She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. The weight of her mission pressed against her chest, but she refused to let it crush her spirit. With every step she took towards the beast, her heart pounded in her ears, a steady rhythm of determination. The wind whispered through the trees, as if urging her forward, reminding her of the strength she carried within.
The path before her was treacherous, littered with fallen branches and tangled roots. But she navigated it with grace, her feet finding sure footing as she moved closer to her fearsome adversary. The air grew heavy with anticipation, charged with the energy of impending battle. She could feel the beast's gaze, a malevolent force that seemed to permeate the very air around her.
As she emerged from the shadows, her eyes met the gaze of the colossal creature. Its form towered above her, an imposing figure of twisted horns and gnarled claws. Its eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light, bore into her soul, a chilling reminder of the danger that lay ahead. But she refused to waver.
With a voice that betrayed no fear, "come! Come beast! Come and fight me!" she called out to the beast, a challenge in her tone.
It responded with a guttural roar, a sound that reverberated through the forest, shaking the very ground beneath her feet. Azriel's eyes shone in amusement.
This little vampire princess was really interesting to be kept around.
The battle that ensued was a dance of strength and agility, a clash of wills that echoed through the trees.
She dodged the beast's swipes and countered with swift, calculated strikes of her own. Each blow landed with a resounding thud, a testament to her skill and determination.
Sweat dripped down her brow, mingling with the dirt and blood that covered her face. But she pressed on, fueled by a fire that burned deep within her.
Azriel was on high alert each time the beast tossed her on a tree. He couldn't let anything happen to her. He most times chuckled.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the beast let out a final, defeated roar. It crumpled to the ground, defeated by her unwavering spirit and indomitable will.
She stood victorious, her chest heaving with exhaustion, a triumphant smile gracing her lips.
Azriel clapped his hands with a thin smile, his eyes filled with admiration. He couldn't help but be impressed by her incredible display of strength and resilience.
Despite never leaving the palace, she had proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with. It was clear that she possessed a remarkable ability to take care of herself, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for her accomplishments.
She turned to look at Azriel, her red eyes gleaming with intensity. Her canines were sharp, and her fiery red hair danced in the wind, adding to her fierce and captivating presence.
But just as he was about to compliment her, her eyes dimmed and she wobbled, Azriel dashed to catch her before she hit the floor. He held her gently and chuckled when he found out that the earlier fight was from the support of adrenaline.
"Clumsy Princess"
He whispered something under his breath and walked towards the lake, carrying her bridal style. He had placed her down when a figure in a black robe appeared. The figure bowed.
"My lord, we found traces of Erebos around the palace," said the figure seriously. Azriel's eyes narrowed as he listened to the news.
He knew that dealing with Erebos would require swift action and careful planning.
He nodded, sending the man in the black robe off. Then he waved his hands and vanished from the Abyssal forest. In an instant, he materialized in Olivia's room, gently placing her on the bed. He called for the maids to attend to her, ensuring she was taken care of. Without hesitation, he left to attend to his next task.
...
The next morning, Olivia slowly opened her eyes, she found herself in her room within the grand palace of Azriel. The familiar ro adorned with opulent tapestries and intricately carved furniture, reflecting the luxurious taste of the palace once again made her overwhelmed.
She stretched her limbs, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation when she remembered what happened earlier. She actually killed a demonic beast with her own hands.
She looked down a her hands.
Olivia rose from her plush bed, her mind buzzing with anticipation. Also remembering her messy hair, she dashed to the mirror to see she looked all new.
Olivia, filled with anticipation, whispered to herself, "Nice, who knows what the day has in store for me?"
Her maids entered the room, and as she glanced at the mirror once again, a smile adorned her face.
"Good morning, Milady," they greeted in unison. The day was off to a promising start.
With a nod of agreement, Olivia allowed her maids to begin the process of dressing her up for the day.
As they carefully selected each garment and accessorized her look, Olivia couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within her. She was ready to step out into the world, confident and stylish.
Today felt exceptional. Not really being able to pinpoint the main cause of her excitement.
Just as they were finishing up, a knock echoed through the room. Olivia's heart skipped a beat as she turned towards the door.
The maid opened the door and It was the royal announcer, here to deliver news that could potentially change the course of her day.
The royal announcer's arrival brought news of an upcoming competition, where fighters of all backgrounds, from nobles to maids and guards, will clash in a test of swordsmanship. With just 7 days until the event, Olivia's heart raced with anticipation, for she too had the chance to prove her mettle.
She immediately turned to look at the maids when the announcer left.
"The competition, how long has it been?"
"500 years Milady" the maid responded
Olivia's eyes shone.
'How come I've never heard of this competition before?'
She would definitely participate, it was 7 days and there was plenty of time to get ready.
As excitement bubbled up within her, Olivia made her way to her personal garden, relishing the rare opportunity for some quiet training.
Just then, a maid's voice broke the tranquility of the garden.
"Milady," the maid spoke, "I must inform you about the rules of the games if you wish to participate. Firstly, you must choose a guard to engage in combat with. If you emerge victorious, you will face a horde of demonic beasts. And should you conquer the highest among them, a noble challenger awaits, testing your skills and mettle."
Olivia listened intently, her curiosity growing stronger with each word. She knew that it would not be easy, but she was ready to face whatever came her way.
'What could go wrong?'
She shrugged.
With a resolute nod, she thanked the maid for the information and sat down to eat.
That day after she had finished eating, she changed out of her dress and came back to the garden with her carved wooden sword.
In the garden, Olivia's training transformed the serene space into a bustling training ground. With each swing of her sword, she honed her skills with unwavering focus. The rhythmic sound of metal meeting metal reverberated through the air, as if the garden itself had become a stage for her epic battles.
As she visualized the challenges that awaited her, her mind conjured vivid images of triumph. She saw herself standing tall amidst the chaos, a beacon of strength and determination. The clash of swords echoed in her ears, filling her with a surge of adrenaline.
These visions fueled her determination, igniting a fire within her that burned brighter with each passing day. She knew that she was preparing not only for physical battles, but also for the battles within her own mind. She had to conquer her doubts, fears, and insecurities, just as she would conquer the deadliest of beasts.
With every swing, every parry, and every strike, Olivia grew stronger. She embraced the challenges in her imagination just like Harriet did, knowing that they would test her in ways she had never imagined.
But she was ready. She had trained tirelessly, pushing herself beyond her limits.
The garden became a sanctuary of determination, a place where dreams of victory took shape. Olivia's unwavering focus and relentless practice transformed her into a force to be reckoned with.