The year had not been kind to those living in the empire. Nearly six months had passed without a drop of rain, and the consequences were stark. The once-reliable ground water well, a lifeline for the farm and its inhabitants, was now dwindling rapidly, its reserves depleting as the drought tightened its grip. The urgency of the situation hung in the air, a silent understanding that the very source of their survival was slipping through their fingers.
Despite Mrs. Dara's stoic demeanor, the palpable tension in the air was not lost on anyone at the farm. Each member of the community could sense the gravity of the situation, the unspoken fear that lingered beneath the surface. The lines etched on Mrs. Dara's face told a story of concern, her stern exterior a reflection of the weight she bore.
The approaching drought was an undeniable reality, a specter that loomed over the farm with an air of inevitability. The signs were all there – the arid fields, the cracked soil, the dwindling well.
"Prepare to open up the stored grains. the town will be needing them," Mrs. Dara's voice cut through the somber air. The practicality of her words underscored the seriousness of the situation.
She summoned Ruth, her expression serious, and together they made their way to the town's meeting with the mayor. The gravity of the situation was evident in the hushed conversations between various council members.
As the meeting progressed, Ruth listened attentively to the various voices that filled the room. Concerned townspeople shared their fears about the drought's impact on their crops and livelihoods. The tension was palpable, and the mayor's voice held a steady reassurance as he addressed their worries.
A weathered farmer stood up, his voice tinged with frustration. "We've seen droughts before, but this one... it's unlike anything we've faced. The wells are drying up, and our fields are turning to dust."
Another woman chimed in, her tone urgent. "And what about the monsters? With the shortage of food, they're becoming more daring. It's not safe for our children anymore."
Mrs. Dara's voice cut through the anxious murmurs, her presence commanding attention. "We are facing challenges on multiple fronts, that much is clear. But let us not forget the resilience that Ark Springs has always shown in times of adversity. We have faced hardships before and come out stronger."
A younger man, his brows furrowed in concern, spoke up. "We need to find ways to conserve water and share resources. Perhaps we can set up a system to distribute what's left of the well water evenly among the fields."
Ruth noticed how the townspeople were earnestly engaged in finding solutions. Despite the seriousness of the situation, there was an undercurrent of unity, a shared determination to support each other.
The mayor nodded in agreement. "We will organize groups to implement water-saving measures and allocate resources strategically. Our survival depends on our ability to work together."
Ruth's gaze shifted to a mother holding a young child in her arms. The mother's eyes were filled with worry, and the child clung to her tightly. It was a stark reminder that the consequences of this drought extended beyond the fields – they reached into every corner of the town, affecting every life.
As the meeting came to an end, the mayor's final words resonated with a sense of hope. "We will face these challenges head-on, united as a community. Let this drought be a testament to our strength and determination."
Ruth exchanged a glance with Mrs. Dara, and a silent understanding passed between them. The road ahead would be difficult, but they were not alone in this fight.
——
The rain still did not come for yet another three months. The groundwater seems to be all but dried. Farmlands were abandoned as the remaining drinkable water was rationed between the towns people. The people feared for the worst but they were still united.
Ruth and Tommy were sent to the town's gates to give rations to the guards who were guarding against potential threats from monsters. Ruth had abandoned her long dusty blue hair that was a symbol a noble lady and opted for a practical mid length hairstyle which fell just below her ears. A yellow hairband sat upon her head, pinning down any stray hairs from bothering her during work. .
"Our angels have arrived once more!" the captain and the knights cheered.
Ruth and Tommy found themselves at the town's gates once again, their arms laden with carefully measured rations.
Tommy playfully elbowed her. "Yeah, that's us in the flesh!"
The guards laughed, their camaraderie evident in the easy banter.
"Say Ruth, you've been here for several weeks. Surely you might fancy one of these handsome fellas!" The captain teased and his fellow subordinates laughed even more. Ruth's face became redder and redder.
"Don't even think about it," Tommy interjected, "If any of you had a chance, big sis Ruth would choose me next year!" He lifted his chin high proudly.
"Oh come on! Stop this nonsense!" Ruth placed a palm over her face in embarassment.
However, this peaceful atmosphere was not to last. Out of the blue, an awful whirring sound filled the air before a loud crash that seemed to have shook the earth itself. A monstrous creature loomed in the sky like a vassal of horror, letting out a deafening roar. Its enormous translucent wings spanned wide, casting a foreboding shadow over the guards who stood their ground.
