The forest stretched out before them like a sanctuary, its towering trees a protective canopy that promised safety. Merek’s breath came in heavy bursts as he sprinted deeper into the woods, Annabelle and Alice clinging tightly to him. Behind them, the shouts of the knights and the pounding of horses’ hooves gradually faded, swallowed by the rustling leaves and whispering wind.

Annabelle glanced back over her father’s shoulder, her wide eyes scanning the woods for any sign of pursuit. For the first time since the attack, she felt the faintest glimmer of hope. “They’re not following us anymore,” she whispered, as if afraid to jinx their escape.

Merek didn’t respond. His jaw was clenched, his focus unbroken as he pushed through the undergrowth. Each step sent searing pain through his back, where the arrows from a lucky shot had struck, but he pressed on. He had to. For his daughters.

Alice peeked up from where she clung to his chest, her tear-streaked face pressed against his tunic. “Are we safe now, Daddy?”

Merek forced a small smile, his voice soft but resolute. “Almost, my little pup. Just a bit further.”

The forest seemed endless, the shadows stretching as if to embrace them. Relief began to settle in Annabelle’s chest, loosening the tight coil of fear that had gripped her since the attack. The knights’ voices were gone. The danger was behind them.

They had made it.

But then, Merek faltered. His foot caught on an exposed root, and he stumbled, dropping to one knee. The sudden jolt startled both girls, their arms tightening around him instinctively.

“Father?” Annabelle asked, alarm lacing her voice. She scrambled out of his arms as he gently set her down. Alice followed, her confusion mirrored in her tearful eyes.

“I’m fine,” Merek said quickly, his voice steady despite the strain. He planted a hand on the ground, steadying himself as he tried to rise. “Just… give me a moment.”

But Annabelle’s sharp gaze caught the tremble in his shoulders and the way his breath came in shallow, uneven gasps. Her heart dropped as her eyes fell to his tunic, now soaked in blood. And then she saw it: the deep, jagged wound slashing across his torso.

It wasn’t from the arrows.

“No,” she whispered, her voice shaking as tears welled in her eyes. “No, no, no. You’re fine. You’re fine!”

Alice’s gaze followed her sister’s, her small hands flying to her mouth as a sob escaped. “Daddy, you’re hurt! You’re really hurt!”

Merek pushed himself to his feet, leaning heavily on a nearby tree. His lips pressed into a thin line as he glanced back in the direction they’d come. The faint sound of footsteps and clinking armor drifted through the trees. The knights were closing in.

He turned back to his daughters, his expression softening. “Listen to me,” he said, his voice calm despite the urgency in his eyes. “You have to keep going. I’ll stay here and hold them off.”

Annabelle shook her head violently. “No! We can help you! We’ll find someone—there has to be something her—”

“There’s no time!” Merek’s voice rose, and the sharpness of it made both girls flinch. He softened his tone immediately, reaching out to cup Annabelle’s face. “Sweetheart, you’re strong. You’ve always been strong. And now you must be brave.”

Alice clung to his arm, her sobs wracking her small frame. “No, Daddy! Don’t make us go! Please don’t make us leave you!”

Merek knelt before her, his hand brushing away her tears. “Alice, listen to me. I’ll be fine. I’ll stop them, and then I’ll catch up to you. I promise.” His smile wavered, but his voice carried the conviction of a father’s love. “But I need you to run now. I need you to stay safe. Can you do that for me?”

Alice looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes, searching his face for the truth. But Annabelle saw it—the flicker of pain in his gaze, the unspoken words behind his reassurance. He was lying.

And he didn’t have much time.

Annabelle clenched her fists, swallowing the sob rising in her throat. “Come on, Alice,” she said, her voice trembling but firm. She grabbed her sister’s hand. “We have to go.”

“No! I won’t leave him!” Alice wailed, trying to pull free.

Merek caught her in a tight embrace, his lips pressing against her forehead. “Be good for your sister,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “And remember… I love you. Always.”

