First Legendary Dragon: Starting With The Limitless System
Chapter 192: Heavy Hearts

Chapter 192: Heavy Hearts

The darkness was thick, illuminated only by roaring flames that consumed homes and shops, casting eerie, moving shadows on the charred remains of buildings.

An anguished chorus of despair—screams and cries intermingled with the crackling of fire and grotesque laughter—filled the night air, heavy with the stench of smoke, blood, and death.

In the heart of this devastated town walked Eldric and Selene, their expressions steeled with grimness and anger as they moved swiftly yet cautiously through the streets strewn with rubble and corpses.

Eldric’s eyes blazed with wrathful resolve as lightning crackled fiercely around his fists, the energy occasionally lashing out to obliterate any demonic creature unfortunate enough to cross their path.

Selene moved alongside him with equal urgency, her graceful steps unhindered by the chaos around them, a glowing barrier occasionally manifesting around her to shield herself and Eldric from demonic assaults.

The elderly couple paused occasionally, aiding survivors who managed to escape the slaughter, comforting the wounded, or quickly dispatching rampaging demons with merciless efficiency. The night seemed endless, the screams infinite, yet their resolve never wavered.

Hours passed, and as dawn broke, the first gentle rays of morning sun shone over a town reduced to smoldering ruins and lifeless bodies.

Eldric stood silently, exhaustion clear in his posture as he surveyed the devastation. Beside him, Selene’s expression was heavy with sorrow and fatigue, eyes flashing with sadness as she took in the scene around her.

"We were too late," Eldric murmured bitterly, his voice heavy with regret and anger. "So many lives lost, so much destruction..."

Selene gently placed a comforting hand on his arm, silently offering her strength. Just as they turned to leave, a faint, heart-wrenching sobbing reached their ears, carried softly on the gentle morning breeze.

Both immediately tensed, their eyes alertly scanning the ruins. Following the sound carefully, they soon found its source: a small girl sitting alone amidst the wreckage, her tiny figure trembling violently as tears streamed endlessly down her soot-covered cheeks.

The girl—no older than five or six—was huddled before two motionless bodies lying protectively beside her. Her small, dirtied hands clutched desperately at the torn clothing of her parents, whose lifeless faces remained frozen in expressions of desperate, hopeless protection.

Seeing this tragic sight, Selene immediately felt her heart ache painfully, memories of her own loss resurfacing sharply within her chest.

Without hesitation, she approached gently, slowly lowering herself to the girl’s level as she whispered soothingly, "It’s alright, child. You’re safe now."

The small girl flinched briefly at the gentle voice, lifting her watery gaze toward Selene. Her frightened, confused eyes met Selene’s warm, compassionate ones, and after a brief pause, the girl lunged forward, burying herself desperately into Selene’s comforting embrace.

Selene tenderly wrapped her arms around the small, fragile child, softly murmuring reassuring words. "You’re not alone anymore, little one. You’re not alone..."

Eldric watched silently, his expression deeply sorrowful yet resolute. Witnessing this child’s suffering reopened wounds from his own past, reminding him painfully of their lost son, Lucian.

But rather than succumb to despair, Eldric quietly clenched his fists, determination igniting fiercely within his gaze.

"We’ll take care of her," he softly whispered, voice steady and decisive. "We won’t let her endure this tragedy alone."

Selene gently nodded, holding the sobbing girl protectively. "Indeed, we will."

***

As Eldric’s voice gradually faded, Orion’s consciousness shifted back to the present. The mansion’s quiet, comforting ambiance slowly returned, the late afternoon sunlight streaming gently through the large windows.

Orion remained silent, absorbing the deeply painful story Eldric had just shared. His heart felt heavy, filled with quiet empathy and respect for both his grandparents and Rina.

He had known Rina for a while now, yet the depth of her tragedy brought an entirely new dimension to his understanding of the playful yet gentle girl who faithfully served him.

Eldric sighed softly, slowly returning to the present moment, his voice filled with a quiet, lingering sadness. "That child was Rina. We decided then to bring her back, to raise her away from that horror, and to offer her a new life—one filled with care and safety. But even after so many years, her heart carries deep scars."

Orion nodded gently, his gaze steady and compassionate as he quietly spoke, "Thank you for trusting me with her story. I’ll make sure she continues to feel safe and cared for. I’ll make sure that she won’t be hurt by her past again."

Selene smiled softly, feeling touched by Orion’s empathy and kindness. "We know you won’t, dear. That’s exactly why we decided to tell you. Rina is incredibly fortunate to have a master as kind and understanding as you."

Eldric quietly met Orion’s eyes, deep trust clear in his expression. "This was also the reason why we brought her together with us toward the ruined city before. It was to see how she is recovering. And from what I observed, she is pretty much past it—but we can never be too careful."

Orion nodded his head in understanding, remembering how she had softly held his hand to show support during that time. Sighing lightly, he asked, "What about Fiora?"

Selene slowly nodded, her expression becoming grave as her gentle eyes carried a hint of sadness and pity.

She exchanged a quiet glance with Eldric, who gently encouraged her with a subtle nod, silently indicating for her to proceed. Drawing in a deep breath, she finally began Fiora’s story.

"Fiora’s past... is more complicated and painful in its own way," Selene spoke softly, her voice calm yet tinged with lingering regret.

Her gaze briefly drifted toward the window, watching the slowly fading golden rays of the late afternoon sun. "Unlike Rina, Fiora wasn’t a victim of a demonic invasion or tragedy. Her situation was born of a darker secret."

Orion leaned slightly forward, deeply attentive, his expression patient and understanding, waiting quietly for Selene to continue.

Selene’s voice softened further, carrying him back into a distant memory. "It was many years ago. Eldric and I had just left Thunderpeak for one of our journeys across the kingdom’s borders, exploring regions that lay forgotten and untouched by the other peoples."

***

The scene gently shifted to reveal a small, isolated village hidden within dense forests nestled near the foot of a towering mountain. A humble yet peaceful community, untouched by external strife, thrived beneath the protective shadow of ancient trees.

But the tranquility of this remote village concealed a terrible secret—a secret buried years ago, yet waiting to erupt in violence and despair.

"The villagers, we later discovered, had suffered a devastating attack decades before," Selene continued quietly, voice filled with sorrow. "A rogue Draconian—one of the rare, powerful descendants of True Dragons—had gone berserk, unleashing violence and destruction upon the village."

As Selene spoke, images unfolded vividly. The shadowy, terrifying silhouette of a rogue Draconian rampaged through the village, massive scaled limbs crushing buildings effortlessly, fiery breath setting homes ablaze, and monstrous roars shaking the earth beneath terrified villagers desperately fleeing for safety.

"Eventually, the rogue Draconian was subdued at an immense cost. Lives were lost, and hearts were shattered. The village slowly rebuilt itself, determined to leave the horror behind," Selene continued softly, her eyes distant as memories flowed clearly before her.