She's the Prince

Chapter 40

Flame Lion

Ares and his men moved into a dark forest that swallowed what little light crept through. Though Ares led them forward, the unease sat heavy, a silent tension that none dared voice.

"How's the hand?" Ares asked, glancing at Callan.

"Better, thanks to Sebastian's magic," Callan replied, flexing his fingers, his face betraying relief and awe.

Sebastian moved quietly, his healing touch precise and deliberate as he finished tending to Callan. His hands radiated a faint green light that blended with the forest darkness. He didn't speak, but his furrowed brow hinted at a mind burdened with caution.

"Sebastian's truly unmatched," Callan said, breaking the silence as they resumed their trek.

Ares gave a brief nod. "He and Ninazu have different methods. But yes, we're fortunate."

Callan cast Sebastian a sidelong look. "You ever heard of Ninazu?"

"Healer of Zodiac City," Sebastian muttered, then fell silent, as if unwilling to speak more.

"So how did you manage those fire-clad arrows back there?" Callan probed, eyes bright with curiosity.

"Just a small trick," Ares replied, a slight smirk on his lips. "Ordaining fire can have... entertaining effects."

Their talk became quieter as the trees got taller and cast a heavy shade. The air was dense, and the usual sounds of the forest had faded, replaced by an unnerving silence.

"This forest seems endless, doesn't it?" Ares murmured, glancing around. "It's odd that it's so dark this early in the day."

"The land of Algos..." Sebastian began, but Ares cut him off.

"I know," he snapped, irritation briefly flaring. They could see better because he sighed and called up a flicker of flame in his palm. The light threw eerie shadows across twisted branches, and the sight reminded him of old, haunting tales Aria had once shared about forests in distant worlds.

Sebastian raised a brow. "Your prince seems a bit jumpy today."

Ares chuckled dryly, but Callan remained tense, his gaze darting around. "Are there creatures, hiding in this darkness?" he asked.

Sebastian's expression darkened. "This is the territory of flame lions."

"Flame lions?" Ares and Callan echoed, both intrigued and apprehensive.

Sebastian nodded gravely. "A millennium-decade beast. Stronger than most foes, with the power to scorch anything in its path."

The silence thickened as Ares processed this information, a flame lion... here. Moments later, two flashing lights emerged out of nowhere, cutting through the blackness. The soldiers froze, eyes widening with both awe and fear.

"There," Sebastian whispered, urgency edging his voice. "The flame lion."

Out of the shadows stepped a magnificent beast—a lion, its mane ablaze, red flames casting a hellish glow. It growled low, the sound vibrating through the ground. With an ear-splitting roar, flames shot out of its mouth, sending waves of heat over the team.

Ares chuckled despite the danger, masking his unease. "Looks like it's having a bad day."

"Are you serious?" Sebastian hissed. "It nearly roasted us alive!"

Ares shrugged, amusement glinting in his eyes. "Just enjoy the view."

But Callan's face betrayed nothing but terror as the air grew thick with heat, the trees around them seeming to catch fire in the lion's mere presence. Ares raised his hand, channeling flames toward the beast, only to feel his power repelled, entangled in the lion's aura.

"What do we do?" Callan's voice wavered.

"Our weapons are useless," Ares muttered, frustration tightening his jaw. "At this distance, I can barely stand the heat."

"Are you saying we need to run?" Sebastian asked, incredulous.

Ares nodded firmly. "Yes. We're outmatched."

"We can't just flee; it'll chase us down!" Sebastian protested.

Ares weighed his options, feeling the lion's furious gaze on them. The soldiers broke formation, bolting into the underbrush. Callan and Ares followed, adrenaline driving them forward.

Ares growled at the soldiers. "Who said to retreat?"

One soldier called back over his shoulder, "We're terrified, Prince Ares!"

Ares laughed irritably and fired ahead to get the lion's attention off of him. "Move, everyone! We'll split up and divert it."

Sebastian glanced at him, understanding dawning. "A distraction. Good thinking."

Callan seized a bow, tying a rope to an arrow and aiming at a sturdy tree across the river up ahead. "There! If we cross, we might lose it."

"Follow my lead," Ares ordered. They reached the river's edge, and one by one, each soldier grasped the rope and crossed, leaving Ares last to make sure the others were safely across.

"Hurry, Ares!" Callan shouted as he reached the opposite bank.

Ares clung to the rope, crossing slowly when the lion emerged, its eyes fixed on him. It stood by the water's edge, roaring, flames licking its jaws. The heat was searing. Suddenly, the rope snapped, frayed by the heat, and Ares plunged into the river, the current dragging him under.

"Ares!" Callan's scared scream could be heard as he fought the speed of the water to get to him.

The others fought to pull him ashore, where he lay battered and bruised. He could barely move, pain shooting through his limbs as he coughed up water. A soldier peered across the river, where the lion stood, its gaze unwavering, as if waiting.

Callan gently laid Ares against a tree. "We need shelter and time to recover," he said, glancing at Sebastian, whose face was drawn with concern.

Sebastian looked at Ares's cuts while pulling plants out of his bag. He mumbled as he carefully put them on, "Just scratches, thankfully. But we'll have to keep him rested."

He took a moment to sit, exhaustion plain in his posture, while Callan pulled out a crumpled map from his bag. "Where do we go from here?"

Sebastian handed Callan the map with a smirk. "A little borrowed information. We'll need it."

Callan raised an eyebrow. "You took it? I'm both shocked and impressed."

Sebastian chuckled softly. "Let's focus on getting through this. I'll rest while you check our route."

With weary breaths, they prepared to move forward, the image of the flame lion burned in their minds as they gathered their strength for the trials still to come.