Corolla dodged Kael's attack, using her quick reflexes to avoid his grasp. She knew that she had to think fast, or risk being captured and taken back to Malakai.
The woman beside her sprang into action, using her own strength to try and overpower Kael. But Kael was too powerful, and he easily overpowered her.
Corolla knew that she had to act fast. She remembered the words of the ancient prophecy, and the power that lay within her. She focused all her energy on Kael, using every ounce of strength she possessed to try and defeat him.
As she did, Corolla felt a strange sensation building up inside her. It was as if she was being filled with a powerful energy, an energy that was growing stronger by the second.
Suddenly, Corolla felt herself lifted off the ground, her body glowing with a soft, white light. Kael stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock and fear.
The woman beside Corolla stared at her in amazement, her eyes shining with tears. "You're doing it, Corolla," she whispered. "You're unlocking the power of the prophecy."
Corolla felt herself being lifted higher and higher, her body glowing with an intense, pulsing light. She knew that she was on the verge of something amazing, something that would change her life forever.
As she reached the peak of her power, Corolla felt herself being flung forward, her body soaring through the air. She landed with a soft thud, her body glowing with a soft, white light.
When she looked up, Corolla saw that Kael was nowhere to be seen. The woman beside her smiled, her eyes shining with tears.
"You did it, Corolla," she whispered. "You unlocked the power of the prophecy. You're free."
Corolla smiled, feeling a sense of relief and joy that she had never felt before. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but she was ready for whatever lay ahead.
As she stood up, Corolla felt a strange sensation building up inside her. It was as if she was being called to something, something that was hidden deep within the forest.
The woman beside her nodded, her eyes shining with understanding. "The forest is calling to you, Corolla," she whispered. "It's time for you to answer."
Corolla nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and trepidation. She knew that she was on the verge of something amazing, something that would change her life forever.
With a deep breath, Corolla stepped forward, into the unknown.
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Corolla walked through the forest, the trees seeming to close in around her like sentinels. She could feel the weight of the prophecy bearing down on her, the power of the ancient magic coursing through her veins.
As she walked, Corolla heard a rustling in the underbrush. She turned, her heart pounding with excitement and fear.
And then she saw him. Ayden. He emerged from the trees, his eyes locked on hers, his face etched with concern, even though he's injured and he was holding his lower stomach.
"Corolla," he whispered, his voice low and husky. " Don't worry, I'm fine. I was worried sick about you. What happened?"
Corolla's heart skipped a beat as she looked at Ayden. She couldn't help but notice the way his eyes crinkled at the corners, the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck.
"I was captured by Kael," Corolla said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But I managed to escape. I unlocked the power of the prophecy, Ayden. I can feel it inside me, calling to me."
Ayden's eyes widened as he looked at Corolla. "You did it," he whispered, his voice filled with awe. "You unlocked the power of the prophecy."
Corolla nodded, feeling a sense of determination and purpose. She knew that she had a long and difficult journey ahead of her, but with Ayden by her side, she felt a sense of reassurance.
Ayden's eyes seemed to hold hers for a moment longer than necessary, and Corolla felt a flutter in her chest. She quickly looked away, trying to brush off the feeling.
"We should keep moving," Ayden said, his voice breaking the silence. "We don't know how long it will take Kael to regroup and come after us again."
Corolla nodded, feeling a sense of relief. She knew that she had to focus on the task at hand, and not let her feelings for Ayden distract her.
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Corolla and Ayden walked in silence, their footsteps quiet on the forest floor. Corolla couldn't help but steal glances at Ayden, her heart racing with excitement whenever their eyes met.
As they walked, the forest grew denser, the trees twisting and turning in impossible ways. Corolla felt a sense of unease growing inside her, as if they were being watched by unseen eyes.
"Ayden, do you feel that?" Corolla whispered, her voice barely audible over the rustling of leaves.
Ayden nodded, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. "We're not alone," he whispered back. "I can sense it too."
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. Corolla gasped, her heart racing with fear.
But Ayden stepped forward, his eyes locked on the figure. "Wait," he said, his voice firm. "We mean no harm."
The figure regarded them for a moment, its glowing eyes seeming to bore into their souls. Then, to Corolla's surprise, it nodded and stepped forward.
"I am Eira," the figure said, its voice low and husky. "A guardian of the forest. And I have been sent to guide you on your journey."
Corolla's eyes widened as she looked at Eira. She had never seen anyone like her before, with skin that seemed to shimmer and glow in the fading light.
"What do you mean?" Corolla asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Eira's eyes seemed to bore into hers. "You are on a quest to break the curse," she said. "A quest that will take you to the heart of darkness itself. And I have been sent to guide you, to protect you from the dangers that lie ahead."
Corolla felt a sense of trepidation growing inside her. She knew that the journey ahead would be difficult, that she would face challenges and dangers that she couldn't even imagine.
But with Ayden by her side, and Eira to guide them, she felt a sense of hope and determination. She knew that she could face whatever lay ahead, as long as she had the people she cared about by her side.