Will Vandom panted as her magic began to dry, attempting to fight a squad of soldiers who had surrounded them. She could feel her energy waning and her powers dwindling with each passing moment. The soldiers closed in, their weapons gleaming in the dim light, ready to strike. Will knew she had to find a way out of this predicament before it was too late. The other girls fared no better than her. They were all dirty and battered. In the routine raid to get more supplies for Caleb, the Guardians had gotten too close to the castle, and the soldiers kept coming with reinforcements. She knew they would lose if this continued any longer. The girls did not have enough strength to fight anymore. Their mission was practically over - the only thing left was to close the gap between their worlds and flee. Will surveyed her surroundings and shouted an order as the last rebel in Caleb's squad entered the portal to travel back and forth through their world. 'Guardians, hurry up; we are done here!'
The girls darted around the soldiers, running as fast as they could, but the swirling portal was too far away. They needed more time to escape safely. Will felt her heart hammer as she summoned the last of her strength to defend her companions. With ruthless determination, she blasted a pink and crackling energy ball that burst and sent soldiers flying in all directions.
'Come and get me, freaks!' She yelled, sprinting closer to the castle in order to get more cover. A few dozen monsters gave chase, trying to shoot down her fleeing form.
'A little bit further...' Will thought, desperately trying to reach the wall for a better hiding spot. Yet, she was too slow and too tired. It took a split second for her to notice the girls disappearing inside the portal, and one single glance was her downfall. Unexpected pain rocked her body, spreading fire in her back. Will screamed, suddenly slipping on the muddy ground and hitting a wall with a thud. An arrow protruded from the butterfly's wing, piercing straight into her shoulder. She moaned as the wound aggravated with each movement. Gritting her teeth and swallowing a scream, Will yanked the arrow out of her body. Blood gushed from the wound, making her dizzy, and she knew she had to act fast and find safety before too much was lost.
'A bit longer...' she braced herself and started climbing the wall, forced to move up despite the warm blood trickling down her uniform. Maybe it was unwise to remove the arrow, but it limited her movements, and their healing ability would not allow her to bleed out. The enchantments hidden in the rocks vibrated when she touched their rough surface. By chance or luck, the defensive magic did not activate. It felt odd, but there was no time to think about such things in such a dire situation. Will could hear the arrows hitting and falling without finding their intended target as the rigid rocks sliced into her palms. A few soldiers pursued her, but they were too heavy and slid down the damp surface. Will ascended out of sheer stubbornness, panting and taking huge gulps of air through the pain. The world tilted after reaching the top. Stumbling awkwardly on an uneven surface, she allowed herself to fall across a castle wall. Will dropped like a stone, her strength waning, hoping to survive the descent. The wind was howling in her ears as she plummeted towards the ground, her heart racing with fear. The green grass below was the last thing Will saw before closing her eyes and bracing for impact.
When the awareness came again, Will burned with fever, aching all over. Her chest hurt, and pricking stabs between the ribs made each breath feel like agony. She coughed and choked, trying to breathe; blood bubbled behind her teeth, leaving a metallic taste in her mouth. Tears leaked from her eyes, but Will could not open them properly as they swelled. Is that how dying feels?
The magic hummed beneath the skin with an urgent warning. She was not alone. Someone was walking on the lush grass without making a sound, stopping beside her. Terror and fear coursed through her being. If this presence represents an enemy, she would be killed or tortured to death. Tears started to fall faster, blurring the view; there was no control over them. She did not want her life to end this way. A gentle hand covered her eyes, blocking her vision. Will panicked, trying to escape the unexpected touch, coughing up blood and gasping for breath but getting none.
'Shhhhhh…' A silky, low voice soothed her with comfort, putting pressure on her chest that softly held her in place. The agonizing pain gradually subsided. A faint but pleasant fragrance eased her mind. Will felt warmth spreading through her body as her consciousness faded once again.
'What a lovely smell,' she thought. 'Sandalwood and exotic spices, sugar, and roses…' A soft sigh escaped pale lips, and Will knew no more.
The second time she awoke, the sky was dark. Her mind was racing, and her ears were buzzing—it was hard to think clearly with a headache. It felt like she had conveniently forgotten something. The strange sensation nagged at her mind. The ground was damp, and a chilly breeze blew in small gusts, stirring the grass. Will groaned in discomfort, feeling her wet clothes and body aches. She carefully stood up, favoring the left side, and looked around. It seemed more than a few hours had passed since the battle because there was no sound of soldiers moving nearby. She landed in an empty garden, just beneath the wall. The towering bushes enclosed and shielded it from the outside world. Will took a few steps inside, and the clearing revealed itself in all its pristine glory. Rosebushes surrounded her with beautiful flowers of various colors—black, rosy pink, deep crimson, and brilliant blue. Other flowers were peculiarly colored. Some she had never seen before—roses so tall they towered above her. Others were tiny seedlings that had sprouted from the ground. The evening dew glistened on the blooms—sparkling crystal drops on the delicate petals—and the intoxicating, sweet fragrance almost hypnotized her. The luscious grass was so vibrant and soft that Will wanted nothing more than to lie down and marvel at the rare beauty around her. She closed her eyes, savoring the scent of roses and admiring their splendor. In the distance, there was the soothing sound of a waterfall. It cascaded from the rocks and gurgled joyfully into the stream. Will gently caressed the delicate rose. Its petals were velvety and supple—flawless and perfect, as if made from pure imagination.
