Inferno

Sparks flew from her fingertips, casting her surroundings into a ferocious, fiery glow. Screams echoed through the air as flames spilled from the alley and into the rest of the city, licking at the backs of people’s heels and devouring those who tripped. Chaos descended over the town like a fire blanket, choking off the embers of life until they feebly spluttered out.

The woman smiled, thrusting her hands forward again as she strode out of the alley, sending more flames spilling from her palms and another chorus of screams into the air. Those directly in the fire’s path were burnt to a crisp upon impact, only experiencing moments of pure agony before their lives were claimed by the inferno. Many tried to escape but few actually did, fleeing into the surrounding forest with cries of terror. Whereas this would normally bother the woman, she knew the escaped people wouldn’t last long in a forest infested by vicious predators and poisonous plants that they would surely try to eat for food. So she didn’t let it bother her, instead focusing her energy on reaping destruction upon the town, just as she was taught.

It wasn’t long before the pleading wails and terrified shrieks petered out, the remaining sobs drowned out by the crackling of the burning buildings. The town was eerily beautiful, bathed in an orange glow that the woman couldn’t help but smile at. With a satisfied sigh, she turned on the ball of her heel and exited the town in the exact same way she came; suddenly, and with a smirk on her lips.