Chapter 11

It was late afternoon when Aslan finally arrived at the forest where they usually gathered herbs. But something felt off. The woods were unusually quiet—not even the chirping of birds or buzzing insects. Still, Aslan didn't pay much attention. He just wanted to go home.

By the time he reached the hut, the sun had already set. The place was dark, no lanterns or candlelight in sight. But off in the distance, toward the east where the village was, he saw a glow—bright and flickering, and lanterns drifting in the sky.

"Looks like the festival's still going. I'm leaving tomorrow... might as well make one last memory before I go," Aslan said to himself, smiling faintly as he headed toward the village.

But the moment he stepped into the village, that smile vanished.

The glow wasn't from lanterns. It was fire. A house was ablaze, and several others were either partially collapsed or already reduced to rubble.

"What... happened here?" Aslan muttered, stepping deeper into the village. The further he walked, the more his face turned pale.

The ground was soaked in blood. Bodies lay everywhere. Some with their stomachs torn open, others with their heads severed... some weren't even recognizable anymore.

Then, like a bolt of lightning, a thought hit him—Amanda. Ishak.

He broke into a run, screaming their names as loud as he could, desperate for any reply.

Minutes passed. Then, in the dim light, he saw her—Amanda. She was wearing a black dress, sitting motionless on the ground.

"Amanda! Thank the stars you're okay! What happened? Where's Ishak?"

"Galang... Ishak... Ishak is…" she stammered, her voice hollow.

"What are you talking abou—"

Aslan froze. His eyes locked onto the small body in Amanda's lap.

It was Ishak.

Lifeless. Pale.

Amanda gently stroked her brother's face, her tears falling silently.

Aslan stood in silence, unable to move, unable to speak. He couldn't begin to imagine the weight of Amanda's pain. Her parents had died when she was still young. She'd worked hard all her life to take care of her little brother—and now, the only family she had left was gone. The light that had kept her going had just… vanished.

But grief wasn't finished with them yet. The air shifted. A dark presence loomed.

In the distance, a monster appeared. Its body was soaked in blood.

"We have to go. Now," Aslan said urgently.

But Amanda didn't move.

"What are you doing?! We have to get out of here!"

"Just leave me," she whispered. "Go on. I have nothing left."

The monster was getting closer—fast.

"Damn it..."

"A-Aslan, please... just run..." Amanda's voice cracked. Her lifeless eyes still gazed at Ishak's face.

"No way!" Aslan growled through gritted teeth. He unsheathed his sword, eyes blazing. "I'm not leaving you, Amanda. We have to survive… for Ishak!"

The monster hissed and lunged. Blood still dripped from its claws.

Aslan charged forward, swinging his sword with everything he had. But the creature was quick—it dodged the strike and whipped its snake-like tail straight into Aslan's stomach. He flew backward, slamming into the remains of a collapsed house. Pain shot through his ribs.

"Get up… Get up, damn it!" he told himself, struggling to his feet, breath ragged.

The monster turned its attention toward Amanda. She still hadn't moved.

Panic surged through Aslan. He pushed his aching body up and slashed at the creature's outstretched claw. The sword clashed against its hardened nails, sparks flying. He was thrown back again—but at least, Amanda was unharmed.

"Amanda! Please! Wake up!" he shouted, blood trickling from his cracked lips.

But she just bit her lip, unmoving, lost in grief.

With a roar, Aslan rushed again, swinging his sword with raw emotion. Despair, fury, determination—they were all in every strike. He managed to cut the monster's arm, dark blood spilling. But the wound wasn't deep enough. It only made the creature angrier.

"Amanda… I'm not giving up on you!" he yelled, voice hoarse.

The monster fought back harder, its claws a blur. Aslan dodged, blocked, countered—but every move left another wound. His body was covered in cuts, blood leaking from his side, yet he didn't stop. Every swing was for Amanda. For Ishak.

He knew he was getting weaker. His breathing was shallow. His arms were heavy.

"Amanda! Please… wake up!" he cried again, his voice trembling with desperation.

The monster let out a roar and lashed out again. Aslan stumbled backward, barely able to stand.

"I need you, Amanda! Don't leave me!" he shouted, parrying a blow that nearly snapped his arm.

Amanda blinked.

Slowly, she turned toward Aslan. Tears fell from her eyes.

And at that exact moment—the monster saw its chance. It lunged straight at Aslan, claws raised, ready to finish him off.

Aslan stood frozen, completely spent. He couldn't move fast enough. He knew… this was it.

But then—

Amanda moved.

She threw herself in front of him, taking the blow with her own body.

"No!! Amanda!!" Aslan screamed, but it was too late.

The monster's claws ripped through her back. Blood sprayed into the air, painting Aslan's face.

Amanda stumbled but didn't fall. She stood between Aslan and death, shielding him.

Her face was pale. Her breathing was weak. But she smiled.

"I'm sorry… I couldn't save Ishak… and I've only made things harder for you," she whispered, barely audible.

She collapsed into his arms. Aslan caught her, tears already falling from his eyes.

And once again… the monster didn't attack. It just stood there, watching—almost as if entertained.

"You idiot! Why?! Why would you protect me like this?!" Aslan cried, holding Amanda tightly.

She gently touched his cheek, her hand trembling.

"Because... I didn't want to lose you too… You have to live, Aslan… for me… for Ishak… Don't waste your life…"

Aslan shook his head, sobbing. "No… You can't die… Please don't leave me…"

"I'm… happy… I got to protect you… I know you'll survive…"

She smiled one last time, even as blood ran from her lips. Her breath faded... then stopped.

Amanda went still in his arms, her face peaceful.

Aslan said nothing.

He couldn't.

He just held her close, his heart shattered beyond repair

Flashback to Chapter 2

"I don't know exactly. You know, I study magic… but from what I've heard, the first method… needs a trigger."

To be continued…