The Daring Rescue

Only Dominika lingered, standing at the edge of the clearing. Her wide eyes shimmered with guilt as she watched Violet trapped in the cage, but she remained frozen in place.

"You're just going to stand there and watch me caged like an animal?" Violet spat, her voice laced with venom.

"I'm sorry, Violet," Dominika whispered, her voice trembling. "I tried to stop it, but... I couldn't go against my mother."

Violet let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, right. I should've let that wolf tear you to pieces."

"Violet, believe me, I didn't want to be a part of any of this."

"Then let me go. I promise I won't hurt you. I will leave and you won't ever need to see me ever again."

Her shoulders slumped, and Dominika turned away. The ache in Violet's chest deepened as she watched her disappear into the trees.

---

Seven days passed in misery. Rain poured from the sky, soaking Violet to the bone. The villagers treated her like an exhibit, their taunts cutting deeper than the cold iron bars.

"Witch!"

"Monster!"

The children were relentless, throwing rocks and scraps of food that barely kept her alive. Violet's hands shook from hunger as she picked at the scraps, swallowing her pride to survive.

Only Dominika showed her kindness. Late at night, when the village was asleep, she would sneak to the cage with proper food, a bowl of rice or a warm loaf of bread.

"I brought you something to eat, Violet, here," she said, dropping a loaf of bread in the cage. "I couldn't sneak out water but I promise to bring some in the morning before the villagers wake up."

"Yeah, whatever. I didn't ask you to feed me," Violet replied coldly. She pretended not to care, but the moment Dominika left, she devoured it hungrily.

Even then, Dominika's visits didn't soften Violet's anger. Every time she saw the girl's face, guilt flickered in her eyes, but it wasn't enough.

"Violet, if you need anything just let me know."

"Let me out. That's all I want."

"I... I'm sorry, I just can't."

"Then stop asking if I need anything because the only thing I need is to get the hell out of here."

---

One night, the peace shattered.

Screams filled the air, mingling with the clash of steel. Firelight danced on the horizon, casting eerie shadows on the treetops. The ground trembled beneath Violet's cage.

Dominika came running, her face pale with fear. She clutched a set of keys.

"Hell Hounds!" she gasped. "They're attacking the village. You have to go now, or they'll kill you!"

"Is this another one of your jokes?" Violet said, laughing, but Dominika stared at her, as she bent over to unlock the cage with trembling hands.

The lock clicked open, and Violet pushed the bars aside, stepping out cautiously.

"Where are the Hell Hounds?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"No Violet, not this time. Not everyone needs saving. Please just go."

"Dominika, why are you doing this?"

Tears streamed down Dominika's face. "Because I'm sorry. I lied, I told them you killed father, but you didn't. I knew you didn't. I've lived with that guilt every day since. Now go before they get to you."

Her words cut through Violet, sharper than any blade. Her chest tightened as she grabbed Dominika's hands. "Come with me, Dominika. You don't have to stay here."

"I... I can't," she shook her head, pulling away. "I'm sorry, Violet. Just go."

"Please, Dominika. If you are doing this because you feel guilty then I forgive you. Just come with me."

"Violet, I can't leave my people," she said and hugged her.

She turned and ran back toward the burning village, leaving Violet standing in the darkness.

---

Violet ran through the forest, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. The wind howled through the trees, carrying the distant sounds of battle. She could have saved them, she thought bitterly. But her powers... something was wrong. They felt distant, broken.

As she reached the edge of the forest, relief surged through her. Her home was in sight. But she stopped, remembering Chief Nazara's last smile before he died. She knew she had to go back to the village. Violet ran back toward the village and found many villagers lying lifeless on the ground. Fire blazed from every home, and what used to be her home was now burnt to ashes. The Hell Hounds had already left, and all that could be heard were the survivors grieving over their loved ones while others groaned from their injuries.

"No!" she howled, thinking Dominika and Lady Maria must have died.

She began scanning the area, searching for Dominika and Lady Maria, but neither was in sight. Before she could take another step, two Hell Hounds emerged from the shadows, their glowing eyes locked on her.

"Oh great, my day just couldn't get any worse," she said as she narrowed her eyes.

Violet darted left, then right, trying to outmaneuver them, but one grabbed her with crushing strength. Her head slammed into a tree, and stars exploded in her vision.

Pain numbed her body as they tossed her into a cage mounted on a wagon. The iron bars rattled as the wagon lurched forward, the village fading into the distance. She sat up abruptly, her mind flashing back to the events that led her to this cage. As the memories hit, she twisted around, straining to catch a glimpse of her village. Her heart tightened at the thought of Dominika—was she safe? And where were these Hell Hounds taking her?

