Chapter 13: Into The Flames

The thunder of hooves echoed through the dense forest as the bandits rode with a deadly focus, their sights set on the wagon ahead. Branches whipped past, barely slowing their pace as they closed the distance. Panic surged among the civilians. Shouts and cries filled the air as they pushed and shoved each other, desperately scrambling for the safety of a nearby ditch. Amidst the chaos, Yumiko held her ground. Her bow was already drawn, the string taut as she leveled her gaze on the nearest rider. The bandit’s hands began to glow with an ominous light as he began to imbue himself with magic, riding towards Lukas with an excited grin.

Lukas stood firm, his eyes narrowing as he began his own incantation. “Give me heat and desire, give me flames for my enemy’s funeral pyre!” His voice rang out, commanding the fire that should have leaped to his will. He thrust his hand down to release it—nothing. An orange spark flared only feet from his fingertips, flickering once before dying out. His eyes widened in disbelief, and in the split second he hesitated, the first rider was upon him.

A sharp twang cut through the air as Yumiko released her arrow. It flew with deadly precision, slicing through the wind and embedding itself in the bandit’s chest. The man’s eyes bulged in shock as his grip loosened, and he tumbled from his horse, rolling down the hill with a dull thud.

“Hurry!” Yumiko’s voice cut through the din, her hands moving swiftly as she notched another arrow. Her gaze flickered toward the remaining bandits, their speed undeterred by the death of their comrade. “If you’ve got a plan, now’s the time!” she yelled, loosing her next arrow. It whistled sharply through the air before burying itself deep in another bandit’s eye. He let out a gurgled cry, toppling from his horse before hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

Lukas clenched his jaw, frustration mingling with the rising dread as he saw the rest of the riders barreling toward them. His failure slightly gnawed at him, but there was no time to dwell on it. Raising his hand once more, he started the incantation again, more forcefully this time. “Give me heat and desire, give me flames for my enemy’s funeral pyre!” His voice strained with urgency as he slammed his hand toward the earth.

Yumiko felt the air shift, an overwhelming surge of magic swirling around Lukas like a storm. Her instincts screamed to move, but she held her position, eyes widening as she sensed what was about to happen.

With a roar, a massive explosion erupted from Lukas’ outstretched hand. Fire surged forward in an unstoppable wave, tearing through the ground and scorching the earth as it rushed toward the bandits. A wall of flames exploded in front of the riders, engulfing them in an inferno. The heat was immediate and all-consuming, the flames roaring to life as if fueled by Lukas’ fury.

Yumiko shielded her face, the intense heat washing over her as the firestorm spread. The riders had no chance. Half of them were instantly swallowed by the flames, their screams of agony piercing the air as they were thrown from their horses, their bodies ablaze. They rolled on the ground in a futile attempt to extinguish the fire, their cries growing fainter as the flames consumed them.

The other half of the bandits lay scattered on the ground, their bodies charred or lifeless from their brutal falls. Their horses, panicked by the flames and the sudden violence, bolted into the thick forest, disappearing into the wilderness with wild cries. The air was thick with smoke and the stench of burnt flesh, the fire crackling hungrily through the dry grass. Lukas stood amidst the devastation, but his body betrayed him—his arm trembled violently, as though the magic had taken more from him than he expected. His chest heaved with labored breaths.

Yumiko glanced up, her keen eyes catching the erratic rise and fall of Lukas’ chest. “Such tremendous magic…” she murmured in awe, her gaze sweeping over the scorched battlefield, where flames still danced and consumed the remains of the fight. The bandits that hadn’t succumbed to the fire were trapped within the blaze, their desperate cries barely audible over the roar of the inferno. “But something’s not right. That spell shouldn’t have drained him like this.” She frowned, watching Lukas as he grit his teeth, his hand clutching his arm tightly.

The once peaceful forest was now a battlefield of chaos, the acrid scent of burning flesh and smoke filling the air. For a moment, there was silence. Lukas stood, his chest heaving as he gazed at the carnage before him.

