A sheep-girl lay in a deep slumber under the warm glow of the sun upon a field of grass blowing softly in a breeze, unmoving like a stone statue, with only her dress rustling in the calm wind. Her eyes opened, as if a switch had been flipped, revealing a new and unfamiliar world. What happened? She wondered, rising on her feet, her mind racing with questions about what had just occurred previously. Memories flashed through her mind like lightning, causing her plump round face to contort in pain from the raging headache. I recall now. I was celebrating my day of rebirth with my mother, father, and my sister Fey, and... and, what happened after that?
Her headache soon subsided. She wondered how she ended up in the middle of a field of grass, and then a worry tugged at the back of her mind as she looked around briefly—she realized she was separated from her older sister Fey and the rest of her family, who were nowhere in sight. I need to find them to know they're safe.
With this last thought, she began to take notice of her surroundings. Perhaps I'm still in Mythentol. I could have been teleported to some random field near the kingdom; all I need to do now is find some landmarks which will tell me where I am.
Following this thought, her gold-dotted eyes moved side-to-side, but it was all for naught, as she soon found herself looking in every conceivable direction: left, right, front, back, even up, and still found nothing. This told the sheep-girl one thing: this wasn't Mythentol, and for all she knew, she might not be in the same world anymore.
As she began to calm her hurried breaths, she felt a wave of mental clarity wash over her. Transported to another world; utter hogwash. I have to be in the same world I've always lived in. Maybe I'm just in a nearby kingdom, or on a different continent, but there is no way in hell I'm in a different world. There is just no way! She thought. Doubts soon took root in her mind, causing her black lips to furl and her eyelids to close.
Perhaps she was in another world, but how was she transported to this new reality? What could have done it, and who? What if she was transported and had to survive in this new world alone, with no one to help her? These, and other thoughts, caused her legs to buckle as the weight they carried became too much for them to bear. As droplets of water spilled from her eyes, she could feel her vision becoming blurry. "Why did any of this happen!" She exclaimed in a soft, sweet voice through her tears. Why did any of this happen…? She pondered solemnly.
Her tears soon evaporated, leaving a salty trail on her cheeks. She pushed herself back onto her feet, brushing away the remnants of her sorrow from her flushed eyes. With her head lowered and her breathing steady, she blinked, her long lashes still damp from the recent downpour of tears. She had to stay strong, she reminded herself. She needed to figure out her location, find her sister Fey, reunite with the rest of her family, and chart a course back home. She couldn't afford to let her emotions get the best of her now.
The sheep-girl then raised her head, and made a vow to herself—one forged from her determination to find her family and her way back home—and she began walking with this newfound resolve. Moving through the tall grass, slowly making her way somewhere, because finding something, anything, was preferable to staying in one place. I have to look for signs of civilization, because civilization means people—people who can help me. And if I'm lucky, I might even find my sister, she thought as she continued her walk through the tall grass. She had no idea where she was or what dangers might be lurking in it; all she could do at this point was keep walking, keeping her senses sharpened and focused.
She had grown accustomed to birds chirping as they flew by, while she walked and walked through what seemed like an endless sea of green, pushing away tall grass with each step, passing the time listening to the sounds they made.
She strolled on, her heels pressing into the soft soil beneath her feet. Gradually, she observed a subtle transformation in the landscape around her. The verdant carpet of grass, once rising up to tickle her ankles, now clipped short, offering a crisp, firm footing.
Beyond the shimmering heat of the horizon, the silhouette of towering trees beckoned her. Their leafy crowns stood majestic and proud against the cerulean sky, a mighty fortress of emerald greens stretching across miles and faded into a hazy blue at the edges. "A forest… At least that's something; better than boring old grass. And maybe once I get through it, I'll find a village on the other side; that would be my lucky day," she sighed. She then resumed her walk.
The sheep-girl finally found herself on the threshold of the forest. The sea of brilliant, leafy green, which had been her constant companion, gradually thinned. Stalk by stalk, the tall grasses dwindled until they were no more, replaced by a carpet of earth and moss. Before her now, the forest unfurled, its entrance standing as a gateway to a different world.
She closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath before releasing it in a slow exhale. She was ready for this. With her elements at her disposal, she felt invincible against whatever the forest might hurl her way. Taking a few determined steps forward, she plunged into the heart of the forest, ready to confront any peril.
