Chapter 51

"We're being attacked Lyria. It seems rogues are rushing in through the secret entrance. You must stay here and don't leave." Nona's panicked voice cried out.

"WHAT!!" Lyria shrieked. She turned to Sunny in fright.

"We're being attacked."

"What, that's not possible. This is the safest place around. No one has ever attacked us."

"The Great Tree's roots reach all over the valley and I can speak to the tree. It just told me that we are being attacked by outsiders." I spoke as fast and as clearly as I could.

"Trust me. Go help them now. Go up those stairs and head west and you'll find the village."

Lyria pushed Koda to move. He got up and took off. "What can I do Nona."

"Stay strong and be patient."

I grabbed my bags and tied them around me getting ready just in case I need to leave quickly.

This is my home. I take a long slow look around as all the great memories flash past my mind.

"There is something I must tell you. The valley is shaped the way it is because we sit on a deadly volcano that my roots have been keeping dormant. If something happens to me you must leave and run as far from here as possible."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because they have started to burn me, my dear. My branches are on fire." You could hear the pain in her voice.

Lyria hopped up and looked at the water. The water was slowly losing its majestic shine.

"Why would they do this to you?" She started crying for the other being that helped raise her.

"Please fight back. You must survive."

"Always remember our lessons together and know it won't hurt you to lean on someone else for help."

The water started to bubble and a root that palpitated a lot of energy came out of the water.

"You and I are connected. Only you can make me live again with this part of me, but only when you have found the place you want to call home forever. I love you, my child, now you must leave at once. I am losing my life force quickly. Take as many as you can and beware the Head Priest, he betrayed us all by letting in the Rogues." Lyria's eyes went wide in shock. He was one of the people she cared for, why would he do this?

"Hurry Lyria, cut my root and never lose it." Lyria got up, took out the knife Ryker made for her, and cut the root. She stuffed the items back into her bag and left her home.

As soon as she stepped out of the tree, she felt suffocated by all the smoke that was in the air. Screams and growls were heard from all around. She wanted to find her family and warn them, but Nona told her to leave the valley.

She rubbed her burning eyes and took off towards the village entrance. She trusted Nona and left.

With so much smoke it was difficult to breathe. Her eyes and lungs burn from the thick smoke in the air, but she still knew where she was going.

She fixed her veil so it was tucked into her clothes, so she wouldn't breathe in the smoke as much.

A deranged beast-man she had never seen before ran towards her. She took her knife out ready to fight.

The beast-man didn't seem to notice the knife in the female's hand. All he wanted was a female to call his own. As long as she had no males, he would get the pleasures he's always wanted.

When he was close enough to grab her, she quickly brought her knife up and jabbed it under his chin plunging it deep enough to reach his brain, killing him instantly.

Blood sprayed out soaking her hand and arm but it didn't faze her. She removed her knife and tied it to her hip, keeping it close and making it reachable.