One of the creatures raised its clawed hand, ready to strike. Mia curled into herself, shielding her face with her arms, and in a last hope, she screamed internally:
"Fran… help!"
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
Then a crash.
A beastly howl rang out, followed by tense silence.
Mia hesitantly opened her eyes and saw a familiar figure standing between her and the shadows.
— Little airhead, having fun without me? Fran teased lightly.
Mia was speechless, torn between relief and fear.
Fran raised his scythe in a fluid motion.
— Stay back.
The shadows growled, circling him like beasts ready to pounce. But Fran didn't move, his gaze locked onto his enemies.
With a swift motion, he slashed the air in front of him. A wave of dark energy burst from his blade, striking one of the creatures head-on. The shadow screeched before dissolving into wisps of smoke.
The remaining two attacked simultaneously.
Fran dodged with startling agility, his scythe carving a deadly arc in the air. A second shadow collapsed, vanishing instantly.
The last creature, realizing it had no chance, tried to flee.
— Not so fast.
With a leap, Fran closed the distance and delivered the final blow.
Everything fell silent.
He slowly lowered his weapon before turning to Mia, who was still on the ground, trembling.
— You okay? he asked, offering her a hand.
She nodded before throwing herself into his arms.
— Thank you… she murmured.
Fran returned the hug briefly before pulling away. Mia looked up at him, a burning question on her lips.
— Why were you gone for so long?
Fran sighed.
— Things have been complicated lately. There are more and more irregularities, and I have to intervene more often.
— And… what were those things?
Fran's smile faded, his gaze darkening.
— Corrupted souls.
Mia brought a hand to her mouth, shocked.
— What do you mean?
Fran sighed again and explained:
— When a person dies, a reaper must collect their soul and guide it to its resting place. If the soul isn't taken in time, it wanders. And if a demon finds it first, it corrupts the soul and forces it into servitude.
A chill ran through Mia.
— So… those creatures were once human?
— In a way.
A heavy silence settled. Then another thought struck Mia.
She swallowed hard.
— So… you're saying these souls ended up like this because a reaper was too late?
— Not exactly, Fran corrected. Lately, something strange is happening. There have been more unexpected deaths. Deaths that weren't supposed to happen.
Mia frowned.
— What do you mean?
Fran's gaze darkened even further.
— I think a powerful demon—or several—is causing accidents to kill people before their time, just to corrupt their souls.
Mia felt ice spread through her veins.
— Then… I could have ended up like them if my soul hadn't been collected?
Fran nodded.
— You were just lucky I was around.
A shiver ran down Mia's spine.
— Those souls… they suffer, don't they?
Fran looked away.
— More than you can imagine.
A heavy silence followed, thick with unspoken truths.
Then Fran gestured for her to follow.
— Let's go home.
Mia nodded and walked beside him, troubled by everything she had just learned.