With a blade at her back, treachery in her blood, and retaliation blazing in her heart, she dashed into the shadows of her destroyed city. Stella believed she had moved on from her past. However, one of the ghosts still makes her pulse race even if they are wearing faces tonight.
Stella's POV
As I sprinted through Dandelia's narrow, winding streets, my heart pounded fiercely. I could feel the cold night air on my skin, and the collapsing stone walls reminded me of how there were shadows everywhere. "You shouldn't have come back," was whispered in my ear, a haunting memory from the past I couldn't shake. I ducked under a low-hanging umbrella and almost got caught, but the danger felt like an assassin's blade floating just behind me.
As I ran, my dark hair flew around my face, making a wild frame for my determination. My worn-out and torn clothes hid the beloved clothes of my noble family that were now just memories. My green eyes were sharp and alert as they looked for movement. Every flicker of a shadow sent a rush of energy through my body.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps coming from behind me. The sound crept into my mind. I glanced back just in time to see a dark figure emerge from the darkness, cloaked and scary. I felt fear rising inside me, but I pushed it down. I had survived Zina's anger; I could face this.
A swift turn toward a side street had me almost tasting freedom when I heard it, a hiss of cloth slicing through the air. My reflexes kicked in, and I dove to the side, feeling a cold breeze where the blade had nearly grazed my shoulder. The dagger thudded into the wall behind me, embedded like a warning. Panic sparked within me, but I wasn't about to give in. I readied myself for a fight, every cell of my being taut with expectation.
As I regained my balance, my eyes fell to my assailant. The hood of his robe slipped down, showing striking blue eyes that gleamed with a mix of amusement and challenge. Kael. The dreaded blade master whose name haunted the streets like a specter.
"Is this how you greet old friends?" he teased, a grin dancing on his lips. I felt my heart quicken not just from the danger, but from the magnetic pull that often accompanied our meetings. His dark hair fell over his face, adding an element of rough charm to his fierce, well-toned frame.
"We're not friends, Kael," I replied, stances set in a dance of defiance and respect. The words tasted bitter; my heart screamed otherwise.
He lunged, and the fight ignited. Blades clashed, my own weapon feeling weighty in my hands yet exciting. His every move was a planned dance, graceful but brutal. My sharp breaths mixed with the sound of steel, each clash ringing in the alley like a heartbeat.
Every reply traded fueled the tension between us. "You haven't changed," Kael grinned, his voice laced with playful dare. "Still running away?"
I brought my blade down, barely missing his shoulder. "That's rich coming from you," I shot back, faking disinterest while adrenaline surged through me.
Each thrust and parry blurred into a beat; my heart raced dangerously close to desire. Then suddenly, I struck true, hitting a blow that staggered him back. Triumph flared in my chest, but it was short-lived. Zina's minions came from the dark, their laughter chilling my blood like ice.
"Dammit, we need to move!" My words sliced through the air as Kael regained his balance, eyes searching our surroundings. I braced for approaching danger, chest heaving, when a familiar spark of silver caught my eye.
Helene emerged from the depths of the shadows, perched like a guardian angel amidst chaos. Her silver hair framed her face, displaying features that carried a resemblance to both wisdom and battle. "Get back!" she demanded, her voice steady as she stepped in front of me, protective reflexes flaring.
"Helene?" I gasped, a mix of relief and amazement running through me. She scared away the memories of my father, the nobleman who had whispered vows of honor and security now long gone.
"There's no time for questions," she pushed, quickly assessing the situation. "We have to fight, but we need a plan."
Kael eyed her carefully, sizing up this surprise ally. But there was no time for doubt; with no choice left, we thrust ourselves into the fight. My heart raced not just from the danger that surrounded us, but from the renewed warmth of allyship.
As we formed a protective circle, our fighting styles started to merge. I could feel Helene's strength beside me, steady and inspiring, while Kael flanked us, ever the calculating tactician. My pulse thumped in unison with their steady bravery.
But then, as chaos descended, Helene stumbled, and a scream tore through the night. My heart dropped when I saw her fall to the ground, a blade cutting her side. Despair washed over me in endless waves, leaving Kael and me to face the danger alone.
The world around me blurred, a medley of chaos moving through my mind as I knelt beside Helene. "Stay with me," I begged, desperation threading my words. Her silver hair pooled around her, contrasting sharply with the blackness that threatened to swallow us.
"I'm… I'm still here, Stella," she gasped, pain etched into her features, eyes fierce despite the wound. Memories washed over me of training in the secret refuge, preparing for fights that loomed over our lives. I couldn't let it end like this.
Kael's presence grew near, his stony face cracking. "We can't stay here. Zina will send more men. We need a plan."
Loyalty fought within me, but so did rage. "She took everything from me! I can't leave her here!" Tears stung my eyes, and Kael paused, searching my gaze. As if feeling the depth of my battle, he stepped forward, steel determination glimmering in his blue eyes.
"Together, we can't let her sacrifice be in vain. We'll fight, and then we'll come back for her. I promise," he urged, pulling at the threads of hope woven in desperation.
Just as the last lackey fell, sick laughter rang through the alley, a cruel reminder of Zina's presence. "You should have stayed away, dear Stella," she sang, her voice a dark tune that pierced my heart. Cold fear engulfed me like a shroud, igniting the fire of revenge within.
"Run!" Kael shouted, his voice slicing through the approaching doom as Zina's figure stepped into the light, laughter still hanging on her lips. I pushed forward, fear propelling me, but dread stuck to my feet like a shadow.
"Where do you think you're going?" Zina's words dripped with venom, her eyes burning with a darkness that threatened to swallow the world whole. She lifted her hand, dark power whirling around her, and my heart stopped. The air thickened, becoming nearly unbreathable.
"Stella!" Kael's haste snapped me back; his hand grasped my arm, pulling me. "We can't wait a moment longer." I didn't have to think twice. I broke away, feeling his presence at my back, our escape linked even in danger.
As we tore through the alley, my breath hitched. The stakes were higher than ever, darkness threatening to trap us each step we took. Zina's power crackled dangerously close; I could almost feel its cold fingers following behind.
With every step, I could hear her words taunting, promising vengeance. "You're running towards your doom, child," she called, and I looked back. Kael stopped the entry, positioning himself between her and me.
"Stella, I can't hold her," he gritted through clenched teeth. "Go!"
I dared a final look over my shoulder, eyes narrowing, as rage welled within. I wasn't just running to save my life; I was racing toward the chance for revenge, toward regaining everything I had lost.
The doubt of my fate churned in my stomach, but one truth remained: this fight was far from over. I ran into the darkness, the night air crackling with raw energy, excitement, and purpose, lighting every ounce of my being. The escape was only the beginning, and I was ready to recover my future.