Morning came softly, but something in the air felt different. Even the birds seemed quieter, like the forest was holding its breath.
Orion and Liora walked toward the village they had seen in the distance. They hoped to rest, eat, and maybe learn more about this world. But the path was too silent.
Orion stopped suddenly."Do you feel that?" he asked.
Liora nodded. "Yes… like someone is watching us."
Her hand moved to her weapon. Orion didn't reach for his—he just listened. He had learned that danger often arrives quietly, like a shadow before a storm.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, a small child ran out from the bushes and grabbed Orion's arm. "Please! H-help my mother!"
Her eyes were full of fear. She pointed toward the village. Dark smoke rose from it.
Orion didn't think twice. "Take us to her."
They ran. When they reached the village entrance, they saw broken carts, damaged doors, and frightened people hiding in their homes.
Something bad had happened.
Orion turned to the little girl. "Where is your mother?"
She pointed to a collapsed house. He rushed, lifting heavy wood and stone with shaking arms, desperate to reach whoever was stuck inside.
The girl's mother lay beneath the rubble—hurt, but alive.
Liora checked her breathing and whispered, "She will survive… but we must stop whoever did this, or they will return."
The girl looked up at Orion, crying."Please… don't let them take more people."
Orion knelt down and wiped her tears gently."I promise. No one will take anything from this village again."
His voice was steady, powerful — not because he wasn't afraid, but because he refused to let fear win.
Inside him, a spark lit again:
Strength is not only for battles. Strength is for protecting those who have no one else.
He stood up and looked toward the forest. Somewhere out there, the attackers were hiding. And he was going to find them.
Liora stepped beside him."You know this won't be easy."
Orion nodded. "I don't need easy. I just need a reason. And now… I have one."
Together, they headed toward danger — not with pride, not with anger, but with purpose.
Because sometimes,
a promise can become stronger than fear.