Charlotte weaved backwards, dodging the attack with a swift and fluid motion before grabbing the ruffian's wrist, the heat from the flames coating her arms so intense they melted the man's hand clean off. His agonizing screams echoed loudly as he clutched his bleeding arm. But Charlotte hadn't finished there. She struck him on the face so intently, her entire fist drove through his skull with a sickening crunch.
The others shared fearful glances before facing Charlotte who slowly withdrew her arm. The ruffian's body staggered back, blood pouring from the gaping hole in his head. He collapsed to the ground.
Charlotte wiped the blood from her hand, watching coldly as the man's body contorted in its final moments of death.
The leader of the ruffians, his face a mixture of fear and fury, pulled a dagger made out of carved stone from a small knife sheath hanging from his belt. "You bloody witch," he snarled, gesturing for the other two to surround her, which they obeyed.
Charlotte stood motionless, her eyes being the only part of her that moved tracing the movements of the ruffians. Her expression shifted from serious to a smirk, the flames around her body dimming slightly. She heaved, before taunting them to attack st once.
The ruffians lunged at her with a collective attack. But Charlotte, moving with a speed that felt inhuman, dodged their attacks effortlessly. One by one, she dismantled them.
She leapt onto one, clawing at his face with firey attack, turning his face into an unrecognizable mess. The intricate tattoo designs on her body glowed even more brighter, enjoying every bit of torment the man had gone through. Even as the ruffian's body went limp, she continued, her relentless fury leaving nothing but a charred, lifeless husk.
The other two stood frozen, their courage drained. Charlotte rose, her blood-streaked face twisted into a grin. Her breath came in heavy gasps, each exhale laced with a hint of smoke. The system notification flashed, but she ignored it.
[Estimated Time Left: 00:50]
[Enemies Defeated: 3/5]
The leader of the ruffians, seeing his chance shoved one of his men toward Charlotte and bolted. His cowardly retreat not going unnoticed, but Charlotte remained focused on the trembling ruffian in front of her.
The man stammered, his terror palpable. "Please... I don't want to die. Spare my life," he begged, tears streaming down his face. "I have a family."
Charlotte's smile twisted into a grimace of disgust. She grabbed him by the throat, her grip tightening until his pleas turned into desperate gurgles. His scream pierced the night, a final, desperate sound that faded as she crushed his windpipe.
Meanwhile, the leader, now a safe distance away, chuckled to himself. "Just wait till I tell the king about this witch," he muttered, pride swelling in his chest. He hadn't run far when the sound of a traditional drumbeat echoed in his ears.
[Player has used Stranger's Drum]
[Uses Left: 5/6]
Before he could react, Charlotte appeared behind him, her eyes blazing with fury. His smug expression melted into sheer terror as he realized his escape plan didn't go the way he wanted it.
"You're a monster" he muttered, his voice trembling. He swung his dagger wildly in order to ward her off but this clearly wasn't working. Unfazed by his empty attacks and threats, she dashed towards him.
With an unpredictable move, she drove her hand into his abdomen, her fingers digging into his innards. The leader gasped, blood spilling from his mouth. His eyes bulging with shock, his final words barely a whisper. "You….monster" he stammered before his body went limp.
Charlotte withdrew her hand, letting the lifeless body fall to the ground. She stood there for a moment, taking deep breaths as she processed the scene of carnage around her. A soft, almost maniacal cackle escaped her lips, first starting as a low chuckle but soon turning to a fool blown outburst, tears streaming from her eyes.
The system flickered again, displaying her wins.
{Level Up!}
[Player Has Successfully Terminated All Threats In The Area]
[Congratulations, player has obtained the title: Flame Warden]
Charlotte's laughter finally died down. She turned her attention back to the campfire as noon slowly approached. She made her way to Aubrey's cage as the young girl watched her warily, her eyes filed with fear.
Charlotte gripped the lock, snapping it open with just her bare hands, a strength she had never experienced before.
