The gates of the Northern Forest weren't ordinary—thick fog hung in the air like cobwebs, and the atmosphere shifted as we approached, the air growing heavy with a mysterious chill.
Soon, a violent wind picked up, swirling like a tornado around us. The horses, already weary, began to collapse, one by one.
"Ahhhh….What is happening?!" I screamed, gripping my reins as tight as I could, but it was no use. My sword, which I barely knew how to use, slapped against my back as I was nearly lifted off the ground by the wind.
"Hold on to me!" Zander yelled bravely through the storm. "Everyone, grab on!"
Without hesitation, I lunged toward him, wrapping my arms around his solid frame.
The other warriors quickly followed suit. Zander stood firm like an immovable pillar and whipped out a thick rope. He wrapped it around himself and passed it down the line, tying us all together like a human chain.
"We can't walk through this wind!" he yelled. "We crawl!"
He took out a small seax, a short knife, and plunged it deep into the earth, using it as an anchor to pull himself forward. I copied him, stabbing my blade into the ground, but my grip slipped as the wind howled fiercely around us. Thankfully, the rope held tight, and I was yanked back into place.
With renewed determination, I stabbed again—this time harder. The blade held, and I slowly crawled forward, following the others as we fought against the relentless storm.
After what felt like hours of inching forward, we finally crawled past the violent wind but that was not the end of our ordeal.
"We're going to roll down! Hold on!" Zander yelled, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind.
"Whhhhat?!" I gasped, staring at the steep drop below. Roll where? We'll die!
Before I could think of the next course of action I was pulled down by the wind into the fall.
"Your Highness!"
But the rope wrapped around me was already loose. My heart pounded in my chest as I felt my body plummet. For about thirty terrifying seconds, I was free-falling.
SPLASH!
I hit the water hard, the impact strong enough to knock the breath from my lungs. The icy river enveloped me, pulling me under. Panic surged through me as I struggled to swim to the surface.
COUGH! COUGH!
I choked, spitting out the water that lingered in my throat as I dragged myself to the banks of the river. My entire body ached—my arms were bruised, my legs weak, and my back throbbed from the fall.
Unable to get up on my feet, I collapsed onto the wet ground, drenched and battered. The moon was already hung in the sky above me, casting a faint light on my soaked and weary form.
My body gave up. I fainted.
In the darkness of my mind, an image began to form—a woman running through a field in a bright blue dress. It was my mother.
I had missed her so much. She looked so peacefully beautiful, her hair flying in the wind as she ran, her lips stretched to a full smile. My heart ached. Tears welled up in my eyes.
"M...Mo"
I wanted to call out to her, but I couldn't. My mouth was still shut.
As I watched her, helplessly frozen, her mouth started moving, as if she was saying something. But I couldn't hear what she was saying. Slowly, her image started growing, fading away.
I did not want to let go of her again. But I was frozen. I tried everything in my body to scream!
"MOTHER!" I finally screamed, but my scream brought me back to reality.
As I sat up, it was already dark at night.
I looked around me, I was alone. My mind flashed at what had happened earlier, I had fallen from a steep height and then washed away to this shore.
What!? I was all alone? Panic set in me.
"Zander!... Aiden!... Barrette!..Bade!.. Murdock!..." I called out to them. But I was met with a resounding echo of my own voice then ... silence.
As I called out again, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes. My pulse quickened, and instinct took over. I immediately unsheathed my sword from my back.
Suddenly, a low growl rumbled from the dense underbrush, sending chills down my spine. The growl grew louder, and then, without warning, a massive creature leaped out—a very very big dog... No, it looked like a wolf. Its fur was dark and its eye glowed green in the night.
"oh-oh!"
I muttered under my breath, steadying my stance. There is no way I'm dying here.
The wolf circled, muscles rippling under its thick fur, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.
And then it lunged, jaws snapping toward my throat. I dodged just in time, rolling to the side as its massive body crashed to the ground, claws tearing into the earth.
Ha Ha…too slow, big dog.
I tried to recall some moves that Einar my trainer has demonstrated to me. Now, with a quick, practiced movement, I slashed upward, my sword gleaming in the dim light. The blade connected with the wolf's flank, cutting through its thick hide.
The beast howled in rage, spinning to face me again. It charged once more, faster this time, I quickly turned to my back. The beast in one motion, slashed me with its claws.
"Arrggghhh" I screamed in pain. My back was wet from my own warm blood.
This beast was hungry for my flesh but there was no way my body would be eaten by this wolf.
I was still a virgin!
Curled up in agony.
All of a sudden a burning sensation ignited deep inside me—not like normal pain, but a searing heat that didn't burn. It was like fire, but instead of consuming me, it kinda gave me strength… more strength.
My vision blurred, and then—
"Arrrghhh!"
A scream tore from my throat as my eyes blazed, shooting out a bright red light, illuminating the darkness. The heat intensified, surging through my veins. I stumbled to my feet, gripping the hilt of my sword.
To my astonishment, flames erupted from the blade, licking its edge, as if the fire from within me had fused with the steel.
I wasn't in control anymore, but I felt invincible - an unstoppable force coursing through me.
The wolf charged once more, teeth bared and eyes glowing with hunger. But this time, I didn't flinch.
As it lunged, I sidestepped effortlessly, raising my fiery sword high. With a powerful, fluid motion, I brought it down on the creature. The flame-coated steel cut through the air like a scorching comet, slicing through the beast's thick neck.
A sickening spray of blood erupted as the wolf stumbled, a desperate growl escaping its throat as it tried to cling to life.
But I was beyond fear now. It lunged again, its final, desperate attack, but I was quicker. My body moved on instinct, driven by the need to survive. With another fierce strike, I plunged the flaming sword into its chest, the blade sinking deep until I felt the satisfying impact of its heart. The creature let out one last, pitiful howl before collapsing at my feet with a heavy thud.
The surge of power within me began to fade just as quickly as it had come. My vision blurred, and the fire around my sword flickered and died.
I staggered, feeling the life drain out of me. Blood dripped from my nose, staining the ground.
I gasped for air as I collapsed to the ground.
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[A/N]
Omg! If you have gotten to this chapter, I'm thrilled I kept your attention till now.
please ensure you keep my book in your collection, give this book a review and at this point, I would not mind showering me with some power stones.