Eleanor sat on a tall tree branch, remembering a time when there was nothing in this land. Down below she stared along the edge of the dense trees - a village surrounded by high walls and shabby houses. Specks of movement could be seen and if she listened well enough, the sounds of joy could be heard as people began to prepare for a celebration.

The sight brought her a dreary mind, thinking about them all…

“There you are,” an aged-burly man jumped to sit beside her. “You know the festivities are going to be bigger this year, more food, dances, and…” The man trailed off seeing her tired eyes as he brought her close to give her a shoulder.

The grey man, Benin, was the leader of the village since its founding sixteen years ago but most of all he was the girl’s father.

What began as his search for a home, soon began to attract a long line of people. Though Benin’s travels took him far, and many died as they followed with no power - until the day they came upon a small creek. It ran through a sloping meadow and drifting off into the woodland, Benin set down his gladiolus for the peace he found.

The ones who survived built, and Benin was forced as the main hunter and head of the village. Elenor was six then and Benin, thirty-two, though as the years would pass they spent little time together. The village got comfortable with their lives and expected Elenor to take up the mantle of her father, leading the village to a greater hope of peace. Many parents and overconfident suitors proposed - pressed marriage and leadership. Though she would have none of it, coping isolating herself with her training her innate ability. The people liberally voiced their fear and contempt for her father, others begged him to offer his teachings if she wouldn’t do. But none could follow the path, nor would change his daughter’s mind - leaving the people to see them in disdain.

“Father, why do you like it here,” She said softly, playing with her long hair.

Benin took a deep breath, feeling the emotion of her words. “Life is hard and lonely, but here there are no monsters, and I still have you.”

There was a long silence as they stared off into the horizon, a warm breeze to their backs.

Eleanor distanced herself as she stood by, “Father… in two more cycles of the moons I will leave.”

Benin was startled, “W-Why…” Expressing a confused and crossed expression.

Her heart set more than ever. “I will see what is beyond this land, and live my life free of anyone else.”

He didn’t know what to say, his words couldn’t express the terrifying experiences he felt or the loss that still haunts him. He was in thought, but a force to their backs sparked their senses, the heat rose rapidly and a blast of wind cut through the forest.

Benin glided down the tree, followed by Eleanor, confused, she saw her father become startled and had a sense of panic in his eyes that she had long forgotten. They came down to the village, Benin screaming to the top of his lungs to have everyone rush out of the settlement - a danger soon approached. He quickly gathered his things, dawning his torn armor, and gladiolus at his side. Elanor rushed to take the thing left - a double-handed war ax, held together by thick leather and metal rings.

A column of black fire rose from deep within the forest, the village looked on in horror. Benin didn’t stop; he quickly gathered those that would follow his word and leave immediately. He would not care for those that stayed as he took off into the meadow.

The sky was slowly corroded in black, the clouds swirling to the central mass.

Eleanor looked back, to the winded people, “Father they aren’t going to keep up with this pace.”

Looking only ahead, Benin nearly lost himself but was returned by his daughter’s words. “We will slow a bit but I can’t—”

A shockwave came from the sky, as an opening in the clouds formed by the energy. The pair momentarily stopped, catching a distant glimpse of the golden energy, hovering - before beaming towards the black column.

The moment of impact - an explosion of gold and black leveled the immediate forest, and the energy rose to the sky. Benin clenched his teeth and fought his instincts, the father and daughter ran to the back of the group. Eleanor gave a mighty slash that contorted space, spreading to pierce the oncoming energy, but causing her to stumble by the extreme effort. Benin followed, raising his hands as the space swirled to a dome it covered them all.

Waves of energy bashed, Benin reeled against the force, and beads of sweat poured from his face. Eleanor kept slashing at the oncoming waves to lessen the burden but it turned her into a wretched state. She gave what she could, her veins protruding as Aether wouldn’t heed and Flux causing her channels to tremble as she struggled to stay awake. Benin felt the change, turning back to his daughter’s plight as the people cradled together - crying, praying, for any hope they could find.

Their hope would fall, and the silence deafening as another rose from beneath the earth.

A rumble felt like none before, a titanic worm unearthed - showing its great chitin shell stretched to the sky. Its maw opened - giving a deafening screech to the powers at conflict before shimmering in deep brass, releasing a ray of power greater than the two… The battle continued.

“Father, I… can’t…” Eleanor fell to her knees before falling to the grass, the few villagers gasped, they began shouting - demanding, pleading her to stand.

Benin saw his daughter fighting for her life - their lives, knowing how far she went as he shed tears for her resolve. But he looked to the people - their fear, anger, and helplessness hurt him so, they couldn’t understand they weren’t willing to sacrifice, only demand.

“Eleanor, I am proud of you. And whatever happens, it is my fault. Not yours.” Benin then howled as he poured all of his power and more to destroy his body as the dome shrank to a single person.

The screams only lasted for a moment before the ashes were soon spread to the winds. The three beings fought, until the black fire was extinguished - the worm took its chance and summoned a giant spike that descended from the sky, shattering the golden light.

It left, reveling in its victory, and would burrow to find another place to slumber.

When Eleanor awoke she saw the land stripped of much of its green, she looked for another but there was nothing. Her father’s life was left to only his armor and gladius - buried in the dark dirt as he and the Village of Enren were reduced to a single memory.