-Flashback-
"Oreon, Oreon, come on, wake up." A gentle voice whispered as a pair of light brown eyes, still heavy with sleep, blinked open. "Come on, if you don't get up," the voice continued, a feminine tone becoming more insistent. "If you don't get up, we won't stop by that honey cake stall that you like so much." The soft threat made a pair of bright eyes pop open. A young Oreon sat up straight, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Honey Cakes!" Little Oreon replies happily, throwing off his covers and hopping out of bed, the springs of the mattress squeaking beneath him. Leaping from bed, he saw a girl, tall, with a bright smile, and looking no older than eighteen, standing there. Her long black hair cascaded down to her spine. Her brown eyes sparkled with life, with a radiant smile. Clad in a brown tunic and white shorts, brown boots, and a white jacket, she looked comfortable yet stylish; the jacket provided a lovely contrast to the earth tones of the rest of her outfit.
"Come on, Oreon, the faster we get there, the faster we can get back and get to those honey cakes." She tells him, and he quickly nods his head in agreement, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
- "It started like every other day," Oreon spoke grimly. "My sister was getting me out of bed to take me to the Elven village to share her healing abilities with them."-
"Alice, wait up." The childlike Oreon's words tumbled out in a rush, a torrent of excited babble, as he struggled into his clothes, his small hands fumbling with his shirt. "Don't leave without me." He called out to her.
"Well, you better hurry, then." She playfully pressed. "I could walk out the door any minute now." A giggle escaped her lips as she playfully teased him, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Alice!" From upstairs came Oreon's high-pitched, childish whine, punctuated by the light sound of her laughter.
In moments, the young Oreon joined his older sister at the front door, the sound of his small feet padding softly against the floor. As Alice waited for him, leaning against the cool, smooth door, her arms were crossed tightly against her chest. "Ready to go, kiddo?" She asks him, and Oreon, with a confident nod and a reassured smile, gave her the assurance she needed.
"Alright then, first the Elven Village, and then Honey Cakes!" Alice declares, a light, joyful cheer bursting from Oreon's mouth.
"Are you two heading out again?" The sound of a question echoed through the kitchen. A middle-aged woman, defying her age with a youthful radiance, strolled through the doorway, a hand casually resting on her hip, a gentle smile illuminating her face as she watched her two children's departure preparations.
"Yeah, Mom, going to make a stop at the Eastern Elven village, and then we're getting Honey Cakes," Alice stated, the worn leather of her straw-woven bag creaking softly as she slung it over her shoulder.
"Aye, just make sure you're careful out there. Those forest woods have become rowdy as of late." Her mother's warning hung in the air as she slowly kneeled, placing a gentle hand on Oreon's head. "Make sure you keep an eye on your big sister. Sometimes she doesn't know her West from her East." A wave of laughter filled the room as their mother's infectious giggle was met by Oreon's gleeful response.
Alice's cheeks flushed a light cherry red at her mother's comment, the color barely perceptible against her pale skin. "Mother, rest assured that my sense of direction is unparalleled, even compared to the finest compass," she assured her.
Alice's cheeks flushed a light cherry red at her mother's comment. "Mother, rest assured that my sense of direction is unparalleled, even compared to the finest compass," she assured her. "Besides, I think I know my left from my right." She grumbled, crossing her arms, lightly glancing away, slightly annoyed.
"Is that so?" Her mother slowly looked up at her, "Then may your great sense of direction keep you from walking in circles for hours on end. You know your brother gets hungry. He won't live off of berries alone." She jokes.
"Are you saying that my sense of direction is going to get us lost, Mother? "Her daughter questioned with a playful glare as she placed both of her hands on her hips.
"Oh heavens, no," their mother says with a chuckle, the sound of her footsteps fading as she walks back towards the kitchen. "I just pray that your terrible sense of direction doesn't lead you so far astray that I never see my children again." A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she turned, her gaze lingering on them. "Seriously, be careful and keep a watchful eye on your brother; his antics are always unpredictable."
With a solemn nod, Alice acknowledged her mother's everyday advice. The weight of her words settled on her shoulders as she looked into her mother's eyes. "Now go on, I'm sure the elves have been waiting long enough for your arrival. Oh, and give Aura a hello for me while you're there." She says as she disappears into the kitchen.
