66

66

Princess Elowen Starfire.

The image of Aeloria disappearing before my eyes terrified me. I couldn't shake the feeling that it was real. That she was there. That she saw me.

I wish I had run, acted faster, hugged her and said that I was here for her.

But why didn't she speak to me?

Why did she disappear? Why did she look like that? Was she okay? Was she being mistreated? My blood boiled just thinking about it.

Was it a warning? A cry for help? A sign sent by some higher power? Or part of a cruel trap to weaken me? My mind spun in increasingly confusing circles, trying to find logic in the chaos, but there was only one certainty: she is alive.

And she's close. Of that, I am certain. At least something good in the middle of all this, I would find it.

The fury growing inside me had no shape or color; it was like white fire, burning in my veins, consuming any hesitation. The time for doubts was over.

I closed my eyes for a second, feeling the dark magic still hanging around us like a toxic fog. It curled around the soldiers' ankles, tried to suffocate the wolves, and prevented us from breathing naturally. But I would not be defeated by it.

Not now.

I looked at Aric with determination, and then I acted without thinking twice.

I summoned my light magic with both hands, feeling the light rise beneath my skin. It was like pulling life from the earth itself, like holding the beating heart of Aetheria between my fingers. A strong wind formed around me, my hair breaking free from its braid and dancing with the energy, while the roots of the forest glowed beneath my feet. Light and shadow clashed in the air in an invisible duel, and then I pushed everything inside me out, screaming with the strength of my soul.

Raised my hands and then the wind became stronger and the magic of light crossed that forest, with an intense speed.

An explosion of light pierced the darkness, tearing the dark web like lightning in a cloudy sky. Then, mixed with the light, the dark magic dissolved.

I staggered for a second, feeling the impact run through my spine. I was weak, but standing.

I took a deep breath this time and closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them.

“Elowen!” Aric came to me with his eyes alert, still partially transformed. ''Are you okay?”

His voice was hoarse, guttural from the transformation.

“I'm fine,” I replied, catching my breath. ‘It's not over yet.”

He hesitated for a second, as if he wanted to hold me back and protect me from myself, but he said nothing. And that was enough.

“Advance!’ I ordered my warriors. "Push the orcs and humans to the rear. Hit anyone who fights us. But don't kill them yet; I want answers.”

Render nodded firmly, already summoning the others. Wolves howled in response, and swords clanged louder. Then... something strange happened.

The enemies began to retreat.

Too fast.

No fight, no resistance. As if... they were running from something much bigger than us.

They were afraid.

But not of me.

“What are they doing?” I muttered, more to myself than to the others. ‘Are they retreating to protect another part of the path?

“Do you think we're close?’ Aric asked, approaching me.

“I don't think so,” I said, already walking forward. ‘I'm sure.”

I knew I was close to my sister; I could feel it; it wasn't just my instinct, but the wolf inside me. I could feel my sister; I could feel her presence, even muffled by magic, even from afar.

“Follow me,'’ I ordered. ''Now!”

We moved forward together, leaving the corrupted clearing behind us and crossing a natural passage in the woods. The ancient trees became less dense until we came upon a field forgotten by time. There were stone ruins erected in a circle, columns broken in half, and inscriptions in languages as old as the world itself.

It was an ancient temple.

“These symbols...” I murmured, kneeling before a moss-covered stone. ‘'They're for protection, but they've been broken.”

Aric approached, running his fingers over a cracked rune.

“This place was used for rituals.”

“Rituals like keeping my sister hidden,'’ I concluded, looking at Aric and then at Render, who nodded slowly.

That was it; they were doing this to keep us from finding Aeloria.

In the center of the ruins was a crystal pedestal, partially destroyed but still glowing with a strange energy. When I touched it, I felt the dark energy of the same magic that had been used against us in battle. Then I understood...

Our enemies were much stronger than I thought; they had access to powerful magic, and my sister was surely hidden in a place with a lot of dark magic.

“I'm sure she's hidden in a place with a lot of magic. This artifact has traces of the same magic they used on us in the fight,” I said, looking indignant.

“Let's follow the trail of magic, and we'll find her,'' Aric said, resting his right hand on my shoulder.

“Yes.” I stood up, looking at every face around me—the soldiers, the wolves, Render, and even Aric. “She's close, and we'll find her, no matter what it takes.”

I lifted my chin, looking at everyone with a serious expression.

“They think they can stop us with ancient magic, with corrupted creatures, with illusions and traps. They are mistaken; there is no force in this world that can stop me from rescuing Aeloria.” I said, clenching my teeth, feeling the fury spread.

But I controlled myself; they would see my fury later, on the battlefield.

My fist closed around the sword, which responded with a subtle glow, as if it were alive with my rage.

“They will see what I am made of.” Aric looked at me, his eyes shining with surprise and fascination—something I wasn't expecting.