Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 20

Mila's head felt heavy, her thoughts clouded, and her vision blurred as the effects of the siren's poison began to take their toll. She fought to keep herself awake, determined to hold on until she could see her father and Leo again. Every step Prince Leroy took as he carried her on his back seemed to jolt her further from consciousness, but she refused to let go just yet. As she looked down, she noticed Ambrose walking beside them, still unharmed and alert. 'He must have undergone poison resistance training,' She thought, recognizing that both boys were likely immune to such dangers, a necessary precaution in their lives.

Despite her weakening state, Mila managed a small smile at Ambrose, who glanced up at her with concern in his eyes. Her breathing grew shallow and rapid, her head burning as if it were on fire. She felt so vulnerable, so close to the edge. "If... I don't make it," she whispered, struggling to get the words out between labored breaths, "tell my father... and Leo... I don't want to... see them sad. Tell them... to find their happiness." Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as she spoke.

"Don't speak such nonsense!" Prince Leroy's voice was sharp, tinged with anger and fear. "If you want to tell them that, then tell them yourself when you see them!" His words were forceful, as if his will alone could keep her alive. Mila smiled faintly, appreciating his determination to keep her fighting. 'If only you could say those words for yourself or your future loved ones,' she thought, sensing the burden he carried.

Suddenly, a chilling screech echoed through the forest. The siren had returned, drawn back by the scent of Mila's blood still lingering on its lips. Its eyes gleamed with a hunger that sent a shiver down Mila's spine. Ambrose moved swiftly, summoning his beast, the Psychic Crystal Mayfly, to confront the siren.

Prince Leroy wasn't far behind, calling forth his own beast, a powerful Spike Tail Rock Cheetah. "Nic! Help him!" he commanded, his voice resolute as he swiftly carried Mila to a safer spot, away from the impending battle. Kneeling down, he gently laid her against the trunk of a sturdy tree, his eyes filled with worry. "Don't you dare die on us," he urged her, his tone softening with a mixture of concern and desperation before he stood to join Ambrose in the fight.

The air filled with the deafening sound of the siren's screech, soon followed by the ominous roar of water rushing through the forest. More sirens emerged, their eerie cries blending into a cacophony of terror. The creatures converged, their bodies merging into a massive, grotesque form far larger than the Mayfly. It loomed over the battlefield, its eel-like tail fin lashing out with deadly force.

Ambrose and Prince Leroy fought valiantly, but the siren's powerful tail struck them both, sending them crashing to the ground, far from Mila's side. Mila watched in horror as they were thrown aside, her heart pounding with fear and helplessness. She could feel her consciousness slipping away, her vision darkening at the edges as the poison continued to spread through her veins.

"Mila!" Prince Leroy's voice called out to her, desperate and distant, as if it were coming from another world. She knew she was close to losing the battle against the poison, and a sense of finality settled over her. The siren, sensing her weakened state, slithered closer, its eyes fixed on her as it prepared to strike the final blow.

Just as she was about to succumb to unconsciousness, Mila felt herself begin to fall, but instead of hitting the cold, hard ground, she felt a warm hand catch her. "Mila," a familiar, gentle voice called out to her. It was a voice she knew well, one that had always brought her comfort.

"Leo..." she whispered, her voice barely audible as she looked up at him with a weak smile. Relief washed over her at the sight of her brother, but her strength was fading fast. "Don't let... anyone die... because of... me," she pleaded, her words trailing off as darkness finally overtook her, pulling her into unconsciousness. Her body went limp, heavy with the weight of the poison, as she drifted away from the waking world.
***
Leo cradled Mila in his arms, his heart heavy with worry as he quickly cast a spell to halt the spread of the siren's poison, preventing it from reaching her heart. His usually calm demeanor was clouded with anger as he called out, "Elmer," his voice low and controlled. In response, smoke began to swirl and gather behind him, taking shape to restrain the siren, which thrashed against the smoky tendrils that held it back. The creature's sharp eyes glinted with malice, its hunger for young flesh evident. Leo's anger deepened as he saw the threat it posed to his beloved little sister.