The boys tore down the dirt path after Marina, their laughter and shouts chasing her like arrows.
"Get back here, bitch!" one of them screamed, hurling a rock that sliced through the air and vanished into the dust she left behind. It missed by inches, but the sting of its passing made her flinch all the same.
Marina's lungs burned. Her sandals slapped against the ground, kicking up dry soil that clung to her legs. These dumbass kids spend more time throwing rocks than going to school! she thought bitterly. Don't they want to do something with their lives? They aren't even slaves, and school is free... She swallowed hard, legs aching. Explaining that won't help me now, though.
The path forked near the creek, its shallow water glittering with sunlight. I can't swim. If I go that way, I'm done for. Her breath came ragged. Apologizing again? Would that even help? No. No more backing up. If they plan to hurt me, I'll make them feel it too.
Skidding to a halt, Marina bent and snatched up a heavy rock. The boys faltered for half a heartbeat — she'd stopped running. Her knuckles whitened as she raised her arm.
"If you plan on hurting me," she whispered, "we're going down together."
She hurled the stone with all her strength. It whistled through the air — a dull crack followed, and one of the boys cried out, clutching his face. Blood trickled through his fingers, dark against the dust.
"Efrain! Are you okay?" another boy gasped, kneeling beside him and fumbling with a rag.
The others hesitated — just for a breath — before anger drowned out their fear.
"Damn you! This little hag's trying to kill us off like her mother!" one shouted. He sprinted forward and slammed a punch across her cheek, knocking her to the ground. Pain exploded through her head. Two more joined in, their boots thudding into her ribs, her shoulders, her back.
Marina curled in on herself, gasping for air. Dirt filled her mouth. Every blow was a burst of heat and sound. Her body screamed, but her mind — her mind clung to fury.
Then, through the haze, she saw it: something cold and gleaming in her palm.
A crystal. Perfectly smooth, faintly green, large enough to fill her hand. Its light pulsed like a heartbeat.
"Wait — what's that?" one of the boys said, stepping back in alarm. But before any of them could react, the crystal flared. A sunflower appeared within its depths, golden and vivid — and the ground began to tremble.
A deep rumble tore through the dirt. Cracks split open, light pouring out. A massive stem erupted from beneath them, its roots tearing through the earth.
***
Cecilus strolled along the path near the creek, hands in his pockets, humming softly. He had been looking for the kids who liked to skip class — potential playmates for his endless curiosity.
As he walked, he noticed a familiar figure in the distance — the slave girl from before. Didn't I tell her to wait a few weeks before going out? he mused. Oh, wait, it's already been three. Time flies.
A ripple of light appeared beside him — his wolf materialized, eyes sharp and tail swaying. Cecilus grinned. "Oh, puppy! Found anyone interesting for me today?"
The wolf tilted its head and barked a few times, its thoughts brushing against Cecilus's mind. There are some kids hiding in a bush. Follow the path toward the duke's manor. You'll find them easily. Also, I think it's time you give me a na—
Before the wolf could finish, Cecilus dismissed it with a flick of thought. "Hiding in a bush? Huh. Maybe they're planning a jump scare. My kind of people."
He followed the path until he spotted the rustling leaves of a nearby bush. The children's souls glowed faintly to his senses — bright, impatient, oblivious.
They're doing their best, he thought, amused. I can't just ruin their effort by catching them. I'll wait. Let them have their moment.
He sat nearby, twiddling his thumbs and watching the wind stir the grass. After a few minutes, Marina appeared, balancing two buckets of water in her hands.
Cecilus tilted his head. Maybe this is it? Then realization struck. Wait. They're not waiting for just anyone. They're waiting for her. His stomach tightened. Ah... they're going to jump the slave girl.
He stayed still, lips pressed thin. Is this my fault? I told her things would calm down... eventually. He sighed. Helping her now wouldn't fix much. I'd have to keep doing it every day. Too much work.
But when the first rock flew and struck near Marina's head, Cecilus frowned. That's not how you play a prank. Throwing rocks isn't fun; it's just cruel.
Hmmm... Yeah, I guess she can take a few punches first while I think of a way around this.
A low growl pulled him from his thoughts. The wolf had appeared again, a translucent white crystal clamped in its jaws.
"Puppy, that's exactly what I needed!" Cecilus said, reaching for it. "With that, she can fight back. Let's see what happens."
With a verification crystal, I can give that girl some means to fight them off, and it will be a giant gamble on how she does it. So much fun! I wonder what will happen?
But the wolf backed away, growling playfully. Here's the deal, master. You give me a proper name I agree with, and I'll give you the crystal. 'Puppy' isn't going to cut it anymore.
Cecilus blinked. "That's it? And when did you get so articulate? Maybe being near my soul made you smarter..." He thought for a moment. "Alright. A name. How about... Aldo?"
The wolf's eyes widened. That fast? How did you even— well, I can't complain. Aldo works.
"Good." Cecilus held out his hand. The wolf obediently dropped the crystal into his palm.
He broke into a sprint, heading toward the noise.
***
When he arrived, the scene was chaos. Marina lay on the ground, her arms curled over her head as the boys kicked at her relentlessly. One sat nearby, bleeding from his eye. She fought back, Cecilus thought, half-smiling. Good. There's fire in her. I wonder how strong she'd be if I gave her a sword and pointed her at a mythical beast.
He crouched low behind a tree, examining the crystal. Let's make things interesting.
With a flick of thought, he summoned a small golem from the earth. The creature's stone arm reached out, seized the crystal, and vanished underground. Seconds later, the soil beneath Marina stirred — and the crystal rose into her trembling hand.
The image of a sunflower bloomed inside it.
"That's creation magic," Cecilus murmured, intrigued. "The one that governs life force. A rare one."
The ground split open with a violent crack. From the fissure, a giant green stem shot upward, curling around two of the boys and lifting them screaming into the sky. The flower at its peak unfurled bright yellow petals that glowed in the sunlight.
"What the hell is that?!" one of the boys shrieked, thrashing against the vine.
Cecilus watched, hands in his pockets, eyes bright with fascination. "Ha. Uneducated fools can't even tell when they're witnessing magic. I suppose skipping school really does come with consequences."
He studied Marina as she staggered to her feet, her bruises already fading under the crystal's glow. "That's a lot of mana," he mused. "Her anger must've drawn it out. How satisfying."
Marina turned to the last boy beside her and punched him hard in the jaw. He collapsed instantly. Her breath trembled, but she stood tall, eyes blazing.
Did I do that? she thought, staring at the crystal. What even was that thing? It felt... good. Powerful.
Above her, the two boys trapped in the flower were panicking. "We're screwed! How do we get down?!"
"Stay calm!" the other shouted, though his voice shook. "They'll get help!"
Cecilus finally stepped out from behind the tree, his golems rumbling to life at his sides. Dust swirled around him as the sunlight caught his hair.
He smiled faintly. "Alright," he muttered. "Time for my part. I have no plan, but improvisation builds character. I think someone said that once..."
Marina turned toward the rest of the boys, her pulse still pounding. The sunflower's shadow loomed tall behind her, swaying in the wind — a monument to something she didn't yet understand.
For the first time in her life, she didn't feel like prey.