Chapter 12:
Malakai's eyes seemed to bore into Aria's soul, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something menacing about his gaze, something that made her feel like he was hiding a dark secret.
"What do you want, Malakai?" Arianna demanded, her voice firm and commanding.
Malakai smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I want the princess, of course," he said. "And I'll stop at nothing to get her."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. What did Malakai mean? And why did he want her?
As she looked at Arianna, Aria saw a flash of fear in her eyes. Arianna knew something, and she wasn't telling.
Suddenly, Kael stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Malakai. "You're not taking her anywhere," he said, his voice low and menacing.
Malakai laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You think you can stop me?" he said. "I have an army at my command. You're no match for me."
Aria's heart was racing with fear. What were they going to do?
As she looked at Kael and Arianna, Aria saw a flash of determination in their eyes. They were going to fight back.
But as they prepared to face off against Malakai, Aria realized that she had no idea what she was doing. She had no powers, no skills, and no experience.
All she had was her determination to survive.
Malakai sneered at Kael, his eyes flashing with contempt. "You're just a foolish mortal," he said. "You think you can stand against the power of the dark magic?"
Kael's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in determination. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect Aria," he said.
Arianna stepped forward, her eyes flashing with anger. "You'll never take her, Malakai," she said. "She's under my protection."
Malakai laughed again, the sound sending shivers down Aria's spine. "You think you can protect her?" he said. "I have the power of the dark magic at my command. You're no match for me."
Suddenly, Lyra spoke up, her voice quiet but firm. "I don't think that's true," she said.
Malakai's eyes turned to Lyra, his expression curious. "Oh?" he said. "And why do you think that?"
Lyra smiled, a small, mysterious smile. "Because I have the power of the ancient magic," she said.
Aria's eyes widened in shock. Lyra had powers? What kind of powers?
Malakai's eyes narrowed, his expression thoughtful. "I didn't know that," he said. "But it doesn't matter. I'll still take Aria, no matter what powers you have."
Kael stepped forward, his eyes flashing with anger. "You'll never take her," he said. "We'll fight you to the death to protect her."
Malakai smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm counting on it," he said.
And with that, the battle began.
The air was filled with the sound of clashing steel and the smell of sweat and smoke. Aria watched in awe as Kael, Arianna, and Lyra fought off Malakai's minions.
Malakai himself stood back, his eyes fixed on Aria with an unnerving intensity. "You're quite the prize, Princess," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I'll enjoy breaking you."
Aria's heart was racing with fear, but she refused to back down. She stood tall, her eyes locked on Malakai's, and said, "I'll never let you break me."
Malakai laughed, the sound sending shivers down Aria's spine. "We'll see about that," he said, and raised his hand.
A bolt of dark energy shot towards Aria, but Lyra intercepted it, her own magic glowing brightly as she deflected the attack.
Aria took advantage of the distraction to make a run for it, dashing towards the safety of the forest. But Malakai was too quick, and he caught up to her in seconds.
His hand closed around her wrist like a vice, and Aria felt a surge of fear. She was trapped.
But then, something unexpected happened. Aria felt a surge of power course through her veins, a power she didn't know she possessed.
With a burst of strength, she broke free from Malakai's grasp and sent him flying across the clearing.
Aria stared at her hands in shock, unsure of what had just happened. But as she looked up at Malakai, she saw a glimmer of fear in his eyes.
"You're more powerful than I thought," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "But it won't matter. I'll still break you."
And with that, the battle resumed.
Aria's heart was racing with fear, but she refused to back down. She stood tall, her eyes locked on Malakai's, and summoned all the power she possessed.
The air around her seemed to shimmer and glow, and Aria felt a surge of energy course through her veins. She raised her hands, and a blast of magic shot towards Malakai.
Malakai stumbled back, his eyes widening in surprise. "You're...you're not supposed to be able to do that," he stuttered.
Aria smiled, a fierce determination burning within her. "I'm full of surprises," she said.
With a wave of her hand, Aria sent a blast of magic towards Malakai's minions, sending them flying. Kael, Arianna, and Lyra took advantage of the distraction to launch a counterattack.
The battle raged on, with spells and swords clashing in a flurry of motion. Aria fought with all her might, determined to protect herself and her friends.
But despite their valiant efforts, they were vastly outnumbered. Malakai's minions seemed to be endless, and Aria began to tire.
Just when it seemed like all was lost, a loud horn blew, echoing through the forest. The sound sent a shiver down Aria's spine, and she felt a surge of hope.
Reinforcements had arrived.
