Burning Embers Part I: Origins [Arc 1-5]

Arc 5 Interlude: A Thief's Story

Note: This is Andrea's interlude.

The strongest member of their group, the man who could take on an orc horde on his own and come out on top through his exceptional skill, speed, dexterity and battle-intelligence, had just been tossed around, mauled and then casually chucked out of the window like a toy its owner had been fed up with.

She couldn't believe her eyes; if Zero had been so easily ended, then she certainly stood no chance. So this is the power of a vampire. That detestable noble. Her heart wanted her to rush in and attack the vampire in a fit of blind rage and hatred, but her body reacted on its own. Fear crawled over her skin, paralysing her as she just stood there, wide-eyed and open-mouthed.

Once, not many years ago, she had lived not far from here. Her life was ruined by the El Navia. Was it about to happen again? Before she had any time to even think of an answer to that question, a heavy, strong impact in her gut sent her sprawling, her vision blurring as she saw bright lights in the corners of her eyes.

Her body crashed into the wall, and she hit her head on the leg of a sofa, her sight immediately going dark as she slipped into the world of unconsciousness.

———

The village of Tormac was directly under the protection of the major noble family of El Navia, and not further than ten kilometres from Ariogow itself. Therefore, despite being located on an important trade route, its residents had little fear of bandits and Kobolds, and were content with living their life farming their minor wheat fields.

No fighting force existed to defend the village if worse came to worst, because it was simply not needed. Or so it was believed.

For a twelve year-old Andrea, all of that was quite irrelevant. Her life revolved around her studies in the small village school and her home where she resided with her mother and elder sister. Many years ago, her father had been killed by bandits when he was away on a trade expedition. He had been a merchant, the best in the village.

But she had been a little girl, and didn't quite understand it. The family had moved on, and lived a happy life with her mother working in the fields and her sister taking care of the house. Today was just another day in her ordinary life of contentment as she woke up early in the morning. It was a Sunday, so there was no school.

"Has mama already left?" she asked her sister after stepping into the kitchen/dining-room.

"Yeah. Sundays start earlier, after all."

"Heeeeh. Don't you think it's strange? In the city, businesses are closed on Sundays!" Andrea exclaimed, subtly complaining about her mother's absence.

"We can't afford to do that, now can we?" Shalia, her sister, walked up to her, ruffling her messy morning-hair. "A single day of slacking off could have disastrous results! And it's really close to harvest anyway."

"Ah! You're right..." Work sure is tough for mama...I need to grow up faster!

She wanted to grow up to be as pretty as her sister; long, auburn hair, green eyes and smooth skin with a light tan, she was the very image of a beautiful and graceful woman in Andrea's youthful eyes. Little did she know that today would be the day she would be forced to grow up.

It happened without any warning. Andrea and Shalia were enjoying their breakfast of simple porridge when the sirens, unused for many decades, starting blaring.

"What's happening..?"

"Andrea!"

Shalia grabbed her hand, dragging her to her room as Andrea gave little resistance, confused. Removing a couple of the floorboards, her sister gestured for her to get inside. Her face was full of worry, her skin pale and sweat glistening on her brow. She looked more serious than Andrea had ever seen her.