Enchanted Shadows of The Empress of Cinders

I held her tighter as she cried into my shoulder, feeling each tremor of grief ripple through her body. My heart broke for her; I wished I could take away all her sorrow and fears with just this embrace. The world outside continued to spin on its axis while we remained cocooned in our own little sanctuary—a moment suspended in time where empathy reigned supreme.

As I let loose the embrace, I felt the warmth of Isabella's body linger, but her tears continued to flow, unrelenting. I instinctively reached for her right arm with my left hand, gently wiping away the tears that stained her cheeks with my right. The soft brush of my fingers against her skin seemed to momentarily ease her sorrow. I leaned in closer, tapping our foreheads together, and whispered softly, "Stay with me throughout the event. Alright?"

She nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she attempted to regain her composure.

Just then, Lily entered the scene, settling herself behind me. I noticed her presence but chose to focus on Isabella, who needed me more at that moment. However, as she sat down, Lily unexpectedly grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back against her, allowing me to rest against her chest. Her chin nestled atop my head, providing a sense of security amidst the emotional turmoil.

"I thought you didn't like her," Lily whispered, her gaze fixed on Isabella, who was too absorbed in wiping away her tears to notice our exchange.

I tilted my head back slightly, making eye contact with Lily while still resting against her. "I still do. But—" I smiled instead of finishing my thought, hoping she would understand without needing further explanation.

"I see," she replied softly, gently pushing me upright so I could sit properly.

At that moment, Idris, Eamon, and Fenris joined us on the mat, their presence adding a sense of camaraderie to the gathering.

"Hey, Isabella. Don't cry," Eamon said with an encouraging tone.

"Yeah! You're a strong girl!" Fenris chimed in enthusiastically.

"That's right. If Tarian were here—" Idris began, but before he could finish his thought, Isabella interrupted him sharply.

"If Tarian were here, then this would've never happened in the first place!" she shouted, anger flaring in her voice.

Lily and I exchanged glances but remained silent as the tension hung in the air. It was clear that emotions were running high.

Leaning back slightly against Lily's comforting presence, I whispered into her ear, "Do you know if anyone else from the family will be visiting?"

She leaned forward, brushing my shoulder lightly as she whispered back conspiratorially. "Hmm... if I recall correctly, Lady Aeliana, Lady Zephyra, and Lady Vespera along with their children will definitely show up today."

"But Lux! Why don't you call me mommy?" Lily teased playfully, snuggling deeper into my shoulder.

My mind went blank. MOMMY? OUT OF ALL WORDS, YOU WANT ME TO CALL YOU MOMMY?

*brain has stopped working*

I never even called my own biological mother with such great effort – the woman who spent 9 months carrying me around like a human backpack, survived my teenage rebellion phase, and still loves me even after I sided with her brother-in-law and ended up giving absolutely no sh*t about my biological dad and accepted this uncle of mine to be my sole guardian?– and you think I'll call YOU mommy?

*mental eye roll so hard my imaginary eyeballs do a full 360*

Damn woman, you're asking for too much. What's next, you want me to draw us in a family portrait? List you as my emergency contact? Buy you a "World's Best Mom" mug from the dollar store? I can barely remember which side of the bed I woke up on this morning!

Ugh, whatever. I'll play along just once.

"Oh, alright then, Lil—I mean, mother," I replied, a genuine smile breaking through the facade I often wore. It felt good to let that warmth seep into my expression for a change.

Her face lit up with a smile that reached her eyes, and she wrapped her arms around my collarbone, pulling me into a tight embrace. I felt the familiar comfort of her presence, the softness of her hair brushing against my cheek as she snuggled her head against mine. For a fleeting moment, the world outside faded away.

"Umhh," I mumbled, half-heartedly resisting the urge to melt into her warmth. "I'll be back." With that, I sprang up abruptly, breaking free from her grasp before she could respond. I dashed into the depths of the forest, leaving behind the cacophony of voices—Isabella's sharp retorts, Idris's booming laughter, Eamon's witty comebacks, and Fenris's low growls—as they continued their spirited debate. Lily watched me go, her expression a mix of concern and confusion.

As I plunged into the embrace of the forest, the morning sun struggled to penetrate the thick canopy above. The towering trees loomed like ancient sentinels, their gnarled branches intertwining to create a tapestry of shadows that danced on the ground below. The air grew cooler and heavier with each step I took, the vibrant sounds of life outside muffled by the dense foliage surrounding me.

