Violet awoke to a soft tapping sound creeping from the small wooden window in her room. The rain was falling gently, its drops sliding down the glass like silent tears, leaving winding trails that shimmered under the pale dawn light. She opened her eyes slowly, feeling a strange heaviness in her body, as if she had emerged from a long dream she could only remember as a tight pressure squeezing her chest. The room was dark, except for a faint glow emanating from an oil lantern hanging on the wall, casting wavering shadows on the worn wooden walls. She sighed as she sat up in bed, running her fingers through her long silver hair, trying to shake off the vague unease left by the night's nightmares.

  She looked around; the room was simple but held touches of warmth despite the harshness of life after her mother's death. A small wooden bed covered with a gray woolen blanket, its threads slightly frayed from frequent use. Beside it, an old table with an oil lamp, and on its surface, an open book with yellowed pages carrying the scent of aged paper. Wooden shelves fixed to the wall were filled with various books, some about ancient magic, others adventure novels her mother used to read to her as a child. On the opposite wall, a single painting drawn by her father, Kaito, years ago: a dense green forest centered by a clear river, the leaves on the trees rendered with such precision that they seemed to rustle in a gentle breeze. Every time Violet looked at the painting, she felt a light sense of reassurance, as if glimpsing a memory from days when the family was whole.

  She rose from the bed, her bare feet touching the cold floor, making her shiver slightly from the chill of the wood. She approached the window and opened it a little to inhale the damp air. The scent of rain and dewy earth filled her nostrils, and she heard faint sounds from outside: a chicken clucking as it searched for food, and the clatter of a wooden cart on the street stones. She closed the window and slipped a warm cotton robe over her simple white nightclothes. She picked up an old wooden comb from the table, its teeth smooth from years of use, and combed her hair slowly, contemplating her reflection in a small mirror hanging on the wall. Her eyes looked distant, her face slightly pale, as if the nightmares had drained some of her vitality.

  She heard a soft sound from the adjacent room—perhaps heavy footsteps or something falling to the floor. She headed toward her father's door in the narrow hallway separating their rooms and knocked gently.

  "Dad?" she called softly, but there was no answer. She opened the door quietly and found him asleep on his bed, his face bearing signs of exhaustion. Kaito was a man in his mid-forties, with black hair starting to gray at the temples, and sharp features hiding a tender heart. He was the captain of the city's guards, a man who bore the responsibility of protecting everyone on his shoulders, but to Violet, he was first and foremost her father.

  She approached him and shook his shoulder gently. "Dad, it's time to wake up."

  Kaito stirred a little and opened his eyes slowly. He looked at her with a sleepy smile, his blue eyes shining with affection. "Violet? Good morning, my little one. Did you sleep well?"

  She sat on the edge of the bed and nodded, though her smile was tinged with hesitation. "Yes... sort of. I was dreaming again."

  Kaito furrowed his brows and sat up in bed, rubbing his face with his hand. "The same nightmares?" he asked, his voice carrying a light concern.

  "I don't remember them clearly," she said, looking at her hands in her lap. "But I woke up feeling... like something heavy is crushing my chest. I don't know how to explain it."

  Kaito reached out and placed his hand on her head, patting it. "Nightmares come and go. Sometimes they're just lingering thoughts in your head. But if they continue, we'll talk about them, okay?"

  She nodded, but her eyes remained distant. Kaito got out of bed and stretched his back with a soft groan. "Ah, the bones aren't what they used to be," he said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. "Come on, let's prepare breakfast. I need something to wake me up before I head to work."

  Violet followed him to the small kitchen, where the fire in the hearth was still smoldering from the previous night, emitting a warm glow. Kaito stoked the fire under a small pot and began boiling water for tea, while slicing fresh bread with a crispy brown crust. He took out a small jar of honey from the cupboard and some dried cheese. Violet sat at the wooden table, watching him move with routine confidence, as if these daily moments were what bound them together.

  "What will you do today?" Kaito asked as he poured the tea into two ceramic cups, the steam rising into the cool air.

  Violet thought for a moment, holding the cup between her hands to warm her fingers. "I'll read my book, maybe go out to the garden if the rain stops. Or... maybe try to learn a new spell."

