Zarek stood firm, the wooden stick trembling in his hand as he confronted the bear. "Go away!" he commanded, his voice low and steady.
The bear, undeterred, took another step closer. Zarek's eyes locked onto its fierce gaze, his heart racing with adrenaline. Summoning every ounce of strength, he screamed at the top of his lungs, "Go away!"
The bear suddenly halted, its ears ringing from Zarek's piercing cry. It turned and fled, disappearing into the dense forest.
Eva watched in awe, her breath caught in her throat. Zarek's bravery had saved her from the jaws of danger.
As Zarek approached her, concern etched on his face, Eva's eyes welled up with tears. Her yellow dress was dirtied from the fall, and her voice trembled.
"Why?" Eva asked, her voice laced with sadness and hope. "Why are you here?"
Zarek's expression softened, his eyes filled with compassion. "I saw you fall from the tree," he replied. "I came to save you."
Eva's eyes widened in surprise, "Save me? Why?" she whispered.
Zarek's gaze met hers,"I thought you might need help."
Eva's eyes widened as memories surged, flooding her mind with echoes of the past. "Eva-chan, you're amazing. You can do anything on your own without any help," the voices whispered.
She thought to herself, "Everyone treated me like a prodigy, a genius. They assumed I could handle everything alone, never needing a hand. I've never asked for help, nor has anyone offered. Until now."
Zarek's outstretched hand beckoned, a lifeline in a sea of isolation.
Tears streamed down Eva's face, her heart overflowing with emotion. For the first time, someone saw beyond her facade, offering support and kindness.
Zarek's expression transformed from concern to shock as Eva's tears flowed. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with empathy.
Eva nodded, her voice barely audible. "No... thank you for helping me." Her cheeks flushed crimson as she smiled, her eyes closing in gratitude. The warmth of her smile illuminated her face like a gentle light.
As she rose from the ground, her ankle throbbed in protest. "Ow!" she groaned, wincing in pain.
Zarek's gaze snapped to her ankle, concern etched on his face. Blood seeped from the wound.
Without hesitation, Zarek tore the sleeve from his white T-shirt, leaving one arm bare. Eva's eyes widened as he gently took her ankle, his touch sending shivers down her spine.
Kneeling beside her, Zarek carefully covered the wound, his fingers brushing against hers. Eva's blush deepened as she watched him tend to her injury.
As Zarek tied the makeshift bandage, Eva's gaze lingered on his face, captivated by his kindness. His eyes met hers, filled with warmth and concern.
"Does it hurt?" Zarek asked, his voice soft.
Eva nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "A little."
Zarek's expression softened. "I'll get you back to safety. We'll tend to it properly."
Zarek turned to Eva, kneeling beside her. "Get on my back," he said, his voice firm but gentle.
Eva's face flushed pink. "It's okay, I....I..can walk," she protested.
But Zarek's expression remained resolute. "With that ankle, you can't walk right. We should get out of here before it's too late."
Eva hesitated, then wrapped her arms around Zarek's neck, settling into a piggyback position.
As they walked through the dark forest, the sky transformed into a deep shade of indigo. Moonlight filtered through the trees, casting an ethereal glow.
Their footsteps quiet, they navigated the forest's twists and turns. Suddenly, the trees parted, revealing a breathtaking cliffside vista.
Zarek halted, Eva's arms still wrapped around his neck. Her voice whispered in his ear, "Wow..."
They gazed upward, mesmerized by the sea of glittering stars. The night sky shimmered like diamonds scattered across velvet.
"Whoa, it's beautiful," they breathed in unison, their eyes sparkling with wonder.
For a moment, they forgot the danger and uncertainty, lost in the majesty of the starry night.
"My mom used to say that far away, among those stars, there might be people like us living there," Zarek said, his eyes sparkling with wonder.
Eva's voice was filled with awe. "Your mom?"
Zarek nodded. "Yeah, I have a mom, but she's sick now. If what she said was true, I'd love to visit that place someday."
Eva's smile was radiant. "To think that there might be a whole new world outside our own... it's thrilling!"
Zarek's voice filled with excitement. "Really? You think so too?"
As they turned to leave, a rustling in the bushes caught their attention. They exchanged a cautious glance, preparing to face the unknown.
But instead of danger, a flashlight emerged from the bushes, followed by the rescue team.
Their eyes widened in relief as they realized they'd been found.
"We're saved!" Zarek exclaimed.
As Eva stepped off Zarek's back, his necklace caught on her dress, revealing a small crystal pendant.
"Chief, we've found the kids!" the rescue officer reported.
The chief's response was audible in the distance. "Thank goodness! Bring them here, safely."
****
The sun-drenched prayer hall of the church bustled with the gentle chatter of nuns. Eva approached them, Zarek's crystal pendant clutched in her hand.
"This belongs to Zarek," she thought to herself. "It must have gotten attached to my dress accidentally. I need to return it to him."
"Sister," Eva called out, her voice gentle.
But the nun's expression faltered, her eyes clouding with sorrow. "Eva, child..." she began, her voice hesitant.
Eva's heart sank, sensing the weight of the nun's words.
"The boy who was with you... he's gone missing," the nun announced, her voice barely above a whisper.
Eva's world crumbled, the words striking her like a cold wind.Eva's head bowed, her shoulders sagging under the weight of disappointment. The nun's words echoed in her mind: "The boy who was with you... he's gone missing."
Tears dripped from her eyes, landing softly on the stone floor.
The nun's concerned voice broke the silence. "Eva, are you okay?"
But Eva's mind had drifted elsewhere. Memories flooded her thoughts: Zarek's smile, his kindness, and their shared wonder at the starry sky.
"Since then, I haven't seen him," she whispered to herself.
****
Electric blue lightning crackled and danced around the figure standing before Eva, casting an ethereal glow on the surrounding air. The knight's imposing form towered several feet away, radiating an aura of power.
Eva's head remained bowed, her gaze fixed on the crystal pendant now hanging around her neck. The delicate chain seemed fragile against her skin, but the symbol it held was etched in her heart .
The soft hum of lightning underscored the silence between them, as if the very air vibrated with anticipation.
"I wish I could have met you again, Zarek," she whispered, "to return this necklace and thank you once more for saving me."
With a determined grasp, Eva tightened her hold on her staff. Small yellow photons began to emanate from her, enveloping her in a warm, golden mana.
Maria's eyes squinted against the radiant light