Chronicles of Fairy Bride

The air outside the cafe was constraining my throat as we ran through an unknown street. Each step we took started echoing loudly and unnaturally in that quiet area. The bright sun which was glowing and bathing the whole world with its presence, seemed dimmer in that narrow tunnel like a street. I could not apprehend why I am running like crazy in the fear of two figures who trailed us.

"Who are they?" I whispered, while trembling with unknown fear.

''Sentals'', Alaric said, ghasping. ''They are the servants of those who want to control you- your power''.

''My power?'' I asked as I was about to take a break. I had a hard time catching up with him. ''What power are you talking about?''

He tightened his grip on my hand and murmured, "Iori, now isn't the time." "Right now, we need to get somewhere safe."

As we turned around a bend, Alaric paused and scanned the surroundings.

''They are here!'' he muttered. ''How do you know?'', I asked as I brushed through over his shoulder.

He didn't respond. He dragged me down the alley instead, until we came to an dark wooden door. After a tense minute, the door creaked open after Alaric knocked three times in a rhythmic beat.The smell of old books and herbs filled the dimly lighted room inside. A lone lantern created flickering shadows throughout the room, while shelves lined the walls, filled with antiques, herbs, artifacts and books.

An elderly woman entered the scene, her eyes piercing despite the age. Her presence was both soothing and authoritative, and she was dressed in a flowing robe with elaborate patterns.

"Alaric," she uttered steadily. "You're late." Her voice was stern.

He replied, "Trouble found us," and led me inside.

The woman turned to face me, and she silently observed me for a while.

She finally remarked, "So... this is her?," in a tone that was a mix of regret and amazement.

"Yes," Alaric replied. "Meet Sylas...Iori. She... is an ally.''

Still trying to take it all in, I nodded. "An ally? For what exactly?''

Sylas pointed to an old chair near a small table. "Sit down, my child. You have very little time to grasp everything, yet there is a lot you need to understand."

Despite my hesitation, I sat down. My heart was pounding with excitement coated with fear.

Softly but firmly, Sylas began. "Iori Nanase, you are not who you think you are. Your existence here on Earth is simply a single strand in a much larger fabric than you can fathom."

She held up a hand as I opened my lips to speak.

"A dimension beyond this one is guarded by you, the last in a line of guards." Your birthmark is the mark of your lineage, a symbol of the power you carry," she added, her gaze darting to the area on my chest.

"My birthmark?" Instinctively, I touched it.

"Yes," Sylas continued. ''It serves as a symbol, a link to your actual self and your latent potential that is dormant in you. The Sentals, who are after you, want to use that power for their own benefit. And if they are successful, darkness will descend upon both this globe and the world beyond."

Her comments weighed heavily on me, making it difficult for me to breathe.

"This… this can't be real," I muttered, raising my voice just enough to be heard.

The soft words, "I understand your doubt," came from Sylas.

"However, the memories you had a glimpse of when Alaric held your hand and the nightmares you've been having are all pieces of the reality of your past. Your strength will fully emerge shortly; the awakening has already begun. Your fate awaits you whether you like it or not.

Alaric took a step forward, his face serious.

"Iori, you have to have faith in us, even though I know this is something unimaginable. I've been searching for you and waited for lifetimes. I will never let the past repeat again''.

Before I could reply or respond, a loud bang sound shocked us and broke through the silence. The dark door that led us shattered into pieces and two dark shadows stepped inside. Seeing those figures, a chill ran down my spine.

''Finally found you,'' one of them said, his voice hollow and shrilled.

Sylas moved surprisingly quickly, shouting in a language I didn't understand while raising her hands. Between us and the Sentals, a glistening wall of light appeared, but it wavered under their attack.

 "Alaric!" Sylas yelled. "Take her and go!"

 "I won't abandon you," Alaric objected. 

"You must!" she yelled.

 "Keep her safe at all costs. I'll keep them away."

 Despite his hesitation and the agony that flashed across his face, Alaric nodded. He took hold of my hand and dragged me to a secret door in the rear of the space. I looked over my shoulder as we ran. I could see the strain on Sylas's face, but she stood strong, her barrier firmly in place against the Sentals.

 "Go!" she shouted, her voice booming with command. 

After we entered the secret door, Alaric took me down a dim, twisting stairway. With every step, the temperature dropped, and the walls appeared to enclose us. 

"Where are we going?" My voice trembled as I asked. 

"To a safe house," said Alaric. 

"They won't find us somewhere. For the time being." 

A secret passageway led to a dimly lit tunnel when we arrived at the bottom of the stairway. And I realized for the first time that my life was no longer mine. Despite the dangers of the path ahead, I was forced to follow it.