As the auroral glow crept over the horizon, it cast an ethereal light upon the desolate landscape. The once-verdant forest, now a mere specter of its former self, lay in ruins, reduced to a fine, powdery dust that stretched as far as the eye could see. An otherworldly silence hung heavy in the air, as if the very essence of life had been extinguished by the cataclysmic event that had ravaged the land.
Amidst the devastation, a figure stirred, slowly awakening from a deep slumber. Kira's eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused and disoriented. She sat up, surveying her surroundings with a foggy mind. Memories of the previous day were hazy, with only fragmented recollections of her aunt's rescue and her stepbrothers' malice. Her royal attire was gone, replaced by a stained, long gown, her pale skin and hair smeared with dirt.
Brushing off the dirt, she rose, searching for any sign of the castle, but the vast expanse of barren land stretched out before her like an endless grave. With a determined heart, she set forth, driven by the hope of finding solace. Hours passed, and thirst began to assail her, but she pressed on, until the sounds of a bustling market reached her ears.
As she entered the fray, a cacophony of sights and sounds enveloped her. She dodged horses and carriages, her heart racing with fear. Just as she thought she'd found refuge, a horse-drawn carriage bore down upon her, and she was knocked to the ground, her leg injured and bleeding.
A gruff voice told her to scram, but as she turned, her eyes widened in wonder. Fruits from the nearby vendor's stall floated in mid-air, defying gravity's pull. The vibrant colors and delicate shapes danced on the breeze like an enchanted ballet.
Transfixed, she stood there, her mind reeling to comprehend the phenomenon. The vendor's harsh words were forgotten, replaced by a sense of awe and trepidation. Her trance was shattered as she was blown aside, into a stack of boxes.
Before she could rise, a voice cried out, "Catch those thieves!" Four children, laughing and chased, crashed into the fruit stand, spilling fruits everywhere. In the chaos, a juicy peach rolled to a stop at Kira's feet, its skin glistening in the sunlight.
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Meanwhile, one of the boys involved in the commotion...
As I emerged from the tangled heap of fruit, I couldn't shake off the weight of my regret. "Ah, no! Not again!" I groaned, my face flushing with disappointment. Our carelessness had toppled the vendor's meticulously arranged display, and now we were the culprits. "Way to go, Sapphire! You've added more trouble to our troubles, and we're still being chased!" I chastised myself, recalling the thrill of the chase that had blinded me to the fruit stand in our path.
I glanced at my companions, who were hastily gathering their scattered belongings with amusement etched on their faces. "Seriously, guys? Can't we go one day without unleashing chaos?" I shook my head, feeling the vendor's ire palpably. One of my friends extended a hand, and I took it, rising to my feet. In the process, my foot nudged a fruit, which rolled away. I gazed down to ensure we hadn't dropped anything else and spotted the peach that had come to rest at Kira's feet. She picked it up, and our eyes met, sparking a jolt of embarrassment within me.
Just great. Now we'd drawn the attention of the enigmatic girl with the striking eyes. Exactly what I needed. I flashed her a hasty smile before turning to face the guards closing in on us. "Run, run, run!" I urged my companions, but my gaze lingered on the fruit vendor, who had already seized Kira's hand, accusing her of theft alongside us. He threatened to hand her over to the guards, and Kira struggled to free herself from his grip. I paused, momentarily torn between flight and intervention.
"Hey, Sapphire! What sorcery holds you in place?" my companions cried out, their voices tinged with urgency. "Sapphire, come on! Let's vanish! The guards are closing in, and we don't want to face their wrath!" But I stood frozen, my feet rooted to the spot, as I beheld the vendor's grasp on Kira's hand.
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"I didn't steal! I'm not a thief!" Kira protested, trying to justify herself, but the vendor's ears were deaf to her plea. He continued to bellow, accusing her of consorting with the mischievous band of youngsters who had toppled his stand, simply because she held a peach that had rolled to her. As Kira struggled to break free, the vendor's grip tightened, and she winced in pain. He threatened to deliver her to the guards, and fear's dark wings spread across her face. She knew not where she was, nor who would wield their power to aid her.
Just as despair's shadow loomed, a fist imbued with mystical force flew forth, striking the vendor with a resounding crack. His head snapped back, and his body crashed into the wall, leaving a trail cracks and dust in its wake. A hand grasped Kira's, pulling her from the vendor's grasp.
As she stumbled, the hand steadied her, and together they took off in a sprint. Kira looked up to see the person she was running with, and her eyes widened in bewilderment. It was him – the boy whose gaze had met hers earlier. As if sensing her stare, the boy flashed her a huge smile. "Hiyooo!" he exclaimed, before focusing on their escape route once more.