Lienna.
I had just been tackled to the ground, my attackers climbing on top of me and pinning me as well while I struggled to break free to no avail. I lay helpless on the ground, my attackers’ weight crushing me, their hot breath on my skin making my stomach churn. Panic set in as I realized the gravity of my situation.
“Get off me, you bastards!” I screamed, my voice hoarse from fear, as I struggled to break free. “Get off me!” I screamed again, trying to get away from them. But it was no use they were too strong, too many. One of them sneered, baring his teeth, as he raised the dagger high in the air and brought it down to my stomach. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the pain, my heart racing like a wild animal.
But instead of feeling the blade’s sting, a sudden surge of icy energy coursed through my veins, like a river of frost. It was as if my body had become a conduit for a power I couldn’t control. The energy burst out of my hands, releasing a blast of white light that sent my attackers flying.
Gasps and groans filled the air, and for a moment, I was too stunned to move. My body felt frozen, my mind reeling from the shock. Slowly, I opened my eyes to take in the chaos around me. My attackers lay scattered, some motionless, others struggling to get up, their faces twisted in pain.
I stumbled to my feet, my eyes wide with disbelief. What had just happened? How had I done that? The questions swirled in my mind as I took in the scene before me. The men who had sought to harm me now lay defeated, some of them staring up at me with a mix of fear and confusion.
I rose to my feet, my eyes blazing as I regarded the survivors of the initial attack. They hesitated, and I could see the fear creeping into their eyes. I stared at my hands, still trying to comprehend the incredible power that had surged through me. Did I really just do that? Was it truly the moon goddess’s power awakening within me?
But there was no time to revel in this newfound ability, as a shrill voice pierced the air. “What are you doing?! Kill her!” A voice echoed through the woods, their anger and desperation palpable.
The remaining attackers lunged at me once more, and panic set in. Without hesitation, I turned and fled, my legs pumping furiously as I plunged deeper into the woods. The dense foliage made it difficult to navigate, but I pushed on, my heart racing with fear. Arrows whizzed past me, some grazing my skin, and I forced myself to run faster.
My lungs burned, my legs ached, and my strength began to wane. Just when I thought I couldn’t go further, I collapsed against a tree, gasping for air. I turned to face my attackers, who had stopped a few meters away, their weapons at the ready.
The silence was oppressive, broken only by the frantic beating of my heart. “Get away from me!” I gritted through clenched teeth, my breaths heavy, my heart pounding in my chest.
One of them scoffed, while another readied their bow, pulling the string taut. “You got lucky the last time, we won’t let it happen again.” The arrow was released, and I swear, I could hear it cutting through the air, heading straight for me.
With a surge of adrenaline, I raised my hands once more, closing my eyes as the icy energy coursed through me. This time, it was faster, more intense, and it shot through my hands like a frozen blast, shattering the arrow in mid-air and striking them again. They were carried of their feet landing unceremoniously to the ground, now completely motionless.
I stood there, frozen in shock, my heart racing like a wild animal, and my head spinning with dizziness. The scene before me was like a macabre painting, the bodies of my attackers charred and lifeless, as if consumed by an invisible fire. I stumbled forward, my trembling legs threatening to give way beneath me, as I approached the gruesome sight.
The reality of what I had done hit me like a ton of bricks. I killed people. The words echoed in my mind, refusing to be silenced. I had never intended for this to happen. I had only wanted to protect myself.
Panic set in, and I turned to flee, desperate to escape the carnage and the guilt that threatened to suffocate me. The forest seemed to close in around me, the trees spinning ominously as I stumbled through the underbrush. I didn’t dare look back, fearing what I might see.
My breath came in ragged gasps, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. I had to get out of there, had to find civilization and try to make sense of what had happened. I ran until my legs ached and my lungs burned, but I didn’t stop until I saw the glimmer of light through the trees, signaling the end of the forest. I burst into the clear area, the bright lights blinding me for a moment before my gaze cleared. Then, I heard a voice calling out to me.
I turned to see Daisy hurrying towards me, her brow furrowed with concern. “Lienna! I’ve been searching everywhere for you! Where have you been?” she exclaimed, her voice laced with worry. As she drew closer, her eyes scanned me from head to toe, taking in my disheveled appearance. “What happened? Why are you out of breath?” she asked, her voice tinged with alarm.
I tried to respond, but my legs felt like jelly beneath me. I stumbled forward, my words tumbling out in a jumbled mess. “Attackers… people tried to kill me,” I wheezed, struggling to catch my breath.
Daisy’s expression turned from worry to panic as she rushed to my side, catching me just as my knees buckled. “I don’t understand. What happened? I didn’t hear you,” she said, her voice trembling with fear. She held me upright, her eyes scanning my face for answers.
I tried to speak again, but my words were lost in a jumble of sounds. My body felt like lead, my vision blurring at the edges. I felt myself being lowered to the ground, Daisy’s voice a distant hum as my consciousness slipped away.
As I lost all sense of awareness, I felt Daisy’s arms wrap around me, holding me close. Her voice whispered in my ear, “I’ve got you, Lienna. You’re safe now.” But even her reassuring words couldn’t keep the darkness at bay, and I succumbed to the void, leaving Daisy to wonder what had just happened.