  Kaito looked at her with an encouraging smile. "A new spell? That sounds exciting. What kind?"

  "Something simple," she said, smiling shyly. "Maybe a lighting spell. I read about it in Mom's old book. But I'm not sure if I'll succeed. Magic isn't easy."

  "Nothing comes easily, my little one," Kaito said as he sat across from her, nibbling on a piece of bread. "But you're smart. If you're anything like your mother—and I know you are—you'll master it sooner or later."

  Mentioning her mother made Violet look down at her cup, falling silent for a moment. "Sometimes I wish I knew her more," she said quietly. "All I remember is her voice reading stories to me."

  Kaito looked at her with a faint sadness, but he hid it quickly. "Lilia was a wonderful woman. You were just a small child when... when she left. But she was proud of you, and she would still be if she saw you now."

  They ate breakfast in comfortable silence, the soft sound of the rain pattering against the windows. Afterward, Kaito stood up and donned his official uniform: light leather armor etched with scratches telling tales of his battles, a long sword hanging at his waist, and a red sash indicating his position as captain of the guards. He stood at the door and looked at Violet. "I'll be back in the evening. Don't stray too far from home, okay?"

  "Okay, Dad. Be careful," she said, approaching him and hugging him for a moment before he left.

  Kaito stepped out onto the muddy street, wet from the morning rain. The small city was surrounded by high stone walls equipped with watchtowers to protect it from the monsters roaming the surrounding forests. The air was cold, filled with the scent of damp earth. He passed by the baker's shop, where an old man was arranging loaves of bread on a wooden table. Kaito greeted him with a nod and continued toward the main city gate, where the guard headquarters was located.

  He arrived at the headquarters, a massive stone building with heavy iron doors and towering watchtowers reaching into the sky. He entered the main hall, where the guards were gathering, wearing their leather armor and carrying spears and swords. They all stopped when they saw him and bowed in respect.

  "Good morning, men," Kaito said in a strong voice that filled the hall.

  "Good morning, Captain," replied Liam, a man in his twenties with brown hair and sharp eyes, stepping forward.

  "Is everything in order?" Kaito asked, scanning the faces before him, searching for any sign of tension.

  Liam hesitated for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Theo, another guard standing beside him. "Things are stable so far, sir. But..." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Last night, some of us saw something strange outside the walls. Creatures moving in the dark. They looked like monsters, but not ordinary wolves. They were tall, with slender limbs, and their eyes glowed intensely. They disappeared before we could pursue them."

  Kaito furrowed his brows, feeling anxiety creep into his chest. "How close were they to the walls?"

  "Not too close," Theo replied, his voice calm but laced with tension. "They were moving about a hundred paces away. We tried to track them, but the fog was thick, and they vanished as if they evaporated."

  Kaito thought for a moment, his eyes examining the stone walls as if trying to see beyond them. He extended his hand and closed his eyes to concentrate. After a few moments, he opened them.

  "Well, I used the search spell; everything is safe, nothing near the city," he said finally. "But intensify the patrols tonight. Add two men to each watchtower, and make sure the protective spells on the walls are fully charged. We don't want any surprises."

  "Yes, sir," Liam replied, then returned to his place among the guards.

  Kaito spent the day inspecting patrols and ensuring everyone was prepared. The city appeared calm on the surface, but the tension was palpable. People in the market spoke in low voices about the monsters, and mothers held their children's hands more tightly than usual.

  At noon, he sat with the guards for a light meal under the shade of a large tree near the headquarters. The food was simple: bread, cheese, and some red apples. They exchanged stories, some humorous and others charged with memories.

  "Remember that monster that attacked the city last month?" Theo said, biting into an apple. "It was like a bear covered in flames. I nearly lost my armor trying to fend it off. I didn't expect to benefit from the sword; I've always relied on magic more than swords and spears."

  Liam laughed but shook his head. "Yeah, I've never seen anything move that fast."

  Then he looked at his sword and said, "It was a great idea, Captain; we've always relied solely on magic."

  Kaito placed his hand on his sword and said, "We excel in magic and excellent physical strength, but our magic depletes quickly, and we might face a monster immune to magic. Physical weapons are generally stronger than magic."

