Lua

Lua lived with her grandfather on his farm. Her parents weren't in the picture. From a young age, she was raised as a warrior. Her grandfather, who had lived through some of the worst monster attacks, believed that Lua should be able to protect herself. Since they depended on the land for their food and income, Lua learned to appreciate hard labor and consistent efforts.

Her grandpa was a very gruff and strong man. He was incredibly familiar with how cruel this world could be. Still, he considered himself lucky. To be able to raise his granddaughter on a large plot of land fill with crops and animals was all he could ever have wanted. Lua was his only blood relative at this point. So that's why he worked so hard to ensure she was tough and unbreakable.

Grandfather taught Lua to train and cultivate strength, discipline, and resilience through every aspect of her life. He was tough on her at times, but only because she knew her fire would never go out. A small portion of the farm was used as training grounds. Lua was taught everything her grandfather knew. Fighting styles, survival skills, and how to farm.

Yet, no matter how hard they worked to carve out a small space in this world, all it took was a breath to bring everything down.

All it took was a breath to bring everything down.

The worst night of her life started as every other day did. Taking the animals into their coops and dens, lock the barns, and secure the perimeters. Lua was so used to the many steps of her nighttime routine that her vigilance faltered just this one night. She failed to notice the beady eyes of something sinister watching her from the fields.

She'd already settled down in bed when she heard a sudden burst of commotion in the house. Her dog outside was barking up something nasty. She barely had time to make it out of her room when the screams of her grandfather rung throughout the halls. He was fighting off what seemed to be a monster who'd broken through the city walls. Because they were located near the outer walls, it must've found their home easily.

Everything happened so fast, she wasn't prepared. Her grandfather, only wanting to protect her now, urged her to leave but she refused. Lua wanted to fight..! She wanted to kill this invader who was easily bringing the foundations of her home to ashes. Looking outside the window, she could see all their work up in flames. The cattle were dead. The crops were burnt.

Lua couldn't move fast enough to dodge the beast's next attack but her grandfather was. In a flash of brutality and blood, he was slain in front of her. A slash through the back, almost severing him. Before her grandfather was gone, he used his last breath to tell her to run. This finally pulled Lua back to reality.

Before Lua could succumb to panic and distress at seeing death in front of her, she was pulled out of the house by the farmdog. The poor thing was frightened but determined to get its friend out. Together, the two ran across the burning fields, trying to outpace the beasts who were quickly catching up to them.

In a moment of courage and bravery, the farmdog veered off from Lua, effectively distracting the monsters with its loud and defiant barks. this worked to get the monsters off her tail but Lua was left utterly and completly alone. Still running, sobbing, and in a blinding state of rage, Lua ran until her lungs gave out. Just when the burning of her lungs seemed to fade, she caught the scent of sulfur in the air. In the distance, she saw another farm up in flames. Seems like there were multiple attacks tonight.

She ran towards the barn (stupidly, but valiantly) at the sounds of screaming. She couldn't stand for anymore death tonight. Upon reaching the outer skirts of the farm, she saw two brothers in a standoff against a smaller beast. Without thinking, Lua ran towards the scene with fists ready. The creature didn't have time to even notice as she landed a heavy blow on the back of its head, saving the brothers. The creature was then able to be killed by the older brother. However, there were no words or thanks exchanged as Lua rushed off to chase the sound of barking. The brothers were left speechless as she chased after another pack of monsters.

Lua disappeared into the forest, heading towards the wall of the city. Behind her, the brothers were able to make a report to the city guards. Multiple attacks and only crazed girl running towards her certain doom. It didn't take long for support to reach the brother's farm. Sadly, the damage was already done for some.

Lua was found by city guards on the other side of the walled city. Bruised, bloodied, but alive. They were amazed at her tenacity but she couldn't feel more useless and lost. Lua had lost everything that night but she was able to save some people. Still, she was selfish and in pain. What good was her heroism if she didn't have anyone to celebrate it with? In her last moments of conciousness, Lua dreamt of her farm's wide fields of berries and tomatoes.

When she woke up, Lua was in the city hospital. This was the first time she'd been in someplace so... pristine. She never really accompanied her grandfather to the city. Always hated the place. She was too sedated to complain but truly wanted to when she noticed that she wasn't alone. Some official looking cityfolk who informed her that she can be given food and a roof over her head in the city. She could barely open her eyes to understand their full terms but she just nodded her head before dozing off again. Something about an academy..

....

It's been a couple weeks now and Lua still finds it hard to adjust to the city life. She's currently living with the brothers she saved. Her life has changed completley. She was never very well...learned. However, the city was willing to enroll her into the Ecrus Academy. Lua didn't protest too much after learning that she will study and train to become even stronger. Anything, she figures, anything to become strong enough to kill the monsters that took her life away.