The comforting crunch of leaves and twigs under her heels punctuated her journey, a rhythmic sound shattering the otherwise overwhelming silence of the forest. The vibrant greenery seemed to pulse with life around her as she ventured deeper, the sounds of her footsteps a constant reminder of her resolve.
However, the further she walked, the more sounds of birds chirping and small animals scurrying across the forest floor perked up her leaf-shaped ears, indicating she now had to focus on sounds which mattered: footsteps, growls, sounds of a creature moving close to her, the sheep-girl couldn't afford to be caught off-guard. She continued walking at a steady pace deeper into the unknown forest, and as she did so, she had a thought, Are my elements still working? She wondered.
The sheep girl then came to a halt, leaned forward, and grasped a leaf in her four-fingered hand, then she promptly said [Midas Touch], and watched as the leaf was instantly coated with a golden shine from which rays of sunlight could reflect off. She rose again, this time with a slight smile on her face, and another thought occurred to her: My gold element is still effective on plant matter, but I have yet to test my [Midas Touch] on something large.
After this thought confirmed her little test was insufficient, the girl walked towards a towering oak nearby, its branches reaching for the heavens as if striving to touch the sky. With a deep breath standing in front of the tree, she placed her hand against the trunk and said [Midas Touch], letting the pulse of her magic seep into the heart of the tree from her gold encased hand.
At her touch, a shimmer of gold began to bleed into the bark, spreading from the point of contact. It grew slowly, steadily increasing its rate of spread, the golden hue meandering its way up the trunk, tracing the intricate pattern of the bark as it climbed. Its brown exterior transformed into a rich, gleaming gold under her hand. Its leaves soon too were encased in a golden shine, and finally the tree had completely turned gold and a slight smile had formed on the girl's face after removing her hand from the tree, the hand returning to its normal black shade. Maybe I'm still in the same world; I can still use my gold element in full. All I have to do now is get out of this forest and find help. So, after returning to where she was, she continued her long journey through the great forest.
After what seemed like an eternity of walking through an endless sea of trees, she noticed a break in the forest tree line, the thickness of the trees had decreased, and more rays of sunlight were breaking through the treetops. This accelerated her pace as she raced to the end of the forest, hoping to find someone who could assist her. The scent of something burning scrunched up her round nose soon after her pace quickened. Fire! She thought. Her movements became faster, and the almost rhythmic sounds of twigs and leaves crunching beneath her feet faded away.
During her frantic sprint, she surmised, Based on where the smoke is coming from, I know I'm not in danger of being burned, but someone else might be. Her heart began to beat faster and faster as a terrifying thought entered her mind. What if she was too late, and her only chance for assistance was gone? She pushed this thought aside because her focus was on getting out of this maze of trees and closer to the source of smoke, where someone needed help.
Her mind buzzed with these thoughts, even as she launched herself into a sprint. Ahead, the sun pierced through the forest's cloak of darkness, a radiant herald signaling the forest's end. With a breathless gasp, she emerged from the leafy confines, a bead of sweat trickling down her face, her breathing uneven and slightly labored.
She skidded to a halt, momentarily dazed, her eyes stung as they strained to adjust to the sun's glaring brightness. As her vision finally cleared, her eyes widened in surprise before narrowing in confusion, a puzzled frown etching itself on her face.
Before her laid a scattered array of homes, their light gray stone and tiled roofs standing stalwart under the morning sun. These houses couldn't burn, she reasoned, gazing at the sturdy structures. Yet, a plume of smoke, like a grim flag, marked a spot deeper within the village.
Emerging from her daze, her expression hardened, lips set in a firm line and eyebrows knitting together. She took a step forward, then another, and another, each one gaining speed. Soon, she was sprinting down the grassy slope, a wave of determination carrying her toward the smoke. She was resolved to find the source of the flames and lend a hand if anyone was in danger.
As the sheep-girl strode into the village, an unpleasant stench curled up her nose, like vile unwashed clothes after a heavy summer rain left out to dry in the hot sun. It made her gag before she quickly regained a form of composure, hoping the smell would not rub onto her. She twitched her ears, their shape reminiscent of fallen autumn leaves, trying to tune into the faintest echo of voices, or the desperate plea of a cry for help. Yet, an eerie silence was all which met her, as if the world had swallowed all noise but her own soft footfall, the rustling of her dress in the wind, and the angry crackling of fire.
