Under the moon's cool gaze, Arcadia stood magnificent and tall. Guards were stationed at every door. Paintings adorned the walls, seemingly telling a story no one could understand.

All occupants of the castle had retired for the night, except for Angelina. She was busy tying bedsheets together, forming a makeshift rope. The floor-to-ceiling door leading to the balcony was wide open, allowing a cool breeze to gently blow in. Earlier that day, she had sneaked several bedsheets into her room from the servants' quarters.

Tying the last bedsheet to the previous one, she sighed, wiping imaginary sweat from her forehead. She dragged the self-made rope to the balcony and tied it around the railing securely. Looking down, she ensured no guards were passing by before letting the rope down. Putting on a hoodie and mask, she descended through the rope and ran to the Royal stables.

Inside, she tiptoed over to Midnight, the only black horse in the stable. Midnight was kept separate from other horses, as Angelina's parents believed she was bad luck.

"Easy girl," Angelina whispered, seeing Midnight's excitement. "You have to walk slowly." Midnight grasped the weight of the moment, taking light steps as she walked towards the back door.

Once they were a few meters away from the stables, Midnight began galloping as fast as she could, leading them into the woods. Angelina didn't know how long they'd been on the run. Trees flashed before her eyes like a blur. Relief washed over her when they'd ridden far enough from the castle.

"You can stop now, Midnight," she said, leaning on the horse's neck and whispering in her ear. Midnight halted beneath a large tree.

"You did well, Midnight," Angelina praised, sitting with her back against the tree. Midnight neighed happily, loving the feeling of being praised.

Angelina chuckled, then asked, "Do you think they'll understand why I left?" Midnight could only stare.

Being royalty wasn't easy; she'd been forced into a marriage with an ogre. Those creatures had been causing trouble in Arcadia lately, destroying houses and shops belonging to the small folk. The angels had tried to bind them, but their large size was a problem.

Unable to contain the situation, her father, Archangel Michael, met with the king of ogres, Ramiel. The decision: Ramiel would wed Angelina in exchange for peace. Michael had no other option.

As long as the decision led to peace, angels were willing to give their lives. They were created to protect humans after the devil's binding.Turns out, Humans needed protection from themselves too.

Angelina felt disgusted at the thought of wedding Ramiel. She knew the ogres' true intentions. Why couldn't anyone else see it? Her father agreed to the marriage!

Midnight's relentless neighing pulled Angelina back to reality.

"Easy girl," she said, walking toward Midnight. The horse sensed danger.

A nearby tree fell, echoing through the woods. Angelina gulped hard; this part of the woods was supposed to be safe. Low growls and chains hitting the ground signaled a pack of creatures emerging.

She saw sharp, elongated claws, a bony structure, and bulging eyes. Her eyes widened,fear gripped her tightly.

"Run!" she shouted, turning around. "Run, Midnight!"

Midnight grasped the message, galloping away. Angelina ran in the opposite direction.

The growls grew louder, nearer. Fighting wasn't an option; she wasn't skilled. Her father preferred she hold a comb to a sword.

Opening a portal was risky,she couldn't afford to bear the consequences of opening a dark portal,but she had no choice.

"Aperite portam!" she shouted, making a circle in the air with her right hand.

Seeing the portal ahead, she quickened her pace, walking through it before it closed.

She'd been transported to another wood. She ran toward a tree, throwing up everything she'd eaten.

Just when she thought she was safe,the shrekens reappeared, growling louder.

"Oh, shit!" They knew how to open portals.

Picking up speed, she ran deeper into the dark woods, unsure where she was headed.

Her legs hurt from running,her breath heavy but she had to keep running. Seeing a cave ahead, she quickened her pace.

Just as she was few meters away and was about taking another step ,an invisible barrier pushed her away.

She fell to the ground, hitting her knees again. This time,even harder.

"Ostium aperi!" She stretched out her right palm, but no portal opened.

The barrier had its own special spell,it seemed.

Fear gripped her; she didn't want to die at the shrekens' hands.

They'd torture her, making her rot slowly in hell.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she took large breaths, hoping it wouldn't be her last.

"Ptachoo sha'ar ha'esh!" She said, finally ,a portal opened and she jumped in before the shrekens could get to her.

Behind her, the shrekens halted, fear evident in their eyes.They turned and ran , saving their own lives.

Seeing them run hastily,she breath a sigh of relief as she walked into the cave. She stumbled upon a rock, her wounded knees hitting the ground.

"Shit!" she cursed, holding her wounded elbow. Trying to harness her powers for healing, she failed.

"Stupid powers," she muttered.

The cave's eerie silence surrounded her. Rustling sounds erupted from the depths, followed by the sound of chains breaking.

"Oh no!" Had the shrekens found her?

"Hello... who's there?" she stammered.

Only her echo replied.

"Show yourself!" she demanded, her voice shaking.

Bats flew out from the cave's depths, their wings beating rapidly.

She stared at the dark depths ahead as she stood up. She felt herself drawn to this darkness rather than run from it.

"You should run" her brain kept telling her but her heart whispered that this was fate.

Suddenly, a low growl sounded.

Before she could turn to run,a creature pinned her to the ground.

"Arh!" she screamed,followed by a hiss as she felt her body hurt from the fall. Her head began to spin.

She tried freeing herself from its hold, but it was too strong. She tried kicking but it was futile.

She couldn't even see what this creature was. Am I going to die here? She wondered.

She felt the creature lean towards her neck,his hold on her shoulders tightening.

A cold breath blew against a spot on her neck,followed by sharp pain as she

felt the creature's fangs sink into her neck.

"Ahhh!" Her voice echoed through the cave as the creature drew blood.

Everything went black.