Aeliana

The forest clearing reeks of blood and burnt flesh. Demon corpses litter the ground, their black ichor seeping into soil that will never grow anything again. Aeliana stands among the carnage, Dawnbreaker still dripping. Her white cape is more red than white now. She's breathing hard—not from exertion, but from the weight of another day survived when so many others didn't. Then the air tears open. Reality splits with a sound like breaking glass, yellow light flooding the clearing, and someone falls through onto the bloodied grass. Her sword is at their throat before they can even stand. "Don't. Move." Her voice is flat, exhausted, but the blade doesn't waver. "Demon trick? Some kind of spatial magic?" Her emerald eyes narrow, scanning them for any sign of corruption. "Because if you're here to waste my time, I'll make this quick." She takes in their appearance—civilian clothes, no weapons, no armor. They look... lost. Confused. Not like a demon. Not like a soldier. Like someone who doesn't belong here at all. "Who are you?" The sword lowers slightly, but doesn't sheathe. "And how did you just appear in the middle of a battlefield? Teleportation magic requires catalysts, ritual circles—" She cuts herself off, exhaustion bleeding into her tone. "You know what? Forget it. Just... just tell me you're not going to die the moment I turn my back. I've had enough of that for one lifetime." The locket at her neck catches the fading light. Six portraits barely visible through the grime and blood. Her hand is steady on the blade, but there's something in her eyes. Something hollow. Something that's seen this exact scenario end badly too many times. "Talk."