The sheep-girl felt a twist of unease, like a knot tightening in her stomach. When fire seized a small village, it was only natural for its residents to swarm together, battling the flames as a united front. But the streets were ghostly quiet, and not a soul was in sight.
Her steps slowed, growing cautious as she approached the gray column of smoke towering above the rooftops. She passed rows of houses, their sameness striking her as oddly eerie. Each one was a mere arrangement of four stone walls, an unadorned door, and an occasional window punctuating the monotony.
She couldn't shake off the feeling they were too plain, too simple. But then again, she was used to the sprawling grandeur of her estate, where each detail screamed of luxury. Perhaps, she mused, to those less fortunate, these modest homes held a charm she couldn't see.
She weaved her way forward between two quiet homes, eyes flitting skyward. There, to her left, was the gray plume of smoke, dark and unyielding. Once she reached a crossroads nestled amongst the buildings, she took a left turn. And there, stretching out before her, was a sight so horrifying, she knew she'd spend a lifetime wishing she could unsee it. As she stepped out from the tangled alleyway and into an open space within the village, tears stung at her gold-dotted eyes, an involuntary response to the overpowering stink, and it felt like the world was tilting beneath her feet, her stomach roiling uneasily as a wave of nausea threatened to break free.
A pile of bodies were burning, the flames greedily consuming their flesh. Men, women, even children were heaped together, their melted skin and charred bones a testament to the agony they must have endured. She fell to her knees, gagging at the sickly smell of roasting meat and bone. What the fuck?! she thought. Who could murder innocent people and discard them like trash?! Rage boiled up inside her as she imagined the terror these people must have felt before their lives were cruelly snatched away. The gruesome sight of the smoldering dead, their mouths open in silent screams, would forever haunt her.
She took a moment, a brief respite to collect herself. A deep inhale, a slow exhale of the rancid air which stung at her nostrils and throat, steadying the frantic pace of her heart. Gradually, she rose, her legs sturdy beneath her, heels firmly planted in the ground. She cast a final glance at the appalling sight before swiveling away, her insides churning with a potent mix of revulsion and rage.
I can't let this happen to anyone else, she thought. Her face hardened, the golden hues of her eyes ignited with a supernatural glow. She extended her hands in front of her, palms open to the world, and an almost tangible surge of power pulsed from her, radiating a promise of protection and retribution.
[Elemental Forge-Scythe], she declared. A single speck of golden energy materialized just above her forehead. It drifted downward, halting in the space cradled by her outstretched arms. More lights followed, a procession of ethereal gold, joining together like a constellation in the making. The bundle coalesced into a cylinder, elongating into a golden shaft a little taller in length than she was. Her hands instinctively closed around the warm glow, now fashioned into the handle of her conjured weapon.
The dance of the golden lights didn't stop there. They continued merging, shaping into a curved blade. And then the spectacle truly began; they started to scatter, as if unveiling a grand masterpiece. It commenced from the blade, tiny flecks of golden illumination chipping away to reveal a hint of green. As more and more lights flaked off, a blade of pure jade was exposed, shimmering like an emerald under the sun's touch.
When this transformation of light reached the weapon's handle, a gleam of pristine white shone first, followed by a glint of gold. Soon, the last vestiges of the golden energy dissolved away, uncovering a handle crafted from white silver, beautifully inscribed with intricate golden patterns.
The sheep-girl paused, her eyes returning to their normal hue, drinking in the ethereal beauty of her conjured weapon. Its elegance stood in stark contrast to the gruesome scene she had just witnessed. But this moment of admiration was fleeting. She swiftly re-centered her attention on the urgent matter ahead.
Lifting her head to survey the scene, she caught sight of a path out of the corner of her eye. The path trailed deeper into the village, to her right. Without hesitation, she pivoted, her body aligning with this new direction, ready to continue moving forward.
She made sure her eyes would not make contact with that horrid sight again. With purpose in her stride, she advanced, one foot after the other. The rhythm of her steps carried her towards the path, slow and unwavering. In her right hand, she cradled the weapon, its gleaming form resting lightly against her shoulder.
