Princess Isabella's POV
"Mom!!!" I screamed as I collapsed onto the ground, crying uncontrollably. My body shook as I crouched near Aunt Rumisha's side.
Aunt Rumisha immediately pulled me close, wrapping her arms tightly around me.
"Calm down, child… breathe," she whispered softly, gently patting my back. Her voice was steady, but I could hear the worry underneath it.
One by one, the others came closer. Without saying much, they all joined in, surrounding me in a circle of comfort.
For a moment, even the forest felt quieter.
Then Adrian broke the silence.
"So… where to now?"
Lyra wiped her face. "Somewhere safe. A place where we can rest, eat, and gather our thoughts… if such a place even exists here."
Kael crossed his arms. "We can't just keep walking forever."
Everyone nodded slowly.
Then...
"Wait," Talia whispered sharply.
We all turned toward her.
"Did you guys hear that?"
Silence fell instantly.
We listened.
Nothing. Not even birds.
Rumi frowned. "That's… not normal."
Talia's eyes scanned the forest. "Exactly. When a forest goes silent like this, it means one thing."
Adrian stepped closer, lowering his voice. "A predator."
"How do you know?" Rumi asked.
He raised his hand slightly. "Air element. I can feel movement… fast movement. Something big is coming."
Rumi quickly shoved her book into her bag. "That's not good. If it's fast and silent, then it's dangerous."
I stepped forward. "We're too exposed here. We need to move—now."
Ronan smirked slightly, trying to hide his fear. "Come on. We've handled worse. We've got this."
Lyra swallowed hard. "That's easy for you to say…"
"Watch out!"
Ronan suddenly shouted.
In a blur, he lunged forward and grabbed Bella just as a massive shape crashed through the trees.
A giant tiger.
It landed exactly where she had been standing.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!" Rumi screamed, ducking behind a rock.
The tiger roared so loudly the ground shook.
Then—
Flames burst from its mouth.
Lyra's eyes widened. "IT CAN BREATHE FIRE?!"
She and Kael barely jumped aside as fire scorched the ground where they stood.
"For the record—I didn't know it could do that!" Lyra shouted, running for cover.
The tiger turned again.
Another blast of fire shot toward them.
Kael clenched his fists. "Fine then!"
He raised his hands, summoning flames of his own. "Let's see who burns brighter!"
His fire clashed with the tiger's—but instead of resisting, the beast swallowed it.
Kael froze. "That… shouldn't be possible."
"It ate the fire?" Rumi whispered in shock.
The tiger roared again.
Lyra stepped forward, panic turning into focus. "Not again!"
She lifted her hands. "Water—now!"
A wave of water erupted, crashing into the flames mid-air and extinguishing them.
Steam exploded everywhere.
"Aah!" Talia screamed, grabbing nearby stones. "Take this!"
She hurled them with all her strength, striking the beast's side.
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "I've got it."
He raised both arms. "Wind!"
A powerful gust exploded outward, destabilizing the tiger's footing.
Ronan's eyes suddenly glowed a bright blue. "My turn."
Electricity crackled around him.
"LIGHTNING!"
A bolt struck the tiger directly, shaking the forest.
The beast staggered.
Adrian didn't hesitate. "Now—go!"
A massive wind burst sent the tiger flying deep into the forest.
Silence returned.
Only heavy breathing remained.
Adrian turned quickly. "Everyone okay?"
"I'm fine," I said, still catching my breath.
One by one, everyone answered.
"Barely," Lyra muttered.
Rumi nodded. "We can't stay here."
She looked up at the darkening sky. "It's getting late. We need shelter."
We started walking again.
The forest stretched endlessly.
Minutes turned into hours.
Finally, Lyra collapsed onto the ground. "I can't… walk anymore. I'm exhausted."
Ronan sighed. "We all are."
"We still can't stop here," Kael said firmly.
Lyra groaned. "Why are you all so cruel?"
Ronan rolled his eyes. "I'm not cruel. I'm practical."
Without warning, he crouched. "Get on."
Lyra blinked. "What?"
"Just get on."
She hesitated… then climbed onto his back.
"Happy now?" she muttered.
"Very."
I sighed. "Let's keep moving."
Then—
Talia suddenly stopped.
"Guys… look."
We followed her gaze.
A village.
Beautiful lights. Wooden homes. A warm glow between the trees.
Talia gasped. "It's… beautiful!"
Kael immediately stepped forward. "Finally—people!"
But the moment he took another step—
SHHHHNK!
A force slammed into him, throwing him backward.
"KAEL!" Lyra screamed.
A glowing barrier suddenly appeared between us and the village—shimmering like glass but alive with energy.
Rumi's face fell. "Oh no… it's a barrier."
She dropped to her knees. "How are we supposed to get in now?"
Adrian looked at me. "This doesn't feel normal."
I stepped forward slowly. "Let me try."
Adrian grabbed my hand. "Are you sure?"
I nodded. "We don't have a choice."
He slowly released me.
I walked toward the barrier.
Each step felt heavier.
I raised my hand.
"We seek entry," I said softly.
The barrier flickered.
Then glowed brighter.
A symbol appeared—like a glowing four-leaf clover.
Everyone gasped.
"What is that?!" Talia shouted.
"It's reacting!" Kael yelled.
"GO! GO INSIDE!" I shouted.
The barrier opened slightly.
We ran.
"MOVE!" Ronan shouted.
But suddenly—
"AHH!" Ronan slipped.
Lyra screamed as she fell with him.
"LYRA!" Rumi rushed forward.
"I'm fine!" Ronan grunted, standing quickly while helping Lyra up. "Keep moving!"
We all made it through just as the barrier began closing again.
Heavy silence fell.
Then—
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
A voice boomed behind us.
We froze.
Slowly, we turned.
A group of armed villagers stood there.
"How did you break the barrier?" one demanded.
Rumi stepped forward carefully. "We're sorry. We were being chased… we didn't have a choice."
Another villager narrowed his eyes. "No one breaks that barrier without consequences."
Lyra whispered, "This is not good…"
A tall man in black stepped forward. "Take them to the chief."
He glanced at us coldly. "He will decide what to do with trespassers."
A woman beside him added, "And trust me… he does not like strangers."
I exchanged a glance with Adrian.
Not sure if it was safe in here.
Is this another kind of danger.
They wondered to them selves in silence.
End of Chapter 3
"What awaits the six in the hidden village?
A refuge… or a prison?" or maybe safety and a home they desperately need.