As the carriage rolled steadily along the dirt road, the sun was still high in the sky, casting bright beams of light over the landscape. The air was warm, filled with the buzzing of insects, and the occasional rustle of leaves as a gentle breeze swept through the fields. The wide blue sky stretched endlessly overhead, unbroken except for a few fluffy clouds lazily drifting by. The heat was almost palpable, making the air shimmer above the ground.
Inside the carriage, Zina slept soundly, unaffected by the bright day outside. Her small figure was draped across a sturdy wooden bench, her long pink hair spilling over her shoulders and framing her peaceful face. Her hands were tucked under her cheek, serving as a pillow as she breathed deeply and evenly. The faint shimmer of the barrier she had created still surrounded her, protecting her from the heat and the relentless sun, making her look like a figure out of a dream.
The merchant driving the carriage glanced back at her with a fond smile. Seeing that she was still sound asleep, he started to sing, his voice rich and deep, filling the air with a cheerful tune. His hands guided the reins with practiced ease, the horses trotting along the familiar path, their hooves clopping rhythmically against the hard-packed earth.
"Money, money, makes the world go 'round,
Fill your pockets with silver, and you'll never feel down.
From the bustling cities to the quiet town square,
It's the jingle of coins that fills the air.
Money, money, a merchant's best friend,
Helps us live well from beginning to end.
Trade your wares, buy your bread,
Keep a roof above your head.
Oh, money, money, we chase it all day,
A pocket full of gold keeps the troubles at bay.
But remember, my friend, with a smile so wide,
True happiness can't just be bought or sold for pride."
His voice was full of life, bouncing with the melody of a song he'd sung many times before. It was a tune known by every merchant and trader, a reminder of the joys and trials of their chosen path. The song floated through the air, mixing with the rustle of leaves and the steady clop of the horses' hooves.
Zina, in her sleep, seemed to respond to the music, a faint smile tugging at her lips as if she were dreaming of the melody itself. The merchant chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling as he looked back at the sleeping girl.
The sun continued to blaze down, its rays bouncing off the surrounding fields and casting long shadows on the road. The road stretched out in front of them, winding its way through the vast expanse of countryside, promising more adventures and new horizons.
The merchant's song trailed off into a hum, his heart light, his spirits high. The journey was long, the road sometimes hard, but with a tune on his lips and a song in his heart, he knew that no matter what, the journey was worth every step. As the carriage rolled on, carrying Zina and the merchant towards the next town, the sun remained a bright sentinel in the sky, watching over them as they traveled.
The cheerful atmosphere of the journey was shattered by a low, rumbling sound coming from the thick underbrush lining the road. The merchant's voice trailed off, his heart skipping a beat as the noise grew louder, sounding almost like a creature devouring its prey. Then came the heavy thud of footsteps, shaking the ground and rustling the bushes.
The merchant's eyes darted nervously towards the source of the noise. He tightened his grip on the reins, the jovial tune now replaced by a sense of foreboding. He called out, his voice shaky, "Hello? Is someone there?" The only response was the continued rustling of leaves, now accompanied by a low growl. The horses snorted, sensing the danger, their ears twitching in distress.
Suddenly, the bushes parted, and a massive figure emerged, blocking the road. The merchant's breath caught in his throat as he saw the towering orc, its green skin glistening in the sunlight, muscles rippling beneath its rough hide. Its eyes were fierce, filled with malice, and in its hand, it held a crude club, already stained with the blood of some unfortunate creature. The orc's presence was a dark blot against the bright day, a living nightmare standing in the path.
"No!" the merchant gasped, his eyes wide with terror. He flicked the reins, urging the horses into a frenzied gallop. "Hiyah! Move!" he shouted, his voice cracking with fear. The horses, sensing their master's panic, bolted forward, hooves pounding against the dirt road, dust kicking up in their wake.
But the orc was quick. With a roar, it swung its massive arm, the club whistling through the air. The merchant screamed, "Nooo!" His arms flew up in a futile attempt to protect himself as the club smashed into the side of the carriage. The impact was deafening, splintering wood and spilling goods across the road.
The force of the blow flung the merchant from his seat. He sailed through the air, landing hard on the ground with a painful thud. Pain shot through his body as he rolled to a stop, dirt and debris clinging to his clothes. Dazed, he looked up to see the carriage toppled, its contents scattered, the horses rearing in panic.