Fear raced through the guards' eyes as they quickly drew their weapons. The sky erupted in chaos as the creature flew at incredible speed, its talons tearing through the earth. The town's defenses were no match for its might, and buildings crumbled in its wake. The guards rushed Ruth and Tommy out of the scene while running to their positions to fend off the monstrous beast.
Arrows were shot with precision, but they seemed to bounce off the creature's tough hide, causing little harm. Guards were wounded, carnage and chaos reigned, and the town's people fled for cover, seeking refuge from the terror that had descended upon the gates. Ruth held Tommy's hand as they ran as hard as they could away from the disaster.
The battle raged on, relentless and fierce. Hours passed, and it seemed as though hope was slipping through the guards' fingers. Just when it felt like defeat was inevitable, a triumphant cheer erupted from the guards as they managed to subdue the flying beast. Exhausted but relieved, the townspeople began to emerge from their hiding places, their faces etched with both relief and exhaustion.
Ruth and Tommy were among the crowd, their breaths ragged from the escape. They exchanged a relieved glance, believing that the worst was over. Cheers and applause echoed around them, filling the air with a renewed sense of unity.
But then, amidst the cheers, Tommy's voice pierced through the crowd with a blood-curdling scream.
"Ruth! Help me!" He cried in desperation.
All eyes turned toward him, and Ruth's heart sank as she saw him being lifted into the air by a second, equally terrifying monster that had hidden among the tall grass. It had the body of a lion with wings of an eagle. A dark and filthy ether surrounded it, obscuring its features in its foul mist.
"Hang in there!"
Terror surged through Ruth's veins as she sprinted toward Tommy, her heart pounding in her chest. Desperation fueled her actions, and suddenly, an unexplainable surge of power coursed through her. Her body glowed with an ethereal light as she reached Tommy, the monster's grip faltering in response to her intense emotions.
The second monster hesitated, its once-aggressive movements slowing to an eerie stillness. It stared at Ruth with a mixture of confusion and something almost akin to recognition. Ruth's glowing presence seemed to disorient it, and its movements grew more erratic.
As Tommy managed to slip away from the monster's grasp, it became clear that the creature was fixated solely on Ruth. Every action she took, it mirrored with a delay, as if her power had entranced it. Ruth's heart raced as she quickly realized that as long as she glowed, the monster's attention would remain solely on her.
Thinking fast, she shouted for a horse, mounting the captain's horse and racing away from the houses, into the open fields. Her mind raced as she considered her options. The monster pursued relentlessly, seemingly unaffected by the chase.
With each pounding hoofbeat, Ruth's determination grew. She scanned the horizon, searching for anything that might give her an advantage. And then, in the distance, she spotted it – a massive grain bin, standing tall and sturdy.
As her horse galloped closer, an audacious plan formed in Ruth's mind. She maneuvered the horse toward the bin and dismounted, climbing the structure with haste. The monster followed suit, its movements filled with a desperate urgency.
Ruth's heart raced as she executed her plan, baiting herself in front of the entrance. With a powerful leap, the monster launched itself into the air, tearing into the entrance of the bin. Ruth managed to sidestep just in time, and the creature's immense size caused it to sink into the bin's contents.
The wheat acted like quicksand, trapping the writhing monster. Ruth's heart pounded as she watched the creature struggle, its movements growing slower as it became buried up to its neck in the grain.
Breathing heavily, Ruth stood at a distance, her chest heaving with a mix of exhaustion and triumph. Her heart still raced, but the danger had passed. Then, in response to the rolling thunder in the distance, she looked up at the darkening sky. A gentle drizzle began, and it quickly transformed into a steady downpour. It was as if the sky itself had opened to acknowledged her victory.
The guards arrived behind Ruth, their approach accompanied by the steady drumming of hoofbeats in harmony with the rain's patter. Their expressions wavered between astonishment and recognition as they beheld the extraordinary scene unfolding before them. The colossal grain bin stood as a silent testament to Ruth's abilities.
An unspoken understanding washed over the guards, and they responded with a profound display of respect. In unison, they knelt before her, their gestures emanating a reverence that echoed throughout the kingdom. For everyone knew that such a luminous presence could only belong to a divine sage of the empire.
Ruth's heart raced, a turbulent mix of emotions coursing through her as she stared at the guards below. Shock and uncertainty painted her wide-eyed expression and she could not utter a single word.