In the dead of night, when silence blanketed the village, Sarah's eyes snapped open. Her senses sharpened as a distant, blood-curdling scream caught her ears. She sat bolt upright, heart pounding. Her eyes widened in terror — the village was ablaze, smoke billowing into the night sky, casting a hellish glow over the darkened world.
Suddenly, a sharp knock rattled her door. It swung open to reveal Chris and Cherry rushing in, their faces etched with urgent fear.
"Mom! The village is under attack!" Chris shouted, voice trembling with worry.
"And it's not just monsters," Cherry added breathlessly. "There are strange figures! Criminals, beastmen... shadows that move like living darkness. I've never seen anything like it."
Sarah's composure remained steel despite the chaos unfolding outside.
"It seems someone has targeted us. Cherry, protect the children. Chris, take your weapons. We must investigate immediately."
Snatching her cherished sword from the wooden almirah, Sarah swiftly prepared. She changed into her combat attire: a sleek silver breastplate with intricate engravings, lightweight pauldrons and gauntlets that offered both protection and agility. Her fitted tunic and short skirt were designed for speed, complemented by high leather boots and a flowing cape. She tied her hair in a ponytail, eyes blazing with determination.
Descending the stairs, her gaze fell on the children's frightened faces — Cherry trying to soothe them, Alica trembling but resilient. Chris returned, fully armored with shield and spear.
She approached the children gently, her voice soft despite her inner storm:
"Don't worry. I'll go with Chris. Stay close to Cherry and stay safe."
"Mom?" Alica's tiny voice wavered.
Sarah knelt to meet her eyes, placing a reassuring hand on her head.
"Alica, be strong. Cherry needs you to be brave. Help the others, and be courageous. That's how you're going to protect everyone."
Cherry hurried over, her voice urgent:
"Mother Sarah... Shirou still hasn't come back. Please find him too."
Sarah nodded solemnly.
"Let's go, Chris."
---
In the Forest Dungeon
The dungeon's interior was a horrific tableau of slaughter: corpses of cave goblins and bats littered the ground, soaked in blood. In the center, Shirou (12), covered in gore, knelt over a goblin, stabbing it repeatedly. Blood sprayed with each strike, face fierce with determination.
"It's still not enough," Shirou muttered, panting heavily. "It takes more than ten minutes even with training. I've cut the time in half, but it's still not fast enough..." His mind flashed back to Sarah's mighty slash that once felled an entire forest, and Ela's gravity spell — a level one spell learned in infancy.
"I need..." His thoughts stalled as he noticed smoke rising from the village. The taste of ash filled the air. Without hesitation, he turned and darted toward the chaos.
---
In the Village
The village lay in ruins. Blood painted the earth, and villagers' bodies sprawled in grotesque disarray.
"Chris?" Sarah called out, slicing down another monster. Her blade flashed with deadly precision.
"Just as you commanded, I led the villagers to the orphanage," Chris replied, panting, armor cracked but still fighting.
"Good. Now we focus on ending this," Sarah said grimly.
Suddenly, a massive axe flew through the air like a falling comet. Sarah's instincts kicked in. She pushed Chris aside, but it was too late — the axe's sharp edge tore into his shield arm, severing it clean off. Chris shrieked in pain, blood spurting wildly.
"Chris!" Sarah shouted, fear clutching her throat as she rushed to the fallen boy. She tore fabric from her tunic, wrapping it tightly around his severed arm to slow the bleeding. Her eyes shimmered with terror, the flames of fury burning behind them.
From the shadows, a cold voice interrupted:
"So, it's true. The emotionless puppet has broken her strings... and now she cares."
Sarah's eyes snapped toward the source — two unfamiliar figures. One with crimson hair and a smirk, the other blond hair and piercing blue eyes, calm and calculating.
"Captain Brown... Maxim..." she whispered, voice trembling with a mix of shock and anger.
"Indeed. And Hero Sarah," Maxim greeted with a mocking smile.
"Why? Why are you doing this?" Sarah roared.
Maxim's smile widened.
"We don't have time to explain. Today, we end your resistance."
Without warning, Maxim lunged, rapier aimed for her heart. Sarah deflected desperately, blocking the strike with her sword, then delivering a swift kick to Maxim's face, forcing him backward.
"Still as formidable as ever," Maxim said, rising with a grin. "But this time…"
Before he could finish, a powerful blue spear streaked through the air, just missing Sarah's side as she dodged.
"We're here to kill you," Maxim declared coldly, deadly intent in his voice.
Sarah's mind raced. She couldn't fight both alone — especially with Chris wounded, and Cherry, Alica, and the others vulnerable. Her eyes flicked to Chris as he steadied himself, tears brimming.
"Mother Sarah," Chris said fiercely, "Don't worry about me. I may have lost an arm, but I still have my spirit. I won't let them take me down."
Sarah hesitated, her heart pounding.
"Chris, no. You don't have to—"
"But I promised — I'll fight for all of you. I won't die hiding." His voice was steady, unwavering.
Reluctantly, she nodded.
"Be careful. Don't push yourself."
Chris gave her a brave, trembling smile. "Thanks... for always treating me like family."
Sarah's eyes welled with tears as she launched herself back into the fray, her blade flashing like lightning.
---
The Duel: Chris vs. Lance
Standing resolutely before the blue-haired spearman Lance, Chris clenched his remaining hand tightly around his spear. Lance sneered, twirling his weapon.
"So," Lance taunted, "What can you do with just one arm?"
Chris took a deep breath, face grim but determined.
"I may not be your match. But I promised — I won't let you reach her."
Lance snorted and charged, lightning-fast speartip aimed at Chris's chest. Chris sidestepped, spinning his spear to parry, sparks flying from steel meeting steel. The two clashed fiercely, exchanging blows in a deadly dance.
Lance pressed forward, thrusting with a relentless barrage. Chris blocked desperately, each strike rattling his remaining strength. Blood dripped down his side, pain stabbing through him.
In a final burst, Chris lunged, stabbing toward Lance's legs, forcing him back.
"You're strong," Lance admitted, eyes glittering with admiration. "But it's not enough."
Lance retaliated with a deadly overhead swing. Chris dodged, but the spear's tip caught him in the side. He gasped, staggering, then gathered every ounce of courage for a desperate counterattack. His remaining strength propelled him forward, spear aimed right at Lance's heart.
The spear grazed Lance's shoulder, drawing blood. Annoyed, Lance responded with a brutal blow, driving his spear through Chris's chest.
Chris's eyes widened in shock as blood spilled onto the ground. He staggered, the pain almost unbearable, but a flicker of defiance shone in his eyes.
"Tell Sarah," he rasped, voice fading, "that I fought for her… and for everyone."
His body finally collapsed, lifeless on the bloodstained earth.
Lance stared down at him, a moment of silence amid the chaos.
"One more down," he muttered coldly.