5. The Unknown

"You are going to keep me in this wretched stable!" Marina exclaimed, her delicate nose wrinkling in disgust due to the foul smell that filled the air.

"Do you have any desire to live, or do you simply want to die?" he muttered without thinking, not bothering to meet her gaze.

Marina couldn't contain her frustration any longer. "You act as if you have bestowed upon me some great favor!" she said, her eyes fixed unwaveringly on him, awaiting a response.

With a heavy heart, she found a corner to sit in and muttered under her breath, "Forgetting the fact that you took the lives of my three sisters, would that truly free you from your guilt?"

"Do you honestly believe I had a choice?" The man abruptly lunged toward her, gripping her arm tightly as he forcefully dragged her toward the entrance. He stared directly into her eyes, unyielding and unwavering.

"You are not my responsibility!" he declared, pushing her out and swiftly closing the door behind her.

Immediately, she began pounding on the door. "I will freeze to death out here!" she cried out, desperately hoping for a response. After a few agonizing minutes of silence, she called out once more, her voice filled with regret. "I apologize, I was wrong!"

Her voice carried a genuine sense of regret, yet there was no movement from within. She knew deep down that there was no turning back now, so she unwillingly turned away and took a few steps forward.

However, a sudden sound caught her attention, causing her to swiftly turn back. To her surprise, the door was now ajar.

She cautiously entered and discovered the young man, now dressed in respectable attire consisting of a tunic and hose. "I was in the midst of changing," he mumbled, slightly embarrassed.

"Oh!" Marina felt embarrassed as well, finding a clean spot in the corner as she carefully observed him organizing his belongings.

"This place appears to be abandoned. We can seek refuge here until dawn, and then we shall depart from this wretched place as swiftly as possible," he suggested, lying down and resting his head upon a bundle of hay.

"I deeply regret my earlier words," Marina confessed, her voice filled with genuine regret.

"Rest now, for you may require your strength," He responded, offering her solace in his words.

It was an unexpected experience for her, a night filled with unease that left her restless. How could she possibly find comfort in such unfamiliar surroundings? Sleeping in a place like this was completely strange to her.

She had always been accustomed to the luxury of a comfortable bed, adorned with the softest velvet sheets. The absence of her beloved pillow, the one she would cuddle with in her slumber, was badly missed.

The prickling straws of hay irritated her delicate neck, preventing her from finding any solace in sleep. Just as she managed to doze off for a brief moment, she was abruptly awakened by someone shaking her.

"Princess!" A voice called out to her, jolting her awake. As she sat up, she found herself face to face with the young man, his face mere inches away from her own.

"They have found us!" He whispered urgently. "Quickly, come with me!" Taking her hand, he led her toward a small cabin tucked away in the corner. With a swift motion, he scratched the ground, revealing a hidden trap door.

Motioning for her to enter first, he opened the door and revealed a staircase. Following his instructions, she descended the stairs. Once they reached the bottom, the man raising his fingers toward the trap door and swiftly lowered his hands, causing massive crystal walls to materialize, effectively blocking their enemies' path.

"She must not find you!" He exclaimed, guiding her toward a tunnel illuminated by a single torch.

After walking for what seemed like miles, an unexpected gust of wind extinguished the flame, leaving them in darkness.

"Princess, light the way!" He demanded.

"How can I? I have never done such a thing before!" Fear gripped her as she spoke.

"Do not tell me that you are unaware of this ability! It is another aspect of your untapped power!" He whispered urgently.

"The fate of Elementia rests in your hands!" He grasped her shoulder firmly. "Do not mistake your power for a burden, but rather embrace it as your birthright. Think of it as an art form, a privilege to wield such abilities!" His words echoing in her ear, urging her to embrace her true potential.

His breath danced close to her ear numbing her, causing her to surrender to the blissful escape it offered. In his very presence, there was an enigmatic allure in his aura that effortlessly whisked her away from the burdens that plagued her.

"Exquisite," he whispered once more, and his breath disappeared into the atmosphere.

She inhaled deeply, her eyes slowly open to a sight that left her spellbound. Her hands cradled an invisible sphere, radiating pure, ethereal light.

As if cradling a celestial orb, was nothing but pure, luminous light.

"You are truly extraordinary," he gasped, his voice filled with amazement.

Curiosity tugged at her, and she couldn't help but inquire, "How did you know this would work?"

"I didn't," he replied, his voice laced with confidence. "I simply took a leap of faith."

Yearning for answers, she probed further, "And how did you uncover the existence of a hidden sanctuary beneath this stable?"

A moment of silence enveloped them, before he finally spoke, his words full of intensity. "I understand your difficulty in trusting me, but just this once, I beg of you not to inquire. Once we find a place of refuge, I promise to explain everything."

In agreement with the grand design of destiny, they ventured forth into uncharted, blissfully unaware of the intricate tapestry of fate that awaited them. With unwavering faith in their own fortune, they placed their trust only in the hands of nature, embracing the uncertainty that lay ahead.