"Oh no, the little girl!" he cried out, his heart seizing with fear. He had almost forgotten about Zina, sleeping so peacefully in the back. His eyes darted to the carriage, his face paling as he saw it lying on its side, wheels still spinning. He could see her pink hair spilling out from under the wreckage, her small body still, surrounded by the scattered remnants of the goods they had carried.
The orc let out a triumphant roar, towering over the wreckage, its eyes fixed on the merchant. The man struggled to his feet, his mind racing. He couldn't leave her, couldn't abandon the little girl to this monster. But as he looked at the orc, his legs felt like lead, his body trembling with fear.
The sun beat down mercilessly, the once peaceful day now filled with the sounds of destruction and fear. The trees that had provided such comforting shade seemed to loom ominously, their shadows long and dark. The road, once a simple dirt path, was now a battlefield, the remnants of the carriage and its contents scattered across the ground, a testament to the violence that had erupted.
With a desperate cry, the merchant took a step forward, determined to reach Zina, to save her if he could. But the orc turned its gaze on him, raising its club once more, a cruel smile spreading across its face. The merchant's heart pounded, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He knew he was no match for the creature, but he couldn't just stand by. He couldn't let this be the end.
As he braced himself for the orc's next move, a sense of hopelessness washed over him, the realization that he was powerless against such a foe. Yet, beneath that fear, a spark of determination burned. He had to try, for the little girl who had been so kind, so full of life. He had to try.
Zina stirred from her slumber, a soft yawn escaping her lips. She stretched her arms overhead, blinking sleepily. "Haaaa," she yawned, rubbing her eyes. Her surroundings slowly came into focus, and she found herself lying amidst the splintered remains of the carriage. Confused, she pushed herself up, dusting off her dress, which was miraculously unscathed. "Huh? What just happened?" she muttered, looking around at the chaos. Wooden crates and spilled goods lay scattered across the dirt road, and the air was thick with dust.
Her gaze snapped to the side, where the merchant was scrambling backward, eyes wide with terror. His gaze was fixed on something behind her. Zina turned, and her heart lurched as she saw the orc towering over him, its club raised high, ready to strike. The merchant's face was pale, his body trembling, his hands splayed on the ground as he tried to crawl away. Fear emanated from him, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.
"No!" Zina shouted, a surge of concern flooding her. Without a second thought, she leaped from the wreckage, her body moving with a speed that blurred her figure. In an instant, she was between the merchant and the orc, her small frame barely reaching the creature's chest. She jumped again, her feet barely leaving the ground before she was eye-level with the orc. The beast's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting such a small girl to challenge it.
With a swift, graceful motion, Zina swung her arm. Her hand met the orc's face with a resounding slap, the sound echoing through the forest like a thunderclap. The impact sent the orc hurtling through the air, a guttural groan of pain escaping its lips. Its massive body twisted and turned, limbs flailing as it tumbled backward. The ground shook as the orc crashed into the trees, splintering trunks and shattering branches. The sound of breaking bones and tearing flesh filled the air as the orc was flung deeper into the forest, its cries fading into the distance.
Zina landed softly, like a feather drifting to the ground. She straightened up, brushing a strand of pink hair behind her ear, her expression calm. The dust settled around her, the wreckage of the carriage lying silent, and the horses, now calmed by her presence, stood still, their ears twitching. The trees, now battered and broken, creaked softly in the breeze, their leaves rustling as if whispering about the power they had just witnessed.
The merchant was still on the ground, his body trembling, his eyes locked on Zina. His mouth opened and closed, words failing him. He looked at her, then at the path the orc had taken, then back at her, his mind struggling to comprehend what had just happened. "Who... who are you?" he stammered, his voice shaking, his hands and legs still trembling against the dirt.
Zina blinked, realizing what she had done. Her cheeks flushed slightly, an awkward smile tugging at her lips. "Oops," she thought to herself, scratching the back of her head. "Maybe I overdid it... My bad." She glanced at the merchant, seeing the fear in his eyes, and her smile turned sheepish. "Uh, don't worry, mister. The orc won't be bothering you anymore," she said, trying to sound reassuring, though her own embarrassment was clear in her voice.
