The sun was almost completely set by the time Charlotte arrived at the edge of the forest. The sky had turned deep shades of orange and purple, and a soft, cool breeze swept through the trees. The little wind that blew was almost enough to push her forward, urging her into the darkening woods. With no other choice, Charlotte entered the dense forest, her heart pounding.
As she ventured deeper, the thick trees closed in around her, casting long, twisting shadows. The air was heavy, filled with the earthy scent of moss and fallen leaves. Her steps slowed when, through the tangled maze of trees, grass, and other wild vegetation, she saw something unexpected. Houses. No, cottages—small, weathered, and nestled among the foliage. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, a sign of life. Someone, or perhaps, at least a group of people, lived here.
A flicker of hope stirred in her chest. If people were here, maybe they could help her. But then a troubling thought crossed her mind. Why would anyone live in a forest so close to the demon kingdom? The question tugged at her, but it didn't matter—not right now. Her survival was more important. She had to keep moving.
Picking up her pace, Charlotte pressed on, the feeling of being watched prickling at her skin. Suddenly, without warning, a figure dropped from the trees. A demi-human landed in front of her with a soft thud, her movement so silent that Charlotte hadn't noticed until it was too late.
"A human?" the demi-human said, her voice sharp with suspicion as she began drawing her sword from its sheath. The setting sun almost camouflaged her figure, blending her brown hair and fur with the shadows of the forest.
"How did you find us?" she demanded, her sword fully unsheathed now. Her eyes gleamed dangerously. "Well, that doesn't matter." Before Charlotte could react, the demi-human dashed forward, her speed almost unnatural.
Charlotte barely managed to raise her sword in time to block the attack. The force of the demi-human's strike sent a jarring shock through her arms, but it didn't stop there. The demi-human continued relentlessly, slashing and raking at Charlotte with vicious precision. With a swift move, she knocked Charlotte off her feet, and Charlotte crashed hard onto her back.
Dazed and winded, Charlotte watched as the demi-human loomed over her, sword raised high. The blade gleamed ominously in the fading light, poised to strike. This was it, Charlotte thought. She was about to die. Weak, her energy rapidly draining, she barely managed to lift her sword to block the fatal blow.
Fifteen seconds. That's how long she had lasted. Each passing moment felt like an eternity. But it was clear now—this fight was one-sided, and Charlotte's end was near. Her head was spinning, and she could feel the world blurring at the edges.
The demi-human stepped back, preparing for a final, decisive strike. She shifted her stance, her body coiling for a swift, deadly slash. Charlotte knew she couldn't—no, she wouldn't—be able to get away from this one.
"Perish in hell," the demi-human spat before dashing forward, her sword aimed for Charlotte's heart.
Suddenly, there was a flash of movement—a blur Charlotte couldn't track. A loud clang echoed through the trees. For a moment, Charlotte didn't understand what had happened. She blinked, struggling to focus, and saw a child standing before her.
The child, though young, exuded an undeniable aura of power. His hair, black as the night sky, almost blended in with the growing darkness. His sword—he had stopped the demi-human's attack with a single hand. The demi-human's expression shifted from hostile to neutral, and slowly, she lowered her weapon.
In that single block, the fight had been decided. He had won without even, literally breaking a sweat.
The boy turned to look at Charlotte, his gaze piercing. His eyes, crimson and sharp as blood, locked onto hers. A chill ran down her spine as realization dawned. He was a demon. The color of his eyes confirmed it.
Was he going to kill her instead? The thought clung to her mind, his cold, emotionless face only feeding her fear. She was almost certain he would strike her down.
The dizziness in her head worsened, and the world around her tilted. Charlotte's vision blurred, her body too weak to fight it any longer.
With a final breath, she collapsed to the ground, darkness taking over.