Chương 52: Father Leandro

Felicity and Leah were training against each other. Felicity deflected every strike with flawless precision. She sidestepped, retreated half a step and let Leah's swings cut through empty air. But Leah refused to give up. She kept changing her rhythm, mixing in feints and sudden bursts of speed. With an unexpected thrust, she came within a hair's breadth of striking Felicity in the abdomen. Felicity stopped, lowered her staff and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"You actually managed to make me sweat. That's an achievement very few people can claim". Leah tightened her grip on her staff.

"But that's not enough for me, Feli. I want to be able to hit you". A faint smile crossed Felicity's lips.

"I didn't think you were this ambitious". Then they resumed their sparring, the sound of their staffs colliding echoing through the air. Not far away, Xia watched them in silence. After a few moments, she closed her eyes, shutting out the world around her and focused once again on her search: sensing the echo of the next legendary sword. Far from there, on the Coast of Eternal Weeping, a region battered by relentless wind and almost constant rain, the sea crashed violently against the cliffs.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. In the main square of a small coastal settlement stood a man in his fifties with an average build. His white hair was slicked back, and his full, well-groomed beard matched it in color. He wore a black priest's robe and around his neck hung a pendant bearing the symbol of a serpent impaled by a sword. A man approached him and bowed his head.

"Father Leandro, we've captured her". Leandro smiled.

"Excellent work, soldier of God. Take me to the witch". The man nodded and led him toward the center of the square, where a large crowd had already gathered. At the center, tied to a wooden stake, was a young girl no older than thirteen. A pile of dry firewood had been stacked beneath her. Father Leandro stepped onto the makeshift platform and addressed the crowd.

"After weeks of searching, we have finally captured this witch, a daughter of the Devil. According to the many reports and testimonies you have provided, this creature is responsible for the deaths of your loved ones. Now I ask you to bear witness before God and before this trial. Step forward". A woman pushed her way through the crowd, tears streaming down her face.

"My husband spoke to this witch…" she sobbed.

"The very next day, he came down with a fever. He was dead within a week! You bitch, you cursed him! You took him away from me!" Father Leandro embraced her.

"Calm yourself, my daughter. Today, divine justice will run its course. This witch will pay for what she has done. The next witness". A young man stepped forward, his eyes filled with hatred.

"My little sister used to play with her. They were friends. Then my sister fell off the cliff and died. It's her fault. She either pushed her or cast some spell on her! I want her punished!" Father Leandro placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder before turning to the executioner.

"The witnesses have spoken. It is time for divine justice to act. Burn this witch at the stake". The girl tried to scream, but the cloth stuffed into her mouth muffled every sound. The executioner set the firewood ablaze. The flames quickly climbed higher, engulfing the girl's body. She writhed in agony, screaming as the fire consumed her, while the crowd cheered, applauded and cried out the name of God. Father Leandro watched the execution with a satisfied smile.