The merchant's fear slowly gave way to awe as he looked at Zina, this small, unassuming girl who had effortlessly defeated a creature that had struck terror into his heart. His hands stopped trembling, and he slowly got to his feet, his eyes never leaving her. The sun, still high in the sky, bathed the clearing in light, casting long shadows over the shattered trees and the remnants of the carriage. Zina stood amidst it all, a calm presence in the midst of destruction, her pink hair catching the light, making her look almost ethereal.
For a moment, there was only silence, the world holding its breath as it tried to process the miraculous events that had just unfolded. The merchant finally found his voice, a shaky, grateful tone. "Thank you... thank you, young lady," he said, bowing his head slightly, respect replacing the fear in his eyes.
Zina simply nodded, her awkward smile still in place. She glanced toward the path where the orc had disappeared, a small sigh escaping her lips. "Looks like my adventure is just beginning," she thought, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside her. As she looked back at the merchant, she gave him a reassuring nod, silently promising that she would protect those in need, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
Zina looked at the merchant, who was still visibly trembling, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Umm, mister, you can calm down now," she said gently, her voice soft and soothing. Her words seemed to pull the merchant back from his daze. He nodded, though his movements were still stiff, and slowly pushed himself off the ground, standing on shaky legs.
He ran a hand through his hair, the other clutching his chest as if trying to steady his racing heart. His eyes darted to the scattered goods on the road, and he let out a groan. "Oh no, my goods! The carriage! What do I do now?" His voice rose with panic, his face pale and slick with sweat. He ducked his head, muttering to himself as he wrung his hands. "What do I do, what do I do..." The fear and anxiety were palpable in his voice, his mind reeling from the sudden attack and the apparent destruction of his livelihood.
Zina watched him for a moment, feeling a pang of sympathy. She stepped closer, her presence radiating calmness. "Mister, you mean the carriage?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her pink hair falling over her shoulder.
The merchant looked up, following her gaze. His breath caught in his throat as he saw the carriage standing perfectly intact. The wooden structure, which he had been sure was shattered, was now as good as new. The horses were still harnessed, their tails swishing lazily, unperturbed by the earlier chaos. It was as if the attack had never happened. The crates were neatly stacked, and the spilled goods were back in place, as if untouched by the violent encounter.
The merchant's eyes widened in shock, his mouth hanging open. "What happened?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. He blinked rapidly, rubbing his eyes as if trying to clear a hallucination. "Am I just dreaming right now? It can't be..." He turned, looking towards the edge of the forest where the orc had been flung. The trees were broken, the ground was disturbed, and the remnants of the orc lay in a heap, confirming the reality of what he had seen. He shook his head, a mix of confusion and disbelief clouding his features. "But... it's not a dream," he muttered, his voice trembling.
His gaze flickered back to Zina, who stood calmly, her hands clasped in front of her. She looked back at him with a small, reassuring smile. The merchant swallowed hard, his voice still shaky. "How did you do that, little girl? What are you?" His tone was filled with a mix of awe and fear, his body still tense from the shock.
Zina glanced away for a moment, her cheeks coloring slightly. She shuffled her feet, feeling a bit awkward under his intense gaze. "I was just a little girl looking for adventure," she replied softly, her voice almost playful. She met his eyes again, her own sparkling with a hint of mischief. "Nothing more," she added with an awkward smile, trying to downplay the miraculous events.
The merchant stared at her, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find words. He took a deep breath, his shoulders slowly relaxing as the realization set in. This girl—no, this being—had saved his life and restored everything in an instant. A deep sense of gratitude washed over him, and he bowed his head slightly, his voice filled with sincerity. "Thank you... I don't know who or what you are, but thank you."
Zina smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "You're welcome," she said simply. She glanced around, noticing the quiet stillness of the forest, the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze, the chirping of birds returning to the treetops. The road stretched out before them, dappled with sunlight filtering through the canopy above. The peacefulness of the scene was a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded moments before.
The merchant, finally finding his composure, looked at Zina with a newfound respect. "You're really something special, aren't you?" he said, his voice steadier now. He gestured towards the carriage. "Come on, let's get back on the road. I think we've had enough excitement for one day."
Zina nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. She climbed back into the carriage, settling herself among the goods. As the merchant took his place at the front, guiding the horses back onto the road, Zina leaned back, gazing up at the sky. The sun was still shining brightly, and a sense of contentment washed over her. The adventure was far from over, and she was ready to see what the world had in store for her next.