"The acrid smell of smoke stung Nora's nose before she even reached the middle of the village. Her boots pounded against the dirt path, each step faster as the distant glow of fire grew brighter."
When she finally emerged from the treeline, her chest tightened.
The village was burning. Roofs had collapsed under waves of flame, charred beams crackled as sparks drifted into the night air. Screams cut through the chaos.
"The goblins… they've already swarmed the place," Nora muttered, a creeping unease settling in her chest. "This is bad. But what could possibly be drawing them to this village?"
She slowed, her hand instinctively brushing against her hip where no weapon rested. Ahead, a cluster of villagers were fighting for their lives—swinging hoes and pitchforks against a pack of goblins.
"Get back! Don't let them through!" a man shouted, his voice breaking as he jabbed with a bent rake.
The goblins shrieked in reply, their guttural voices rising over the roar of fire. One leapt, claws flashing, and knocked a woman to the ground. Another villager dragged her back, grunting with effort as blood smeared across the dirt.
"Nora's fists clenched, her nails biting into her palms. Her heart hammered. If I use my flames… She bit her lip, tasting iron, and shook her head. Morgana's warning echoed in her mind: We are despised for the blood in our veins… If they see your magic, they will hate you. And if the Union discovers your powers… another witch hunt may be unleashed. So even if you wield your fire for the greater good, remember—use it wisely, and with caution."
"What am I going to do?" Nora whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant clamor of goblin cries. Her eyes flicked from one panicked villager to another. "I can't just stand here and watch them get hurt… but if I use my flames, they'll only see me as an enemy."
Her chest tightened with every heartbeat, each pulse screaming at her to act. Then her gaze caught something near a broken cart—an axe, its handle scorched but still intact.
Without thinking, she lunged forward, gripping it. The rough wood bit into her palm, tiny splinters pricking her skin. A faint, smoky scent rose from the charred handle, mingling with the acrid tang of ash drifting on the wind. She adjusted her stance, letting the weight of the axe settle in her arms, grounding her, giving her a shaky sense of control.
Nora's grip tightened around the axe as the goblins lunged at the villagers. One man tried to swing a pitchfork, but a goblin with a short sword disarmed him in a swift, cruel motion. "No, please… I don't want to die!" he cried, his voice cracking with fear, stumbling backward. The goblin lounged casually, a cruel grin twisting its face.
Nora didn't hesitate. She lunged forward, swinging the axe with all her strength. The blade sank into the first goblin's shoulder with a sickening crack. It screeched, collapsing to the dirt, its limbs jerking. Nora pressed her foot against its chest and tugged, feeling the axe's weight as she pulled it free. The heavy handle dug into her palm, forcing her to adjust her grip, but she managed to lift it in time to meet the next attack.
Two more goblins charged. She swung the axe at the first, cutting through its side, and it screamed in panic, the sound shrill and raw. The second lunged immediately, and Nora pivoted, delivering a bone-crunching kick that snapped its neck. The goblin's scream continued for a moment before cutting off abruptly, leaving a hollow echo in the air.
The last goblin attacked from an angle she hadn't anticipated, its claws raking toward her. Her reflexes screamed to ignite her flames, but instinct held her back. A villager, still recovering from the earlier attack, drove a fork through the creature's chest, pinning it against the ground.
The street fell silent. From behind a toppled cart, a small child stumbled into view, crying softly, eyes wide with fear. The child clutched a tattered doll, its tiny hands shaking. Relief and terror mixed on the villagers' faces as they huddled around the child, still catching their breath.
"T… thank you, young miss," an old man stammered, his hands trembling slightly.
"Thank God she's here," a woman muttered, still shaken, her eyes darting toward the toppled carts and debris around them.
One man stepped forward, trembling. "Miss, you—"
"Don't thank me!" Nora cut him off sharply, dropping the axe with a heavy thud that echoed across the clearing. "Get everyone you can and evacuate! This place isn't safe!" Her voice carried more force than she intended, sending the villagers scrambling.
Without another word, she ran deeper into the village, weaving between overturned carts and debris, the distant shouts of survivors fading behind her. Her chest heaved, throat tight. I can't let them know… she thought. If they realize what I am… they wouldn't be thanking me. They'd fear me. They'd see me as a monster, not a savior.
Suddenly, a strong presence snapped me out of my thoughts.
What is this? This presence… it's too strong, almost suffocating.
But all I see are these weaklings. Something's not right. Was this a calculated attack? From a high-level fiend… an archfiend?
Nora's ears caught the sound of screaming from down the street. Her heart lurched. Hope nothing's wrong, she told herself, sprinting toward the source.
