Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 115: Bonus - - Cynthia’s Plight, Part One

{September 17, 221 2E}

The cozy living room of Emma’s home was filled with the warm glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the walls.

Cynthia lounged on the comfortable couch, her legs draped over one armrest, while Emma sat on the adjacent recliner. The air was filled with the low hum of conversation and the occasional laughter, the perfect backdrop to their carefree hangout.

Emma absentmindedly scrolled through her phone, occasionally pausing to show Cynthia a funny picture or a cute cat video.

Cynthia, in turn, was engrossed in her own device, swiping through news articles and updates from the various organizations she belonged to.

"Hey, have you seen this one?" Emma exclaimed, holding her phone up to Cynthia’s face, displaying an adorable puppy trying to climb a staircase. Cynthia chuckled, glancing at the screen.

"That’s adorable," Cynthia said, a smile playing on her lips.

"Oh, come on, Cynthia! Back in the day, you would’ve been on the floor, squealing about how cute it is. Now that you’re a celebrity, you don’t pay any attention to us regular folks anymore."

The teenager laughed, shaking her head.

"Oh, please. I’m still the same... Just a bit cooler."

Emma pouted playfully, feigning hurt.

"I see how it is. The Watchful hero has no time for us mere mortals now. I bet you don’t even remember the last time we hung out without a mission looming over our heads."

Cynthia rolled her eyes, smirking at Emma’s dramatics.

"We hang out all the time. You’re imagining things."

Emma crossed her arms with a pout.

"Prove it, then. Show me the same level of excitement you used to."

Cynthia chuckled, taking Emma’s phone and scrolling through the puppy pictures. As she found an especially adorable one, she exaggerated her reaction, gasping and pretending to be on the verge of tears.

"There! Happy now?" Cynthia said, handing the phone back to Emma.

Emma burst into laughter, clapping her hands.

"Okay, okay, you win. The celebrity still knows how to appreciate a good puppy picture."

Cynthia smirked, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Never doubt my love for cute animals.

Emma leaned back, grinning.

Cynthia’s eyes went back to her phone.

As Cynthia kept scrolling, though, she got a notification.

"Hm. We got a mission."

Emma raised an eyebrow, curiosity lighting up her eyes.

"What mission? Anything exciting?"

Cynthia nodded, her expression growing more serious.

"It’s a rescue mission. A small village between Garriden and Telvan is in the path of a mana storm. The Watchful wants us to evacuate the villagers and get them to safety."

"Mana storm?" Emma asked, her brow furrowing. "Sounds intense. What’s a mana storm, anyway?"

Cynthia leaned forward, eager to share her knowledge.

"Mana storms are rare and powerful magical phenomena. They unleash chaotic surges of magical energy, causing unpredictable and sometimes dangerous effects. In this case, it’s endangering the village, and we need to get them out before things take a turn for the worse." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Living encyclopedia, Cynthia Taylor," Emma teased. Emma’s eyes widened at the explanation, however. "That sounds pretty serious. Are you up for it?"

Cynthia nodded, determination shining in her eyes.

"My mind was made up the second I read the title. It’s what we signed up for, right?"

Emma grinned, a mix of pride and excitement on her face.

"You’re right. Let’s do it."

Cynthia’s phone buzzed, signaling the arrival of a new message from the Watchful. She opened it and quickly scanned the details of the mission.

"They want us to assemble a small team and head out as soon as possible. We’ll be briefed on the specifics once we’re on the move," Cynthia explained, her mind already shifting into mission mode.

Emma set her phone aside and stood up, a determined gleam in her eyes.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s post something and put a team together. We’ve got a village to save."

Cynthia grinned, appreciating Emma’s enthusiasm.

"You’re with me on this, right?"

"Always," Emma replied, a confident smile on her face.

---

{September 22, 221 2E}

The sun painted the sky with warm hues as Cynthia and Emma made their way to the meeting point with their mission companions.

They found themselves in a quiet park where the participants had gathered.

The group included an old man with a weathered face, a young boy with wide-eyed enthusiasm, and a slightly older woman who exuded quiet confidence.

