Chronicles of Fairy Bride

We were surrounded by the tunnel's damp, cold air, which made my skin feel cold and sent a shudder down my spine. Alaric was moving quickly, and my footsteps followed softly after him. The silence seemed to amplify every sound, including my heart's light throbbing, my breath, and the scrape of my shoes on the stone.

"Alaric," I yelled quietly, attempting to hide my trembling voice. "How long until we reach this safe house?"

He didn't turn around. "Not far," he said in a strained voice. ''But we must remain vigilant. Sentals are not easily discouraged.''

I felt a new surge of horror come over me as he spoke. "Who—" I stammered, unable to think of the right phrase. "Who are these Sentals, and why do they want me so badly?"

Alaric hesitated, his piercing eyes on me. His amber eyes seemed to shine in the low light. "Iori, they're pursuing more than just you. They desire the strength of your lineage, which you possess. They see you as a tool, a way to achieve a goal. They will have enough power to disbalance the equilibrium between realms if they manage to take control of you."

I felt as though his words were pressing down on me. "How about you? Why are you assisting me?''

His face softened as he sighed. "Because I've already failed once. And I'm not going to allow it to occur again."

Before I could ask him what he meant, I heard a faint, repetitive thumping in the distance, getting louder by the second.

Alaric's body tensed like a coiling spring as he froze.

"They're coming," he muttered to himself. He took hold of my hand and dragged me farther into the tunnel without saying another word. Fear fought its way up my throat, tightening my chest.

"Alaric, we can't outrun them forever," I said, catching my breath.

Despite the haste, he said, "We won't have to," in a steady voice. "Trust me."

The tunnel abruptly expanded into a vast area as we turned a bend. A stone pedestal with elaborate markings engraved on it stood in the middle, its surface glimmering dimly with a bluish radiance. With a hard but gentle grip, Alaric drew me nearer it.

His words, "Stand here," led me up onto the platform. "Don't move."

I paused, looking at the blazing symbols anxiously. "What is this?"

"A portal," he said, his eyes racing to the tunnel from which we had emerged. "It will take us to the safe house."

Before I could answer, two shadowy creatures stepped out of the cavern and a thunderous roar filled the room. With their extended limbs and flashing crimson eyes, they had monstrous yet humanoid bodies that gave off an unnatural sense of dread.

One of them growled, "Step away from her," its voice like scraching nails on the blackboard. "She belongs to us."

Alaric moved ahead of me, pulling a silver, streamlined weapon that glistened with an unearthly brightness from his coat. He snarled, "You'll have to go through me first,"

With unnaturally rapid motions, the Sentals sprang forward. Alaric confronted them directly, his blade glinting as it struck their claws. As the cavern echoed with the sounds of their struggle—metal on metal, roars of rage, and Alaric's resolute grunts—sparks flew.

He yelled, "Stay on the pedestal!" looking back at me. "It's the only way you'll be safe!"

As the conflict played out in front of me, I watched in dread, my heart racing.

Alaric fought off both Sentals at once, his movements quick and graceful, his blade a blur. However, they persisted, their attacks becoming more frantic by the second.

The pedestal underneath me caught my attention with a dazzling flare of light. The symbols were stronger now, their light flashing in time with my heart's tumultuous pulse.

"Alaric, the portal—" I started, but before I could finish, one of the Sentals rushed past him and came at me.

I automatically lifted my hands in preparation for impact. However, the Sental was flung backwards by a surge of energy that came from my palms rather than claws ripping into me.

It crumpled to the floor after colliding with the cavern wall with a horrible crunch.

My thoughts was racing with astonishment and confusion as I gazed at my hands. "What… what was that?"

Alaric gave me a quick glance while a small grin of relief appeared on his face. "Your power," was all he said. "It's awakening."

The second Sental growled and lunged toward me, but Alaric pierced its chest with his blade before it could get to me. With one last scream, the creature vanished into ashes.

Alaric turned to me, breathing deeply, his face displaying a mixture of pride and worry. "We must leave. "Now!"

The air around us hummed with energy, and the light from the pedestal had grown to a dazzling brilliance. Alaric put his hand on my shoulder as he went onto the platform next to me.

"Hold on," he said. "This might feel a little strange."

Before I could inquire what he meant, the world around me vanished into a whirlpool of color and music as the light enveloped us. I had the impression that I was being pulled into an infinite tube.

Then it was done, as abruptly as it had started. As the light dimmed, I was in a tiny, comfortable space that smelled like herbs and was warm. Books adorned the walls and a fire crackled in the hearth.

Alaric responded, "We're safe," in a quiet but firm voice. "For now."