Facing the Flames

My vision goes red as every emotion in my body turns to rage.

"Demons…"

The world around me disappears, all except for me, my weapon, and the demon it points at. After all, there was nothing left in my life once these creatures arrived.

"If it weren't for you…"

Life was great before it was all burned to the ground. Just like the people here, we were simply trying to live out each day as best we could. We were going through our business in peace, completely estranged from the conflicts between humans and demons from the past. Yet they still decided to kill us all. They took everything away and decided that they wanted to do the same here, murdering even more innocent children.

"Everyone would still…"

There was truly no good reason for it. We had no money, no treasure to be worth plundering. Our middle of nowhere only had harmless farmers and ranchers. We were of no threat and offered no glory in our destruction. Was it purely for the pleasure of death itself?

"Sunflower…"

Tears fall down my burning cheeks as I stare at the demon trapped in a prison of rubble. I've more than forgotten about the children I was trying to save. I can't even feel the strain of my arms while holding this arrow in place. My surroundings are flames borne from the depths of my heart.

"I'll kill you…"

Blood drips down my body, and soon, it will flow from the monster's head.

"For her…"

These words repeat in my head on repeat, beating against my brain. My own voice echoes louder with each second that I stare at my enemy, the target of my vengeance. Everything will be fine if I kill this demon. No, every demon must die for this crime. Only then can I be satisfied.

I hope that the demons could show more fear than it already does. Perhaps it could feel as much pain as she probably did when being mercilessly slaughtered.

"HAAAAAAAH!"

My straining hand prepares to unleash an arrow aimed perfectly between the monster's eyes.

"Father!"

I can't release the arrow.

Somewhere inside me, a familiar voice reaches out. For a moment, I have trouble remembering exactly who it belonged to. Was it somebody I knew? All I know is that it feels important. It feels as if forgetting would be the end for me.

"Huh?"

I'm shocked as I take in my surroundings.

Everything is on fire, from the floor to my very own body. Looking around, I see the village that raised me as well as those that came before me. However, there are no houses, no lively children or chickens running about. There is nothing but flaming rubble in all directions. Even the spot where I stand isn't how I remember it.

This should be my family home. There was our kitchen with just enough room for a table and some chairs. Everything important was hanging on the walls or stored safely in cabinets whose colours have begun to fade. There should be a bed beside the window. No, make that two. One was obviously for me, but who used the second one? Will the answer come now that it's all reduced to ash?

"Father!"

The voice comes from behind me.

I'm facing the demon and all of its cursed brethren. My arrow is aimed to fly into the flames and get my revenge. However, I feel a force dragging me back. Nothing should be able to stop me from killing these demons. It shouldn't be possible, but I still find myself turning around.

"Sun…flower?"

That name reaches into every corner of my body, and I immediately know that it belongs to the girl standing within the remains of our home. She wears her little dress the neighbours made just for her. Atop a head of light brown hair is a sunhat she always wore when tending to her garden. That smile she shows me, it doesn't fit the flames swirling around her.

"No…"

Did she always look like this? Was this the smile that had me captivated and filled with hope? For some reason, I'm having trouble remembering.

"NO!"

Her face becomes blurry as the flames rise higher. This was supposed to be our home, the memory that I hold more dear to me than the world. She is my precious daughter, whom I spend the rest of my existence trying to be worthy of. I am what remains of her memory.

"THIS ISN'T RIGHT!"

My arms go limp and allow the string to return to its rested position. The weapon disappears from this space as I drop to my knees.

"Sunflower!"

I can't allow these flames to take her away from me. I grasp at the small body, this memory of mine. Even if I had nothing else, I want to remember her voice. I want to remember what it was like to hold her hand and hug her tight. I want to remember the smile that gave my life meaning.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry…"

Running my hands through her hair, I feel the heat dissipating all around me. Where there were previously flames, our hold house begins to reform. Smoke recedes and the image around me clears. After nearly being lost to the flames, my precious memory is back to the way it was. Sunflower's appearance as well is just the way I remembered it.

Small arms wrap around my back and fill me with a completely different kind of warmth.

"It's okay!"

Even within my own mind, she was always supporting me.

"You've just gotta go out and do your best!"

"You're right…"

I never wanted revenge. In the heat of the moment, I may have forgotten. The only thing that matters to me is preserving these moments we shared here in this place.

"Alright, Sunflower."

I release the daughter of my dreams and rise to my feet. With the ceiling being low in some places, I push aside some of the items hanging within my head space. This allows me to once again see the white bandages around my hands. These are my scars, a reminder to never forget where I came from once I leave this world.

"You old man has to go to work now."

"Have a good day!"

"Now that you've said it, I definitely will!"

The small girl at the centre of my heart gives me an enthusiastic wave. My heart is light as I turn to face the side of the house usually engulfed in flames. Demons are still present, but their presence is no longer eroding away at my peace. For some reason, I feel neither fear nor anger anymore.

"Thanks, Sunflower."

I allow the world to fade back into my heart, prepared to face the reality beyond.