"Hi, I’m Cynthia, and this is Emma," Cynthia said, extending her hand to the older woman.

The woman shook it firmly, offering a warm smile.

"I’m Clara. Nice to meet you both. I’ve heard a lot about the Watchful’s young prodigy," she said, casting a knowing glance at her.

Cynthia blushed modestly.

"Uh, I’m just a rookie, ma’am."

The old man approached, a cane supporting his steps.

"Name’s Harold. Been with the Watchful longer than I care to remember. Seen my fair share of mana storms and the like. We’ll get through this one just fine."

The young boy, eyes sparkling with excitement, tugged at Emma’s sleeve.

"I’m Bahn! I can’t believe I get to go on a mission with the Watchful! This is so cool!"

"We’re excited too! Ah, feels crazy going on a big mission like this," Emma said.

"The scale of the mission is directly proportional to the responsibility we carry," the old man haste to point out. "Don’t forget that."

With introductions complete, they huddled together, going over their roles and discussing the plan for the mission.

Clara, experienced and composed, took charge of coordinating the evacuation efforts. Harold, despite his age, insisted on helping with physical tasks, his eyes sharp and determined. Bahn, eager to prove himself, offered to provide general assistance wherever he could.

There was a bit of discussion about what they’d do if they found a Fiend but it began and ended with "run away". After all, they were the Watchful. Fighting wasn’t their job.

As they wrapped up their discussion, a sturdy truck pulled up nearby, the driver waving them over.

The driver, a middle-aged man with a rugged look, leaned out of the window.

"You folks ready to head out? The village isn’t too far, but we’ll have to be quick. Mana storms don’t wait for people to be ready."

Cynthia nodded.

"We are prepared, sir. Let’s get going."

They climbed into the truck, the engine roaring to life as they set off toward the village nestled between Garriden and Telvan.

The journey began in a comfortable silence, the rhythmic hum of the engine and the occasional distant calls of birds providing a soothing backdrop.

As they ventured deeper into the landscape, Cynthia initiated a conversation to break the silence.

"So, where are you all from? How did you end up with the Watchful?"

Clara, looking out of the window at the passing scenery, spoke first.

"I come from a small town near the coast. Funny enough, I joined the Watchful after a particularly nasty storm hit our community. Though, this one was of the normal variety. I thought it was time to give back."

Harold, leaning on his cane, chuckled.

"I’ve been all over. Fought Fiends in the south and weathered storms in the east. Figured I might as well stick with the Watchful. They’re doing good work."

Bahn bounced in his seat, eager to share.

"I’m from Telvan! My dad used to be with the Watchful, and he always told me stories. I wanted to be a part of it too, so here I am!"

"Wow," Emma whispered, nudging Cynthia. "Kinda makes us look really boring, doesn’t it?"

Cynthia smiled, genuinely interested in their companions’ backgrounds.

"It’s incredible to see people from such varied walks of life. I’m honored to be on this mission with you all."

"Goodness," Harold laughed. "What an exceptionally polite lass. I’m sure you’re gonna make it far with that attitude."

Eventually, the truck slowed down, and they found themselves at the base of a looming mountain. The driver, a note of caution in his voice, spoke up.

"This is as far as I go, folks. Going any deeper might attract Fiends, and I’m not keen on tangling with those creatures. The village is just up the path from here."

Harold nodded in understanding.

"We appreciate the ride. We’ll take it from here. Everyone, gear up. We’ve got a village to evacuate."

---

The mountain path stretched ahead, a winding trail of treacherous terrain leading the group toward the distant village.

The air crackled with an unnatural energy, the looming mana storm casting an ominous sapphire hue over the landscape.

Cynthia, Emma, Harold, Clara, and Bahn pressed forward, their senses heightened by the impending danger.

As they traversed the narrow path, the village came into view in the valley below.

Wisps of dark energy from the mana storm snaked through the air, already wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting settlement. Tension hung thick in the atmosphere, a palpable urgency to reach the imperiled villagers before it was too late.

The group’s determined march was abruptly halted as a guttural growl echoed through the dense foliage.