  Theo laughed and said, "Man, the academy students don't believe that; magic is everything to them, and they disdain physical weapons. They create weapons with magic like arrows and bows or swords. They'll end up dead if they face someone with stronger immunity than their magic."

  The day continued like that, with intermittent patrols around the walls. The sky had cleared now, and the sun was setting behind the forests. Kaito decided to head home. "I'm leaving now. Tell the night shift guards to change their patrol route to the south and east, and inform me immediately if you see anything; I'll be there right away," he said to Liam.

  "Yes, sir," Liam replied, then returned to his post.

  Kaito returned home as the night grew cold and quiet. The stars began to sparkle in the sky, and the wind rustled the nearby tree leaves. He opened the door quietly and found Violet sitting on the couch near the hearth, an open book on her chest, but she was asleep, her head tilted to the side, a strand of hair falling over her face. The fire in the hearth illuminated her face with a warm light, making her look younger, like the child who used to seek refuge in his arms during storms.

  He smiled tenderly and sat beside her for a moment, watching her. He remembered Lilia, his wife, who resembled Violet in her peaceful sleep, her eyes closed as if dreaming of a better world. He carefully took the book and placed it on the table, then lifted Violet in his arms, trying not to wake her. He felt the warmth of her small body and carried her to her room, laying her on the bed. He covered her with the woolen blanket and brushed the strand of hair from her face. "Sleep well, my little one," he whispered, then left the room, closing the door behind him.

  **The Next Day**

  Kaito woke up early and prepared breakfast as usual: toasted bread, honey, and some cheese. But today, he decided to take Violet on an outing outside the city. He felt she needed something to distract her mind from the nightmares haunting her. He entered her room and woke her gently. "Come on, my little one. Let's go on a picnic today. The weather is sunny, and the birds are singing."

  Violet rubbed her eyes and looked at him in surprise. "A picnic? Now? What about your work?"

  "Yes, now," Kaito replied enthusiastically, smiling. "Don't worry about my work; everything is fine. The search spell showed me everything is safe. And we can't stay cooped up in the city all the time. Put on your coat, and we'll take some food."

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Violet couldn't resist his enthusiasm, so she got up and prepared quickly. They packed a small basket with bread, apples, and some cheese, and set out together. The sun was shining, the sky clear after the rain. They walked along the dirt street, passing through the small city market where merchants called out their wares and children played ball among the stalls. They stopped at an old woman selling flowers, and Kaito bought a small violet flower, placing it in Violet's hair.

  "You look just like your mother at your age," he said, smiling.

  Violet's face flushed, and she touched the flower shyly. "Thank you, Dad."

  They continued toward the forest near the city. The trees were tall, their leaves vibrant green, and sunlight filtered through the branches, casting patterns of light on the ground. The air was filled with the scent of pine and wet grass. They walked side by side, with Kaito telling stories of his old adventures as a guard.

  "Once, we were chasing a monster in the forest; it was like a massive bull covered in spikes," Kaito said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "We almost lost two men, but I jumped on its back and stabbed it with my sword."

  Violet laughed. "Dad, you always exaggerate! How do you jump on the back of a huge bull?"

  "I was young and reckless!" Kaito replied, laughing. "But now, I prefer staying behind the walls and letting the young ones handle the monsters."

  They stopped at a small stream, where the water flowed over smooth stones, making a soothing whispering sound. They sat on a large rock, and Kaito took out the food from the basket, dividing it between them. They ate in silence for a few moments, listening to the stream and the birds.

  Kaito looked at Violet and asked quietly, "Are you okay, my little one? You seem distant these days."

  Violet looked at the water and hesitated before answering. "I... I don't know, Dad. Sometimes I feel like there's something inside me, something I don't understand. Like I'm not myself."

  Kaito's eyes narrowed, but he kept his tone calm. "What do you mean? Is it the nightmares?"

  "Maybe," she said, fiddling with a small stone between her fingers. "But not just the nightmares. Sometimes, when I'm alone, I feel like something is watching me. Not from outside, but... from inside."

