The sensation erupted, no longer a whisper but a roaring inferno, coiling through her veins like molten fire. Her small body trembled violently, and green light blazed from her eyes, sharp and searing, illuminating the terrified faces around her. Anna let out a scream that cracked the night air, raw and defiant:
"DON'T TOUCH MY FAMILY!!"
The earth beneath her cracked and split. From the fissures, thorned vines erupted like living serpents, glowing with an eerie, vibrant green. They whipped outward with terrifying precision. One lunging assailant was yanked off his feet, shrieking as a vine coiled around him and hurled him backward. Another vine struck the man poised to crush Elara, winding around his limbs, hoisting him into the air, and slamming him into a tree with a sickening crunch.
The forest shook with her fury. Leaves tore from branches, and the ground seemed to pulse with life, bending to her will. Anna barely recognized the force she wielded—raw, untamed, and fiercely protective.
Selene froze, dagger in hand, her voice caught in her throat. "Anna…" she whispered, awe and horror twisting her tone.
Aeloria surged forward, trying to reach Anna, but the child's fear-fed power had already taken full control. The vines reacted to her panic, spiraling and twisting with erratic force, striking with precision and reckless abandon. The forest floor itself seemed alive, bending to the will of the child at its center.
Elara and Talia huddled close to their mother, faces pale, trembling. The protective wall of vines that should have shielded them now pulsed with raw, chaotic energy. For a moment, the forest itself became a living weapon—beautiful, terrifying, and utterly beyond anyone's command.
And in the center of it all, Anna's small frame glowed with an intensity that neither fear nor magic alone could contain.
The attackers screamed, many caught in the thrashing, glowing vines, some torn from the earth entirely, their bodies flung through the air. Others tried to flee, but roots and tendrils erupted behind them, striking with an almost sentient precision. The forest became a maze of green fury, each vine writhing as if guided by the panic and desperation of the small girl at its center.
Anna clutched her head, screaming, her voice breaking through the clash of battle. Pain radiated from her chest and limbs as the power surged uncontrollably, a wild storm of life and destruction. The ground shook beneath the carriage, the horses rearing, hooves flailing in terror.
"Anna!" Aeloria's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding. She charged forward, vaulting over a fallen bandit as a vine whipped past her. The old woman's cane glowed faintly, her own magic flaring to shield her from the erratic tendrils. She reached the edge of the green inferno surrounding the girl. The child's eyes were pure luminescence now, tears streaking through the glow. "I… I can't stop it!" Anna shrieked, voice raw with fear.
Vines lashed violently in all directions, striking at anything that moved—even the trees themselves groaned under the unnatural strain. Aeloria dropped to one knee beside her granddaughter, placing a hand gently on Anna's trembling shoulder. "Shh… shh, listen to me, Anna," she whispered urgently. Her other hand swept in a wide arc, weaving a countercurrent of magic that pulsed with calm, deliberate rhythm. "You are not alone. You are stronger than this fear—but you must let go."
The glow around Anna flickered, the vines stuttering as though unsure of themselves. Pain wracked her small body, and a high-pitched scream tore from her throat, echoing through the trees. Aeloria pressed closer, risking being struck by a snapping tendril. "Breathe with me. Feel the earth, yes—but let it flow with you, not you it!" Slowly, hesitantly, the vines began to respond, their thrashing becoming less violent, more controlled. The captured men collapsed where they had been suspended, unconscious or incapacitated, the glow of Anna's power dimming as she trembled, exhausted.
Selene hurried forward, gathering her daughters close while still keeping her dagger ready. Elara and Talia's breaths were ragged, their hands clutching each other and their mother, wide-eyed at the destruction around them. Aeloria stayed kneeling by Anna, wrapping her arms protectively around the trembling child. "It's over, little one," she murmured, rocking her gently. "It's over. You're safe." Anna's glow waned, but she clung to her grandmother, shivering. The vines slowly retracted, sinking back into the earth, leaving behind the torn, scarred forest floor. The horses had calmed, though whinnies of fear still echoed through the trees. The remaining guards, those who had survived, moved cautiously among the fallen bandits, unsure whether to praise or fear the child who had wielded such raw, unstoppable power.
