I woke up early that morning to the sound of roosters crowing and the soft glow of dawn filtering through my window. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and got dressed quickly, eager to begin my day. My parents had tasked me with running some errands in the village market, and I was determined to do a good job. I grabbed my woven basket and set off down the winding dirt path that led to the village.

As I walked, I noticed the morning dew clinging to blades of grass and the sweet scent of wildflowers in the air. It was a beautiful day, and I felt a sense of excitement growing inside me. When I arrived at the market, I saw the familiar sight of colorful tents and booths lining the cobblestone streets. I took a deep breath and made my way through the throngs of people, trying to keep my basket from bumping into anyone.

As I walked, I saw some of the other kids my age showing off their powers. There was Fendrel, using his Pyromancy to light candles and juggle flames. Elara was sitting behind a small table, offering Harmony readings for a few coins. Nethan was lurking around, shifting into different animals and startling passersby. I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy as I watched them. I wished I had something to show off, some magical power that would make me stand out in the crowd. But all I had was my basket of goods and a sense of determination to do my best.

I made my way through the market, purchasing the items my parents had asked for and picking up a few extra treats for myself. As I walked, I tried not to pay too much attention to the other kids and their flashy displays of magic. But just as I was about to leave, Fendrel and his friends appeared out of nowhere, blocking my path.

I felt a knot form in my stomach as they began to taunt and tease me, using their powers to intimidate me and make me feel small. I tried to push past them, but they wouldn't let me go. My heart was racing with fear as they surrounded me, their powers crackling with energy and malice. Fendrel laughed as little sparks struck me, burning my skin and scorching my clothes.

A sudden wave of disorientation washed over me. It was as if the ground beneath my feet had shifted, and my whole body was thrown off balance. I stumbled and nearly fell, feeling completely unsteady and unsure of myself. It was Elara, I realized. She was using her Harmony Magic to disrupt my sense of balance and stability, to make me feel uneasy and unsettled. The sound she was creating was discordant and jarring, sending shivers down my spine and making it difficult to concentrate.

I tried to steady myself, to fight off the effects of Elara's magic, but it was no use. I felt like I was walking on a tightrope, ready to fall at any moment. It was a frightening sensation, and I could feel my heart racing as I struggled to maintain my composure. I knew I was no match for them, being powerless, but I refused to show any weakness.

Just when I thought it was all over, a miracle happened. The bullies suddenly backed away, their eyes wide with fear. It was as if they had seen something that had scared them off, but I couldn't quite tell what it was. As the three bullies turned and fled the marketplace in a hurry, I watched in confusion, trying to figure out what had just happened. Had they seen a ghost? A monster? I was at a loss.

My heart lifted as I heard Lirien's voice. She had always been my protector and confidante, and I knew I could trust her to have my back.

I turned around to see her standing there, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Hello, little brother," she said, reaching out to ruffle my hair.

I couldn't help but grin at her. "Hey, Lirien," I said, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I didn't know you were here."

"I came to see if you needed any help with your errands," she replied, glancing down at my basket. "Looks like you did just fine on your own, though."

I shrugged, feeling a bit sheepish. "Yeah, I guess so. But thanks for coming, Lirien. Those kids were really giving me a hard time."

"I know," she said, her smile fading slightly. "But you don't have to worry about them. They're just bullies, and they'll move on to someone else soon enough."

I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards my sister. She always knew just what to say to make me feel better. "Thanks, Lirien. I really appreciate it."

She gave me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "Anytime, little brother. That's what big sisters are for."

Together, we walked back to our family's home, chatting and laughing along the way. As we entered the front door, I couldn't help but feel grateful for my sister's presence in my life. With her by my side, I knew I could handle anything that came my way.

With my errands complete, I made my way to the village church, a small building with a thatched roof and wooden benches. As I took my seat, I listened to the gentle murmur of the congregation around me, feeling a sense of calm wash over me.

But as the sermon began, I realized it was anything but gentle. The priest spoke with a passion and intensity I had never heard before, his voice booming through the church as he talked about the importance of finding one's place in life.

I felt a pang of guilt as I listened. Hadn't I been complaining about my lack of magical powers earlier that day? Wasn't I feeling sorry for myself because I didn't have anything to show off like the other kids in the village?

But as the priest continued to speak, I began to see things in a different light. He talked about how everyone had a role to play in the world, how even the smallest and seemingly most insignificant person could make a difference.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

I felt a sense of hope and purpose growing inside me as I listened. Maybe I didn't have magical powers like Fendrel or Elara, but I had other skills and abilities that were just as important.

As the service ended and I made my way out of the church, I felt a renewed sense of confidence and purpose. I was determined to find my place in the world, to make a difference in my own way.

After the sermon, I left the church feeling thoughtful. The words of the preacher lingered in my mind as I made my way to the edge of the village, where my sister Lirien was waiting for me.

Together, we ventured into the woods to collect mushrooms for soup. As we walked, Lirien pointed out the different plants and animals around us, teaching me about their uses and properties.