  Kaito fell silent for a moment, feeling a deep anxiety gripping his heart. He remembered Lilia and how she had started speaking the same way before her condition worsened. But he shook his head and placed his hand on her shoulder. "You're strong, Violet. Whatever this feeling is, we'll face it together. I promise."

  She smiled at him, but her smile was faint, as if trying to hide her fear. "Thank you, Dad. You always make things seem easier."

  "Because I'm your father," he said jokingly, then stood up. "Come on, let's walk a bit before we head back."

  They continued through the forest, talking about simple things: the birds flying above the trees, the stories Violet had read, and even Kaito's plans to fix the leaking roof at home. The moments were peaceful, filled with warmth, as if the forest itself embraced them.

  They returned home at sunset, tired but happy. After dinner, Violet sat near the hearth trying to read her book, but feeling tired, she went to her room and fell asleep.

  That night, while Violet was sleeping, a shadow crept into her room. The shadow was silent, moving like smoke, until it materialized into the form of a tall man wearing a black cloak. He stood beside her bed, watching her sleep. His eyes gleamed with a strange shine, as if looking at something deeper than her body. He raised his hand slowly and whispered incomprehensible words, an ancient spell in a forgotten language. A faint red light began to emanate from his hand, seeping into Violet's body.

  Violet stirred in her sleep, her face reflecting mild pain, but she didn't wake. The man continued his murmuring until the light faded, and he vanished as he had appeared, leaving the room as it was, as if nothing had happened.

  **The Next Morning**

  Violet woke up, and everything seemed normal, but she felt a strange exhaustion, as if she hadn't slept at all. She rose slowly and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes had faint shadows around them, and her hair was slightly tangled. She sighed, combed her hair, then put on her daily clothes.

  She entered the kitchen, where Kaito was preparing breakfast. "Good morning," she said quietly.

  "Good morning, my little one," Kaito replied, pouring the tea. He noticed her pallor and asked, "Are you okay? You look tired."

  "I didn't sleep well," she said as she sat down. "But I'm fine, don't worry."

  He looked at her with concern but didn't press her. They ate breakfast and talked about light matters: the weather, the book Violet was reading, and the patrols Kaito was conducting. Before leaving for work, he patted her head. "I'll be back early today, okay?"

  "Okay, Dad. Be careful," she said, smiling faintly.

  Kaito left and returned to the guard headquarters. The atmosphere was more tense than usual, with the guards speaking in low voices about the monsters they had seen the previous night. Kaito ordered intensified patrols and tried to calm everyone, but his anxiety was growing.

  At midday, a deafening explosion shook the city. Smoke rose from the main square, and screams of terror spread among the residents. Kaito ran with the guards toward the source of the explosion, his heart pounding fiercely. When they arrived, everyone froze in place.

  In the center of the square stood a massive creature covered in black flames. Its body was deformed, its limbs long and bent, and its eyes glowed like embers under ash. The smell of burning flesh and thick smoke filled the air, making the soldiers cough as they tried to approach. As for Kaito, watching from afar, he felt his heart freeze. This was no ordinary monster. His heart stopped for a moment, as if time had halted.

  "No..." Kaito whispered, his voice faint, stepping back unconsciously. His eyes widened, searching for any mistake in what he saw. But the shape and movement were all too familiar.

  "Violet..." He uttered her name in a broken voice, mixing terror with tenderness. The monster—his daughter—attacked the approaching soldiers, black flames erupting from her body, burning armor and bodies alike. She was frighteningly powerful, uncontrollable, but Kaito saw in her the little girl he had promised to protect no matter the cost.

  "Stop!" Kaito shouted at the soldiers, but his voice was lost in the chaos. They tried to attack her again, but she moved swiftly, destroying buildings and hurling soldiers away, their bodies crashing to the ground.

  In the back, Liam and Theo stood with some guards, gathering their energy for a powerful group spell. It was the erasure spell, an ancient destructive magic requiring focus and great energy. They began chanting the words, their hands glowing with blue light, but suddenly their movements were paralyzed.

  Liam moved his eyes with difficulty and saw Kaito directing his hand toward them, a paralysis spell flowing from his fingers. Kaito's gaze was darkened by despair. "Captain, what are you doing!?" Liam cried, his voice distorted.

