I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't.
There were fires. Everywhere.
The Northern Kingdom was covered in flames, just burning away. The buildings were almost completely turned to ash and all the fruit and vegetable stands were totally gone. Smoke filled the whole kingdom. Not a speck of fresh sky anywhere.
All clouds. All smoky grey clouds. They just...blackened the sky.
I stared at the horror in front of me. There were screams everywhere, most from the children, and more from the adults. They had burns on their bodies. Severe burns. Must not look at those.
A giant plank of rubble was about to fall on the kids trying to escape. I rushed over there in absolute worry for them.
"Watch out!" I shouted as I ran, summoning Taurus to protect the children from the falling rubble of the burning buildings. Luckily, Taurus was able to protect them just fine. I sighed in relief, "Thank you Taurus."
Taurus lifted the giant plank of rubble and tossed it aside. "Luuuuucy, what's going on with the Northern Kingdom? Whoooooo is doing this? Are we under attack?"
I hugged the kids so tightly. Where was their mother? Their father? Their faces were covered with black soot and their hair crippled and filled with smoke. I cried, "I don't know, Taurus. If there is an attack, we have to stop the one who was doing it. But first, I need you to protect the other citizens too and gather them up into a safe place. Down that forest over there, that should be a safe place. Go. I'll catch up with you." Taurus, concerned, nodded and did what he was told. He ran off to the other buildings to get everyone out. I called Loki and Virgo to help him out too, "I want you to get the citizens to safety. To the forest. That should be a safe place. Do you understand?" Virgo and Loki understood and headed off in separate directions to get the others to safety. I looked at the children, shaking and crying in fear.
"Where's my mommy?" One asked. They cried and I hugged them. Where was their mom and dad anyway? Were they...gone?
"Your parents are being led into a safe place now. Don't worry. You see that big cow over there?" I pointed to Taurus gathering the others to safety, "I want you all to follow him. He's a nice guy. He's my friend. He will get you to your parents. Get away from here as fast as you can. It's dangerous."
The kids nodded and ran to Taurus. I sighed in relief. They'll be okay, I thought.
I ran all over the kingdom, gathering the kids and adults, and helping them escape out of the kingdom. A little girl was tugging on my skirt. I kneeled down and looked at her.
"Miss, you look familiar. Could you be our lost princess? Are you going to protect us? There's a monster ravaging the kingdom. Please protect us," she begged. I couldn't hold back my tears.
"Yes. I am your lost princess and I will protect you and everyone in the kingdom. I promise," I swore. In the end, I was bound to be caught, to be asked if I was Princess Lucia. I looked too much like my mother to be forgotten. It just surprised me how much they cared.
The girl suddenly jumped and she backed away from me slowly. I gave her a confused look, "What's wrong? Are you okay?"
She was pointing at something behind me. I turned my head slowly.
"Princess," it growled.
I couldn't move.
"Natsu."