Annabelle tugged her sister away, ignoring her own tears as she dragged Alice into the depths of the forest. Alice’s cries echoed through the trees, fading into the distance as Merek pushed himself upright, turning to face the approaching knights.

The pain in his chest was unbearable, his breath shallow and labored, but his resolve was unshaken. He planted his feet firmly, gripping his spear tightly as the first knight emerged from the shadows.

For his daughters, he would stand. For their future, he would fight.

This was his final stand, and he would not falter.

Merek steadied his breathing, the iron taste of blood lingering in his mouth as he tightened his grip on his blade. The world around him seemed to hold its breath, the faint rustle of leaves masking the distant sound of approaching boots. He refused to falter. His daughters were running—alive and free. That was all that mattered now.

But death came for him faster than he could prepare.

A gust of wind preceded the strike, and before Merek could react, Leonardo was upon him. The knight’s blade flashed like a streak of lightning, slicing through Merek’s side with terrifying precision. He staggered back, a pained grunt escaping his lips as blood seeped from the fresh wound.

“You’ve surprised me, Merek,” Leonardo said, his voice smooth and unhurried. He twirled his blade with an air of predatory confidence, his armor gleaming even in the muted forest light. “That last attack of yours did quite sting… too bad you weren’t strong enough to capitalize on it.. Looks like this is the end of your run.”

Merek dropped to one knee, his breath ragged. His body screamed in protest, his strength all but gone, but his spirit burned brighter than ever. Forcing himself to his feet, he stared Leonardo in the eye, defiance radiating from his every fiber.

“You haven’t slain me yet… best believe I won’t go down without a fight… ” Merek spat, his voice laced with venom despite the pain. He gripped his spear with both hands, the weight of it suddenly heavier but no less steady. “Now let us continue from where we last left off...”

Leonardo’s lips curled into a smirk, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. “Very well, then.”

Merek let out a roar, summoning every ounce of willpower as he charged forward, his spear arcing toward the knight with deadly intent. Leonardo advanced with equal ferocity, and the clash of steel echoed through the trees.

…

Annabelle didn’t dare look back, her legs burning as she tore through the underbrush, her sister’s smaller hand clutched tightly in hers. Alice stumbled, barely keeping pace, her sobs audible despite her labored breathing.

“Annabelle, please,” Alice whimpered, her voice cracked and trembling. “We can’t leave him… we can’t…”

Annabelle’s heart twisted painfully, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. “We have to keep running!” she shouted, her voice breaking. “Papa will catch up to us. You’ll see!”

It was a lie. A cruel, desperate lie, but it was the only thing keeping her going. The only thing holding Alice together.

The forest seemed endless, each shadow clawing at the edges of Annabelle’s resolve. The light ahead grew brighter—a beacon of hope piercing through the oppressive darkness. Maybe it was a wanderer, a caravan, or even a village. Someone. Anyone who could help.

“We’re almost there, Alice,” Annabelle gasped, pulling her sister along. “Just a little further!”

The light flickered, growing sharper as they approached. Relief surged through Annabelle’s chest, but the moment they burst through the clearing, it evaporated.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Standing before them was not salvation.

It was an intimmating man, and unbeknownst to them, they would soon come to find out that the man who found them, was none other than the leader who led the raiders to pillage their beloved home, the imfamous Yokubo, one of the Warlords from the human nation who’s reputation spread fear into the heart of the Beast Clan.

The towering figure leaned casually against a tree, his bloodstained blade resting on his shoulder. His scarred face twisted into a grin that sent a chill through Annabelle’s soul. Behind him, a handful of raiders emerged from the shadows, their wicked laughter cutting through the silence like a knife.

“Well, well,” Yokubo drawled, his voice oozing malice. “Looks like two little puppies tried to escape the den.”

Annabelle’s grip on Alice’s hand tightened as fear threatened to swallow her whole. She stepped in front of her sister, shielding her with trembling arms, her mind racing for a way out.

But there was none.

“Please…” Alice whispered, her voice barely audible.

Yokubo’s grin widened as he stepped forward. “Let’s see if you’re as fun as your village was.”

The sisters’ hope shattered like glass, and the shadows closed in.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

. . .

