Chapter 2 The forbidden zone

Chapter 2:

In the Kingdom of Eldoria

The kingdom of Eldoria was on the brink of darkness, and the elders knew they needed to select seven chosen ones to bear the powerful rings of the realm. To determine the worthy candidates, they devised a treacherous test. The contenders would be sent to a forbidden area to retrieve seven magical orbs. This forbidden zone was shrouded in mystery and peril, guarded by fearsome creatures and traps that would push the candidates to their limits.

The mage hall was filled with a large number of candidates. Among them was a slim, fragile, and beautiful-looking girl. Her sky-blue eyes were fixed on the elders; she was the princess of Eldoria, the granddaughter of the King. Beside her was her personal maid, Amber, who had a worried expression written all over her face. "Your Highness, are you sure you want to participate in this event?" she asked in a shaky voice. "Of course, you don't have to worry," she said. "It's just a test," she said.

Amber had the right to be worried after all since the creation of Eldoria no female had ever participated in this event of the seven rings bearer.

Just then a handsome boy walked over towards them "Hi Lily, are you here to watch me win this event?" The boy Alan said with a foolish smile on his face. Alan and the Princess had been in a relationship for so long.

"No I'm here to participate in this event" she said, "What!" Alan said with his eyes wide opened. "Does his majesty know about this?" he asked "No" Amber said "The Princess didn't want to inform the King about it".

Alan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lily, you can't be serious! This is a dangerous test, not a game for royalty to play at whim." He glanced at Amber, hoping she would share his concern, but the maid remained silent, her eyes fixed on the floor.

Lily's expression was resolute, her sky-blue eyes shining with determination. "I know it's risky, Alan, but I can't just sit back and watch. I want to contribute, to show that I'm capable of more than just being a princess."

Alan's face reddened, his jaw clenched in frustration. "But, Lily, you're not trained for this sort of thing. What if something happens to you?, I can't forgive myself if something happens..." he trail off

Lily's smile was gentle, but firm. "I'll be careful, Alan. I promise."

"The test had begun, candidate should step forward" the elders announced, he then started drawing a strange sign in the air, as he use a spark of blue lights as a ink to write im the air.

Suddenly a portal appeared as the candidate rushed in, Alan held Lily's hand and they both went in.

As Lily stepped through the shimmering portal, the disorienting sensation of the transfer left her briefly disoriented. When her senses finally cleared, she found herself alone in the strange, otherworldly realm of the Forbidden Zone. She looked around and saw the forbidden zone was surely a scary place.

The land was twisted and rough, with strange plants and crumbling paths. The air felt heavy with magic, making it hard to move. Shadows moved on their own, hiding unseen dangers. Roars of beasts could be heard in the distance. This was a challenge that would test anyone's bravery and skill. One wrong step could mean disaster.

"Alan!" She called, but there were no respond, just when she took a step forward a massive creature emerge from the shadows, Lily felt a chill run down her spine. It was unlike anything she had ever seen – a towering monstrosity with gleaming fangs and razor-sharp talons that seemed to radiate raw, primal power.

Lily quickly created a shimmering barrier of magical energy, but the beast's onslaught was relentless. Its massive limbs slammed against the shield, the force of the blows sending tremors through Lily's body. She could feel the strain of maintaining the barrier, her magical reserves quickly being depleted.

The magical shield shattered as it claw landed on her rib as blood gushed out. Lily quickly sent a barrage of fireball towards the beast, but it did little to no harm to the beasts . Its eyes burned with a primal fury as it advance towards her, its claws outstretched and poised to tear her apart.

Lily knew she had to change tactics. She darted forward, her dagger flashing as she sought to find a weak point in the beast's defenses. But the creature's reflexes were lightning-fast, and it easily parried her strikes, its colossal jaws snapping at her with blinding speed.

Lily found herself being driven back, her movements growing more frantic as she desperately sought a way to defeat the unstoppable foe. She could feel her strength and magic waning, the weight of her task threatening to overwhelm her.

As the beast's massive paw swung towards her, Lily knew she had only one chance. Summoning the last of her magical reserves, she unleashed a searing blast of energy, the attack slamming into the creature's face with a deafening crack.

For a moment, the beast reeled, its guttural roar echoing through the Forbidden Zone. But then, to Lily's horror, it recovered, its eyes burning with a renewed fury as it surged towards her, its claws poised to strike.

Lily's heart raced, her mind frantically searching for a way to escape the looming doom. Realizing that she had no other choice, she turned and ran, her legs pumping as she fled through the treacherous landscape, the thunderous footsteps of the beast echoing behind her.

Lily's heart pounded as the massive creature emerged from the shadows, its monstrous form looming over her. Quickly, she darted behind a crumbling pillar, hoping to conceal herself from the beast's sight.

Peering out cautiously, Lily observed the creature's movements, searching for any weaknesses or vulnerabilities she could exploit. She noticed a faint glimmer of light emanating from the beast's underbelly - its soft, exposed weak point.

Gripping her dagger tightly, Lily waited with bated breath, watching as the creature prowled the area, its glowing eyes scanning the landscape. She knew she would only have one chance to strike, and she needed to time it perfectly.

Suddenly, the beast's gaze turned in her direction, and Lily's heart raced. She had been spotted. With a mighty roar, the creature charged towards her, its massive claws outstretched and poised to tear her apart.

Mustering her courage, Lily stepped out from her hiding place, her dagger flashing as she lunged at the beast's vulnerable underbelly. The creature's reflexes were lightning-fast, but Lily's strike found its mark, the blade sinking deep into the soft flesh.

The beast let out a bone-chilling roar of pain, its massive body recoiling from the blow. Lily could see the deep gash she had inflicted, a strange, viscous fluid oozing from the wound.

Refusing to relent, Lily continued her assault, raining down a flurry of precise strikes on the creature's exposed weak point. The beast thrashed and writhed, its movements growing more erratic as the pain and damage mounted.

With each successive blow, Lily could feel the tide of the battle turning in her favor. The beast's once-fearsome attacks were losing their potency, its focus shifting from offense to desperate defense as it struggled to protect its vulnerable underbelly.

Finally, with a gut-wrenching howl, the massive creature collapsed, its colossal body crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust and debris. Lily stood triumphant, her dagger dripping with the beast's strange, otherworldly blood as she clutch her ribs in pain.

As the dust settled, Lily heard a familiar voice calling out to her. "Lily!" She turned to see Alan, his face etched with relief and concern, rushing towards her.

"Lily, you're hurt!" Alan exclaimed, his eyes widening as he noticed the gash on her ribs and her labored breathing.

He gently supported her, his expression a mix of worry and awe. "I've been searching for you everywhere. I got separated when we came through the portal. What happened?"

Lily winced as the pain in her side throbbed. "I... I had a run-in with that creature," she said, her voice weak. "But I managed to defeat it."

A small, proud smile formed on her lips, but it was quickly replaced by a grimace as another wave of pain washed over her.

Suddenly, Lily's eyes rolled back, and she collapsed in Alan's arms, unconscious.