The forest was eerily quiet as Anastasia made her way through the narrow path, her senses on high alert. She could feel eyes watching her, hidden within the thick canopy of trees. Her hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her sword, ready for whatever danger might appear.
"Zachary, Zackeeyah... It's already night we should head back now." Anastasia said as the Twins nodded and was about to go home when a group of bandits attacked them in the forest.
A sudden rustle in the bushes ahead made her freeze. Before she could react, several figures stepped out, blocking their path. The bandits were scruffy and armed, their grins filled with mischief and malice.
"Sh*t when did they spot us?!" Zachary said as looking at the numbers of the bandit's they will surely lose.
"I'll distract them, Just run now!" Anastasia shouted as the twins run for their lives.
"Well, look at this," said the leader, a tall man with a bandana tied around his head. "A lone traveler in these woods. Dangerous place for someone like you."
Anastasia raised her sword, her voice steady and confident. "If you know what's good for you, you'll turn back and leave me be."
The leader chuckled. "Bold words. Let's see if you can back them up." He gestured, and his group charged forward.
Anastasia moved swiftly, her sword gleaming as it clashed against theirs. She ducked, dodged, and countered with precision, her movements fluid and controlled. Though outnumbered, she fought valiantly, disarming one bandit and sending another stumbling back.
But amidst the chaos, one bandit managed to circle behind her. Before Anastasia could react, she felt a sharp sting on her arm. She spun around, catching sight of a needle in the bandit's hand, and knocked it away.
"What—what did you do to me?" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger as her sword clattered to the ground.
The bandit leader smirked. "Just a harmless little concoction to make things easier for us."
Anastasia's knees buckled as a strange numbness spread through her body. She struggled to stay on her feet, but her strength was fading fast.
"You won't get away with this," she said fiercely, her glare unwavering even as she sank to the ground.
The leader crouched in front of her, his expression smug. "Oh, I think we will. You're coming with us, little warrior. Someone like you could fetch quite a reward."
As her vision blurred and her body refused to move, Anastasia vowed silently to escape and make them regret underestimating her. For now, she was at their mercy, but she wouldn't stay that way for long.
The twins arrived at Steel's mansion while Aaron was waiting outside. "Where have you been?! Where's Anastasia?!" He asked as the twins panicked.
"There was a group of bandits in the forest! Anastasia tried to distract them yet I believe she won't do any good. The bandit's smells like poison." Zachary explained as Aaron looked worried.
'Knight and Target aren't around anymore for me to depend on them while I take this moment to find Anastasia.' he thought as Jayden walked towards them.
"If you want to save her then do it, I'll take care of Zade and the Reyes while your away." He said as Aaron cannot be so sure about this.
"Aaron, What's wrong?" Mary asked as Zade, Wendy and Mary came downstairs for dinner.
"Dad we need to help Anastasia, She might be in trouble!" Zackeeyah said pleading her father to do something as Zade looked at Aaron who is now trembling.
"Aaron, Snap out of it." Zade said as Aaron went back to the reality.
"If you want to save Anastasia I won't stop you but don't you have better things to do first?" Zade asked since tonight was the night that Aaron will be proposing to Mary just as planned yet he looked hesitant right now.
"Aaron?" Mary called as Aaron looked at her. "Anastasia is a strong person, She will outsmart those bandits without your help especially that she is someone stronger than us. What are you worried about?" Zade asked as Aaron clenched his fist.
"Zachary told me that the bandit's smells like poison. If it's really true then Anastasia would be paralized by one wrong move. I..." Aaron looked at Mary. "I have to go and find her boss!" He shouted.
Wendy gasp by this character development of Aaron. 'What is he doing? Is he saying that he's choosing Anastasia over Mary?' Wendy asked herself as she looked at Zade.
"What are you saying Aaron? Zade told you already that Anastasia will be fine you don't need to be so concern about her!" Mary shouted as the whole living room went in silence.
'Why is he choosing that girl in front of me?!' Mary asked herself as she starts to feel jealousy inside.
"I can't do this anymore Boss..." He said as he looked at Zade with teary eyes. "I'm sorry I lied. I'll be better next time but please let me save her. I have to save her." He pleaded as he went down to his knees as he bow down his head almost kissing the floor.
'Uncle went down to his knees to beg, What is he doing this for Anastasia?' Zackeeyah asked as Zade sigh.
"You can leave..." Zade said as Aaron stands up and was about to go when Mary grabbed his hand.
"You can't leave me Aaron! That girl is already capable enough to-"
"I love her!" Aaron shouted that made Mary let go of his hand. "What do you mean? We're getting engaged, What are you saying?!" Mary asked as Wendy knew already what Aaron meant with that.
"I was guilty for killing your father and for making you feel alone in this world. You have no one else, no family or siblings. I wanted to be the person beside you to amend for my sins but I cannot loose Anastasia right now." Aaron went honest to himself.
"Anastasia was my first love, You were someone that pushed me through my limits but Anastasia is someone I love and waited through out the year." He explained as Mary tears submerged.
"Just like you, I'm afraid of her dying even if she's someone strong to stand alone." Aaron said as he clenched his fist. "Just like how you prayed for my safety I prayed for her to come home alive with her reckless decision making." He added.
"Just like how you pushed my buttons, I pushed her away yet she still stands next to me and loved me with all her heart." He explained.
"Maybe your right back then when you said that our chapter ended when I went to Italy to help Katana serve Leon's head." Aaron said as he smiled sadly.
"I'm tired hurting someone I love just because I was feeling guilty this whole time." He added. "I felt guilty leaving you behind without anyone and ..."
Mary slapped Aaron as hard as she can and Aaron didn't say a word about it.
Anastasia walks towards the big mansion of Steel bleeding as she got through those bandit's as her body was luckily immune to that paralyzed poison.
As she opened the door she saw Mary slapping Aaron as everyone was stunned seeing Anastasia.
"I told you Anastasia is okay." Zade said as Anastasia looked confused. Mary walkout as Aaron went to Anastasia.
"Are you okay?" He asked as Anastasia didn't know how to respond. "I'm here to make a report." She said as she ignored Aaron's concern and went straight to Zade.
"But your bleeding right now Anastasia," Zackeeyah said looking worried about Anastasia as she smiled and bow down her head.
"The bandit's are formed by some sort of goons here in the village. They usually take money from the people and abuse the villagers. If you want I can get rid of them today and locate their location." Anastasia said as Zade just stared at how the blood drip over the floor.
Zade looked at Aaron who was standing a meter away from Anastasia.
Zade was about to say something when Wendy hold his hand. "Your bleeding now Anastasia, It must have been the wound you got during your escape. You can't even-"
"If I don't get rid of them those goons will get rid of the village. This village will be doomed." Anastasia said as Zade looked at Wendy who is now worried about what Anastasia said.
"Then I shall come with you." Aaron said as Anastasia glared at him as she wiped the blood flowing on her head.
"Zade is here in the mansion, The falcon wings should be here." Anastasia said.
"Jayden is here he can-"
"Jayden is not enough! Knight and Target are not around! What will you do if there is a sudden attack?! The heirs are here in the village too. They can attack Zade in one shot if you leave them alone here." Anastasia said knowing that her point is right.
"I will take care of this and stop meddling on my business as the falcon eyes. I'll finish everything in one blow alone." She said as she walks outside holding her gun.
'Now she resembles Aaron when she's pissed.' Zade said as he looked at Aaron being left dumbfounded.