I’ll make you proud

The first light of dawn filtered through the smoke and ash, casting an eerie glow over the ruins of my home. I stood amidst the wreckage, clutching the knight's sword, feeling its weight and the immense responsibility it carried. My parents were gone, the village destroyed, and I was alone. But there was no time for tears. I had to honor their memory and the sacrifice of the knight who had saved me.

With trembling hands, I began to gather stones and wood, creating a small, makeshift tomb for my parents. I didn't have their bodies, but I needed a place to honor them, a place to say goodbye. I worked methodically, my mind numb to the devastation around me. Each stone I placed felt like a small step towards healing, a way to channel my grief into something tangible.

"Mother, Father," I whispered, placing a handful of wildflowers on the mound. "I'll make you proud. I promise."

Next, I turned my attention to the knight. His body lay a few feet away, his face serene in death. He had given his life to save mine, and I would not let his sacrifice be in vain. With great effort, I dragged his body to a nearby clearing and began to dig. The earth was hard and unyielding, but I didn't stop. I owed him this final act of respect.

When the grave was ready, I gently lowered him into it, placing his shield over his chest. I stood back, tears blurring my vision. "Thank you," I said, my voice breaking. "I don't know your name, but I will remember you always."

I covered the grave with earth and stones, marking it with a large, flat rock. I carved a simple message into the stone with the tip of his sword: Here lies a brave knight. He gave his life for others.

With the graves completed, I sat back on my heels, exhaustion washing over me. The village was eerily silent now, the chaos of the night before giving way to a grim stillness. I had no idea what to do next, where to go. But I couldn't stay here. The village was a graveyard, and I needed to find safety, a place to regroup and plan my next steps.

I wandered aimlessly through the ruins, my heart heavy with loss. The familiar sights of my childhood were now twisted and charred, unrecognizable. I passed the remains of the school, the garden where Mother and I had gathered herbs, and the square where I'd played with my friends. Each step was a painful reminder of all I'd lost.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, I heard the distant sound of hoofbeats. I tensed, gripping the knight's sword tightly. Moments later, a group of knights emerged from the forest, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. They approached cautiously, their eyes scanning the ruins.

"Is anyone here?" one of them called out.

I stepped forward, my heart pounding. "I'm here," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

The knights turned to me, their expressions softening when they saw me. "Are you alone?" the leader asked, his voice gentle.

I nodded, unable to find the words to explain what had happened. The leader dismounted and approached me, his eyes filled with sorrow. "We came as soon as we heard," he said. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them back. "What do I do now?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"You come with us," he said. "We'll take you to a safe place. You'll be cared for."

I hesitated, glancing back at the graves I had made. The leader followed my gaze and nodded. "You did well," he said. "They would be proud."

With a heavy heart, I followed the knights. They mounted their horses, and the leader lifted me onto his, placing me in front of him. We set off at a brisk pace, leaving the ruins of my village behind. The forest closed in around us, the trees whispering their secrets.

As we rode, the knights talked quietly amongst themselves. I listened, trying to piece together what had happened. They spoke of a sudden attack, of monsters emerging from the darkness without warning. It seemed no one had been prepared for the onslaught.

"We're taking her to the kingdom of Elaria," the leader said, his voice low. "It's the safest place for her now."

Elaria. I had heard of it, a distant kingdom known for its strong defenses and wise rulers. It sounded like a haven, a place where I could start to rebuild my life. But the journey there was fraught with danger, the path winding through treacherous territory.

As we rode deeper into the forest, the sense of unease grew. The trees seemed to close in around us, their branches like skeletal fingers. I clutched the sword tightly, its presence a small comfort. The knights remained vigilant, their eyes scanning the shadows.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees. The horses whinnied, their eyes rolling in fear. The knights drew their swords, forming a protective circle around me. My heart raced as the growling grew louder, closer.

"Stay close," the leader whispered, his eyes fixed on the darkness ahead.

The creature emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing with malevolence. It was smaller than the monsters that had attacked my village, but no less terrifying. It had sharp claws and teeth, its body covered in scales. It moved with a predatory grace, circling us.

One of the knights lunged at it, his sword flashing in the sunlight. The creature dodged, swiping at him with its claws. The knight stumbled back, blood streaming from a wound on his arm. The other knights closed in, their swords raised.

I felt a surge of fear and determination. I couldn't just stand by and watch. I had to help. Clutching the knight's sword, I stepped forward. The creature turned its eyes on me, a low growl rumbling in its throat.

"Lyra, stay back!" the leader shouted, but I couldn't. I had to fight.

As the creature lunged at me, something within me shifted. I felt a strange energy coursing through my veins, a dark power awakening. Without thinking, I raised the sword, channeling the energy into the blade.

"Shadow Blade!" I cried, the words coming unbidden to my lips.

The sword glowed with a dark light, shadows swirling around the blade. I swung it at the creature, the shadows extending along the edge of the sword. The blade sliced through the creature's scales as if they were paper, leaving a trail of darkness in its wake.

The creature howled in pain, stumbling back. The shadows seemed to cling to its wounds, burning and searing. I pressed the attack, striking again and again. Each blow was guided by the dark energy, my movements fluid and precise.

The creature tried to retaliate, but its movements were sluggish, its strength waning. With one final, desperate swing, I drove the sword deep into its chest. The shadows surged along the blade, tearing through its body. The creature collapsed to the ground, its eyes dimming.

I stood over the fallen creature, breathing heavily. The dark energy slowly faded, leaving me feeling drained but triumphant. The knights stared at me in shock, their expressions a mix of awe and fear.

"What was that?" one of them asked, his voice trembling.

"I... I don't know," I said, my voice shaking. "It just... happened."

The leader approached, his eyes serious. "You have a gift, Lyra," he said. "A powerful one. We must ensure it is used wisely."

I nodded, still reeling from what had just happened. The power had felt both exhilarating and terrifying, a force I barely understood. But I knew one thing for certain: I would need it in the days to come.

The knights gathered around me, their swords still drawn. "We need to keep moving," the leader said. "There could be more of them."

We continued our journey, the forest growing darker and more foreboding. The knights remained vigilant, their eyes scanning the shadows. I stayed close to the leader, my grip on the sword tight. The encounter with the creature had shaken me, but it had also awakened something within me. A determination to fight, to survive.

As we traveled, the leader told me more about Elaria. It was a kingdom of hope, a place where humans and demons coexisted in harmony. The rulers were wise and just, their knights brave and loyal. It sounded like a dream, a beacon of light in a world shrouded in darkness.

"We'll reach Elaria by nightfall," the leader said. "You'll be safe there."

I nodded, a sense of relief washing over me. The journey had been long and arduous, but I knew it was just the beginning. There were still many challenges ahead, dangers I couldn't yet imagine. But with the knight's sword in my hand and the dark power within me, I felt ready to face them.

As the sun began to set , I looked ahead to the future. I would honor my parents' memory, the knight's sacrifice, and the promise I had made to myself. I would become stronger, braver, and protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

The journey to Elaria was just the first step in a long and arduous path. But I would face it head-on, armed with courage and the determination to make a difference. The darkness might be vast, but I would be the light that cut through it.