Nora adjusted the strap of her pack on her shoulder and shifted her weight from one aching leg to the other. The thin leather boots she wore were already scuffed and dust-stained, the soles worn smooth from constant walking. Every step on the uneven dirt path sent a dull ache through her calves.
"It's been a week since I left that cozy cabin…" she muttered, rubbing the back of her neck. "And I've been walking through woods, grasslands… and more woods… with no clue where I'm even going. She let out a shaky exhale through clenched teeth. "Ugh… my thighs feel so sore." She gave her leg a playful slap, as if scolding it for betraying her so soon into the journey.
Her voice echoed faintly between the trunks of the pine forest. There was no answer except the steady rustle of leaves in the morning wind.
She forced her shoulders straight and shook her head. "Well, it's not like I have any other choice, do I? All I can do now is keep walking. Maybe—just maybe—there's a village somewhere out here. Some sign of civilization." She pumped her fist once for emphasis, as if trying to physically push the thought into her head. "Yes, Nora, keep your thoughts positive."
She trudged on. The forest thinned by midday, giving way to a wide stretch of grassland. The wind was stronger here, carrying the scent of dry grass and a faint tang of soil. The sun felt warmer without the trees for cover, and sweat slid down the back of her neck.
Hours passed. Her limbs weighed her down, every step dragging harder than the one before. By the time she reached a small rise in the land, her breath came in shallow pants. She bent forward, hands on her knees.
"I… never thought… this journey… would be this tiring…" Her voice cracked between breaths. "At this rate… I'll die out here before I even find my brother…"
Her vision swam as sweat dripped into her eyes. She blinked hard, trying to clear it—and froze.
"Am I… hallucinating?" she murmured. Shapes rose in the distance—straight lines and sharp angles that didn't belong to nature. "Fences… houses?" She rubbed her eyes. "If this is a mirage, at least it's a creative one."
A bitter laugh escaped her. "Yeah… sure. That's it. I'm so done, my brain's just making stuff up…"
She squinted again. This time, the lines didn't vanish.
Her head jerked up. "Wait—fences! Houses!" Her heart kicked into overdrive. "It's a village! Finally!" She nearly tripped over her own feet as she straightened up. "Positive thoughts do pay off!"
Energy she didn't know she had surged through her as she jogged toward it. "First thing—inn. It's been forever since I last slept on a fluffy bed. My eyes feel so heavy I could sleep standing up."
A low growl drifted faintly through the village, and Nora chuckled. "Urghh, okay… can't sleep on an empty stomach. I haven't eaten since Morgana left. Why didn't I ask her to cook me something for the journey…" She groaned, shaking her head. Then her expression brightened. "Well, tasty food here I come!" She started humming as she walked.
Her voice carried a playful tune, light and airy, lifting her spirits even as the wind tugged at her hair.
"Pillow's like a cloud tonight,
Blankets hug me warm and tight.
Dinner's done, I'm full and glad,
Best day ever I've ever had!"
"Fluffy beds, tasty bread,
Sweet dreams dancing in my head.
Stew and grains, oh what a day—
Wish this feeling would just stay~!"
She hummed another few lines, imagining the warm hearth and the smell of freshly baked bread. Then she froze mid-step. The village ahead… it was too quiet.
No chatter of voices. No sounds of chopping wood or clinking metal. Even the wind seemed thinner here.
Her steps slowed to a cautious walk as she reached the first wooden fence. Parts of it leaned at awkward angles, splintered from impact. The gate was hanging on one hinge, creaking in the breeze. Beyond, she saw houses—small and weathered, with boards bashed in on their sides, windows shattered. One door hung wide open, the bottom splintered as if kicked in. A wagon lay overturned in the dirt street, one wheel broken and the other spinning lazily.
Nora's eyes scanned the scene. A trail of grain spilled from an upturned basket, scattered across the ground. Claw marks—deep, uneven—ran along the wall of one home. The smell hit her next: stale air, mixed with the faint, unpleasant tang of something rotting.
Nora stepped cautiously down the main street. Her boots crunched over shards of glass and scattered stones. "Hello? Anyone here?" Her voice echoed, unanswered. "Figures… nothing."
A cold breeze lifted strands of her orange hair across her face. She brushed them aside, eyes scanning the gaps between abandoned houses.
"What… happened here?" she whispered. Then, under her breath, "This is not the kind of welcome I had in mind" fingers fidgeting with her pack straps, toes tapping lightly on the cobblestones.
Nora froze as a chill ran down her spine. Something wasn't right. Her instincts screamed at her before she even turned.
Spinning sharply, her eyes widened. Eight goblins emerged from the shadows of the village alley, their skin a sickly green-gray that seemed almost to blend with the grime of the ruined village. Some gripped short swords, others brandished only their claws, yet all wore the same menacing grin as they chuckled, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Oh… come on!" Nora groaned, her hands tightening into fists. She pressed her back against the nearest wall, trying to make sense of the sudden ambush. "Just when I thought I could finally take a break… seriously? I'm not in the mood for this."
