GABRIELLA’S POV
The symphony of strikes continued to reverberate, harmonizing with the rhythm of my beating heart. And as I unleashed my newfound prowess, I realized that I had become a force to be reckoned with, a testament to the boundless power that lies within each of us, waiting to be awakened.
As the training session reached its pinnacle, Nicklaus recognized the need for a moment of respite, gesturing toward the welcoming shade of a magnificent oak tree. We gladly sought refuge beneath its outstretched boughs, grateful for the reprieve it offered from the relentless rays of the sun.
Side by side, we sat on the cool grass, our chests rising and falling in unison, mirroring the rhythm of our breaths. Sweat glistened on our brows and rolled down our faces, leaving traces of our shared exertion.
Nicklaus handed me a water bottle, its cool touch a balm to my parched throat. As I quenched my thirst, I met his gaze, gratitude swelling within me. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice filled with appreciation. “Thank you for believing in me, for guiding me on this path of empowerment.”
A tender smile graced Nicklaus’s lips, his eyes alight with pride. “Gabriella,” he said, his voice resonating with affection, “you have surpassed expectations, unveiling the warrior within. Your dedication and progress today are a testament to your spirit. Remember, fighting is not solely about physical strength-it is about honing your instincts, trusting your intuition, and safeguarding all that holds meaning in your heart.”
I nodded, the weight of his words sinking deep into my being. “I embrace this opportunity, this journey of growth and strength,” I declared, my voice brimming with determination. “With you by my side, I will face each challenge head-on, unyielding in my pursuit of empowerment.”
Nicklaus’s gaze bore into mine, his pride and unwavering support evident in every word he uttered. “Together,” he affirmed, his voice an unwavering anthem, “we shall continue to grow.”
Feeling sufficiently rested, a shared understanding passed between us, and we realized it was time to resume our training.
Yet, as we prepared to leave our refuge beneath the oak tree, a sense of urgency gripped us. We knew we had limited time before we needed to regroup and cleanse ourselves in the comfort of our shared bath.
With purposeful strides, we traversed the hallway that led to our room. The anticipation of the soothing water and the chance to wash away the sweat and fatigue propelled us forward, our conversation drifting from the exhilaration of our training to the satisfaction that awaited us.
Just as we approached our room, a figure emerged, sprinting towards us. It was Nicklaus’s Beta, his chest heaving, gasping for breath. Concern etched across our faces, we halted, waiting for him to catch his breath and deliver the urgency that drove him to find us.
Finally, his words tumbled out, fragmented and urgent. “There’s… there’s a problem,” Beta managed to utter between labored breaths, his voice laced with a mix of fear and anxiety.
My heart skipped a beat, and a surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins. I turned to Nicklaus, our eyes mirroring the same worry that knotted our stomachs. “What happened?” I asked, my voice betraying the intensity of my concern.
Nicklaus’s brows furrowed, his gaze unwavering as he pressed Beta for more information. “Take a deep breath. Tell us, calmly, what has transpired,” he urged, his tone both commanding and comforting.
Struggling to regain his composure, Beta took a few moments to collect himself before sharing the details. “It’s… it’s Estella. We… we can’t find her.”
The words struck me like a bolt of lightning, shattering the tranquility that had surrounded us mere moments ago. Fear and anger intertwined within me, fueling a fiery torrent that threatened to consume my entire being. The world seemed to blur around me as I turned to Beta, my voice trembling with a mixture of desperation and fury.
“What do you mean you can’t find my daughter?” I demanded, my voice thick with the weight of mounting panic and frustration. The thought of my precious child missing, lost in the chaos inflicted by bandits, ignited a primal instinct within me, a fierce protectiveness that threatened to overwhelm all reason.
My gaze darted to Nicklaus, searching for any semblance of understanding or guidance in his eyes. “Nicklaus, can you hear what he’s saying?” I cried out, desperately hoping that there was some misunderstanding, that this nightmare was nothing more than a twisted figment of my imagination.
Nicklaus’s usually composed demeanor wavered momentarily as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. His voice, colder and more distant than I had ever heard it, cut through the air, laden with a mixture of concern and controlled anger. “We need to assess the situation,” he stated, his tone leaving no room for doubt. It was evident that he, too, was struggling to grapple with the news, his emotions concealed beneath a facade of steely resolve.
As my mind spiraled, unable to fathom the reality of my daughter’s disappearance, anguish erupted from the depths of my soul. “My daughter, my angel, missing?” I wailed, the words mingling with sobs that tore through the air, fueled by the torrent of emotions cascading through me. “No, no, this can’t be possible. No, it isn’t even possible,” I repeated, my voice catching on the edge of each word, the enormity of the situation pressing down upon me.
Beta’s voice quivered as he stepped forward, offering an explanation that did little to assuage my mounting despair. “We’ve searched everywhere,” he explained, his words a fragile attempt to convey the depths of their efforts. His own anguish was palpable as he struggled to maintain composure in the face of the anguish that consumed us all.
Desperation fueled my next thought, my mind grasping at any glimmer of hope. “Margaret, I need to see Margaret,” I blurted out, the name of the village’s revered sorceress spilling from my lips. “Perhaps she’d have a spell, a way to find her,” I pleaded, my voice tinged with desperation, the hope of a mother on the verge of collapse.
Nicklaus’s expression remained unreadable, a mask of stoicism concealing his inner turmoil. He turned to Beta, his voice laced with a chilling undertone of accusation. “When did this happen?” he inquired, the words hanging in the air, the weight of his disappointment evident.
Beta’s response was punctuated by a tremor in his voice. “Last night,” he confessed, his admission punctuating the gravity of his delay in bringing us the news.
The realization struck me like a physical blow, intensifying the tempest of emotions already raging within me. The anger that had simmered beneath the surface erupted, and I shouted, my voice laced with disbelief and fury. “What?! Last night, and you deemed it right to wait until now before informing us?” I roared, my words reverberating through the air, an echo of my fraying composure.
In that moment, questions ricocheted in my mind, echoing the ache in my heart. How could Beta keep something so vital, so paramount, hidden until this morning?