“I see… You’ve also suffered tremendously…”

From amidst the darkness, from the enveloping pain of the ever consuming nightmare, a voice reaches out from the abyss.

It was cold, rough, almost demonic, and yet, despite being a frightening voice, a voice that she couldn’t find the owner of. It was soothing, like an angel’s call, it brought a sense of relief that was nowhere to be found in this nightmare.

“Poor thing…”

And as everything becomes comused in black, so too does her nightmares, and everything that it carried along the way. Her trauma, her fears, her sadness, everything felt as if it was slowly being sapped away from her, all her pain. Leaving only an empty slate, and a heart that can afford to breathe again, a sense of relief that she lost long ago from her dreams has returned to her once more, her tranquility.

The blackness surrounding Alice ebbed like a receding tide, the suffocating void giving way to something entirely different. At first, she couldn’t make sense of what she was seeing. Her feet, bare and trembling, touched down on soft, sunlit grass. The air was warm, fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers, and the sound of birds chirping drifted lazily through the air.

Alice blinked, her breath hitching as she scanned her surroundings. It was the village—but not as she remembered it. Gone were the bloodstains, the charred remains of homes, the cries of anguish. In their place stood sturdy wooden cottages adorned with vibrant flowerbeds. A gentle breeze danced through the streets, carrying laughter and the faint aroma of baked bread.

Her hands trembled as she reached out, touching a nearby tree as if to confirm its solidity. It felt real—more real than anything she'd felt in what seemed like an eternity. Her mind raced, unsure of what to make of it. Am I dreaming? Or… am I reliving a memory?

“Annabelle, slow down!” a familiar voice called, light and full of mirth.

Alice’s heart skipped a beat as she turned toward the voice. There, in the distance, was her sister, Annabelle, no more than six years old, sprinting through a field of wildflowers. Her laughter rang out, bright and carefree, as she chased after a butterfly. Alice watched, wide-eyed, as Annabelle tumbled into the grass, giggling as the butterfly escaped her grasp.

“Careful now!”

The voice was deeper, firm yet tender. Merek stepped into view, his strong frame silhouetted against the golden glow of the setting sun. He carried a wooden bucket in one hand, his other reaching down to ruffle Annabelle’s hair. She laughed again, brushing herself off before taking her father’s hand.

Alice’s knees buckled, her breath catching in her throat. “Papa…” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“Alice, are you just going to stand there gawking, or are you going to come help your sister?” another voice chimed in. It was soft, melodic, filled with warmth.

Her head snapped toward the sound. There, standing in the doorway of their family cottage, was her mother, Alina. She wore a simple apron over her dress, her auburn hair pulled back, and her smile radiated a love that Alice had forgotten she could feel.

Alice stumbled forward, her legs weak beneath her. “Mama…?”

As she approached, her mother stepped forward and enveloped her in a hug. The scent of lavender filled Alice’s senses, and for a moment, she simply melted into her mother’s embrace. Tears spilled down her cheeks, though she couldn’t find the words to explain why.

“Come on now, everyone’s waiting,” Alina said, pulling back and gently brushing a tear from Alice’s cheek.

Everyone? Alice followed her mother’s gaze toward the backyard of the cottage, where a large wooden table had been set up. Her grandfather, an older but still hearty man with a booming laugh, was setting down plates, while her grandmother hummed a tune as she arranged a bouquet of fresh-picked flowers in a vase.

Merek approached the table, Annabelle skipping beside him with a handful of wildflowers clutched in her tiny fists. He lifted her effortlessly onto one of the chairs, his laughter rumbling as she insisted on adding her flowers to the bouquet.

Alice hesitated. This couldn’t be real. And yet, every detail felt vivid, from the warmth of the sunlight to the distant sound of a horse trotting down the village road. Her chest ached with the beauty of it all, a longing so profound it threatened to overwhelm her.

“Don’t just stand there, Alice! Help me with the bread,” Alina said, already bustling toward the table with a steaming basket.

