###y's POV:
A sudden explosion erupts from the forest, accompanied by a foul, burning smell. The nervous soldiers panic as they turn their attention back to the forest. The water hero, also panicking, turns his face back to the forest in shock. Following his gaze, I watch in astonishment as the ground turns crimson red as the nearby trees and plants burn from the roots up. The sight is so sinister it takes my breath away.
- What the hell…?
The water hero lets out a stupefied voice as we watch the trees burn from the bottom up. Animals desperately trying to escape the burning trees throw themselves to the ground to save themselves from the flames. Some of them fall to the crimson ground where they are horribly burned to death. Instinctively, I look away as the horrible wails of the animals echo in the silent air until they are consumed by the flames. - ….. A witch!
The previously silent group of soldiers utters their first word. Soon, the other soldiers panic as they look at me.
- This is all the flame witch's fault!
- She's come to finish us off!
- Let's finish her off before we end up like those animals!
A chill runs down my spine as I notice the soldiers' stares. A clear thirst for blood can be felt in the air as they carefully point their weapons at me. Terror grips me as the soldiers slowly close the gap between us.
- You're wrong! I have nothing to do with it.
I try to speak to them, but they're no longer listening. Their almost blank stares terrify me as some in the back begin to ready their bows. While I was thinking about how I could calm them down, I catch a flash of blue from the corner of my eye. Instinctively, I quickly back away only to see an oddly shaped blue sword strike the spot where my neck would be. Terror fills me as I instinctively hold my neck, where I feel a bit of liquid oozing out.
- …Huh?
Stunned, I look to where the water hero is. He clicks his tongue as he points his blue sword at me, putting himself on guard.
- Listen, the witch before us won't be an easy opponent! Those with bows should support me from the rear! Everyone else should protect them!
- Yes, sir!
Before I could say anything, a volley of arrows rains down on me. In a panic, I spread a wall of fire in front of me. The arrows that come into contact with the shield quickly melt, falling harmlessly in front of me like pieces of burning iron. I sigh in relief before seeing the blue flash again.
- !
I quickly raise another wall of fire that makes contact with the blue sword. A sudden burst of white smoke spreads from the place where my shield and the blue sword met. The sudden pressure knocks me to the ground where I scrape my burn wounds. A stabbing pain hits me as I hold back the urge to cry. The sudden turn of events fills me with indescribable terror. Still with tears in my eyes, I try to get up and flee. Before I can do so, the white smoke surrounding me traps my limbs. The previously dispersed white smoke condenses around me, clearing the area once again where the water hero is pointing a blue sword at me.
- It was a foolish mistake to create all that water vapor around me. Even though they call me the "water hero," I can control water in all its forms, including steam.
His cold gaze strikes me as he spits out those words with contempt. I involuntarily begin to tremble as I desperately try to move my imprisoned limbs. My efforts quickly prove futile. With a cold stare, the water hero approaches me, his sword pointed at my heart. Despite my efforts, I can't move.
- N-no… I-… I…
Tears soon flood my face as I try to explain the situation. My sobs prevent me from communicating anything. Without another word, he throws himself at me. The fear of dying immobilizes me, while my grief at not being able to fulfill the task Erick entrusted to me prevents me from stopping crying.
- Erick…