Leni ran as fast as her legs would carry her, though every step sent waves of pain through her body. Her broken left arm throbbed with unbearable agony, and her body, covered in countless wounds and burns, screamed for rest. Yet she didn't stop, not even for a moment. She knew she couldn't afford to. The village was in danger, and every second of delay could cost her loved ones their lives. She felt the crushing weight of responsibility pressing down on her like a boulder. She had to save them. She had to get there in time.
But as soon as she reached the hill overlooking the village, her heart froze in her chest. Thick smoke rose into the air, leaving no doubt as to its source—the village was on fire.
"No… This can't be happening…" she whispered, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes.
Ignoring the pain ravaging her body, she forced herself to move faster. When she finally got closer, the sight before her was like a waking nightmare. Houses ablaze, utter chaos, and amidst it all, the villagers desperately fighting off invaders from the land of Quri.
Leni's legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to her knees, staring at the burning village in disbelief.
"Why… Why is this happening?" she groaned, clutching at the dirt beneath her.
Her despair was interrupted when she noticed something strange. Only certain buildings were burning—the tavern, the library, and other public spaces. The houses, however, remained untouched. Leni's eyes widened as realization struck her.
"Oh no… Those bastards… They're after slaves… They don't want to kill the women. They'll eliminate the warriors first, then take the rest!" she whispered in horror.
With renewed urgency, she pushed herself to her feet, ignoring the searing pain, and ran toward her home.
"Please… Let everyone be safe… Please…" she repeated in her mind, bracing herself for the worst.
As she entered the village, she found herself in the heart of the battle. Bodies of villagers and invaders littered the ground, while the air was thick with screams and the metallic stench of blood. Demons and the invaders from Quri clashed violently around her. But Leni had only one goal—to find her family.
To her relief, her home was still standing. However, a battle raged just outside. Saron, her older brother, was valiantly fending off wave after wave of attackers. His movements were swift and precise, cutting down foes with ease. As Leni reached his side, the fight had just ended.
"Saron! You're okay! Thank the gods! Where's everyone else?!" she shouted, running to him.
Her brother turned at the sound of her voice, his eyes widening in shock as he took in her condition. His face paled, and his hands, still gripping his sword, began to tremble.
"Leni… What… What happened to you?!" he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. She had never seen him like this before. The sight of Leni, battered and broken, shook him to his core.
"No time for that now! Where is everyone?!" she interrupted, her tone firm and commanding.
Saron shook himself out of his daze, though the worry in his eyes remained.
"Mom and Itej are inside the house! I've been protecting them from these bastards! But what do they want from us?! Is it just robbery?!" he asked, his voice tinged with fear.
"Slaves… Women… That's why they're not burning the houses. They're waiting to kill the warriors first, then take the rest!" she explained quickly, her face filled with grim determination.
Saron stared at her, processing her words. His expression shifted from terror to fury, his jaw tightening as rage burned in his eyes.
"And where are Aron and Dad?" Leni asked urgently.
Saron looked at her, guilt etched into his face, and his hand holding the sword trembled.
" Father… he went to fight, — Saron said quietly, as if speaking softly might make the truth less terrifying. — And Aron… Aron went to help him."
Leni's eyes widened, her heart pounding like a war drum, and her mind descended into chaos.
" No… NO! "she screamed, tears streaming down her face. " Why would he do that?! He can't fight! He'll die out there! Why didn't you stop him?!"
Without waiting for an answer, she turned toward the center of the village, where the battle raged on. But Saron grabbed her arm, stopping her.
" Leni, wait! I won't let you go there! " he said firmly, though fear was evident in his voice. "Go home! Mom and Itej need to take care of you! I don't know what happened, but with those wounds, you shouldn't even be standing! It's a miracle you're still alive!"
Leni glared at him with fierce determination.
"No! I'm going to help them! I'm stronger than you think!" she shouted, her voice filled with anger and defiance.
Saron furrowed his brows, trying to keep his emotions in check.
" I won't let you go alone, Leni! Aron already ran off! He said he'd fight, but I couldn't stop him… The house was attacked—I had to defend Mom and Itej. Those bastards targeted us because our house looks wealthier than the others."