As she tread upon the path, passing by numerous homes and delving deeper into the village, her leaf-shaped ears perked up. A faint sound reached her – a voice, a cry, resonating from somewhere up ahead. Instantly, she quickened her pace and her mind had focused. The sheep-girl was determined to reach the source of the cry, vowing to aid whoever was in distress before they too fell victim to a merciless end.
I won't allow it, she vowed to herself. She wouldn't stand by and watch the lives of innocents being snuffed out. Weaving in and out between the homes, the cries grew louder, signaling her proximity to the scene.
Suddenly, she emerged from the winding path, and a chilling sight greeted her. Two young girls with pale skin huddled together in fear. The older one had hair as bright as golden straw, neatly woven into a single braid hanging down her back. Her younger counterpart, with a cascade of reddish-brown locks, wore her hair in two playful pigtails. Their small bodies huddled on the ground, were being menaced by two figures who resembled knights. One of them only had a sword which bore the grim evidence of his cruelty—a smear of blood from a wound he had inflicted on the older girl's back as she shielded the younger girl, while the other stood behind him, equipped with a sword-and-shield bearing the golden crest of a winged lion roaring, with its forepaws raised high.
As the so-called "knight" prepared his weapon for another blow, the sheep-girl steadied herself. She positioned her left leg behind her and her right leg forward, drawing lines in the dirt with her heels, aligning herself for what was to come. Her left hand held the bottom of the handle, while her right hand gripped the middle. The flat side of the jade blade facing forward, ready for action. She drew in a deep breath, steeling herself for the imminent attack.
—~—~—
Enri's footsteps echoed loudly, heavy with desperation, while her younger sister, Nemu, matched her pace with lighter, smaller footfall. Enri gripped Nemu's right hand tightly with her left, a silent vow to keep her safe. As she ran, her mind was a whirlwind of questions, each one a stab of pain. Why did this happen? Why was our peaceful village attacked? Why did our parents have to die? The questions played like a broken record in her head, amplifying her despair with each repetition.
As she dashed past the familiar homes of her village, a raw ache spread within her chest. It was an agony born from the loss of her parents, the sudden absence of friends, and the looming threat of losing the only home she had ever known.
A flood of emotion welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision slightly. She wanted to let it all out, to cry, but she knew this was not the time for tears, so she wiped them away with right arm. Her main concern was Nemu. Safeguarding her little sister was the beacon guiding her through the chaos. With Nemu trailing close behind, Enri veered left at a corner, a strategic maneuver to shake off the pursuers she could tell were close on their heels, by the distant sound of clanking metal and shouts.
Maintaining her desperate dash with Nemu in tow, Enri risked a backward glance. To her mounting horror, she saw two knights hot on their trail, their swords unsheathed and glinting ominously. They were encased in intimidating metal armor. Their helms completely obscured their faces, with only a pair of narrow, rectangular eyeholes revealing any trace of humanity.
The armor was a daunting assembly of pauldrons, gauntlets, a chest plate, greaves, and boots—all molded from cold, unyielding metal. Beneath the intimidating layers of armor, they wore vests of navy blue, collared and with flaps at the bottom edged in stark white. The sight was chilling, and it spurred Enri to run faster.
In an unthinkable turn of events, Nemu's foot caught on a stone, sending her sprawling onto the hard ground. She slipped from Enri's firm grip, and a sense of dread consumed Enri. Internally, she was paralyzed by fear, knowing the knights were too close for them to regain momentum. And her dreadful intuition proved correct.
As she quickly scooped Nemu up, cradling her frightened form on the ground, Enri instinctively shielded her little sister with her own body. The clatter of armored footsteps grew louder, each clank a pulse of impending doom. Then, a sharp, searing pain erupted in her back. A sword had cut into her, making her face scrunch up as she winced in pain.
I can't die here, she thought desperately, l just can't! Not when Nemu needs me. As she steeled herself against the pain, she caught sight of Nemu's face. Gone was the terror, replaced with wide-eyed worry for her sister. A bitter-sweet smile flickered in Enri's heart.
The mocking laughter of the knight who had struck her echoed in her ears, reinforcing her belief this was the end. She braced herself for the finishing blow, each agonizing second stretching into an eternity.
