T/W: Threats of Sexual Assault. Graphic Violence.

I awoke to the sound of footsteps nearby. Perplexed, I opened my eyes. I had fallen asleep on the tree and completely lost track of time. I had dreamt about being back home, and a single tear had fallen from my eyes. I went to change my bandages, when I noticed my wounds had completely healed. That's crazy.

The footsteps became more apparent and I became more nervous. My energy had been completely restored, so I wasn't worried about being in any danger. I kept my eyes and ears focused however. I did not want to be in any danger.

Bzz Bzz I felt a vibration in my pocket, as if my phone was ringing. However I didn't have my phone with me here. I checked my pocket and pulled out my hero card. It immediately lit up so I could see it and the words changed so the only thing on the card read, "You have reached Rank 2." I smiled and looked through the card more, wondering about what I achieved.

Name: Annabella Grace Cavar

Rank: 2

Age: 18

Class: Tempest

Race: Human

Magic: F

Combat: D

Evasion: E

My stats had gone down, however my rank had gone up. I recalled what Zach had said about my different stats all requiring S rank in order to level up. I had also noticed that I had gained marks on the top corner of my stats card. I pressed on my spells button and a second one appeared on the list below Frostbolt. I pushed the spell called "Ice Shield" and read its description.

"Summons a barrier to protect the user from magical damage. Will not defend against any physical attacks. Will not cause any damage. Shout the spell name to activate it. Chanted Spell."

I smiled brightly as I had obtained a new spell and I really wanted to use it. I dropped down from the tree and landed in the grass. I searched around for slimes in the clearing before I made my way back into the forest. Staring at my adventurer card I used the light it produced to help me see as I followed the path back towards the city. I pressed on the frostbolt spell and read its description as well.

"Don't stay out after dark. Bandits come, and you can not face them." Arin's warning echoed in my head as I noticed it was dark. Immediately by instinct I went into stealth mode, hiding underneath some bushes and underbrush. I focused hard and slowly crept my way through the forest, in an attempt to negate anybody noticing me.

I heard the footsteps from before, they were fast and coming from behind me. I hid in a bush moving quickly in order to not be noticed. I could see a torch light in the distance. I assumed they were bandits coming to find any adventurers still out in the day.

"I just saw someone!" one of them screeched loudly looking around. I looked carefully trying not to make any sudden movements. There were five men, each stood taller than me. One of them carried a torch, and each of them carried weapons. My eyes widened as I sunk deeper into my hiding spot, I dare not move or even breathe too loudly. I was afraid, especially because there were multiple targets, however I could easily take them down one at a time depending on their rank.

"Where did that little brat go?!" Another one of them said, and I knew they were talking about me. "Split up and find her!" Two of the other men went in both directions in order to find me. Little did they know I was hiding in the bush, concealing myself from them.

"Another blighted. I smell her." The man in the back spoke, his voice was more contained than the others. An evil aura radiated from this man and made my skin crawl. He had dark slicked back hair and a very noticeable scar on his face.

Clack. I heard the sound of chains falling against the brush and connecting with each other. I was curious, but did not dare to move. The three men who remained moved forward slightly. That was when I noticed that one of them was not like the other. They had a prisoner chained up behind them.

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He was a young boy, younger than me even. He wasn't short enough to be a kid so I assumed he was about fifteen or sixteen. He didn't struggle, and had bruises and cuts all over himself. He wore ragged clothes and looked like he hadn't bathed in awhile or was dragged in the dirt. I clenched my teeth hard as one of the men pushed the boy causing him to fall to his feet.

"Get your blighted friend out of hiding. We need more slaves to sell." This bandit bent down to the kid and I got a look at him. He had longer hair than the other guy, and seemed to be barking orders at everyone. His clothes looked nicer as well, as if he was a nobleman. He punched the boy in the face causing his lip to split.

"I know you're out there!" The bandit shouted, leaving the one who carried the chain and searching around the area.