-And just like every other day, we would set out for the Elven Village. But little did we know, this is the day when everything would change-
The sound of Alice's and Oreon's running footsteps pounded on the ground as Alice gripped Oreon's hand tightly, pulling him along as they raced back to their house, their breaths ragged. They burst through the door; the hinges screaming in protest, quickly slamming it shut behind them.
"Alice?" Their mother, hearing their ragged breathing, ran from downstairs to find her kids panting heavily in the front room. "Are you two alright?" Her voice, tight with worry, called out to her two children as she ran towards them. "What happened out there?"
"Mom, they attacked the village!" Alice panicked, tears streaming down her face.
"What?" Their mom's eyes widen in horror. "What village? Who attacked?" She placed both of her hands on Alice's shoulder. Her daughter's tears flowed harder as she tried to compose herself. Little Oreon, not in any better shape.
"The Elven village, they burned it!" Alice cried out, her sharp gasp echoing through the air as she hugged Oreon tightly, her hands shaking violently, while the searing images of fire and destruction filled her mind, the heat seeming almost tangible. The elves she became friends with, their homes, their fields, all engulfed in flames." They burned it, Mom! They burned it." Her voice broke as she fell to her knees, her tears appearing like rivers on her cheeks as her mom stood there, shocked at the statement that her daughter had just given her.
"By the scale." She breathed as she quickly looked over at her son to check on him as well. "Alice, look at me, who attacked the Elves?" She questioned, her eyes narrowing in determination.
Short, choked whimpers and the younger Oreon's desperate cries filled the room, punctuated by their mother's increasingly frantic questions; a soft tap at the door cut through the chaos before Alice could respond. Alice's eyes shot straight up as the tears stopped, but just for a moment.
Their mom stood up slowly, her narrow eyes turning into a glare as she eyed the door, slowly making her way towards it.
"Mom...Mom, don't...It's... It's." Alice's lower lip trembled, her mother's footsteps heavy on the wooden floor. "Mom, please..."
"Alice." Her mother gritted her teeth. Her brown eyes glaring hatefully at the door. "Take your brother and go out the back." She instructed without taking her eyes off the door as another tap came to it.
"But mom..." Alice returned.
"Do as I say." She whispered. "Take your brother and sneak out the back of the house, go see Mira; she'll keep you safe." She instructed as she glanced over her shoulder to see the worried expression on her kids' faces. "Don't worry, I'll be right behind." She gave them her signature smile, a soft smirk crossing her features as she nodded her head towards the back of the house. "Now go..."
Alice and Oreon, tears still streaming down their faces, looked up at their mother, their hearts aching at the thought of leaving, but nodded their heads in agreement. With a desperate grip on his hand, Alice pulled him along as they rushed toward the back of the house, the sound of their breathing loud in the sudden silence. They left their mother alone in the front room, her eyes fixed on the door as another hesitant tap sounded, a sense of dread filling the quiet space.
"Who is it?" The mother's voice, sharp and demanding, cut through the air.
"Ms. Leona, it's the order. We just want to speak with your daughter." From the other side of the door, a gruff male voice called out.
"Oh? And what business would the order have with my child?" Her voice, unwavering in its intensity, continued. A glance revealed her children's disappearing backs as they quietly left through the back door.
"Ma'am, I'm so sorry, but I can't tell you. It's highly sensitive information, and revealing it would have serious consequences," The man said from the other side of the door, as Leona calmly opened the door to see the order's soldiers lined up in front of her place of residence. Her Brown eyes calmly glanced from left to right to see that the soldiers had her house surrounded.
She closed her eyes slowly. "Serious consequences?" She breathes. "Is the order hunting my daughter harassing her like some wanted criminal?" Her voice was calm, yet a simmering anger vibrated beneath the surface.
The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances; the silence heavy with the unspoken question as they stared back at the unfolding scene before them. The man, his face etched with worry, stood at the doorstep, facing Leona.
Ms. Leona, we just have some questions…You see, the Elven village in the east has been attacked and your daugh…." A line of shimmering energy traced Leona's body as she passed the soldier, silencing him mid-sentence. In her hand, a magically summoned sword appeared—a silver blade, edged in gold and black, its black hilt gleaming with an ethereal light. With measured grace, she descended the worn stone steps, each footfall echoing softly in the stillness. The soldier's sentence caught in his throat, a lump of unspoken fear and regret.
