Survival

"Kehehehehehe" the shadow beast chuckled, the sound sent shivers down Aiden's spine.Dauris's breath hitched as he saw Dina's lifeless body. Grief threatened to overcome him, but he clenched his fist, trying his best to fight it.

The world slowed down as his eyes erupted in a cerulean blaze. Three streaks of crackling energy appeared at the corners of his eyes. With a surge of power he dashed towards the beast and punched it right on the face with immense force. The impact rippled through the creature, and it crumbled into dust.

A suffocating silence pressed down on Aiden. His breath hitched on his throat, a strangled sob escaping his lips. Tears blurred his vision as he stared at his mother's lifeless body.

Unlike Aiden, Freya was able to control her emotions, she had no choice but to use her hidden power. By using flames, Freya formed a fireball. With a sharp exhale, she launched the fireball. It tore through the air, a roaring inferno that engulfed five shadow beasts in binding detonation. The beast dissolved into wisps of shadow, vanquished.

Suddenly, she fell on one knee, a strangled cough wracking her body. A metallic tang filled her mouth as she coughed up specks of blood.

"This power ...it's too much." She thought, clenching her fist against the unbearable pain that flared through her veins.

"But I have to keep fighting!" Gritting her teeth she pushed herself back to her feet, her eyes blazing with newfound determination.

" Divine technique: Amplification!"

She dug her feet to the ground, causing a small crater. A white mark appeared on her forehead, a symbol of the power she unleashed. With a cry that ripped through the air, she formed a fireball unlike any other, and launched the inferno towards the swarm of shadow beast, a blazing comet. The beast shrieked as the fireball engulfed their forms, dissolving into wisps of smoke without a trace.

Freya collapsed on her knees as blood begins to come out of her lips, staining the ground. Her vision blurring, the world spinning around her. Yet even through the haze of pain, a spark of defiance flickered in her eyes.

Dauris fought relentlessly, pummeling Shadow beasts left and right. An unexpected attack hurtled toward him, going closer with each passing moment. Reacting instantly, Dauris dodged the attack, which slammed into the remaining shadow beasts with a devastating impact.

Dauris glanced back at Freya, concern etched on his face. Blood stained the ground around her, he dashed forward, intent on reaching her side but a motionless figure stopped his tracks. Aiden stood like a statue, his face a mask of shock.

Dauris carried Aiden onto his shoulder in one fluid motion. The weight settled, and he sprinted towards Freya's side.

" Freya? Are you okay? You're losing a lot of blood, let me get you a p.....

"No I'm alright ...." Freya forced a smile, her breath hitched in her lungs, a series of shallow pants escaping her lips. The cost of her power was a dull ache that throbbed her core, but a flicker of defiance burned in her eyes.

"How did you awaken your ability and why'd you hide it from me?" Dauris demanded, his voice laced with concern.

"I'll explain everything I promise." Freya rasped, her breath hitching.

" But for now, we need to move. Something.... something dark is coming I can feel it." Her eyes darted around searching for any sense of danger.

Dauris nodded in response.

" I feel it too. We need to move, now!"

He cast a worried glance at Aiden who remained frozen in place.

"Aiden? Aiden, come on!" Dauris nudged him gently, his voice laced with urgency.

Aiden stared at his father's blue eyes, searching for answers. His father had a hidden ability? And Freya? The white mark on her forehead was a symbol of power he didn't understand.

Everything he knew about his family has shattered in a matter of moments. Grief for his mother consumed him, but a new emotion flickered beneath the surface "curiosity". Who were this people he thought he knew?

Dauris closed his eyes, his face contorted in concentration.

"It's coming here," he rasped, "a presence...darker stronger than the shadow beasts."

Freya's hand shout out, her voice sharp with urgency.

"We need to leave now! Look! She pointed towards the sky. A black figure descending rapidly towards their direction.

The figure slammed into the ground with a bone- jarring thud, a shockwave of dust erupting outwards. An unnatural chill radiated from the figure, sending a shiver down Aiden's spine.

The dust slowly settled, revealing a sight that sent a jolt of terror through them, it's form unlike anything they had ever seen. Dauris reacted instantly, shoving Aiden and Freya into his arms. Without a backward glance, he sprinted away.

