Luis stepped out into the warm morning light, arms stretching overhead. The sun filtered through the village trees, calm for once. Behind him, Icon followed quietly, its new Bleeding Talons catching the sunlight like sharpened chrome.
"Luis!" Rico jogged over, waving. "How was—" He stopped short, eyes landing on Icon. "Okay… what is that?"
Luis smirked. "This is Icon. My… assistant."
Icon tilted its head slightly. "I LIKE BIRDS."
Rico blinked. "Right. And I like not getting stabbed by sentient tin cans. Is it safe?"
"SAFETY IS A RELATIVE TERM," Icon said, tone deadpan. "I DO NOT STAB MASTER. ONLY MONSTERS. AND BIRDS ARE NICE."
Rico turned to Luis. "...Is your robot high?"
Zyx materialized mid-laugh, nearly floating upside down. "Oh, it's very high. High on bird facts and carnage."
Luis sighed. "Just ignore both of them. You said you wanted me to meet the other Hosts?"
Rico nodded, though he kept glancing sideways at Icon. "Yeah, yeah. Come on. They're gonna love your bird-obsessed murder blender."
The Village Square
The plaza was alive with activity—traders setting up, kids sparring, farmers hauling in mutant vegetables the size of chairs. At the center stood ten figures, spaced out like a ragtag pantheon. Each one carried the subtle glow of a divine spark.
Rico stepped up. "Alright, everyone! Meet Luis—the idiot who moved to the city and somehow hasn't died yet!"
A few chuckles and waves went around as each stepped forward to introduce themselves.
The Hosts of the Village
Rico "The Rooster"Class: Brawler | Level: 3 | God: TlalocPunches with the fury of a summer storm. Heals like a sponge in the rain.
Mara "The Shadow"Class: Nightblade | Level: 3 | God: HekateA walking nightmare with blades. Faster in the dark. Burns with shadowflame.
Taro "The Wall"Class: Guardian | Level: 2 | God: AegirStands like stone, falls like never. Move him? Try moving a mountain.
Lani "The Spark"Class: Stormcaller | Level: 2 | God: RaijinLightning dancer. Hits like thunder. When the sky cries, she laughs.
Jun "The Fox"Class: Trickster | Level: 3 | God: AnansiA smile wrapped in lies. Traps made of silk and half-truths. Power in deception.
Del "The Oak"Class: Druid | Level: 2 | God: CernunnosNature's hammer. Hit him, and the woods hit back harder.
Pim "The Rat"Class: Plague Doctor | Level: 2 | God: Ek ChuajCures or kills. Not always in that order. Sketchy potions, effective results.
Yuna "The Song"Class: Bard | Level: 2 | God: SaraswatiHer voice cleanses. Her music sharpens. Calm in the storm.
Rudo "The Axe"Class: Berserker | Level: 3 | God: PerunGets stronger the more he bleeds. Thinks battle is a second breakfast.
Kiri "The Needle"Class: Alchemist | Level: 2 | God: HathorSweet smile. Deadly brews. She'll cure you—or paralyze you just for fun.
Rico clapped once. "Now that intros are over, let's get moving. Got a Silver-class reported just north of the ridge. Luis, you in?"
Luis nodded. "Yeah. But Icon stays here."
Icon's eyes dimmed a fraction. "BUT I CAN HELP. I HAVE TALONS. LIKE BIRDS."
Luis crouched slightly, looking the bot in the eye. "I need you to guard the village. Keep it safe. Kill monsters. Collect Souls. And do not follow us."
There was a pause—an almost dramatic silence—before Icon raised its arm in a stiff salute. "ORDER ACKNOWLEDGED. I WILL PUNCH IN YOUR ABSENCE."
Zyx sniffed mockingly, voice cracking with fake emotion. "They grow up so fast. So responsible. So deadly."
As the team set out toward the north trail, Luis glanced back one last time.
Icon was already disappearing into the treeline, talons gleaming, quietly mumbling something about "finding birds."
Luis shook his head, chuckling softly. "Weirdest apocalypse ever."
Let me know when you're ready to continue! Want me to format these chapters as a digital novel draft too? I can start compiling for you anytime.