The forest around Elara's cottage was eerily silent. It was as if the trees themselves knew that danger was approaching. Aric stood at the edge of the clearing, his hands buried deep in the fur of the celestial wolf, feeling the creature's warmth and strength.
He didn't fully understand what was happening, but he knew that something was coming.Elara packed a small bag inside their home, moving quickly and quietly. She had made her decision. They would leave before dawn, heading north to the mountains.
There, she hoped to find a sanctuary among the last remnants of those who still followed the old ways.
Suddenly, the wolf lifted its head and growled low in its throat, the hackles on its back rising. Aric felt the air shift around them, the wind whispering a warning. He knew, instinctively, that danger was near.Elara rushed outside, her heart pounding in her chest.
She saw Aric standing there, staring into the woods, the wolf by his side. "Aric," she whispered urgently, "we have to go now."But before they could move, a shadow emerged from the trees. It was a scout, one of Zodd's soldiers, his armor glinting in the pale moonlight. Behind him, more soldiers appeared, their weapons drawn, faces hardened with determination.
Elara stepped in front of her son, shielding him with her body. "Stay behind me," she whispered.The leader of the group stepped forward, his eyes cold. "By order of King Zodd, you are to be taken into custody. The boy, especially."Elara's heart sank.
They had found them.The celestial wolf growled again, positioning itself between the soldiers and Aric. The air grew thick with tension, and Elara's mind raced. They were outnumbered, and even though Aric was powerful, he wasn't ready to face the full force of Zodd's soldiers. She had to think quickly."You don't have to do this," she said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. "Let us go, and you'll never see us again. We mean no harm."The soldier sneered. "Harm or not, the king wants the boy. He won't stop until he's dead, or under his control.
"Elara knew there would be no reasoning with them. She reached out to Aric, her voice soft but firm. "Aric, remember what I taught you. Listen to the forest."The boy nodded, his small hand gripping hers. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, the way his mother had shown him. The wind began to stir again, stronger this time. The trees rustled, their branches moving as if alive. The ground beneath them seemed to hum with energy.The soldiers shifted uneasily, glancing at each other. The leader barked an order. "Take them!"Before they could move, the earth beneath them erupted.
Roots burst from the ground, snaking around the soldiers' legs, trapping them where they stood. The men shouted in surprise and fear, struggling to free themselves, but the roots only tightened their grip.The celestial wolf leapt forward, its eyes glowing with fierce intensity. It knocked one of the soldiers to the ground, its teeth bared, a growl rumbling from deep within its chest.Elara wasted no time. She grabbed Aric's hand and ran. "Come on!" she urged, pulling him through the trees, the wolf following closely behind.They ran through the forest, the sounds of the soldiers' shouts fading behind them. The wind guided their path, the trees bending to shield them from sight, as if the very forest itself was protecting them.After what felt like hours, they finally stopped to catch their breath. Elara bent over, gasping for air, her heart racing. Aric stood beside her, his small face pale but determined. The wolf circled around them, ever vigilant."Are we safe?" Aric asked, his voice trembling.Elara knelt down, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"For now," she whispered. "But we can't stay here. We have to keep moving."Aric nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and something else—something deeper. He was starting to understand what was happening, starting to feel the weight of his destiny.