𝑷𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔

𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐍 🔥

As I stood just beyond the towering gates of Troy, a chill ran through me, mixing with the warm autumn air. The sight before me was both magnificent and foreboding: a colossal horse, crafted of wood and adorned with intricate carvings, was being led into the heart of our city. It loomed larger than life, casting a dark shadow over the ground, as if it were a portent of doom wrapped in the guise of a gift. The murmurs of the crowd echoed around me, filled with awe and delight, but all I felt was a gnawing sense of dread. I clutched my belly, feeling the gentle flutter of life within me, a precious reminder of what I was fighting for. Beside me, Chapheris's brow furrowed, her eyes darting between the jubilant throngs and the enormous wooden figure. "Sabryna, something doesn't feel right about this," she whispered, her voice tinged with anxiety. "It's too grand, too extravagant to be a peace offering."

"I know what you mean," I replied, unease settling deep in my chest. "It's like they're trying to distract us with a spectacle."

Chapheris nodded, her fingers tightening around my arm as we watched the crowd cheer, blissfully unaware of the shadows lurking beneath the surface. "Everyone seems so convinced that this is a sign of peace, but I can't shake the feeling that it's too good to be true."

The cheers continued to rise around us, each joyous shout amplifying my urgency. With determination coursing through me, we maneuvered through the throngs of revelers, our voices rising above the laughter. "Listen! The horse is a trick! We need to prepare for battle!" My heart ached as I saw skepticism in their eyes, their minds blinded by the celebration.

As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows that twisted ominously along the cobblestones. We made our way to the soldiers' barracks, desperation fueling our steps. As I pounded on the heavy door, I felt a surge of hope mixed with dread. "You have to listen!" I shouted, fear lacing my words. "We must prepare! The Greeks will not spare us!"

The door creaked open, revealing a weary soldier. His brows knitted together in confusion. "You're just scaring everyone," he replied, his tone dismissive. "Go home. This is a night for celebration."

Frustration simmered within me, but before I could respond, Chapheris stepped forward. "You have to trust us! We know the signs. This isn't a time for merriment!"

He shook his head, his eyes filled with disbelief. "You'll regret this foolishness."

I felt the walls closing in around us, the weight of impending doom heavy on my shoulders. "We can't abandon them," I urged Chapheris, my voice trembling. "If we leave now, it could be too late."

As the last traces of sunlight faded, we stood amidst a sea of oblivious revelers. Laughter echoed, masking the growing tension that hung in the air like a thick fog. The wooden horse towered over us, its presence growing more sinister in the darkness.

"Let's find the others," Chapheris suggested, glancing nervously around. "We need to get to safety, Sabryna."

But my heart was set. "No! We have to warn more people!" I insisted, scanning the streets filled with soldiers and townsfolk, their faces glowing in the flickering torchlight.

The night deepened, and we rushed from group to group, trying to break through the veil of ignorance that enveloped the city. "Please, listen to us!" I pleaded with one group, my voice hoarse from shouting. "The horse is a deception! We're in grave danger!"

Their laughter turned to confusion, but many quickly dismissed us, returning to their revelry. Frustration clawed at my insides as I watched them turn away. The weight of our warnings pressed down upon us like a storm cloud, threatening to burst.

"We're running out of time!" I whispered to Chapheris as we approached another gathering, my heart racing. "We can't let this go on!"

"Sabryna, it's late," she said, her eyes wide with fear. "What if we're too late to help anyone?"

—

As midnight approached, the city thrummed with celebration, the air filled with the sounds of laughter and music. Joyful voices mingled with the clinking of cups and the savory scents of feasts, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and hope. Suddenly, the sound of creaking wood cut through the merriment, drawing the attention of revelers who turned to watch in confusion. With a resounding thud, the doors of the horse swung open.

My heart raced as I caught sight of the shadowy figures emerging from within—Greek warriors, their faces set with grim determination and battle-hardened resolve. They poured out like a dark tide, spilling forth from their wooden prison, weapons drawn and ready for carnage.

The laughter faded into stunned silence, replaced by gasps of disbelief and fear.

Chaos erupted.

The screams of the crowd echoed as the first arrows whistled through the air, shattering the calm of night. Confusion took hold, and panic rippled through the gathered Trojans, turning their admiration into terror. "We have to run!" I shouted, my heart racing as the chaos erupted around us.

"Sabryna!" Chapheris grabbed my arm, her grip tightening with urgency. "This way!"

As the last of the Greek warriors spilled from the wooden horse, they charged toward the gates with ruthless urgency. The element of surprise was theirs; they cut down the unsuspecting guards stationed at the entrance, their swords flashing in the dim light as they fought with a ferocity born of desperation. Blood sprayed the cobblestones, mingling with the festivity of the night. With the gates finally pried open, the echoes of their battle cries resonated through the air, signaling the impending doom as waves of their comrades rushed in, eager to claim their prize and unleash chaos upon the city of Troy.

"Chapheris, hurry!" I called out, fear tightening my throat as I glimpsed the flicker of flames igniting in the distance. "We have to make it to the tunnel!"

But as we neared the entrance, an arrow whizzed past us, embedding itself into the wall with a sickening thud. My heart dropped as dread pooled in my stomach.

"Keep moving!" Chapheris shouted, her eyes filled with fierce determination.

We sprinted forward, adrenaline propelling us, but in an instant, everything shattered. I heard a gasp, and I turned to see Chapheris stumble, her hand clutching her chest.

"NO!" I cried, rushing back to her side.

An arrow jutted from her chest, the crimson blood seeping from the wound and staining her tunic in dark, splotchy patterns. I gasped, panic clawing at my throat as I knelt beside her, my hands trembling as I reached for her. "Chapheris!" The word tore from my lips, a desperate plea swallowed by the chaos around us. Her eyes were wide, glistening with shock and pain. The moonlight caught the blood as it pooled beneath her, a stark reminder of the horror unfolding in the streets of Troy. "Go, Sabryna! You have to survive!" she gasped, her breath coming in shallow bursts. "You have to promise me!"

Tears streamed down my face as I gripped her hand, the weight of despair crashing over me. "I can't leave you! Not like this!"

"Take this," she whispered, her fingers trembling as she fumbled with the delicate silver necklace around her neck, shaped like a crescent moon. "Remember me...always."

"I can't!" I sobbed, shaking my head, desperate to hold onto her.

"Promise me!" she insisted, her eyes pleading. "You have to live! You must!"

With shaking hands, I accepted the necklace, my heart shattering as I watched the life fade from her eyes. "I promise," I whispered, my voice choked with grief.

As the sounds of battle surged around us, I pressed the necklace to my chest, feeling the warmth of her life slip away.

"I love you, Sabryna," she murmured, her voice barely audible now. "Now go...run!" With one last look at my best friend, I stumbled back, heart racing as I turned to flee. The streets of Troy blurred into a nightmarish tapestry of chaos, and as I ran into the darkness of screams.