Shadows Of Destiny

Chapter- VIII

The Guardian

The air was thick and suffocating, a heavy blanket of heat and smoke pressing down on me as I crouched behind the crumbling stone wall. My heart was hammering so loudly in my chest that I thought it might give us away. Tomas stood beside me, his small hand clutching mine, his grip tight with fear. He was only ten—just a boy—and I was supposed to protect him. But how could I, when the world around us was falling apart?

The village was burning. Screams filled the night air, blending with the crackle of flames and the distant clang of swords. I wanted to close my eyes, to block it all out, but I couldn't. I had to stay alert. I had to find a way out. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't see one. We were trapped.

"Elana," Tomas whispered, his voice shaking. "What do we do?"

I squeezed his hand, trying to stop my own from trembling. "We wait," I whispered back, trying to sound brave. "Just stay quiet. We'll be okay."

But I wasn't sure if that was true. I wasn't sure of anything anymore.

The footsteps were getting closer. I could hear the raiders talking, their voices low and cruel, laughing as they looted what was left of our home. My stomach twisted. They were coming. They were going to find us.

My father's face flashed in my mind—his last words before he ran off to fight. Protect Tomas. Don't let anything happen to him. But how could I? How could I keep him safe when I was barely holding myself together?

"Elana," Tomas whispered again, his voice breaking. "I'm scared."

"I know," I breathed, my throat tight. "But I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

It was a lie. I wanted to believe it, but deep down, I knew. I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't ready.

The footsteps stopped, and my heart leaped into my throat. A voice, deep and menacing, cut through the night. "Found something, boys?"

The wall behind us shattered in an explosion of stone and dust, and I threw myself over Tomas, shielding him with my body. The world spun around me, the air thick with debris. When I blinked it away, I saw them—two men, towering over us, their faces twisted into cruel smiles.

"Well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, stepping forward. "A couple of little rats, hiding from the wolves."

I scrambled to my feet, pulling Tomas behind me, and raised my father's sword with trembling hands. It was too heavy for me, but it was all I had. "Stay back," I warned, my voice shaking.

They laughed, the sound cruel and mocking. "Look at this," one of them said, nudging the other. "She thinks she can fight."

"I said stay back!" I shouted, swinging the sword wildly in front of me, hoping to scare them off. But they didn't flinch. They didn't even take me seriously.

"Feisty little thing," the taller one said, stepping closer. "But I'm afraid you're not going anywhere."

Before I could react, he lunged forward, grabbing my wrist and twisting it hard. Pain shot up my arm, and I cried out, the sword clattering to the ground. He shoved me backward, and I hit the dirt hard, gasping for breath as I scrambled to get back up.

"NO!" Tomas screamed, trying to rush forward, but the other raider grabbed him by the collar, lifting him off the ground like he weighed nothing.

"Let him go!" I screamed, my voice breaking as I tried to push myself to my feet. But the taller man grabbed me again, pinning me down with one hand. "Don't touch him! Please! I'll do anything, just—just don't hurt him!"