"First, you chase my daughter and my son across the fields. Then you have the gall to attach her to such blasphemy." She took a few more steps, the damp earth squelching under her boots, before the soldier's body began to split apart with a sickening crack. "May whatever lands you go to show you mercy," she quickly got into her fighting stance, facing the other soldiers who surrounded her house. "Because the gods know I sure won't."
The guards exchanged fearful glances, their faces pale and drawn as she began to approach. "May death be slow to you all." Her brown eyes now glowing gold.
"Hold your stance, Leona." A voice, rough and gravelly, called out, silencing the crowd and drawing everyone's attention. Leona, her gaze narrowed in intense hatred, slowly turned to face the source.
-Things were already bad, the elves being attacked, slaughtered, and captured, and now the order had pursued us all the way home, and now my mother purposely made herself a target…For him-
"Killing a Holy Order Soldier is a crime punishable by death, Leona." Clad in a heavy, embroidered robe, the imposing man, his voice resonant, made his statement with unwavering authority. "A crime that puts you against the order. Should you go any further, the consequences of your treason will be swift and unforgiving." A gruff chuckle rumbled in his chest.
"Alaric…" Leona breathed hatefully as she pointed her sword towards him. "You dare show your face to me, hunting our…No, my children." Leona stood firm, her jaw tight, as she and Alaric glared at each other, the air crackling with tension." Despite your promise to leave us in peace, you're now chasing my children, behaving as if they were vermin. What explanation do you have? "Her voice rose as Alaric remained silent. "It was you who attacked the Elven village. Wasn't it Alaric…You and your band of soldiers?" A venomous tone laced her words as she fixed him with a hateful stare, her eyes burning into his.
The wind stirred Alaric's short, messy black hair as he stood there, a cruel smile playing on his neatly trimmed lips; Leona felt a fresh wave of disgust at the crazed look in his eyes. "My Leona, are you accusing the Holy knights of committing genocide?" He asks her, another light chuckle escaping him.
"Spare me your games, Alaric," she seethed, her sword remaining still as she kept it pointed towards him. "And answer my question. Why…Are you hunting my children?" Each word held a dangerous threat as they released from her lips.
"Leona, Leona…" Alaric took a step closer, the ground groaning under his weight, and Leona's eyes lit up; a slice-like indent appeared where he stepped, causing him to recoil in surprise. "I see you haven't lost your edge," he says calmly as he remains still in his spot.
Alaric just continued to stare at her, a smirk still crossing his lips. Losing the eastern Elven village is indeed a tragedy, Leona. Surely, if you were there, you could have prevented such a thing. Perhaps even saved a few of the Elven lives you love so much," Alaric said. "The nature of the attack is unknown, but we suspect your children had something to do with it. They were the only humans there, after all." His smirk deepened.
"You vile creature…" Leona seethed.
"My dear Leona…" Alaric slowly shook his head. "Your children…Need to come up with us."
"You won't come near, my kids." She held her sword out at him with fury and determination in her eyes.
"You're a bit too late for that," Alaric stated as two soldiers stepped beside him holding an crying Oreon and a screaming Alice. Leona's eyes shot up wide in shock, but her expression quickly turned to Anger as she quickly dropped back into her fighting stance.
"Don't you move, Leona!" Alaric ordered, stopping her as she was about to launch herself towards him. "If you move so much as a muscle, then I'll execute them right here and right now." He told her as the guards who held her kids captive pulled their swords out to prove their point.
"Mom, please help us!" Oreon's plea for help cut through the air, his breathing ragged and heavy. "Mom!"
Leona's heart thumped as she heard her son's cries. "I'm sorry, Mom," Alice continued to cry silently as the Order soldier held his arm around her neck, restraining her from moving. "I'm so sorry."
"It's ok, Alice."Leona gestured gently. "Don't worry, we're going to get out of this. Just stay strong for me."
Leona's expression said it all, her eyes showing the window to her heart as she remained still, her eyes glazed over as she saw her kids captured. "Why, Alaric, why are you doing this?" She asked him, her voice soft, trying not to tempt any harm to come to her children.
