4. Unexpected Danger

Upon reaching the kitchen, Marina's eyes fell upon her mother, engaged in conversation with an obscured figure hidden behind a wall. She tried to catch a glimpse of the mysterious individual, but his identity remained concealed.

Her mother's voice, barely audible, reached Marina's ears. "The potion shall soon take effect, and when it does, you must swiftly end Marina's life. Make it swift, so as to minimize her suffering. Remember, I require the blood in this vessel," her mother whispered, her words laced with a chilling intention.

Marina gasped, her heart pounding with shock. Yet, what she heard next sent shivers down her spine. "I have been extinguishing the lives of your daughters, for a considerable time. Do you not think I possess the knowledge to accomplish this task?" The stranger's voice carried a strange agony, causing Marina to quickly retreat.

As she took a few steps back, misfortune befell her, causing her to stumble and unknowingly fall through a door behind her. Before her lay a descending staircase, leading into the depths of a dark cellar

She tumbled to the ground, succumbing to unconsciousness. After a brief moment, her eyes fluttered open, only to find herself bound to a sturdy wooden table.

Panic surged through her as she squirmed and cried, her gaze fixated on the man who had caught her attention earlier in the grand hall. He stood before her, clutching a sinister black dagger with an ebony blade.

The realization that this was the very same man she had been drawn to filled her with disbelief. Now, he stood there, determined to end her life without mercy. "Please, I beg of you, spare me!" she pleaded desperately, tears streaming down her face.

"Set me free!" she wriggled, her impatience evident as she fought against her restraints. However, her attempts proved fruitless, as the binds held strong, refusing to give in to her desperate struggle for freedom.

"Stop your useless struggles! They will only bring you more pain!" Despite his dark appearance and the darkness emanating from his eyes, his voice carried an unexpected gentleness, revealing an untold story. There was a glimmer of compassion hidden deep within his accent.

With his hands raised high above his head, he gripped his sturdy blade, its dark surface shimmering with a subtle hint of purple. The shade was so faint that it could only be noticed through careful observation.

The princess closed her eyes tightly, preparing herself for the inevitable, knowing that death was approaching. However, before her fate could be sealed, a sharp slashing sound pierced the air, causing her eyes to snap open. To her amazement, she realized that her hands were no longer bound.

Confusion filled her face as she looked at the man, completely confused. Before she could make sense of the situation, her mother's voice echoed, joining them in the kitchen. "What have you done!" her mother muttered, consumed by rage.

"I refuse to be controlled by you any longer! I will not sacrifice your daughters for your twisted desires!" He sheathed his dagger and reached out his hand towards the princess.

"Do you truly think you can defy me and survive?" the queen growled angrily.

"No, because it is not in your nature! But I don't care anymore!" He replied, maintaining unwavering eye contact with her.

As the queen advanced toward him, he pressed his index fingers together and then swiftly separated them, causing sharp black crystal spikes to burst from the ground, effectively blocking her path.

The Queen was shocked and startled, her breath catching in her throat as she witnessed the man's defiance against her wishes.

"Guards! Make sure they don't escape!" she ordered urgently.

"Why are you doing this?" the Princess exclaimed, her voice trembling with fear.

"She won't answer you! Run!" the man shouted, his voice filled with determination.

"Head toward the window!" he added, his tone unwavering.

Together, they hurried toward the window hidden in the corner of the room.

With a strong hold on her waist, he jumped down, causing the Princess to gasp in terror.

"If your plan was for me to meet my demise by falling from the tower, why did you save me?" she yelled, her voice filled with confusion.

To her surprise, black crystal steps appeared beneath their feet wherever they landed, disappearing as they moved on.

Below the window, a crowd of soldiers stood in the training area, eagerly waiting for the Queen's signal to harm the Princess.

However, with skill and speed, the man guided her safely above their heads, creating an escape route.

"Please let me talk to my mother!" the Princess pleaded desperately.

"She's not someone we can reason with," he replied, his voice filled with sadness.

As they made their daring escape from Elementia, a barrage of fiery arrows rained down on them.

Yet, with incredible agility, they dodged each attack, moving forward gracefully.

In front of them, they saw a massive gap splitting the path, presenting them with a dire choice - to fall to their death or to be captured by their enemies.

Fearfully, the Princess closed her eyes, bracing herself for the worst. However, when she dared to open her eyes, she found herself enclosed within a peculiar orb. The orb was crafted from a dark, unyielding stone, adorned with

cracks that emitted flickering flames. Outside that orb was a light, it was blinding, rendering their adversaries powerless.

"How are you doing this?" the Princess whispered, her voice filled with awe. Enchanted by the ethereal glow surrounding her, she realized that she was floating, her hand tightly clasped in his.

"I am not the only one responsible for this phenomenon, but rather, we are!" He appeared just as unaware as the princess herself.

After a considerable duration, when illumination vanished and the sentinels and warriors were able to see, they comprehended that the princess and the man had vanished without a trace.

The sphere in which they had been enclosed opened and disintegrated into particles, while she cast a final gaze upon the remnants of flickering embers amidst the scorching sand surrounding her.

As they gazed back, they realized that they had left Elementia far in their wake.

With a sigh of solace, they sought refuge, and by a stroke of fortune, they stumbled upon a distant stable after walking for half a night.