The morning sun filled the cottage, casting a warm glow as Evan and his sister Lily faced off.

“Evan, you’re just overprotective,” Lily snapped, her voice edged with frustration. “I’ve trained just as hard as you. I can handle myself. I don’t understand why you won’t let me prove it!”

Evan clenched his fists, struggling to maintain his composure. “It’s not about being overprotective, Lily. This mission is anything but simple. It’s risky, and I won’t be able to help you if things go sideways.” Evan shook his head. “I’m responsible for you out there, whether or not you like it.”

Lily snorted, undeterred. “I’m not a child, Evan! I can protect myself and deserve the chance to prove it.”

“I understand, Lily,” Evan replied, “but a mission like this is not the place to do that.” Evan dragged his hand down his face. “You know we are escorting Lord Kairos, right? You know his reputation. He has a lot of enemies, Lily. “

“Admit it then,” yelled Lily. “You just don’t want the burden of having me around, do you?”

The small cottage seemed even smaller to Evan as he stared at his younger sister. Frustration was written all over his face. He couldn’t fathom his sister’s stubbornness. She had to see it was a risk even taking this mission. Everything depended on getting the client to their destination. One wrong move, one wrong decision, and everything could come crashing down. The knowledge that the client he was escorting had a questionable reputation didn’t help. He didn’t want his young sister around such a person if he had anything to say about it.

“That’s enough, both of you,” said Miriam, their mother, who had been quietly observing the argument, deciding to intervene. Her voice, calm yet commanding, pierced through the constant yelling.

Evan and Lily looked at their mother, still breathing hard with flushed cheeks, their eyes filled with conflicting emotions from their argument. Sighing, Evan walked around to where his mother was, his expression pained.

“Evan, I trust your judgment. I believe you will do everything in your power to protect your sister if she was to go on this mission. But,” turning to face Lily, “you must also understand Evan’s concern. He loves you dearly, and he’s only looking out for your safety.”

Lily’s defiant posture softened, and she exchanged a glance with Evan. For a moment, Evan thought he saw a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. But then she turned to face their mother, her voice still laced with frustration. “But I’m not a child anymore. I am 18 years old now. I can handle myself. Why won’t anyone believe in me?”

Evan placed a comforting hand on Miriam’s shoulder as she spoke. “I do believe in you, Lily. But sometimes, we have to accept that our loved ones have certain fears and concerns for us. It doesn’t mean they don’t believe in our abilities.”

Lily’s eyes flickered with mixed emotions, and Evan could tell she was still struggling to accept his decision. “Lily, I trust you.”

Evan let out a deep breath. He had been so consumed with worry for his sister that he hadn’t even considered the possibility of how much she needed this—she needed to prove herself after they lost their father. Looking towards Lily, he tried to think of a solution that would keep her safe and give her a chance to prove herself.

“Maybe… maybe we can devise an escape plan for you if things go wrong. I can give you some tips on how to handle dangerous situations.”

Lily’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, and Evan felt relief. Maybe this would work out after all. Miriam smiled at her children, proud of their ability to find a solution even during a heated argument.

“Alright then,” she said, “it’s settled. Lily, you can go on the mission, but must do everything he says. If he tells you to run, you run, agreed?”

Lily nodded eagerly, and Evan felt a slight smile tug at the corners of his mouth. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Evan turned to Lily. “Okay, go pack your bag. We’ll be leaving soon.” Watching as she ran off to her room to grab her pack.

As she finished packing, Evan pulled a small object from his bag and handed it to Lily. “Here, take this,” he said, “it’s a magic casting gem. It will teleport you from danger, though it only has one charge. I know you’ve been learning to use magic, but you never know when it might come in handy.”

Lily stared in awe. “You’re giving me this? Are you sure? Because I’m not going to give it back, you know, right?”

“I wouldn’t expect anything else from you, Lily.”

