Chapter 9 - **Chapter 9: The Lazy Defender**

Demon raids hit the border villages—smoke rose over Eldrathia's hills, carried by a bitter wind. Mira dragged Alaric along, her armor clanking. "Move it, weed boy!" They reached a hamlet of burning huts, villagers fleeing. "This is why I hate field trips," he groaned, then summoned a bramble wall—thorns shredding demon flesh, roots tripping claws into the mud. "Take a hike, uglies!" he yelled, vines coiling stragglers, their barbs sinking deep. A scout lunged; he whipped it with a glowing tendril, slicing its arm off. "Stay down, barbecue!"Villagers cheered, a child tugging his sleeve. "You're a hero!" Alaric slumped, sap-stained. "Can I nap now?" Mira punched his arm, grinning. "You're stuck with it, hero." He winced. "Heroes don't get siestas, do they? Figures." The child offered a flower; he took it, muttering, "Fine, but no parades."