Alice found herself moving without thinking, her feet carrying her toward the scene. She helped her mother set the table, her hands trembling as she placed down cups and utensils. The sound of her family’s chatter surrounded her, their laughter blending with the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

As they sat down to eat, the world seemed to slow. Annabelle regaled them with tales of her “adventures” in the meadow, waving her arms animatedly and nearly knocking over her cup. Merek listened with an amused smile, his strong hands resting on the table as he leaned forward to hang on every word. Alina and her mother exchanged knowing glances, their laughter light and easy.

Alice said little, too overwhelmed to speak. She simply watched, committing every moment to memory: the way her father’s eyes crinkled when he laughed, the way her mother’s hand lingered on her father’s arm, the sound of her grandfather’s hearty chuckle, the way her grandmother’s hands moved gracefully as she poured tea.

The meal stretched on, the sun dipping lower in the sky, painting the village in hues of gold and amber. As twilight settled, her father stood, raising his cup.

“To having everybody on this table this evening,” he said, his voice steady and warm. “May we always have moments like this.”

The words struck a chord deep within Alice, and she felt a lump rise in her throat.

“Cheers,” she echoed softly, lifting her own cup.

In that moment, time seemed to freeze. The laughter, the warmth, the love—it all enveloped her like a cocoon, shielding her from the darkness that had plagued her for so long. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she allowed herself to smile, to feel the joy of simply being surrounded by the people she loved.

For the first time in years… Alice wished this dream would never end.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . .

Light began to consume her vision, gentle and warm, chasing away the lingering shadows of her dream. Her body felt heavy, as though weighed down by chains, yet the sensation was far from unpleasant. Slowly, she stirred, her eyelids fluttering open to the sight of soft sunlight filtering through the swaying leaves above her. The gentle rustle of the wind whispered against her skin, nuzzling her like a tender embrace.

Her breath hitched. Tears traced silent paths down her cheeks, and for a moment, she simply lay there, staring at the sky. Her fingers reached up instinctively, trembling as they brushed against her damp cheeks. The sensation was overwhelming—real, vivid.

She sat up slowly, her movements unsteady but deliberate. Her hands wouldn’t stop trembling, and as she pressed them to her chest, a choked sob escaped her lips. Tears flowed freely now, spilling over as a radiant smile spread across her face.

It was joy—pure, untainted, unburdened joy. A feeling she hadn’t thought herself capable of experiencing again.

“Has a miracle happened?” she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions.

A rustling sound drew her attention, and she turned to see Axel leaning against a tree nearby, his arms crossed and his head tilted. His gaze held a mixture of confusion and curiosity, his brow furrowed as he studied her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone gruff but not unkind.

Alice’s legs wavered beneath her as she tried to stand, the overwhelming tide of emotions nearly pulling her back down. She hastily wiped at her face, though the tears kept coming. She laughed, a soft, breathy sound that held no hint of sadness.

“It’s nothing,” she managed, her voice quivering but steady enough. She looked at him, her cheeks flushed and her eyes shining with the remnants of her tears. “I just… I just had a wonderful dream.”

Her tail swayed behind her, betraying her efforts to appear composed. She pressed a hand to her chest, her heart thundering beneath her palm, and offered Axel a smile that was equal parts fragile and luminous.

Axel scratched his chin, his gaze flicking between her face and the wagging tail. He huffed softly, turning his head away. “Weird way of showing it,” he muttered, more to himself than to her.

He pushed himself off the tree, brushing off his coat before starting to gather their belongings. Alice watched him for a moment, the peaceful warmth of her dream lingering in her chest. Then, with a renewed sense of energy, she stood and joined him.

The two worked in tandem, their movements swift and efficient, though Axel occasionally cast a glance in her direction, his expression still puzzled. Alice, however, remained radiant, her smile unwavering.

As they set off down the road, the sun climbed higher into the sky, its golden light bathing the world in a soft glow. Alice walked with a spring in her step, her heart lighter than it had been in years.

For the first time in what felt like forever, the future didn’t seem so bleak. And as her tail wagged behind her, she let herself savor the simple, fleeting beauty of the moment.