Leni looked at her brother with unyielding resolve in her eyes.
— Saron… Move aside.
He narrowed his eyes, not understanding what she meant.
— What?
"Move aside. Step away from the house." Her voice was cold and commanding.
Saron looked at her in confusion but obeyed, stepping back a few paces. At that moment, Leni raised her right hand, and from the ground emerged four massive stone walls that surrounded the house, forming a protective barrier.
Saron froze, staring at her with wide eyes, unable to speak. After a moment, he finally managed to choke out a few words.
— You… You can use… magic?
Leni shot him a cold look.
" No time for questions! " she snapped. " We need to find Aron and Dad. If we join the fight, we have a chance to turn the tide. The stone walls I created will hold for a long time, and those bastards will focus on looting instead of wasting time trying to break through. Now, come on! "
Saron took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Finally, he nodded solemnly.
— You're right. Let's go.
Together, they headed toward the center of the village.
As they ran through the battlefield, Saron cut down one enemy after another. His movements were precise, almost mechanical, each swing of his sword ending another attacker's life. Years of training with their father hadn't gone to waste. Meanwhile, Leni, running beside him, used air magic to blast enemies away, sending them tumbling to the ground or flying out of her path.
Passing the burning library, they saw the librarian, Dorte, and the village chief, Sera, fighting fiercely outside. Every move they made was calculated and deadly, like a masterpiece of war tactics. Leni, who had listened to their stories of past battles countless times, realized now that those tales had been far from exaggerated.
When Saron and Leni neared the village center, they were met with a harrowing sight. Their father lay on the ground, clutching his arm—or rather, the stump where his left arm had once been. Beside him stood Aron, trembling, his face as pale as a ghost. In front of them loomed a tall blond man with sharp features and piercing green eyes. His heavy green armor gleamed in the firelight, and in his hand, he held a one-handed sword, which he twirled lazily as he advanced on Aron.
" No…" Leni whispered, her breath catching as she watched her younger brother stumble backward, his legs failing him, before collapsing to the ground, utterly defenseless.
The blond man raised his sword, ready to deliver a killing blow.
"I WON'T LET YOU!" Leni screamed, surging forward with such speed that Saron was left far behind.
In a split second, she reached the bandit leader and kicked his arm with all her strength. The sword flew from his hand, clattering to the ground, and the man turned to her in surprise.
" Little bitch…" he muttered under his breath, but his tone was devoid of anger, carrying instead a chilling indifference.
Before he could do anything else, Saron appeared beside Leni, raising his sword, ready to fight.
" Leni… is that you?"Aron asked in a trembling voice, still lying on the ground.
Leni turned to him, only to see both Aron and their father staring at her with terrified eyes, as if she were the worst nightmare they had ever seen.
"Leni…" their father murmured, his voice barely audible.
"Not now!" Leni interrupted sharply. "Aron, take Father and find shelter in one of the houses. Without his arm, he has no chance of continuing the fight. He's left-handed; he's useless here. You need to hide! They aren't burning homes—they're looking for slaves."
" But Leni, you…"Aron began, but she cut him off instantly.
"DO AS I SAY, DAMN IT!" she shouted, her voice so forceful that Aron nearly jumped back in fear. He had never seen his sister like this—so resolute, almost ruthless.
Their father tried to stand.
" I won't leave you here. That man… He's Taros, a general from the kingdom of Quri. He introduced himself earlier."
"Father, do as Leni says" Saron said gravely. "Find shelter. We'll deal with this bastard."
" But…" their father tried to argue, but Saron interrupted him just as sternly.
" Right now, you and Aron are dead weight. I'm guessing Aron's arrival distracted you from the fight, and that's what cost you your arm. We can't afford distractions now."
Their father fell silent, staring at Leni. Her body was battered, her arm broken, her face etched with pain, but her eyes burned with unshakable determination.
" But… Leni… you can't fight… Your arm is broken… It's a miracle you're still alive…"he said in a trembling voice, barely holding back tears.
