whispers in the woods

chapter six

Amelia, Snow White, and Julian explored the opulent halls of Snow White's castle, marveling at the grandeur that time had preserved. As they ventured deeper, the air became charged with an unspoken tension, a sense that the echoes of the past lingered in the shadows.

Intricate tapestries adorned the walls, depicting tales of love and magic, but there was a room untouched by the gentle hand of nostalgia—the ballroom, where whispers of a haunting presence seemed to dance in the air.

As Amelia pushed open the heavy doors, a hushed gasp escaped her lips. Before her stood Prince Charming, her father, bound and helpless. His eyes, once full of warmth, met hers with a mix of relief and sorrow. Snow White's expression mirrored Amelia's shock, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief.

The room echoed with the chilling laughter of the Evil Queen, who emerged from the shadows like a phantom of the past. "Ah, my dear Amelia, so pleased you could join us," she sneered, her eyes ablaze with malevolence.

Amelia's voice trembled with a mix of rage and disbelief. "You were supposed to be gone, defeated by the magic of the enchanted realm. How... How are you still here?"

The Evil Queen chuckled darkly, her gaze fixing on Prince Charming. "You underestimated me, my dear. The shadows are my ally, and death merely a fleeting concept for one as cunning as I. Your father," she gestured with a cruel smirk, "is the unfortunate pawn in this little game."

Prince Charming, his eyes pleading with Amelia, managed to whisper, "Amelia, you must stop her. She is more dangerous than you know."

A surge of determination ignited within Amelia as she faced the Evil Queen. "Release him, or I swear, I will end you."

The Evil Queen laughed, her voice a discordant melody. "End me? You, my dear, are but a pawn in a much grander scheme. Your father knew too much, and now he pays the price."

With a flick of her wrist, the Evil Queen summoned dark magic that snaked its way toward Prince Charming. The room seemed to freeze as the malevolent energy coiled around him, draining the life from his weary form.

"Amelia!" Snow White's cry echoed through the hall as Amelia lunged forward, trying to break the dark magic's hold. The Evil Queen revealed in the chaos, her laughter growing more sinister with each passing moment.

Amelia's eyes met her father's, a silent promise passing between them. "I won't let your sacrifice be in vain," she whispered, a fierce determination replacing the anguish in her gaze.

In a blaze of dark energy, Prince Charming's life force was extinguished, leaving behind a haunting silence. Amelia, fueled by grief and anger, faced the Evil Queen with tears streaming down her cheeks. "You will pay for this," she vowed, her voice trembling but resolute.

As the echoes of tragedy lingered in the air, the enchanted realm awaited the consequences of a destiny reshaped by sorrow and an unyielding determination to vanquish the shadows that threatened to consume the light.