“Evan, I know I can be impulsive sometimes, but I want you to know I won’t do anything reckless on this mission. I promise to respect your judgment and do as you tell me, okay?”

Evan smiled at Lily, “I know you won’t do anything reckless; that’s why I trust you with this gem. We’re a team, Lily, and we need to have each other’s backs if we’re going to make it through this mission.”

Lily nodded in agreement, “I understand, Evan. I won’t let you down.”

Evan grabbed his bag and said goodbye to their mother, following Lily out the cottage door. The morning air was cool, and the sun’s rays had already started to warm the village of Stormkeep. They strolled through the same old cobbled streets, finding the team of guards Evan would be accompanying on this mission as they entered the town square. Captain Harlow, their leader, stood tall and barked orders to his men.

The captain’s burly stature and bushy beard appeared almost terrifying when he clapped Evan firmly on the back as they walked up. “Evan, my dear friend, delighted you’re joining us on this mission.”

Evan nodded silently towards Lily as they both exchanged a glance. She appeared somewhat apprehensive but enthusiastic at the same time. “This is my sister, Lily,” he informed Harlow. “She’ll be coming with us.”

Lily extended her hand to Captain Harlow, brushing his palm with hers. A brief second passed before she withdrew her hand back towards her body. Blushing as she stared at the captain, she introduced herself, “Great meeting you, Captain Harlow. I assure you I won’t be an inconvenience.”

Chuckling, Harlow smiled at her, “No inconvenience whatsoever, young lady. We’re a family here, and any sister of Evan is always welcome. Hopefully, you have a better sense of humour than he does.”

“I… uh… umm, what?”

“Hahahaha, oh, you should see your face,” laughed the captain, shaking his head as he wiped away a tear. “She is too innocent, Evan.”

Evan could tell that Lily was a little intimidated by Captain Harlow, but he also knew that she liked a man with a bit of a rugged edge. Evan had seen her glancing at the captain’s broad shoulders and commanding presence. Evan smirked at his sister’s obvious interest in the captain, but he knew she could take care of herself.

“Has Lord Kairos arrived yet?” asked Evan, looking around.

“Yes he…”

“Can we get moving already!” came a yell out of the carriage in front of them. “How long are we going to waste here?”

Rolling his eyes, the captain replied. “We are leaving now, your lordship. Form up, everyone; let’s get moving.”

Evan chuckled; everyone knew of the rumours surrounding their client, the third son of the great Stormrider family. The family had organized to send him away to learn magic to avoid any more trouble or scandals. Between gambling away his family’s money and having to pay off the families of the bastards he had sired, they had had enough of him.

Evan guided Lily to the rear of the march. “We are part of the rear guard position until we reach the Dark Wood forest,” said Evan as the group made their way out of the village. Lily kept close to Evan’s side, trying to avoid unwanted attention from the other guards. Evan sensed her nervousness and took her hand in his, reassuringly squeezing it.

“Everything is going to be okay,” he whispered to her. “Just stay close to me.”

Lily nodded, gripping his hand. It was morning as they approached the edge of the Dark Wood forest, and Lily was growing anxious. She had grown up on the rumours surrounding the forest. People had said that the Dark Wood forest was alive, that it had a heartbeat of its own, and that it whispered secrets, promising power that only the brave or the foolish dared to listen to. Lily had always been fearless and silly, but now, as she stood at the forest’s edge, she couldn’t help a feeling of dread that crept up her spine.

Evan seemed to sense her unease, and he turned to her, his blue eyes piercing into hers. “Don’t worry, I’ve been through this forest a hundred times. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Lily nodded, but her heart was racing. As they entered the forest, the darkness seemed to envelop them like a thick cloak. The leaves of the trees rustled, and every sound made her jump. But Evan’s firm hand on her back and his reassuring presence by her side gave her the courage to keep going.

“We will be crossing the forest for a few days still. You will get used to the noises,” said Evan as he smiled at Lily. “There is not much to fear; most monsters will not approach a group as large as ours.”

