“We have to get it back” I cry out in pain, looking at the missing sword, stolen from our grasps.

I clutch at the dirt where it once laid, before enemy guardsmen stole it from my bleeding hands.

The blood drops into the soil, as I pound at the empty ground.

Rage fills me.

We were so close, so close to destroying Grindel, the enemy’s evil beast.

I was so close to killing the monster who ripped everything from me.

“Lavina,” Damien says worried, trying to hold my hands from beating the earth. “It’s no use. It’s suicide trying to get through Kieran’s gates. Grindel will be waiting for us, and he’ll surely kill us—“

“I don’t care,” I blurt out. Sobs escape my body and tears flow down my face. “I don’t care if I die, Damien. I just want Grindel dead. He—“ my voice breaks. “—he killed my mother, he killed my brother, and he very well killed my soul. I have nothing to live for if he is not dead!”

Sudden anguish fills my bones.

“I’ve failed, Damien. I’ve failed my mother and my brother, I’ve—“

Damien gently bent down and held me.

“We will get it back, Lavina. I promise,” he whispered. “Even if death awaits us there—“

“We’ll try anyway,” I interrupt.

And then he picked me up. I washed my bloodied hands.

We assembled a plan and gathered weapons.

In the bleak dusk, Grindel guarded the enemy’s castle. His scared monstrous face fueled my anger.

Silently, Damien and I approached the gate and slid under.

I caught sight of the sword behind a small weaponry box.

Damien and I rushed through with bravery and strength.

I grasped the sword as Grindel’s footsteps were nearing.

And when the beast attempted to eat me whole, I stabbed the sword through his mouth.

The magic from the weapon turned the wicked creature into ash.

The sword of revenge did its duty.