The Pyrovoidian's grin fades away as it opens its massive jaws, revealing a mouth full of jagged, human-like teeth with long, razor-sharp incisors. The young lady watches in horror as the creature prepares to devour her. But, as the Pyrovoidian is about to strike, a bright light illuminates behind it, drawing the creature's attention away from its prey. Suddenly, the source of the light flies towards the Pyrovoidian's spine.

     The Pyro Void Monster brushes its back with its massive brawny hands, trying to shake off the element's impact. With a low growl of frustration, it spins around and sees a man standing with a straight back and puffed chest with his legs spread open in the field. The creature's eyebrows furrow and its teeth clench in anger.

     It is none other than Oliver. As the Pyrovoidian approaches him, Oliver stands his ground. With his back upright, legs spread out, and chin held high, Oliver glares at the Pyrovoidian with a mischievous smirk.

     The Pyro Void Monster's pace grows faster as it bellows. Then, it charges towards Oliver. Its upper body bends low to the ground, ready to strike its new target with crushing force.

     As it sprints towards Oliver, the Pyrovoidian fails to notice the sharp, wide metal erupting from the ground. With a resounding impact, the metal slices through its neck, severing its head from its body in one clean strike. The monster's head flies through the air, its eye wide with shock and disbelief. Then, with a sickening thud, it crashes to the ground.

     Oliver pants loudly, his chest expanding. With his right arm raised and flexed, he glares at the scene before him, fixing his eyes on the fallen creature at his feet. As he looks down at the sharp metal he has summoned to decapitate the beast, he realizes it was all part of his plan the whole time.

     The young lady stands up from the floor and begins brushing her hair with her fingers. Footsteps munch on the grass, immediately catching her attention. She then turns to her side and sees the Remaining Podeshire standing before her as she wraps a high bun around her head with curls dangling on her cheeks.

"Miss? Are you alright?" Oliver timidly approached the young woman, panting.

She smiled at him. "I am," she responded, brushing a few stray locks of hair out of her face. "How about you, Oli?"

Oliver froze. "Wait," he uttered, scratching his head. "How do you know my nickname?"

"It's me," she laughed, brushing a few stray curls from her face as she faced Oliver with a grin. "Don't you recognize me?"

Oliver's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped open. "...Sophia!" he exclaimed.

     Oliver beams, realizing the beautiful young woman before him is none other than his former fiancée and dear friend, Sophia. Oliver then wraps his arms around Sophia's slender waist, pulling her close. He buries his face in her stomach, feeling her warmth. Then, he lifts her off her feet and spins her around in the air.

Sophia greeted Oliver with a bright smile as he spun her in the air. "Hey!" she giggled. "Woah! Easy there, Oli! You're going to make me dizzy! Haha!"

Oliver set Sophia back on the ground. "H-how are you?" he asked as a broad smile spread across his flushed face, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. "It's been a long time since I haven't seen you! How're you doing?"

"I'm happy you still remember me," Sophia said while smiling.

"Of course!" Oliver chuckled. "As if I could ever forget you," he said with a wink.

"Hm!" Sophia's smile widened at his words. She then looked at the Pyrovoidian's corpse. "So. What will you do with that monster...?" Sophia asked.

Oliver's face stiffened. "I think we should report it to the government," he stated.

     Soon, Oliver and Sophia found themselves in a roofless carriage pulled by two strong horses. The dark clouds had rolled in the sky, casting a gloomy shadow over the city. As they rode through the streets, Oliver couldn't help but notice the crowds of people cheering for him. With a broad grin, Oliver waved back at the people, swaying his right palm back and forth.

Sophia watched Oliver wave happily to the cheering crowds. "Wow, I'm so proud of you," she said calmly.

Oliver stopped waving and turned to face her, his eyes bright with curiosity. "Why?" he asked as a playful giggle escaped his lips.

"Look at you now," Sophia replied with a warm, glistening smile. "So bold and confident! Compare yourself to your nineteen-year-old self!"

"You're right," Oliver chuckled, his cheeks flushing with pleasure. "I've come a long way since then. But how did you find me?" he inquired.

"Oh, hmm, when I returned to Asbranne a few days ago..." Sophia began. "I thought about going to your previous adoptive parents. But... then, I decided to wander around the city instead and ask people if they knew a man named Oliver Podeshire."

"What did they say?" Oliver questioned.

"They said you were working as a city guard," Sophia replied.

"Well, little to say, they're right," Oliver urged as he nodded. "Anyways, go on."

"So! Then... I... went to the stations, bases, and military camps until a guard led me to this part of the city," Sophia continued. "Afterwards, I reached this specific base, where its workers said that you mainly work there."

"You went there?" Oliver gasped in surprise.

Sophia nodded. "I did. Sadly, you weren't there yesterday," she said.

"I was in the library yesterday," Oliver said as a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Oh," Sophia nodded.

"What happened next?" Oliver queried.

"Oh. And... a gentleman told me you dropped out of work because you were investigating something, but he didn't know where," Sophia added. "So, I went along the city and found myself near the city wall until I heard a roar."

"The monster's roar from earlier?" Oliver raised a brow.

"Yes," Sophia said. "Then, I went through the gate and saw a cyclops-like abomination attacking you in the grassland."

"Hm..." Oliver beamed a sincere smile. "Sophia." He held her hands. "I want to thank you for helping me," he said, leaning closer to Sophia. "I couldn't have done it without you."

"You're welcome," she replied. "But, what were those things from earlier?"

"...Monsters from the Pyro Void," Oliver whispered as he leaned nearer. "They are the Pyro Void Monsters... the Pyrovoidians."

"The Pyro Void, what?" Sophia asked, her eyes widening.

Oliver took a deep breath before speaking. "...Pyrovoidians... they are summoned underground, specifically in a water source... like a lake. They're the reason why so many Asbrannians are going missing. I thought those cases were the work of serial killers or assassins, but... it turns out it's something far worse," Oliver explained.

Sophia covered her mouth with her palm, feeling dread washing over her. "Oh, my good grace..." she murmured.

"...And if I remember correctly," Oliver added. "I read a specific part from a book stating that those Pyrovoidians are after human-kean hybrids."

"Human-kean hybrids?" Sophia repeated, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Like the Podeshires, like me..."