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Lily nodded as she followed her brother, looking back at the way they had come one last time as it disappeared around a bend. Evan’s comforting words did little to ease the tension in Lily’s chest. The forest was unlike anything she had ever experienced. The towering trees blocked most of the sunlight, leaving dappled patterns on the forest floor. As they continued deeper into the woods, the shadows grew longer, and the silence was broken only by the rustling of leaves and the occasional distant calls of birds.

Lily was determined to prove herself to Evan and the rest of the escort team, but the unfamiliar surroundings made her anxious. She kept her eyes peeled for any sign of danger, her hand never straying too far from the hilt of the dagger she wore at her side.

Hours passed as the group made their way through the dense forest. Evan led them forward, guiding them expertly through the winding paths. Despite her anxiety, Lily felt a growing pride in her brother’s abilities. As the day wore on, they stopped for a short break to rest and eat. The other guards gathered around a small campfire to eat, as Evan said he would scout the area. Captain Harlow regaled her with tales of his adventures, captivating them with his charismatic storytelling. Lily chuckled at some of the captain’s humorous anecdotes.

As night began to fall, the forest transformed once more. The chirping of crickets and the hooting of owls replaced the sounds of the day. The captain stopped the group and called for camp to be set. Lord Kairos’s servants rushed to set up his tent, if you could have called it a tent.

The tent’s exterior was more of an extension of his personality than anything. It was made from the finest quality materials: rich, colourful silks and tapestries. It was decorated with intricate patterns and embroidered designs in shades of royal purple, deep burgundy, and gold. Much like its owner, Lord Kairos was also dressed in a fine ensemble: a deep purple silk doublet adorned with intricate golden embroidery, a velvet cloak in rich burgundy, and a ruffled lace collar and cuffs. Evan looked at every detail, lost in thought; Lord Kairos’s outfit could surely feed a family for an entire year, if not more.

Shaking his head to clear the spiralling thoughts, Evan turned to the captain for his guard detail. However, Captain Harlow explained to a shocked Evan that Lily and himself would not be required for guard duty, as they couldn’t afford Evan to be tired, and Lily wasn’t officially part of the mission and wasn’t trained.

Evan’s face was neutral as they set up a small tent for Lily and himself. He could see Lord Kairos staring at Lily as she moved around the camp, his eyes following her everywhere.

Walking up behind where she was now sitting, Evan noticed his sister’s discomfort as he sat next to her, whispering to her as he looked around to see if anyone was near. “You’re doing great, Lily. I know this is all new to you, but you’re handling it like a pro.”

Lily offered a small smile. “Thanks, Evan. I just need a bit more time to adjust.”

Evan’s reassuring presence helped calm her nerves. He continued to speak softly, recounting fond memories of their childhood and sharing stories of their late father, whose absence still weighed heavily on them.

The night passed without incident, and soon, it was morning again. The forest began to come alive with the dawn, the birdsong a welcome sound for Lily. They packed up their campsite and resumed their journey through the woods.

Evan kept his promise, never letting Lily stray too far from him. As the days went on, Lily started to notice the beauty of the forest despite its initial intimidation. She marvelled at the play of light and shadows through the dense canopy, the vibrant colours of wildflowers, and the serene babbling of a hidden brook they crossed. With every step, Lily felt more confident, and her trust in her brother’s abilities deepened. She was ready to prove herself on this mission, not just for Evan, but for herself. The forest no longer seemed like an enemy but a challenge she was determined to conquer. Just as Lily began to daydream again, someone called out.

“We are under attack!”

Lily’s heart leapt into her throat as she drew her dagger. Her years of training with Evan prepared her for this moment, but she had never faced a real threat. The sound of rustling leaves grew louder as a group of bandits emerged from the shadows, their faces twisted in anger and greed.

