The Hidden Princess

Chapter Thirty

"Maybe you underestimate what I can do."

Liora was shoved into the old training grounds, the familiar scent of sweat and earth clashing with the acrid smell of smoke that hung heavy in the air. Rowen stumbled in behind her, and time seemed to slow as she watched, horrified, from afar as the flames engulfed the castle. The once proud structure, a symbol of her home and safety, was now a raging inferno, its beauty twisted into a nightmare.
Tears streamed down her face, hot and unrelenting, mingling with the soot that stained her cheeks. This was all her fault. Her powers had drawn the invaders, had brought this destruction upon her home. The weight of her perceived failure crashed down on her like the very walls of the castle crumbling in the fire.
She felt stupid, foolish for believing she could stop a war with the flick of her wrist, for daring to think that she could wield her abilities to protect those she loved. Instead, it had spiraled into chaos, leaving her feeling powerless, a mere spectator to the devastation unfolding before her.
"Liora, we need to focus," Rowen said, his voice breaking through her spiral of despair. He moved to stand beside her, eyes scanning the surroundings, the urgency of the moment grounding him. "We can't give up. We need to find a way out of here."
But her heart was heavy, and she shook her head, struggling to form words. "It's too late, Rowen," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I've failed. I should have known better."
"Is the little princess giving up?" one of the intruders sneered, his voice dripping with mockery as he circled her like a predator stalking its prey. The darkness of his eyes was unnerving, and the flicker of the flames cast an eerie glow on his face, accentuating the cruel smirk that played at the corners of his lips.
Liora straightened, anger flaring within her despite the despair that had nearly consumed her. "I'm not giving up," she shot back, finding strength in her resolve. The intruder paused, his laughter echoing in the hollow space, and for a moment, the shadows danced around them, a stark contrast to the fierce determination building in her chest.
"Oh? Is that so?" he taunted, leaning closer, his breath hot against her skin. "It certainly looks like you're ready to throw in the towel. Just look at your castle burning. Your precious home is crumbling, and you stand there, a mere child playing at being a warrior."
Liora clenched her fists, feeling the pulse of the earth beneath her. "You don't know anything about me," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. "I won't let you take my home without a fight."
The intruder chuckled darkly, stepping back to mock her bravery. "A fight? With what, little girl? Your pretty dress and pathetic powers? You think the earth will protect you from us?"
With each word, his confidence swelled, but Liora could feel the earth responding to her, a surge of energy flowing through her veins, igniting her determination. She could sense Rowen at her side, the warmth of his presence anchoring her, a silent promise that they wouldn't face this alone.
"Maybe you underestimate what I can do," she said, her voice strained as she narrowed her eyes, summoning every ounce of strength within her. But nothing happened. The energy she had drawn upon was gone, her body too tired and drained to respond. Panic clawed at her insides, and she felt the weight of despair settle heavily on her chest.
The intruder laughed, a harsh, mocking sound that echoed in the dimly lit training grounds. He stepped closer, the shadows shifting around him like a cloak of menace. "Look at you, little princess. You're finished. You don't have a fight left in you," he taunted, a cruel smirk stretching across his face.
"Liora, don't give up!" Rowen urged, his voice breaking through the fog of hopelessness that surrounded her. He strained against the grip of his captor, his determination shining through the fear in his eyes. "We can find a way out of this. Just-"
Before he could finish, the man holding Rowen shoved him back down to the ground, the force of it cutting off any further protest. Rowen landed heavily, but he quickly scrambled back to his feet, frustration and desperation mingling in his expression. "You have to fight!" he shouted, trying to break through to her, to rekindle the fire within her.
Liora's heart sank as she watched him struggle against the bonds of their captors. The sight of Rowen fighting for her-yet being held back-only deepened her sense of helplessness. She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, and the intruder noticed.
"Isn't it sweet?" he taunted, gesturing mockingly at Rowen. "Your little knight in shining armor. But he can't save you now. No one can."