"Hey! Where are you taking me?" she yelled, leaning against the cage bars. "Hey! I'm talking to you! I'm talking to a human here!"

"That's the problem," one of the Hell Hounds growled, its monstrous laughter sending chills down her spine. "We're not humans."

The others joined in the laughter, their voices guttural and inhuman. A wave of fear gripped Violet. Seeing them in daylight confirmed the terrifying tales Chief Nazara had shared—these weren't ordinary beings. They were Hell Hounds, vile creatures that carried out the King's darkest deeds.

"You're not humans?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Then what are you?"

"We'll show you."

The wagon came to a sudden halt. One of the Hell Hounds approached her, its presence suffocating, like death itself had materialized before her. Violet scrambled to the back of the cage as it reached for its face, pulling off the mask.

What she saw made her stomach churn. Darkness swirled where a face should have been, and two glowing red eyes stared back at her, unblinking and haunting. The air around her felt heavy, as though those eyes were trying to speak directly to her soul.

"This is what we are, your worst nightmare, and we are taking you to the King." The Hell Hounds all laughed and began approaching the cage one by one as if they had an evil plan for her.

Before she could scream, one of the Hell Hound was hurled through the air, its monstrous cries echoing as it disappeared into the trees. The other Hell Hound snapped to attention, scanning the area. But they too were sent flying in opposite directions by an unseen force.

"Attack!" A voice from nowhere was heard.

---

The cage rattled violently, and with a surge of desperation, Violet smashed her way out, the bars giving way under her fists. As she stumbled out, one of the Hell Hounds lunged at her, its hands like steel bands clamping around her neck. She gasped, clawing at its grip, as her vision blurred and her life flashed before her eyes.

Just when she thought it was over, the hell hound released her with a guttural growl, stepping backward. Violet collapsed to the ground, choking for air.

Turning her head, she saw a group of teenagers and adults charging toward the Hell Hounds, armed with makeshift weapons. They moved with precision and courage, taking down the monstrous creatures one by one.

"Someone grab the girl!" one of the them shouted.

"A little busy here!" a female warrior called out as she drove a bladed staff through one of the hell hound. Violet caught glimpses of the battle through tear-blurred eyes—shadows moving with lethal grace, weapons glinting in the firelight.

Flames spread rapidly from the overturned wagon, and smoke filled Violet's lungs. She tried to crawl away, but her foot caught beneath a splintered wheel. Panic seized her as the fire crept closer, heat scorching her skin.

"Captain!" the female warrior shouted. "The girl is trapped in the fire!"

And then, time seemed to slow.

Through the curtain of smoke emerged a figure moving with impossible speed. Violet's breath caught in her throat as her rescuer stepped into the ring of firelight. Broad-shouldered and tall, he moved with a fighter's grace that belied his strength. But it was his face that made her heart forget its rhythm—strong jawline softened by compassion, and eyes—deep, forest green eyes that shimmered with something ancient and powerful.

"Hold on," he said, his voice somehow cutting through the battle noise with perfect clarity.

Despite the danger surrounding them, despite the smoke burning her lungs and the pain radiating through her body, Violet found herself unable to look away from him. Captain Sage. The name echoed in her mind as he knelt beside her, carefully freeing her trapped leg.

"Can you stand?" he asked, concern etching his features.

Shy tried to respond, but no words came. The world swayed dangerously, and she felt herself falling.

In one fluid motion, he scooped her into his arms. The solidity of his chest against her side felt like the first safe harbor she'd found in a storm that had been raging for days. His heartbeat, steady and strong beneath her ear.

"I've got you," he murmured, and strangely, Violet believed him.

She should have been terrified—surrounded by monsters, rescued by strangers—but looking up at Sage's face, illuminated by the flames, she felt something bloom in her chest. Something warm and unexpected that defied the cold fear that had been her companion for so long.

His eyes met hers, and for one breathless moment, the chaos around them seemed to fade. There was recognition there, though they'd never met—as if some part of her soul remembered his. His expression softened almost imperceptibly, and Violet wondered if he felt it too, this inexplicable connection forged in danger.

"Stay with me," he said, but his voice sounded distant now, as if traveling across a great expanse to reach her.

Shy fought against the darkness encroaching on her vision, desperate to memorize every detail of his face—If she was going to die here, she wanted this to be her last memory—not cages or hell hounds, but this strange, beautiful moment of connection.

"Who are you?" she managed to whisper, her fingers weakly grasping the rough fabric of his shirt.

His lips curved into a ghost smile.

As consciousness slipped away, the last thing she heard was Sage's voice giving commands: "We need to move now!"