Anna sagged into Aeloria's arms, her body trembling violently as the adrenaline drained away. Her eyelids fluttered, heavy and unsteady, and she let out a small, ragged gasp before collapsing fully, limp against her grandmother's chest. The warm glow that had radiated from her eyes faded entirely, leaving only the faint flush of exertion across her pale cheeks.
Selene knelt beside them, brushing Anna's damp hair from her forehead. "Anna! Stay with me, darling, please," she urged, panic flickering through her usually composed tone. The girl's shallow breaths were uneven, and her skin felt unnaturally hot under Selene's touch.
"She's burning up," Aeloria said softly, her brow furrowed. "The strain… her body can barely contain what she released." She glanced around at the aftermath: splintered trees, scorched earth, and the unconscious bandits. "We need to get her inside, immediately."
The carriage, once a means of transport, now became a sanctuary. Selene lifted Anna carefully, cradling her as if she might shatter in the act. Elara and Talia followed closely, faces pale with fear and awe, their hands brushing their mother's shoulders in silent support. The horses, still jittery, were calmed only by the soothing presence of the attendants and a few low-spoken words of magic from Aeloria.
Once inside the carriage, Anna's fever worsened. Her skin glowed with heat, and her breathing was shallow and irregular. Aeloria placed a hand on Anna's forehead, murmuring incantations that shimmered faintly in the air. "The fever comes from the magic, not just the fear," she explained quietly. "Her body is purging itself of the energy she unleashed."
Selene sat beside her daughter, holding her hand tightly. "What can we do?" she asked, voice tight with worry.
"Rest, warmth, and time," Aeloria said, her tone heavy with both concern and authority. "Her magic will not harm her further if we guide her through this, but we must watch her closely. Fever this high can twist the senses, make her dreams dangerous. Do not leave her side."
Selene nodded sharply, though worry still shadowed her features. She shifted closer, wrapping Anna in her cloak, holding her as though she could shield her from the fever burning through her small body. The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels resumed as the driver urged the horses forward, their pace cautious but steady.
Elara and Talia sat across from their mother, huddled together, their faces pale and drawn. Elara's lips trembled as she whispered, almost to herself, "She saved us… I saw it. The vines—how they moved. It wasn't just magic, it was alive."
"Enough, Elara," Selene said gently but firmly. "Your sister needs quiet."
"But, Mother—"
"No," Selene's tone sharpened, and Elara flinched. "Not now. Later, we will speak of what happened."
Talia squeezed Elara's hand in silent comfort, her own eyes glistening. "She didn't mean to," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "Anna would never… she just wanted to protect us."
Aeloria's gaze remained fixed on Anna, her weathered hands glowing faintly with a soft golden light as she continued her incantations. "Intent matters little to raw power," she said, her voice calm but edged with gravity. "Magic such as this answers only to instinct. It will protect—and destroy—in equal measure if not guided."
Selene's grip on Anna's hand tightened. "Then we will guide her. We must."
Aeloria finally looked up, meeting her daughter's eyes. "And to do that, we need answers. What I felt tonight… it was not like any spell I've known. This was older, deeper—rooted in the very bones of the earth."
Selene's breath caught, her mind racing. "You think it's connected to—"
"Shh." Aeloria raised a hand, silencing her. She glanced at the two older girls, whose ears strained toward the conversation. "Not now. The less they know, the safer they will be."
The carriage rocked as it hit a rut in the road, jostling everyone inside. Anna stirred in Selene's arms, a low whimper escaping her lips. Her eyes fluttered open for a heartbeat, glazed and unfocused.
"Shhh, my darling, it's all right," Selene soothed, brushing damp strands of hair from Anna's flushed forehead.
The distant sound of hooves shattered the uneasy calm, echoing across the quiet night. Selene's head snapped toward the rear, her heart seizing. "Horses… more of them. We're not alone."
Talia's eyes widened. "The Assasssins—again?"
Before anyone could answer, a shadowy shape burst from the treeline, and a shout rang out, sharp and menacing. The carriage jolted violently as the horses reared, snorting and straining against the reins. Selene clutched Anna closer, her cloak billowing around them as the carriage lurched forward.
Aeloria rose slightly, her hands still glowing faintly, the incantations humming beneath her breath. "They've tracked us! Drive faster, driver!"
The carriage careened along the uneven path, splinters of wood and dust flying in their wake.
"Hold on!" Selene shouted over the clatter, her voice fierce. "Do not let go of each other!"