Captain Harlow barked orders, and the guards formed a defensive circle around Lord Kairos and his entourage. Lily stood at Evan’s side, eyes scanning the perimeter for any sign of danger.

“Lily,” called Evan as he turned to face her, his face grim. “Use your magic.”

The bandits advanced, drawing swords slowly. Evan stood in front of her, his dual swords at the ready. Lily gripped her dagger hard, knuckles going white as she prepared a spell with her other hand. Even though she had been learning to use her magic, she was still only a novice at best. Evan nodded at her, reassuring her that she was not alone.

The fight started simultaneously as Evan moved almost too fast for her to see. He was like a fierce animal, swords clanging against the shields of the bandits in front of him. She knew how fast he could move as she had practiced with him often; he had been teaching her how to sword fight, But nothing prepared her for this. It was almost like he had been holding back in their sparring.

Lily’s heart raced as the bandits closed in, their menacing expressions and drawn swords sending a shiver down her spine. Her grip on her dagger tightened, her knuckles turning white with fear. She stumbled backward, her footing unsure, and her mind raced as she tried to make sense of the chaos erupting around her.

Evan fought with the precision and grace she had always admired. His dual swords moved like an extension of himself, and bandits fell with each swing. Lily watched in awe, but her admiration was overshadowed by the realization that she had never faced a real threat like this. She was inexperienced, her training not enough to quell the dread that threatened to paralyze her.

A bandit lunged at her with a wild, reckless strike. Lily barely managed to dodge the attack, stumbling and losing her balance. Panic surged through her as she found herself defenceless and at the mercy of her assailant. The bandit closed in, his malicious grin revealing rotten teeth as he raised his blade for another attack.

Lily’s mind raced, her heart pounding, and her body trembling with fear. But within her, a spark of determination began to ignite. She thought of Evan, of all the hours they had spent training together. She thought of her father and his unwavering belief in her abilities. She knew she couldn’t let them down.

With a deep breath, she focused her magic, her free hand moving with deliberate intent. The incantations Evan had taught her, the words and gestures that once felt foreign, now flowed from her with newfound purpose. She couldn’t afford to be paralyzed by fear any longer.

A wordless cry escaped her lips as she channelled her magic, summoning her inner strength. A bolt of pure, raw energy erupted from her fingertips, striking the bandit in the chest. He tumbled to the ground, lifeless. Lily stood there, trembling, her hands stained with blood, the weight of what she had done slowly settling in.

Lily stood there, trembling; the weight of what she had just done sank in. She had taken a life to save her own. She tried to wipe her hands, now covered in blood. Screaming as she failed to remove the blood. She began to sob; the spark she had but a second ago was now gone. A deep weight now settled on her as she became lost in her thoughts, as they repeated over and over: the face of the bandit as the spell had hit him, the look of surprise and fear. Lily

Evan glanced over at Lily, costing him a cut across his arm, shaking his head; he had no time to comfort Lily. He knew she needed to get past this, or she would never be able to look at herself again. However, he didn’t have the time to spare to help her now.

The forest floor was awash with blood, the ground turning to mud. The bandits were relentless. The guards were losing the fight, as one by one, they fell. Evan watched as they dragged Lord Kairos out of the carriage, his panicked expression mirroring the chaos around them. Evan cut down the bandit before him as he rushed to protect Lord Kairos. He thrust his sword into the back of the bandit holding onto him.

Lord Kairos scrambled to his feet, spit flying as he dug around in this coat for something. He screamed as an arrow sunk deep into his leg, collapsing a second later, landing hard on his back as he finally pulled out a magic scroll; he desperately unfurled it with trembling hands and, looking at the bandits, he screamed. “You can’t kill me; you will all pay for this, mark my words.” Breathing hard, Lord Kairos began to chant the incantations on the scroll.

