"Does this mean... there are things out there that are trying to kill you again?" Sophia asked with concern.

Oliver nodded. "Yes..." he sighed.

Sophia looked at him, her eyes filled with shock. "Oliver, I came here to visit my friends, but I had no idea you were going through another struggle," she said.

"I'm sorry if it ruined your plans," Oliver apologised, feeling guilt weighing on his back.

Sophia shook her head. "No, don't be sorry. I want to help you with your problems and issues again," she stated confidently.

"It's too dangerous. Last time, we were dealing with fellow humans. Now, we're going to confront monsters. I can't let you," Oliver clenched his fists.

"Huh? Didn't you see my skills earlier?"

"Well, I have to admit, I was impressed."

"Thank you," Sophia replied.

"You're welcome," said Oliver. "...I think we're here."

     The carriage halts, and Oliver quickly opens the door and steps out. Sophia follows suit, hopping off the carriage and joining Oliver on the concrete street. They stand side by side, looking at a massive white building as they tilt their heads.

     In the meantime, inside an office, the newly elected mayor, Sir Novelle, sat at his wooden desk, surrounded by piles of papers and books. The walls had a fresh coat of soft green paint with white panellings. A magnificent chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, radiant shimmer over Sir Novelle's pale skin. As he reviewed a stack of mail, someone knocked on his door.

Sir Novelle looked up from his work, his expression curious. "Oh? Who is it?" he responded.

A man entered the room and informed the mayor. "Sir! You have a special guest! With a fine-looking woman."

"Who are they?" Sir Novelle asked.

"I tell you, sir... you'll be surprised," the man replied with a smirk, leaving the door open for the guests to enter.

Oliver passed through the door and entered the office. "Greetings, sir," he saluted.

Sophia stepped inside with Oliver. "Hello, Mr Frederick!" Sophia greeted the mayor with a broad smile. She then froze as her mouth opened wide in surprise.

"I think I've learned about you in my history class," Sir Novelle told Oliver as he removed his eyeglasses and wiped them with a handkerchief. After putting them back on, he squinted at Oliver and gasped, "A-Albert Podeshire! You're alive!?"

"No...?" Oliver raised a brow, still smirking. "It's Oliver Podeshire, sir. Albert Podeshire's biological son," Oliver glanced at Sophia.

Sophia giggled in the background. "Mhmh."

"Oh, the Remaining Podeshire! Take a seat! It's an honour to meet you," Sir Novelle grinned and extended his hand. "I'm Sir Reginald Novelle!"

Oliver shook hands with Sir Novelle. "It's a pleasure to meet the new mayor of Asbranne."

"Mhm." Sir Novelle looked at Sophia and pointed his palm at a vacant seat. "Please, do sit!"

"Thank you," Sophia replied with a bow before taking a seat.

"Anyways, what brings you here, Podeshire?" Sir Novelle inquired.

"I came here regarding the emerging death cases," Oliver reported, taking a deep breath. "As the Defender of Asbranne, it is my duty to protect my people. So... yesterday, I decided to investigate... left my work to study at Asbranne National Library. There... I discovered a tome published a decade ago that spoke of cults... and I stumbled upon knowledge that the Geverians believe in mythical creatures known as the Pyro Void Monsters... the Pyrovoidians. According to the book, these beasts are dark in hue... with a reddish-violet colouration..." Oliver took a deep, sharp breath. "A group conducted research and observed that the corpses found in the woods have the same dark substance that resembles the Pyrovoidians. So... to confirm that the Pyrovoidians are responsible for killing innocent Asbrannians for the past months, I went to Asbranne Lake with a trusted friend. You may wonder why we ventured into a lake. Well... it's because... according to the book, Pyrovoidians spawn underground, often beneath a lake... and my companion discovered microscopic algae on the dark substances found in the corpses. Where might one find algae? In a body of water... like a lake..."

"But have you verified that the Pyro Void Monsters are real and responsible for the mass killings?" Sir Novelle inquired, placing a finger under his chin.

Sophia glanced at her friend.

"Yes, sir. Last night, my friend and I arrived at the lake. I thought we wouldn't find anything... until we discovered a mysterious hole with infernal roars. I tried to sail closer to observe what it contained, but my friend suggested leaving. So, we did. When we were about to arrive in the city, I felt something strange and eerie... and I encountered a creature unseen and unrecorded before. It bellowed like the hole from the lake my friend and I saw last night," Oliver continued with a deep voice. "It was a Pyrovoidian... and Sophia and I managed to kill two of its kind," he placed a palm on Sophia's shoulder.

"...What course of action do you recommend?" Sir Novelle questioned as his voice quivered.

"Sir... I suggest we inform the military and rally the entire army. We must surround the lake and slay every monster that attempts to emerge from its depths until there are no more Pyrovoidians left," Oliver stated. "We cannot allow these creatures to continue to threaten the safety of Asbranne and its people."