"No, big sis! Wake up!" a young man cried, shaking his unconscious sister violently.
"Oh no… am I too late?" Nora thought, panic spiking in her chest.
"Hang in there, you two. I'm almost there," she muttered under her breath, her pace quickening.
Suddenly, a massive goblin stepped out from the shadows. Its size alone made her pause. Muscles rippled under mottled green skin, and a coarse wolf-hide draped over its broad shoulder, the fur dark and matted with grime. In each clawed hand, it gripped a jagged sword, gleaming faintly in the flickering light.
A big one… more than likely a Goblin Chief. So this is the source of that overpowering presence, Nora thought, her chest tightening.
She clenched her fists, her knuckles whitening, and her mind raced with urgency. I don't have much time. I have to end this quickly… and save them before it's too late.
Her body flared to life. Rage coursed through her veins, igniting a searing heat that wrapped around her like armor. Flames erupted from her skin, licking harmlessly at her arms and legs, making the air shimmer with their intensity. Her hair and clothes danced in the glow, casting flickering shadows across the ruined street. The Goblin Chief roared, dual swords raised, muscles tensing as it charged forward.
Nora's chest heaved, and she forced herself to focus. Flames flickered at her fingertips, tiny sparks skittering across the air. She drew the energy inward, feeling it thrum and coil in her hands. The fire leapt obediently, molding itself into a massive, blazing sphere that pulsed with raw heat. Tiny embers spiraled outward, stinging her arms and floating into the smoky air like restless sparks.
With a roar of her own, she launched the fireball. It streaked through the air, a blazing comet aimed directly at the Goblin Chief. The creature twisted to dodge, but the projectile was too fast, too immense. The fire struck with a thunderous impact, engulfing the Goblin Chief in flames. Its roar twisted into a screech of agony, then was abruptly silenced as the monstrous figure disintegrated, reduced to ash that scattered across the street in a glowing cascade.
Nora collapsed to one knee, chest heaving, sweat prickling along her brow. Maybe that was a bit of overkill… but hey, better to reduce him to ash than let him swing those swords at me. Her hands trembled slightly from the exertion, the heat from her flames still lingering in the air. That technique really took a lot out of me…
Morgana had taught her this—she had called it Rage. An ability all of them possessed, meant to temporarily boost magic, but one that came with a steep cost. It's taxing… especially since I haven't mastered it yet. The thought made her wince; the raw effort of controlling such power left her drained, vulnerable.
Her eyes scanned the village, narrowing. Looks like the heavy Netherworld presence… it's still here. A shiver ran down her spine, the oppressive weight pressing at her chest. If that wasn't the source, then this village is still in danger.
A voice called out from behind her.
"Hey… you there!"
Nora froze, her body tensing instantly. No… I let my guard down. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest. I used magic in front of him. He knows that I'm a half-blood… She avoided his gaze, bracing herself, expecting him to recoil, call her a witch, or worse—be afraid.
"Miss! Did I just see you defeat the goblins?" the young man asked, awe and fear mingling in his tone.
"Thank you so much," he added earnestly, his eyes wide.
Wait… didn't he just see me use magic? Just now? So why… Nora's thoughts scrambled, disbelief mixing with a flicker of relief. Her cheeks warmed, and she shifted her weight awkwardly, trying to hide her racing pulse. She offered a small, awkward smile, unsure if it looked more like reassurance or embarrassment.
"It's no problem," she replied quickly, voice careful, almost clipped. She forced herself to meet his eyes just briefly, softening her expression as best she could. "More importantly… how's your sister? Did the goblins hurt her?"
"I… I don't know," he admitted, glancing at his older sister, his hands trembling.
Nora stepped closer, placing her fingers gently on the girl's wrist to check her pulse. Relief washed over her as she exhaled softly. "Thank goodness… she's still breathing."
"Really—she isn't dead yet?" the young man asked, tears brimming in his eyes.
"I can assure you. She's just a bit roughed up. Let her rest for a while, and she'll come around," Nora said, her voice calm but steady.
"Thank you… for saving us. I don't know what we'd have done without you."
"It's alright now. Don't worry. I'm here to help," Nora said gently, offering a small, smile that didn't quite hide her tension.
"Umm… is this the only place that got attacked by Nether Goblins?" Nora asked, scanning the village and keeping an eye on the lingering shadows of danger.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "There are more goblins on the other side of the village."
Her shoulders tensed, the weight of the lingering Netherworld presence pressing against her still. I can't waste time. "Please, lead the way. I need to fend off these Netherworlders."
"Okay. This way, miss," he said, gesturing toward the direction with a mix of awe and urgency.