"VELES!" I shouted into the stillness, my voice echoing off the bark-clad giants. "I summon you!" The words felt charged with urgency as they pierced through the silence.

In response, a swirling storm of blue sand began to coalesce before me. It twisted and twirled in an ethereal dance until Veles emerged from its depths in his human form. He was a sight to behold—wild hair tousled like a tempest and eyes sparkling with mischief.

"LUMIIIII!" he bellowed joyously as he lunged forward to envelop me in a bear hug.

"FINALLY MAN! I was getting worried!" His exuberance was infectious as he squeezed me tighter than I thought possible. I gasped for breath, struggling against his grip.

"Hey, get off of me!" I exclaimed, laughter bubbling up despite my protests. Finally managing to push him away, I caught my breath and looked into his playful eyes.

"Okay, okay," he conceded, raising his hands in mock surrender as if he were about to be arrested for overzealous affection. His grin was wide and bright.

"Can you summon Myla and Mylo—I mean, Drake—for me?" I requested, maintaining a straight face as I met Veles's gaze. He regarded me with a bemused smile, lowering his hands as if to signal his willingness to comply, though the slight irritation was conspicuous instantly morphing into concrete vexation. With a dramatic roll of his eyes, he placed both hands on his hips, turning slightly away from me. "Fine, whatever," he huffed, the words dripping with reluctant acceptance. In a swift motion, he snapped his fingers twice, the sound sharp and decisive.

In an instant, two swirling blue sand storms erupted at Veles's sides, their vibrant hues contrasting starkly against the muted greens of the forest. Veles stood firmly in the middle, arms crossed and a frown etched on his face as if he were an unwilling participant in this ritual.

From the tempestuous whirls emerged Drake on one side, his familiar figure cutting through the chaos with ease, while Myla materialized on the other. The moment they laid eyes on me, their faces lit up with unrestrained joy. They rushed forward, enveloping me in a tight embrace that spoke volumes—words were unnecessary in this moment of connection.

We held onto each other for what felt like an eternity before reluctantly letting go. Our smiles were sincere and knowing; we shared an unspoken understanding of the challenges that lay ahead. Behind us, Veles stood like a sentinel, arms still crossed and his expression a blend of annoyance and spleen.

I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of anticipation settle over us. Glancing down for a brief moment to gather my thoughts, I raised my head and broke the silence. "So," I began, shrugging my shoulders lightly to shake off the tension that had built up. I tilted my head to the right and beckoned Veles to join us.

"As I was saying," I began, only to be abruptly interrupted by Veles.

"To think you're still wearing that sapphire necklace," he remarked, a hint of disbelief coloring his tone.

I instinctively touched the cool surface of the necklace, feeling its weight against my skin. "Oh?" I replied, arching an eyebrow in playful challenge.

Myla and Mylo shot Veles a disapproving glare, their expressions mirroring the irritation that hung in the air. Veles merely rolled his eyes and fell silent, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Well, whatever," I said, shaking off the moment. "As I was saying, I have a plan. We're going to kill Xerxes."

The declaration hung heavily in the air, and all eyes widened in shock. Just as Mylo opened his mouth to clarify, I pressed on. "Xerxes—the one who claimed we're going through the same ordeal. He's connected to my father—my uncle, rather. Oh and, my Uncle's innocent in this mess, but there's still much I need to uncover from him. Setting that aside for now, your task is to investigate the 'Artifact of Lirania' and gather information about Xerxes and any of my ancestors who dabbled in black magic or exhibited suspicious behavior. Additionally, look into Domino's enemies—anyone harboring ill intentions toward Domino, whether they reside within its borders or beyond."

I paused for breath, gauging their reactions before continuing. "Furthermore, I want to rally support from the witches, the lycanthropes, and perhaps even mercenaries—anyone you know who might assist us in mounting a rebellion."

"WHAT?" came the collective outburst from the trio.

"REBELLION?" Myla and Mylo echoed in unison, their voices tinged with disbelief.

"Wait...why—" Veles began to interject, but I cut him off.

