The Arrival of a New Era [Part 2]

After knocking on the door, Luana wrapped the cloak tightly around her naked body as she heard slow footsteps approaching. She didn't want whoever it was to see her so disheveled and felt foolish for thinking that way. After all, she still had burns on parts of her body covered in sand and sweat. Her hair was still growing back, and she still felt some broken bones.

When the door finally opened, an elderly woman with white braids appeared. Her eyes were deep and full of wisdom, and she wore a brown linen dress embroidered with yellow flowers. The old woman looked at Luana in shock at her state.

— For the goddess! What on earth happened, child? — the old woman asked as she took Luana by the shoulders with her wrinkled hands. — Come in, please.

Luana allowed herself to be guided inside the cabin, where the cozy warmth and the scent of herbs enveloped her. The elderly woman led her to a bed near the fireplace and began searching for something on a shelf filled with jars and pots.

— My name is Zira. Sit down and rest while I prepare something for those burns — the old woman said, her voice gentle and filled with concern.

Luana tried to explain what had happened, but her words came out disjointed, and exhaustion was about to overwhelm her.

— I... fell from the sky... was in the desert... and then here... — Her words were weak and interrupted by fatigue.

— Don't worry, child. Speak after resting. Now, drink this, — Zira said, handing her a cup with steaming liquid. — It will help alleviate your pain.

Luana drank the bitter hot liquid, feeling it spread warmth and comfort throughout her body. Gradually, the pain began to diminish, and she managed to relax a bit.

— Thank you... — she murmured, before closing her eyes and succumbing to temporary relief.

When Luana woke up, she felt no more pain. Her body was clean, and she was wearing a thin beige dress. Furthermore, her hair had grown enough to cover her ears, and there were no marks from the burns on her body.

— Good morning, — Zira said with her cheerful yet ancient voice. — Did you sleep well?

Luana looked at the elderly woman standing in front of a wood stove, behind a curtain of herbs. She now wore a stained apron over her dress, and something smelled good enough to make Luana's stomach rumble.

— I... yes, I slept well. Thank you so much for taking care of me — Luana replied, her voice still somewhat hesitant.

Zira smiled gently, stirring a pot on the stove.

— You seemed to need a good rest. But now, eat something. It will help you regain your strength — the elderly woman said, placing a bowl of hot soup on the table. — You slept for two days. You must be hungry.

Luana got up from the bed and, still a bit shaky, walked to the table. She sat down and began to eat, feeling the warmth of the deliciously aromatic and seasoned soup restore her energy.

— Two days? — Luana asked, surprised. "It feels like it was just a moment...

Zira nodded, sitting at the table with an understanding look.

— Your body needed time to heal. The herbs helped with your impressive regeneration, but rest was the most essential. Now, you look much better.

As Luana ate, the elderly woman watched attentively, waiting for her to feel stronger before asking more questions.

— I... don't know how I got here — Luana said after a few moments of silence, looking at Zira with gratitude and curiosity. — I was in the desert, being hunted... and suddenly, I was on a plain, and then here...

Zira smiled slightly, her eyes shining with a mix of mystery and wisdom.

— In the desert? — Zira asked, surprised, as the desert was more than a day's journey from there.

— Yes, in the desert. I was trying to escape from... — Luana hesitated, remembering the horrors she had faced but not wanting to frighten her benefactor.

Zira nodded, understanding Luana's hesitation, and decided not to press for more details at that moment.

— Don't worry, my dear. This place is safe. Whatever you were running from won't find you here — Zira said in a reassuring tone. — But still, it is intriguing how you managed to get here.

Luana nodded, absorbing the old woman's words and feeling a bit more relieved. She knew she would still have many difficulties to face, but for now, she was grateful to be in a safe place.

— Thank you, Zira. I don't know how to repay you for everything you've done for me — Luana said sincerely.

— Don't worry about that, child. What matters now is that you regain your strength. When you're ready, we can think about how you can move forward — Zira replied, getting up to fetch more herbs from a shelf. — But for now, focus on resting and healing.

After finishing her meal, Luana tried to help her benefactor, but Zira refused.

— Go rest, child. Let me handle things.