A goblin hurled a jagged rock at her. She ducked instinctively, feeling it whiz past her ear.
"Hey! Did you just throw that at a girl? Rude!"
She planted her hands on her hips for half a second before ducking another swing.
"Seriously? I said don't! Do I have to repeat myself?!"She snapped, her voice sharp, eyes narrowing as she glared at the creature.
The goblins only laughed, a cacophony of high-pitched cackles that made her teeth clench.
"All of you have seriously made me mad," she hissed, her hands twitching with restrained energy. "And let me warn you—I don't show mercy when I'm hungry, especially not to fiends like you."
Her crimson eyes flickered. Heat gathered in her palms. "Prepare to be roasted!"
A goblin in the front charged, short sword raised. Its attack was quick, but Nora stepped aside effortlessly, feeling the whoosh of the blade brush past her.
Another lunged from the side, aiming for her head. With a sharp spring from her legs, she landed between them, her boots clanging against the cobblestone. She exhaled slowly, steadying herself, then raised both hands, pointing toward the goblins on either side.
"Burn… away to ash!" Her voice carried a low, dangerous edge. Crimson flames erupted from her hands, licking the air as they surged forward. The goblins screamed as the fire engulfed them, reducing them to nothing but ashes in a heartbeat.
Nora's breathing remained steady as her eyes scanned the remaining enemies. One of them stepped forward, noticeably larger, clad in studded armor, wielding dual swords.
The goblin lunged, blades flashing in a rapid arc. Nora leapt backward, trying to conjure flames in her hands—but its speed was overwhelming. Every time she tried to gather fire, its blades came swinging closer, forcing her to dodge instead.
"Crap… he's way faster than the others," she muttered under her breath, circling to keep her distance. Her hands twitched, itching to ignite her flames, but the goblin's relentless assault interrupted every attempt. "I… can't risk it yet."
The armored goblin lunged again, blades slashing in a blinding, precise rhythm. Nora ducked under one swing, rolled to the side, and sprang back, her heart hammering against her ribs. Adrenaline surged through her veins, sweat prickling her temples as she gauged its speed.
"Not bad… but I've got this," she whispered, grit threading her voice. "If I can't use fire, then I'll take you down with brute force… then burn you!" Her legs coiled like springs, ready to strike.
Another swipe aimed for her midsection, and she twisted her body, delivering a crushing kick that slammed into the goblin's chest. It flew backward, swords clanging against the cobblestones, staggering—but not defeated.
Her hands came together, fingers spread. Heat prickled across her fingertips—weak, flickering.
Not enough… more…She thought as she squeezed her eyes shut for half a second, drawing up the fire inside her. The heat wrapped around her hands. When she opened her eyes, the glow in her irises were sharp and fierce. Her lungs burned as she drew a slow, controlled breath, centering herself. Fingers ignited as flames crawled along her skin, coalescing into a dense, glowing orb in her palms. Heat vibrated through her arms, humming with raw energy, ready to release.
The goblin groaned, struggling to rise, its eyes widening as it realized the threat she now posed. It froze, panic flickering across its features.
"Ready… Fireball!" Nora shouted, hurling the massive sphere. The goblin spun to run, but the blast hit its back, ripping heat and sound through the air, consuming it in a roaring blaze. By the time the flames subsided, nothing remained but scorched dirt.
Breathing heavily, Nora bent her knees slightly, wiping a streak of sweat from her brow and feeling the tingle of residual heat on her skin. "Seems like mastering my power really did come in handy… thank you, Master Morgana," she whispered, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
The remaining goblins faltered, eyes wide with fear. Their high-pitched screams echoed through the alley as they scattered.
"Oh no you don't!" Nora snapped, flames flickering at her fingertips. "Not after the trouble you caused me." She launched five quick, precise fire bursts, each striking a fleeing goblin. The acrid smell of burnt flesh filled the air as their screams pierced the chaos. Flames engulfed their bodies, consuming them until nothing remained but drifting ash.
Nora exhaled slowly, letting her hands drop to her sides. The glow in her eyes faded back to normal. She bent slightly, rubbing her midsection as a sharp rumble echoed in her stomach.
"Ugh… those goblins really made me hungrier than ever," she muttered, scanning the empty streets with wary eyes. Her frustration shifted to concern as realization dawned.
"Wait… goblins in the village? That's… bad. No wonder I haven't seen anyone." Panic flickered across her face as she took in the quiet streets.
Her gaze hardened. She pushed off the wall and sprinted down the street, each step thudding against the stone. Breathing rapid but controlled, she moved with urgency, muscles coiled and senses alert.