Olivia's breath caught in her throat as she
Olivia didn't need to be told twice. She bolted down the hallway, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn't know where Dylan or her mother were, but she prayed they were safe. As she ran, she could hear the sounds of battle intensifying behind her—clashing steel, the strange hiss of the shadow creatures, and the shouts of the guards stationed throughout the mansion.
The estate had been attacked.
She reached the staircase that led to the lower levels of the mansion, her breath coming in ragged gasps. As she descended, she heard a familiar voice—Dylan.
"Olivia!" he yelled, rushing toward her with panic in his eyes. He was holding his arm, which was bleeding from a shallow cut, but he seemed otherwise unharmed. Behind him, their mother was limping, Dr. Franklin supporting her as they moved down the hall.
"Are you okay?" Olivia asked, her voice trembling. She could hardly process the fear that had gripped her, but she pushed it down, focusing on her family.
"We're fine," her mother said weakly, though her face was pale. "What… what are those things?"
"I don't know," Olivia admitted, her eyes darting around. "But we have to keep moving. There's a safe room somewhere."
Before they could take another step, the walls around them began to darken, shadows seeping out from the corners as more of the creatures materialized. Olivia's stomach twisted with fear as they advanced, their faceless forms gliding silently toward them.
This time, however, Olivia didn't hesitate. The adrenaline coursing through her veins ignited something deep within her. She reached for the power she had been training to control, and this time, she didn't hold back.
Her hands began to glow with an intense light, the energy inside her pulsing and surging. Without thinking, she thrust her hands forward, and a wave of force erupted from her body, slamming into the shadow creatures. The impact sent them scattering, dissolving into nothingness as the light consumed them.
She stood there, panting, her body shaking from the effort. But the creatures were gone, at least for the moment.
The secret guard reappeared, his sword bloodied but his stance still strong. "That was only the first wave," he said, his voice grim. "There will be more. You're the target, Olivia. They're after your power."
Olivia's mind raced as she tried to process what he was saying. "Why? Who sent them?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out. But for now, we need to get you out of here. The estate isn't safe anymore."
Olivia nodded, though her mind was swirling with fear and confusion. She had never imagined her powers would attract such deadly enemies. The attack wasn't random—this was something much bigger than she had realized. And now, her family was in danger because of her.
As they hurried toward the safe room, Olivia glanced at her mother and Dylan. Both of them had sustained minor injuries, but they were alive. The same couldn't be said for many of the guards scattered throughout the estate. She had seen their bodies lying motionless as they fled.
For the first time since they arrived at the estate, Olivia truly understood the seriousness of the situation. This wasn't just about training or learning to control her powers. This was about survival. Whoever—or whatever—was after her, they weren't going to stop until they had her.
And Olivia knew, without a doubt, that this was only the beginning.
The aftermath of the attack on the mansion was nothing short of chaotic. The once grand and serene estate was now a battlefield. Guards were scattered throughout the grounds, many injured, some worse off. The estate's staff rushed to tend to the wounded, but the air was thick with tension and fear. The faceless creatures had left, but their presence lingered in every corner, haunting the once safe haven.
Edmund stood in the center of the main hall, his face a storm of anger and frustration as he barked orders at the remaining guards. His usually composed demeanor had cracked, revealing the gravity of the situation.
"How could this happen?!" Edmund's voice thundered through the hall. "How could you be so careless? Those creatures were inside the estate without a single alarm raised! We should have sensed them long before they even breached the perimeter!"
The guards stood silently, heads lowered, unsure of how to respond. They had been trained to protect the estate from all threats, yet these dark, ghost-like creatures had moved undetected. And worse—Olivia had been their target.
"It's obvious now," Edmund continued, pacing back and forth. "They know exactly who Olivia is, and more importantly, they know where she is. We're not safe here anymore."
He stopped pacing and turned to the head guard. "Double the patrols. Increase the magical wards around the estate. I don't care what it takes, but we can't afford another attack like this. Understood?"
The head guard nodded, immediately relaying orders to the other men. The estate was being fortified, but everyone knew it wasn't enough. Whoever had sent those creatures would come again, and next time, they might not be so lucky.
Edmund's gaze then fell on Olivia, who stood quietly by the stairs, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of shock and confusion. The adrenaline from the attack had worn off, and now, all she could think about was the overwhelming realization that her life had been turned upside down. The creatures had come for her, not her family. Her powers—whatever they were—had drawn them here.
"Olivia," Edmund called, his voice softer now, but still tense. "Come with me. There's something you need to see."