"Leona, as it pains me to say, we are only doing what is right." He spoke to her as she slowly shook her head, as he continued to speak. "The Eastern Elven village was attacked, and lives were lost. And these two are the only humans who paid a visit to that village."
"That doesn't mean anything, you and you know it!" Leona screamed. "What is this really about, Alaric?" She gritted her teeth. "First, you burn down the Elves' village. Why?" She continued. "They were not a threat to you! That was a peaceful village that stayed out of the way of the Order's affairs with the major cities! So why? Then you have my kids held against their will! Tell me what is the meaning of this!" Her grip tightened on the hilt of her blade.
Alaric stared at the woman in front of him. A maelstrom of emotions threatened to erupt; her heart pounded, tears pricked her eyes, and her jaw tightened as she struggled to remain calm. A sick grin slowly slid across his lips. "Purification." He simply said.
"Purification," Leona repeated. "You can't mean, no...Alaric, you didn't.
"The great purge has begun, Leona, and this time we start with the Elves. Their existence has been deemed unholy by the Order. Therefore, their lives are forfeited." He explained.
"Who are you to decide that?" She yelled. "You have no right!"
"I have every right!" Alaric screamed back at her, suddenly silencing the woman who stood in front of him. "The Order placed me in charge of the Eastern district! Have you forgotten what the goal is, Leona? To rid the world of impurities! Anything that the Order deemed impure must be eradicated!"
As Alaric's words settled, Leona gave him a withering stare. "Are you part of the gods now?" Leona asked him. "The one who passes divine judgement? The one who gets to decide who lives and who dies? Who decides whose life should be forfeited?"
"A god?" Alaric spoke, as if he was testing the word on his tongue.
"Yes, a god." Shaking her head, Leona continued, "No, you couldn't be a god; no, you're only a tyrant. A lone man who's gone mad with power." She didn't take her eyes off him. "Not the man that I once met."
"Your words sting me, Leona." Alaric returned the expression, matching her intensity with a determined gaze. "However, that does leave me to the next reason that I'm here."With a grunt, the soldier threw Oreon to the ground, the impact jarring; Leona's eyes widened, taking in the scene with a gasp.
"Oreon," Leona screamed as she was about to run towards him.
"I said, don't move!" Alaric shouted, causing Leona to freeze in her tracks as she watched the soldier who tossed Oreon to the ground walk towards him, his blade at the ready.
"What…What are you doing, Alaric!" Leona questions. "Stop this now!" The impact of his fall left Oreon struggling as he heard footsteps approaching from behind. Slowly, he turned onto his back, looking up as he saw the Holy Order soldier standing in front of him. "These two were at the Elven village when it was purged, so it only means they've become impure themselves." Alaric finished as the Soldier raised his blade high above his head.
"Alaric! No! He's just a boy!' Leona screamed, reaching out for her son, praying that Alaric wouldn't do the unthinkable.
Oreon sat there frozen in fear as he looked up at the sharp blade that the Soldier held above him. A scream threatened to erupt, a desperate, silent yell building inside him. His throat tightened, and he wanted to speak, but the words wouldn't come.
"Oreon, run now!" Leona screamed for him.
Meanwhile, as everyone watched as Alaric had called for Oreon's execution, Alice began to struggle against the guard who was restraining her. "Hey, kid, stop that, stop moving around." The guard struggled as he tried to keep his grip on her.
"No, let me go!" Alice struggled against him. "I said, let me go!" Leaning forward, she swiftly drove her head back, the impact of the headbutt causing him to release his grip on her.
Wrenching free from her captor's grasp, she lashed out with a fiery blast from her palm; searing heat engulfed the soldier, turning him to ash before the horrified onlookers.
"Al…Alice." Leona watched, horrified, as Alice's hand shot out, a searing fireball erupted, and incinerated the soldier before he could reach Oreon, leaving only a pile of ash.
Alaric stood stunned at the scene before him, before he gritted his teeth. "Elven magic." A low growl rumbled in his chest as Alice, eyes blazing with protective fury, ran towards her little brother, her body already shimmering with nascent fire magic. "Kill them!" he ordered. "They all side with the Elves, purify their souls in the Order's name!" With a sharp cry, Alaric pointed towards them, the smell of Alice's burning magic filling the air as her hands ignited.
