Rashiel sat inside the cave, close to the door he had built, and tried to fall asleep—without success. All night long he heard noises, as if a monster or two were moving outside the door, and based on the sounds—they were quite large.

  After a few hours, silence finally fell, and Rashiel managed to fall asleep—only to wake up a short time later to the sound of a bone-chilling scream. Immediately after, a girl's voice was heard saying:

  "Rash, save me!"

  Rashiel grabbed the sword and ran outside while shouting:

  "Kel!"

  The second he stepped out of the cave, he was wrapped in a climbing vine that coiled around his entire body, knocked the sword from his hand, and lifted him in front of a three-meter-tall monster—made of climbing plants that never stopped moving, yet maintained the shape of a giant humanoid with a gaping mouth full of teeth. From between the teeth emerged a red, forked tongue.

  As Rashiel reached the height of the monster's head, he heard the girl's voice again:

  "Rash, save me..."

  But this time he realized-the voice was coming from inside the monster's mouth.

  In a fit of rage, both his hands clenched into fists-and then distorted, turning into scale-covered hands with talons. Rashiel slashed the vines holding him with his claws, dropped into a roll onto the ground, reached for the sword, picked it up, and began attacking the monster with slashing motions, screaming:

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  "Get my sister's voice out of your filthy mouth!"

  Rashiel continued to slash at the monster until he felt a hand stopping him, and a voice said:

  "Okay... I think he turned into salad a long time ago. You can stop cutting."

  Rashiel calmed down and realized it was Kieren standing in front of him. He immediately dropped to his knees and said:

  "Please forgive me, Dark King... I lost myself for a moment."

  "There is nothing to forgive," Kieren replied. "I was about to eliminate this Vinespir myself. Sometimes I really regret creating them."

  "Th... thank you..." Rashiel stammered.

  Suddenly he noticed two things:

  

  
1. Kieren was not alone—standing next to him was a beautiful black horse with a spot on its nose.


  
2. Two bodies of Noctoixes were being carried by shadow arms into the forest.


  

  "So... did I pass the test?" Rashiel asked.

  Kieren sighed and answered:

  "Even though you have an hour left, I’ll let it slide—in light of the nice salad you made for me."

  Rashiel looked embarrassed but breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if five tons had been lifted off him.

  "Thank you, thank you! You won't regret this!"

  Kieren signaled for him to stand up and approach:

  "Okay, a few things:

  

  
1. Give me back my sword.


  
2. Until I finish building your cabin—you will live with me, and try not to be a nuisance."


  

  Rashiel handed the sword to Kieren and asked:

  "Who is this beautiful horse?"

  Kieren chuckled:

  "This is Light. But I wouldn't recommend calling him a horse—he is the last Volkar in the world. But while we are introducing ourselves—remind me, what is your name?"

  Rashiel gasped:

  "A... A Volkar?! I thought they were extinct!"

  "I really don't like repeating myself—and this is already the second time you've made me repeat myself!" Kieren looked slightly annoyed.

  "S-sorry," Rashiel stammered. "My name is Rashiel, but you can call me Rash."

  Light whinnied.

  "No problem, Rash," Kieren said. "Come, get on Light—and I’ll introduce you to your new home."