—~—~—
The knight held his arm aloft, sword gleaming and poised for a second assault. In his mind, he wasn't about to kill children. No, he was serving the Theocracy, propelling humanity one step closer to unity under one flag, purging the world of all 'lesser' races. His deeds today were, in his eyes, 'justified'. He believed himself a harbinger of a bright, human-only future.
As he started to deliver his lethal swing, a whooshing sound echoed in the stillness. In a surreal twist, he found himself staring up at the clear blue sky instead of down at his intended victims. His eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth dropping open as shock gripped him. A terrifying realization dawned upon him: he couldn't feel his lower body. His world started to darken, his eyelids heavy as they fluttered closed. He drew in a rattling breath, his last one, as the grim cloak of death enveloped him.
—~—~—
Expecting another slash, Enri braced herself, but the anticipated pain never arrived as she felt a gust of wind blow past her. Perplexed, she dared to glance over her shoulder and gasped at the sight. The one standing behind her was not the knight who'd attacked, nor were they even human.
What she saw was a creature like something out of a storybook: a sheep, standing on two legs. Its hair was a fluffy cloud of pure white cotton, contrasting starkly against the deep black skin. A similar puff of white served as a tail. The creature was dressed in a short, white flared skirt dress paired with golden heels, and she held an ethereal scythe, its crystal blade gleaming a soft green.
Relief flooded Enri's face as she let out a calming breath. For the moment, it seemed she and Nemu were safe from the merciless knights. What happened to the one who had attacked them? She wondered, her question was soon answered. As her eyes darted around the scene, her gaze landed on a gruesome sight to the right. The top half of the knight's body lay sprawled in the dirt, blood seeping from it and soaking the earth beneath in a chilling red. The sight of the dismembered knight was both sickening and comforting.
Enri knew he couldn't harm them anymore. Brushing that image aside, she turned her focus to Nemu. Slowly, she rose to her feet, helping her little sister up as well. She positioned herself on Nemu's right side, creating a human shield to keep the grisly sight of the fallen knight from her sister's view. Enri didn't want to traumatize her any further.
Looking down at Nemu's worried face, Enri could see the concern for her in her sister's eyes. She decided then to offer some words of reassurance.
Enri managed to form a small, comforting smile on her face, trying her best to hide any signs of pain. "Don't worry, Nemu," she said, her voice a soothing lullaby amid the chaos. "I'm fine."
But Nemu's eyes, innocent yet so observant, studied Enri. She noticed the subtle wince crossing her sister's face, the slight hunch of her back. Her voice came out in a soft whisper, laced with worry. "Are you sure, big sis?" She questioned, her young mind struggling to reconcile the strong, unyielding sister she knew with the visible signs of injury. As Enri was about to reassure her younger sister again, a shriek broke through the silence of the calm moment.
—~—~—
With the precision of a skilled warrior, the sheep-girl had cleaved the man cleanly in two. His demise was so sudden and swift blood scarcely welled up from the devastating midriff wound. However, as the man's legs collapsed, they began to pour forth a scarlet flood, saturating the earth beneath. The sheep-girl herself remained impassive, her body next to the fallen knight's legs and her weapon held steady before her. She stood with her left foot forward, her right was behind, her back slightly hunched over.
Then, as quick and fluid as water, she straightened up, pivoting to face the remaining knight. Her weapon, the beautiful jade-bladed scythe stood upright, its base resting on the ground, her right hand clutching it tightly. The power she radiated was palpable, a silent challenge to her next adversary.
As she completed her turn, the trembling knight faced her, his sword unsteadily held in a feeble defensive posture. His voice wobbled with terror as he cried out, "Stay back, you demi-human freak!" Yet the sheep-girl merely stared back, her golden gaze holding a piercing intensity boring into his soul. The words held no power over her; they were as inconsequential as leaves in the wind.
In fact, her stoic silence and the aura of undeniable strength radiating from her were enough to instill terror in the knight. He turned on his heels, attempting a frantic escape. But he was not destined to get far.
[Weapon Return], the sheep-girl intoned. In response, her scythe was encased in a mesmerizing golden light. The light fractured into countless tiny particles, shimmering like stardust as they evaporated, leaving her empty-handed.
But not for long. A firm command echoed from her lips, [Silver Chains].
