Valoria's defenses had been fortified into a stronghold, a beacon of strength and unity amidst the surrounding dangers. We named it Fort Valoria, a testament to the resilience and courage of its people.
One morning, as I patrolled the outskirts of Fort Valoria, a strange feeling of unease washed over me. The air felt different, charged with a subtle tension. As I walked along the perimeter, I noticed a small figure approaching from the forest.
A child, seemingly lost and frightened, stumbled towards me. His clothes were torn, and his face was smudged with dirt. Concerned, I approached him.
"Are you alright?" I asked gently.
The child looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes. "I got lost," he said, his voice trembling. "Can you help me?"
I nodded, offering a reassuring smile. "Of course. Come with me, and we'll get you some food and water."
As I turned to lead the child back to Fort Valoria, a sudden, intense pain erupted in my back. The force of the blow pushed me forward, but I quickly regained my balance, realizing that something was very wrong.
The child, who had been following me, now stood with a menacing grin, his disguise fading away to reveal a sinister form. He was no child, but a demon in disguise. The dagger he had used to strike me was embedded in my back, yet I felt no real harm.
The demon's eyes widened in shock. "What... what are you?" he stammered, unable to comprehend why his attack had failed.
I turned to face him, my expression calm and resolute. "You picked the wrong target," I said, raising my fist. "Now you'll pay the price."
With a single, powerful punch, I struck the demon. The force of the blow was overwhelming, and the demon disintegrated into a cloud of dark energy, leaving nothing behind.
As the dust settled, I stood alone, contemplating the encounter. I had sensed something was off, but I hadn't expected a demon to attack me so brazenly. What was his motive? Why target me?
Aria's viewpoint:
From a distance, I watched as Lukas dealt with the demon. His strength and composure were awe-inspiring, but the encounter left me with questions. Who was that demon, and why did he come here?
I approached Lukas as he dusted himself off. "Are you alright?" I asked, concern evident in my voice.
Lukas nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I'm fine. But that wasn't just any demon. He came here with a purpose."
"We should investigate further," I suggested. "There may be more to this than we realize."
Lukas agreed, and we returned to Fort Valoria to gather the council. The encounter had raised many questions, and we needed to be prepared for whatever came next.