"You won't come near them!" Leona's war cry echoed through the battlefield as she charged, a blur of motion as she slashed with furious abandon, soldiers falling before her onslaught as she charged towards Alaric. The air filled with the clash of steel and the screams of dying men.
"You damn wretch!" Alaric's blade met Leona's, a clang echoing through the clearing as he strained against her force, their eyes locked, her brown eyes blazing a fierce gold. "You sympathizers always resist!" Alaric lunged, trying to push her off balance, the clang of steel echoing as Leona deftly parried his blow with a swift movement of her blade.
Leona remained silent, the swift whistle of her sword slicing through the air as it tore across Alaric's chest. His scream echoed, a sharp counterpoint to the thud of her boot connecting with his chest, sending him crashing into the cold, gray brick wall.
Meanwhile, Alice guarded Oreon, her wrist flicking as fire erupted from the ground in a dazzling display, her eyes flashing gold as she watched the charging soldiers ignite. "I'm going to make you pay." The air crackled with the intensity of her fire magic; her gold eyes hard and unforgiving, as she gritted her teeth and continued her relentless attack with another flick of her wrist. "I'm going to make every one of you pay!" Her scream echoed through the air, mixing with the haunting sounds of soldiers being subdued.
As Alice continued her assault, her little brother watched. His face was a mask of horror and fascination as his sister, a whirlwind of fire and fury, incinerated any soldier who dared approach.
The soldiers charged from behind, a cacophony of metallic shrieks accompanying their advance. One grabbed Oreon's shirt, only to be met with Alice's powerful fist, his body hitting the ground with a heavy thud. With practiced ease, she scooped Oreon into her arms, her body moving at an unnatural speed as she dodged the flashing blades.
With her little brother clutched to her chest, she narrowly avoided the soldier's downward swing, countering with a blazing backflip kick that sent him soaring into the air. Sidestepping another attack with unnatural grace, she flicked her wrist, the air shimmering with heat, before the soldier burst into golden flames, her eyes unwavering. The next soldier lunged at her and her brother; she tossed her brother into the air, narrowly avoiding the soldier's sweeping blow. She spun, disarmed him, and sliced him in two with his blade, catching her brother before he hit the ground.
"Hey, you, ok?" She smiled as she held him. Oreon could only nod, his jaw slack with shock as he watched his sister fiercely defend him, her movements a blur of motion. "Just hang tight, there's only a few more to go." Alice told him as she sat him down. "Your big sister is going to protect you ok, no matter what?" She smiled at him. Her glowing gold eyes, now softer and less intense.
Oreon slowly nodded his head. "Good, now you go hide and let me and Mom handle this." She gently rubbed her little brother's head, the soft strands of his hair a familiar comfort, as she stood and watched him disappear into the concealing green of the bushes, a smile playing on her lips. "Good enough." As she scraped her foot across the earth, a trail of fire blazed where it passed, born from her spell.
"No one will get close to you." She turned her head back towards the soldiers who made their way towards her. "Not while I'm still alive." Her golden eyes, cold and hard, returned to their heartless expression as she walked towards them, flames beginning to form in her open palm.
On the other side of the battlefield, Leona and Alaric clashed with one another. He tried to block one of her attacks, but her golden eyes, like burning coals, glared at him as her powerful swipe sent him skidding backward across the rough stone, the impact jarring his bones.
Alaric breathed heavily as he looked up at Leona, who slowly made her way towards him, her blade ready. "You're a damn monster," Alaric stated, his breath ragged, as he pushed himself up from the ground. "There's no way you should have power like this, challenging the Order with your blasphemous existence."
"It's the Order's existence that is blasphemous." Leona pointed her blade at Alaric. "You walked with your soldiers to an Elven civilization and eradicated them under the pretenses of purification." She growled at him. "And you tried to deliver the same judgement to my children, and you say you aren't a monster."
"Everything I do is for the betterment of this world," Alaric responded.
"How is purifying my children bettering the world?" Leona questioned. "All you did, Alaric, was give me more reason to believe the Order shouldn't exist."
Alaric continued to glare at her. "You're just as Naïve as the day that I met you."
"Enlighten me." Leona's words were clipped, sharp as the sword still extended before her, its point aimed at him.
