Storm Demon

A week has past since Bael come to the kingdom of Baibars.

Ariel spent some time with her daughter and then left.

Anna was happy that she was able to spend some time with her mother but it is back to business.

Anna needs to make up for lost time and got right back to her training.

Baibars teaches Anna combat while Aaqil makes Anna study various topics.

Anna improved her skills with all kinds of weapon but Anna was mostly skilled with the sword, bow and lance.

And since Baibars taught Anna how to use a bow while riding on horseback.

Anna then become quite skilled at riding as well.

And after awhile of training.

Anna actually kept the sultan on his toes.

Even Aaqil needed to study since it seemed that Anna was getting ahead of him in terms of knowledge.

But it happened on one day that the sultan was pleased with Anna's determination and progress that he decided that Anna was due for a break.

So the sultan and his assistance went on a walk within the very same forest they met in.

" Sire do we really have the time to be on a break " said Anna.

Baibars just looked at Anna.

" What is it sire? "

" Oh it is nothing. I just thought that it is funny is all "

Anna was just confused.

" What is funny? "

" The fact that you're a child but all you think about is training and studying…. actually it is more sad than funny and I cannot help but feel responsible…. maybe I did go too far " said Baibars a bit sad.

Anna looked at her sultan and just smiled.

" Honestly. Are you not a bit too young to be so worried "

Baibars felt a bit insulted and then said

" Excuse me? "

" Why are you so insulted. I did say too young did I not " said Anna with a smile.

" And there is that sassy attitude that I have missed so much "

" No need to sound so sarcastic my sultan "

" It seems that I was worried for nothing " said Baibars quietly to himself.

After awhile.

" If I may my sultan. Where are we going? "

" We are just taking a walk is all "

But Anna was not convinced.

" It seems that you are as sharp as ever. Don't worry we are not going to any place dangerous.

I just want to show you something " said Baibars in a calm tone.

Anna was a bit confused but she still followed her sultan.

After walking a bit deeper into the forest.

Anna and Baibars reached their destination.

Which was a small garden by a waterfall.

" This is where I was walking to the day we met "

" What is this place my sultan. It is beautiful " said Anna while being engulfed by the beauty of the garden and the waterfall with all her senses.

" This is where I come to when I need to get away from it all "

Anna looked at Baibars and then said.

" What do you mean? "

" This place is where I can get away from all the politics and the burden of being a sultan. This place is where I can just be myself and do my hobbies. I am only human after all "

Anna was amazed, because she had no clue that this place existed.

" So your hobbies are taking care of a garden and looking at a waterfall "

Baibars looked at Anna with a smile on his face and then said

" More or less "

" Does Aaqil know about this place? "

" He does. Which means that this is a secret between us three " said Baibars and then walked deeper into his hiding place.

" What do you two think? " said Anna.

" I sense that this place is filled with life which means that Baibars is taking well care of everything " said Ana.

" No kidding. The fact that he has the time and energy to take care of a place like this (and be sultan at the same time) must mean that sultan Baibars is quite dedicated to his little hiding place " said Azi.

Anna just smiled by what her friends just said.

Baibars went and sat down on the grass near the waterfall and Anna went to join him.

Anna and Baibars talked about various topics but there was one thing Anna wanted to know more than anything.

" Sire, I have a question about the knights " but before Anna could ask.

Baibars and Anna both noticed something in the water near them.

Anna and Baibars kept their distance to the water and for awhile it was quite. Only the waterfall could be heard but that was when Anna and Baibars noticed the water started to shake.

The water shock and shock until something sprang straight out of the water.

Anna and Baibars looked at the being that come from the water and Azi had only one thing to say

" HOLY MOLY! Look at all those heads! "

In front of all of them was a huge multi-headed female serpentine dragon and all the heads were glaring at Anna and Baibars.

" Is that a hydra? " said Anna.

" No. That is a Ljubi. The Ljubi is water and storm demon and its appearance is what you see before you " said Ana.

" How do we stop it? " said Azi.

