Hora of Moldova (Volume 1)

Chapter 3

"Sofia?! " Marius gasped, his voice laced with shock and relief.

Sofia met his gaze, her breath coming in rapid pants.

"Marius, I... I'm sorry!"

Marius shook his head, stepping closer to her.

"You saved me, again" he said, awe and gratitude coloring his voice. "How... how did you do that?"

Sofia looked away briefly, the flames on her hands dying down.

"I... I have abilities," she admitted quietly. "Powers, I guess. I didn't want you to find out like this."

Marius reached out, gently touching her arm.

"It doesn't matter. I'm just glad we're okay."

Relief flooded Sofia's features, her shoulders sagging with the weight of the moment.

"I was so scared," she confessed, tears welling up in her eyes. "Scared of losing you."

Marius pulled her into a reassuring embrace, holding her close as they stood in the quiet of the alley, the tension slowly ebbing away. Behind them, Alina, Dan, and Bianca hurried into view, their expressions a mix of relief and curiosity.

"Marius, Sofia, are you both okay?" Alina asked, her voice filled with concern.

Marius nodded, his gaze never leaving Sofia's.

"Thanks to Sofia," he said quietly, his voice tinged with awe.

Dan looked at Sofia with newfound respect.

"That was amazing. Are you... like, a superhero or something?"

Sofia managed a weak smile, wiping tears from her cheeks.

"Not exactly. I just... have this ability."

Bianca stepped forward, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"We need to talk about this. But maybe not in an alley."

The two thugs, regaining their composure, exchanged a sardonic glance before stepping forward again. One of them sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"So, the little witch thinks she can scare us off with a parlor trick? You're still here, and so are we."

The other thug chuckled darkly, cracking his knuckles as he closed in.

"Looks like we're gonna have to teach you and your friends a lesson."

Marius, Alina, Dan, and Bianca instinctively moved closer together, their faces a mix of fear and determination. Sofia, feeling the rising tension and danger, clenched her fists. She could sense the fear in her friends, and something deep within her responded.Just as the thugs lunged forward, Sofia's instincts took over. She thrust her hands out, and a brilliant, shimmering shield of light erupted around her and her friends. The magical barrier expanded with a forceful energy, pushing the thugs back and sending them sprawling to the ground.The thugs landed with a thud, groaning in pain and shock as they struggled to comprehend what had just happened. Sofia stood at the center of the glowing shield, her eyes wide with both fear and newfound confidence.

As the light of the shield subsided, Sofia looked around, her heart still pounding from the adrenaline rush. She blinked, trying to process what she was seeing. Marius, Alina, Dan, and Bianca were no longer just her friends; they were transformed. She observed Marius, draped in winter's icy cloak, Bianca adorned in the verdant colors of spring, Dan exuding the warmth of summer, and Alina enveloped in the hues of autumn.