  Kaito's tears fell, hot and heavy, as if each drop carried memories of years past. His heart was wrenched with pain, not just from the flames consuming his daughter, but from the promise he had made to his wife years ago.

  "I'm sorry... I can't lose her too. I promised to protect her no matter the cost." His words came out like knives cutting his throat, a broken voice carrying deep despair. In his mind, he returned to those simple moments: Violet as a child, laughing and running in the fields, her silver hair flying behind her, her eyes shining with innocence. How had she turned into this monster? How had he failed to protect her?

  He ran toward Violet, the black flames burning him, but he didn't care. The heat was unbearable, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the torment tearing his soul.

  "Violet! Stop, please! It's me, your father!" he screamed in a choked voice, hoping his words would reach some human part of her. But she didn't respond. She attacked him with her sharp claws, tearing his armor like worn cloth. Blood seeped from his wounds, warm and sticky, but he didn't retreat. Each strike from her was like a stab to his heart, but he was determined to get closer, to find that little girl he used to sing lullabies to before bed.

  In his mind, memories blurred like fog. He saw his wife, Lilia, on that dark night years ago.

  "Kaito... I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice broken, shattering like fragile glass. "I hid the truth out of fear that you'd hate me. This curse... it's part of me, of my blood. I didn't want you to see it in me, but I love you more than words can describe. Forgive me for my selfishness, for my foolish hope of living beside you both forever." She paused, a single tear falling on her cheek.

  "Protect Violet, no matter the cost. Don't let her become like me. Kaito... kill me now, please, before these flames consume me and destroy everything we love."

  Kaito returned to reality, the black flames devouring the square, and Violet—his daughter, his little one—standing amid the destruction, her body ablaze. He dropped his sword, the sound of metal echoing in the square like a cry of surrender to fate. He no longer fought. He advanced toward her, the flames scorching his skin, the bitter smell of burning flesh filling his lungs, but he didn't care. Each step was agony tearing his body, but the real pain was in his heart—his failure to protect her, as he had promised Lilia.

  He extended his arms, ignoring the heat burning his chest. He embraced her tightly, her scorching body like coals melting his flesh, but he held on as if she were life itself. In his mind, he saw her young face, her shy smile as she offered him a violet flower from the garden, her silver hair fluttering in the breeze. "Violet... I'm here," he whispered, his voice choked with tears and smoke. "I won't leave you, no matter what."

  His words came out as a whisper, despite the pain shattering his nerves. He smiled weakly, his tears evaporating before reaching his cheek.

  He closed his eyes, the flames slowly consuming his flesh. He felt the heat envelop him, but his soul was finally at peace.

  He felt darkness swallow his vision. His heart stopped, and he fell silently, still embracing her, his body turning to ash in her arms.

  Violet continued the destruction, but her power began to wane. The black flames diminished, her body trembling with exhaustion. Her breaths were heavy, as if struggling to stay standing. Suddenly, she fell to her knees, then lost consciousness amid the devastation—burned bodies, scattered ruins, and a heavy silence hanging over the place.

  Upon Kaito's death, the guards were freed from the paralysis spell, and before any could move, a man emerged from the shadows. It was the same one who had entered Violet's room the previous night. He raised his hand, and in an instant, a wave of black energy surged, annihilating all the guards. He left no one alive. Then he began destroying what remained of the city and killing the surviving people.

  The city fell silent. Smoke rose from the ruins, and fires still consumed what was left. The man approached Violet and looked at her with a faint smile. He lifted her in his arms, still unconscious, then vanished into the darkness, leaving the city a lifeless corpse behind him.

  ***

  Violet awoke suddenly, her heart pounding as if she had just emerged from an endless abyss. She was lying on a cold stone floor in a sealed room with gray walls lit by a single lantern hanging from the ceiling, casting a dim light that made the shadows seem like living creatures moving slowly. The air was heavy, saturated with the smell of dampness and ash. She tried to sit up, but her body felt weighted down. She rubbed her eyes and attempted to recall what had happened, but her mind was blank.

