War Flash

AVEIAL POV *18 years ago*

Aveial's wings fluttered weakly, her breath shallow as she lay on the broken ground, her body battered from the battle. The war had taken its toll on her—her once-glorious wings now tattered and torn, stained with the blood of fallen allies and enemies alike. Her heart raced, but not from the physical exhaustion. It was the knowledge that the end was near. She had fought for so long, and yet, she knew it was only a matter of time before she succumbed to the overwhelming forces of darkness that surrounded her.

Devalci, the powerful Hybrid Witch, stood before her. The witch's magic had wrapped itself around Aveial, slowly draining her strength, but Aveial refused to go down without one final fight. As the witch raised her hand to deliver the final blow, Aveial's thoughts drifted to her son, Sire.

She couldn't help it—his face filled her mind. His laughter, his strength, his unwavering determination. The image of her son, grown into the powerful leader she had always known he would be, flashed in her mind like a dream. But there was something more. The faintest sense of another soul intertwined with his. Her true mate's presence was distant but undeniable.

Aveial's thoughts began to blur, and she fought to hold on. She could feel her magic slipping, her connection to the earth growing faint. The trees around her, once loyal companions, began to wither in response to her weakening state. It was as though they, too, felt the loss. Her last thoughts were of Sire, of his future. Of the one who would protect him when she could no longer be there.

But who? Who would it be? The answer danced just out of her reach.

"Your time has come, Aveial," Devalci said, her voice cold and unyielding. "You were always a nuisance to us, and now it's over."

Aveial's vision blurred as Devalci's spell hit her, sending waves of agony through her body. Yet, even in her final moments, Aveial reached deep within herself. She called upon every ounce of power she had left—the power of nature, of life, of magic itself.

As she did, something unexpected happened.

The earth beneath her began to respond—not just in the way it had for her, but in a more powerful, primal way. The ground split open, roots shot out, and vines surged from the soil, wrapping around Devalci like serpents. The witch screamed in fury as she was pulled into the earth, dragged down into the depths of the underworld. Nature itself had fought back.

Aveial's power, in its last act of defiance, surged into the world, not fading, but instead reaching out. It sought out the one who would carry on her legacy, the one who would stand by Sire's side.

And then, Aveial's consciousness began to fade. Her body grew still as her soul was pulled into the earth. Her magic, though, remained—her last act of love, her gift to her son and his future.

As she slipped into unconsciousness, she felt it—a flicker of recognition. The magic had found its way to someone else. Someone strong enough to bear it.

Her final thoughts were of that person, his mate: the one who would protect Sire.

The last thing Aveial felt was the warmth of the earth beneath her and the gentle caress of the wind as it carried her away. She had done everything she could. She had ensured that her son would be safe. And as the darkness of death closed in around her, Aveial's last whispered words were clear, though faint.

"Protect him… and protect the one he will find."

And with that, Aveial's consciousness was consumed by the earth, as she wasleaving behind only the traces of her magic, now transferred into another woman , who will soon, continue her legacy.

*present day*

Sire trained with his warriors in the wide fields behind the castle. The morning sun beat down on them, sweat gleaming on their bodies as they fought, sparred, and shifted in and out of wolf form.

Kaine, his Beta, stood across from him, grinning confidently as they circled one another.

Meanwhile, Valine wandered away from the sparring field, curiosity pushing her forward. She still wasn't ready for battle — not even close — and the idea of fighting made her nervous.

She kept her distance, eventually finding herself near a cluster of servants and warriors resting under the shade of a tree.

A girl with short black hair waved her over.

"You must be Princess Valine," she said brightly. "Come sit with us!"

Valine hesitated but nodded politely, taking a spot on the grass.

"I'm Elia," the girl introduced herself.

The others followed quickly:

"I'm Uben," said a huge bear shifter with a wide grin.

"Pelae," said a tall vampire with silver hair.

"Franci," said a calm fairy with sparkling wings.

"Waldn," said a rough-looking wolf shifter with a deep voice.

"And I'm Yalzi," chimed a young vampire with wild dark curls.

Valine smiled timidly. "It's nice to meet you all."

They started chatting naturally, Valine asking, "Can you tell me about Acaria? And… everything else?"