She opened her left palm, now gleaming with a metallic silver sheen, a solitary chain link poked out. Seizing it with her right hand, she gave it a strong tug. What followed seemed like a magic trick, as a twelve-meter long chain unfurled from her palm, glowing with a mesmerizing, ethereal light.
The sheep-girl now lifted her right arm gripping her new tool, smoothly drawing the chain in a large circle around her. It swept through the air with a fierce whistle, mirroring a miniature whirlwind. Her piercing golden eyes fixed on the figure of the knight, now retreating into the distance. She gauged his position, the distance, and a sly smile bloomed on her face. He won't escape, she assured herself.
Her movements were precise, the rhythm almost hypnotic as the chain continued to build momentum with each twirl. And then, with the trained precision of a lioness closing in on its prey, she snapped her arm forward, sending the chain surging through the air like a lightning bolt.
Its target? The knight, some ten meters away, still naively hopeful of an escape. With the accuracy of a skilled hunter, the chain ensnared his left leg, coiling around it like a metallic snake. The sudden pull unbalanced the knight, yanking him off his feet. He hit the ground face-first, his sword clattering away from his grasp, the dust rising around him in a mocking cloud.
As the knight hit the ground, the chain crept up his leg, tightening with a cold, metallic grip reminiscent of a snake seizing its prey. The helpless knight was slowly pulled towards the sheep-girl leaving a slight dirt trail behind him, his panicked efforts to break free from the chain's relentless hold proving futile. He propped himself up, his gloved hand clawing at the unyielding chain wrapped around his left leg.
Realizing the futility of his actions, the knight discarded his shield, freeing both hands to wrestle with the chain. He grappled with it, attempting to lift it off, but the chain snapped back in place like a magnet kissing steel. His desperate struggle continued, each futile attempt further cementing his inevitable death.
Before long, the pulling stopped, and the knight watched as she walked towards him. The left palm of her hand was open, absorbing the chain into its metallic void as she closed the distance between them. It wasn't long before the sheep-girl loomed over him, her golden eyes blazing like twin suns, her gaze piercing through his very soul. Overwhelmed, the knight got on to his knees, his bravado crumbling as he bowed his head in submission. His voice, once booming with confidence, now trembled with fear. "Please," he begged, his unseen eyes pleading, "Show me mercy."
At the knight's plea, the sheep-girl's face mirrored an initial ripple of confusion, as though the concept of mercy was alien to her. Almost instantly, however, her expression morphed into one of seething rage, her golden eyes ablaze with a simmering hatred.
"You deserve only as much mercy as you showed those children," she declared, her voice ringing out like the clang of a blacksmith's hammer against steel, resonating with a deep-seated anger which spoke volumes.
She crouched down, her right hand ebony black reached out to rest on the knight's chained leg. Her voice, when she spoke, was as chilling as a death knell, firm and unyielding. [Midas Touch], she decreed, her words echoing ominously in the silence which followed. Her hand then became encased in a gleaming gold sheen.
Paralyzed with horror, the knight could only watch as his legs began to shimmer with a golden radiance, as if bathed in the light of the sun. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to flee, to put up a fight, but his body was trapped in a vice-like grip of terror which left him helpless.
He did the only thing he could. A primal scream ripped from his throat as he looked down at his transforming body, echoing around them in a raw expression of his final, desperate plea. But it was a scream which soon stifled, muffled into an eerie silence as the creeping gold swallowed him whole, climbing upward until it finally claimed his head. And then, he was as still as a statue, his horrified expression preserved under his helmet for all eternity in his golden tomb.
Both Enri and Nemu were jolted by an ear-splitting scream slicing through the calm moment beforehand. Startled, Enri whirled around, her eyes darting towards the source of the disturbing sound. What she saw caused her breath to hitch in her throat—the second knight, the one who had threatened their lives, was now on his knees, a chain ensnaring his left leg.
Their unexpected rescuer was crouched in front of the knight. Enri and Nemu watched with a mixture of awe and apprehension as a brilliant golden sheen began to creep up the knight's legs, giving a horrifying explanation to his ear-shattering scream. It was a grim spectacle, the knight's armor slowly being swallowed up by the glinting gold, starting from his feet, slithering up his chest, and snaking along his arms.