The creature resembled the shadow beast they'd fought, but this one stood taller, easily six feet high with a pair of massive horns, curving back from his brow. It's muscles bulged beneath its obsidian skin. This was no ordinary shadow beast.

ROARRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Dauris stopped running as he reaches the town's entrance, his lungs burning. He scanned the dusty road around them, searching for any sign of the creature. His gaze fell on a rusty axe lying forgotten by the roadside. Without hesitation, he snatched it up. Dauris turned to face his children, his jaw clenched tight. 

Aiden stood motionless, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and confusion. Freya, pale but resolute, met Dauris's gaze. 

" What do we do now?" She asked, her voice steady.

" I can't let this creature hurt both of you. Please, go. The Atlantian kingdom.....it's far to the west. Freya, you know the way, right?" Dauris voice grew strained.

Freya's brow furrowed. 

" The Atlantian kingdom kingdom? But father we can't just leave you!" She glanced around at the deserted town, a flicker of determination in her eyes.

"Maybe there is something here we can...."

"There is no time to argue! The creature is too strong. You both need to get out of here, now!" Dauris's voice was a desperate plea.

Freya's eyes met his,

a silent understanding passing between them. Without a word she hoisted Aiden onto her shoulders and sprinted towards the town, her form a blur of determination.

Dauris watched them go, a fierce protectiveness hardened his features. He gripped the axe tighter, his gaze locked on the approaching creature, he couldn't let it hurt them. Not on his watch.

A deep growl echoed through the air, sending shivers down Dauris's spine. The beast was close. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the fight to come.

" Come on you son of a bitch!" Dauris shouted.

Freya pushed herself, her lungs burning with exertion. Every muscle screamed in protest, but she couldn't stop. Not now. Suddenly, a searing pain ripped through her left side. She stumbled, a cry escaping her lips as she lost her balance.

Aiden shrieked, his eyes wide with terror. Freya crashed to the ground, a sickening thud echoing in the silence. Pain lanced through her, blinding and all-consuming.

Instinctively, she pressed her hand to the source of agony, feeling a sickening warmth spreading.

Aiden's voice hitched in his throat. He tried to scream to warn Freya, but no sound emerged. Panic surged through him as he pointed a trembling finger behind her.

Freya, sensing his terror spun around. Her eyes widened in shock but her reaction was instantaneous. A surge of power erupted from her, engulfing her in a blinding white light. The Shadow beast writhed and recoiled as a wave of scorching heat blasted outwards. The beast behind her roared in fury, its form dissolving into wisps of smoke as the flames consumed it.

Freya winced as the flames subsided. Blood stained her clothes, a testament to the creature's attack. But even has her body throbbed in pain, a fierce resolve burned in her eyes. She couldn't afford to dwell on her injuries.

" Aiden, come on" she rasped, her voice strained. She reached out her hand, her touch surprisingly gentle despite the severity of her wounds.

Freya lurched forward, a choked gasp escaping her lips. A searing pain erupted from her chest, stealing her breath. She stumbled, her vision blurring at the edges. Aiden cried out, his voice a thread of terror.

Freya's voice was a mere whisper. "You need to survive, Aiden." She said, her eyes fluttering shut.

A crimson light emanated from her, enters Aiden's body in its warm glow. A tingling sensation spread through him, a feeling of power awakening deep within. Aiden felt a surge of warmth and a strange connection. He closed his eyes, overwhelmed by the experience.

************************

Aiden blinked open his eyes, the world blurry at first. His body ached, and a dull throbbing pulsed in his head. He tried to remember what happened but his memories were fractured. The last thing he remembered was..... His sister. Panic surged through him.

"Hey there, easy" a gentle voice soothed. A young man with kind eyes stood beside the bed.

"You're safe now.. my name's Alex and this is Diane." The woman beside him offered a warm smile.

Aiden's gaze darted around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. 

"Where am I?" He croaked, his voice hoarse.

"And..... where's my sister? His voice trembled as he spoke the last question, a knot of fear tightening in his stomach.

" I'm sorry... No one survived in Nara town.... You are the only survivor."