Theos's pulse hammered as he moved through the trees, the haunting scent of burning wood thick in the air. He had ventured farther than usual today, testing the strange new abilities that pulsed within him—powers that left his head spinning with their strange allure and terrifying potential. But that potent focus dissolved the moment he saw the curling smoke rising through the forest canopy.
His cabin, his home, was ablaze.
Breaking into a run, he felt his chest tighten with a sick fear that tore at his heart. As he approached the clearing, he caught glimpses of soldiers dressed in dark, gleaming armor, blades raised against the familiar figure of Roseville. Her normally gentle demeanor had transformed into fierce determination as she fought, parrying blows with an agility that belied her size. Magic shimmered around her like silver threads, weaving barriers and flinging soldiers backward. But she was outnumbered.
"No…" Theos whispered, panic flooding his chest. How did they find us here?
Fear morphed into anger, and he felt the Delusion power crackle at his fingertips, beckoning him to release it. These invaders who'd come to destroy his family's peace would be the first to witness its wrath. With a guttural shout, he released a wave of disorienting energy, casting illusions around the clearing. Soldiers stumbled, seeing shadows dart out of the woods or hearing sounds of additional fighters that weren't there. The chaotic cacophony bought him precious seconds as he ran forward.
"Roseville!" he shouted, heart pounding as he saw her fending off two soldiers at once. "I'm here!"
"Theos! You need to run!" she called, her voice steady but strained. She ducked beneath a wild swing and countered with a surge of life energy, roots bursting from the ground to entangle one soldier's legs. The man stumbled, cursing as he fought against the vines that held him captive.
But another soldier lunged at Roseville, and Theos's heart raced. He couldn't just stand back and watch! He had to help, but he was only eleven. What could he do against these trained warriors?
"Wait!" he shouted, suddenly struck by a thought. If he was going to leave, he couldn't do so empty-handed. "I need to grab our things!"
Without waiting for her response, he dashed toward the cabin, the flames licking the wooden structure, casting eerie shadows across the ground. He felt the heat radiating toward him, but the thought of losing their belongings spurred him on. He pushed through the door, the air thick with smoke, and quickly scanned the room. He spotted their belongings scattered about his journal, filled with sketches of their life together, and Roseville's small collection of rare and irreplaceable herbs. He snatched them up, cramming them into a small satchel.
"Theos!" Roseville's voice echoed from outside. "You need to hurry!" He turned back toward the door, adrenaline propelling him as he glanced around one last time. There was no time to waste. He bolted outside, clutching the satchel tightly against him, and his heart sank at the sight that met him. Roseville was surrounded, fighting desperately against three soldiers who were closing in on her.
"Go, Theos! Get out of here!" she shouted, deflecting a blade with a burst of life magic that enveloped her hands in a vibrant green glow. She reached out, and flowers bloomed beneath the feet of the soldiers, vines twisting upward to ensnare them. "Hold on, Rose!" he whispered, hoping she'd understand. His body felt like it was splitting in two, but he pressed on, summoning his Delusion power to its limit. Shadows danced, and echoes of himself appeared and disappeared in the firelight. It was enough to sow confusion among the soldiers, but he could feel his strength waning.
Suddenly, a soldier slipped past his illusions and slashed at him, the blade grazing his side. He cried out, stumbling back, feeling his strength flagging. Another soldier raised his weapon, poised to deliver a final strike, and Theos felt the strange, timeless energy coil within him once again. He tapped into it, moving backward in time by a fraction of a second. Dodging the strike, he realized that his powers, though still new, were his best defense against a seemingly hopeless situation. "RUN THEOS I SAID RUN" this time Roseville yelled her voice sounding with not only despair but determination.
Theos realized that if he ran he would be breaking his promise so while running he yelled this As he ran towards the edge of the forest, the flames of their home flickering in the distance, Theos turned to Roseville, his heart heavy. "I'll never forget you," he whispered, tears brimming in his eyes. "I'll come back for you, I promise. I'll learn to control my powers, and we'll reclaim everything together." He reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly, a silent vow binding them even as uncertainty loomed. "You're not just my guardian; you're my family. I love you, Roseville." With a final, lingering look, he turned away, determined to find a way back to her no matter the cost.