chapter 1 - A Chance Encounter

The evening sky was streaked with the fiery hues of a dying sun, casting a crimson glow over the bloody turmoil. The ground was littered with countless bodies, the fallen a grim testament to the fierce conflict. The air was filled with the clash of swords, the roar of battle, and the anguished screams of the dying. Amidst this chaos, a man and a woman fought side by side, their movements synchronized in a deadly dance.

Without warning, a blade struck the man's side, the impact forcing a gasp from his lips. He staggered, eyes wide with shock and pain. The woman turned, her face smeared with blood and dirt, her eyes locking onto his.

"Theodosius!" she screamed, her voice raw with anguish. Tears mingled with the blood on her cheeks as she lunged toward him, her movements a blur of desperation.

Before she could reach him, another sword found its mark, slicing through armor and flesh. She fell, her cry a haunting echo in the twilight. Theodosius lay on the ground, his vision blurring, but he forced himself to speak. "Eleanor," he called, his voice weak yet filled with a fierce love.

She collapsed beside him, their hands searching for each other amidst the chaos. Their fingers intertwined, and they gazed into each other's eyes, tears streaming down their faces. Despite the pain, they smiled, knowing they had at least protected what was dear to their hearts. Though their lives ebbed away, they found solace in each other, their love a final, unbreakable bond.

As the world dimmed around them, they held tight, tears tracing their final farewell. With intertwined hands, they took their last breaths, finding peace in each other's presence.

15 YEARS LATER....

As the morning sun poured its golden embrace over the wilderness, the serene landscape blossomed with life. Serena, a 17-year-old maiden of incomparable beauty akin to the vibrant wildflowers, ventured into the forest, her daily pilgrimage in search of firewood for her family. Her hazel eyes, a captivating blend of earthy browns and lush greens, mirrored the tender embrace of nature, radiating the kindness that filled her heart. Framed by luxuriant dark lashes, they shimmered like sunlight filtering through the forest canopy, inviting others into their comforting depths.

Serena's flawless complexion, kissed by the morning rays, glowed with a gentle golden hue, amplifying her otherworldly allure. Her silken hair cascaded in lustrous waves down her back, rivaling spun gold in its brilliance. With a graceful figure and a poise that exuded both strength and gentleness, she glided through the forest with effortless elegance, gathering firewood with practiced ease.

As she made her way back from her task, the forest provided a serene backdrop to her daily chore, alive with the symphony of nature's sounds. Balancing a basket filled with firewood on her hip, Serena's deep familiarity with the surroundings was evident in her every step. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the canopy above, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow on the forest floor.

Amidst the tranquil setting of the forest, Serena's serene stroll was abruptly interrupted by the sight of an unconscious figure lying on the path ahead. With a quickened pulse, she gently placed her belongings aside and approached the young man. Kneeling beside him, she paused, a whirlwind of emotions stirring within her.

"I can't just leave him here," she mused silently, her innate compassion propelling her into action. "But who is he? What has befallen him?"

As she tenderly brushed his forehead, attempting to rouse him from his slumber, he remained enveloped in unconsciousness. Serena's resolve solidified. "I can't turn a blind eye to someone in need," she quietly affirmed to herself.

Observing his dirt-covered form, his features obscured beneath layers of grime and mud, she couldn't help but worry about his well-being. "I hope he hasn't suffered too greatly," she whispered softly, her voice tinged with concern.

Determined to help, Serena carefully lifted the young man, guiding him to a nearby pond where they could tend to his injuries. Under the shade of a tree, she assisted him to sit and ventured to find medicinal herbs to aid his recovery. As she searched, the scent of pine and earth filled the air, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls creating a peaceful symphony.

Upon her return, Serena found the young man partially conscious, murmuring a plea for water.

"Water... Water," he rasped, his voice strained and weak, the plea laced with desperation. His head moved slightly, as if seeking relief from the parchedness of his throat. With a dry tongue, he licked his parched lips, the movement feeble. Each swallow seemed to echo in the stillness of the forest, a testament to his urgent need for hydration.

Without hesitation, she hurried to the nearby pond, her steps quick, and scooped water into a makeshift cup fashioned from her hands. Rushing back to his side, she gently lifted his head and brought the cool liquid to his parched lips.

"Here, drink," she urged softly, her voice a soothing melody amidst the quiet of the forest.

As he sipped the life-giving liquid, he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of mesmerizing azure orbs. His blue eyes were like two sapphires, reflecting the boundless expanse of the sky on a pristine summer day, as if they held the universe's secrets.

Serena found herself captivated by the profound beauty of his eyes and couldn't look away for a moment. The young man, now more awake, inquired with a weak voice, "Who are you?"

Serena's voice was gentle as she replied, "I am Serena. I found you unconscious in the forest."

"I haven't seen you here before, are you lost?" She asked.

"I... I am....," he said, attempting to rise but stumbling due to his injured leg. Serena offered her support, concern etched on her face. Carefully examining his leg, she inquired if he was in pain. The young man nodded, his voice trembling in response.

"It appears you've sprained your ankle," Serena observed with a reassuring tone.

Curiosity welled up within Serena as she looked at the young man, his pain evident in his trembling voice and furrowed brow. Despite his obvious discomfort, she couldn't suppress her curiosity. "Can you tell me how you ended up here?" Serena asked softly, her voice filled with concern. "Do you remember anything?"

The young man struggled to gather his thoughts, his mind still foggy from his ordeal. "I... I... remember," he stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he looked up at the sun, his expression turning to panic. "Oh no, it's too late. I have to go immediately," he exclaimed, urgency lacing his voice.

He attempted to rise, but the realization of his injury struck him, and he winced in pain. Serena rushed to his side, concern etched on her face as she gently urged him to stay seated. "You shouldn't try to walk," she said softly, her voice filled with compassion. "Your ankle is sprained. Let me help you."

However, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a distant voice growing nearer, calling out, "Prince Oliver, where are you?"

As the voice drew closer, Serena's eyes widened with apprehension. She leaned in closer to the young man and whispered urgently, "It seems that today, besides you, even a prince has become lost in this forest. We must leave quickly. Soon, the soldiers will encircle the entire forest, making it challenging for us to leave without interrogation. Considering your current condition, the situation isn't favorable."

Panic began to set in the forest, and the young man, his voice weak yet filled with curiosity, asked Serena, "What if I've done something to Prince Oliver, and the soldiers are searching for me? Aren't you afraid?" His eyes searched her face for a reaction.

Serena's heart raced. Should she trust him? What if he was dangerous? But looking at his pain-stricken face, she knew she couldn't leave him. With a determination that surprised the young man, Serena smiled reassuringly at him. "If you had harmed Prince Oliver and ended up in your current condition, it means that Prince Oliver is either unharmed or at least well enough to protect himself," she reasoned calmly. "And your frail state poses no threat to anyone."

In a soft yet resolute voice, she assured him that if it turned out he was a criminal, she would personally take him to the soldiers and claim the reward for his capture.

The young man's hidden smile acknowledged her courage, and he admired her kindness silently. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the forest grew tense. Soldiers scoured every corner, and a young soldier, presumably close to finding 2nd Prince Oliver, kept calling his name, drawing nearer by the moment.

Just as the soldier's voice grew dangerously close, Serena, familiar with the forest's paths, guided the young man along the familiar route leading out of the forest. "This way," she urged, supporting him as they hurried away from the approaching soldiers.

Silently and without protest, the young man followed Serena's lead, his gaze fixed on her with a warm smile. Unaware of his admiring gaze, Serena's thoughts were solely focused on safely navigating out of the forest.