'Magic! This entire garden is magical!' Will's heart raced with sudden realization and an awareness of a powerful hum filling the air. Her abdominal muscles tensed as if preparing for a fight-or-flight moment. Even the air seemed to be vibrating with eager anticipation. Only one person in the whole of Metamoor was capable of such marvelous creations. Will did not have enough strength to oppose him when her energy level was at an all-time low. Then, the garden relaxed as if heaving a sigh of relief, calming the hum in the air, and Will saw Him. A barefoot man walked into the clearing, his long, pale hair trailing onto the ground. The edge of his bluish silk robe touched the dewy grass, but not even a speck of dirt or dust was on its hem. An otherworldly aura surrounded him, and his cold, unforgiving gaze pierced through her. His presence exuded power, captivating all who crossed his path. The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down her spine, as if he held secrets that could unravel the very fabric of reality. Will could not help but feel intimidated by his presence; she knew he wielded power beyond her understanding in his hands.
'Guardian...' With a slight smile and a nod of the head, the unquestionably captivating man greeted her. It did not reach his icy blue eyes; a veil of darkness and mystery hid his true emotions. His piercing gaze held a hint of curiosity as he studied her intently, as if trying to unravel the depths of her soul. It was a gaze that made her heart race, simultaneously thrilling and unnerving her. She could not help but wonder what secrets lay behind those enigmatic eyes. The air around them seemed to crackle with unspoken tension, as if they were both aware of the weight of their encounter. It was clear that his enigmatic presence demanded respect and caution in equal measure. When Phobos openly unleashed his overpowering magic, intentionally changing the atmosphere in the air, the Hearth of Kandrakar pulsed underneath her uniform. Will gasped, trying to breathe, but the pressure only increased, squeezing her chest tighter. She could feel the raw strength emanating from the prince and sending shivers down her spine. As the intensity grew, Will's mind raced with thoughts of self-preservation, but the sense of danger overwhelmed her. Even though her legs shook uncontrollably from the strain of staying upright as her vision became blurry, she refused to fall to the ground. Will wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of victory, so she gathered all her resolve and glared defiantly, willing to stand no matter what.
'Fascinating…' He smirked, and the pull lessened. 'To whom do I owe the pleasure of seeing you this lovely evening?' Phobos curiously inquired. 'No greeting? Where are your manners, Guardian?' He questioned, raising his perfectly sculpted brow.
'Phobos...' Will muttered through numb lips, stubbornly looking at him, wanting to appear braver than she felt on the inside.
'Oh, such reckless courage… It would do you well to remember your place!' He chuckled with delight, as if reading her mind. 'You will address me as a Prince!' Once again, the overpowering magic filled the air as his eyes glowed from within.
Without a warning, Will was flying backward. When she slammed into the wall with full force, the air escaped her lungs with a painful scream. Blood dripped on the ground from the freshly opened wound on her back. As he came closer, the invisible force held her in place. Tutting in displeasure, Phobos seized Will by the throat, hoisting her up to his eye level.
'I should kill you here and now. You, Guardians, are a thorn in my side. It would be so easy to extinguish your light...' He deliberately squeezed her neck, restricting the airflow while tenderly whispering in her ear. Will tensed up like a string, unable to move as her legs dangled in the air. She was entirely at his mercy. Never before had she been this vulnerable, yet with each difficult inhale, so alive. Goosebumps rose on her skin as his breath tickled her neck. The pain in her back was as sharp as a knife, sending stings through her body. Yet, Will could feel the softness of his palm and the warmth emanating from his body. The power dynamic between them was palpable, and despite the danger, she found herself drawn to him in a way she could not explain. The conflicting emotions made it difficult to think clearly. The seconds ticked by, and her battered body felt strained with the stiff muscles and the intensity of the unfamiliar feelings. Will could not move an inch, yet the Hearth of Kandrakar stayed silent on her chest as if there were no imminent danger. Without warning, Phobos released the pressure and fixed his gaze directly on her, as if he were searching for something. At that moment, her thoughts halted, and a strange understanding passed between them. Whatever he saw reflected in her eyes shifted the mood. It was as if an unspoken choice had been made—a mutual understanding of something more profound than words could convey. The world around them seemed to fade into the background. Phobos sighed, his face softening for a fraction of a moment, and with a thump, his head gently landed on her shoulder. Will felt his silky hair tickling her cheek and could not shake off the feeling that something significant had happened, but confusion was evident on her face. Too many emotions swirled within her, making it difficult to decipher what exactly had transpired in such a short amount of time. The prince huffed in dismay, lifting his head.
'Run, Guardian! Return home before I change my mind.' He whispered, relinquishing his hold. Will slumped to the ground, staring at him in confusion. The prince's words echoed in her mind as she struggled to make sense of the sudden turn of events. Her heart raced with fear and curiosity, leaving her torn between obeying the command and seeking answers. Phobos retreated into the garden without a second thought, his flawless face displaying an unreadable expression. Will shook her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts. Taking advantage of the opportunity and racing into overgrown greenery, she vanished from view.
'What an interesting development...' Phobos thought, lightly caressing a blooming rose. Its velvety petals felt delicate against his fingertips, contrasting with the thorns that guarded its beauty. Yet, with each touch, the innocent-looking petals cut into his elegant fingers. Crimson blood dripped to the ground, settling like red rubies on the grass. It was a mockery of nature's allure and an audacious display of his cruelty. He licked the last drops, grimacing slightly at the iron taste, and returned to the castle.