"Why bother wasting my breath?" Alaric started swinging his sword as he slapped Leona's weapon out of the way. "When your answer will always be the same!" He charged, eyes blazing with a furious red glow, catching Leona off guard. The clang of steel echoed as their swords met, sending Leona reeling back into a series of stone walls.
"Mom!" Alice screamed as she saw her mom emerge from the rubble, as Alaric slowly made his way towards them.
"This little game of ours has gone on long enough," Alaric stated, looking at the two women in front of him. "The purification of the Elves will begin, and those who encounter them will be purified as well, but you…" He pointed his blade. "Will be purified for a different reason." He finished, a sharp snap of his fingers echoing through the air, and a larger army of soldiers materialized behind them.
'What the…What the hell is this?" Alice spoke, her golden eyes showing fear as she watched the soldiers stand behind Alaric. "How is there this many of them?" She questioned.
Leona quickly stood by her daughter, blade ready, as she watched on as well. "Alaric, what sorcery is this? You couldn't have summoned this army alone."
"Think of it as a gift from the Order," Alaric remarked as he calmly swiped his sword left, aiming towards the hiding spot Oreon was in.
"NO!" Alice screamed. "Oreon!"
A massive wave of corrupt magic clashed with the magic fire wall that Alice created to protect Oreon as they battled, shattering it completely.
Alaric looked over at the bushes that Oreon was hiding in, before slowly turning his head back towards to the two women. "Bring him to me." He said simply, the rhythmic thud of boots on earth a steady counterpoint to the soldiers' almost mechanical march toward the bushes.
"No! I won't let you!" Alice charged forward, attacking the large group.
"Alice wait!" Leona reached out but quickly was forced to defend herself as Alaric appeared in front of her and swung his blade downward, causing Leona to block his attack, the sheer pain from the task causing her arms to shake. "What kind of…Power is this." She gritted her teeth.
While that was happening. Alice charged towards the bushes, the leaves brushing against her as she reached Oreon's hiding spot, where she stood ready to defend him. Flames shot out towards the Holy Order soldiers with a flick of her wrist, but the intensity felt diminished, the crackle and roar noticeably muted. Surrounded by a swirling red aura, matching the one Alaric possessed, they walked through her flames, unharmed.
"What the hell is happening here!" Alice exclaimed as she kept trying to burn her opposition to ground, but with no such luck.
As she tried to fight them off, the soldiers closed in, their heavy boots thudding on the ground, their faces grim. She kicked and punched, a flurry of desperate blows, but the blades still found their mark, slicing through her defenses. Despite her weakening body, her fierce will kept her fighting, the clash of steel ringing in his ears as he hid among the bushes, heartbroken as he saw his sister's strength wane until she kneeled before the opening, the ground stained with blood.
"Alice…." He whimpered as she caught his gaze with her own.
"Hey kiddo," Alice said, a sad smile on her face as her golden eyes slowly began to fade back into their natural color. "You know you can't stay there forever; get away from here, ok?" She barely managed to speak.
"But…But are you going to come with me?" Oreon choked, seeing blood trickle down her cheek. "You and Mom have to come with me. I can't go alone." He was about to step out of the bushes when a sword plunged into Alice's back, making Oreon's eyes bulge with terror and a deafening scream escaping his lips.
"ALICE!" Oreon shot out of the bushes, running up to the first soldier he saw as he tried to attack him with his small hands, but was kicked to the ground with little effort.
"Oreon…." The Color in Alice's eyes began to fade away. "You have…" Another sword pierced her. "To…. Run." Gasping, she managed to get her last word out as the third sword pierced through her back, sending her sprawling to the ground, the impact muffled by the soft earth.
"ALICE!" Oreon screamed. He crawled toward his sister, calling out "ALICE!", his voice choked with sobs as he watched her blood seep into the earth, soaking his clothes and hands.
"No!' Leona pushed Alaric away from her. "Alice!" She saw her daughter's lifeless body lying in front of her crying son. "No…Oreon run!" A scream ripped from Leona's lips, abruptly silenced as Alaric's sword found its mark. The sickening crunch of steel meeting flesh echoed as Leona, raised high on the sword, dropped her weapon with a clatter. Oreon's eyes, wide with disbelief, found Alaric, his sword dripping with blood, Leona's lifeless body impaled upon it.
-End of Flashback-