Damnit. I thought to myself. I need to figure out how to get out of this. I looked at the boy, he stared directly at me. My eyes widened and I wanted to retreat in fear that this boy would rat me out. He just nodded his head at me, looking up to the guards as if to say that we could work together. The chain was around his neck, so if I could use my frostbolt spell I should be able to break it.

The boy yelled loudly, got to his feet and knead the bandit in the balls. The bandit followed by shouting profanities and saying how he's going to kill him for that. He drew a short sword. Now's my chance. I crushed a catalyst in my hand, probably giving away my location if it wasn't for the distraction that the boy had given me. I drew my knife and ran out of my hiding spot. I parried a blow from the bandit, stepping in front of the boy.

"There you are! You little whore!" The bandit shouted, using his other hand to try and grab at me. The pain from my catalyst grew deeper as I had waited a long time before using the spell. I spun my body around attempting to get free of the parry and have the bandit fall over himself. The boy had backed up behind me. I dodged the blow of the bandit, letting him get out of my sight for a moment before swiping his shoulder with my dagger and grabbing ahold of the chain. This got the other bandits attention and he scoffed rolling his eyes and sighing deeply.

"Regi." he said. "Take care of these pests." He turned back around ignoring us completely. Regi, the bandit who I had attacked, grimaced at looked at me.

"You'll be such a fun play-thing." He said, a look of lust and rage fell over his face. I scowled at this and broke the chain using the magic energy stored in the catalyst. The pain dissipated and the adrenaline came rushing in.

"Run." I said to the boy, who was still stunned I had actually managed to save him.

"Now!" I exclaimed, parrying a blow from Regi. He didn't attack quickly, as he thought I was easy to fight. The boy ran like I had told him to, however he ran straight into Regi knocking him over. This gave me time to think, and I crushed another catalyst in my hand. Regi groaned and lifted up the boy rolling his eyes. He threw him into a nearby tree with great force and began walking towards the boy.

"You stupid brat! Wait your turn!" He punched the boy in the face and threw him down in the dirt.

"FROSTBOLT!" I shouted, as a wave of ice energy erupted from my hands and explodes into Regi's back, sending him a few feet into the air. He cried out and cursed at me before quickly getting to his feet and charging.

Idiot. I thought crushing another catalyst. "FROSTBOLT" I shouted again, and Regi was able to step to the side. The spell flew past him and hit a pile of dirt and leaves. Regi came down with both hands and I missed the parry with my dagger slightly.

Shit. I thought as his blade slammed into my shoulder with great force causing me to be slumped down to the ground. I dropped my knife and my head was spinning. The ring had protected me from such force, but it had also depleted the aegis. This left me vulnerable. My catalysts had spilled out everywhere as I had forgotten to tie the bag shut. A large and painful bruise formed where the blade would have impacted.

"Wow. You survived that." Regi scoffed. "I guess I can respect a lady with some fight. Makes the bedroom much more fun." He smirked again, looking at me like I was some sort of trophee. "I won't kill you just yet." He smiled. I tried to get to my feet before feeling a tugging on my hair. I yelped in pain as this man had literally picked me up by my hair. My dead eye was showing in the moonlight, and this pissed me off even more.

"FROSTBOLT!" I shouted, attempting to cast a spell in his face. A small blue light appeared at my hand, but disappeared very quickly. I struggled, moving my hands up to his in an attempt to break free.

"Struggle more, that's so hot." He licked his lips and looked at me like I was his next meal. "Boss can I keep this one?" He said looking towards the other guy, who had been staring out towards the exit of the forest.

"Sure. But be quick, we need to leave." He said. "I sense an incredible amount of elemental energy nearby." What the hell was he talking about?

Regi winced as his face turned from lust to agony. I noticed the boy from before was behind the man. He had picked up my knife and stabbed the man in the back. He pulled the knife out of him and went to stab him a second time. Regi threw me down to the ground and I was able to get back up and regain my balance quickly. I sprinted over towards the man and jumped on his back, reaching my hand out for the boy to give me the knife.

But it was too late. Regi had driven his sword straight through the boys abdomen. His body fell backwards, limb. Blood poured from his body as he lay on the forest floor dying.