In the heart of Elgard Kingdom, Queen Irene sat on her throne, her gaze distant and unfocused. Her advisors stood before her, their voices a mixture of urgency and deference as they attempted to discuss the kingdom's affairs.
"My queen," one of the advisors began, bowing slightly, "the farm work has been distributed accordingly amongst the people. In no time, we will have a bountiful harvest."
Another advisor stepped forward, his voice carrying a tone of determination. "The soldiers are undergoing brutal training daily to become stronger."
Irene nodded absently, her mind clearly elsewhere.
The hall was thick with tension as the advisor spoke. "Some people have refused to pay their taxes, claiming that you have locked them up with the force field, restraining them from going beyond Elgard, my queen." He bowed nervously, his voice trembling slightly.
Queen Irene sat silently, her thoughts far away. The murmur of the hall faded as she contemplated the advisor's words. Just then, a young boy of eighteen years entered the hall with an air of defiance.
"Mother!," he called out, his voice breaking the silence.
Irene's attention snapped back to the present. She regarded the young man with a mixture of irritation and curiosity. He was striking, with short white hair and crimson red eyes, dressed in breeches, a tunic, and leather boots.
"What is it, Ambrose?" she asked, her tone reluctant.
"I need arrows and bows, mother" Ambrose replied bluntly.
"And for what reason?" Irene asked, her brow furrowing.
"To hunt," Ambrose answered simply.
Irene sighed. "Ambrose, you are a prince. Princes don't hunt; they dominate."
Ambrose smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I just feel like hunting. I'm excited."
"Fine, do whatever you want," Irene replied, her voice void of enthusiasm.
"Yes, mother," Ambrose said, turning on his heel and leaving the hall.
Irene rose from her seat, casting a weary glance at her advisors before exiting the hall herself. The advisors bowed deeply as she left.
"The queen is acting strange," one advisor whispered once Irene was out of earshot.
"Indeed," another replied cautiously.
"Watch what you say," warned a third. "You don't want to end up like the advisors before us."
The last advisor nodded solemnly. As he departed, the others followed suit, their footsteps echoing in the now-empty hall.
Walking through the woods at twilight, Liam decided to break the silence. "We have been allies for days, and I don't know your name," he said, his tone casual.
"I didn't ask you to be allies with me," Marcella replied, continuing forward.
"Understood, but why won't you tell me your name?" Liam asked. "Or is it a laughable name?" he teased lightly.
"Look here, you promised not to bother me," Marcella snapped.
"I wasn't aware it was a bother to ask one's name. Why do you think you were given a name? It's not for show; it's to help people address you," Liam replied.
Marcella stopped and glared at him, raising an eyebrow. "Or should I call you grumpy?" he said with a smirk. "Or beautiful," he added with a smile. "I think I'll call you beautiful," he concluded. "Hey, beautiful," Liam said with a broad grin.
"Marcella," she mumbled.
"What did you say?" Liam asked, leaning closer.
"Just call me, Mercella," she said, walking away briskly.
"Wow, what a pretty name," Liam said, trailing behind her happily. "Don't you have friends?" he asked.
"No," Marcella replied curtly.
"Why?" Liam pressed.
"Because I never needed them."
"Don't worry, I'll be your first friend," Liam declared confidently.
"You are too annoying to be my friend," Marcella replied.
"Come on, if it wasn't for me, you would have been walking alone," Liam said.
"Maybe, but surely I would not be wasting my time dealing with you," Marcella retorted.
Liam laughed. "What can I say? I am special," he added.
"You are a walking disaster," Marcella shot back.
"You can be harsh to me all you want; I won't mind. Besides, I know you enjoy my company," Liam replied.
"Shhh," Marcella hissed.
"Come on, Marcella, now you want me to shut up?" Liam replied, feigning surprise.
"For heaven's sake, just shut up," Marcella snapped, her annoyance evident. "Can't you hear that?"
A growl sounded in the distance. "What do you think it is?" Liam whispered, suddenly serious.
"How the hell would I know?" Marcella whispered back, her eyes scanning the darkening forest. "Just watch your step," she added.
They moved cautiously, but Liam stepped on a dried twig, the snap echoing through the woods. Immediately, a pack of wolves was upon them, charging through the underbrush. Marcella and Liam took off running. "I think we have intruded the wolves den" Liam panted.
"Obviously," Marcella replied, breathless as they sprinted together.
They ran until they reached the edge of a cliff. Panting, Liam asked, "What do we do now?"
"We fight," Marcella replied, her eyes steely with determination.
"Have you ever fought a wolf? Besides, these are wolves," Liam asked, panic rising in his voice.
"I will try," Marcella said, her grip tightening on the sword she carried.
"You will try? I am not trying with you. I am not trying with you," Liam repeated, with fear evident in his voice."Besides, I don't have a sword."
"Get behind me," Marcella* commanded, drawing her sword and assuming a warrior's stance.
Liam huddled close to her and whispered, "If we don't make it out alive, just know I enjoyed our adventure."
At that moment, the wolves charged. Marcella swung her sword, causing the wolves to hesitate and back off momentarily. Growling, they charged again, leaping at her. She cut them down swiftly, her movements precise and deadly. The remaining wolves retreated, still growling menacingly.
