A bright spring day

Fletcher was running an errand for his master. The old man would call it training but Fletcher knew it was just the master being lazy. He rounded the corner into the populated area of main street. Quickly scanning the shops he saw one with the words [General store] above the entrance.

“What did he send you to get this time Fletcher?”

Fletcher reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. Flattening it out he read “Three loaves of bread, a one pound bag of rice, and a cured salmon"

“Coming right up,” The shopkeeper said as he turned to go in the back.

Fletcher looked over the dusty wooden shop. He knew he would be sent back here tomorrow for something the master forgot to write down. Shaking his head he realized that not much had changed since he had started his training nearly two springs ago. The only big thing was that the metal short sword he carried on his waist now felt much lighter.

“Here we are Fletcher, three loaves, a bag of rice, and a fish,” the shopkeeper said as he put the items on the counter. “That will be 10 Gil”.

“Sounds good,” Fletcher replied as he counted out 10 coins from a bag on his belt. The clinking sounds ringing in his ears as he set them on the counter.

“Come again!” The shopkeeper said cheerfully “Remember you are almost done with training” as Fletcher walked out of the store.

“Don’t worry I'll still come here to get food. It's the best shop in town” Fletcher called over his shoulder.

He began a light jog through the town as he headed back to his master's house. He had grown used to the bouncing of the sword from his training. He had grown stronger and was able to run from town to the master’s house. As he ran he stared out into the forest looking for any animals to run along with. However the forest was eerily silent, save for the sound of his own steady panting.

Fletcher knew something was wrong but he couldn’t figure out what. The forest was never this quiet. He ran faster. Only two other students knew where the master house was. He also knew that the other two were still in town as they got apprenticeships over the winter.

He turned another corner before he realized what was wrong. He smelled something burning. In his panic he dropped the bag of food he was carrying and began sprinting towards the master's house. As he climbed higher the trees thinned out and he saw the smoke. Turning the last corner he saw it, the burning house that had been his place of training for almost two years. The smoke made him choke and cough, but in between wheezes he could see the outlines of two people dueling.

“Master!” Fletcher shouted as he ran into the clearing where the two fought. One was the strong stout build of his master. His clothes were torn in places, and there was blood trickling down one of his legs. The other was a tall woman who looked more beautiful than muscular. She had long black hair and striking black eyes. Unlike the master’s clothes, her red dress was nearly pristine, save for some dust kicked up by their scuffle.

“No Fletcher! You must get out of here” yelled the old man who was struggling holding his own.

“Never!” Fletcher called back as he drew his sword and charged the strange woman who was attacking his master. She effortlessly moved her sword to block and the two swords rang out as they met.

“So you have a pupil” the woman said, not even looking at Fletcher. “I guess I will send him with you… to the afterlife” the woman sneered.

She swiped her foot low, knocking Fletcher to the ground.

“I’m feeling merciful,” she said, finally looking at Fletcher. “I’ll let you watch me kill him.”

She attacked the master who was too slow to block most of her attacks.

“Fletcher,” the master said, working to get the words out, “I’m sorry…” but before he could finish his sentence the woman brought her sword up stabbing the master through his heart and out the other side. The master coughed some blood and was limp.

The woman who was completely unscratched turned to look at Fletcher.

“Your turn” she said with a cackle.

She lunged at him hoping to skewer him on the ground. But Fletcher was ready. He jumped over her and swung his sword. He missed.

“Faster than I thought. It’s no matter, I won't underestimate you again. Let's have some fun”

This time it was Fletcher who took the first attack aiming for her leg. She simply smiled and easily blocked his strike. He swung again aiming for the other leg. Same result. She grew bored and tested him with a strike to the stomach, which Fletcher deflected. They were almost evenly matched. Or so Fletcher thought. However her attacks were getting faster and stronger. Fletcher could only block every couple attacks before missing one or two. They fought for what felt like hours to Fletcher, but it was probably only a couple of minutes.

She took a big swing at his left arm hoping to finish the fight. Fletcher took the blow but remained standing, the sword embedded well into the meat of his arm. Using this moment of confusion, Fletcher swung at her face. It barely touched her, but a thin red line appeared on her cheek. Blood slowly began oozing down her face.

She reached up to touch the wound with her free hand and looked at the red that appeared on her fingers. “You know what,” the woman said in a matter of fact tone.

“You are the first person in hundreds of years to land a blow of any size on me” she said as though still deciding on something.

“Wait? Hundreds?” Fletcher said, confused.

“I think I’ll take you with me and have some fun with you,” said the woman ignoring the question.

“If you think I'm going anywhere with you. Then you are even crazier than you sound” replied Fletcher, crouching, getting ready to strike again.

“We’ll see about that,” she said smiling.

She sheathed her sword and Fletcher leapt towards her trying to strike her in the chest. She clapped her hands twice and Fletcher froze in mid air.

“What the hell did you do to me!?” Fletcher squawked trying to free himself.

“I’m taking you with me!” the woman said happily, “Enjoy the nap”. With a snap of her fingers Fletcher vision flickered and he fell unconscious. The Woman pointed with her finger and a door appeared, it was a double door both were painted black. She walked towards it with Fletcher’s unconscious body floating behind her. The doors opened to a black void, when both were through the doors they slammed shut with a ‘whoosh’.