Luana was almost completely healed. Except for a few fractured bones, her regenerative power was still strong and functioning. This was proof that she still had the passive abilities she had in the game, and the evidence of this was that she understood what Zira was saying even though the woman spoke in a strange, vowel-filled language.

— If this isn't game over, I need to figure out how to use my abilities... I can't see how many hit points or mana points I have anymore... Status window... Doesn't work... My inventory would be very useful right now...

Luana lay down on the bed, still feeling a slight discomfort from the fractured bones, but marveling at the speed of her regeneration. The fact that she understood Zira's language reinforced the feeling that she still had her game abilities, even if in a different way.

She closed her eyes, trying to focus on accessing her abilities, but without success. "Status window... Inventory..." she murmured to herself, frustrated by the lack of responses. Remembering Arthur's words about runes and the ancient language, she decided that she would need to explore this knowledge further.

Determined to understand how to use her abilities in this new world, Luana got up from the bed, ignoring the pain she still felt. She needed more information and decided that Zira might be the key to this. Luana found the elderly woman still busy with her herbs and watched her for a moment before approaching.

— Zira, do you know anything about runes or magic? — Luana asked, trying to hide the urgency in her voice.

The elderly woman looked at Luana thoughtfully, searching her memory for any possible knowledge about the young woman's question, leaving Luana with high expectations. However, her response was not what Luana wanted to hear.

Luana thanked Zira for what seemed to be a sincere response, even though it wasn't exactly what she had hoped for. In the following days, as she fully recovered, Luana dedicated herself to helping Zira in any way she could, as a token of gratitude for the kind assistance the elderly woman had provided her.

During this time, Luana learned more about Zira. She was the widow of a talented herbalist with a generous heart, who used to assist travelers and local residents with his knowledge of medicinal herbs. Zira had also had two sons, but both did not return from the war that occurred years ago, leaving her alone to care for the cabin and the people who sought her help.

Luana also discovered that she was in the Duchy of Deucalion, a territory located in the far west of the kingdom of Basilica, a realm with which she was very familiar.

— At least I won't be lost... But I wonder if things here are like in Kastigo Online? — she thought as she cleaned an herb bed alongside Zira.

Days passed quickly, and three months after her arrival in this world, Luana still lived with Zira. Somehow, every time she was determined to leave, something like a storm or Zira falling ill with a cold would happen, and she would postpone her departure. It was as if fate wanted her there.

During these months, Luana and Zira forged a strong friendship. Zira taught Luana everything she knew about medicinal herbs and the art of preparing medicines from them. In turn, Luana shared with Zira about her life, her world, and her loved ones.

— I loved him more than anything in the world, but I caused his death and he left thinking I was just some bitch...

Zira listened to Luana's words with compassion and sadness, sensing the deep pain she carried in her heart. She gently placed a hand over Luana's, offering comfort and silent support.

— Sometimes, our choices have consequences we cannot foresee, and we carry the weight of them with us for the rest of our lives — Zira said softly, her words filled with wisdom. — But it's important to remember that you are more than your mistakes and regrets. You are a person worthy of love and forgiveness.

Luana looked at Zira, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and sadness.

— Thank you for your words, Zira — Luana said, her voice choked with emotions. — Sometimes, it feels like the weight of the past is unbearable.

Zira gently squeezed Luana's hand, conveying solidarity and understanding.

— Whatever pain you carry, know that you're not alone. I'm here for you, my dear, and together we can face whatever destiny has in store for us — Zira said sincerely, her gaze conveying a promise of unwavering support.

They had known each other for a short time, but the bond they shared already surpassed friendship, and gradually it became harder for Luana to leave that small cabin. Perhaps because both were alone in the world, but for Luana, Zira represented not only a motherly figure but also a source of comfort and wisdom. She saw herself reflected in Zira's kindness and compassion, and found in her presence a home she had never known.

In turn, Zira saw in Luana a chance for redemption and renewal, an opportunity to fill the void left by the loss of her sons in the war. She cared for Luana with all the love and dedication of a mother, seeing in her a daughter whom life had denied her. But this harmony and days of peace were numbered.

A few days after a strong spring storm, in the middle of the night, several men dressed in leather armor and hooded knocked on Zira's door.

