The prophesy

"Well the hell is she going to" Ghod muttered.

Ghod watched from the corner of the West side of the mansion as Acantha slipped quietly out of her room.

His heart hurts as he feels guilt and frustration. The argument with Meliana earlier in the day still burned in his mind, and his lack of defense for Acantha had only added fuel to the fire. She deserved better from him, and he knew it.

The moonlight gave a beautiful color to her black hair as she moved on her tiptoe through the hallway, her steps barely making a sound. Ghod followed, his keen eyes never losing sight of her. He needed to apologize to make things right. But the words were not there.

Acantha had changed him in ways he never imagined possible. The once hard and unyielding leader found himself doing things he swore he'd never do.

Cuddling by the fire, giving apologies, showing vulnerability. She had a way of breaking down his walls, of making him feel things he wasn't sure he was ready to feel.

He kept a careful distance, not wanting to startle her, as she stepped out of the mansion, sneaking right past the guard by the gate.

"I will surely deal with these incompetent fools he said to himself," as he followed her.

Her steps increased to a run with her little feet gaining ground to his surprise. He wondered how those little limbs could run so fast.

She walked into the woods' entrance, and he followed swiftly behind her, wondering what she was looking for in the forest now; his brow furrowed in confusion when he saw her approach a small clearing. What was she doing out here alone at this hour?

His breath caught in his throat as she pulled something from beneath her cloak. The glint of metal in the moonlight revealed it to be a sword.

Ghod's mind raced. When had she learned to wield such a weapon? And why was she keeping it a secret? Hoping she wouldn't hurt herself

Before he could move, before he could call out to her, something extraordinary happened. Acantha's body seemed to glow; a light covered her whole body.

The air around her filled with energy, and Ghod's senses went overdrive.

A surge of thunder-like power erupted from her; a force so strong it shook the ground beneath his feet.

Trees splintered, the earth seemed to tremble, and Ghod could only watch in stunned silence as the energy poured from her in waves, radiating destruction in all directions.

He stood there, shocked to his bones.

It was just as the prophecy had said.

As the last remnants of the surge dissipated, Acantha's body crumpled, her strength spent.

Ghod moved swiftly, catching her just before she hit the ground. Her body was limp in his arms, her breathing shallow.

"Helena," he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. He cradled her against his chest, feeling the residual tingles of the energy that had just been released.

"What have you done?"

Her eyes fluttered open with her lashes casting a shadow on her face, hazy and unfocused. "Ghod…"

"Shh, it's okay. I've got you," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Just hold on."

He looked around at the devastation, the fallen trees and scorched earth.

The prophecy… was real. And it was happening now. His mind raced with the implications, but his priority was Shirley.

He lifted her gently, carrying her back toward a cabin he knew was in the woods.

Her weight in his arms reminded him of his failure to protect her and stand by her side when she needed him most. He vowed silently to make it right, to be the partner she deserved.

As he reached the cabin, he laid her carefully on the makeshift bed, pulling his shirt over her.

She stirred, her eyes opening again, this time with more clarity.

"Ghod," she said weakly, reaching out to him. He took her hand, holding it tightly.

"I'm here," he replied, his voice steady despite his fear. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Did I… did I hurt anyone?" she asked, her eyes filling with worry.

"No," he reassured her, though his mind was still shocked by what he had witnessed. "No one was hurt.

She nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Ghod. I didn't mean for this to happen."

He wiped her tears away with a gentle hand. "We'll figure it out together," he promised. "Just rest now. We'll deal with everything else later."

As she drifted off to sleep, Ghod sat beside her, watching over her. The weight of what he had seen, of what it meant for them, pressed heavily on his shoulders.

The prophecy had begun. But for now, all that mattered was his Helena and ensuring she was safe.

He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. And as he sat there, holding her hand, he knew he would do whatever it took to protect her.

The night went on, and Ghod decided to take her back to the mansion. He carried her into his arms in one scoop and walked back to the mansion, after torn on where to take her, he took her to his room and on his bed. He called the maids to his room,

"Fetch me a bowl of water and a towel, "the maid quickly ran to get the items,

As he wiped Acantha's face with the damp towel, he felt her head; it was burning up.

"Go prepare herb for a fever" he instructed the maid again as she hurriedly left the room.

Ghod's memories took him back to the argument earlier in the day as he sat wiping her head with the towel.

He could still hear Meliana's sharp words, her accusations cutting deep. "You're letting her weaken you, Ghod. She's a liability!"

He had clenched his fists, struggling to keep his temper in check. "She's my Luna, Meliana. Show some respect."

Meliana had scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "She's making you soft. You were never like this before she came along."

Acantha had stood silently beside him, her face a mask of calm, but he knew her well enough to see she was hurt. And he had done nothing.

He had let Meliana's words hang in the air unchallenged. The guilt gnawed at him now as he watched Acantha sleep, her face peaceful despite everything.

The argument had escalated, with Meliana throwing barbs and Ghod trying to maintain control.

Ghod had felt torn between his loyalty to Acantha warring with the weight of Meliana's words.

And in his hesitation, he had failed Acantha He had failed to stand up for her when she needed him most.

As he sat by Acantha's side now, he felt bad.

The first light of dawn came into the room, brightening all over the room.

Acantha stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Ghod was immediately at her side, his expression full of concern.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice gentle.

She smiled weakly. "Better. Just tired."

He nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her face.