The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

Balto

Fuegoleon groaned, wincing from a splitting pain at the back of his head. He tried to turn over, but something nudged him again, less gently this time.

"Ow!"

"Sorry not sorry, wake up sleeping beauty I need the necklace,"

Came a low, impatient voice, edged with a slight growl. Fuegoleon's eyes flew open, struggling to focus as he saw a shadowy figure hovering over him. He instinctively reached for the grimoire strapped at his side.

"Who's there?"

A chuckle echoed in response, and then two glowing blue eyes pierced the darkness. He backed up sharply, a spark of fear igniting as the creature stepped forward, partially bathed in moonlight.

"You...you're a..."

"Yeah, you won't guess. Give me Mynx's necklace around your wrist. She needs it! She will die without it,"

Fuegoleon froze, but the urgency in the creature's voice set him on edge. He looked down, instinctively clutching the silver crescent necklace wrapped around his right wrist.

"Where is she?"

The creature nodded to a small, unconscious figure beside him. There was Mynx, lying so still that a stab of panic shot through him. A faint, silvery glow still clung to her skin.

"What h-"

"No time! Put her necklace around her neck now!"

Fuegoleon hesitated for only a moment before nodding, ignoring the wild questions racing in his mind. He gently unwrapped the crescent necklace and carefully placed it around Mynx's neck. As the silver pendant settled over her collarbone, her glow faded, and her breathing evened.

Fuegoleon looked up to find the creature—a sleek, wolf-like figure with a hint of starlight shimmering in its fur—observing him.

"Who or what ae you?"

The wolf walked closer to the two, sitting down beside Mynx with a graceful, almost protective air.

"The name's Balto. I'm her Spirit Guardian. Like you've got Salamander, except I'm less...fiery. You're welcome, by the way."

"What do you mean by that?"

Balto let out a wolfish grin, the glow of his eyes softening.

"Mynx and I led Salamander to you so you would wake up from your lil nap."

"How?"

Balto rolled his eyes, nudging Mynx with his snout,

"I'm the Spirit of the Moon. Pretty fitting for a wolf, don't you think? Keep up, Fuegoleon. We're near Hage. We need to get her treated immediately."

Fuegoleon tilted his head,

"How do you know my name?"

Balto rolled his eyes,

"What part of Mynx and I led Salamander to you do you not understand?"

Fuegoleon gave the wolf a flat look,

"You are very sarcastic for a spirit guardian,"

Balto winked at him,

"It's part of my charm. Now hurry, I will lead us to the church,"

Fuegoleon nodded,

"Then you will explain everything to me?"

Balto groaned but nodded his head,

"Yes, now keep up."

Fuegoleon gently lifted Mynx, and he frowned, feeling how light and fragile she was. Then, he adjusted her so she could rest against him. She instinctively leaned into his warmth, her breathing faint but steady.