A sudden movement caught her attention. From the top of the hill, more riders emerged. Five of them, fresh and unscathed by the earlier chaos, their silhouettes dark against the forest. Lukas tried moving his arm, but it was not listening to him. “Not now…” he muttered through clenched teeth. His hand twitched, and he struggled to flex his fingers. “Why now!” His voice cracked with frustration as he tried to summon any remaining strength. The spell had clearly backfired, the recoil of such immense magic taking its toll on him.

Yumiko’s heart pounded, but she didn’t hesitate. She sprinted across the road, her movements fluid and precise. In a single motion, she nocked an arrow and let it fly. The shaft whistled through the smoke-filled air and found its mark, striking one of the riders square in the chest. The force of the impact knocked him clean off his horse. Before the others could react, she loosed another arrow, her hands moving with practiced speed. The second rider toppled from his mount, hitting the ground with a dull thud.

Three riders remained. Their expressions, once confident, now flickered with hesitation as they saw their comrades fall. Yumiko didn’t stop. With a sharp gesture, she dispelled her bow, the weapon vanishing in a shimmer of ethereal light.

She darted forward, her body a blur as she passed Lukas, who was still struggling to maintain his composure. “Sora, the Swift! Goddess of Wind, give me the strength to fight my enemies and win!” Her voice rang out as she threw her arm forward in a slashing motion. “Tidal Wind!”

A fierce gust of wind exploded from her outstretched hand, the force like a cannon blast tearing through the battlefield. The wind hit the remaining three bandits with such power that they were lifted from their saddles, flung like ragdolls into the air. Their screams echoed through the smoky haze as two of them were crushed beneath their panicked, falling horses, the sickening crunch of bone silencing them.

The third man, shaken but alive, scrambled to his feet. He glanced at the field of flames and back at Yumiko, terror clear in his eyes. His comrades were dead, the fire still raged, and now this woman wielded the wind itself. Without a word, he turned and fled, his legs moving faster than his mind, desperate to escape the nightmare unfolding behind him.

Yumiko's eyes widened as the bandit, mid-scream, suddenly crumpled to the ground. A knife had struck him squarely in the back, silencing his pleas in an instant. The blade had flown so close to her that she could still feel the whisper of its passage. Her head snapped toward Lukas. He stood a few paces away, his chest still heaving from exhaustion, but his unaffected arm was outstretched from the throw, his face hard and unyielding.

"Why did you do that?" Yumiko demanded, her voice rising in anger. "Have you not heard of mercy?"

Lukas glared at her, disbelief etched across his face. “Mercy? For them?” he spat, gesturing toward the dead bandits and the smoldering chaos around them. “They rode out here to kill us. They wouldn’t have shown us any mercy.” His tone was cold, cutting, as if the idea of sparing their lives was laughable. “And what about you? I thought I told you not to follow me!” His voice rose with fury, his glare intensifying.

Yumiko flinched, caught off guard by how quickly he had pieced it together. She pulled down her mask and lowered her hood, revealing her face. Her short-cropped hair fell limply against her cheeks, the result of a hasty disguise she’d thought might fool him. "How did you know it was me?" she asked, her voice quieter now, almost sheepish.

Lukas scoffed, shaking his head. “How could I not? How dumb do you think I am?” His eyes bore into hers, a mix of anger and frustration simmering beneath his words. “You think putting on a mask would hide your mannerisms? Your voice? I’m not a foo. You were in that wagon with me for the entire trip, and you think I wouldn’t notice?” He was livid, his temper finally snapping as he jabbed a finger in her direction. "Why are you here? Why can’t you just leave me alone?"

Yumiko squared her shoulders, her frustration matching his. "I already bought my ticket!" she shot back, her words quick and defensive. It was a lie, and she knew it, but she wasn’t about to back down. "So from where I’m standing, you are the one following me."

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Lukas opened his mouth to retort, his expression darkening, but before he could speak, a voice interrupted them.

"Is it safe?" the driver called from the coach, his head poking nervously above the edge of the ditch. His wide eyes scanned the road, lingering on the bodies strewn across the land beyond it and the remnants of the magical inferno that still smoldered in patches.

