Turning point (1)

***Few moments earlier***

'It's about to start,' Etaria thought, noticing how the movement within the forest caused the tress to unnaturally shake. 

The divine protectors of the forest have yet to show up by the two pyres. Yet, just from the sheer concentration of aura at the forest's edge, she could tell this forest wasn't anywhere as calm as it appeared from the outside. 

"They are coming out," Zanba muttered while gently lowering his palm onto the handle of his sword. 

With their entire combined army standing at attention between the forest and the princess, there was hardly any need for him to worry… 

But trying to convince Zanba to give up on his habits would be a battle greater than any Etaria ever waged. 

"So they do," the princess echoed the swordsman's words and squinted her golden eyes a tiny bit.