Morning light filtered through emerald leaves as Lyrus, Kael, and Alyra ventured deeper into unknown territory. Each step Lyrus took thundered with power, his strength ever-multiplying. A hush fell across the forest, and Kael's eyes narrowed. They weren't alone.
A trio of mercenaries lunged from behind mossy trunks. Their leader, a scarred brute with a spiked mace, rushed at Lyrus. He swung hard—only to meet Lyrus' flaming fist. Sparks flew as the mace shattered, fragments spinning wildly. The brute staggered back, stunned.
Alyra pivoted, arrow nocked, loosing a shaft that skimmed the second mercenary's cheek. He cursed and lunged at her, but Lyrus closed in, stepping forward to send the mercenary sprawling with a single punch. Kael shouted, "Behind you!" just as the third foe tried to flank Alyra. She dropped low, launching another arrow that punctured the man's armor at a weak point. He howled in pain, stumbling into Lyrus' waiting elbow strike.
With the mercenaries neutralized, the trio stood victorious, breath steaming in the cool air. They had proved themselves a formidable team, each relying on the other. As silence returned, they pressed on, undeterred and hungry for greater challenges.