7. The Sanctuary

"Ser Carl Windwood!" Unable to resist, she bowed in respect.

"We do these things here, my dear. We either bow together or never!" He sniggered patting her on her shoulder.

"But, I am confused, you were my mother's right hand! How did you end up in this place?" She inquired.

"After your mother took the life of your third sister when you were just 8 years old, I made the decision to depart from Elementia in order to protect you and the kingdom. There were others who chose to join me, for they knew the extent of your mother's wickedness, and they were sick of her cruelty.

The people were tired of pretending that they loved their queen, so I led the slaves and outcasts far away from Elementia, staging an accident involving fire before leaving Elementia.

It was believed that I and the others perished in the flames, and the Queen used this opportunity to spread her terror in the kingdom, claiming responsibility for the incident as a warning to those who dared to oppose her.

She said that during this time, I also clashed with the rebellious slaves in order to kill them and met my end following her orders.

But it was all a fabrication!" He shrugged. "She always lies that's why she is so good at this, but at least we are now out of harm's way."

Marina was overwhelmed with a mixture of remorse and embarrassment she had to face because of her mother.

The realization of how she had misunderstood her mother for all those years and the suffering she had caused others with her cruelty was crushing her heart.

As time passed and the evening descended upon them, a magnificent bonfire was arranged.

The air was filled with the tempting aroma of delicious food and refreshing drinks.

Laughter and joy echoed through the night as people danced with pure joy.

Amidst this joyous atmosphere, the enigmatic Light Slayer sat serenely beside a majestic tree, carefully sharpening the edge of his knife.

The flickering flames cast an ethereal glow upon his face, enhancing the aura of mystery that surrounded him.

Suddenly, the crowd fell silent as Carl, their leader, rose to his feet, capturing the attention of all.

With a commanding presence, he expressed gratitude to nature for the boundless beauty it bestowed upon the universe.

He acknowledged the unity and strength that had transformed them into a family.

"In this unity," he proclaimed, "we discover our true strength. Together, we shall confront any darkness that dares to cross our path or attempts to snatch away our cherished home." The crowd erupted in applause, their spirits raised with renewed determination.

Carl's voice echoed with unwavering declaration as he continued, "Tonight, we are graced with the presence of Princess Marina, as foretold by the prophecy.

With her by our side, our resolve is further fortified. She possesses extraordinary power, capable of guiding us toward the light and

vanquishing the malevolent queen, thus restoring peace to Elementia!" However, before Carl could continue his impassioned speech, Marina interjected, her voice filled with fear and doubt.

"No! I beg your pardon, but you place too great a burden upon me. I am merely a young girl!" she protested.

Carl's eyes gleamed with unwavering belief as he responded, "You are not just a girl, my dear. You possess extraordinary power that sets you apart from the rest. Embrace your destiny and let your light shine upon us all."

"The power that devoured her mother!" She nodded, persisting in her argument.

"You are nothing like your mother!" Carl approached her humbly, but she instinctively retreated.

"How can you be so sure? Perhaps I am!" She calmly shrugged, her eyes brimming with tears.

"You don't know me, you left when I was but a child."

Carl remained silent, his gaze fixed on her.

"I was raised to embrace love, not to be a killer," she confessed, tears cascading down her cheeks.

"No, my child, you were raised to be sacrificed!" Carl's world made her sigh in disbelief, his tone still gentle and polite.

"Maybe you're right, I am not like my mother. But would that truly set me apart from her?

She desires to extinguish her own daughter, and if I were to choose the same fate for my own mother, then I would become just like her!" She wiped away her tears and fled.

After running for what seemed like an eternity, she arrived at a lake's edge, only to stumble upon a rock and collapse onto her knees.

She wept, splashing a handful of water onto her face, when she suddenly heard the sound of sobbing.

She stood up, bewildered and disoriented. "Who's there?" she cried out, having no choice but to follow the sound all the way to the river stream.

Yet, there was no response. The sobs transformed into frightening echoes, sending shivers down her spine.

She cautiously stepped back, her back colliding with an unseen object.

Startled, Marina turned around, only to find herself face-to-face with the Light Slayer.

However, his presence did not bring her solace; instead, it intensified her fear.

"Are you here to end my life?" she asked, her voice trembling with terror.

He rolled his eyes and turned his gaze away.

"I had heard rumors of your intelligence. It seems they were nothing more than rumors after all," he muttered.

"You must return to safety, to the confines of the house!" he almost commanded.

"No, there is someone out there, weeping. We must offer our assistance!" she desperately argued.

"You cannot help those whose cries you hear," he responded, his voice filled with confidence.

"Why not? Why do you think you can dictate to me what I am capable of and what I am not!" Her anger burned within her.

He knew she possessed an unwavering determination. Approaching her, he positioned his face just inches away from hers, peering deep into her eyes.

His gaze was lifeless as he muttered, "Because you don't have what it takes!" With that, he turned on his heel and departed.

Fear gripped her, causing her to stand frozen for a few moments before she cried out, "Where are you going?" She anxiously awaited his response before mustering the courage to chase after him.

As she followed him back to the village, she observed him entering his hut and closing the door.