*How did that happen?* Marcella thought to herself, marveling at the sword's power. She continued to fight, while Liam watched her with a mix of awe and fear. Suddenly, a wolf lunged at Liam, slashing his leg with its claws. He fell, screaming in pain as blood gushed out. Marcella glanced at him, her heart racing, but she was too occupied to help.
The wolf prepared to pounce on Liam, who closed his eyes, bracing for the worst. "Liam!" Marcella screamed in despair. At that moment, another wolf took advantage of her distraction and leapt at her. But arrows flew through the air, striking both wolves and bringing them down. More arrows followed, hitting other wolves, causing some to flee and others to fall.
Liam opened his eyes and saw the dead wolf in front of him. Excited and relieved, he looked at Marcella. She ran toward him. "Are you okay?" she asked, worried.
Liam grinned mischievously. Marcella, frustrated, hit him on his injured leg. He yelped in pain. "Why did you do that?" Liam asked.
"I was just teasing you," Marcella replied. "Where do you think those arrows came from?"
"I don't know. It all happened so fast," Liam replied through gritted teeth.
Just then, a young boy and girl with brown hair and green eyes, around Marcella's age, dressed in breeches, tunics, and boots, holding bows and arrows, jumped down from a tree. They walked toward Marcella and Liam.
"I'm Amelia Archer, and this is my brother, Alexander Archer. We are twins," Amelia said, smiling. Alexander nodded in acknowledgment.
"Thank you for saving us," Marcella said, offering Amelia a bow.
"It's nothing," Amelia replied, smiling. Alexander, standing beside her, nodded in agreement.
"Doesn't your brother talk?" Liam asked, glancing at Alexander.
"He doesn't talk much," Amelia explained, while Alexander gave a subtle nod.
"I see," Liam responded.
"We'll be on our way now," Marcella said, helping Liam to his feet.
"Won't you tend to his wound first?" Amelia asked.
"I don't know how," Marcella admitted.
"Use healing magic," Amelia suggested, her tone encouraging. Alexander nodded in agreement.
"Healing magic? I don't have that," Marcella said, shaking her head.
"How sure are you?" Amelia pressed. "Have you tried using it?"
"No," Marcella replied, feeling uncertain.
"There's no harm in trying," Amelia urged. Alexander nodded again.
Marcella helped Liam sit down, then placed her hands over his wound. She closed her eyes and focused, trying to summon any latent power she might have. After a few moments of concentration, she sighed in frustration. "I give up," she said, her voice filled with defeat.
"I believe in you," Amelia said reassuringly. "You can do it." Alexander nodded in encouragement.
"Why do you believe in me? You don't even know me," Marcella said, feeling the pressure mounting.
"If you can heal him, I'll tell you," Amelia promised.
Driven by curiosity and a growing determination, Marcella tried once more. She placed her hands over Liam's wound and closed her eyes, delving deep into her subconsciousness. As she concentrated, a soft blue light began to glow from her hands. The light grew brighter, closing up Liam's wound and leaving him astonished.
"She's the one!" Amelia shouted, her excitement palpable. Alexander nodded in agreement, a smile breaking across his face.
After Marcella had healed Liam's wound, she gasped in disbelief. The healing had worked, but she struggled to understand how. Amelia, full of excitement, hugged her tightly. "You are the one!" she exclaimed.
Marcella pushed Amelia away slightly and looked at her with curiosity. "What do you mean, 'I'm the one'?" she asked.
"You are the one in the prophecy," Amelia said with a bright smile.
"What prophecy?" Marcella asked, still confused.
"Centuries ago, our ancestors foretold that a girl would appear in the Lunaria Woods. She would have silver hair, deep blue eyes, and wear breeches,tunic,pair of leather boots with a sword—possessing the ability to heal," Amelia explained. Alexander nodded in agreement.
Then Alexander gave Amelia a knowing look. Amelia caught the hint and added, "Oh, I almost forgot to mention—the prophecy says that the girl would come along with a fool," she said, glancing at Liam.
Liam, realizing what Amelia meant, responded with annoyance, "I am not a fool. My name is Liam."
Amelia ignored him and continued, "I can't believe I get to meet the Chosen One."
Marcella, still bewildered, asked, "Me, the Chosen One? What am I supposed to do?"
"It's your duty to figure that out yourself," Amelia said.
"I think you have the wrong person," Marcella replied. "Thank you for your help, but we'll be on our way."
As she turned to leave, Amelia and Alexander both bowed deeply, their faces turned down. "Master," Amelia began, "we, your loyal subjects, are happy to assist you in any way."
Alexander nodded in agreement.
Feeling overwhelmed and out of options, Marcella debated with Amelia for a while but eventually gave in. "Very well then," she said.
Amelia's face lit up with happiness. "We will forever be loyal to you," she replied. Alexander nodded.
"Just for now, until I figure out what this prophecy is about," Marcella said, "but first, we need a place to spend the night."
"Worry not, Master," Amelia said proudly. "The Archer siblings will take care of it."
Alexander nodded. "This way, Master," Amelia said, leading them.
As they followed, Marcella said, "please just call me Marcella."
"Yes, Master," Amelia replied cheerfully.