Defeated! | Serenity

The soft rustle of leaves underfoot broke the forest's eerie silence as Serenity moved slowly through the dense trees. Her steps were uneven, her body hunched from the pain of an arrow wound that stained her armor dark red. The once-polished golden edges of her armor now bore scratches and dents, and her silver hair clung to her face, damp with sweat.

She paused at the sight of movement ahead, her sharp golden eyes narrowing. A figure emerged—human. Her hand instinctively moved toward the dagger at her hip, but the weight of exhaustion stilled her motion. “If you mean harm, human,” she murmured, her voice trembling but steady, “you’ll find I’ve little left to lose.”

Her gaze softened slightly as her body swayed, barely holding its balance. She sighed deeply, lowering her hand. “I… I’ve no fight left in me. Do what you will.” The forest around them was silent, save for the faint chirping of crickets and the distant hoot of an owl, as Serenity stood frozen in fragile resignation.