Outside the burning palace, the survivors of the massacre gathered in the courtyard, their faces pale with terror. The sky had darkened as if mourning the tragedy unfolding below.
Among the crowd, whispers spread about the princess's transformation and the prophecy that had once seemed like a distant legend.
Radha, standing amidst the flames, felt an overwhelming surge of power coursing through her veins. Her vision blurred as memories of her sheltered life, her parents' loving faces, and the prophecy all swirled together. The fire around her seemed to respond to her emotions, growing fiercer with each passing second.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Radha!" It was her childhood friend, Arjun, who had managed to evade the slaughter. He stood at the edge of the courtyard, his eyes wide with fear and concern. "Radha, you need to control it! You're going to destroy everything!"
Hearing Arjun's voice, Radha's rage began to subside slightly, replaced by confusion and a flicker of recognition. She looked around, seeing the devastation her powers had wrought. The sight of innocent lives caught in the blaze snapped her back to reality.
With great effort, Radha focused on calming herself. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to pull back the flames. Slowly, the fire began to recede, leaving charred ruins in its wake. The winds died down, and the palace, though heavily damaged, was no longer ablaze.
Arjun rushed to her side, helping her stay upright as the exhaustion from using her powers took its toll. "Radha, we need to leave. The kingdom is in chaos, and Kartikeya will come back with reinforcements.
"Radha nodded weakly, her mind racing. "We can't just run, Arjun. We need to protect our people and stop Kartikeya. I need to learn to control these powers, understand them.
"Arjun looked at her, determination in his eyes. "Then we'll find someone who can help you. There are ancient texts and wise sages who might know more about your abilities. But first, we need to get to safety.
"Supporting each other, Radha and Arjun made their way through the remnants of the palace. As they reached the outskirts, Radha turned to look back one last time, vowing to return and reclaim her home from the hands of the tyrant who had taken everything from her.