Edrin had faced one Invader.
That had been terrifying.
Facing three at once, however—
Felt deeply unreasonable.
"…I would like to file a complaint," he said, taking another slow step backward.
"Denied," Lyra replied instantly.
Ronan grinned, rolling his shoulders as he stepped forward. "Stay sharp, hero."
"I'm not sharp," Edrin said. "I'm barely functional!"
The three Invaders fully emerged from the distortions, their forms darker and more stable than before. Unlike the others, these moved with unsettling coordination, spreading out as they advanced.
Edrin pointed. "They're working together. I don't like that."
"Then break their rhythm," Lyra said, magic already forming in her hands.
"Yes, I will do that," Edrin replied. "I don't know how, but I will attempt it."
The first Invader lunged.
Ronan met it head-on.
Steel clashed against shadow as he blocked and countered in one smooth motion, forcing the creature back.
"Fast!" Ronan called. "But predictable!"
"That's easy for you to say!" Edrin shouted.
The second Invader darted toward Lyra.
She raised her hand—
A burst of light erupted, striking it mid-motion and knocking it aside.
"I've got this one!" she said.
"That leaves…" Edrin turned slowly.
The third Invader was already in front of him.
"…me," he finished.
The creature attacked immediately.
Edrin yelped and stumbled backward, barely dodging the first strike.
"Too fast!" he shouted.
"Then move faster!" Lyra called.
"I'm trying!"
The Invader struck again.
Edrin stepped sideways—
Late.
The attack grazed his sleeve, tearing the fabric.
He froze for half a second.
"…That was my only good shirt," he said.
The creature attacked again.
Edrin moved.
This time—just in time.
The strike missed.
Edrin blinked.
"…Okay. That's something."
He tightened his grip on the sword.
Watch it. Move. Don't panic.
The Invader lunged again.
Edrin stepped forward.
Not back.
Forward.
The motion surprised even him.
The attack passed behind him as he slipped inside its reach.
"…I did that on purpose," he said, slightly shocked.
"Good!" Lyra called. "Now attack!"
"Right! Yes! Attacking!"
Edrin swung.
The blade scraped across the creature's outer form—but didn't hit the core.
The Invader recoiled, then countered.
Edrin barely dodged, losing his balance—
And falling.
"Ah, there it is," he said mid-descent.
But as he fell, his instincts kicked in.
He twisted.
Adjusted.
The sword angled upward—
And struck.
A flash.
The Invader froze—
Then shattered.
Edrin landed flat on his back.
"…I maintain that falling is part of my strategy," he said.
"Stop relying on it!" Lyra shouted.
"I'm not relying on it, it just keeps happening!"
Nearby, Ronan laughed as he drove his blade through another Invader's core, dispersing it in a burst of shadow.
"That's two!" he called.
Lyra finished hers moments later, her magic flaring brightly as the final creature dissolved.
Silence returned to the clearing.
Edrin stayed on the ground.
"…Is it over?" he asked.
"For now," Lyra said.
Edrin exhaled deeply. "Good. I'd like to remain here."
Ronan walked over, still grinning. "You took one down."
"While falling."
"Still counts."
Lyra stepped closer, studying Edrin carefully. "You moved forward."
Edrin sat up slightly. "…That was new."
"You're improving," she said.
"I feel like I'm surviving by accident."
"That's how it starts," Ronan added.
Edrin looked between them. "…That's not reassuring."
Ronan offered him a hand, pulling him to his feet.
"You're weird," he said again.
"I've accepted that," Edrin replied.
Lyra turned toward the forest, her expression serious.
"They're escalating," she said.
Edrin followed her gaze. "…So are we?"
Ronan smirked. "We'd better be."
Edrin looked down at his sword.
Still shaking.
Still unsure.
But no longer completely helpless.
"…I think I need more training," he said.
Lyra nodded. "You do."
Ronan grinned. "A lot more."
Edrin sighed.
"…I regret asking."
But despite everything—
He didn't let go of the sword.
And this time—
He didn't feel like he wanted to.