"Right now, Leni is stronger than both of you. She can use magic," Saron said quietly, locking eyes with their father.
Their father and Aron exchanged disbelieving looks.
"Now go. We need to take this bastard down" Saron added.
Though still hesitant, Aron and their father began retreating toward the nearest house.
"Just… don't get yourselves killed!" Aron called out before they disappeared into the shadows.
Leni turned to Saron and then to Taros, who was watching the scene unfold with unsettling calm.
"Well, that was quite the touching little family reunion. I must say, I'm moved," Taros said mockingly, his tone feigned lightness as he drew a sword from behind his back.
His words, however, had no effect on Leni or Saron. Both stared at him with cold, unwavering intensity, their faces betraying no emotion.
"You won't provoke us so easily," Saron replied calmly but firmly, his voice filled with restrained anger and confidence. "If you think such pathetic attempts will shake us, you're sorely mistaken."
Taros narrowed his eyes, a dark smile spreading across his face. For a moment, he seemed to relish the tension in the air. Then his voice turned sharp, dripping with disdain.
"Wait, wait… Aren't you that little bitch we kidnapped? Oh, yes! It's definitely you! Hahaha! But my, don't you look awful now! What did you do to yourself? I have no idea how you managed to escape, but let me tell you this—in that state, no one's going to want you. Well, unless those clothes of yours burned a little more… Maybe then some desperate fool might actually bother to fuck you!"
Leni, sparing him only a brief glance, didn't react to his words. She remained composed and detached, completely unfazed by his taunts. But the remarks weren't solely directed at her—Taros knew exactly what he was doing. His target was Saron, and his provocation hit its mark.
Saron instantly lost control. His face turned red with fury, and his eyes burned with barely contained rage.
"You bastard… YOU BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU?! YOU'RE THE ONES WHO DID THIS TO MY SISTER!" he roared, clenching his fists as he began stalking toward Taros, his grip on his sword so tight his knuckles turned white.
"CALM DOWN, SARON!" Leni's sudden shout cut through the air like a blade.
Saron froze mid-step, breathing heavily, his body still trembling with anger.
"Don't let him bait you," Leni said coldly, her voice steely. "We need to handle this smartly."
She turned her icy gaze to Taros, her expression unreadable but resolute.
"Do you want to know how I managed to escape? Hmmmmmm?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as a faint, ironic smile crossed her lips. "LET ME SHOW YOU!"
She extended her right hand, and a sizable rock flew toward Taros with incredible speed. He barely managed to dodge, but the rock grazed his cheek, leaving a painful, bleeding wound.
"Magic?!" he whispered in shock, but there was no time to dwell on it.
From the side, Saron lunged forward, delivering a powerful sword strike aimed directly at Taros's neck. Their blades clashed with a deafening clang as Taros blocked the attack.
But this was only the beginning. From behind Taros, Leni unleashed a sharp gust of wind that forced him into a quick upward dodge. He hadn't anticipated Saron jumping even higher to strike from above.
Taros blocked again, but the force of the blow drove him downward, straight onto stone spikes that suddenly emerged from the ground. Leni's doing. Some of the spikes pierced his armor, inflicting painful injuries.
"YOU FILTHY BITCH!" Taros roared, charging furiously at Leni.
Suddenly, Saron stepped in front of her, effectively blocking the attack.
"I see the mighty general has lost his composure," Saron taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.
Seizing the opportunity, Leni leapt over Saron and struck with her fist, surrounded by sharp fragments of stone. Taros tried to dodge, but some of the shards hit him, causing additional wounds.
They didn't give him a moment's respite. Saron attacked relentlessly, his strikes precise and calculated, while Leni supported him, continuously bombarding their opponent with stone projectiles.
"Enough!" Taros bellowed, pushing Saron back with such force that he fell to the ground.
The man charged at Leni, but instead of retreating, she looked at him with a cold, unflinching stare. As Taros drew close, he swung his blade, but Leni crouched in a flash, dodging the attack. Her hand touched the ground, and in an instant, a stone pillar shot up from the earth, slamming into Taros with immense force and sending him flying several meters away. He landed heavily on the ground, his broken teeth scattered beside him.
