Shadows in the Forest

The silver-armored warrior knelt before Princess Lucy, its polished armor glinting in the soft light of the palace. The warrior's helmeted head bowed in a gesture of servitude, its gloved hands extended in a gesture of offering. On its palms lay a dusty, masked helmet and a crushed armor boot, the latter stained with ominous splatters of crimson.

"We managed to retrieve these after a thorough search, Your Highness," the warrior announced in a blunt, metallic tone.

Princess Lucy's slender fingers trembled as she reached out to touch the dusty helmet and mangled armor boot. Her eyes widened in horror as she took in the sight of the bloodstains, her face paling to a ghostly hue. "W-what do you mean you...managed?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Just as the warrior wanted to speak further, a blast of unseen energy erupted from her petite frame, like a tempest unleashed. The silver-armored warrior was sent flying backwards, its body crashing through the golden palace doors and tumbling down the royal staircase. The sound of clattering armor and scraping metal echoed through the halls as the warrior's silver form rolled down the thirty steps, coming to rest in a crumpled heap.

The guards stationed at the palace door exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale with fear. They had witnessed Thorne, their formidable general, being sent flying like a rag doll. If someone of his unmatched strength could be defeated so effortlessly, what chance did they stand? The guards' hands instinctively went to the hilts of their swords, their eyes darting towards the princess with a mix of awe and trepidation.

Princess Lucy's voice, though trembling with emotion, carried clearly through the palace, her words dripping with a deadly venom. "You have twenty-four hours to bring my sister back, or I'll reduce you to ashes!" The palace seemed to shudder at her pronouncement, as if the very foundations of the building trembled with fear.

Thorne, still dazed from his tumble, struggled to his feet, his silver armor battered and bruised. He knew that he dared not fail in his mission. The princess's words had left no room for doubt: he had to bring Princess Lux back within a day, or face the consequences. With a sense of grim determination, Thorne scurried away, summoning his army to prepare for the perilous mission ahead.

.. ....

In a quaint, rustic inn nestled near the forest's edge, a man lay motionless on a bamboo bed, his steady breath the only indication of life. His eyes, though closed, seemed to bore into the thatched roof above, as if willing himself to awaken.

Princess Lux entered the room, a woven basket overflowing with fresh fruit cradled in her arms. Her gaze met that of the middle-aged physician, who sat beside the bed, his weathered face etched with concern. He wore a woven hat, and his simple, earth-toned attire spoke of a life spent tending the land.

"How's he faring?" Princess Lux asked, her voice laced with empathy.

The physician's gaze shifted from the patient to the princess, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "He'll regain consciousness within four hours, but...I fear he'll be crippled for life."

Princess Lux's expression turned somber, her eyes clouding with pity. "I suspected as much. Surviving alone was a miracle in itself." She set the basket on a nearby stool, the fruit spilling out like a colorful waterfall.

As she approached the bed, her gaze fell upon the man's ravaged face, the deep gashes and cuts a testament to the brutality he had endured. Her slender fingers reached out, tracing the wounds with a gentle touch.

"What of his injuries? How long before they heal?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

The physician's face furrowed in thought. "That's difficult to say. He'll need to continue taking the medicine and ointment I've prepared. Time will tell how well he heals."

Princess Lux nodded thoughtfully, her gaze still fixed on the man's face. "I see."

The physician's expression turned inquiring. "And how's your ankle faring, young lady? The ointment seems to have worked wonders."

A hint of a smile played on Princess Lux's lips as she wiggled her bandaged ankle. "It's perfectly fine, thank you. The ointment is indeed magical."

The physician chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "I'll be sure to pass your compliments on to my wife. She's the one who prepared the ointment."

As the conversation drew to a close, Princess Lux stood, her gaze sweeping the room. "I'll be taking my leave soon. My armor is in the backyard, I presume?"

The physician nodded. "Aye, my wife cleaned it for you. It's ready whenever you are."

Princess Lux smiled graciously. "Thank you, sir. Please extend my gratitude to your wife for the lovely gown she lent me." She gestured to the yellow dress she wore, the fabric rustling softly as she moved.

The physician beamed with pride. "I'll be sure to pass on your thanks."

As Princess Lux prepared to depart, her hands instinctively reached for the royal pendant at her neck. She removed it, offering it to the physician. "Please, take this as payment for your services. I'll return with more when I visit tomorrow."