Lukas called out to the shaken survivors, his voice cutting through the uneasy silence. "Come on out, it's safe now!" Slowly, the civilians emerged from the trees and ditches, their faces drawn with fear and uncertainty. They stepped cautiously onto the road, their eyes darting around, scanning for any signs of danger that might still lurk in the shadows.

"Where’s the second carriage?" Lukas asked, his voice strained as he tried—and failed—to close his hand around the hilt of his blade. His fingers trembled violently, refusing to obey him. Yumiko watched, her brow furrowed with both worry and confusion. His magic had been immense, yes, but it shouldn’t have left him this strained. Something was wrong.

The driver scratched his head, walking up to Lukas with a nervous glance. "They had to stop for some wheel maintenance back down the road," he explained, his voice shaky. "They should be about an hour behind us."

Lukas nodded, though the motion was slow, and his face tightened in frustration as he tried to steady his hand. "Good. Head back and warn them. Tell them to turn around."

The driver blinked, taken aback. "Turn around? Why? Aren’t they done?" He gestured to the bodies of the fallen bandits, their scorched remains still smoldering in the aftermath.

Lukas shook his head, his gaze shifting to the flames in the distance. “We dealt with some of them, but this isn’t over. If they had enough men to burn down an entire town, then they’ve got more than a dozen riders out there. There’s a bigger force behind this.”

The driver swallowed hard, his face paling. "This isn't normal," he muttered. "Usually, it’s just small bands, no more than eight or ten men. And they’d never attack an entire town!"

"Which is exactly why you need to go back," Lukas said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He turned away from the driver, his eyes sweeping the treeline. In the distance, at the edge of the forest, one of the bandits' horses lingered, its eyes wide with panic. The animal had survived the chaos, but it was clearly spooked, nostrils flaring as it stomped the ground.

Lukas started toward it, his steps unsteady but determined.

Yumiko’s eyes narrowed as she watched him. "Where do you think you’re going?" she asked, her voice sharp with suspicion. She didn’t trust the way he was moving, the way he was acting. Something felt off.

He didn’t bother turning to answer her. "I go where I want," he said flatly, his hand still trembling as he reached for the horse’s reins. The steed shied away at first, but Lukas moved with a quiet persistence, his focus entirely on calming the animal despite the violent tremor running through his arm.

The driver shook his head, disbelief etched across his face. "You’re nuts if you’re going into that," he muttered, his gaze darting between Lukas and the wall of fire raging in the distance.

Yumiko stepped closer, nodding in agreement. "He’s right," she said, watching Lukas struggle to clasp his trembling hand around the horse’s reins. His face tightened in pain, but he tried to hide it. "That magic of yours—it rebounded," she added, her voice laced with concern.

The driver looked at her, wide-eyed with disbelief. "Rebounded? No way! That attack was strong! I could feel the heat from below the embankment!" His gaze flickered back to the fading flames from Lukas’ earlier assault, the sheer power of it still evident in the charred ground and the scent of scorched earth.

Yumiko shook her head. "No," she said firmly, walking closer to Lukas, her eyes studying him carefully. "You tried casting that first attack, and it failed. Your body almost rejected the second one, and that’s proof something’s wrong with you."

Lukas was still focused on calming the horse, his hand unsteady but persistent as he stroked its mane. His voice was strained, but resolute. "If you think my magic rebounded because it’s not my affinity, you’re wrong. Flame magic users can’t use any other type of magic. This isn’t about the flames."

Yumiko threw her arm out in frustration. "Then it’s even more reason not to go! You’re pushing yourself too hard, and your body’s telling you to stop."

Lukas shook his head, his expression darkening as he clambered onto the horse’s back. His movements were stiff, strained, but he ignored the tremor in his limbs. "It only happens rarely," he muttered, dismissing her concern.

He looked down at her, his eyes narrowing with a mix of frustration and determination. "Do me a favor and stay out of my way. If you want to help me, stay here." His voice was cold, sharp, as if he was trying to sever whatever connection they had.

Yumiko’s heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t move. She watched helplessly as he whipped the reins, urging the horse forward. The animal reared back, its hooves pawing the air before it bolted, carrying Lukas toward the burning forest and the unknown dangers that awaited.

She stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing. Lukas was pushing himself toward something far worse than bandits or flames, and every instinct told her that if he went alone, he wouldn’t make it back. Yumiko gritted her teeth, her fists clenched as she watched Lukas vanish into the shadows of the forest, swallowed by the darkness and flames. The weight of frustration pressed against her chest, a storm of emotions swirling in her mind.

The driver let out a weary sigh, shaking his head. "That guy is nuts," he muttered, his voice thick with disbelief. "Running into that chaos alone... he’s asking to get himself killed."

Yumiko barely registered his words, her focus still fixed on where Lukas had disappeared. Her thoughts raced—she knew he was stubborn.

From behind, the Jinsoku father approached, his footsteps soft yet deliberate. He’d seen the tension on her face, the battle she fought within herself. Stopping beside her, he spoke in their shared tongue, his voice gentle but firm. "Miss, I cannot thank you enough for what you’ve done." He brought his arms to his side and bowed deeply, his gratitude spilling from every word. "Not only did you bring my daughter relief in her time of need, but you ensured her life—and my own."

Yumiko forced a smile, though the weight of the situation dulled its warmth. "It’s nothing. Really," she replied, her gaze flickering back toward the forest, worry tugging at her.

The father studied her for a moment, his expression softening with understanding. He could read her emotions as easily as one reads the pages of a book. He smiled kindly. "My daughter loves animals," he said thoughtfully. "She told me she saw a horse running down the embankment, likely abandoned by its rider." He gestured toward the side of the road, pointing to one of the bandit’s terrified, riderless horses lingering near the trees. "How tragic to see such a creature left behind."

Yumiko followed his gaze, her eyes settling on the horse. Her heart lifted, even if just a little. She glanced back at the father, her smile more genuine now. "Thank you," she said, her voice carrying a glimmer of hope.

The man shook his head, humility in his posture. "I deserve no praise for my daughter’s love of animals. Go to him, miss. Guide him," he urged, his eyes filled with quiet encouragement. "You were meant to."

Yumiko’s breath caught in her throat. His words struck something deep inside her, something she couldn’t deny. She didn’t have time to hesitate. Without another word, she sprinted toward the embankment, her feet carrying her swiftly down the slope toward the waiting horse.

"Until we meet again!" she called over her shoulder, waving as she ran, her cloak billowing behind her in the wind.

Yumiko reached the horse, her hand steady as she grasped its reins. The creature was skittish, but she whispered soothing words, her connection with animals almost as strong as her bond with magic. With a final glance toward the road and the civilians behind her, she swung onto the horse’s back.

The night loomed ahead, thick with uncertainty, but Yumiko pressed forward, riding hard in the direction Lukas had gone. She wouldn’t let him face whatever awaited in those flames alone.

The driver, still standing by the wagon, scratched his head in disbelief, his mouth hanging open. "I don’t know what you said to her," he muttered, shaking his head, "but you just sent that girl to her grave." He glanced back at the Jinsoku father, expecting some kind of response, but the man remained still, his eyes following Yumiko’s path into the dark woods with a serene expression, almost as if he had foreseen this moment.

The driver turned back toward the wagon, his mind spinning. That girl was chasing after a fool running into flames and chaos, and for what? He let out a frustrated sigh, about to call for the rest of the passengers to ready themselves to leave, when a voice broke through the night.

"Excuse me," a man said in a halting, broken tongue. "Is it safe? My daughter... needs help with illness."

The driver turned, recognizing the voice immediately. His heart skipped a beat as he laid eyes on the same Jinosku man who had spoken with Yumiko not moments ago. The man stood before him, looking tired and worried, the same unmistakable features, the same clothes.

"What the—" The driver’s gaze darted back toward where he had just seen the father by the road, watching Yumiko leave. But the figure was gone. Panic began to creep into his chest. "How did you...?" he stammered, eyes wide with confusion. His mind scrambled to make sense of it—there couldn’t be two of them, could there?

His pulse raced. "Alright, we’re getting the hell out of here!" he shouted, his voice breaking the eerie silence. Without waiting for a reply, he sprinted back toward the wagon, yelling at the remaining civilians to hurry aboard. Whatever had just happened, he wanted no part of it.