Kyra had left the dirty business of the interrogation to the others. In the back of her mind Kyra couldn't help but think she should've been there. Granted, she wouldn't have done anything productive. She mostly just wanted to hurt the prisoner, make her feel the same pain as Kyra was feeling. But the priestess also knew, in a way, that there would be no way for those bandits to understand what Kyra was going through. What they did hurt her on a level that was far more than physical. Simply stabbing the prisoner with her blade wouldn't be the same as what they've done to Kyra. In a way, it would almost be too merciful.

Kyra had no illusion that Greenest was a small, almost defenseless village. The keep was nice to have in times of emergency, but without a strong militia the keep was basically an fortified crypt. They had a few gold soldiers to train the men into a self-defense force, but they hardly had anything resembling an army. Even their best mages such as Falconmoon simply lacked the power to change the course of battle on their own. They could cure diseases and break curses, but no amount of magic they had could stop an army. What Kyra hated most about what happened was realizing just how small she was. Before Kyra had pride; she believed that she was important to Greenest, to her world. As the new head priest she would lead a generation into a brighter future, bringing prosperity and glory to Greenest. But this attack just reminded Kyra that she was a small town girl living off in the distant countryside; even if they were wiped off the face of the world, she doubts anyone would realize what happened here.

Just the thought of being casually trampled from history, from all memory, is what truly frighten Kyra. That she wasn't even so much as a footnote in the grander scheme of things. It harmed her elven pride to know that. It's the reason why she's been so angry. Kyra wished she could say she had more selfless reasons, and she certainly does, but what drove her the most was just the thought that she was powerless to stop an enemy who didn't even recognize her. It made Kyra want to go out there and slaughter as many bandits as she could, just so they could remember the one girl who slew their numbers. Without remorse. Without pity.

"Kyra?"

Turning around the pink-haired farm girl looked to see a tanned, dark haired man with a full beard. It was her father, David Shepard. The two ran towards each other with a great embrace, and suddenly all thoughts of hostility vanished from Kyra's mind. [color=pink]"Dad! Dad you're alright! I tried to find you but I couldn't see you anywhere!"[/color] Kyra said as she started to cry. The idea that her father was killed in the village also drove Kyra to seek vengeance. "I know, I know. I'm sorry I worried you. I was out hunting when they came. I tried to get back to the village but they were everywhere. I didn't get through until just now." The two shared a hug for some time before parting, looking at each other in the eyes. David immediately noticed something off about his daughter. Her innocent eyes now harden with hatred. Putting a hand on her soft, warm cheek, David spoke.

"Kyra... What happened to you?"

[color=pink]"W-what? What do you mean?"[/color] Kyra glanced at her father, but looking at him directly suddenly made Kyra feel... Uneasy. She turned away and walked towards the wall. [color=pink]"It's... It's just horrible dad. S-so many people are dead... Just a few days ago, I've visited them at church, talking about silly things, eating with them, and... And now..."[/color] David walked over to his daughter and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. But try as she might, Kyra couldn't hide her feelings from her father. "I know what happened here is horrible. What you've seen... Horrible. But please Kyra, don't avoid my question. I know you're a good girl. When you see someone hurt you won't hesitate to do everything you can to help them. I know this. But Kyra... You can't help anyone just by killing."

At these words Kyra froze up. She had mixed feelings at her father's words. On one hand she knew that he was right. Yet she was also angry that he would think that was all Kyra could think about. And frustrated that he knew what's what Kyra was thinking about. [color=pink]"I-i-it's not like that, dad. I just... I just want to protect the villagers. You know that, and you didn't teach me how to use a bow just to shoot deer."[/color]

Shaking his head David tried to look at his daughter's face, but she couldn't look back at him. "I know. And... It's not easy for me either. I trained you, but I prayed to every god who'd listen that you'd never need to use those skills. I wanted to make sure you're safe and protected, but I never wanted you to fight." At these words Kyra turned to her father and lashed out, albeit quietly. [color=pink]"Why not!? Do you think it's just because I'm a girl? Just because I've only known Greenest, that it's personal for me!? Don't be like those strangers dad! Don't tell me I can't care about my friends and my family that I willing to kill for them!"[/color] Kyra grabbed onto her father in a moment of anger, trying to get answers out of him. [color=pink]"Everyone thinks they know better than me! That just because they don't live here that I could just brush off everything that's happened! This is my home, dammit, my people, what do they expect me to do? Just stand by quietly and pray to Chauntea that this will all be over soon!? That's not what I've been trained to do dad! I don't just pray and pray and hope for someone else to do it for me! I was given these powers and blessings so I can do it myself!"[/color]

What came over was unexpected. David gave Kyra a swift, firm slap on the cheek, followed by a hug. This quickly distracted Kyra and left her stunned for a moment. "I do know Kyra. I know how hard it must be for you. When I came back to the village on fire, I... I thought I lost you. The reason it took me so long was because I hunted a few down myself. I thought... I could kill them all. Or at least their leader if I saw him. I'm pretty sure I did. A man in a purple robe. I thought maybe with my arrows, I could end this attack at once." David let go of Kyra and looked at her directly in the eyes. Kyra looked back at him. "But it's not going to be that easy Kyra. Even if I could somehow kill that man with a single arrow, I couldn't stop his army or the dragon. I'm sure I'd do something to help by killing him, but I couldn't save the village. And I'd likely die before I could get back."

David left go of Kyra and slumped to the floor. "You can make it your duty to save the people and to fight against evil. But you can't just believe that it'll be as easy as killing one or even one hundred people. The enemy you're facing is... So much bigger than that. What I saw at that camp it's... This is no normal enemy." Kyra absorbed these words, resonating with her current feeling of smallness. She already felt like a speck because of this attack, and her father's words just confirmed it. Much like before however David picked up on his daughter's feelings and spoke up. "But I know that you can do it. What you need to do isn't just take up your bow and start shooting. It requires someone with not just a steady hand but a strong will and a good heart. And you have that Kyra. You know everything I could teach you about hunting and archery. Even despite the odds and everything that's happened, you've still got a fighting spirit. And everything you're doing you're not doing just for yourself. You're doing it for everyone here in Greenest. All you need to guidance. You need help from others who can show you the way and help you stay on your path."

Kyra looked down at her father, uncertain. Like always she could sense truth in his words, yet there was uncertainty within herself to accept it. But all she had was doubt. There was no real evidence to back her doubts that she needed help. But she just couldn't believe it herself. [color=pink]"I know you're right dad but... Who could I possibly ask to help me? Greenest needs everyone's help now. I don't even know if I can leave Greenest now..."[/color]

"No... You can. You're the only one who can. The town needs their leaders. The mayor, Longwater, Falconmoon, Lake. Even me. The town needs those people because right now they're weak and hurt. But you Kyra, you're still strong. I know you think that Greenest needs your help, and you'd certainly be useful, but your talents are needed elsewhere. Greenest will survive, and when they do we'll still be here to help it back onto it's feet. But there's something worse outside of Greenest that needs to be stopped. And the only one who can do that... Is a hero. It's you, Kyra."