“I believe there’s a path through the mountains that leads out of Zayd,” their father said, his voice heavy with concern. “But the path is crowded, and with the snow, it’s worse than ever.”
“That’s perfect,” Ellen replied quickly, a spark of determination lighting her eyes as she glanced at Eva. The urgency was mounting. Outside, the king’s men had begun their assault, forcing their way into homes, dragging people out, and attacking without mercy. Flames rose, licking the sky, while screams of terror echoed through the village.
Ellen and Eva dashed outside, heading toward the mountains. As they climbed, the devastation below came into full view—homes ablaze, people fleeing in all directions. Eva’s heart raced, a sinking feeling in her chest as tears welled up in her eyes. *This can’t be happening*, she thought, but the destruction unfolding before her eyes was all too real.
“We stick to the plan,” Kyle called out, his voice steady despite the chaos. The rest of the family nodded in agreement, and Ellen and Eva pressed on, racing up the mountain path.
When they finally reached the highest point, they stopped, breathless. The cold wind howled around them as they clasped hands. “I hope this works,” Ellen whispered, her voice barely audible over the storm. She closed her eyes, and Eva did the same.
Moments later, strange patterns began to form on their skin, glowing in vibrant colours. Swirls of light traced their foreheads, cheeks, and necks, the energy flowing through them like a calm, steady river. *This feeling… it’s so peaceful, like nothing else exists,* Eva thought, letting the sensation wash over her.
Suddenly, both sisters opened their eyes, their irises now pure white, as a brilliant blue light burst forth around them. The light spread rapidly, freezing the soldiers below in place, their movements halted by the mystical force.
As the energy surged, Ellen’s mind filled with a vision—clear as day—of the attackers, allowing her to direct the energy only at them. Meanwhile, Eva found herself lost in a strange, dark void. There, she saw a woman with long black hair, walking just ahead of her. Eva tried to follow, calling out, but the woman didn’t respond. When she finally turned, her smile was breath-taking, and a glowing red gem hung from her neck. In an instant, the woman vanished.
“Eva! Eva, are you alright?” Ellen’s voice broke through the vision, pulling her back to reality.
Eva blinked, disoriented. “What happened?” she asked, her voice shaky.
“I should be asking you that,” Ellen replied, worry etched across her face. “You froze for a moment… We need to hurry before they break free.”
Eva nodded, the memory of the mysterious woman still lingering in her mind, as they prepared for whatever came next.
“Please, this way,” Zayn urged, guiding the survivors down the narrow path that Ellen had somehow managed to widen. Taina, Kyle’s girlfriend, along with the other siblings, tended to the wounded as best they could, while Kyle and Xavier took charge of one of the ships that the intruders had brought.
The path was treacherous, but the survivors, shaken and exhausted, followed closely. When they finally reached the end, the vast sea stretched out before them, offering the only chance of escape. As Kyle and Xavier approached with the ship, they called for everyone to board.
At that moment, the grip the twins had on the intruders began to weaken. Upon realizing one of their ships was missing, the king’s fury boiled over. His eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint as he barked orders to his men. "Follow them!" he commanded, his voice like a whip. Without hesitation, the king boarded one of the remaining ships, his jaw clenched in frustration.
"Damn it! How could I have been so blind?" he hissed to himself. "Of course the map wouldn't be with an ordinary person... she's gifted."
"I'm not sure I follow, father," Prince William said, a frown creasing his brow.
The king glanced at him, his expression grim. "Midora wasn’t a fool. Before her demise, she must have chosen a successor. That energy we felt—it’s unmistakable. It’s hers. Not only will we retrieve the stone, but that girl... she must be dealt with." His words hung heavy in the air as the ship cut through the dark waters.
Meanwhile, on the escaping ship, the survivors huddled together, confused and shaken by all that had transpired. Ellen moved from one person to the next, healing the wounded with careful hands. As she finished with the last survivor, a villager stared at her in disbelief. "You... it can’t be," he whispered.
Ellen stood up, wiping her brow, her energy nearly spent. "I’m truly sorry for what happened. We couldn’t save everyone," she said softly, regret weighing on her words.
Mr. Robert, the village healer, rose and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "But look around you," he said. "See those you did save. We owe you our thanks."
Ellen’s gaze shifted to Eva, standing nearby. She walked toward her sister and said quietly, "Without my sister’s help, it would’ve been impossible."
Suddenly, the villagers began bowing before the two of them, their faces filled with reverence. Ellen and Eva exchanged bewildered looks.
"Oh no, please, get up," Eva said, taken aback by the display.
"We bow before the mercy of Midora," one man said solemnly, his head lowered.
The sisters glanced at each other, realization dawning.
YOU ARE READING
Arika: The legend of the lost jewel
FantasyA forbidden religion leads to a violent execution of many believers after the rein of a new leader who despised it's existence and declared himself to be worshiped instead. However during the execution two survived, twin sisters gifted with divine a...