  She lifted her gaze and found a man standing before her, a few steps away. He was tall, wearing a long black cloak, his dark eyes looking at her with a sharp gaze hiding something mysterious. His face was calm, but his faint smile sent a shiver down her spine.

  "Who... who are you?" Violet asked, her voice trembling, as she tried to stand. But her knees were weak, so she leaned against the wall.

  The man took a step closer and tilted his head slightly, as if studying her. "I am Malforos, the director of the academy in the capital," he said in a calm voice, but with a hidden malicious tone. "And you, Violet, have caused quite a chaos."

  Violet frowned, feeling anxiety grip her heart. "What do you mean? Where am I? Where is my father?" Her voice rose slightly as she looked around, searching for any familiar sign.

  Malforos paused for a moment, then approached further and sat on a simple wooden chair in the corner of the room. "Unfortunately, something... tragic happened." He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. "You transformed into something else, something beyond your control. The curse within you awakened and destroyed the entire city. No one survived."

  Violet froze in place, her eyes widening in horror. "What?" she whispered, shaking her head violently. "No... that's impossible. I didn't... I didn't do anything!" But her voice trembled, and blurred memories began to seep into her mind: flashes of black flames, screams, and her father's voice calling her. "Dad..." she said, feeling her heart sink.

  "Your father, Kaito," Malforos said, looking at her with a cold gaze, "tried to save you. He sacrificed himself for you, but even that wasn't enough. The city is now ashes, and you are the cause."

  Violet dropped to her knees, gasping, tears streaming from her eyes. "No... it can't be... Dad..." Her eyes were terrified, her body shaking as she tried to comprehend his words. The images in her mind were hazy, but she felt the weight of the truth crushing her.

  Malforos approached and knelt before her, placing his hand on her shoulder in a gesture that seemed reassuring, but his malicious smile remained etched on his face. "Calm down, Violet," he said in a soft voice, but with a hidden threatening tone. "What happened wasn't in your hands. The curse within you is powerful, stronger than you imagine. But it's also a gift. A gift we can hone."

  Violet raised her tear-filled eyes and looked at him in confusion. "A gift?" she repeated, as if not understanding the word. "I... destroyed everything. Dad... the city..."

  "Yes, you did," Malforos said, standing and adjusting his cloak. "But that doesn't mean you can't start anew. I am the director of the academy in the capital, and I see great potential in you. I can make you a student there, teach you how to control this power. Your father, Kaito, wanted a better life for you. Didn't he? He wanted you to be strong, to grow, to achieve something great."

  His words sounded encouraging, but something in his tone made Violet uneasy. She tried to stand, but her knees still trembled. "But... I don't want to be a monster," she said, her voice broken.

  "A monster?" Malforos said. "No, you're not a monster. You're a treasure. You have power that needs guidance. Let me be your guide."

  He pointed to the room's door, a heavy iron one tightly sealed. "Come with me," he said. "See for yourself."

  Violet followed him with hesitant steps, her body shaking from fear and exhaustion. Malforos opened the door, and they stepped out onto a stone balcony overlooking what was once her city. Violet stopped at the edge, her eyes widening in horror. The city that had bustled with life, sounds, and colors was now ashes. Buildings were shattered, streets covered in debris, and smoke still rose from the remnants of fires. The smell of fire and blood filled her nostrils.

  "No..." she whispered, her hands covering her mouth. "This... did I do this?"

  Malforos stood behind her, watching silently, his malicious smile still on his face. "Yes, Violet. But don't let this destroy you. Let it be a new beginning. Come with me to the academy. There, you'll learn how to become stronger, how to achieve what your parents wanted for you."

  Violet looked at the destroyed city, tears streaming down her cheeks. Memories of her father, his voice talking and laughing with her. And now, there was nothing left to return to.

  She slowly raised her head and looked at Malforos, her eyes filled with pain and confusion. "Will... will I ever be able to control this?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

  "Of course," Malforos said, extending his hand to her. "Everything is possible if you're ready to learn."

  Then he looked at her with false tenderness: "And from now on, your name will be Sylvina."

  Violet hesitated, then took his hand and stood slowly. The destroyed city lay before her, reminding her of all she had lost. But in that moment, she had no choice but to move forward, no matter the cost.

  (To be continued.)