Yelling at him, Evan stepped to stop him but was driven backward by a bandit with a rapid crosscut. A surge of power emanated from the scroll as he continued to chant—a wave of pure light swept through the battlefield. Evan watched in horror as some of the guards fell, their lives extinguished by the magic consumption required to power whatever the scroll was meant for. The chanting rose in pitch as the scroll began to pulse. Then it was over. One second, the scroll was pulsing. The next, it was dead. Lord Kairos collapsed backwards, groaning.

As the battle raged on around Evan, He noticed the forest suddenly tremble, a shadow darker than night descending from the skies. The earth itself seemed to shudder under its weight. This was no ordinary creature; this was a colossal embodiment of fear and power.

The dragon’s enormous wings stretched wide, casting a suffocating shadow over the battlefield. Each wing beat sent hurricane-like gusts of wind that threatened to uproot trees and blow away anyone who dared stand against it. Its eyes, burning with a vicious, fiery red like smouldering embers, pierced through the chaos, unnerving all who met their gaze.

Like ancient armour forged from the depths of the earth, the dragon’s scales reflected relentless strength that defied mortal comprehension. They shimmered in the dim light, resembling a treasure horde that had been amassed over centuries. Every inch of its body exuded an aura of dominance, challenging anyone who dared to question its authority.

Its maw, wide enough to swallow a carriage whole, opened with a deafening roar that sent shock waves through the forest. The dragon’s roar was a haunting symphony of terror, echoing through the trees and reverberating in the hearts of those who heard it.

As the dragon settled on the forest floor, its massive clawed feet crushed trees and branches, leaving a lasting mark on the once-thriving landscape. Its presence alone was a force of nature, an unstoppable embodiment of ancient, untamed power that would test the limits of mortal courage.

Chaos erupted everywhere as both sides of the fight scrambled at the imposing figure of the dragon. Evan searched for Lily, his heart pounding with concern. Finally spotting her, she was still on her knees, her gaze fixated on her blood-stained hands. The battle’s gruesome aftermath had left her shocked.

“Lily… Lily!” Evan cried out as he clutched her shoulders, his hands shaking. “Lily, look at me. Look at me! You need to use the stone. Lily, you need to use the stone!” His urgency was a desperate plea, a call for her to regain her composure amid the chaos that threatened to consume them.

As Evan managed to grab Lily’s attention, the ground rumbled beneath them, heralding a deafening crash. The forest trembled, and the air filled with whispers of impending doom.

Evan’s eyes widened, and he turned to see the source of the chaos. The massive shadow was looming over them. Evan looked up, and fear gripped his heart. He knew that no one would escape. A final peace slowly crept over him. He told himself that everything would be okay if he could get Lily out of there. He finally understood what his father’s last words had meant all those years ago. “Ha. damn you old man.” cursed Evan. “Even now, you remind me of just how great you were.” a single tear rolled down his cheek.

Lord Kairos, who had been clutching the magic scroll, screamed in fear. He could not react in time as the dragon’s jaws opened with a roar. The dragon focused its eyes on the scroll. Just as suddenly as the dragon had appeared, its breath covered the scroll, Lord Kairos, and everything around him in a torrent of fire and fury. The dragon’s merciless assault tore through the small shield that Lord Kairos had. As it blinked out a second later, the dragon’s attack was swift and unstoppable.

The surviving guards lay strewn across the forest floor, their bodies sprawled in disarray. Each bore the harrowing marks of the dragon’s ferocious landing and relentless assault, their armour twisted and rent asunder, their once proud forms now reduced to battered and broken shells. The acrid scent of scorched earth and smouldering trees mingled with the metallic tang of blood that hung in the air.

Evan pivoted to confront the monstrous dragon. His jaw set in unwavering resolve. With a furrowed brow and a hard glint in his eyes, he met the creature’s fiery gaze head-on. The magnitude of the impending confrontation weighed upon him. Still, he understood the grim necessity of this act—sacrificing his safety to buy precious moments for Lily’s escape from this nightmarish ordeal.