The horn blew again, and Aria saw a group of riders emerge from the trees. They were dressed in armor and carried swords and shields, and they charged into battle with a fierce cry.
Malakai's minions were quickly overwhelmed, and soon they were fleeing in disarray. Malakai himself turned to run, but Kael was too quick. He caught up to Malakai and engaged him in a fierce duel.
Aria watched in awe as Kael fought Malakai, their swords clashing in a flurry of motion. She had never seen Kael fight before, and she was amazed by his skill and bravery.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Kael emerged victorious. Malakai lay defeated at his feet, and Kael stood over him, his chest heaving with exhaustion.
Aria felt a surge of relief and gratitude. They had won the battle, and they were safe.
But as she looked at Kael, she saw a strange expression on his face. He was looking at her with a mixture of awe and fear, and Aria felt a shiver run down her spine.
"What's wrong?" she asked, feeling a sense of trepidation.
Kael hesitated, as if unsure of how to answer. "You...you did something back there," he said. "Something amazing."
Aria frowned, unsure of what Kael was talking about. "What did I do?" she asked.
Kael's eyes locked onto hers, and Aria saw a glimmer of fear in their depths. "You used magic," he said. "Real magic."
Aria's eyes widened in shock. Magic? She didn't have magic.
But as she looked at Kael, she saw the truth in his eyes. She had used magic, and it had changed everything.
Aria's mind was reeling with questions. How had she used magic? And what did it mean?
Kael's eyes were still locked onto hers, and Aria saw a mixture of awe and fear in their depths. "You're...you're not just a ordinary girl, are you?" he said.
Aria shook her head, feeling a sense of confusion and disorientation. "I don't know what I am," she said.
Arianna stepped forward, her eyes shining with a knowing glint. "You're a witch, Aria," she said. "A powerful one."
Aria's eyes widened in shock. A witch? She had never heard of such a thing.
But as she looked at Arianna, she saw the truth in her eyes. She was a witch, and it explained everything.
The strange occurrences that had been happening around her, the feelings of power and energy that she had been experiencing...it all made sense now.
But as Aria looked at Kael, she saw a mixture of fear and uncertainty in his eyes. He didn't know what to make of her newfound powers, and Aria couldn't blame him.
She was scared too.
What did it mean to be a witch? And what kind of powers did she possess?
As Aria stood there, trying to process everything that was happening, she felt a strange sensation building up inside of her.
It was a feeling of power and energy, and it was growing stronger by the second.
Aria's eyes locked onto Kael's, and she saw a glimmer of fear in their depths. He knew what was happening, and he was scared.
And then, in an instant, everything went black.
Aria felt herself being lifted off the ground, her body weightless and free. She was surrounded by a bright, pulsating light that seemed to be pulling her towards it.
She felt a sense of exhilaration and wonder, as if she was being transported to another world. The light grew brighter and brighter, until it was like a miniature sun exploding around her.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything went black again.
Aria felt herself being lowered back down to the ground, her body feeling heavy and limp. She opened her eyes to find herself back in the clearing, surrounded by Kael, Arianna, and Lyra.
They were all staring at her in shock and amazement, their faces pale and frightened.
"What...what just happened?" Aria stammered, trying to sit up.
Kael rushed to her side, helping her to sit up and supporting her back. "You...you used magic," he said, his voice shaking with awe. "Real, powerful magic."
Arianna nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "You're a witch, Aria," she said. "A powerful one."
Lyra smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I think we underestimated you, Aria," she said.
Aria felt a sense of wonder and excitement, mixed with a little fear. She had no idea what she was capable of, or what kind of powers she possessed.
But she was determined to find out.
As Aria sat up, she felt a strange sensation in her fingers. They were tingling and buzzing, as if they were alive.
She looked down at her hands, and gasped in shock. Her fingers were glowing with a soft, white light.
Kael, Arianna, and Lyra stared at her hands in amazement, their eyes wide with wonder.
"What's happening?" Aria asked, feeling a sense of fear and uncertainty.
Arianna smiled, her eyes shining with excitement. "You're accessing your magic," she said. "You're tapping into your powers."
Aria's eyes widened in shock. She was a witch, and she had real, magical powers.
As she looked at her glowing fingers, Aria felt a sense of wonder and excitement. She had no idea what she was capable of, or what kind of magic she could do.
But she was determined to find out.
With a sense of trepidation and excitement, Aria raised her glowing fingers, and pointed them at a nearby rock.
To her amazement, the rock began to glow with a soft, white light. It rose into the air, hovering above the ground.
Aria gasped in shock and wonder, staring at the rock in amazement. She had done it. She had used her magic.