Laura's Journey

Chapter 3: End of peaceful days

I lay down my body to the think moss. I stare toward the clouds and blue sky. Feeling the breeze of the wind, I closed my eyes.

I don’t know how much time was passed. But I definitely fell asleep. Opening my eyes the sun is already setting down. I run my eyes and stretched my arms.

Turning my glance around I saw Mayu looking out for me while I was asleep. She looks at me and gives me her usual smile.

“Good morning.”

"I did fell asleep… Thank you for looking for me."

I hurried and got up.

"The sun started to set let’s go home for today Laura."

Mayu and I then started to walk back to our houses. Mayu’s home is the church. It’s in opposite direction to my house that located eastern side of the town.

While both of us are walking back toward our home. The earth suddenly shakes and I lost my balance from it. Resulting in me to fell. Mayu catches my body immediately and assist me to get up.

"Laura are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay thank you."

Turning my glance toward the sky. I notice a black circle-like hole appeared out of nowhere.

People in the town started to wonder and take a look from outside. They wonder what kind of thing was floating above in the sky. It easily caught everyone's attention because it’s very unusual.

"What is that?"

"Some kind of spell?"

People in puzzled became silent.

From the black hole circle, a black thing fell from the hole. The citizen feared it and took a  step back. But the chief who pledged to protect the citizens of Rum town mustered up his courage and step forward to take a look at it.

"Chief let’s just call the Kingdom. That thing seems very dangerous.”

"Our town is located on the fard edge of the map. Even though we call it the capital city. It will take time for them to arrive… Also, who do you think you are talking to? I’m the guardian and chief because I’m the strongest here… Are doubting my abilities?"

"Of course not, you're the strongest in this town after all."

The chief walks toward the black thing with a sword in his hand.

“Just what is this ball of darkness anyway?”

The ball of darkness suddenly manifested countless eyeballs around its body. It all turns its gaze toward the chief.

The chief started to have a cold sweat. As he looks toward his own reflection from the monster's eyeballs. Gulping his throat he turns his body to warn everyone.

"It's a monster! Mons--”

Before the chief even finished his words the monster opened its giant mouth with multiple tiny sharp fangs on it. The happening was so fast the chief didn’t even get his chance to go away.

The monster ate the chief head first and then followed the whole body.

From the black hole circle, many black creature monsters fell and started to attack people. It immediately created panic and chaos throughout the town.

In our eye’s Mayu and I saw many people getting killed one by one.

Rum town is leaving a peaceful life for a very long time with no sign of a monster attack. How is this possible?

Houses started to burn. This horrific scene is what we saw in the town. Opposite to the normally peaceful town all knew.

I then hurried and make my way toward our house in the east. I was so worried at that moment. I don’t want to think anything else.

"Mama, No no no no... This is not true at all! Running toward this way our house would be still there right? Mama will be still going to welcome me with a smile on her face."

I run as fast as I can and as I turn around the corner. I was hoping that our house was still there standing.

"No way, our house…"

I was in disbelief and turn my head left and right.

Our house is currently in flame, burning everything into ash. This house is my home. All of the fond memories I have with it are currently burning.

Behind me, a black monster appeared. The monster runs to attack, but before it hits me. Mayu leaps and saves me from another death flag.

"Mayu?”

“Laura…”

“Our house… Mama was…”

I started to sob and cry loud on Mayu’s shoulders.

My Mama where is she? Where is she? Mama Mama...

Tears continuously flow in my eye's and cried. Mayu was very worried. Then she didn’t notice that we’re already surrounded by my monster.

We’re both losing hope. Mayu hugs me and closes her eyes.

"Mama... Mama... Mama... Mama... Mama Help me!"

I shout.

Following my voice. Ray of light was seen and slice through the monster's body. Cutting monsters and defeating them. Saving Mayu and I. I turn my eye’s on her.

With glowing magic on her hand. My mother made an appearance like a hero.

She was so cool.

My eyes glimmers looking at her. I didn’t know that my mother has this side of her. She’s currently wearing armor different from what she usually wears. This is the first time me seeing her like this.

My mother immediately runs toward us and hug me tightly.

"Thank goodness, you're not hurt... I'm very thankful."

"Mama, what going on here? Why the town is attacked by a monster? This town is not attacked for hundreds of years, right? Why it's happening right now?"

