**
"Who is there?" Her voice, tinged with fear, resonated against the valley's cold walls. The oppressive suspense tightened its grip, making each passing second feel like an eternity. The vulnerability in her words spoke volumes, a stark contrast to her usual composed demeanor.
The name "Elara" cut through the stillness, a challenge laden with both desperation and defiance. "Elara, I know you are here. Don't be a coward, hiding like a rat," she called out, the words hanging in the air, unanswered. The valley, a natural fortress, concealed its secrets well. No one could save her; her team, lost and unable to trace her, stood powerless beyond the valley's confines.
"I don't fear you; we know you are evil, and that's what you excel at!" Her defiant shout dissolved into the eerie silence, punctuated by an unexpected and formidable force. A magical whirlwind descended upon her, catching her off guard, an unseen assailant revealing their presence with a display of power.
Meanwhile, in the celestial field of training, Evangelina found herself entangled in a different dance. Snow-covered magical elements set the stage as Ignatius, with golden eyes ablaze, approached her. A trick magic arrow sailed through the air, only to vanish at her command. Ignatius's pursuit, however, was relentless.
"What do you want today?" she questioned, attempting to deflect his advances as she continued her training. The golden allure of his eyes held her captive, and his touch, warm and romantic, left an indelible mark. His fingers, like whispers of warmth, caressed her cold lips, sparking an unexpected dance of emotions within her.
"Go away; don't come near me if you have nothing to do," she insisted, her attempt to break free meeting resistance. Ignatius, undeterred, noticed a bloodstain, a detail she had overlooked. Swiftly, he covered her with his robe, a gesture both caring and unexpected.
"Why?" she queried, bewildered by his unexpected kindness.
"It's cold," he replied, a simple yet loaded explanation that momentarily halted her protests.
"But you need it too," she protested, holding onto the fabric tightly.
"Don't worry; I have the ability to consume or replenish heat energy as needed. I can't get burned," he assured her, unraveling a layer of mystery. Her surprise transformed into a genuine smile, but before she could respond, he declared, "You are beautiful," leaving her caught in the intricate web of emotions, the celestial field echoing their untold story.