Aubrey hesitated before stepping out of the cage, her gaze never leaving Charlotte's face. Charlotte managed a weak but friendly smile. "You are safe.. I am glad, my dear" she whispered, her voice barely audible
Aubrey hesitated for a moment before stepping out, her gaze never leaving Charlotte's face. Despite the terror she'd witnessed, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of safety. Charlotte managed a weak smile. "You are safe... I am glad," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She collapsed to the ground, unconscious, her strength finally drained.
By the time Charlotte opened her eyes, the warm glow of morning light bathed the landscape, illuminating every detail of the forest and it was also enough to reveal Aubrey's true features.
The little girl who looked to be atleast ten too twelve years old was a beautiful blend of chocolate and cream, her complexion glowing in the sunlight. Her black curly hair was style into two buns, framing her baby blue eyes which was enough to melt a merchant's heart. Aubrey's round face carried a gentle expression, as the previous night's events were past her.
Charlotte's gaze drifted to Aubrey's attire, a green sleeveless top that stopped above her waist, paired with baggy shorts held up by suspenders. The outfit was completed with a sturdy pair of iron-soled boots. It struck Charlotte as unconventional for a child, but she refrained from passing judgment, knowing her own attire was far from traditional.
Aubrey was busy rummaging through a small bag that was left at the fireplace. She turned to notice Charlotte wad awake, her face lighting up with a smirk. "You're up," she said softly, standing up and slipping on a pair of green gloves.
Charlotte glanced at her, struggling to move as she noticed Aubrey drawing closer to her with a bottle of water and a pair of her clothes that were stripped completely from her body.
Charlotte searched herself; she was covered in with bandages, from her torso down to her thighs, alongside her fingers. A look of confusion flashed in her eyes. "Wha… what did you do to me, ehn?" she asked.
Aubrey rolled her eyes, groaning softly before she replied. "You know, for someone who's meant to be an adult, such as yourself, you are rather daft"
Charlotte tightened her fist in rage, "It looks like your parents didn't teach you how to respect your elders, ehn?!" she said, trying to get up on her feet. "Just wait till I get my hands on you!."
Charlotte rose to her feet, but the pain circulating around her body brought her down to her knees. Aubrey nodded in utter disappointment.
"You're a piece of work. I was genuinely about to thank you for saving my life, but you've gone and ruined my mood." She dropped the clothes on the ground. "Here are your clothes. Best you stay put and avoid moving about. And don't worry, there aren't any predators in these parts"
Aubrey picked up the bag laying on the ground, and began to walk away.
"Where you heading?" Charlotte inquired.
"Non of your business" Aubrey replied without hesitation.
The nerve and confidence of this girl was vexing but Charlotte had to calm herself down. She recalled the soldiers planning to sell the child to a merchant earlier, hence why she was locked in a cage. "Are your loved ones in trouble, Aubrey Montgomery?" she asked.
Aubrey, who had disclosed her name to the woman paused in her tracks, slowly turning to meet her gaze. "How'd you know of my name?" she asked, demanding an answer.
"I do know some things about you though, your name, your strength, awareness and I do know that if you go on this mission alone, you might end up like the other slaves that were mentioned by those ruffians" Charlotte said with a proud smirk on her face.
Aubrey glanced at Charlotte, her gaze fixed on those menacing orange eyes that seemed unfazed by anything that posed as a threat. She sighed, "Blimey, you really are a witch!" she retorted.
Charlotte raised a brow at her response. "Hey do you want join the slaves or help the slaves?" she asked, annoyed by the child's comment.
"Fine!" Aubrey scoffed, rolling her eyes as she didn't want to accept that Charlotte was on the right side.
Charlotte smiled more brightly, this time her expression changing from a look of pride to a cheerful one. As she stood to her feet, her movements were interrupted by the distant sound of a fog horn, most likely from a ship.
Charlotte and Aubrey glanced around, listening intently to the sound.