— Open the door! — ordered one of the men.

Frightened by the shouting, Luana and Zira jumped out of their beds but soon calmed down. It was normal for people to come to Zira even in the middle of the night.

— I'll attend to our visitors, child. Go back to sleep — said Zira, wrapping herself in a blanket and getting out of bed.

It was a cold night, and the elderly woman's feet hurt as they touched the cold wooden floor, making her curl her toes as she walked.

Zira hesitated for a moment before opening the door, feeling a strange premonition. She was used to being disturbed during the night, but the many voices she heard behind the door were worrisome. Still, something serious could have happened, and she couldn't refuse to help.

— Who are you, and what do you want at this hour of the night? — Zira asked firmly, trying to hide her nervousness at seeing so many men in armor and with swords.

— We are the Ravaging Crows. Are you Zira, the healer of the hill? — asked a handsome young man with a charming smile. But not charming enough to make the name he spoke any less terrifying.

As soon as she heard the name of the group, Zira tried to close the door, but the handsome young man pushed it with enough force to pinch Zira's hand between the door and the wall.

— Don't be like that — the man said, still smiling beautifully. — We need your help, Healer of the Hill. — The young man looked back and signaled to some of the men.

After a few seconds, four men brought to Zira's door a man too large to be human. The man was unconscious and had a massive wound on his chest, crawling with larvae and flies.

— As you can see, our friend here is gravely injured after taking a blow from Duke Deucalion, and we need your help — the young man continued, his smile fading as he observed his companion's condition. — You will help us, won't you?

Zira took a deep breath, trying not to show the fear she felt. The Ravaging Crows were known for their brutality and intolerance of refusals. She looked at the injured man, realizing the seriousness of the situation. His life depended on immediate care.

— Bring him inside — she finally said, her tone resolute. — But only him. The rest of you wait outside.

The young man hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed with a nod. The four men carried the injured man inside the cabin, laying him carefully on the wooden table.

Luana, who had overheard the conversation, emerged from the bedroom with a worried expression. She looked at the armed men and then at Zira, waiting for instructions.

— Luana, bring hot water and all the healing herbs you can find — ordered Zira, not taking her eyes off the injured man.

Luana quickly complied, running to gather everything Zira had requested. Meanwhile, Zira examined the man's wound, trying to assess the extent of the damage.

— He's in very bad shape — she murmured, more to herself than to the others. — This is going to be a lot of work...

The handsome young man leading the raiders stood by the door, watching with a tense expression.

— Do what you can, healer. If you save his life, you'll be rewarded — he said, his voice now darker.

Zira cast a quick glance at him before returning her attention to the wounded man. Luana came back with the supplies, and together they began to clean the wound and apply the remedies.

The work was hard and time-consuming, but finally, after hours of effort, Zira managed to stabilize the man. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked at Luana, who was exhausted but relieved.

— Now we need to wait — Zira said, looking at the leader of the raiders. — He will need time to recover fully.

The young man nodded and left the door to join the men camped in the yard. The days dragged on with the bandits staying there uninvited.

Luana helped Zira care for the injured giant, whose name was Durgan. His recovery was slow, and the responsibility of keeping him alive rested on the shoulders of the two women. The raiders watched their every move, harassing Luana whenever the opportunity arose and ensuring that no mistakes or attempts to escape occurred.

One morning, while Luana was preparing an herbal infusion, Zira approached Durgan to exchange their bandages, but suddenly found herself with her head in the massive hand of the half-giant.

With a horrific noise of broken bones and crushed flesh, the half-giant smashed Zira's head, leaving Luana paralyzed with horror. Blood and fragments of Zira's head scattered across the floor, and Luana was overcome by a wave of panic and despair.

The brigands, upon hearing the sound, rushed into the cabin. The leader, his smile vanished, looked at the scene with cold eyes.

— What a mess, Durgan — he said calmly, showing no compassion. — Looks like we'll have to find another healer.

Luana, shocked and desperate, fell to her knees beside Zira's body, tears streaming down her face.

— No... Zira... — she murmured, unable to believe what she was seeing.

The leader of the bandits approached Luana, roughly pulling her up by the arm.

You will tend to Durgan now — he said coldly — or you'll meet the same fate.