And then, in what felt like an agonizing eternity, the gold finally claimed the knight's head. His screams abruptly ceased, replaced by a chilling silence. The golden figure was eerily still, a haunting reminder of the knight's fate.
"Do you think we'll be okay?" Nemu's voice was a mere whisper, and it held a tremor which tugged at Enri's heartstrings. No longer facing forward, Nemu had tilted her head upwards, her wide, anxious eyes seeking reassurance from her older sister. Her small hands fidgeted, her thumbs tracing uncertain patterns over each other.
Snapped from her trance-like state, Enri cast a tender glance down at Nemu, her little sister's worried expression a stark reminder of their predicament. "I'm sure we'll be fine," Enri reassured, her voice steady, a soft smile warming her features. "Those knights… they were bad people."
She paused, her gaze momentarily flicking back to the frozen golden statue which was once a menacing knight. Her attention returned swiftly to Nemu, and she continued, "But she..." She nodded, indicating their mysterious savior. "She saved us from them. If she meant to hurt us, she would've done so by now."
As she spoke, her hands came to rest on Nemu's slender shoulders, their gentle weight a comforting presence against the uncertainty looming around them.
Nemu's fretful countenance softened, morphing into a tentative smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I guess you're right," she echoed, her voice sounding noticeably lighter than before. Her restless thumbs came to a halt, and she let her arms fall limply to her sides, no longer wound up with tension.
The gradual crunch of footsteps on the soft earth caught their attention, the sound growing progressively louder as it neared. In unison, they swiveled their heads towards the source of the sound, their eyes finding the unfamiliar figure of their savior slowly closing the distance between them. A prickle of apprehension swept through Enri, a slight frown creasing her forehead as she thought, I truly hope I'm right.
—~—~—
With the threats dealt with, the sheep-girl's stance eased as she stood up, her left hand returned to its normal hue, and her golden heels stood firm on the ground. As if pulled by an unseen force, the chain began to dissolve into her right hand, detaching itself from the lifeless man's leg.
She watched as the chain was completely absorbed, disappearing into her skin. Once the last link had vanished, her right hand reverted back to its usual ebony hue.
Her expression softened, concern filtering through her once fiery eyes. The two children had been through enough horrors for one day; they needed her attention now. She thought about the older one, how bravely she'd shielded the younger child, and a frown creased her brow.
Spinning on her heels, she turned to face them and saw the older child was consoling the younger one. She drank in the details of their rustic clothing as she slowly walked towards them. The older one wore a dress with a long, light orange skirt which faded into a richer, bronze-hued top. White cloth decorated her collar and chest area, a stark contrast to the splashes of color. Her feet were encased in simple black shoes, telling tales of her modest life.
The younger girl was dressed in a navy blue one-piece dress, a charming little red bow tie adding a touch of brightness to her attire. Her feet were snug in brown shoes, as innocent as her age.
As the sheep-girl walked she watched both children turn their heads to face her. As their gazes met her's, she saw worry flickering in their wide eyes, their faces wearing the same expression of anxious anticipation. The sheep-girl softened her gaze, giving the two girls a comforting smile. As she approached them, her steps were slow and deliberate, her calm voice assuring them. "It's alright, I won't harm either of you."
Relief washed over their faces, lessening the furrow of worry etched on their young features. As the sheep-girl drew closer, she turned her attention solely to the older girl who had been injured. She stopped in front of them, speaking gently to the elder child, "Let me take care of your wound. Please, turn your back to me."
Still wary of this mysterious savior, the older girl hesitantly rotated, exposing her wounded back to the stranger. Raising her right arm, the sheep-girl moved her hand close to the gash and softly declared, [Jade Restoration].
As the words escaped her lips, her hand was enveloped in a crystalline green hue. It emanated a warm, soothing glow spreading over the injured girl's back. The sheep-girl watched in satisfaction as the magic worked its wonders, the slash healing and the skin regenerating, leaving no traces of the gruesome wound.
A triumphant smile bloomed on the sheep-girl's face. Once the healing process was complete, she lowered her hand. The ethereal green crystal glow receded, and her hand returned to its usual black shade. It was as though the girl had never been injured.
