I can’t do it, I can’t do it! Who told me I could do it? They must have been insane!

I held my dress down as I flew through the sky. My cheeks flapping through the wind with my spit escaping my mouth. Glancing down and all I could see were blurred images of the houses and people. Why did she have to be so fast?

“Vintra!” I yelled out over the harsh wind. “Let’s slow down yeah? I feel like the people down below will soon be experiencing rain unlike they’ve never experienced before.”

“There is no time to waste. It is of your own volition to go to the aid of these villages. If we are going to help them, we must move quickly before the daybreak of tomorrow.” Vintra said from in front of me, driving the broom.

Vintra was wearing an emerald cloak along with a black attire. Her sword sheathed at her waist.

“Just how far is it?”

Vintra tossed an object over her shoulder towards me, I reached with my hand to catch it.

“Who- Ah!” Almost falling off.

I looked to see Vintra holding onto my cloak and pulling me in closer to her back. I unclenched my hand to see a round circular object with a button in the middle. I clicked on the button and a projection popped up like what the General did before with his palm.

“What is this?” still yelling over the wind.

“The blinking dot is us. Our destination is the green marker.”

I looked at the projection and there indeed was a blinking dot-like arrow. Moving steadily across the large map. I used my fingers to widen the map and it zoomed out. The green marker was meters away from us! And judging by our speed on the map, we were only covering about five percent of the ground.

I clicked the button again.

“May I keep this?”

Vintra didn’t reply. I will take her silence as yes in the meantime.

I pocketed the gadget and held on tight to the back of Vintra. I know what must be done.

“Vintra! Faster, we must make it to those villages in time.”

Vintra again didn’t answer. Instead, she leaned her body forward and the speed of the broom felt like it doubled! Now everything was just one giant blur.

***

I stepped off the broom, holding my head straight. After a few moments I doubled back, feeling something rise from my stomach. I ran behind the nearest tree outside the village and let all the contents from this morning’s breakfast onto the floor.

Walking back to Vintra who didn’t even have a look of disgust on her face. Was it disappointing to know me?

I wobbled over , putting one foot in front of the other while trying to stop the spinning world from…. Well, spinning.

“This is it.” Vintra said, looking forward.

I followed her line of sight and looked at the aged tall entrance of the village. The torn nature of clothing on the villagers as they walked by carrying bales of hay and barrelts. The occasional stare, but they didn’t seem they had the time to even go farther than to acknowledge our presence.

“What happened to the village? Have they already been attacked!” I asked frantically.

“No, this how all the villages will look in this lower realm.”

I was confused, dumbstruck even. “But why? Can’t they just fix everything with magic?”

Staring forward to see children running around with sticks in their hands.

“See! See! Wands right?”

As I stared, the kids did not cast a single spark. They waved the sticks in their hands like swords. Chasing each other while playfully trying to catch a butterfly.

“Most people in the lower realm are not supplied mana. Hence most, if not all, do not contain any magic.”

“Supplied mana? What does that mean? Why are they not able to cast magic!?”

Vintra sighed, “Like I said, because mana does not run deeply here. Thus, many are born without magic. It cannot be helped.”

I still didn’t understand. How come the mana is strongest in the kingdom? And how is a world reliant on magic, have people devoid of all magic? That’s… that’s outrageous!

Vintra walked ahead of me into the village, strutting with utmost intimidation. I ran to catch up beside her. The stares on me became more numerous. An elderly man with simple clothing and sandals approached us. His moustache dropped to his long grey beard.

“I recognize you, from Yeverii correct? The capital?” the old man said to Vintra.

Vintra bowed her head in respect. “Greetings Elder Nphem. We are here as an emergency force.”

I bowed my head awkwardly, the elder making note and smiling.

“Emergency? What seems to be the issue?”

“Demons. Some have strayed from the frontline and are attacking the villages. We believe yours and four other villages are next.”

“Heavens…” He muttered. “And what of the other villages? Have soldiers been sent to them as well?”

Vintra shook her head. “We are the only force here.”

The elder did not seem surprised at all. I could see his chest go higher and lower as he took deep breaths.

“Do you have anyone who can stand the front line?” Vintra asked assertively.

“My eldest son and a few others from the other families. I will request they stand with you during battle.”

After a few more words were exchanged, he thanked Vintra and I with a gentle smile and turned around to go convince the other houses.

When the old man was out of vision, I could see Vintra wanted to say something.

“Vintra out with it.” I said.

She sighed once more, “Are you sure you are capable of doing this, child? These aren’t trees or buildings, these are demons. Your very life will be put in harm's way, do you still wish to do this?”

I took a deep breath, “Everyone else has already abandoned these poor folks, I will not be the same. Together, I believe we can stop them.”

“Have you managed to control your magic? Are you absolutely sure you can fight?”

I walked forward, putting my hands behind my back and turned on my heel to a surprised looking Vintra.

“I have something up my sleeve. These people will be safe. I will promise it.”