chapter 04.

Slow, deliberate steps approached the small house near the edge of the village. With a light tug, a figure dressed in assassin's clothes opened the window carefully, ensuring no sound disturbed the quiet night.

"So, this is where the little rabbit is hiding?" A sweet, taunting voice broke the silence of the night. Her light steps carried her deeper into the inner room of the house, where her gaze fell upon a small bulge beneath the blanket.

Her eyes lit up upon spotting her target. "Looks like Amaya is confident nobody will come here. No spells or protective arrays, hmm?" she mused to herself, her fingers gently brushing over the soft fabric of the blanket. Muttering a spell under her breath, she ensured the person beneath fell into a deep slumber.

"Come, little one. Time to take you away from here," the woman whispered, lifting the girl into her arms with ease, as if the child weighed nothing. For a brief moment, she was stunned by the girl's ethereal beauty, her delicate features radiating an unearthly charm. However, she quickly shook off her distraction, reminding herself of the urgency of her mission.

Walking out of the house, her black wings unfurled with a soft rustle. Just as she began to flap them to ascend, an invisible force struck her mid-flight, sending a sharp jolt of pain through her body. She faltered, and the girl in her arms slipped away, falling through the air.

"No!" she shouted, panic lacing her voice. To her astonishment, a golden protective bubble formed around the girl, cushioning her as she gently landed on the ground.

"Damn you, Amaya!" she cursed, her voice filled with frustration. Taking a deep breath, she chanted a healing spell, and her injured wings began to mend themselves. "Thankfully, I came prepared. Today, you're going to lose. Even this protection won't stop me," she declared, scanning the area to locate the source of the protective shield.

Her sharp gaze finally fell on a peach tree in the courtyard. A sly smile spread across her face as she confidently approached it. Placing her hand on the trunk of the tree, she muttered a spell. A faint glow emanated from the bark, and soon a green spiritual stone emerged.

"One of the best-quality protective magical tools," she remarked, admiring it briefly. "Not bad, Amaya. But this needs to go." With a single powerful motion, she shattered the stone into tiny fragments. The golden protective cover around the house vanished instantly.

Satisfied with her work, the woman returned to her target. "Time to leave, little princess," she said with a prideful smirk, her tone dripping with arrogance. She reached out to touch the girl, but the moment her hand neared the child, the golden bubble reappeared—this time engulfed in flames.

The flames were no ordinary fire. As soon as they touched her extended hand, a searing pain shot through her arm, spreading rapidly like wildfire. The intense burning sensation forced her to her knees, her body wracked with pain.

"No… no, this can't be. How does she have magic of her own? She didn't have any aura before. How?" she muttered, her voice trembling with both disbelief and frustration. Her gaze lingered on Mimi, a mixture of pain and confusion filling her eyes.

"Azeal!" Amaya's voice thundered through the night as she descended from the sky, fury radiating from her like a storm. Landing with a resounding thud, she marched toward the fallen assassin with pure, unbridled rage etched across her face.

With one swift motion, Amaya grabbed Azeal by the neck, her grip like iron. "This world trembles even at the thought of taking something that belongs to me," she hissed, her voice cold and menacing. "And yet you dared to try to take HER from me. Quite bold of you."

"Ama… Amaya… let… go," Azeal choked out, her voice strained as she struggled to breathe. But instead of releasing her, Amaya lifted her effortlessly into the air, tightening her grip as Azeal thrashed against her hold.

With a fierce motion, Amaya slammed Azeal into the ground with such force that the earth beneath cracked. No ordinary being could survive such a blow unscathed. Gasping for air, Azeal struggled to push herself upright, her body trembling under the weight of the pain.

"You bloody thief, taking the child from her parents and declaring yourself the sovereign out here!" Azeal burst into rage, her wounds bleeding profusely, yet she stood her ground. Despite the pain, she limped toward Amaya, her voice dripping with accusation. "You are truly ruthless, Amaya. From sealing her magic so no one could sense her existence to consoling her mother for the loss of the very child you stole."

Azeal's piercing gaze locked onto Amaya's, trying to find any trace of guilt. Amaya, however, maintained her cold, emotionless mask as though the words didn't affect her. But deep within, her heart churned, a storm of emotions battling to break free.

"We might not be your match," Azeal continued, her voice filled with venom, "but what about them? What about her parents? They are the rulers of Hell!" She let out a bitter, sarcastic laugh, her tone laced with mockery. "When Queen Rasha finds out that her so-called best friend stole her child and, under the pretense of cultivation, hid her from her rightful family—what do you think will happen? Hmm?"

Amaya stood silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she spoke in a soft yet chilling voice, one that carried the weight of a deadly promise. "I don't know what they will think, but one thing I can assure you—you won't live to find out."

Azeal's eyes widened in horror as she fully grasped the implication of Amaya's words. "You... you can't, Amaya! It's against the laws of the realms!" she stammered, stumbling back in fear, her arrogance crumbling as panic took over.

Amaya's gaze darkened, her voice growing colder, sharper. "I have done enough to care about the laws of the realms. Rest assured, your sister will accompany you on this long journey."

The gravity of Amaya's words sent a chill down Azeal's spine. Desperately, she tried to spread her wings, attempting to escape. But before she could take flight, a massive shadow loomed above her. A colossal bird swooped down from the sky, its talons locking around Azeal with a merciless grip.

"Amaya, no! Please—" Azeal's panicked cries echoed through the forest, but they were cut short as the bird ascended into the sky, taking her with it.

Amaya closed her eyes for a brief moment, as if to steady herself, before turning her attention to her little sweetheart, oblivious to the chaos, remained fast asleep, cradled in the golden flames that had emerged to protect her.

Amaya's sharp gaze softened as she approached, though her heart was a mix of surprise and concern about this sudden power of hers. The flames surrounding the girl flickered gently, their golden hue radiating warmth and safety. It was as if innate power had start awakened, reaching out instinctively to shield her from harm. " Your eighteen birthday is coming. "

Kneeling beside the sleeping child, Amaya whispered under her breath, "You truly are extraordinary, my little one. Even without guidance, you have start showing your strength." For a moment, her icy demeanor melted, replaced by a deep, unspoken affection as she gently placed her hand over the flames, letting them dance harmlessly against her skin.