This Is Part of Growth!

The next morning, Elara took three children with her outside the base. Their families were missing or had been taken away. For safety, she brought three guards along to protect them if needed.

They walked through a forest full of green trees and colorful leaves, talking quietly.

“Tell me, kids, what are your names?” Elara asked kindly.

“I’m Rony. I’m seven years old,” said a shy boy with short black hair and dark eyes.

“Nina, five years old,” said a lively girl with long blonde hair and bright eyes.

“And Flint... I’m eight,” said a boy who looked unhappy and bored.

Elara smiled softly. “What lovely names you have. Today, I want to spend some time with you. Maybe you can learn something from me.”

Suddenly, she remembered something and laughed quietly. “Honestly, I’m 17 and I once wore my clothes inside out. What can I teach you little ones?”

They all laughed a little. After a few minutes of walking, they reached a riverbank and sat down. Elara started talking to the children. What she said wasn’t very important or deep, but she wanted to be with them.

After a while, Lax spoke up with a serious tone.

“Elara, this isn’t a proper way to talk. You’re supposed to teach them something useful, not just say random things.”

Elara frowned. “I’ve never given a speech before! What should I say?”

“You don’t have to give a speech, idiot! Just tell them something or teach them a skill that can help them.”

Elara thought hard and looked at their faces. She realized that each child was struggling with being away from their families in their own way.

“Your families had to leave because of certain events. You stayed here alone. I know this feeling is hard for you...” She smiled gently and continued, “But instead of fighting against it or worrying about what to do without them, it’s better to focus on yourself. Work hard and improve, so when you meet your families again, you can surprise them or maybe even be unrecognizable!”

She stood up, her voice firm.

“Try and practice! Work hard to get better! Don’t let being away from your family stop you.”

Lux smiled. “That’s exactly what you should do yourself, Elara. Even if your family isn’t with you, you shouldn’t give up.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll do my best. I can’t stay silent facing this,” Elara said.

She gave the children some sword practice and taught them some sneaking exercises. They trained together until the sun began to set.

Suddenly, strange noises came from the distance—many footsteps, clashing swords, and growls that sounded like monsters.

Elara asked nervously, “What is that sound? What’s happening?”

One guard replied, “That’s the sound of undead! There are many of them. We need to leave quickly!”

Elara and her group hurried back toward the base, but as they went forward, they realized they were surrounded on all sides.

Elara and the three guards stood in front of the children, swords drawn, ready to fight.

The undead numbered around 200 to 300 and were closing in.

“We’re trapped easily. We have to find a way to escape!” Elara said anxiously. She drew her sword, preparing for battle.

“If we want to run, we need to make a path!” Lax said as he stepped forward.

“Elara! Be careful. You almost finished the task for the Golden Eye. Only one part left, and you should use it well.”

Elara stopped and asked, “Wait! What do you mean? What should I do?”

“Anyway, I better get ready,” Lax said, his voice serious.

Elara shouted, “Follow me! Watch the kids! I’ll make a path for you!”

She strengthened her sword with her Golden Eye power and started attacking the undead to clear their way. Her speed was good, and things went well.

“It’s working! Keep going! I’ll bring them home safely, and then we’ll deal with the undead with Ben!”

After many sword strikes, Elara made a path through the undead and they escaped the circle.

“Yes! I knew this would work!” she said, looking around. One was missing…

“Ronnie, Nina… Flint! Where is Flint?” Lax’s voice came sharply.

“Flint got left behind in the middle of the undead! We have to get him quickly!”

The undead army began to turn back, as if they had gotten what they wanted…

Elara ordered the guards, “You three, take Ronnie and Nina back to the base. Inform Ben. We may have to fight near the base!”

The others moved toward the base while Elara attacked the undead alone. Using her Golden and Blue Eyes, she destroyed about 60 undead in just 10 seconds!

She reached the middle of them and tried to call Flint, but got no answer.

She used her Purple Eye to hear the thoughts of the army and heard only one: “I must kill this intruder myself!”

Footsteps approached. The undead opened a large circle around Elara.

She felt anxious. She had never fought alone in such a big battle.

The footsteps grew louder and louder until finally, they stopped.

The commander of the undead army appeared—Talon, Ben’s former partner!

Elara lost hope and said mockingly, “Oh no! You again, big boss?”

“Shut your mouth, useless girl! What’s wrong with me? Look at my body!” He started posing.

“Weren’t you Ben’s partner? Why did you betray him? Don’t you know this army is full of your own comrades?”

Talon laughed, “Ben’s mistake was trusting a monster like me! Now, I don’t care about Ben, but I do care about his people.”

“You always looked like trash to me!”

“Your tone is making me angry.”

“Well, now I can take revenge for the humiliation you caused me on the first day!”

“Good! At least you have the will to fight!”