The physician's face turned stern, his hands gently pushing hers away. "You don't need to do that, young lady. Healing is my passion, and I'm only sorry I couldn't do more for your friend."

Princess Lux insisted, but the physician remained resolute. Finally, she relented, her gaze lingering on the man's face before she turned to leave.

The physician called out, his voice tinged with concern. "Miss, it's growing late. Why not rest here tonight and depart in the morning?"

Princess Lux hesitated, her eyes darting toward the forest beyond the window. "I appreciate your concern, but I must leave today. I have...matters to attend to."

The physician's expression turned skeptical, but he knew better than to press the issue. "Be careful, then. The forest can be treacherous, especially at night."

Princess Lux nodded, her smile tinged with a hint of determination. "I'll be fine, thank you."

Within minutes, she had changed back into her armor, the metal glinting in the fading light. With a final glance at the man on the bed, she departed, vanishing into the gathering dusk.

As Princess Lux ventured deeper into the forest, the trees seemed to close in around her, their branches creaking ominously in the wind like skeletal fingers. The air grew thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the fading light of day cast long, ominous shadows on the ground. She walked for what felt like hours, the silence broken only by the soft crunch of gravel beneath her feet.

After a few minutes of walking, Princess Lux stopped abruptly, her hand instinctively going to the hilt of her sword. She stood frozen, her eyes scanning the surroundings as if searching for something – or someone. With a swift motion, she activated the portal, the familiar surge of energy coursing through her veins. But to her surprise, the portal refused to open, its energy faltering like a dying ember.

She tried again, her brow furrowing in frustration as the portal remained stubbornly shut. The clouds above grew darker, their impatient rumblings a stark contrast to Princess Lux's growing unease. She tried again, her movements swift and urgent, but the portal remained unresponsive, its silence mocking her.

Back at the inn, the physician's wife returned, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a practiced air. She spotted the yellow dress, the one she had lent to Princess Lux, hanging on the drying line outside, its bright color a stark contrast to the dull, earthy tones of the forest. A hint of a smile played on her lips as she realized Lux had departed, and a glint of determination sparked in her eye.

She entered the inn, her voice carrying through the mud walls as she called out to her husband. "Why did you let her leave?" The physician, seated beside the unconscious man, looked up at his wife, his expression a mixture of concern and apology.

"I tried to persuade her, but she's stubborn," he replied in a gentle tone, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

The physician's wife chuckled, a confident glint in her eye. "No matter. We have a plan B. She'll still end up in our hands, one way or another." Her voice was laced with a subtle menace, and the physician's expression turned grave.

The physician's brow furrowed with concern. "And what of our men?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

"They're already stationed within the forest," she replied, her tone filled with assurance. "They know what to do, and we've never failed a mission." Her words were laced with a quiet confidence, but the physician's expression remained skeptical.

"But we're dealing with the Princess of Azzuria," he pointed out, his voice laced with concern. "I've heard rumors of a mysterious elder sister, one who's rarely seen."

The physician's wife waved her hand dismissively, a hint of impatience in her voice. "Rumors, nothing more. And even if she does have an elder sister, what of it?" Her tone was laced with a subtle disdain, and the physician's expression turned grave.

The physician opened his mouth to respond, but his wife cut him off, her voice firm. "Let's not worry about that now. It's dark, and we have work to do." Together, they exited the inn, leaving the unconscious man behind, their focus solely on their mission.

Meanwhile, deep within the forest, Princess Lux had abandoned her attempts to open the portal. The darkness was growing thicker, the shadows deepening into ominous pools. She needed shelter, and fast. She spotted a rocky cave, its entrance hidden behind a thick veil of greenery, and made her way towards it, her heart pounding in her chest.

As she entered the cave, she activated the fire magic within her enchanted sword, and a warm, red flame erupted in the center of the cave, casting flickering shadows on the walls. She sat on a stone, munching on the fruit she had brought, her eyes gazing casually at the fire as she tried to gather her thoughts.

Suddenly, a realization struck her – earlier, she had failed to open the portal with her sword, but now, she had successfully activated the fire magic. A spark of hope ignited within her, and she grasped her sword, standing up to attempt opening the portal once more.

A shimmering blue light appeared, and the portal swirled to life, its energy pulsating like a living thing. But as she approached, a repetitive whirring sound filled the air, growing louder with each passing moment. Not less than twelve black arrows emerged from the portal, flying towards her with deadly precision, their tips glinting in the firelight like tiny, lethal stars.