Chereads / The Adventures of Leo / Chapter 16 - Homecoming

Chapter 16 - Homecoming

Leo was coming back from Atlantis, holding the Starblade in his hand. He wanted to show it to Mia and the Village elder.

But as he approached the village, he felt a sense of dread. He saw smoke rising from the thatched roofs, and heard screams and roars. He smelled blood and fire. He realized that something terrible had happened.

He ran towards the village gate, hoping that Mia was safe. He saw that the wooden fence had been torn apart, and that the fields were trampled and burned. He saw bodies of villagers and animals lying on the ground, some still twitching. He saw claw marks and bite marks on the walls and doors. He saw flames and ashes everywhere.

He knew that only one thing could cause such destruction: dragons.

He had heard stories of dragons from the elder, who had raised him since he was a baby. He had never known his parents. The elder had told him that dragons were rare and elusive, living in the mountains and caves, away from humans. He had told him that dragons were majestic and wise, not cruel and savage.

But he also knew that dragons could be controlled by magic. He had heard rumors of a dark mage who was roaming the land, seeking power and revenge. He had heard that the mage had a grudge against their village, because they had refused to join his army or pay him tribute. He had heard that the mage had sworn to destroy them all.

He wondered if the mage had finally found them, and unleashed his dragons on them.

He felt anger and fear rise in his chest. He clenched his fists and drew his sword. He decided to fight his way to Mia's home, and find her. He hoped that she was still alive.

He entered the village, dodging fireballs and dragon tails. He slashed at any dragon that came near him, aiming for their eyes and throats. He saw other villagers fighting back too, using spears, axes, bows, and knives. He saw some of them fall, but he also saw some of them succeed in killing or wounding a dragon.

He made his way home, which was near the center of the village. He saw that it was still standing, but it was badly damaged. The roof was gone, and the walls were cracked. He saw bloodstains on the floor and furniture.

He called out for Mia and the Village Elder, hoping that they would answer.

He heard a weak voice from under a pile of rubble.

"Leo? Is that you?"

He recognized it as Mia's voice.

He ran towards the rubble, and lifted it with his strength. He saw Mia lying there, covered in dust and blood. She had a deep gash on her leg, and bruises on her face. She looked pale and tired.

But she was alive.

He felt a surge of relief and joy.

He hugged her gently, careful not to hurt her more.

"Mia! Thank God you're alive!"

Mia hugged him back, tears in her eyes.

"Leo! I love you too! I'm so glad you're here! I thought I would never see you again!"

They held each other for a moment, feeling each other's warmth and heartbeat.

They looked around them, and saw the chaos and carnage.

They felt sadness and anger.

They asked each other what had happened.

Mia told him that the dragons had attacked without warning, while most of the villagers were working in the fields or at home. She said that they had breathed fire and clawed at everything in their path. She said that some of them had riders on their backs, wearing black cloaks and masks. She said that they were the mage's followers, who directed the dragons with their commands.

She said that she had tried to escape with the village elder, but they had been separated by a wall of fire. She said that she had hidden under a table, but a dragon had found her anyway. She said that it had bitten her leg, but she had stabbed it in the eye with a knife. She said that it had let go of her leg, but it had collapsed on top of her, trapping her under its weight.

She said that she didn't know how long she had been there, until Leo came.

Leo listened to her story with horror and grief.

He felt proud of Mia, who had fought bravely against a dragon.

He felt grateful for himself, who had arrived just in time to save her.

He vowed to stop the mage and his dragons, find the elder, and save his village.

He said to Mia, "Don't worry, Mia. I'm here now. I won't let them hurt you anymore. I'll get you out of here, and find a safe place for you. Then I'll go after the mage, and make him pay for what he's done. I'll avenge our village. I'll end this madness."

Mia looked at him with admiration and concern.

She said to Leo, "Thank you, Leo. You're the best boyfriend ever. But please, be careful. The mage is very powerful and dangerous. He has many dragons and followers. He won't be easy to defeat."

Leo nodded, and smiled.

He said to Mia, "I know. But I'm not afraid. I have something he doesn't have: The Starblade. Its the Sunblade and the Moonblade combined!"

He kissed her forehead, and lifted her in his arms.

He carried her out of the home, and looked for a way out of the village.

He saw that the battle was still raging on, but he also saw that the villagers were gaining some ground.

He saw that some of the dragons had fled or fallen, and that some of the followers had been captured or killed.

Leo needed to find the Village Elder, and ask him how to stop the mage.