The weight of Elias's death sat heavily on Amanda's shoulders as she trekked onward, her steps muted by the thick layer of pine needles on the forest floor. Each step seemed to pull her deeper into a world where mercy felt like a weakness and kindness was a burden she could no longer afford. His final moments haunted her thoughts, his face flashing before her eyes—the quiet desperation, the unspoken plea. It was a stark reminder of everything the nobles had stolen from her. They had stripped her of innocence, family, and now, perhaps, her last shred of warmth. She has nothing left to lose now.
As she pushed further from the remnants of Elias's village, the forest grew denser, the shadows stretching long and ominous. Her thoughts circled back to what lay ahead: the noble families who had caused so much pain. Each name was etched into her memory, each faces a target she would one day confront. But revenge alone was not enough. To stand against them, Amanda needed power, more than she'd ever dreamed of before. She needed power to the point that she could crush her enemies like mere ants. Not that she had anything against ants.
Amanda's steps quickened as she crossed a small clearing, her senses heightened. She had learned early on that the world of Pandora was unforgiving, and any weakness could invite ruin. She would not make that mistake again. Her thoughts shifted to her budding abilities. She was different; her connection to mana felt innate, almost as if the world itself whispered secrets to her, urging her forward. She could feel the pull of every element within her, and as she reached out her hand, a fire sparked to life in her palm. A moment later, she extinguished it, summoning a small ball of water in its place. The ease with which she transitioned between elements filled her with an intoxicating sense of potential. She felt like the mana in her body and nature were both the same and easily accessible.
Even the elements themselves responded to her presence—fire crackling more intensely, the air thickening around her when she called upon it, a faint tremor running through the earth. She knew others might take years to master just one of these elements, but for her, it felt as natural as breathing. Yet, despite her talent, she realized she had only scratched the surface of her potential. For she could always improve and she had no idea how much was underestimating her potential.
As she practiced, a rustling sound from nearby snapped her attention back to the present. She tensed, immediately on guard. She wasn't alone. Shadows shifted at the edge of the trees, and a group of men, rough and unshaven, stepped into view. Mercenaries, by the look of them. They eyed her with a blend of curiosity and malice.
"Well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, crossing his arms. "A lost little girl?".
Amanda felt a flicker of unease, but it was quickly overpowered by the icy resolve that had been building within her since Elias's death. She forced herself to meet their gaze, masking any hint of fear. "I'm no lost girl," she replied, her voice steady and cold. "I suggest you leave". She was ready to kill if they did not leave.
The men laughed, exchanging glances. "Bold words," another of them said, drawing his sword. "But we could use a bit of entertainment".
They stepped closer, spreading out to surround her. Amanda took a deep breath, channeling the swirling energy within her. The old Amanda might have hesitated, but the loss of Elias had hardened her resolve. These men were merely obstacles in her path.
Without another word, she raised her hand, and a gust of wind surged forward, knocking two of the men back. Before the others could react, she called upon the earth beneath their feet, causing it to tremble and crack. The ground shifted, throwing them off balance.
One of the mercenaries stumbled forward, swinging his sword wildly. Amanda sidestepped with ease, her hand flicking out as a blade of fire sliced through the air, searing his arm. The man yelped, dropping his weapon and clutching the burn. The others hesitated, realizing that this "lost girl" was far more dangerous than she appeared.
They regrouped, eyeing her with a newfound wariness. One of them muttered, "She's a mage… stronger than she looks".
Amanda could feel her control growing stronger with each moment, the power of the elements responding to her call with increasing intensity. She raised her hand again, gathering mana, feeling the rush of energy flow through her. Her enemies watched, uncertain, as a sphere of crackling lightning formed in her palm.
With a flick of her wrist, Amanda released the lightning, striking one of the men square in the chest. He dropped to the ground, convulsing. The remaining mercenaries exchanged a look, panic flashing in their eyes. They began to back away, fear finally breaking through their bravado.
But Amanda wasn't done. She took a step forward, her gaze cold and unyielding. "You chose to threaten me," she said, her voice carrying a deadly calm. "You only have yourselves to blame".
The leader of the group, sensing his men's terror, made a desperate attempt to rush her. Amanda raised her hand, summoning the earth to form a barrier between them. The man crashed into it, falling back with a grunt. Before he could recover, she lowered the barrier and stepped forward, her hand igniting with fire.
But as she looked down at him, a flicker of hesitation passed through her. A part of her still recoiled at the thought of killing, of ending another life so coldly. The memory of Elias surfaced, his gentle smile, his kindness. Her heart twisted, but then she remembered the pitiless faces of the nobles, the way they had looked at her family with disdain, with absolute indifference.
This was not the world for mercy. Mercy was for the weak, for those who had the luxury of safety. She clenched her hand, extinguishing the fire, and with one swift movement, she kicked the man's sword out of reach, her gaze hardening. "Run," she commanded, her voice sharp. "If you value your life, you'll leave now".
The mercenaries scrambled to their feet, stumbling away without a second glance. As she watched them disappear into the trees, Amanda felt a surge of satisfaction mixed with bitterness. She had spared them, but she knew it wouldn't always be this way. The path she was on demanded sacrifice and strength, and there would come a time when hesitation would be her enemy.
she still could not muster the courage to kill.
As silence settled once more over the forest, Amanda closed her eyes, breathing deeply, grounding herself in the mana flowing around her. Each encounter, each battle, was molding her into someone stronger, someone less bound by doubt. The girl who once dreamed of peace and kindness was fading, replaced by a being who sought power, who would stop at nothing to fulfill her revenge. She will not be naive and kind any longer.
With that thought anchoring her, she resumed her journey, her footsteps echoing through the forest, leaving behind the last traces of her former self.