The vilge was quite, located between rolling hills and dense forests. It eaceful pce, far removed from the chaos of kingdoms and wars. For Zora, it was a strange new world. After turies of ruling his dungeon, the life of a simple human was entirely alien to him. He had chosen this pce for Li's sake, a small, peaceful vilge where no one would question his identity. He took on the role of a quiet, modest man who preferred peace, and the vilgers, though curious at first, weled him and Li warmly.
But adapting to human life wasn't easy.
Zora struggled with everything, bartering at the market, uanding humaivals, even basiteras. Vilgers would greet him with a wave or a smile, and he'd respond with an awkward nod, unsure if he was doing it correctly. He often found himself from the shadows, studying their s and behaviors, trying to fit in.
His only real fort was Li.
From the moment he had found her, she had brought light into his life. As she grew, so did her curiosity and energy. She had a knack for expl, her small feet always running to the farthest ers of the vilge, her eyes wide with wo every new discovery.
---
When Li was about seven, she became fasated with the tales of the vilge's elders.One of them, an old man haron, was a retired adventurer. Despite his age, his eyes still sparkled with the fire of his youth. Every evening, he would gather the vilge children around him and tell stories of his adventures, of battling fearsome beasts, expl a ruins, and unc lost treasures. Li was his most eager listener. She would sit at the front, her eyes wide with excitement, hanging on to every word.
"And then," Tharon said one evening, his voice rising dramatically, "the dragon roared, its fiery breath scorg the ground! But I stood my ground, sword in hand, and struck it down with one mighty blow!" The children gasped in awe, and Li cpped her hands, her face glowing with admiration.
After the story, she ran to Zora, her small hands tugging at his sleeve. "Did you hear that, Papa? He fought a dragon! A real dragon!" Zora, who had been quietly watg from a distance, gave a faint smile. "Yes, I heard. But stories ay are different, Li. Dragons are not so easily defeated." "But I want to fight dragons too!" she decred, her tiny fists ched with determination. Zora's smile faded. He had chosen this vilge to give Li a peaceful life, far away from the dangers he had onown. He didn't want her chasing after perilous dreams. "You don't o fight dragons, Li. You live a happy life here, without any of that."
Li sulked a little but didn't argue. Still, the spark in her eyes didn't dim...
---
As the years passed, Li grew into a lively and spirited young girl. She loved hearing the stories of Tharon and other adventurers who occasionally visited the vilge. They would share tales of distant nds, fearsome monsters, and grand battles. Despite Zora's efforts to steer her toward a peaceful life, Li's dreams only grew bolder. She wao bee an adventurer, just like the heroes iories. She wao see the world, fight monsters, and create her own legendary tales. Zora, however, was determio keep her safe. He did his best to distract her, teag her practical skills like cooking, gardening, and crafting. But Li was clever.
One day, when she was about twelve, she approached him with a wide-eyed plea. "Papa," she said sweetly, " you teach me how to defend myself?" Zora raised an eyebrow. "Defend yourself? From what?" ."You never knoa! What if a wild animal attacks? Or a thief es to the vilge? I o know how to protect myself!"
He hesitated. He knew Li was crafty, and he suspected she had ulterior motives. But her logic wasirely wrong. Ae his reluce, a part of him wao prepare her for the world, just in case. "Fine," he said at st. "But only for self-defense." Li was excited and ambitious , and Zora couldn't help but smile back, though he felt a huge amount of doubt in his chest.
---
What started as basic lessons quickly escated.
Zora taught her how to evade attacks, how to read an oppo's movements, and how to use her agility to her advantage. But Li was relentless. She wao learn more—swordsmanship, archery, even unarmed bat. At first, Zora refused. But her persistence wore him down, and he found himself teag her more thaended. She had a natural talent fhting, pig up teiques with remarkable speed. As the years went by, Li grew stronger and more fident. She often sparred with Zora, and though he always held back, she improved with each match. Zora watched her with a mix of pride and unease. He couldn't dealent, but he feared what it might lead to. He had wao give her a peaceful life, yet here she was, training to face dangers he had tried to shield her from.
