*Chapter 2: The Unwavering Love of Family*
The sun shone brightly in the small village of Brindlemark, casting a warm glow over the thatched roofs and the bustling town square. Leo's parents, Arin and Lirien, were busy preparing for the evening's festivities. Arin, with her bright smile and infectious laughter, was setting up a stall to sell her famous homemade pastries. Lirien, with his warm, gentle eyes, was practicing his elemental control, summoning small gusts of wind to blow away the leaves.
As they worked, they chatted excitedly about their son, Leo. "I'm so proud of him," Arin said, her eyes shining with love. "He's such a kind and gentle soul." Lirien nodded in agreement. "And he's got a good heart. He'll find his place in this world, don't worry."
Their conversation was interrupted by Leo's arrival at home from school. He trudged through the door, his eyes cast down at the ground, looking defeated. Arin and Lirien exchanged a concerned glance, knowing that Leo had been having a tough day at school.
"Hey, kiddo!" Arin said, enveloping Leo in a warm hug. "How was your day?" Leo sighed, feeling a mix of emotions. "It was the usual," he said, shrugging. "Marcus and his gang were bothering me again."
Lirien's expression turned sympathetic. "I'm sorry, Leo. We know it's not easy being different. But we're here for you, and we love you no matter what." Arin nodded in agreement. "You're not alone, Leo. We'll always be here to support you."
Despite their love and support, Leo couldn't shake off the feeling of being an outcast. He knew that the bullies would be back, and next time, they might not be so easy to shake.
As Leo walked to school the next day, he was met with the usual taunts and teases from Marcus and his gang. "Hey, look at the weakling!" Marcus shouted, summoning a small flame on his fingertip. "Still hasn't awakened, has he?"
Leo tried to ignore them, but it was hard to escape the feeling of shame and anger that burned within him. When he came back from school, he was met with even more bullying from the villagers. They jeered at him, calling him a failure and a weakling.
Feeling overwhelmed, Leo decided to take a walk in the woods to clear his head. As he walked, he stumbled upon a sight that made his blood run cold. The village was burning, and demons were attacking the villagers.
Leo's heart sank as he rushed back to his home. When he arrived, he saw his parents lying on the ground, their bodies lifeless. A demon stood over them, its eyes gleaming with malice.
The demon raised its hand, ready to strike Leo down. But just as it was about to attack, a voice echoed in its mind. "Recall, demon. You have been assigned a mission of utmost importance. Leave immediately."
The demon hesitated, then turned and fled, leaving Leo alone with his parents' bodies. Leo's world shattered as he gazed upon his parents' lifeless bodies. He felt a deep sense of loss and grief, and his anger and sadness boiled over.
In that moment, something within him awakened. A surge of power coursed through his veins, and he felt his elemental affinity stir. Leo's eyes blazed with a fierce resolve as he stood up, determined to make the demons pay for what they had done.
With a newfound determination, Leo took his first step towards a journey of vengeance and self-discovery. The flames of anger and sadness burned brightly within him, and he knew that nothing would ever be the same again.