Taros tried to get up, but his body refused to obey. The attack had caused a severe concussion, and his world spun, making it impossible to regain his balance. With great effort, he lifted his head to see Leni standing before him. Her eyes were empty and cold, as though she had lost the ability to feel anything. Terrified by the sight of his opponent, Taros instinctively began crawling backward, but his movements were too slow. Leni was upon him in an instant.
With strength Taros couldn't have anticipated, Leni pinned him to the ground, pressing her foot against his chest plate. Taros struggled, trying to lift his sword, but before he could make any move, Leni raised her hand. In a split second, a sharp, thick stone shot out, piercing his right hand and pinning it to the ground. Taros screamed in agony, but she wasn't done. Moments later, another stone immobilized his other hand.
Pinned to the floor, defenseless, Taros looked up at her with desperate eyes. Leni, covered in wounds and burns, gazed down at him with an icy, emotionless stare. Her hand was outstretched, aimed at his head. Seeing that his life was in her hands, Taros began pleading for mercy.
"Please… PLEASE! Don't kill me!" he cried, his voice trembling with fear. "I'll do anything you want! I'll give you our riches, leave this place, and never return! ANYTHING, DO YOU HEAR?! Please, just don't kill me!"
Leni raised an eyebrow slightly, as if his words were nothing more than an annoying buzz in the background.
"When I was imprisoned on your ship, one of your men said something to me that I'll never forget..." she said, interrupting his desperate pleas in a cold, almost indifferent tone.
Taros looked at her in terror, trying to grasp what she meant.
"What… what did he say?" he asked weakly, his voice cracking from pain and fear.
"He said to never, ever forget what someone has done to you," Leni replied, a steely note in her voice. "And you know what? He was right."
Her eyes narrowed, and her lips curved into a faint, humorless smile.
"I will never, ever forget what you did to me," she added, her voice chilling Taros to the bone.
In that moment, a massive stone shot out from her hand, brutally crushing Taros's head into pieces. She showed no mercy, no emotion. She executed him with cold precision, as if it were nothing more than a duty.
Saron, who had been watching everything from the sidelines, stood frozen in shock. He had never seen his sister like this before. The vibrant, kind, and always smiling Leni had just murdered a man in cold blood without a moment's hesitation.
Leni stepped away from Taros's lifeless body, her movements slow and her breathing heavy. She walked toward Saron, who involuntarily took a step back, unable to hide the apprehension on his face at the expression she now wore.
"Alright. Now we need to help the others," she said, her voice hoarse, as though every word cost her great effort.
"Leni… but in your condition..." Saron began, trying to stop her.
"Saron..." she interrupted, looking at him with unwavering determination. "Please. There's something I need to do, and only I can do it."
Her words were calm yet firm. Saron hesitated but eventually nodded.
"Alright, so what do you want to do?" he asked with resignation in his voice.
"I need to use water magic to put out the burning buildings. You'll help me—you need to fend off the attackers," Leni replied, her tone brooking no argument.
"Fine, but—"
"No 'buts'! Do as I say!" she cut him off sharply.
Saron realized there was no point in arguing with her. Together, they headed toward the burning homes. Leni stretched out her hands, sending streams of water into the flames, while Saron, sword in hand, dealt with any attacker who tried to get close to her.
The battle raged on. Despite their heavy losses, the villagers fought valiantly to defend their homes and families. Leni extinguished one fire after another, while Saron protected her with relentless determination. The enemies from the land of Quri began to falter—their numbers dwindling with every passing moment.
***
After an hour, the enemy forces were completely eliminated. The demons had won, but the cost was enormous. The battlefield was strewn with the bodies of both the invaders and the villagers. Leni struggled to hold back her tears as she recognized familiar faces among the dead—people she knew from daily life. The sight was horrifying, but all she wanted now was to ensure her family was safe.
Leaning on Saron's shoulder as he helped her walk, they slowly made their way home. Leni was utterly exhausted, and every step caused her pain, yet she stubbornly refused additional help.
