Lira's PoV:
The morning began with Kira's determined shouts echoing through the yard. The boy was tireless, swinging his wooden sword with all the strength his small frame could muster. I stood nearby, arms crossed, watching his form with a critical eye.
"Keep your stance balanced," I called out. "You'll fall on your face if you keep leaning forward like that."
"Yes, ma'am!" Kira shouted back, his voice filled with excitement.
Lily sat on a nearby stump, giggling as she clapped for her brother. "You're so cool, brother!" she cheered, her small hands cupped around her mouth for added effect.
Kira grinned but didn't let his focus waver.
I couldn't help but smile. His enthusiasm was infectious, even if I still felt uneasy about teaching a child how to fight.
Suddenly, the rhythmic sound of hooves pounding the earth interrupted the peaceful morning. My smile faded as I turned toward the road leading into the village.
"What's that?" Kira asked, lowering his wooden sword.
Lily clutched the edge of my tunic, her eyes wide.
I stepped forward, shielding them both as a column of soldiers rode into the village. Their polished armor gleamed in the sunlight, and the banners they carried bore the insignia of a royal.
At their center was a man whose presence demanded attention, a King. His golden crown reflected the light like a flame, and his expression was one of cold authority.
"Stay close," I murmured to the children, my hand instinctively moving to my sword.
The villagers were quickly dragged from their homes and gathered in the square. Maeve emerged from her house, her face pale but calm, and joined us as we moved with the crowd.
King Marcus dismounted his horse with practiced ease, his piercing gaze sweeping over the gathered villagers.
"I am King Marcus of Aetheria," he announced, his voice cutting through the tense silence. "I have come to claim what belongs to my kingdom: the divine beast that resides in these forests."
The crowd murmured, fear and confusion rippling through them like a wave.
"Seok-Hyun," Marcus continued, "is no mere legend. He is real, and he belongs to me now. Provide me with information on his whereabouts, or suffer the consequences."
The soldiers began moving through the crowd, their demands sharp and relentless.
Kira clutched my hand tightly, his earlier excitement replaced with fear. Lily buried her face in Maeve's skirt, trembling.
I stayed silent, my mind racing. This wasn't just an invasion—it was a declaration of power, a show of dominance.
The tension in the square was suffocating. The soldiers towered over the villagers, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Fear clung to the air, thick and heavy.
Kira's grip on my hand tightened, and I glanced down at him. His eyes were wide with worry, and Lily clung to Maeve like a frightened bird.
I couldn't let this escalate.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, my boots crunching against the dirt. The crowd parted slightly, their murmurs growing louder as I moved toward King Marcus.
"I know where he is," I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
The king turned to me, his sharp eyes narrowing. "And who are you to claim such knowledge?"
"I have walked the forest," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. "I've seen the beast you're looking for. If you let the villagers go, I'll lead you to him."
A murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Maeve's eyes locked onto mine, a silent plea evident in her gaze.
Marcus studied me for a moment, his lips curling into a faint, arrogant smile. "Very well," he said. "Lead me to the beast, and I'll consider sparing this pathetic village."
I clenched my fists at his condescension but forced myself to stay calm. If I fought here, the villagers would pay the price.
Turning on my heel, I strode toward the forest's edge. The soldiers mounted their horses, their movements efficient and disciplined, and followed closely behind.
The forest's shadows thickened as we ventured deeper, the towering trees swallowing the sunlight. My mind raced with possibilities and contingencies, the weight of the villagers safety pressing heavily on my chest.
Behind me followed the king and his entourage of nearly ten thousand soldiers, a staggering display of strength for a single quarry. Marcus clearly believed Seok-Hyun was a threat of unimaginable proportions.
I didn't lead them directly into the heart of the forest. Instead, I wove through winding paths, circling whenever possible, making it seem as though I was following a natural route. I needed time, time for Seok-Hyun to sense the intrusion, time for the forest itself to react.
But an uneasy question gnawed at the edge of my thoughts: if Seok-Hyun destroyed the army, what would happen to the villagers? The king had promised to spare them, but I knew the fickle nature of men like him. If he failed to capture his prize, his wrath would surely turn to those he could easily harm.
I clenched my fists, my pace steady even as my thoughts spiraled.
"Lady,"came Marcus voice, sharp yet laced with a twisted amusement.
I felt his hand on my shoulder, and before I could react, he continued, "After this trip, I'll have you serve me in my bed and bear my—"
The words stopped abruptly, replaced by a sickening sound a wet, metallic thunk.
I turned sharply, my breath catching. The king's body stood for a moment, headless, before collapsing to the forest floor. Blood sprayed in violent arcs, staining the leaves and soil.
Above us, the trees whispered ominously, the forest alive with a malevolent energy.
The soldiers erupted in chaos, some rushing forward, others drawing their weapons and shouting commands. Their disciplined formation crumbled as fear gripped them.
I stepped back instinctively, my eyes scanning the shadows for the source of the strike. The air crackled with tension, and a low growl rumbled from the depths of the forest.
Seok-Hyun had arrived.
****
Marcus PoV:
I had always prided myself on my wit, my charm, my invincibility. The woman leading us was beautiful, her movements captivating. Something about her stirred a primal desire in me, and I couldn't resist asserting my claim.
"Lady," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Aafter this trip, I'll have you serve me in bed and bear my—"
The world tilted.
Why was I seeing my body standing without a head? Why was my perspective upside down?
Confusion flashed through me, followed by a rush of cold terror. My soldiers screams echoed faintly as the darkness enveloped me.
And then, nothing.