This shouldnât be happening. He was supposed to get home today.
The emergency bells rang through the village, announcing an attack. Warriors clad in iron scrambled to the wooden battlements, preparing to repel the attack. Mara went to the front gate.
At her side was her massive Chargerâs Blade. The most dangerous job in the village, being a Charger was a high honor. Only the toughest, fastest, and strongest could possibly wield such a heavy blade well. Chargers could only rely on themselves for protection, because they were the protection. They took the frontlines, holding off the enemy so the more precise Swordsmen could worry about dealing damage. Mara wore the badge with pride.
âCHARGERS! TO ME!â Came the call of her squad leader, calling for her fellows to get into position. Of course, Mara was already in position, because of all the Chargers, she was the best.
She still couldnât beat Nisha, though. He had always been the best, even though he wasnât allowed to become a Charger yet. That would change when he got back, though, his 18th birthday had passed just two days ago, so he would be old enough to leverage his recent accomplishments to gain the status.
Speaking of his recent accomplishments, ever since he got that burning blood, heâd been unstoppable. He was effectively a Charger in all but name. No amount of damage seemed to bring him low, and his attack power had increased dramatically.
Mara was brought back to the present as the gate began to open. She let the adrenaline pump through her veins, gearing up to take care of the problem so she could go back to preparing for Nishaâs return. By the Ironheart, if this attack took so long that she couldnât get readyâŚ
But there wasnât an army outside the gates. There wasnât even a platoon. There was only one man, standing in an inferno with his blade in his hand.
Why was he here so early? He wasnât supposed to get home until late in the evening! And where was his platoon? Did they all die?
And why was he so heavily injured that his burning blood was making an inferno?
Mara didnât get to guess much more than this. Nisha charged.
Mara met him head on. âNisha! What are you doing?!â
GRAAAAHHHHH! Came the guttural cry. Their blades clashed, hard, and Mara was flung back. Nisha didnât even slow down.
Fire. Everything was on fire. Their house was nothing but charred ash. Mara crawled toward Alkeshaâs unmoving body.
No. That wasnât Nisha. It couldnât be. That was nothing but a demon.
Mara lay on top of Alkesha. The fire was closing in, so she would use her own body to protect her younger sisterâs corpse. If nothing else, she could save that much.
Footsteps echoed out from behind. Mara couldnât turn to look, but there was only one being that could possibly be standing after that.
âWell, well well. What have we here? His sisters! Oh, how delicious! Look what youâve done, toy!â
The voice that came from his mouth wasnât Nishaâs. Nishaâs was smooth, confident, and kind. The thing that spoke had a rasping, horrid voice. It was more akin to stone scraping on itself and cracking bones than anything like speech.
âAnd this one is still breathing!
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAAHAHAAAGGHGHGHH!!!
Letâs finish her off!â
Small, struggling, beaten it was, but Nishaâs voice came anyway.
âNo⌠donât do thisâŚâ
âOh, but toy! Why not?â
The demon brought Nishaâs sword up, and positioned the tip to run through Maraâs heart.
âI took⌠that contact⌠to protect them⌠you canât do thisâŚâ
âOh, but was that in the terms? The answer is no~!â
The demon didnât care. He lifted the bladeâŚ
And brought it down into Maraâs back.
The voice in the darkness was chilling, not frightening but physically cold, like the thing that owned it hadnât the lifeblood to heat it.
A warrior betrayed...harmed by the will of Vakuu. I know that feeling well, warrior... would you like to work together to get your revenge?
Not against⌠not againstâŚ
She couldnât remember his name.
âNot against Malik. Spare him your wrath, hidden god.â
Well, I wonât have much say in how it plays out, now will I? I would only give you power, and teach you how to wield it.
Her own revenge? Against⌠Vakuu? And the strength to save MalikâŚ
What would this god take from her?
Oh, nothing. I want my revenge just the same as you want yours. A mutual agreement would be best, no contract needed!
Then⌠yes. Mara would absolutely take another chance to save her brother.
âWhat is your name, hidden god?â
Gehehehehe! I am Nihil, the final joke!