"As for the innocent lives caught in this turmoil," I continued resolutely, "we'll need strong individuals capable of constructing underground shelters or bunkers for their protection. We'll determine roles once we have a comprehensive list of supporters. The reason for this rebellion is simple: my family will undoubtedly fight for the throne, leading to bloodshed one way or another. If I can claim the throne and restore Kior to its former glory, we can then hand Domino over to a worthy ruler and move forward. But right now, Domino is not in good hands—not even slightly. I suspect that what I learn about Xerxes will be far from palatable."

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my words settle over us like a shroud. "So prepare yourselves for this rebellion. Get to work as swiftly as possible—use whatever means necessary but ensure it remains discreet. Whatever game we're playing here, our ultimate goal is to claim Domino."

The trio exchanged doubtful glances before Myla and Mylo nodded at each other in silent agreement. Together they responded with conviction: "Understood, Your Highness."

"Haah..." Veles exhaled dramatically, tousling his shoulder-length hair in exasperation. "Whatever you say, I suppose." He stood with his hands on his hips and shrugged nonchalantly.

I offered a faint smile, feeling a flicker of doubt gnawing at me beneath my resolve.

"We'll see you later, Your Highness," Myla said brightly as she shared a smile with Mylo. In an instant, she enveloped me in a warm hug before they both vanished into thin air alongside Veles.

As I stood there, enveloped in the stillness of the forest, my thoughts drifted aimlessly, tangled in a web of uncertainty. 

The air was thick with an eerie silence, interrupted only by the soft rustle of leaves swaying in a whispering breeze. Sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense canopy above, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor, where the rich, loamy earth mingled with the scent of damp moss and decaying foliage. It was a moment suspended in time—

*Growl*

*Growl*

*Snort*

The sounds sliced through the quiet like daggers—low and guttural, echoing off the ancient trees surrounding me. Instinctively, I knew that remaining still would only increase my chances of becoming prey...With a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins, I turned to confront whatever beast lurked in the shadows.

And there it was—a Maulgore. This monstrous creature resembled a bear but was far more terrifying. Its massive body was cloaked in shaggy fur that bore varying shades of brown—deep umber blending into lighter chestnut, each strand glistening as if slicked with sweat from its exertions. But it was its eyes that held my gaze...fiery red orbs burning with insatiable hunger and intelligence, glinting like molten coals.

Before I could fully comprehend its presence, the Maulgore lunged at me...powerful limbs propelling it forward with alarming speed. Its massive paw swiped through the air, a blur of muscle and menace.

"DRAGON FLAME!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the trees like thunder. With fierce determination, I thrust my arms forward, aligning my index fingers while allowing the rest to fan out slightly—an ancient gesture imbued with power as my body tilted to the right.

Fire erupted from my fingertips in a brilliant torrent—a blazing inferno that licked at the air with an insatiable hunger of its own. The flames roared to life, bright and fierce, illuminating the forest as if it were daybreak in a world cloaked in night. My hair whipped back from my face as heat surged forward, creating a wall of fire that surged toward the Maulgore with unrelenting ferocity.

The sight was devastating; time seemed to freeze as I watched the inferno consume everything in its path...The tranquil forest transformed into a hellscape—trees ignited like kindling, their trunks blackening and splintering under the assault of flames. The Maulgore let out a horrific scream—a sound so raw and filled with agony that it pierced through the air.

The fire spread rapidly...devouring underbrush and climbing higher into trees as if they were mere morsels for this ravenous beast of flame. I stood transfixed by the spectacle—the midnight green foliage transformed into rivers of orange and yellow, flowing like molten gold through the heart of the forest. All my thoughts evaporated in the face of this destruction...

But then came the screams—the anguished cries of the Maulgore echoed around me, reverberating off every tree trunk and rock. Each wail struck deep; guilt washed over me like cold water cascading down a mountainside.

With a sudden thud, my body crumpled to the ground as weakness overtook me; my limbs felt heavy and unresponsive. My gaze fell to the forest floor...colors bleeding together into indistinct shapes. My head hung low.

The flames that had surged forth began to retreat like sunlight dimming at dusk...They reached back toward me as if drawn by an invisible tether. The fire danced around me before gradually extinguishing itself...leaving behind only charred remnants where once there had been life.

As silence reclaimed its dominion over the forest once more...I sat amidst the ashes. The Maulgore lay defeated at my feet, consumed by its own ferocity while I grappled with what it meant to wield such power—and what it cost to unleash it upon an unsuspecting world...

To be Continued...