Chapter 7 – Forbidden Love
The aftermath of the First Trial still weighed heavily on me. My muscles ached, my energy blade flickered faintly, but my mind was consumed by one thought: survival was only the beginning. The forest beyond the arena seemed quieter now, yet I knew danger was still lurking.
As I cautiously moved along a narrow path, I caught sight of a figure standing atop a moss-covered stone. Her silver hair shimmered in the fading light, and her eyes glowed faintly with an otherworldly green. She was beautiful… impossibly so, yet there was something dangerous about her aura.
"Who's there?" I called, stepping closer, my blade ready.
She tilted her head, a small, teasing smile on her lips. "Relax… I'm not here to hurt you. Unless, of course, you give me a reason."
I blinked. "And you are?"
"Name's Selene," she replied, descending gracefully to the ground. "I could say you're lucky I found you… or unlucky. Depends on how you look at it."
Her presence made my heart race in a way I didn't understand. Something about her energy… it was familiar, yet foreign. Dangerous, yet captivating.
Before I could respond, a sharp rustle came from behind. Lyra appeared, looking tense. "Careful… she's not like the others. I've heard whispers about her—she's from the enemy faction."
My stomach twisted. Enemy faction? Yet here she was, standing in front of me, eyes glinting with curiosity.
"I mean no harm," Selene said softly, her gaze locking onto mine. "But I can help you… if you trust me."
Trust? In this world? I hesitated, feeling the weight of every lesson so far. Allies were rare, enemies everywhere. And yet, something about her made me want to believe.
"Why… why help me?" I asked cautiously.
She smirked. "Because, human… I see potential in you. And because fate has a sense of humor."
As we spoke, a sudden sound erupted from deeper in the forest—a roar, loud and unnatural. Selene's expression shifted instantly. "They're coming… and if you're with me, you'll need to run."
We moved quickly, weaving through the dense undergrowth. As we ran, our hands brushed, and I felt a jolt of energy that wasn't from my blade. My heart skipped, and I realized with a start: this… this was something more than just survival.
Suddenly, creatures emerged from the shadows—wolves with glowing eyes, far larger than anything I had fought before. Selene's daggers gleamed, and I raised my energy blade. Side by side, we fought, moving in perfect synchrony. Every strike she made seemed to anticipate mine, every dodge timed perfectly.
For a moment, I forgot fear. For a moment, it was just… us, fighting together, alive and unstoppable.
The last creature fell, dissolving into light, and we both sank to the ground, breathing heavily. I looked at Selene. Her chest rose and fell, eyes glowing softly in the fading light.
"You…" I began, but words failed me.
She laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Careful… getting attached could be dangerous. You're not ready for what comes next."
Cliffhanger: Before I could respond, a bright portal shimmered open behind her. From it, a shadowed figure emerged, radiating immense power. Selene froze, her usual composure faltering. The words that escaped her lips made my blood run cold:"They've found me… and they're not stopping for anyone."