" Well. As the stories goes. The Ljubi does calm calm down if a virgin is sacrificed to her " said Ana.

Both Anna and Azi just looked at Ana.

" I did not mean you two " said Ana.

Baibars drew forth his bow and arrow and started to shoot at the Ljubi.

" Anna get out of here now! " yelled Baibars.

" I will not leave you my sultan! " yelled Anna.

" Now is not the time for that! " yelled Baibars.

" Watch out! " yelled Anna.

Baibars looked and saw one of the heads of the Ljubi was flying straight towards himself.

The head sent Baibars flying into a tree where Baibars became unconscious.

" DAMN YOU! " yelled Anna and glared at the Ljubi.

The Ljubi glared right back at Anna.

" Uhm… so what do we do? " said Azi but Anna knew exactly what to do.

Anna's eyes glowed and out from the forest, the water and the sky came all sort of animals and attacked the Ljubi animals such as wolves, bears, panthers, eagles and even venomous snakes.

The Ljubi struggle against all the animals.

Anna drew forth her bow and arrow and then said

" Ana please help me "

The ruby around Anna's neck glowed which set the tips of Anna's arrows on fire.

Anna shoot at the Ljubi's eyes on all its heads and manage to blind the demon.

There was only one thing left to do.

Anna looked towards the sky and her eyes glowed even more.

Storm clouds then gathered on the sky and then multiple lighting shots hit the Ljubi (all of the animals were off the Ljubi when the lightning hit)

The Ljubi was burned to a crisp and all that was left was ash.

Anna's eyes stopped glowing and all the animals left.

Afterwards.

Baibars regained conscious and asked Anna what had happened to the Ljubi but all Anna said was that she manage to scare the Ljubi off.

Baibars was skeptical but as long as Anna was safe then it did not matter.

Baibars and Anna then went back to the kingdom.

The next day.

Anna went back to the hiding place just to make sure that there were no more demons hiding there.

Anna had arrived at the hiding spot and that was when she noticed someone sitting by the waterfall and Anna had only one thing to say (or more like name)

" Khidr! "

Khidr looked over at Anna and then said

" So we meet again dear child "

Anna smiled and then walked over to Khidr.

Anna told Khidr everything she had been through since the last time they had spoken.

" I see. You have had quite the adventures little one but I do hope that you would take it easy once in a while " said Khidr.

" It is funny " said Anna.

" What is dear child? "

" Lately everyone I know have been telling me to take it easy and not over do it "

" It that so wrong. They are only concerned about you "

" But that's the thing. I don't feel like that I am overdoing it or pushing things too far "

" I see. So what you are saying is that you are fine with how things are right now "

"..... no not exactly " said Anna a bit sad.

" Then what would you change? "

" I would want Veles to stop attacking the kingdom and the people. I only want the kingdom to prosper and the people to be happy " said Anna in a honest tone.

" I see. Quite a selfish wish " said Khidr.

" I don't see what so selfish of Anna's wish " said Azi.

" Then allow me to tell you little fairy. The reason that Anna's wish is selfish is the fact that she wants the kingdom she serves and the people she helps to have a good future but what about other kingdoms and other people. Don't they deserve to be happy as well or should they suffer even more because Anna wants those dear to herself to be happy " said Khidr.

Aziza was silent and so was Anna.

" Listen. Wanting does you hold dear to be happy is both selfish and selfless and most of all it shows that you love them. Try to make your wish come true but I am afraid that it can not come true. Kingdoms fall and people die that is the sad truth of life " said Khidr.

Khidr looked at Anna.

Anna stood back up and was determined.

" I know what I wish for may never come true… but the beauty of my wish is what makes it worth fighting for " said Anna with a smile.

Khidr smiled as well.

" Then there is nothing left to be said on the matter. I only wish you the best of luck on your journey here on out " said Khidr with a warm smile.

Anna looked at Khidr and then nodded.

Anna then walked back to the kingdom with Azi and Ana, and Khidr could no longer be seen by the waterfall.