The morning sun was soft and warm, but Coker's heart felt heavy. Even after the demon attack, some villagers still looked at him with fear in their eyes. It was like a cold shadow followed him wherever he went. The village had started to accept him a little, but many still whispered behind his back. Some people called him cursed. Some said the hero's death was his fault. Those words burned deeper than any fire inside.
Coker walked through the village streets, feeling the weight of their stares. Children hid behind their mothers. Old men shook their heads. Even his brother kept his distance, watching him with a cold, guarded look.
He stopped near the fountain where he used to play as a child. The water sparkled bright, but it did not make him smile. Memories flooded his mind. The laughter he once heard here was now replaced with silence and suspicion.
Lira came beside him quietly. "You're strong, Coker," she said softly. "Don't let them break you."
Coker looked at her, pain in his eyes. "But how can I make them believe? How can I change what they think about me?"
Lira smiled gently. "By showing them who you are. Not just with your fire, but with your heart."
He nodded slowly. "I want to believe that too."
Suddenly, a loud noise came from the market. A man was shouting, waving his arms wildly. Coker and Lira ran to see what was wrong.
A group of villagers surrounded a young boy. The boy's face was pale, his eyes wide with fear.
"Did you see him?" the man shouted. "That cursed boy was near! He's dangerous!"
Coker stepped forward, calm but firm. "I am here. What happened?"
The villagers parted, showing a broken basket of fruits on the ground. The boy pointed at Coker. "He scared me! I was walking and suddenly felt cold. Then I saw a shadow near me."
Coker frowned. "That wasn't me."
"But you're the cursed one," the man said. "It must be you."
Lira spoke up, her voice clear. "Coker is here to protect you. Not to hurt."
Some villagers nodded, but others stayed angry.
Coker sighed, feeling tired. The hate was still alive. He clenched his fists. "I won't run from your fear."
Suddenly, the ground trembled. A deep growl echoed through the village.
Everyone froze. The air grew cold and heavy.
A dark shape appeared from the forest. Bigger than any demon Coker had fought before.
It had horns like a beast, eyes glowing red, and sharp claws digging into the earth.
The villagers screamed and ran for cover.
Coker didn't move. The cursed fire flared inside him. He stepped in front of the boy and Lira.
"Stay behind me," he said.
The demon growled louder, stepping closer.
Coker raised his hands. Flames burst forth, bright and fierce.
The demon roared and charged.
The fight was brutal. The demon was strong and fast, hitting the ground hard, shaking the village.
Coker dodged and struck back with his fire. Each blast burned like hope itself.
But the demon did not stop. It seemed endless, like a shadow from his past that would never leave.
Lira shouted, "You can do this, Coker! Remember who you are!"
He gritted his teeth and pushed harder. The cursed fire inside roared back, no longer wild but steady.
With one last blow, Coker sent the demon crashing to the ground, defeated.
The village fell silent.
Coker looked at the faces watching him. Fear was still there, but also something new—respect.
His brother stepped forward, eyes wide. "You saved us."
Coker nodded, exhausted. "I will protect this village, no matter what."
That night, by the fire, Coker thought about the battle. The demon was not just a monster—it was a warning. Something darker was coming.
He looked at Lira. "We have to get stronger. The real fight is still ahead."
Lira smiled, full of faith. "We will face it together."
Coker nodded. For the first time, he believed that no matter the darkness, light could still shine.
And he was ready to be that light.