Luana stared at the man, her golden eyes gleaming with hatred, and grasped the young leader's arm. — How could you? — she asked in a cold and sorrowful voice.

— Urgh! What-

— HOW DARE YOU COME HERE AND TAKE THE LIFE OF A WOMAN WHO ONLY DID GOOD TO EVERYONE?! — Luana pulled the man closer and down, forcing him to kneel.

— Shit! — The man growled through clenched teeth as he tried to break free from Luana's grip, but the girl's strength on his arm was stronger. — Let go, you bitch!

At that moment, Luana swung her arm and threw the young man towards the other men at the door. She felt nothing but hatred and, seizing the moment, she grabbed the cleaver from the worktable and struck in one swift blow at the hand of the half-giant who still held Zira's head, her gray hair entwined in a bloody mass of flesh and bone.

Durgan let out a roar of pain as Luana cut off his hand, causing him to recoil and knock over several herbs from the shelf. The bandits at the door were momentarily frozen, stunned by Luana's unexpected strength and the brutality of the scene.

Adrenaline coursed through Luana's veins. She gripped the cleaver firmly, her hands bloodied, her eyes burning with the purest and most genuine desire for revenge. She knew she needed to act swiftly.

— None of you... — Luana grabbed the young man's sword left on the table next to the half-giant who rolled and screamed in pain. — None of you will leave here alive.

The bandits glanced at each other, hesitant for a moment but quickly regaining their composure. The leader, still on the ground after being thrown, struggled to rise, his face a mask of fury.

— You heard the bitch! Kill her! — he ordered, pulling a dagger from his boot.

The men advanced, but Luana was already prepared. With the sword in hand, she delivered a precise blow to the first man who approached, cutting him from collarbone to abdomen. Blood sprayed, and the man fell to the ground with a muffled scream.

The others hesitated momentarily, shocked by Luana's unexpected skill. Not even she knew where this ability came from. She had an idea, but it only made sense if the game had truly turned into a real world. Nevertheless, their hesitation was brief. Another bandit attacked, and Luana deftly dodged, spinning and slashing his leg, causing him to topple with a cry of pain.

The leader of the bandits surged forward with a dagger in a swift motion against Luana, but she was quicker. With fluid movements, she blocked the attack with her sword, wresting the dagger from the bandit's grip and driving it into his throat. In moments, the man was choking on his own blood on the ground, and Luana felt a deep nausea but held her ground.

Durgan, still rolling in pain and screaming disturbingly, tried to get up, but Luana didn't give him a chance. With a swift, strong, and resounding blow, she drove the sword into the back of the half-giant, piercing through his thick torso. The strong stench of urine mixed with blood, polluting the air around them.

Only two bandits remained standing. Both seemed uncertain of what to do and appeared to want to flee, but Luana wouldn't allow it. As they took a step back, Luana advanced, stepping on the warm blood with her bare feet and her now red-stained dress. The bandits had no chance against her agility, which prevented them from landing a blow, and her strength, which cut through them like mere pieces of dried meat.

Alone in the cabin reeking of blood, urine, and death, surrounded by corpses and the dying, Luana approached Zira's body and knelt over the warm blood still flowing from the bodies.

— Zira... — Luana cradled Zira in her arms. Her heavy heart was filled with sorrow and hatred. — Forgive me...

Luana felt so much hatred, but mostly guilt for failing to protect Zira as the woman had protected her.

— I... —Her trembling hands tried to piece together the puzzle that was her savior's face, and finally, tears flowed incessantly as she embraced her friend's already cold body.

After burying Zira beneath an apple tree where the elderly woman's husband also lay, Luana took the money the bandits and Zira had, along with the beaten leather armor and the sword of the bandit leader and some clothes that Zira had bought for her.

She was ready to leave, but before she left, with a heavy heart, she lit a torch and threw it onto the hay roof of the cabin where the bodies of the bandits were.

Then, after saying goodbye one last time to her friend, Luana mounted the red stallion that had belonged to the bandit leader and rode east.

Months later, she became famous throughout the kingdom as the bandit hunter, living as an avenger and being hunted by both bandits and knights until she was arrested and taken to the capital.