"Leni... are you sure you don't want me to carry you? It's really no trouble," Saron asked, glancing at her with concern.
Leni sighed, slightly irritated. "I've told you three times already, no... I can manage," she replied, though her voice betrayed her exhaustion.
Saron, still unconvinced, continued to support his sister, knowing she wouldn't get far without him. In silence, they walked through the devastated village, passing rubble and smoldering ruins. Despite their victory, the landscape resembled a vision of hell.
When they finally reached their home, they saw the familiar structure—barricaded by large stone walls that Leni had created. Outside stood Aron and their father, staring at the fortification in disbelief.
"Father! Aron! We're here!" Saron called out, trying to mask the exhaustion in his voice.
Both men immediately turned toward them. Without a moment's hesitation, they rushed to embrace Saron and Leni, returning from the battlefield.
"Thank goodness you're all right!" Aron shouted, tears streaming down his face.
Their father, though more reserved, couldn't hide his relief. His face showed an expression of happiness and pride. "Saron, Leni... I'm truly proud of you," he said with warmth in his voice, a tone rarely heard from him.
Leni felt a wave of relief. For the first time in a long while, a genuine smile appeared on her face. It was the smile of someone who had just shed a tremendous burden. However, she still had one thing left to do.
"Okay, okay, stop squeezing me so hard," she said, trying to free herself from their embrace. "I might not look like it, but I'm at my limit... And there's still something I need to do."
Her brothers exchanged glances, knowing how exhausted Leni was, but they said nothing.
The girl walked toward the house and extended her right hand. Summoning the last remnants of her strength, she dismantled the stone walls that had shielded the building from attacks. As soon as she did, her sister and mother ran out from inside.
Their faces were filled with fear as they saw the state Leni was in. Covered in wounds, burns, and dirt, she was barely standing. Her mother and sister rushed to embrace her, but at that moment, Leni lost consciousness.
She fainted in their arms, utterly exhausted. Only after seeing her entire family safe and sound did her body give out. The willpower that had kept her on her feet vanished, and her mind finally allowed itself to rest.
***
When Leni woke up, she immediately recognized the room she was in. It was her own room, and she was lying in her own bed. She tried to get up, but her first attempt failed — her body was too sore, and every movement caused pain. She looked at her arms and legs, noticing that her entire body was covered in bandages. She paid particular attention to her left arm, which was immobilized in a sling.
The silence in the room was broken by a familiar voice from the corner.
"Leni... Leni's awake!" her older sister, Itej, exclaimed joyfully, relief evident in her voice.
Before Leni could respond, the door to the room burst open, and Aron and Saron rushed in. Their faces lit up with joy, as if they had been waiting for this moment their entire lives.
"Leni, thank the gods! Finally!" Aron exclaimed, running closer.
"How... how long was I out?" Leni asked, confused, trying to piece together what had happened.
"Three weeks," Itej answered softly, sitting down beside the bed.
"You were in really bad shape. It's a miracle you survived," Saron added with the seriousness that always characterized his words.
"Three weeks… Oh my… I slept that long?" Leni still couldn't believe what she was hearing. "And where are Mom and Dad?"
"They're helping rebuild the village," Saron replied.
Suddenly, the door to the room opened again. This time, someone Leni least expected entered. It was Sera, the village chief. His presence always commanded respect, and the seriousness on his face signaled something important.
"Leni..." Sera began, looking at her with an expression that was hard to read. "Despite the ban that has been in place for nearly 150 years, you've learned magic. In our country, Serot, magic for demons has been forbidden since the war."
Leni froze. The room was heavy with silence, and everyone present turned to the chief with concern.
"Normally, such a situation would result in severe punishment. You could even be exiled from the village... But..." Sera paused for a moment before continuing, his voice filled with emotion. "But I am deeply grateful to you, Leni. Without your magic, we wouldn't have defeated the enemy. You, along with Saron, stood against the invaders' leader. You extinguished the flames that would have destroyed our village. We all owe you a great debt."
