CHAPTER 2: Irene

The night swallowed Devasena as she rode away from the palace , the wind whipped her face like an invisible force motivating her to kkep riding as the distant glow of Notheris faded behind her.

She had left.

And now she was alone, the sky churned above her, dark clouds swiftly engulfing the once bright moon. The air smelled of rain , heavy with unspoken anger.

Her horse reared in panic, Devasena gritted her teeth as she groped the reins tighter.

"Not here, not now" She forced herself to take steady breaths, but it couldn't calm the jolts of electricity that coursed through her veins. This was not a normal storm.

It was her storm

She tried pushing her emotions away but the heavens roared louder like it was aware of her struggle. "No, i cannnot lose control "

But she already did.

A gust of wind slammed into her, almost knocking her off her horse. Rain poured down in sheets, making the floor beneath the horse slicked with mud.

The storm seemed to try stopping her.

The sudden flicker of movement ahead caught her attention. At first it was just a shifting shadow but then she caught a glimpse of metal.

Her stomach lurched. She was not alone, her father had sent his men after her. She stopped her horse abruptly as a bolt of lightening struck, revealing riders cloaked in black.

It felt like they were waiting for her, hence the storm.

A wicked smile curled up her lips "let them come then".

Unsheathing her sword, she unmounted her horse, taking steady steps forward.

With a swift swipe, she threw one of the men off his horse, they had faced battles before, but they have never faced her.

Rain poured on them harshly,every drop hitting them hard on the face. Devasena was drenched but she did not feel the cold, the storm inside her hotter than fire.

"Surrender princess, you cannot outrun us"

Devasena's eerie laughter resounded coldly in the dark, louder than the pats of rain " Who said i was running,...I presume you are not my father's men"

Without warning her horse came running, she mounted it while on motion. The first attacker swung his sword aiming for her arm but in the last moments, Devasena ducked. She twisted in the saddle, slashing upward with her own blade.

Steel met flesh.

The rider grunted in pain, a crimson line bloomed on his arm. He reeled backwards as he gripped his wound, his sword slipping from his grasp.

Her heart pounded as she felt the storm surging inside her, the wind howled in her ears and she knew - this was her only chance.

A roar of thunder resounded above them. The eart shook as a bolt of lightening struck the ground,between her and the riders, sending a wave of crackling energy. The horses panicked rearing back in terror.

The riders shouted struggling to maintain their balance . One was thrown to the ground groaning in pain, another barely able to remain on his saddle.

Devasena turned her horse and drove her sword into the side of the nearest attacker. Before he could recover his breath hitched and he slumped against his horse.

The rest of the men hesitated, no one dared to take the slightest step further, their eyes flickering from their fallen comrades to the raging storm.

They were afraid!.

They thought she was a runaway princess, they did not expect her powers to be so strong.

" Tell my father " she growled, "the next time he sends his men after me, i will not spare them..."

With another flash of lightning, she was gone- vanishing into the night, riding towards the unknown.

The battle had been won, but the war was just beginning.

...

Devasena could not understand what happened back in the forest, she had never been able to comprehend or control her powers, but today...

"Irene!, yes Irene can help me, i will go to her" she mumbled shakily.

The storm had subsided by the time she reached the ancient shrine hidden deep in the mountains. The entrance was marked with weathered stone pillars, the surfaces marked with strange symbols long forgotten by the people of Notheris.

She dismounted her, body aching from the battle, her mind still racing. Irene would have answers.

The scent of burning incense drifted through the cave's entrance, where a soft glow burned. She was expected.

Inside, Irene sat cross legged on an elevated platform, her silver hair cascading down her shoulders like strands of moonlight. Her piercing gaze like a golden pool met Devasen's the moment she entered.

"You come seeking the truth" Irene's voice was steady and ancient like it carried the weight of time itself.

Devasena clenched her fists,"I need to know what i am"

Irene studied her for a long moment befor gesturing for her to sit. "You are not just the heir to Notheris, you are a powerful force that can not be reckoned with.

The diviner reached her hand into a basin of water, swirling her fingers through its depth, the water shimmered revealing a vision- storms raging over Notheris and the earth trembling beneath her feet, the heavens bending to her will

Irene continued in a steady voice, almost like a whisper "Arrhena was the first ruler of Notheris, she wielded the powers that no other man or immortal had. But love and history erased her and the kingdom fell under the reign of men. Now Arrhena has chosen you to restore what was lost".

The weight of Irene's words crushed Devasena's breath. The force she feared,the power she had never understood was actually not a curse. It was a legacy.

"What must i do?"

Irene's golden eyes gleamed, "you have to claim what is yours, but beware, those who fear the return of Arrhena's powers will stop at nothing to stop you"

Devasena was not only fighting for the throne, she was fighting for her destiny.

How was she to accept this great responsibility that has been bestowed on her...