The villagers had never seen something like this. What was once just a tale that children told as jokes, was now a reality. Horrid creatures with a black rot dripping from their maws as they set their sights on the poor innocents. Anything to spread the Atrophy until nothing was left. 

I gritted my teeth and took off the makeshift sling. My bow and quiver were back at the inn with Flops. I didn’t have my flute either. It looked like I would have to try using my magic and magic alone. I focused on the buzzing in my veins. I pushed the energy forward and into the palm of my hand. A small purple ball began to form.

Stolas was trying to push back two cervidae. His wings flapped hard, his staff twirling and hitting the Atrophied creatures. He seemed to have had that handled. My eyes went over to two guards trying to protect a little girl. A cervidae reared up on its hind legs. There. With a shout, I threw the ball at the Atrophied. It hit it straight in its side. Purple strips of magic made it quiver, losing control for a moment. 

“Move back!” I shouted. “Don’t get near it!”

One of the guards scooped up the little girl. “Thank you!”

A swell of satisfaction rose up within me. I was being helpful. I ignored the dull pain in my shoulder and made another concentrated ball of magic. I’ve never used my magic like this before. I could immediately tell it was much harder to do than my other magic. I locked eyes on another cervidae and threw the ball of magic as hard as I could. As soon as it left my fingertips, I hunched over. My breathing was heavy. It was like I’ve been sparring with Stolas for three hours. And I only threw two balls so far.

I heard a small poof before a hand was placed on my back. Warmth spread throughout my body. “You promised not to fight, Cahira.”

”Does throwing balls of magic count?” My body relaxed as the pain in my shoulder slowly waned. “I was just helping.”

”And I thank you for that.” Alder moved up next to me. His eyes were dark as he surveyed the chaos.

”What happened to that man?”

Alder just shook his head. Vines slowly started to sprout from his hands. “I need you to get everyone to the temple. Make sure no one touches the Atrophy.”

”I don’t think I can do any more magic for today anyway.”

“Go. Be careful.”

”You too.”

I knew not to argue with Alder on this. I was feeling exhausted, but I scrounged up what little energy I had to run towards anyone who was still running around panicked. I turned to look behind me. Alder was already helping Stolas. He was using his vines as whips, sharp cracks echoing above the screams. It was a good thing we stopped here when we did. Otherwise, the whole village would’ve been destroyed.

The villagers were in a panic. The ones that had run out of the temple were now running about aimlessly, trying to avoid the fighting. I shouted as loud as I could and told everyone to head for the temple. Only several listened to me. I resorted to forcefully grabbing and shoving people in the right direction. That seemed to work. 

“Do not touch the black goop!” I grabbed a woman’s hand. “Go to the temple immediately!”

”Let me go!” She tried struggling against me.

I frowned and dragged her towards the temple. “Go! You’ll be safe there!”

”But-!”

”The Fairy King is working hard to keep the monsters back! I’m trying to keep you safe!”

I turned her around to show her what a great job Stolas and Alder were doing. But instead, we saw a Divine Sister with crimson red hair running towards the Atrophied, dragging a claymore behind her. The two of us stared in disbelief. It was her. The one from earlier. She had a grin on her face as if this was the most fun she had in a while.

”Uhm… the Divine Sister is there too…” I let go of the lady’s hand. “Are they supposed to have weapons?”

She shrugged before backing away. “I think I’ll go to the temple now.”

I shook my head and tried to focus. It was hard when the Divine Sister was swinging a claymore almost twice her size and laughing maniacally. As I rounded up the rest of the villagers, I kept turning my head to watch her fight. Claymore users almost never moved that quickly. 

It was like she was dancing.

After I made sure everyone was okay, I asked the guards to stand in front of the temple. I turned and prepared myself to join in on the fighting. I was exhausted from all the running, magic, and Alder’s moment of healing. Yet, I found myself wanting to do more. Until I watched the battle more closely.

Stolas and Alder were holding their own, like normal. The Divine Sister, however, was doing more than assisting. She was working in tandem with their attacks. Alder used his whip to stun one of the cervidae. Stolas then made a gust of wind with his wings to knock it back. The Divine Sister then jumped up in the air and let out a yell, swinging down and cutting through the Atrophy smoothly.

”Damn, Sister.” I breathed in disbelief.

I couldn’t even find it in myself to go fight with them. Not only would I distract Alder, but I would be too slow. Too weak. They were fighting just fine without me. A perfect team. I turned and ran towards the tavern and inn. The Atrophied cervidae were quickly dwindling. As the chaos faded, nervousness replaced it. The same feeling I got in the temple started to return. I squeezed my hands into fists, ignoring the pain. I wish I could’ve done better.

”Flops!”

I bursted into our rented room. Flops was sitting at the edge of the bed, staring at the door. As soon as she saw me, she started hopping awkwardly in circles. I grabbed my quiver and attached it to my belt. I slung my bow on my back and looked down at my rabbit. She thumped her tiny little paws angrily. I sighed.

”I know, I know. I’m sorry for leaving you here.”

She thumped her feet again. 

There was a loud crash outside. I pointed behind me. “People need us. Some are injured. Do you want to help?”

She nodded her head and dragged her tiny backpack over. I attached it on her back before picking her up and heading outside. I would try my hardest to help. Even if they don’t need me. I was taught my skills for a reason. Not to just stand around and do nothing. So what if the Divine Sister fought better than me? That didn’t mean-

“Holy shit!”

My feet pounded against the ground as I ran forward. Every single cervidae was beheaded and dead. Stolas was using his magic to round up the Atrophied goop. Alder turned around, spotting me and letting out a relieved sigh. The battle was over. I didn’t need to help. I stopped running. My eyes weren’t on Alder who was walking towards me. They were on the person who was smiling and laughing among the corpses.

The Divine Sister.