The city burned. Flames roared through the streets, and houses collapsed under the weight of the fire. Smoke curled into the sky, darkening the night. People screamed as they ran in all directions, trying to escape the destruction. It felt as if the entire world was ending.
In the middle of the chaos, a man and a woman ran through the streets, panting hard. The woman held a baby close to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around him as if the child was the most precious thing in the world. Their faces were pale with fear, sweat dripping down their skin.
"Faster, Lena!" the man urged, pulling his wife along. He glanced behind them, panic filling his eyes.
Lena clutched the baby even tighter, her heart racing. She could feel the army chasing them, getting closer with every step. Their heavy boots stomped through the streets, armor clinking in unison.
"They're right behind us!" the man whispered urgently.
Smoke stung Lena's eyes, but she kept running, forcing her legs to move even though they burned with exhaustion. They darted down a narrow alley, hoping to lose their pursuers in the maze of streets. But the soldiers were too many, and their torches flickered like red eyes in the darkness, closing in on them from every direction.
At the edge of the city, the couple spotted a forest. Without hesitation, they dashed toward it. Lena's legs felt weak, but she didn't stop. The baby squirmed softly in her arms, his little whimpers breaking her heart.
"Shh, it's okay," she whispered to him, though she wasn't sure if it was true.
They leapt over fallen logs and ducked under low-hanging branches, running deeper into the forest where the trees grew thick and close together. The sound of the soldiers grew quieter as they lost sight of the couple among the trees.
"I think we lost them," the man said, slowing down for just a moment to catch his breath.
Lena nodded, though her heart still pounded in her chest. She kissed the baby's head gently, relieved that they had a bit of time. But she knew the soldiers wouldn't give up. They had to keep moving.
After a few minutes of running through the forest, they spotted a small wooden house hidden among the trees. The sight of it gave them hope. The man hurried to the door and knocked hard. His knuckles rapped against the wood with urgency.
A moment later, the door creaked open. A woman with long, golden hair peeked out. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw them.
"Lena?" the woman gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"Saria, please—help us!" Lena whispered, her voice trembling. "The soldiers are after us. We have no place else to go."
Without hesitation, Saria stepped aside and let them in. She took one look at the baby in Lena's arms, then back at the worried faces of the couple. Her expression changed from surprise to concern.
"They're after him?" Saria asked, her voice soft but serious.
Lena nodded, tears shining in her eyes. "We can't stay. We need to get far away from here."
Saria gently took the baby from Lena's arms. The child squirmed for a moment, but soon settled against her. She smiled sadly at him, brushing his soft cheek with her fingers.
"Come," Saria whispered. "I'll take you both to safety."
She led them to the small stable behind her house, where a sleek black horse stood waiting, already saddled. The horse snorted and shifted its weight, sensing the urgency in the air. Saria climbed onto its back, cradling the baby in one arm.
Suddenly, the sound of clanking armor and marching footsteps reached them. The soldiers had found the house.
"They're here!" the man hissed, drawing his sword. His face was pale, but his hands were steady.
"Lena, get on the horse!" he shouted, turning to face the advancing soldiers.
"No! I won't leave you!" Lena cried, tears streaming down her face. She reached out for him, her hand shaking.
"Go, Lena! You have to protect him!" the man shouted, his voice filled with desperation. "Please! Do it for our son!"
With a sob, Lena climbed onto the horse behind Saria. Her heart ached as she watched her husband stand alone, his sword gleaming in the moonlight.
"Hold on tight," Saria whispered. Then she snapped the reins, and the horse leapt forward, galloping into the dark forest. The baby whimpered softly, sensing the tension, but Saria held him close.
Behind them, the soldiers shouted and gave chase, their torches flickering through the trees. The horse raced through the woods, dodging low branches and leaping over fallen logs.
"They're still coming!" Lena cried, panic filling her voice.
Then, without warning, an arrow shot through the air.
Lena gasped as the arrow struck her chest. She clutched the wound, her hand coming away red with blood. Pain exploded through her body, and she let out a sharp cry.
Saria's heart sank. "Stay with me, Lena!" she pleaded, her voice breaking.
But Lena's strength was fading fast. Her breathing grew shallow, and her hands trembled.
Saria whispered a spell, her lips moving quickly. A soft blue glow surrounded the horse's legs, and suddenly it surged forward with incredible speed. The wind roared in their ears as they flew through the forest, leaving the soldiers far behind.
They galloped for what felt like hours until the forest grew quiet again. The horse slowed to a stop near a small cave hidden deep within the trees.
Saria helped Lena down from the horse, carefully supporting her. Lena slumped against the cold stone wall, her face pale and covered in sweat.
"You're going to be okay," Saria whispered, though she knew the truth. Tears welled in her eyes.
Lena smiled weakly, her gaze soft as she looked at her baby one last time.
"Take care of him," Lena whispered, her voice barely audible. "He is... our hope..."
And with that, Lena's eyes closed, and her body went still.
Saria held the baby close, tears streaming down her face. Grief weighed heavy on her heart, but she knew she had to stay strong. The baby needed her now.
In the silence of the cave, Saria whispered a promise.
"I'll protect you, little one. No matter what."
And with that vow, the baby's journey began—a journey that would one day lead him to become a god of fire.