We soon came across a small clearing where the ground was covered in a thick layer of leaves and moss. As we searched for mushrooms, Lirien suddenly stopped and bent down to examine something on the ground.

"What is it?" I asked, curious.

Lirien brushed away some leaves to reveal a small patch of earth that was glowing slightly. She dug deeper with her hands and pulled out a small, hardened mineral-like substance that was shimmering with an iridescent glow.

"Ironwood sap," Lirien said with a smile, "It's used by alchemists for the transmutation of wooden objects to iron. It's worth decent coin."

I couldn't believe our luck. We had stumbled upon something that could fetch a decent price in the village market. We quickly made our way back to the village, eager to sell our newfound treasure.

I walked through the dense forest with my sister Lirien, my woven basket of mushrooms heavy in my arms. The rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds was the only sound that broke the serene silence. We were deep in the heart of the forest, far away from the village and any other signs of civilization.

As we continued on our journey, I noticed that the trees were getting thicker and the underbrush was growing denser. The shadows deepened and the air grew cooler. I felt a sense of unease creeping over me, like we were being watched.

Lirien must have noticed the change in the atmosphere too, because she put a hand on my shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile. I tried to shake off the feeling of unease and focus on getting back to town with our lucre.

We continued walking until we came to a small clearing. The ground was covered in a thick layer of moss and the sun shone through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. It was a peaceful, serene spot, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me.

But that relief was short-lived. Suddenly, we heard a rustling in the nearby bushes. My heart began to race as I instinctively knew that something was wrong. I looked over to Lirien and saw the fear in her eyes.

Before we could react, a massive creature leaped out of the underbrush, landing heavily on the ground in front of us.

The creature was massive, easily towering over me at nearly nine feet tall. Its body was covered in sleek, jet-black fur that seemed to absorb the light around it, making it difficult to see its exact form. Its head was crowned with a wreath of long, razor-sharp horns that glinted menacingly in the dim light of the woods. Its eyes were deep-set and gleaming, filled with a primal intelligence that made my blood run cold. The creature moved with a fluid grace, its long limbs propelling it forward with terrifying speed.

It was unlike anything I had ever seen before, and I felt my blood run cold. 

But then, Lirien sprang into action. She began weaving illusions, creating bright flashes of light and strange noises to distract the creature. It worked for a moment, but then the creature caught sight of us again and began to charge.

I could see the fear in Lirien's eyes as she continued to create illusions, desperately trying to keep the creature at bay. And then, it hit me: my place was to protect her. I couldn't let her face this thing alone.

"Run!" I shouted to Lirien, even as I stepped forward to face the creature. "I'll lead it away, you go!"

Lirien hesitated for a moment, clearly torn between staying to fight and trusting me to protect her. But then, she nodded and turned to flee, her illusions continuing to flicker and shimmer behind her.

I led the creature deep into the woods, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to stay one step ahead of it. I could feel my muscles straining with the effort of running, and my breath came in ragged gasps.

But I didn't give up. I kept running, even as the creature closed in on me. And then, just when I thought it was all over, I saw a glimmer of light up ahead. It was Lirien, waiting for me with a bright ball of flame in her hand.

With renewed hope, I ran towards her, feeling the heat of the creature's breath on my heels. But Lirien was ready. She threw the ball of flame at the creature, hitting it squarely in the chest and sending it reeling backwards.

We both collapsed to the ground, panting and gasping for breath. It was over. We had survived.

I looked over at Lirien, a sense of pride and gratitude swelling in my chest. I knew that my place was to protect her, and I had done just that. 

I looked down at my body and saw a deep gash running along the length of it. My shirt was shredded and blood was oozing out of the wound, staining my pants and the ground beneath me.

I felt a sudden wave of nausea wash over me, and I closed my eyes, willing the feeling to pass. I had never been good with the sight of blood, and the realization that I was injured was almost too much to bear.

Lirien looked at me with concern, her eyes scanning my face for any signs of distress. "Thalos, we need to get you back to the village so we can get you some help."

I nodded weakly, trying to summon the strength to stand up. But my body felt heavy and sluggish, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to walk far.

Lirien looked around and spotted a fallen log nearby. "Here, lean on me," she said, helping me to my feet and guiding me over to the log. "We can rest here for a bit and then I'll help you back to the village."

I leaned back against the log, feeling the rough bark against my skin. Lirien sat down beside me, her arm around my shoulders, and I felt a sense of comfort and safety in her presence.

As we sat there, waiting for my strength to return, I couldn't help but think about what had just happened. I had always thought that my place in life was to protect Lirien, to keep her safe from harm. But now, lying wounded and helpless against a log in the forest, I realized that it was she who had protected me, who had saved my life.

It was a humbling realization, and one that I wasn't sure I was ready to accept. But as I looked up at my sister, her eyes filled with concern and love, I knew that I would do whatever it took to protect her, no matter the cost.