The Heir of the Lost Wings

The Magic Realm

The moment the portal closed behind them, Saars stumbled forward into the dense darkness of an unfamiliar forest. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, the sounds of nocturnal creatures echoing faintly in the distance. The trees stretched tall and twisted, their branches weaving together like a labyrinth of shadows. It felt cold here, and the weight of their recent escape still lingered in the pit of Saars' stomach.

She glanced around, her eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness, but then—something inside her began to hum. Her pulse quickened, and the air around her seemed to shift. Saars' hands trembled at her sides as she felt warmth spreading through her chest.

And then, without warning, light began to pour from her body.

She gasped, blinking in surprise as her skin started to glow softly, a warm, ethereal light that bathed the surrounding trees in a silvery hue. But it wasn't just light. Saars felt a strange sensation, like a gentle pull at her back. She turned, startled, and gasped as delicate, transparent wings unfurled behind her, shimmering like gossamer in the moonlight.

The wings were beautiful—like those of a butterfly, the edges glimmering faintly with every beat. The light from her body flickered and pulsed, in time with her heartbeat.

Kas froze, her eyes wide with shock. She took a step back, her mouth slightly open. "Saars..." she whispered, voice catching.

Saars looked at her, still in a daze from the sudden transformation. "What's happening to me?"

Kas swallowed, taking a deep breath, her expression shifting from awe to something more serious. "You have wings," she said, her voice almost reverent as she stared at Saars. "I knew all royals had wings, but... yours are beautiful. They're so... big. I've only seen Rayl's wings before, and they're smaller, not as impressive." She shook her head in amazement. "I've never seen anything like this."

Saars felt her heart race at the revelation, but she couldn't focus on it. The wings—why did she have them? Was this what Arkas had meant when she said Saars had magic?

"I don't know what to do," Saars muttered, panic beginning to creep into her voice. She raised her hands, as if trying to hide the wings behind her back, but they only shimmered more brightly. "I don't know how to control this."

Kas stepped closer, urgency in her tone. "You need to hide them. You can't let anyone see them. The moment you show your wings, there's no turning back. Alberthus will know you're here. He'll come after you—after both of us." Kas fumbled at her belt, pulling something small from a pouch. "Here. Put this on."

Kas handed her a silver ring. It was simple in design, but something about it felt... important. Saars hesitated, her fingers brushing over the cool metal.

"What is it?"

"A ring that can suppress magic," Kas explained quickly. "It will hide your wings and the light. Just put it on. Now."

Saars slipped the ring onto her finger, and the moment it touched her skin, the light around her dimmed. The wings vanished into nothingness, like a mirage fading in the night. She felt a strange sense of relief, but also loss. She wasn't sure why, but the wings had felt like a part of her—something deeply connected to who she was.

Kas exhaled in relief. "That's better." Her tone softened, though her expression remained tense. "We can't stay out here. We need to find shelter."

As if on cue, a low growl echoed through the trees.

Kas' face turned pale. "We need to move. Now."

Saars followed her instinctively as Kas led the way through the dark forest. The growl came again, closer this time, a deep, guttural sound that made the hairs on Saars' neck stand up. The ground seemed to tremble with each heavy footfall. Whatever was out there, it was fast. And it was coming for them.

They ran through the woods, their footsteps muffled by the underbrush. Saars' heart pounded in her chest as she fought to keep up with Kas, her mind still reeling from the shock of what had just happened. Magic, wings—everything was happening so fast, and Saars was struggling to process it all.

After what felt like an eternity, the trees started to thin, and Kas abruptly stopped. Saars nearly bumped into her as they emerged into a clearing. The night air was still here, but she could hear voices—soft murmurs and footsteps.

"We'll find shelter here," Kas said, her voice low. "Stay close."

They approached a small village in the distance, its humble buildings built of stone and wood, flickering lights visible through the windows. Kas led Saars toward one of the buildings, where she quickly ducked behind a row of barrels.

Kas scanned the street. The village was quiet, most of the residents seemingly asleep, but Saars could feel eyes on them, though no one had noticed them yet.

Kas moved swiftly, her hands working with practiced ease as she slipped inside a small shop at the corner of the village. Saars followed her inside, the familiar scent of incense and herbs filling the air.

"Stay here," Kas ordered, her tone firm. "I'll be right back."

Before Saars could ask, Kas disappeared into the back of the store. Saars stood by the counter, trying to take in her surroundings, but her mind was spinning. Magic, wings, beasts hunting them—it was too much to understand all at once.

A few minutes later, Kas returned with a long tunic draped over her arm. She handed it to Saars. "Put this on," she said. "Your clothes are too out of place. We have to stay low."

Saars took the tunic gratefully, slipping into it quickly. It was loose and comfortable, though it was a bit large for her. When she was done, she felt slightly more inconspicuous.

Kas nodded, her eyes scanning the shelves in the shop. "This place has magical wards. It's safe for now. The beasts won't be able to find us here."

Saars collapsed onto a small wooden chair, her mind still racing. "How did you know about this place?"

"Rayl told me about it," Kas said, her voice softer now. "It's one of the few places left that hasn't been compromised. But we can't stay here long. We need to move once it's safe."

Saars looked at Kas, her heart heavy with the weight of everything that was happening. "What now? Where do we go?"

Kas sighed, her shoulders sagging with the weight of the responsibility she carried. "I'll contact Rhaes. He's my best friend and Rayl's personal guard. He'll protect you from now on. I... I have aristocratic duties to attend to, and I can't attract attention to myself right now. It's too risky for both of us."

Saars' eyes widened, panic flickering in her gaze. "I don't want to be with a stranger. I don't even know him."

Kas placed a reassuring hand on Saars' shoulder. "I understand. But Rhaes is one of the most loyal and trustworthy people I know. He'll keep you safe, Saars. He's Rayl's right hand, and if anyone can help you, it's him."

Saars hesitated, her nerves on edge, but she could see the sincerity in Kas' eyes. "Alright," she said softly, though doubt lingered in her voice.

Kas nodded, pulling out a small crystal device from her pocket. With a few murmured words, she activated it, and a soft light flickered within it before fading. She pocketed the crystal once more. "It's done. Rhaes will be here soon."

They waited around for about an hour, the tension in the air palpable. Then, they heard a knock at the door.

Kas instantly pulled her blade, her body tensing as she moved toward the door, her eyes narrowed, her senses on high alert. She couldn't afford to take any chances.

Slowly, she cracked the door open, peering outside. After a moment, her posture relaxed, and she swung the door wide.