Isabella had always felt different, even as a young girl. The weight of her lineage, of her connection to Javier, hung heavy upon her, though she couldn't understand its full meaning until much later. She was one of Elena's descendants, bound by an ancient promise, but the life she lived felt a world away from the divine fate she'd once imagined for herself. Her reality was far from the dreams of grandeur, the stories of magic, and the holy legacy passed down through generations.
Her family was poor—nothing more than a threadbare existence, scraping by day by day. Her father, once a hopeful man, had long since succumbed to the pressures of poverty, his spirit broken by the relentless weight of life. Her mother, a quiet and resigned woman, had tried to protect Isabella, but her own body and heart were worn thin by years of hardship. The family's small cottage was tucked in a village forgotten by the world, its thatched roof leaking during storms, and the walls cold with the chill of winter's bite.
But Isabella was different. There was a fire inside her that could not be dimmed by the cruel hand of fate. She knew she had to fight for something more, for herself and for the future. She had no choice but to endure.
The worst of her suffering came from her husband, a man who had once promised her love but instead became her tormentor. Marco, a man with a bitter soul, spent his days in a drunken stupor, his nights filled with anger and cruelty. It started with harsh words, sharp as knives, but soon escalated into violence. He had no respect for her, no care for the dreams she might have had. Isabella was nothing to him but a tool, something to be controlled, beaten into submission. He didn't care that she carried the blood of Elena, nor did he know of the Raven's promise that echoed through her veins. He only saw her as a weak, vulnerable woman to use at his whim.
But Isabella fought.
It wasn't easy. She had moments where her resolve nearly cracked, where she thought maybe the world was right and she was just meant to suffer. She had nights where she lay awake, bruised and broken, staring at the ceiling, wishing for a way out. But each time she did, she felt a strange energy stir within her. She couldn't explain it—an ancient power that coursed through her blood, an inexplicable connection to something greater than herself. It was as if Javier, even in his absence, was there, urging her to rise, to break free from the chains that bound her.
Isabella's courage grew with each day. She would not let her children grow up in a house of fear. She would not let Marco's cruelty destroy her, nor the future that she still believed was meant for her. She began to stand taller, her shoulders square as she faced the world, not with fear but with defiance.
She fought back.
At first, it was small acts of rebellion—speaking her mind when Marco tried to silence her, standing firm when he tried to intimidate her. She would no longer be a shadow in her own life. The more she resisted, the more Marco's anger grew, and the more she realized how trapped she had been. But Isabella was no longer afraid. She had something to fight for—her freedom, her children, and the promise of a future that was hers to build.
One evening, after yet another violent outburst from Marco, Isabella decided she had had enough. She couldn't take it anymore. She had spent years taking his blows, taking his insults, but no longer. She had to act—before it consumed her completely.
She packed what little she had, gathering the essentials: food, a blanket, the locket of the golden feather—her family's symbol. She had no illusions about what might happen. There were no guarantees of safety, no promises of freedom. The world would be against her, and Marco would stop at nothing to track her down. But Isabella knew one thing—she would never go back. She could feel her connection to the Raven pulse within her, steady and strong, reminding her that she was destined for something greater.
In the dead of night, she left her home behind, carrying her children with her. The journey ahead was dangerous, but Isabella was undeterred. She would take back her life.
Isabella walked miles and miles, through forests and across hills, sleeping under the stars, and often going without food for days. She had nothing, but she had everything she needed—her strength, her courage, and the unwavering belief that she was meant for more. The road was long and lonely, but each step she took brought her closer to the future she had always known was hers, even if she hadn't fully understood it.
Along the way, Isabella encountered many hardships—bandits who tried to rob her, harsh weather that nearly froze her to the bone, and dangerous wildlife. But she faced each challenge with a tenacity that no one, not even she, had known she possessed. The world seemed intent on breaking her, but Isabella refused to bend.
Eventually, she reached a distant village where, despite the odds, she found work. She started over, living humbly, but finally free. It wasn't easy, and the scars of her past would always be with her, but she was no longer bound by fear. She raised her children to be strong, teaching them to fight for what was right, to stand firm against injustice, just as she had.
As the years went on, Isabella's reputation grew. She became known as a woman of strength, a quiet warrior who fought for her family, for her freedom, and for the generations to come. Though she never spoke of it, there were whispers that her bloodline held a deeper power, a connection to something ancient and divine. And in her heart, Isabella knew the truth—she had not been alone in her struggle. Javier's promise lived within her, guiding her every step.