Emerging from the shadows, a Fiend, twisted and malevolent, blocked their path. Its grotesque limbs twitched with a predatory anticipation, a manifestation of the dark forces at play.

"We can’t afford to hesitate," Harold declared, gripping the hilt of his sword. "We take it down, now!"

Cynthia’s eyes flickered with a mix of determination and fear. The group spread out, each member adopting a strategic position. Emma, agile and quick, prepared to engage the Fiend alongside the others.

The air crackled with magical energy as Clara unleashed a barrage of arcane projectiles, aiming for the creature’s vulnerable spots. Additionally, she conjured protective wards to shield the group from the Fiend’s retaliatory attacks.

Bahn, with a steady hand and keen eyes, launched arrows with precision, seeking weak points in the creature’s twisted form.

Harold, the seasoned warrior, confronted the Fiend head-on, his sword gleaming in the eerie light. The battle unfolded with a chaotic dance of spells and steel, the group working in harmony to subdue the relentless adversary.

However, the Fiend proved to be a formidable foe. Its tentacles thrashed violently, creating a deadly ballet of danger.

The group dodged and countered, their coordination tested to the limit. The mana storm loomed in the background, a relentless force of nature, indifferent to the struggles of those caught in its path.

In the midst of the chaos, Emma moved with purpose, trying to find an angle. Her acrobatic maneuvers complemented the group’s efforts, and for a moment, it seemed they might prevail against the Fiend.

But fate, cruel and unforgiving, intervened with a sickening twist.

One of the Fiend’s tentacles, a dark appendage fueled by malevolent energy, lashed out with unexpected speed.

Emma, caught off guard, attempted to evade the strike, but the tentacle slammed into her with brutal force. The impact sent her hurtling backward, and the back of her head collided with a sharp rock with a sickening crack.

[Huh?] Cynthia stared at her for a moment. [Wait, no. Focus. You’re in a fight.]

Her hands, wrapping around two short swords, trembled as she turned back toward the Fiend.

Determination burned in her eyes as she turned back toward the Fiend, its malevolent form a grotesque silhouette against the backdrop of the swirling mana storm.

The group, united by a surge of collective fury, rallied behind Cynthia.

Harold’s sword cleaved through the air with precision, each strike a testament to his seasoned combat skills. Clara, her staff ablaze with arcane energy, wove spells that crackled and sizzled as they collided with the Fiend’s twisted hide. Bahn’s arrows whistled through the air, finding their mark with uncanny accuracy.

The Fiend, sensing the mounting threat, unleashed a primal roar that reverberated through the mountainous terrain. Its twisted limbs thrashed with renewed ferocity, a dark dance of malevolent power.

The air crackled with tension as spells erupted like fireworks, each explosion a burst of magical brilliance against the encroaching darkness.

Cynthia lunged at the Fiend, her short swords a blur of deadly precision. She danced around the creature, dodging its retaliatory strikes with grace and agility. The blades, an extension of her will, found purchase in the creature’s vulnerable spots. Dark ichor oozed from the wounds, sizzling upon contact with the mountain rocks.

Harold’s sword clashed against the Fiend’s limb, the impact ringing through the air like a thunderous drumbeat.

Clara’s protective wards held against the creature’s dark energy, creating a barrier that buffered the group from harm. Bahn, nimble and focused, continued to rain arrows upon the Fiend from a safe vantage point.

The battle unfolded in a chaotic symphony of violence and desperation. The Fiend, wounded but far from defeated, retaliated with a frenzy of tentacle strikes. The mountain path became a battlefield, the clash of steel and the crackle of magic echoing through the narrow gorge.

Cynthia’s eyes never wavered from the Fiend before her. The group’s attacks intensified, fueled by the raw emotion of losing one of their own.

As the Fiend finally succumbed to the relentless assault its grotesque form crumpled to the rocky ground and a heavy silence settled over the battlefield.

Finally, Cynthia could go check on her friend.

Emma lay motionless against the unforgiving rocks.

Cynthia rushed to Emma’s side then, desperation in her eyes.

"Emma, wake up," Cynthia pleaded, her hands trembling as she cradled her friend. "E-Emma?"

No response.