A march to save our homeland

Fire and fury. The earth shook, the ground split open; a great black cloud rose from it like smoke into the sky; lightning flashed all around them as the tempest broke loose. Thunder rolled in their ears; the wind roared through the forest like an angry beast. A hundred feet away, one of the horses reared up with its forelegs caught beneath the body of another horse that had broken free of the herd and been crushed to death by falling trees. It screamed horribly, pawing at the air for some moments before collapsing dead on top of its victim. All around her, men were shouting orders or screaming in terror. She was not sure which she preferred.

"Hold!" shouted someone near her. "The storm is here! Stand fast." He sounded oddly calm, almost bored even, and yet there was no doubt he meant what he said: they could see the lightning now, illuminating everything within fifty yards or so as if day had turned suddenly night-dark. They stood where they were, sheltering between two huge trunks while the rain fell upon them like water poured from above. None of them spoke again until after half an hour when the light began to fade once more, the thunder gradually dying off. Slowly, the clouds drifted apart and the sun's rays returned to bathe them all in warmth.

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Then Jelan stepped out onto the muddy clearing. Her armor glistened wetly under the bright sunlight. Raindrops still clung to her hair and shoulders but otherwise, she looked perfectly dry. Even her sword seemed clean—not a drop marred the blade. And yet somehow, despite herself, Aliera felt afraid. Something about this woman... something evil.

Jelan stopped ten paces away, looking first toward the east and then west, studying each face carefully. As she did so, she smiled grimly, revealing perfect teeth. Then she raised her voice and called out, "All right you lot! I want those who are fit standing. The rest will have to fend for themselves. If any man wishes to leave, let him do so now. No hard feelings!"

There was silence for a moment, then several people started forward tentatively.

"Don't be fools," snapped Jelan.

"You'll get your share of glory anyway, so why bother? Get moving, laggards!"

Aliera found herself shivering slightly, though the temperature hadn't changed much since the storm arrived. When she glanced over at Dharinel, however, she saw that his eyes were wide and staring. His mouth hung open. This wasn't just fear, then; this was pure terror. Whatever it was that made Jelan seem evil to others must also make her look evil to demons, too.

And yet, how many times has that thought crossed my mind? How often have I wondered whether we're really seeing things clearly? She knew better than most just what kind of power lay behind that smile. Still, it was difficult not to wonder. At least the demon was human enough to show real emotion occasionally. That might mean that whatever it was inside Jelan, it wasn't quite as powerful as it appeared. Or maybe it didn't matter. Either way, it would be dangerous to underestimate her. After all, Aliera thought, I'm probably going to end up fighting her sometime soon. Maybe today.

A few minutes later, Jelan walked back across the clearing to stand directly opposite Aliera, only twenty feet away. There was nothing particularly remarkable about her appearance anymore; the effect had worn off. But still, something about her presence remained unsettling. Perhaps because she had gone from being merely formidable to downright terrifying.

What Aliera didn't understand was that Jelan is afraid of the storm as much as everyone else. She had only learned to put on a brave face and shield after she lost her family in the disaster. Since then she had sworn to protect the rest of the city from the terror that had befallen them. Every time she heard thunder, every flash of lightning, she remembered the horror of that day. So when she sees the signs of the approaching storm, she reacts instinctively. Like a child playing in a dark room, terrified of monsters lurking in closets, she hides among the furniture.

They had all woken up to the fire and brimstone, enacted by an unknown being. A being whose only aim was to find a new abode to live. Jelan's city had been unfortunate enough to be chosen without their permission. The whole city had tasked the strongest among them with saving them.

At this point, Jelan has to divide the squad into two, and they needed a leader for the second team. There was no other person more qualified than Aliera. But she had to prove she was worthy of being entrusted with the lives of the team. For this reason, they have to face each other in combat.

I suppose fighting you makes sense. Yet it doesn't change anything. We're still facing a monster.

"So," she said quietly, without taking her eyes from Jelan. "It seems that we've both come to fight."

"Yes," said Jelan simply. "We have."

They stared at each other for a long minute. Finally, Jelan nodded slowly.

"Very well. Let us begin."

Without warning, she lunged straight at Aliera. She barely managed to bring her sword up in time to block the attack. Sparks flew as steel met steel. For a second or two neither moved, except that Jelan's weapon shifted ever so slightly, seeking the opening that Aliera had used against her last opponent.

But Aliera was ready for such tricks. She waited until Jelan thrust, then sidestepped quickly, bringing the tip of her blade to bear on Jelan's chest. The move was risky, given the strength of Jelan's blow, but it worked. Jelan staggered backward, startled by the suddenness of the maneuver.

That gave Aliera the opportunity she needed. She pressed forward, forcing Jelan to retreat again. Then, when Jelan tried another feint, she countered with a series of quick cuts, working closer and closer to Jelan's side. Within seconds, the two were close enough for swordsmanship rather than brute force to decide the battle.
For perhaps five full breaths, Jelan fought stubbornly. Each clash of blades rang through the forest like thunder, and sparks flew everywhere.

Jelan parried and riposted, trying to keep her distance while Aliera advanced, always keeping her guard high, never allowing Jelan to gain an advantage in reach. All along, Jelan seemed to hold something back, as if she sensed an invisible barrier around her opponent which prevented her from attacking.

Then, abruptly, Jelan brought her sword down in a vicious slash aimed at Aliera's head. The girl ducked under the blow, letting the momentum carry her past Jelan. She spun around, slashing Jelan across the leg, then raking Jelan's thigh. A small cut opened in Jelan's leather breeches.

With the amount of strength, vigor, and stamina that Aliera showed, Jelan was convinced she can lead the team. Upon this realization, she dust-up, grab her hand, and lifted it in the air. The crowd cheered, Aliera smiled, heaving a sigh of relief.

At this point, the team was divided, and each one move farther into the thick forest to find the monster who had wreaked havoc in the place they once called home. In hopes, they will conquer him, and bring peace and tranquility to the city.