Uben chuckled. "Acaria's an old kingdom — one of the oldest. It used to be just wolves and fairies, but over time, the bears, foxes, vampires, settled here

Franci added, "Humans are common, but some live near the borders. They're bringing in technology — electricity, cars, even phones — but it's slow."

Pelae said, "Most of us still live the old way. Magic, strength, alliances. That's how the world works here."

Valine's eyes widened. "Magic? So… everyone has powers?"

"Kind of," said Elia. "Bears are insanely strong and durable. Foxes shapeshift into other animals or even mimic people. Wolves? Strength, speed, enhanced senses. Vampires? Agility, speed, healing. Fairies? Depends on the type — some control elements, some heal, some create illusions."

"And me…?" Valine mumbled, feeling out of place.

The group smiled kindly, but no one had an answer.

Waldn spoke up. "You'll find out. all powers reveal themselves sooner or later even if your a human you can possess things we cant."

Elia smirked. "You'll also want to know who's important around here. The Beta — that's Kaine. Sire's second. Loyal, strong. Tough as hell."

"And there's Princess Cevile Trench," said Franci with a slight eye roll. "She's a royal from Acaria. Always been obsessed with Sire."

Yalzi giggled. "Still is. Bet she's furious you're here."

Valine blinked, caught off guard.

Before she could ask more, shouts from the field pulled their attention.

She turned to see Sire and Kaine locked in a brutal sparring match. Muscles flexed, growls rumbled through the air, their strikes so fast Valine could barely follow.

The six warriors beside her watched in admiration.

"He's the strongest," said Uben proudly. "The next King of Acaria."

Valine couldn't deny the pull she felt watching him — dangerous, powerful… yet somehow safe.

When the match ended, Sire pinned Kaine down easily, and Kaine laughed, slapping his shoulder in defeat.

Sire's eyes flickered toward her, softening for a heartbeat before he looked away.

*hours later*

Later that afternoon, Sire found Valine wandering near the castle gates.

"Come on," he said. "I'm taking you into town. You need to see more than the castle."

Valine hesitated but nodded.

The town of Acaria was buzzing with life. Stalls lined the streets, selling food, fabrics, charms, and strange magical artifacts. Music floated through the air, people danced in the squares.

As they walked, Sire asked casually, "What do you like to eat?"

Valine blushed. "I'm… not picky. I just like simple things."

He grinned. "Maybe we'll find something you like. Or," he added teasingly, "I could take you to the human realm. There's something called a mall. You'd lose your mind in there."

Valine laughed shyly. "Maybe one day. Right now… this is already a lot."

She wandered from booth to booth, eyes wide with wonder. She didn't buy anything — just looked, touching things lightly, drinking in the world around her.

Eventually, she stopped at a small booth run by a hunched witch.

Glittering crystals were spread across the table.

"These are for enhancing magic," the witch said. "Each stone reacts differently depending on your power."

Valine looked uncertain, but Sire encouraged her.

"Try them," he said.

One by one, the witch placed different crystals into Valine's palm.

Each time, the stones glowed — every single one.

The witch gasped. Sire stared, shocked. Even Valine looked terrified.

"I… I don't know what that means," she whispered.

"It means," the witch said in awe, "that you are something… more."

Before Sire could say anything else, a haughty voice interrupted.

"Well, well, well."

Cevile Trench appeared, dressed elegantly, a small smirk playing at her lips.

"Sire," she said sweetly, completely ignoring Valine. "It's been too long."

Valine stepped back instinctively, feeling invisible.

Sire tensed but nodded politely. "Cevile."

Cevile leaned in a little too close, pretending not to notice Valine's discomfort. "I heard you found yourself a… companion. How adorable."

Valine stayed quiet, glancing at the crystals still glowing faintly in her hands.

Sire's expression darkened slightly. "Valine is more than that."

Cevile laughed lightly. "We'll see."

The tension thickened in the air before Cevile finally sauntered away, tossing her hair.

Valine stared after her, feeling strangely small.

Sire touched her shoulder gently. "Ignore her. She's… complicated."

Valine nodded but couldn't shake the uneasy feeling growing in her chest.

as her and sire make thier way to other booths.