---
Li and Zora trained in a small clearing surrounded by trees. Zora stood tall, holding his wooden training sword. "Okay, focus. Watch what I do," he said. Li nodded, gripping her own wooden sword tightly. Zora swung at her slowly, and she dodged to the side. As she tered, something strange happened—a tiny spark of fire appeared at the edge of her sword. She gasped but quickly hid her rea. Zora didn't notice, and Li felt relieved. She kept going, pretending nothing had happened. "Good," Zora said. "You're improving. But keep your banext time."
When Zora left for the vilge, Li snuck away to a quiet spot he river. She brought her real sword this time. Standihe water, she closed her eyes and thought about the fire and water she could feel inside her. She swung her sword, and a thin line of fire followed its path. She smiled, excited. Then, she swung again, and water swirled around the bde before spshing into the river. "I'm gettier," she whispered, feeling proud. But she looked toward the vilge, her smile fading. She hadn't told Zora. She was scared he might stop her training if he found out.
---
One day, Zora wao see how much Li had learned. "Let's spar," he said, holding his sword. Li rying to hide her hey started cirg each other, and Zora attacked first. Li blocked and dodged, her movements quick. But as they fought, she held back. She didn't want to actally use her magic. Zora suddenly knocked her sword out of her hand. "You're holding back," he said, frowning. "Why?" ,"I… I don't want to hurt you," she said, f a smile. Zhed. "You're not strong enough to hurt me yet. But you'll never get better if you don't try your best." Li nodded, hiding her real thoughts.
When everyone was asleep, Li sneaked out of the house with her sword. She went back to the forest clearing, where no one could see her. She swung her sword, fog on her magic. Fire burst from the bde, lighting up the dark forest. Then, she tried adding water, creating a swirl of steam around her. She smiled, but her hands were shaking. She wasn't scared, she was excited. "Someday, I'll show you, Papa," she whispered to herself. "But not yet."
From that day she used to traily whenever she could., honing her elemental magic skills as much as she coulddd...
---
On her seveh birthday, the vilge came alive with celebration.
Zora had spent weeks pnning a grand party for Li, enlisting the help of the vilgers to make it special. The town square was decorated with colorful banners, tables were den with food, and music filled the air. Li was the ter of attention, her ughter ringing out as she danced with her friends and ehe festivities. Wheime came fifts, Zora stepped forward with a ed package. "Happy birthday, Li," he said, handing it to her. She tore it open, revealing a beautifully crafted sword. Her eyes lit up as she held it, marveling at its craftsmanship. "It's perfect! Thank you, Papa!" Zora smiled, though his heart was heavy. He had hoped to dissuade her from her dreams, but he couldn't bring himself to deny her happiness.
As the party tinued, Li approached him with a mischievous grin.
"I have a surprise for you too, Papa," she said. Zora raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What is it?"
Li hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I've decided... I'm going to bee an adventurer."
The world seemed to go quiet around Zora. He stared at her, his expression unreadable.
"Li..." he began, but she cut him off.
"I know you're worried, Papa. But this is what I want. I've always wao see the world, to fight monsters, to be like the heroes iories. I know it's dangerous, but I'm ready. You've trained me, and I'll be careful. Please, trust me." Zora's chest tightened. He wao protest, to tell her she was too young, too inexperienced. But as he looked into her eyes, he saw the same determination that had driven him in his own youth. After a long silence, he sighed. "If this is what you truly want... then I won't stop you." Li's face lit up, and she threw her arms around him. "Thank you, Papa!" As she pulled away, Zora managed a small smile. "Just promise me ohing, Li. Whatever happens, e bae." "I promise" she said firmly.
And in that moment, Zora realized that his role as her protector had not ended... it had simply ged...
