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Year X779 March 07
"It wasn't supposed to be like this."
A small girl, no older than 6 or 7 sat on her knees surrounded by the debris of what once was her house in pure disbelief. Her face covered in soot and a bit of blood, although she's not quite sure if it's her own. She remained there in her thoughts for what felt like an eternity, How did everything go so wrong so fast?' she wondered internally.
Her horror-struck eyes scanned the scene in front of her once more. It felt like there was a huge weight on her chest as she struggled to breathe properly. The aura surrounding the whole area was potent. It reeked of dark magic, blood, and something else.
death.
Its stench hung over her and the remains of her home. Or rather, the piles of planks and stone that was a home at one point. Now all that remained was the debris from her house, the corpses of her deceased family members, and a lonely little girl. Blood from her kin staining the ground as tears stained the girls cheeks.
Denies swarmed around in her mind. Theres just no way this could possibly be real. Her simple and innocent mind couldn't even begin grasp the violence she had just witnessed. She disassociated with the world around her for an unmeasured amount of time. The events replaying in her mind over and over.
She was snapped out of this state when something - or rather someone - big shadowed over her. Perhaps the attackers realized they missed one. Looking up slowly she saw a very tall man, probably middle aged, taking in the scene with a grim expression. The little one froze in place, acknowledging her fate. But when he lowered gaze to the girl by his feet, he offered her a comforting smile.
"Hey kid, you the only one left?" He asked. If this surprised her, she didn't show it. She was too tired and grief-stricken. The little one gave a small nod, unable to form any words. He helped her up and onto her feet , and that was when she was really able to take in the mans appearance.
He was tall. Very tall, and extremely muscular too. His hair was a very light brown, slicked back and nearly reached the mans shoulders, topped off with a stubble beard that matched his hair color. He wore a black tattered cloak and had bandages wrapped around multiple parts of his body.
"You Micah's kid?" He asked the girl. She gave him another soft nod. Her dad. Was he still alive even? Not that it mattered, he was the last person she wanted to think about right now. "Mhm I see...." he said seeming deep in thought.
It was obvious this child had no where to go, her family and home all gone, and she's far too young to be living on her own. So what should he do with her?
After about a minute or so of contemplating, he proposed an idea. "What do you say about coming with me? I'm an old friend of your Father, and I can promise you where you're going, you'll be safe." He asked.
The girl looked at him. Not just a physical scan, she looked into what seemed to be his very soul, it was as if she could see right through him. She could see he truly was remorseful, and that he had good intentions. She turned forward again and stared out at her deceased family. And honestly, where would she even go? She is all alone now.
She took in a deep breath then looked back up at the man. "Okay," she said quietly. The man was still able pick up on what she said and bent down to her level. To the girls shock, he pulled her into a warm embrace.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
He proceeded to offer the girl a piggy back ride, seeing how tired and beat she looked. The girl in her exhausted state mumbled a quick yes and was swooped up onto the mans back.
After walking for some time, the man decided to ask the girl a question he's been wondering, "Hey, short stuff."
She perked up a bit, "Mhm?"she hummed.
"Sorry if I'm being a bother but, what's you name?"
"Maki Creed," she replied. "Sorry sir, but I don't think I got your name either."
The man lightly chuckled. "Sir? No need for that. Just call me Gildarts, Gildarts Clive."
_________________________________ And so it begins.