As the enchanting glow of the [Jade Restoration] spell worked its magic on Enri's injury, she could feel the gash mending itself, the raw pain dissolving into nothingness. More than mere healing, the spell infused her with a vibrant energy, invigorating her body and spirit alike. A sense of awe washed over her as she pivoted to face the mysterious sheep-girl, her eyes brimming with gratitude. A warm smile danced on her lips as she studied the other girl's plump, round face.
Bowing deeply, she murmured, "Thank you. Truly, thank you so much for saving both me and my little sister." Nemu mimicked her sister's actions, bobbing in a respectful bow before chirping, "Thank you, miss," her voice sweet and innocent.
The sight tugged at sheep-girl's heartstrings. A soft smile bloomed on her face, her golden eyes twinkling with gentle warmth as she observed the two girls rise. "I'm glad I could help," she responded, her voice humming with sincere relief. Her curiosity piqued, she asked, "What are your names?"
"I'm Enri, and this is my little sister, Nemu," Enri introduced softly.
Carmella nodded, a pleased look crossing her features. "I'm Carmella. It's a pleasure to meet you both," she replied. Her gaze traced over them both, a silent assessment of their state.
"Likewise," Enri echoed, her tone carrying a subtle undertone of relief. Nemu piped up after a moment, adding, "It's nice to meet you too, miss."
"Enri," Carmella began, her voice as soothing as the whispers of the wind, "I realize I may sound terribly lost, but could you kindly tell me where we are right now?"
Enri blinked, taken aback with confusion for a moment. She tilted her head to one side as she mulled over the query, before she returned her gaze back to Carmella, her expression morphing into one of mild surprise.
"Of course! You do seem like a stranger here, and I've never seen or heard of a sheep who can walk on two legs," Enri began, a smile forming upon her cheeks. "You see, this place is Carne Village. We're part of the Re-Estize Kingdom."
The sheep-girl absorbed this information, her golden eyes widening a fraction as they drank in the surroundings anew, her gaze sweeping over the ramshackle houses, the verdant meadows, and the dense, looming forest in the distance.
"Carne Village," she repeated slowly, her voice a low murmur lost to the wind. The words held a strange, foreign feeling as they rolled off her tongue. "And the Re-Estize Kingdom..." she murmured, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
Her eyes then returned to Enri, a warm smile spreading across her face. She offered a small nod, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Enri," Carmella said. "It's nice to finally know where I am." Her brow soon furrowed in deep thought, Carne Village and the Re-Estize Kingdom—two places I have never heard of. And she spoke as if animals walking on two legs was rare. Maybe I am on a different continent, never have explored much outside of Mythentol, only learned about the world outside the kingdom through books at the Library in the estate and my friends and family. After finishing this thought, Carmella's gaze locked back onto Enri, her golden eyes serious yet filled with a gentle warmth. "Enri," she began, her voice a soft undercurrent in the quiet of the dawn, "Can you tell me who those knights were? Are there any more survivors?"
Enri's smile faded, replaced by a pensive frown which seemed to age her youthful face momentarily. "I wish I knew," she admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper, thick with the weight of her confusion. "They appeared out of nowhere, wreaking havoc without any discernible reason." She swallowed, her gaze dropping to her hands clasped tightly on her lap. "I overheard them, though. They were ordering their companions to gather any survivors at the village square." As she spoke, her hand lifted, a finger pointing in the direction of the village's front.
Carmella's gaze followed the trajectory of Enri's outstretched hand, her eyes narrowing as she made out the faint path winding between the haphazardly placed homes. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, but she hid the pain behind a soft smile as she turned back to face Enri. "Thank you, Enri," she spoke, the gravity of her gratitude coloring her words. "I'll head there now, and do everything in my power to help your fellow villagers."
Enri's brown eyes softened, the corners of her lips lifting in a sad smile. "I hope fortune favors you in battle," she murmured, her voice just loud enough for Carmella to catch her words.
The corners of Carmella's lips tugged upward in a sincere smile. "Thanks," she responded, warmth lacing her words. Then, with a determined nod, she turned on her heels to face the path leading into the heart of the village. Her heart was steady in her chest, her eyes sharp and focused. She knew she had a mission, and she would see it through, no matter what. With this resolve, Carmella sprinted towards the path, her figure soon swallowed by the encroaching darkness of the village as she entered it.
—~—~—
Author Notation: This is the first FanFic I have ever written so feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my narrative, and I really hope you enjoy what you read next.