Chapter 10: Ashes of the Past

The night wind howled through the trees as Mira and Nia stumbled out of the ruined tunnel, their bodies battered but alive. The cool air was a stark contrast to the raging inferno that had consumed the underground prison behind them. Mira's breath was ragged, her limbs trembling as the aftershocks of her awakening power coursed through her veins.

She clenched her fist. The flames had vanished, but she could still feel them—simmering just beneath the surface, waiting for her command.

Nia collapsed onto the damp grass, her tail curling around her legs as she gasped for air. "We… we actually made it."

Mira exhaled, her smirk sharp. "Of course we did."

It wasn't arrogance. It was certainty.

She turned back to the collapsed tunnel. The slavers who had tormented them were either dead or trapped beneath the rubble. The thought sent a dark satisfaction curling in her chest. They had tried to cage her. They had failed.

But they weren't safe yet.

Mira scanned their surroundings. They were in a dense forest, far enough from civilization that no one would stumble upon them by accident. The moon hung high, casting a pale glow through the trees. It was a blessing and a curse—good for visibility, bad for remaining hidden.

Nia sat up, ears twitching as she sniffed the air. "We need to keep moving. The slavers had more than just the guards in the tunnels. There were others… outside."

Mira's eyes narrowed. "How many?"

"I don't know, but I remember hearing them talking about another group patrolling nearby." Nia's tail flicked. "If they hear the explosion, they'll come looking."

Mira rolled her shoulders, testing her strength. She wasn't at full capacity yet. The sudden surge of divine energy had burned through her reserves, leaving her feeling drained, even if her body still thrummed with potential.

"We have two options," she said. "Find a place to hide and rest, or keep running until we're far enough that they won't find us."

Nia hesitated. "Can you keep going?"

Mira smirked. "I can handle myself."

The catgirl frowned but nodded. "Then we should move. There's a river to the east—I caught the scent of water earlier. If we follow it, we might find a road or a village."

It was a plan. Not a perfect one, but better than waiting for their pursuers to catch up.

They moved swiftly, Mira leading the way through the underbrush. Every step forward felt like shedding a layer of her past—leaving behind the chains, the filth, the weakness. She had been a prisoner, an extra in someone else's story.

Now, she was the one writing her own fate.

The sound of rushing water reached them after what felt like an eternity of running. The river cut through the forest like a shimmering ribbon, its surface reflecting the moonlight. Mira knelt at the edge, scooping up the cool water and splashing it over her face. The exhaustion still clung to her, but the clarity in her mind remained.

Nia crouched beside her, lapping at the water with a quiet sigh of relief. "We should follow it downstream."

Mira nodded but didn't move immediately. Instead, she glanced at her own reflection in the water.

Her eyes still held a faint, ember-like glow.

She touched her chest, where she could still feel the lingering warmth of her divine blessing. Flames of Dominion. It wasn't just fire—it was something deeper. A force that responded to her will, a power meant to consume and command.

She smirked at her reflection. "Not bad."

Nia's ears twitched. "You're enjoying this."

Mira looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "And?"

The catgirl huffed. "You're insane."

Mira grinned. "I prefer ambitious."

Before Nia could respond, the snap of a branch in the distance made them both freeze.

Mira was on her feet in an instant, eyes scanning the shadows. They weren't alone.

A low whistle cut through the air. "Well, well. Thought we lost a few slaves in the cave-in, but looks like a couple rats crawled their way out."

Four figures emerged from the trees, their weapons glinting in the moonlight. Slavers—hunters who had likely been waiting for survivors to emerge.

Mira exhaled through her nose, rolling her shoulders. Perfect. She was in the mood for a fight.

The lead slaver smirked. "You don't look so tough, girl. Your little escape ends here."

Mira smiled back, slow and sharp. They had no idea what they were dealing with.

She raised her hand, fingers curling as the air around her shimmered with heat. The slavers hesitated, their confidence wavering.

"Final warning," she said. "Run, or burn."

The leader sneered. "You think you can—"

Mira snapped her fingers.

The ground beneath them erupted in flames.

Two of the slavers screamed as fire coiled around their legs, the magic consuming them before they had a chance to react. The others stumbled back, horror plastered across their faces.

"Monster!" one of them choked out, scrambling away.

Mira stepped forward, the embers at her feet glowing brighter with each movement. The fire didn't touch her—it obeyed her.

"I warned you," she said, voice like molten steel.

The remaining slavers turned and ran.

Mira let them go. For now.

She turned to Nia, who was staring at her with wide, stunned eyes.

"You're terrifying," the catgirl whispered.

Mira smirked. "I know."

Nia shook her head but didn't argue. Instead, she stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You're powerful, but we still need to be careful. We can't afford to attract more enemies."

Mira hummed. "Maybe." She glanced at the now-empty clearing, the scorched ground still smoldering. Or maybe they should start learning to fear me.

Either way, she wasn't running anymore.

She was moving forward.

Toward the empire. Toward the academy.

Toward the beginning of her real story.