"Brother! Are you okay!? We’ve been worried sick ever since we heard a monster appeared out there!"
"Yeah, I’m fine. I had a run-in with the creature, but as you can see, I'm perfectly healthy."
"What on earth happened? Word’s reached us here too, but there’s so much conflicting information..."
"Since you were actually there, we’d like to hear the story from you."
Later that night, Yugo activated the communication magic item Anhel had given him. He let out a wry smile as he looked at the three figures huddled together within the hologram hovering in the air.
News of the monster’s appearance had already spread, and it seemed Fee and the others were desperate for details. As Yugo recounted what he had witnessed, the three of them listened intently, nodding in somber understanding.
"A skeleton horse, huh... It sounds like those peaceful plains turned into a hellish scene of pandemonium in an instant."
"Yeah. They’ve closed off the plains until the situation is resolved. The ranch where I’m working is on hiatus for now. The owner can’t exactly leave, though, so he’s staying behind to handle his chores while the Security Force takes care of the rest."
"But judging by how they handled it, the Security Force expected a monster to show up, didn't they? I wonder why."
"...Wait, I remember now. A few days ago, a massive number of horse corpses were found near your area, Brother. People were saying it was strange because they hadn't been eaten—definitely not the work of a typical carnivore."
"Are you saying that was the work of the Skeleton Horse? And that’s why the security guards were on high alert?"
Fee nodded, confirming Yugo's suspicion. Anhel rubbed her chin and groaned, building upon Fee's explanation.
"I see. That Skeleton Horse likely slaughtered its own kind to claim its original habitat as its territory. Now, it’s migrating to expand its reach even further... If you look at it that way, the pieces start to fit together."
"I'm sorry, Brother. If I’d remembered that sooner, I never would have let you leave without the Blaster..."
"Don't sweat it. More importantly..."
"Is something wrong?" Melt asked, tilting her head curiously.
Yugo hesitated before telling his companions how the Skeleton Horse had shielded him. The three of them were visibly stunned, though their reactions varied.
"It shielded you? A monster? Are you sure it wasn't just a coincidence?"
"It’s hard to believe a fluke like that would happen right then..."
"I’m with Ann on this one, but I wasn't there to see it myself," Fee added. "If you felt like it was protecting you, Brother, then I believe you."
"I just can't get it out of my head. Even after everything you’ve said, I can't believe that horse is a villain. I feel like there has to be more to it."
Given the facts, the theory that the Skeleton Horse had killed its own kind to expand its territory was persuasive. Yet Yugo couldn't ignore the way the creature had stood between him, the boy, and certain death.
"...Brother, you aren't planning anything crazy, are you? You don't have the Blaster right now. You can't be reckless."
Seeing that Yugo was defending a monster that had terrorized the public, Fee sensed his brother was about to do something dangerously unpredictable. He tried to talk him down, but Yugo looked directly into the transmission with a steady gaze.
"Fee, listen. Being a hero isn't about whether or not you can transform. It's about having the conviction to see your will through. If there's something I want to protect, I'll protect it. If there's something I need to do, I'll do it. I know it's dangerous, but I have a duty to fulfill right now. I'm going to follow through on that."
"Brother..."
"Give it up, Fee," Melt sighed. "You know he won't listen once he's like this. But Yugo, please... don't do anything too crazy. Fee and I are both worried sick about you."
"I know. I'm sorry, Fee."
Yugo gave Melt a grateful look for the backup and offered his brother an apology. As the call drew to a close, Anhel spoke up one last time.
"Yugo, I’m going to pull an all-nighter for the Blaster adjustment. If all goes well, it’ll be ready by tomorrow morning, and I’ll bring it straight to you. You’re going to need that power, right?"
"Yeah, that’d be a lifesaver. Sorry for the trouble, Ann. I’ll start moving your way too, so we can meet up as soon as possible."
If Anhel’s schedule held, they would reunite around noon the next day. Deciding to do whatever he could in the meantime, Yugo ended the call. He took a deep breath and stood up.
"Alright, time to move."
He stretched his limbs and stepped out into the night. Under the cover of darkness, he began to wander the plains, searching for the phantom horse he had encountered that afternoon.