This is what's written.

Scene 9

Location: The Runway Bridge of Theomov

Astraea's feet pounded against the stone bridge as she sprinted, her heart hammering in her chest. The cold air stung her lungs, but she pushed forward. Her life depended on it. The bridge stretched before her like a lifeline, but just as she neared the other side, her heart sank. The exit was blocked—guards lined up, cutting off her escape.

Without hesitation, she spun around, only to find the guards who had been chasing her now closing in from behind.

Astraea (in her mind): Getting caught by these four losers? What a disgrace. But I won't surrender.

Her fists clenched, ready to fight for her freedom. The first guard lunged at her, but Astraea was faster. In one swift motion, she grabbed him by the arm, twisted, and threw him to the ground. Another guard rushed toward her, only for her to meet him with a powerful kick, sending him reeling. She caught the third guard's wrist, twisting it sharply until he cried out in pain.

But in her focus, she overlooked the fourth guard. As she fought the others, he stood back, watching for his moment. With brutal efficiency, he took advantage of her unshielded back, striking her behind the neck.

A sharp pain exploded through her head. Astraea's vision blurred, her hand instinctively reaching for the source of the pain. Blood stained her fingertips. The world around her dimmed, and her strength drained away.

Astraea (thinking with a smirk): So, this is what's written for me? Pathetic...

Her legs buckled, and she collapsed onto the stone, her body going limp.

The guards, battered and bruised, limped toward her. One of them spat in frustration.

Guard 2 (grumbling): "Tie her up. We'll take her to Ma'am Fiona."

The others nodded, still wincing from the fight. They hadn't expected a girl who looked as delicate as a flower to be so dangerous. They worked quickly, binding her hands and legs with rough rope to prevent any possibility of escape, even if she regained consciousness.

As they tied her up, one of the guards muttered under his breath, a mixture of awe and frustration in his voice.

Guard 3 (grimacing): "She put up more of a fight than I've ever seen... Ma'am Fiona's not gonna like this one."

Guard 4 (quietly): "She'll deal with her. Let's just hope we don't get in trouble for taking so long."

With their captive secured, the guards hoisted Astraea's limp form onto their shoulders. She might have been unconscious, but the memory of her strength lingered in the air, a reminder that she wasn't like the others.

They carried her toward the Back Spring House, their footsteps heavy with the weight of their task. They couldn't help but feel that capturing Astraea was just the beginning—and whatever awaited her at Ma'am Fiona's would be far worse than anything they could imagine.