Gara follows his trail to prevent his resentment for the corrupt creatures from leading him to his doom.

As she gets closer, Gara can feel them as if she were right there.

Luca and the scout face to face, each on a different side of the river. Luca grips his sword tightly and raises his shield, determined to be the first to attack. The demon stares into his eyes. There's a cry. A corrupt threat only comprehensible to celestial beings. Luca hesitates, he's scared, which makes Gara quicken her pace.

The scout tenses up. It roars. It’s about to leap and attack just as Gara reaches the river.

“Not a step further, Achicasnay.”

Gara lands on a tree branch, with her knees bent, arms hanging loose, and her back slightly hunched forward. The wind whispers a warning, causing the demon to come to a sudden stop. Their gazes meet, and the scout tenses.

Luca furrows his brow and lowers his shield slightly. He doesn't understand why the demon appears... frightened?

"On sacred ground, I am the master."

Gara’s violet eyes begin to shine intensely. Hidden among the tree leaves, she resembles a predator from another world. In a way, that's how she feels; dangerous, unstoppable, and hungry.

The demon trembles and takes a step back. It can't look away from the amethyst terror. The next whisper is no longer just mental; Gara’s lips form a word:

"Out."

An act more merciful than the beast deserves, but right now, all Gara wants is to keep Luca safe.

No more needs to be said for the demon to turn and run away, disappearing into the vegetation. Gara feels it stepping out of the barrier, but it doesn't even bring her relief. The achimencey tightens her lips and furrows her brow as frustration makes its way alongside the reproaches. It's time to act; she can no longer pretend to be someone she's not.

Luca turns around, uneasy, looking for the place where the strange sense of calm he shouldn't be feeling is coming from.

But Gara has already disappeared.