"Every day, I came here to see if you had woken up, just so I could thank you," he added. "I promise, we will protect you. No one outside this village will ever learn about your magic. It can remain our secret."
Leni listened carefully but had something to say.
"Chief... Honestly, when I saw that massacre, I had many thoughts running through my mind," she began, her voice trembling though her resolve was clear. "I wondered if everyone was safe. If I made it in time. But one thought now makes more sense to me. What if magic wasn't banned? What if demons could use it freely?"
Everyone in the room stared at her in disbelief.
"This tragedy wouldn't have happened. There would've been fewer casualties, and we could've defeated the enemy with ease."
"What are you getting at, Leni?" Sera asked seriously.
Leni looked at him with determination.
"When I recover, I'll help rebuild the village and train a bit... Then, I plan to leave."
Her words caused a shock. Everyone in the room froze, and the silence that followed was almost palpable. No one knew how to respond to her declaration.
Finally, Aron spoke, his voice filled with evident worry:
"Leni... Please, don't joke. The country of Serot is dangerous. Our lands are safe only because of skilled warriors who protect the village. But outside this place... The entire country is teeming with monsters. And the other villages? They hate magic too..."
"That's exactly what I want to change," Leni interrupted, looking at him seriously.
All eyes in the room were on her. Her voice was steady, her gaze determined.
"This hatred, this ban... It caused our village to suffer. I intend to put an end to it. I'll leave the village and change how magic is perceived in this country. No, not just in this country — across the entire world!" Leni clenched her fists, her eyes shining with determination. "I'll make sure demons are seen in a better light, and magic used by demons stops being feared. Instead, it will become something people respect and admire."
Saron, who had been silent until now, interjected skeptically:
"But how do you plan to do that? It's impossible. The whole world is against it."
Leni looked at him and unexpectedly smiled faintly.
"Hehe, I already proof that it's possible! Even the chief said he'd turn a blind eye to my magic. He's grateful for what I did for the village. If I travel the country and help people, I'll prove to them that magic can be a force for good. That's enough to start changing things. Demons live for over 400 years, so I have plenty of time."
"I'll go with you!" Saron suddenly said, stepping forward.
Leni shook her head.
"You can't. The village needs warriors. It needs you. I'm the one who has to leave."
Saron let out a deep sigh, realizing that Leni was right. At that moment, Itej spoke up:
"Are you sure you can handle it? The world isn't a fair place. You might encounter people who will hurt you, even if you want to help them."
Leni looked at her sister and responded with a smile:
"I'm an adult now, Itej. Besides, I've always wanted to see the world. And now I have a perfect reason to do it!" Her serious expression suddenly changed, and her voice took on a serious tone. "But first... I'm starving. Can someone get me something to eat?"
***
Four years had passed since the invaders' attack. Leni was now 22 years old. Though her body bore visible scars and burn marks that even water magic couldn't fully heal, she was in perfect health and stronger than ever. She wore clothing that covered her body, including long skirts and long-sleeved shirts, to hide the marks. The village, despite its heavy losses, had been rebuilt, and its inhabitants were slowly returning to normal life.
Over those four years, Leni trained tirelessly under Saron's guidance, honing her combat skills. She had become a capable mage, able to face any threat. Thanks to her dedication, her family no longer worried about her safety and believed she could handle herself on her journey.
The day Leni had eagerly awaited had finally arrived. It was time to leave the village. She packed a backpack with clothes, food prepared by her mother, and essential gear for surviving in the wilderness.
Her entire family gathered at the village gate to bid her farewell on this important day. The hugs were long and filled with emotion. Leni looked at everyone with a smile on her face, though tears glistened in her eyes.
"Aron, Saron, Itej, Mom, and Dad... I promise you, I'll come back. And when I do, everything will be different. I promise to make this world a better place."
"Take care, Leni!" her family called out, their tears unhidden.
With her backpack on her shoulders and her heart full of determination, Leni set off into the country. She watched her family standing at the gate, waving her goodbye, until they disappeared from sight.
She began her journey with a crucial mission. She wanted to change how people viewed demons and the magic they wielded, ensuring that such a tragedy would never happen again.