Branches whipped past, tearing at cloaks and hair as the carriage raced through the darkened forest. Shouts and the crash of breaking underbrush drew nearer, the bandits' pursuit relentless.
The sound of snapping twigs and heavy footsteps grew louder, echoing through the dense trees like a predator closing in. One of the lead assassins let out a low, menacing laugh, the metallic glint of his dagger catching the moonlight as he surged forward.
The horses strained against the reins, their flanks slick with sweat, but the uneven forest path slowed them just enough for the pursuers to gain ground. Dust and leaves swirled in the carriage's wake, but the shadows seemed to cling to the assassins, allowing them to move almost silently despite the chaos.
"Brace yourselves!" Selene yelled, her voice cutting through the storm of wind and terror. "They're right behind us!"
One of the assassins leapt from his horse, dagger raised, eyes cold and unyielding. Time seemed to stretch as he arced toward the carriage—but a spear shot through the air, impaling him squarely in the chest. His body slammed into the underbrush with a sickening thud, and the forest seemed to hold its breath.
Then, a deep, booming blast of horns shattered the tension, vibrating through every tree and rattling the very earth beneath their feet. From the shadows ahead, a line of royal guards appeared like phantoms made of steel and light, charging with shields locked and swords glinting. At their forefront, the captain's voice rang out, sharp and commanding:
"By the Emperor's will! Protect the royal family at all costs!"
The remaining assassins faltered, panic flickering across their faces as the guards crashed into them like a tidal wave. Shields slammed, swords clanged, and the screams of the attackers mingled with the roar of the horses. Dust and splintered branches filled the air as the battle tore through the undergrowth.
Selene's grip on Anna tightened, her knuckles white as the carriage rocked violently. A branch snapped overhead, but the guards' precision kept the path clear, cutting down any assassin who dared approach. Within heartbeats, the forest was dominated by the disciplined fury of the royal guards, their captain's voice continuing to thunder above the clash:
"No one—NO ONE!!—shall harm the blood of Astoria!"
The forest fell silent for a heartbeat, the echoes of battle still lingering in the cool night air. Then, one by one, the royal guards straightened, their faces grim but proud. The captain raised his sword high, and the troops fell to one knee, heads bowed in unwavering reverence.
"By steel and shadow, we stand! By oath and honor, we guard this land! No blade shall break, no night shall fall, The crown endures — we heed the call!"
Their voices rose as one, a resonant tide of loyalty and defiance that seemed to shake the very trees around them. Even the wind seemed to carry the chant further, a warning to any who might threaten the kingdom.
Aeloria stepped forward, her hands still glowing faintly from the protective wards she had cast over Anna. Her eyes swept over the kneeling guards, and a small, appreciative nod softened the stern lines of her face.
"You have done well," she said, her voice carrying clearly across the clearing. "Your courage and discipline have protected the princesses and their family tonight. Know that your service will not be forgotten."
The captain lifted his head, meeting her gaze with quiet respect. "It was our duty, Grand Empress Aeloria. Nothing less would suffice."
Aeloria's expression darkened slightly, her gaze falling to the small, trembling figure in Selene's arms. "Duty alone is not enough," she said gently but firmly. "Now we must see to the most important task: bringing the princess safely back to the castle." She turned to Selene, her tone urgent but measured. "Wrap her well, shield her from the fever, and keep her calm. Every moment matters."
The captain barked a brief order, and the remaining guards quickly formed a protective perimeter around the carriage, scanning the forest for any lingering threat. Selene adjusted Anna in her arms, holding her tighter, and nodded to Aeloria.
Aeloria moved with calm authority, guiding Selene toward the carriage. "We must move swiftly," she instructed. Her eyes softened as they fell on Anna, small and trembling in her mother's arms. "Careful now—she is fragile, but we cannot delay."
Selene tightened her cloak around Anna, murmuring soft, soothing words as she stepped toward the carriage. Talia and Elara, still pale from the ordeal, followed closely behind, their hands brushing their mother's shoulders for reassurance. The guards reached forward, offering steadying hands to help the princesses climb safely onto the carriage steps.
The driver snapped the reins, and the horses began to move, cautiously at first, then steadily along the winding forest road. Torches from the escort flickered along the path, casting long, wavering shadows across the trees. The forest, scarred from the earlier chaos, now fell silent under the night sky, as if watching the royal family's careful passage toward the heart of the empire.