The sound of ragged gasps filled the air as the young boy sprinted through the dense woods, his footsteps pounding against the earth in a desperate attempt to escape. With each stride, his heart raced, and a chilling sense of dread coursed through his veins.
The ominous thud of spears striking the trees around him added to the intensity of the scene. He pushed himself harder, his body propelling forward with every ounce of strength he had left. A spear whizzed past his head, narrowly missing him on the left. Reacting instinctively, he leaned his body to the other side, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectile. He stole a quick glance over his shoulder to gauge the distance between him and his pursuers before refocusing on his escape route.
The boy's gaze flickered with a mix of determination and fear as he realized he was nearing the edge of the woods, where a massive dam stood tall. Adrenaline surged through his veins, urging him to keep running, to fight for his life. The thundering sound of hooves and distant shouts intensified the torment that gripped his soul.
After what seemed like an eternity of evading his relentless adversaries, the boy caught sight of the statue of Alio, standing resolute behind the dam. It served as a beacon of hope, fueling his determination to push even harder. As he approached Lake Ekam, a searing pain shot through his thigh as a spear embedded itself deeply, its force propelling him into an involuntary dive. He hit the water's surface with a splash, desperately seeking refuge beneath its cool depths.
Navigating through the eerie underwater realm, among the skeletal trees, the boy resurfaced cautiously on the other side, putting distance between himself and his attackers. He swam stealthily, concealing his presence from the mechanical sentinels that patrolled the area. His lungs strained for air as he made his way towards the lake's edge. Gritting his teeth against the pain and exertion, he emerged from the water and resumed his desperate sprint, determined to remain undetected.
Despite his waning strength and the searing agony radiating from his wounded leg, the boy pressed on, his feet pounding against the ground. The bustling entrance of a sprawling metropolis greeted him, and he slipped through the chaotic maze of merchant carts, his presence seemingly invisible to the guards. The city of Iloa sprawled before him, surpassing even his wildest fantasies. Towering machines soared through the sky, colossal buildings reached for the heavens, and the entrance to the city buzzed with a vibrant marketplace where a myriad of goods and cultures converged.
Cautiously maneuvering between the merchant stalls, the boy avoided the watchful eyes of the guards, his eyes darting to and fro, carefully assessing his surroundings. The main road leading deeper into the city was strictly restricted, accessible only to residents with proper seals, the elite families, and the imperial entourage. Determined to evade detection, he veered off into a narrow alley, seeking refuge from prying eyes. Exhausted and losing copious amounts of blood from his leg wound, the boy's strength finally gave way, and he collapsed unconscious in the midst of the dimly lit passage.
...…
"Princess, Prin…." the desperate cry of the young girl echoed through the opulent corridors of the grand residence.
The young woman, startled by the urgency in the girl's voice, abruptly halted in her tracks just as the heavy wooden door swung open, narrowly missing her face. She took a few steps back, bowing her head in deference to the person emerging from the room.
"Sir Lann," the man passed by without sparing her a glance, his indifference piercing her heart. The young woman watched him depart, a bitter expression etched upon her face. Determination filled her eyes as she mustered the strength to enter the room, catching a glimpse of her own reflection in the ornate mirror.
Her gaze turned melancholy as she beheld the image of a young woman standing before her, adorned in a flowing black silk gown with veiled sleeves. Weary, she sank onto the middle of the sofa in the room and beckoned the young servant to approach her.
"Princess, you cannot continue to exist in this manner. It breaks my heart to see you like this," the woman's gentle hand caressed the face of the servant, who sat across from her. The princess's eyes held only a void, devoid of any emotions, cold and empty. Anna had been by her side since childhood, sharing the moments of joy, sorrow, hatred, and most importantly, the moments of her utter despair.
"Anne, I need you to arrange something for me," she gestured, knowing that they were being listened to. Anna understood her mistress's request and rose from her seat.
"Shall I procure an abundance of Antor oils for your bath?"
"Yes, ensure there is an ample supply this time."
Without wasting another moment, Anna comprehended her task and left the room, leaving the princess to her solitude.
Ammarea rose from her seat and made her way to the shower. She turned on the faucets, allowing the water to cascade into the bathtub. She let the black silk dress slide down her body and immersed herself in the water, surrendering to its depths, both physical and metaphorical, and allowing the painful memories to consume her once again.
Through a small crack in a partially closed door, a little girl peered in. The voices grew louder, their tones turning icy, and then blood spurted forth as a man fell lifeless to the ground. Just as the little girl was about to scream, a hand covered her mouth, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her widened eyes captured the horrifying scene, her world shattering into irreparable fragments. The person who had silenced her turned her around, revealing a young man who stood witness to the same tragedy. Beside him stood a little girl, almost the same height as the one peering through the door. The young man's gaze became vacant, devoid of any emotion.
Ammarea jolted back to the present, gasping for breath as tears clouded her vision. She struggled to regain her composure, her strength waning as she let out a heart-wrenching scream that reverberated through the empty room. She was a mere semblance of herself, trapped in a life that felt like a mere facade, suffocating under the weight of a reality that threatened to drown her in its depths. In the frigid water, she wept, pouring out every tear her body held, finding solace only in her profound sorrowa shattered world crumbling into countless shards.