"Sorry, Laura but I can't answer that question now, but first I need to save our town."

Another monster appeared.

My mother step forward and chanted a light spell.

"Light cutter!”

From her hand, a blade of light slices the monster in half. She then continues.

“Laura, Mayu listen to me. There is still more enemy, I don't know if my magic is enough to kill them all."

"What are saying, Mama? Let's go run together."

I said as I hug my mother, but all she did is pat my head and said:

"Sorry Laura, but I can't just leave the lives of the people in this town. Don't worry, after I defeat them all… We’ll have a feast. A ton of fried chicken… That's you're favorite food right?"

Her smile is so bright, it almost made me forgot the situation were in.

I trust my Mama in her words and nodded.

"Mayu go straight this way and enter the shrines. Monsters fear that shrine and they can’t go there.”

"I understand, Laura let’s go."

Mayu held my hands, while we’re running, I look back to m mother whose fighting the monster alone.

We cross our burning house and noticed something.

"That picture... Our family picture..."

I remembered the time the picture was taken and stop running.

That picture is something very precious to me and my mother. I don't want it to burn.

"What is it, Laura?"

"Sorry, Mayu but I have to save something."

I turn my back from Mayu and start running toward our burning house.

Mayu tried to stop me by grabbing my arm. I struggle and force myself to get the picture. Even though it’s very dangerous.

"Laura wait! It's dangerous!”

I bravely open the burning door by smashing it with wood and run toward our bedroom. I get the picture and look at it.

"Thank goodness it's safe."

I said, after that, I jump out of the window.

An unusual thing falls from the black hole circle and it landed toward our house. Smashing our burning house to piece.

The thing that fell from the black hole was no monster. It was a human. It wears pitch-black armor and holding a long black spear.

"It's been a time since I visit the human realm."

It said and look toward me.

No, I lost my grip on the picture.

I hurried and save the picture, but the dark knight already had its eye’s on me and about to pierce my body with the long black spear of his.

It happened in the split second, Even I run there is no changing the fact that the spear will still reach me. I thought I'm going to die.

"Laura!"

On a ray of light, my mother appeared right before my eyes. Taking the spear just to save my life. She looks at me with a smile.

“Mama?”

"Light spell user? Such rare humans in such places. Too bad my death spear already pierced your body… There’s no way that you're surviving."

Blood started to flow from my mother's chest.

"Mama… Mama…"

I can’t believe what’s happening.

"Thank goodness you're safe Laura… Sorry… Mama can’t make a ton of fried chicken anymore.”

"What are yous saying? You’re not going to die yet? Mama hold on! Hold on! Mayu calls the priestess in the church. She knows how to use healing spells right? Mayu! Mayu!"

Tears started flowing to our eyes. For the last moment, my mother hugs me and remembers the first time she hugs my body when I was a baby.

“So soft and sweet. You smell like the sunshine…”

"... Mama doesn't give up. You're going to be fine."

"Laura thank you, for always making me smile. Thank you for giving color to my life. Thank you for giving me some purpose in life."

My mother hugs me tightly and kisses my forehead.

"... Thank you for everything, Laura it's true that I don't want to be alone, but just don't forget that I will always love you. Even you're, not my real daughter. You're my daughter in my heart. I love you, Laura."

My mother slowly closed her eyes with a smile on her face.

"Hey? Hey? Mama wake up, don't give up!"

The black knight walked toward us and pointed its spear toward my head.

This new reality, I can’t accept it.

"You're mother really loves you, but don't worry, you’ll be meeting her soon..."

He raised his spear.

At the moment the black knight is about to kill me. A lightning-struck toward the dark knight's body.

Riding on dragons back and the state knights came to save the town.

"State knight's."

Said the Dark knight and retreat.

He goes back to the black hole circle at the top of the town. The black hole closed leaving monsters behind.

"Shit! we're too late."

The state knights slay the monsters left in the town.

A woman who's with the state knight came down and walked toward my direction. She turns her glance toward my crying face and my mother.

"I didn't know that the next time I see your smile. Will be in this kind of situation, Luna.”

Another girl goes down to the dragon and runs to us.

"Hey is she safe? Huh?"

She stopped running and put her hands to her mouth. Her expression was devastated as she looks toward our state.

"... Luna-senpai?"

The other woman confirms it by nodding.

"Luna-san is not just an admirable state knight, she's also a wonderful mother."